251
**Clinton, Bill**
**client 'state** *n* [(of)] a country which is dependent upon the support and protection of another larger and more powerful country $\rightarrow$ compare SATELLITE
**cliff** /klıf/ *n* a high very steep face of rock, ice etc, especially on a coast: *climbers clinging to the cliff face* $\rightarrow$ see also WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER
**Cliff** an informal name for Cliff RICHARD
**Cliff, Jimmy** (1948-) a Jamaican singer and songwriter of REGGAE music, known especially for his song *The Harder They Come* and for appearing in the film of the same name
**cliff-hang-er** /'klıf,hæŋǝr/ *n infml* **1** a competition or fight of which the result is in doubt until the very end: *The election was a real cliffhanger.* **2** (especially on the radio and on television) a play or story of adventure, performed in parts which each end with an exciting moment of uncertainty about what will happen next
**Clif-ford, Max** /'klifǝdl-ǝrd/ (1943-) a British BUSINESSMAN who runs a PUBLIC RELATIONS company, Max Clifford Associates, whose customers include many well-known people. The company's activities include giving help and advice to people who want to sell information to the newspapers, for example about their sexual relationships with politicians or other famous people.
**Cliff's 'Notes** *trademark* **1** [U] a US series of small books that give a short description of the main points of a work of literature, and explain it in simple language. Students sometimes read these instead of reading the works of literature. **2** [C] a book in this series
**Clif-ton Su-spen-sion Bridge, the** /,klıftǝn sǝ'spenʃǝn ,brɪdʒ/ a very high bridge over the River Avon near Bristol, designed by I.K. Brunel
**cli-mac-ter-ic** /klaɪ'mæktǝrɪk, ,klaɪmæk'terɪk/ *n tech* a point in life when important changes take place in the human body, such as the MENOPAUSE
**cli-mac-tic** /klaɪ'mæktɪk/ *adj* of or forming a CLIMAX: *a climactic car chase* $\rightarrow$ compare CLIMATIC
**cli-mate** /'klaɪmǝt/ *n* **1** the average weather conditions at a particular place over a period of years: *a tropical climate* $\rightarrow$ compare WEATHER **2** the general feelings or opinions of a group of people at a particular time: *the present political climate | a climate of unrest*
**li-mat-ic** /klaɪ'mætɪk/ *adj* of climate: *climatic conditions* $\rightarrow$ compare CLIMACTIC **-ally** /kli/ *adv*
**li-ma-tol-o-gy** /,klaɪmǝ'tɒlǝdʒi||-'tɑ:-/ *n* [U] the science that studies climate
**li-max¹** /'klaɪmæks/ *n* **1** the most exciting, important, or effective part in a story, experience, set of events etc, which usually comes near the end: *The climax of the film is a brilliant car chase. | The election campaign reached its climax last night, with a televised debate between the two candidates.* $\rightarrow$ see also ANTICLIMAX **2** the highest point of sexual pleasure; ORGASM
**limax²** *v* [I(in)] to come to a climax: *a life of service to the nation, climaxing in her appointment as President*
**limb¹** /klaɪm/ *v* **1** [T] to go up towards the top of: *They climbed the hill. | The little train climbed the mountainside slowly.* **2** [I] to rise or slope upwards continuously: *The plane/the road climbed steeply. | The sun climbed steadily in the sky. | The value of imports has climbed (=increased) sharply in the past year.* **1** (fig.) He climbed to power slowly but surely. **3** [I;T] to go up, through, into, or out of etc, usually moving from a lower to a higher position, by using the hands and feet: *to climb a ladder/a tree | The old lady climbs (up) the stairs with difficulty. | She climbed into the lifeboat/onto the table/out of the window. | We climbed down the side of the cliff.* **4** [I(up);T] (of a plant) to grow upwards along (a supporting surface): *I have several climbing plants in the garden.* **5** [I+into, out of] *infml* to get into or out of clothing quickly or with effort: *The firemen climbed into their uniforms.* **6** go climbing to climb hills or mountains as a sport: *We went climbing in the Alps last year.*
**climb down** *phr v* [I] *infml* to admit that you have been wrong or have made a mistake especially so as to make a difficult situation easier **—'climb-down** *n*: *His last-minute climb-down saved the country from war.