/CLING-meaning

// Verb.

// Pronunciation: klɪŋ.

// Etymology: from Anglo-saxon clingan “to adhere; to shrivel”.

// Third-person singular simple present: she (he) clings.

// Preterite tense, preterite participle: clung.

// Present participle: clinging.

// It is dated from 800.

// Intransitive: 1. Obsolete and pristine meaning: a. (Of clay, liquids, etc.) to become stiff or firm because of the adherence of its particles, as when it freezes. b. (Of animal or vegetable tissue) to shrink, or wither, as from heat, cold, etc.

// 2. (Of the molecules, or of the particles of a homogeneous body) to adhere to each other in cohesion; to be in cohesion.

// Synonyms for “cling”: cohere, join.

// Antonyms of “cling”: divide, disjoin, unfasten, disintegrate.

// Translation: cohesionarse, in Spanish; aderire, in Italian; adhérer, in French.

// With the preposition “to” + noun:

… I know that, while one stone clings to another, it [the place] will be defended.

Pierce Egan… Robin Hood… 1840

Adhesion is the force with which two bodies of different kinds cling to each other when united; cohesion is that which unites the particles of a homogeneous body with each other. Thus, the particles which form a drop of water or quicksilver are united by cohesion; the particles of water which wet the surface of any body are united to it by adhesion.

T. Brande… A dictionary of science… 1842

Cohesion is that property by which the particles of a body cling to each other.

G. Quackenbos… A natural philosophy… 1860

// With the adverb “together”, in a pleonastic construction:

[Atoms] by mutual attraction, cohere or cling together in masses of various form and magnitude.

Neil Arnott… Elements of physics… 1828

Knowing… that any visible mass of matter is a collection of minute atoms, it may be asked by what cause they are made to cohere or cling together?

Mechanic and Engineer’s Magazine… 1842

The dust, grains, or atoms, in all varieties of shape and size, adhere or cling together by a power called attraction.

J. Hogg… Elements… 1853

// 3. a. (Of a body) to adhere accidentally to another. b. (Of two or more bodies) to be accidentally juxtaposed as if in an aggregate.

The farther business of the hemp-dresser need only be an easy beating of the hemp, and that chiefly to separate the fibres that may have clung together in the drying.

The complete Farmer… 1767

Not a word could he utter, for his tongue, in its fright, clung with terror to his upper jaw.

F. Marryat… Olla… 1840

By the river-side we see pieces of straw, chips, and other light bodies, clinging to each other, whirling in the eddies, and keeping on their journey together.

J. Hogg… Elements… 1853

M. Donny has proved that, if water be thoroughly purged of its air, a long glass tube filled with this liquid may be inverted, while the tenacity with which the water clings to the tube, and with which its particles cling to each other, is so great that it will remain securely suspended, though no external hindrance be offered to its descent.

J. Tyndall… The Glaciers of the Alps… 1860

All that week it was hard weather. The grass showed white in the morning with the hoar-frost which clung like tiny comfits to every blade.

MacDonald… At the Back of the North Wind… 1868

// 4. (Of a part of the natural body) to be naturally adhered to another; to be naturally continuous to each other.

// Synonyms: cohere, join.

// Antonyms: divide, disjoin, disintegrate.

When they issued from the stunted woods which clung to the barren sides of the mountain, upon a flat and mossy rock that formed its summit, they met the morning.

Cooper… The last of the Mohicans… 1826

It was almost a skeleton-hand; but the black and rotting flesh still clung to it, and the fibres were not so far decomposed as to cease to hold the joints of the fingers together.

G. Reynolds… The mysteries of London… 1844

Among the bare trees, the fig occupies a conspicuous place…Their old leaves cling to them almost until they put on their new dress in spring.

J. Dix… A winter in Madeira… 1850

The apples that are not ripe cling to the tree.

J. Abbott… Learning about common things… 1857

He examined the skulls; but the hair, portions of which clung to nearly all of them, was in every case that of an Indian.

F. Parkman… France and England… 1908

// 4. (Of a body part, as skin or flesh) to stay adhered to another part as the result of shrivelling.

When this disease has been properly treated, and apparently subdued, this horse cannot be quickly and summarily dismissed to his work. He is sadly emaciated… his skin clings to his ribs.

Youatt… The Horse… 1872

// 5. a. (Of an animated being) stick fast as if by adhering; attach oneself tightly or tenaciously to something or someone by grasping with prehensile organ. b. (Of a crawler) to adhere to the surface of something or someone, either to locomote over it or to wait there.

// Translation: asirse (de), in Spanish; attaccarsi (a), in Italian; s’accrocher (à), in French.

// Antonyms: detach, become disconnected.

// Synonym: attach oneself.

The falcon… flies to the animal, that, knowing its danger, endeavours, but too late, to escape. The falcon soon coming up with its prey, fixes its talons, one into the animal’s cheek, the other in its throat… The falcon clings with the utmost perseverance, nor ever leaves its prey till it falls.

O. Goldsmith… A history of the earth… 1774

[Charles] tried to force himself between the two females, who clung close together, to baffle his purpose.

H. Jones… The Gipsy Mother… 1833

// With the preposition “about” or “round” + noun:

… his mother and sisters clung about his neck, and, kissing him tenderly, cried and sobbed aloud.

T. Jacobs… Adventures in the Pacific Ocean… 1844

The good woman… was weeping…, when she started up with a scream, and ran behind her husband.  Her cry was so terrified, that the children started from their sleep and from their beds, and clung about her.

