Clout
WordNet
noun
(1) (boxing) a blow with the fist
"I gave him a clout on his nose"
(2) A short nail with a flat head; used to attach sheet metal to wood
(3) Special advantage or influence
"The chairman's nephew has a lot of pull"
(4) A target used in archery
verb
(5) Strike hard, especially with the fist
"He clouted his attacker"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
, from , from . Cognate with Old Norse (Swedish , Danish ), Middle High German (German ), dialect Russian . See also cleat.
Noun
- Influence or effectiveness, especially political.
- A blow with the hand.
- 1910, Katherine Mansfield, Frau Brenchenmacher Attends A Wedding
- 'Such a clout on the ear as you gave me… But I soon taught you.'
- 1910, Katherine Mansfield, Frau Brenchenmacher Attends A Wedding
- The center of the butt at which archers shoot; probably once a piece of white cloth or a nail head.
- A swaddling cloth.
- A cloth; a piece of cloth or leather; a patch; a rag.
- An iron plate on an axletree or other wood to keep it from wearing; a washer.
- 1866, James Edwin Thorold Rogers, A History of Agriculture and Prices in England, Volume 1, p. 546.
- Clouts were thin and flat pieces of iron, used it appears to strengthen the box of the wheel; perhaps also for nailing on such other parts of the cart as were particularly exposed to wear.
- 1866, James Edwin Thorold Rogers, A History of Agriculture and Prices in England, Volume 1, p. 546.
- A piece; a fragment.