Also 9 clamm. [f. CLAM a.1 or v.1; or perh. a back-formation from CLAMMY. (Cf. greed).]

1

  † 1.  A soft or plastic mass. Obs. (Cf. CLOAM.)

2

1554.  Philpot, Exam. & Writ. (1842), 340. Hath not the pot-maker power to form out of that same clam of earth that one vessel for an honourable use, and that other for contemptuous and vilenous?

3

  2.  Clamminess, cold dampness.

4

1694.  Westmacott, Script. Herb., 17. Fat, ropy, sweet ale … creates clams in the viscera.

5

1827.  Carlyle, Germ. Rom., III. 291. The clamm of the grave.

6

1830.  Forby, Voc. East Anglia, s.v., ‘The meat has been kept too long, and has got a clam,’ begins to decay.

7

1837.  Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. V. v. Around you is starvation … corruption, and the clam of death.

8