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If a **clock** or **watch** says 11.50 at 12 o'clock, then it is (10 minutes) **slow**; if it says 12.05, it is (5 minutes) **fast**. If it gets faster every day it **gains** (time); if it gets slower every day it **loses** (time). When you put it to the right time you **set** it: *I set my watch by the radio*. (=by listening to the radio time signal) → see also O'CLOCK (USAGE), TIME (USAGE), TO (USAGE)
**clock²** *v* [T] **1** to record the time taken by (someone) to do (something), using a STOPWATCH: *She was clocked at 59 seconds for the first lap.* **2** *infml* to show or record on a SPEEDOMETER, MILEOMETER etc: *We clocked 100 mph down the motorway.* **3** *BrE slang* to hit (someone) **4** *BrE slang* to see
**clock in/on** *phr v* [I] **1** to record the time when you arrive at work, usually on a special card. People who have to clock in when they arrive at work are usually BLUE-COLLAR workers. **2** to arrive at work: *We usually clock in at 9 o'clock.*
**clock out/off** *phr v* [I] **1** to record the time when you leave work, usually on a special card. People who have to clock out when they leave work are usually BLUE-COLLAR workers. **2** to leave work
**clock up sthg.** *phr v* [T] *infml* **1** to record (a distance travelled, a speed reached, points won etc): *We clocked up 1000 miles coming here.* **2** to succeed in getting; gain: *The team has clocked up six victories since the season began.*
**clock³** *n* a decorative pattern on the side of a sock or STOCKING
**clock-'radio** *n* a RADIO ALARM
**clock ,tower** *n* a usually four-sided tower often forming part of a building, such as a church, and with a clock on each of the sides, near the top
**clock-,watching** *n* [U] the act of watching the time very carefully when you are at work because you are waiting to go home → see also watch the clock (CLOCK)
**clock-wise** /'klɒkˌwaɪzǁ'klɑːk-/ *adj, adv* in the direction in which the hands of a clock move: *Turn the lid clockwise if you want to fasten it tightly.* | *a clockwise movement of the lid* → opposite ANTICLOCKWISE *BrE*, COUNTERCLOCKWISE *AmE*
**clock-work** /'klɒkˌwɜːk'klɑːkwɜːrk/ *n* [U] **1** machinery that can usually be wound up with a key, and that is used especially in clocks and toys: *The children played with their clockwork trains.* **2** **like clockwork** smoothly and without trouble: *The arrangements went ahead like clockwork.* **3** **regular as clockwork** happening at the same time and in the same way every time: *He visits us every Friday, regular as clockwork.*
**Clockwork 'Orange, A** a NOVEL written in 1962 by the British writer Anthony BURGESS. It is about a group of young men who live in the near future and behave in a very violent way. It was made into a film by Stanley KUBRICK in 1971. Shortly after the film's release, Kubrick stopped it from being shown in the UK because he believed that people were copying the violent actions of the actors in the film. Kubrick died in 1999, and since 2000 the film has been shown again in the UK.
**clod** /klɒdklɑːd/ *n* **1** a lump or mass, especially of clay or earth **2** *infml* a stupid person; fool
**clod-hop-per** /'klɒdˌhɒpəǁ'klɑːdˌhɑ-/ *n* **1** an awkward person with rough manners **2** [usually pl.] *humor* a big heavy strong shoe
**clog¹** /klɒgǁklɑːg/ *n* **1** [usually pl.] a kind of shoe that either has a thick wooden bottom (SOLE) or is completely made from one piece of wood → see PAIR (USAGE) **2** something that makes movement or action difficult, especially a heavy block of wood fastened to an animal's leg to stop it wandering → see also CLEVER CLOGS
**clog²** **-gg-** [I,T[UP, with]] to (cause to) become blocked or filled so that movement or activity is very difficult: *The pipe's clogged with grease.* | *The road to the airport is clogged with traffic.*
**clog dance** *n* a kind of COUNTRY DANCE in which the dancers wear clogs
**cloi-son-né** /ˌklwɑː'zɒneɪǀˌklɔɪzən'eɪ/ *n* [U] decorative work in which different colours of ENAMEL (=a glasslike substance often used for covering metal) are kept apart by thin metal bands
**clois-ter¹** /'klɔɪstə/ *n* **1** [C] also **cloisters** *pl.* — a covered passage which has open archways on one side facing into an open square garden or courtyard, and which usually forms part of a church, college, MONASTERY, or CONVENT **2** [the S] (the peaceful life of) a CONVENT or MONASTERY
**cloister²** *v* [T] to shut (especially oneself) away from the world in or as if in a CONVENT or MONASTERY: *a scientist who cloisters himself in his laboratory* | *He had led a cloistered existence and had little experience of ordinary life.*
**clone** /kləʊn/ *n* **1** *tech* the descendant of a single plant or animal, produced nonsexually from any one cell, and with exactly the same form as the parent **2** *infml* a person or thing that seems to be a copy of someone or something else: *He's got no originality – he's just a David Bowie clone.* → compare IDENTIKIT, LOOK-A-LIKE **3** a microcomputer (=a small computer) that can use SOFTWARE that is really made for another company's computers: *The new computer is yet another IBM clone.* —clone *v* [T]
**Cloon-ey, George** /'kluːni/ (1961–) a US film actor, known for being good looking and sexually attractive. He appeared in the television programme ER from 1994 to 1999. His films include *Three Kings* (1999) and *O Brother, Where Art Thou?* (2000).