*
**imb²** *n* [C usually sing.] **1** an act of climbing or a journey made by climbing: *The climb down was even harder than the climb up. | the minister's climb to power* **2** a place to be climbed; very steep slope: *There was a steep climb on the road out of town.*
**climb-er** /'klaɪmǝr/ *n* a person or thing that climbs: *This plant is a good climber. | a famous mountain climber*
**'climbing ,frame** *BrE* || **jungle gym, monkey bars** *AmE* — *n* a large frame made of bars for children to climb on
**'climbing iron** *n* [usually pl.] a CRAMPON
**clime** /klaɪm/ *n poet* for CLIMATE: *sunny southern climes*
**clinch¹** /klɪntʃ/ *v* **1** [T] *infml* to settle (a business matter or an agreement) firmly: *The two businessmen clinched the deal quickly. | The offer of more money clinched it for her and she accepted the job.* **2** [I] (of two people) to hold each other tightly with the arms, especially when fighting **3** [T] to fix (a nail) in place by bending the point over
**clinch²** *n* [S] the position of two people when holding each other tightly with the arms: *The two fighters/lovers were locked in a clinch.*
**clinch-er** /'klɪntʃǝr/ *n infml* a last point, fact, or remark which decides an argument
**cline** /klaɪn/ *n tech* (especially in grammar) something that changes gradually, like a slope rather than like stairs; CONTINUUM
**Cline, Patsy** (1932-63) a US COUNTRY AND WESTERN singer who died in a plane crash. A film called *Sweet Dreams* was made about her life, and this is also the name of one of her songs.
**cling** /klɪŋ/ *v* **clung** /klʌŋ/ [I(to)] **1** to hold tightly; refuse to go or let go; stick firmly: *His wet shirt clung to his body. | They clung to one another for comfort. | (fig.) She still clings to the belief that her son is alive.* **2** to stay very near; remain too close, especially because of lack of confidence: *a little child who clings to his mother*
**cling-film** /'klıŋfılm/ *especially BrE* || **plastic wrap, Saran wrap** *AmE trademark* — *n* [U] a thin transparent plastic put round foods to keep them fresh
**cling-y** /'klıŋi/ also **cling-ing** /'klıŋɪŋ/ *adj* **1** someone who is clingy is too dependent on another person: *a timid, clingy child* **2** clingy clothing or material sticks tightly to your body and shows its shape
**clin-ic** /'klɪnɪk/ *n* **1 a)** *especially BrE* a building or part of a hospital where usually specialized medical treatment and advice is given to OUTPATIENTS: *a family-planning clinic* **b)** *AmE* a building, often a part of a hospital, where treatment is given at a lower cost or free **2** an occasion when treatment is given at a clinic: *Is the clinic being held today?* $\rightarrow$ compare SURGERY **3** a group of doctors who work together and share the same offices: *Go to the clinic that Dr Jones belongs to.* **4** an occasion in a hospital when medical students are taught by watching the treatment of sick people **5** a meeting held by a skilled or professional person to which people bring their problems: *an MP's weekly clinic for his constituents*
**clin-i-cal** /'klɪnɪkǝl/ *adj* **1** of or connected with a clinic or hospital **2** [A] (of medical teaching) given in a hospital and using sick people as examples: *clinical training | clinical medicine* **3** appearing not to be influenced by personal feelings; cold; DETACHED: *his clinical attitude towards his divorce* **—ly** /kli/ *adv*
**clinical ther'mometer** *n tech* a THERMOMETER for measuring the temperature of the human body
**cli-ni-cian** /klɪ'nɪʃǝn/ *n* a doctor who treats and examines people, rather than one who does RESEARCH
**clink¹** /klɪŋk/ *v* [I;T] (to cause to) make a slight high sound like that of pieces of glass lightly hitting each other: *They clinked their glasses together to toast the bride and groom.* **—clink** *n* [S] *the clink of glasses*
**clink²** *n* [the S] *slang* prison: *He's in the clink.*
**clink-er** /'klɪŋkǝr/ *n* [C;U] (a lump of) the partly burnt matter left after coal has been burned; (a piece of) SLAG
**clinker-'built** *adj tech* (of a boat or ship) made from boards or plates whose bottom edges cover the top edges of the next lower boards or plates
**Clin-ton, Bill** /'klɪntǝn/ (1946-) the 42nd President of the US