subs. (Winchester College).—Pronounced clō.—A box on the ear. [Possibly from CLOUT (q.v.) on the model of ‘bow’ from ‘bout,’ and ‘low’ from ‘lout.’ Halliwell gives ‘clow’ as a Cumberland word, meaning ‘to scratch.’] Cf., BASTE, and for general synonyms, see BANG, DIG, and WIPE.
1866. MANSFIELD, School-Life at Winchester College, p. 140. The juniors did not get much fun out of the regular games, as their part consisted solely in kicking in the ball, and receiving divers kicks and CLOWS in return for their vigilance. Ibid., p. 39. Nor, when ordered to ‘hold down,’ (i.e., put your head in a convenient position) for a CLOW, would the victim dare to ward off the blow.
Verb.—To box one on the ear. It was customary to preface the action by an injunction to ‘hold down.’—See quot., 1870, under subs., sense.