**clop** /klɒpǁklɑːp/ *v* **-pp-** [I(along)] to move making a sound like horses' hooves (HOOF) hitting a hard surface —clop *n* [S]
**Clo-rets** /'klɔːrets/ *trademark* a type of small round sweets with a mint taste, which people suck to make their breath smell pleasant
**Clo-rox** /'klɔːrɒksǁ-əːks/ *trademark* a common type of BLEACH sold in the US
**close¹** /kləʊz/ *v* **1** [I,T] to (cause to) shut: *Close the windows/the gate.* | *Close your eyes and go to sleep.* | *The door closed behind me as I went out.* **2** [I,T] to (cause to) stop being open to the public: *What time does the bank/the park close?* | *The shop closes for lunch.* **3** [I,T[DOWN]] to (cause to) stop operating or providing services, especially without the intention of starting again: *The firm has decided to close (down) its London branch.* | *Hundreds of jobs were lost when the factory closed.* | *They may be forced to close the local hospital.* **4** [I,T] to come to an end or bring to an end: *The conference closed with a short speech by the organizer.* | *to close one's account with a bank* | *He scored a goal in the closing minutes of the game.* **5** [T] to settle (a matter); come to an agreement about: *The question is now closed and there will be no further discussion.* | *She was promoted after closing a deal worth £2 million.* → see also CLOSING **6** [I,T] to (cause to) come together: *His arms closed tightly round her.* | *That wound will soon close (up).* **7** [I+adv/prep] (of business shares, CURRENCY etc) to be worth a particular amount at the end of a day's trading, for example on the STOCK EXCHANGE: *The pound closed at $1.66 last night.* | *The company's shares closed down/closed lower after heavy selling.* → see OPEN (USAGE)
**close (sthg. <=>) down** *phr v* [I,T] **a)** (of a radio or television station) to stop broadcasting at the end of the day **b)** to cause (a radio or television station) to stop broadcasting at the end of the day → see also CLOSE, CLOSEDOWN
**close in** *phr v* [(on, upon)] to surround gradually and usually from all sides, especially in a threatening way: *The people were trapped when the enemy army began to close in (on them).* | (fig.) *Night is closing in.*
**close (sthg. <=>) out** *phr v* [I,T] *AmE* (of a business) to try to get rid of (all your goods) by selling them at reduced prices
**close (sbdy./sthg. <=>) up** *phr v* [I,T] to (cause to) come nearer each other or draw together: *Close up the ranks!* | *The cut on her arm soon closed up.*
**close with sbdy./sthg.** *phr v* [T] **1** *BrE* to agree with (someone) or to (something): *The businessman quickly closed with the offer/closed with the inspector.* **2** *lit* to begin to fight: *The two armies closed with each other.*
**close²** /kləʊs/ *adj* **1** [(to)] near; not far away in space or time: *The church is close to the shops.* | *He was shot at close range.* | *The exams are getting very close/are getting too close for comfort.*; *I must do some work for them.* | *Her parents live close at hand.* | (fig.) *The question of women's rights is a subject close to her heart.* **2** near in relationship, friendship, or degree of connection: *He's a close relative/one of my closest friends.* | *She and her mother have always been very close.* | *He has close links with terrorist groups.* | *Sources close to the government are predicting an election.* **3** **a)** tight; with