clappers 246
cinema or television is written. It is held up in front of the camera and its two connecting parts are clapped together.
clap·pers /'klæpəz||-ərz/ n like the clappers BrE infml very fast: to go/run like the clappers
Clap·ton, Er·ic /'klæptən, 'erɪk/ (1945–) a British GUITAR player and singer, known especially for his great skill at playing the guitar. He first became popular as a BLUES musician in the 1960s and has continued performing and making records since then. His songs include Layla and I Shot the Sheriff.
clap·trap /'klæptræp/ n [U] infml empty, insincere, or foolish talk or writing; nonsense: He talked a lot of dangerous claptrap about the glories of war.
claque /klæk/ n [C+sing./pl. v] a group of people hired to give support by clapping (CLAP), especially at a political meeting
Clare /kleər/ a COUNTY in the west of the Republic of Ireland, known for its mountains and lakes and its wild land on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean
Clare, Dr Anthony (1942–) a British PSYCHIATRIST (=a doctor who treats mental illnesses) who talks to famous people on the radio and on television, and asks them questions about their character and feelings. His best-known programme is called In the Psychiatrist's Chair.
Clare, John (1793–1864) a British poet, who wrote mostly about the English countryside and country life. He became mentally ill in the later part of his life.
Clar·ence House /ˌklærəns ˈhaʊs/ the home in London, next to St James's Palace, of the Prince of Wales. It used to be the home of the Queen Mother when she was alive.
clar·et¹ /'klærət/ n [U] 1 red wine, from the Bordeaux area of France 2 a deep purplish-red colour
claret² adj having a deep purplish-red colour
Clar·idge's /'klærɪdʒɪz/ a London hotel. Claridge's is thought to be a place where only the rich upper classes eat and stay.
clar·i·fi·ca·tion /ˌklærfɪ'keɪʃən/ n [C,U] the act of clarifying or an example of something being clarified: They asked for further clarification/for a clarification of the government's plans.
clar·i·fy /'klærɪfaɪ/ v [T] 1 fml to make clearer and easier to understand, especially by explaining and giving more details: Will you clarify that statement? | When will the government clarify its position on equal pay for women? 2 to make (a fat, especially butter) clear and pure, especially by gentle heating
clar·i·net /ˌklærɪ'net/ n a musical instrument of the WOODWIND family, with a single REED
clar·i·net·ist, -netist /ˌklærɪ'netɪst/ n a clarinet player
clar·ion /'klæriən/ n (the sound made by) a kind of TRUMPET used in former times: (fig.) the clarion call (=very clear call) of duty
clar·i·ty /'klærɪti/ n [U] clearness, especially the quality of being easy to understand: clarity of expression
Clark, Dick /klɑːk||klɑːrk/ (1929–) a US television PRESENTER of several GAME SHOWS and other programmes including AMERICAN BANDSTAND. He is considered to look very young for his age.
Clark, Sir Ken·neth /'kenəθ/ (1903–83) a British writer and broadcaster on the history of art, known in the UK especially for his 1960s television programme Civilization
Clark, William (1770–1838) a US EXPLORER → see also LEWIS AND CLARK
Clarke, Arthur C. /klɑːk||klɑːrk/ (1917–) a British scientist and writer of SCIENCE FICTION. Many of his books are about journeys in space, and the film 2001: A Space Odyssey was based on one of his stories. His official title is Sir Arthur C. Clarke.
Clarke, Ken·neth /'kenɪðə/ ((1940–) a British politician and member of the Conservative Party, who was CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER from 1993 to 1997
Clarke, Richard A. (1951–) a US ADVISER to several presidents on national SECURITY, including problems of INTELLIGENCE and TERRORISM. He apologized to families affected by the attacks on September 11, 2001, for not doing enough to stop terrorist attacks, and said President Bush did not listen to his advice. He wrote a book called Against All Enemies.
Clarks /klɑːks| klɑːrks/ trademark a type of good-quality shoe made by a British company, known especially for selling children's shoes in many different sizes, according to their width as well as their length: I got Jenny some sandals from Clarks.
Clark·son, Jer·e·my /'klɑːksən||'klɑːrk-, 'dʒerəmi/ (1960–) a British JOURNALIST and television presenter who is best known for the television programme Top Gear which tests the performance of cars. He is known for expressing strong opinions, for being very POLITICALLY INCORRECT, and for wearing JEANS with suit jackets.
Clarkson, Kelly (1982–) an American POP SINGER who won American Idol, a TALENT COMPETITION shown on television, in 2003
Cla·ry, Ju·li·an /'kleəri, 'dʒuːliən/ (1959–) a British COMEDIAN, known for wearing very unusual clothes and wearing a lot of MAKE-UP. He is openly HOMOSEXUAL and often makes jokes about sex and his own HOMOSEXUALITY.
clash¹ /klæʃ/ v 1 [[with]] to be in opposition or come into opposition: Police and demonstrators clashed (=met and fought) outside the palace. | This shirt clashes with my trousers. (=the colours do not match) | Her wedding clashed with (=was at the same time as) my exam so I couldn't go. 2 [I,T;TOGETHER] to (cause to) make a loud noise, as of two metal objects struck together: The cymbals clashed. | She clashed two pans together to wake us up.
clash² n 1 [C(of, between)] an example of opposition or disagreement; CONFLICT: a border clash between two armies | a serious clash of opinions/interests | There have been angry clashes in the Senate between supporters and opponents of the President. | They're both very determined people, so there's rather a clash of personalities. 2 [S] a loud metallic noise: the clash of cymbals/swords
Clash, The a British PUNK band which started performing in 1976. Their ALBUMS include The Clash and London Calling. Their success continued even when PUNK was no longer fashionable.
clasp¹ /klɑːsp||klæsp/ n 1 a usually metal fastener for holding together two things or two parts of one thing: the clasp on a belt 2 [C usually sing.] a tight firm hold, especially by someone's hand or arms; GRIP
clasp² v [T] fml 1 to take and hold firmly with the hands or arms: He clasped the child in his arms. | The two men clasped hands warmly. 2 [+obj+adv/prep] to fasten with a clasp: I clasped the necklace round her neck.
USAGE Compare clasp, grasp, and grip. If you clasp something, you hold it tightly in your hands or arms: The little girl was clasping a large doll. You grasp something when you take hold of it and continue to hold it tightly in your hands: Paula grasped my arm and screamed. If you grip something, you hold it tightly with your hand or fingers, or with a tool: I gripped the handrail and tried not to look down.
'clasp knife n a large knife whose blades fold into the handle; JACK KNIFE
class¹ /klɑːs||klæs/ n 1 [C+sing./pl. v] also classes pl. — a social group whose members have the same political, social, and ECONOMIC position and rank: the ruling class/classes | a member of the landowning class → see also LOWER CLASS, MIDDLE CLASS, UPPER CLASS, WORKING CLASS 2 [U] the system of dividing society into groups with different social and political positions: Class distinctions have become less important during the last 50 years. → see also CLASS SYSTEM 3 [C+sing./pl. v] a group of pupils or students who are taught together: The English class is/are reading Shakespeare. | We were both in the same class. | a class of 23 children 4 [C] AmE a group of students who will finish studying in a particular year: the class of 1979 5 [C,U] a period of time during which pupils or students are taught: What time does the next class begin? | She's attending evening classes in computer studies. | He told them off for talking in class. 6 [C] a division of people or things according to their quality, level of performance etc: What class (of degree) did you get? First, second, or third? | a first-class rail carriage | a