Clank v.

[See CLANK sb.¹]

  I.  intr.

  1.  To make an abrupt sound, as of heavy pieces of metal struck together. (Expressing a sound less clear and continuous than clang; cf. the sb., and quot. 1818.)

1656.  Cowley, Davideis, IV. (1687), 135. He falls, his Armour clanks against the ground.

1791.  E. Darwin, Bot. Gard., II. 80. Dungeons dank Where anguish wails aloud, and fetters clank.

1818.  Byron, Ch. Har., IV. xii. Chains Clank over sceptred cities.

1818.  Scott, Rob Roy, v. The old dinner-bell will clang, or rather clank, in a few minutes—it cracked of its own accord on the day of the landing of King Willie.

  fig.  1861.  Hon. Mrs. Norton, Lady La Garaye, IV. 197. The slandered … Hears for evermore the self-same lie Clank clog-like at his heels.

  2.  Used of the harsh abrupt cry of certain birds. (rare.) Cf. CLANG v.¹ 3.

1866.  Kingsley, Herew., II. i. 7. Between the pale-green reeds; where the coot clanked, and the bittern boomed.

  3.  To move with a clanking sound.

1801.  Har’st Rig, xv. (Jam.). Forthwith then they a’ down clank Upon the green.

1823.  Blackw. Mag., XIV. 510/2. Milkwomen, in droves, clank along with their (to be filled) pails.

1824.  W. Irving, T. Trav., I. 24. Clanking about the apartment in their huge boots and rattling spurs.

1866.  Kingsley, Herew., II. ii. 34. As Ascelin clanked into the hall.

  II.  trans.

  4.  To cause to emit a clanking sound.

1743.  J. Davidson, Æneid, VII. 203. Clanked her whip.

1746–7.  Hervey, Medit. (1758), II. 11. Persecution had brandished her Sword, and Slavery clanked her Chains.

1840.  Dickens, Barn. Rudge, ii. Mr. Haredale … strode into the room, clanking his heavy boots upon the floor.

  5.  To utter or proclaim with clanking sound.

1821.  Clare, Vill. Minstr., II. The beating snow-clad bell, with sounding dead, Hath clanked four.

1871.  E. F. Burr, Ad Fidem, xvi. 336. Clanks in your ears, the power of the Keys.

  6.  To deposit with energetic and resounding action. (To ‘clank down’ expresses a more violent and noisy action than to clap down.)

a. 1614.  J. Melvill, Mem., 97 (Jam.). Loosing a little Hebrew bible from his belt and clanking it down before the King and Chancellour.

1804.  Tarras, Poems, 130 (Jam.). Lat’s clank oursels ayont the fire.

1843.  Mrs. Carlyle, Lett., I. 190. When she brought up the tea-tray, she clanked it on the lobby-table.

1847.  Alb. Smith, Chr. Tadpole, xl. (1879), 338. She [the stupid milkwoman] … clanked her pails down.

  † 7.  (Sc.) To strike with a resounding blow.

c. 1800.  Auld Maitland, xlvii. in Border Minstrelsy (1869), 157. He clanked Piercy ower the head A deep wound and a sair.