Dickens… The Haunted Man… 1848

A sudden shout went round the wall. It was echoed from side to side, from quarter to quarter. It startled every sleeper, even to the babe on its mother's breast. All knew that there was some fearful danger… Little boys and girls sprang up in their night clothes, and clung round their parents.

M. Sleeper… History of the Swiss… 1859

// With the preposition “to” (it implies idea of contact by means of the one of direction) + noun:

The young sloth, from tlhe moment of its birth, clings to the body of its parent until it gains sufficient size and strength to shift for itself.

O. Goldsmith… A History of the Earth… 1774

All along the swampy banks of the river Niger…, where the sun is hot, the forests thick, and the men but few, the serpents cling among the branches of the trees…

O. Goldsmith… A History of the Earth… 1774

[The Carolina Parrots] are particularly attached to the large sycamores, in the hollow of the trunks and branches of which they generally roost, thirty or forty, and sometimes more, entering at the same hole. Here they cling close to the sides of the tree, holding fast by the claws and also by the bills.

A. Wilson… American ornithology… 1808

… with a startled and ghastly consciousuess, they recognized each other. The wife staggered, and clung to a post for support.

Bulwer-Lytton… Paul… 1830

Almost instinctively, Margaret clung to Norfolk for protection; and the latter, grasping her in his arms, rushed with her to the edge of the platform.

H. Jones… The Scottish Chieftains… 1831

The remainder of the crew rose to the surface and clung to the side of the boat.

Marryat… Jacob Faithful… 1842

The woodpeckers flew from tree to tree, or clung to the rails of the fences.

Marryat… The Settlers in Canada… 1844

Only two men floated. They both clung to the main yard of the ship, which had broken from the mast, and now supported them.

Dickens… A Child’s History… 1867

// In reciprocal construction:

[The bats] are there in such numbers, that, when they fly, they obscure the setting sun. In the morning, at peep of day, they are seen sticking upon the tops of the trees, and clinging to each other, like bees when they swarm.

O. Goldsmith… A history of the earth… 1774

They clung to each other like two children who have been frightened by a nightmare.

A. Miller… The Sturdy Oak… 1917

// With the preposition “by “+ noun of the prehensile organ or of the hold:

The earth-worm…, in order to move forward, lengthens the body; then, by the forepart clings to the ground where it has reached, and then contracts and brings up its rear.

O. Goldsmith… A History of the Earth… 1774

A very beautiful male [bird] was brought me this season…, which I put into a wire cage, and placed in a retired shaded part of the room. After fluttering about for some time, the weather being uncommonly cool, it clung by the wires, and hung in a seemingly torpid state for a whole forenoon.

A. Wilson… American Ornithology… 1808

… which we took for crows at a distance, but which proved to be bats when we came nearer. They clung to the twigs by the hooked claws, which are at the extremity of their webbed fingers and toes; sometimes they hung with the head downwards, and sometimes the reverse.

R. Kerr… Voyages and Travels… 1824

Arthur was making his way down, his face to the cliff, to which he clung by both hands, grasping the tufts of grass and seizing hold of bits of rock as he went.

L. Cameron… The mystery… 1838

I managed with great difficulty to set my foot on this, snatched at, and caught hold of, the top of the rock with the ends of my fingers… —with strength more than natural I clung by my hands alone.

C. Johns… A week at the Lizard… 1848

Ruthven now drew his dagger, and calling out that their business was with Riccio, made an effort to seize him; whilst this miserable victim, springing behind the queen, clung by her gown.

P. Tytler… History of Scotland… 1864

// With the preposition “with” + noun of the prehensile organ:

I was dreadfully frightened, and so giddy that I clung to him with both hands.

Dickens… Great expectations… 1861

The Australian opossum is a marsupial quadruped, living in trees and feeding on insects, eggs, and fruits. Its body is about twenty-five inches in length, besides which it has a long prehensile tail, with which it clings to the branches of the trees in which it lives.

S. Smiles… A Boy's Voyage…1872

// 6. a. (Of textile fabric) to fit closely the wearer, as if following its contours. b. (Of film) to adhere to an object, without being affixed. 

// Synonyms: cleave, stick,

// With “about” or with “to” + noun:

The frock was of light silk, and clung to her with wet, and her feet were protected merely by thin slippers.

E. Bronte… Wuthering Heights… 1847

The air was cold and frosty, and their wet garments clung to them like ice.

A. Pinkerton… The Spy… 1883

Townshead assisted them to unpack the hamper, and while they were busy over it, his daughter came in. It was apparently raining, for the thin white dress clung about her, and she seemed very white and weary.

H. Bindloss… Alton of Somasco… 1905

// 7. (Of a plant) to extend to the surface of a wall, another plant, etc., as if adhering to its contours.

The rose and honeysuckle clung to the cottage walls; the ivy crept round the trunks of the trees; and the garden-flowers perfumed the air with delicious odours.

Dickens… Oliver… 1838

The vegetation was thick by the river bank. Great plants, as yet unnamed, grew among the roots of the big trees... Many flowers and a creeper with shiny foliage clung to the exposed stems.

H. Wells… The Treasure in the Forest… 1894

They found wild grapes… in the woods, and gathered them by cutting down the trees to which the vines clung.

F. Parkman… France and England… 1908

// 8. Metaphor: a. (The subject: something incorporeal) to remain attached to someone or something else, as if in adherence. b. (The subject: a person) to remain attached or loyal to something. 

I could not shake off the bodement; it clung upon me like a cold waxen winding-sheet, until I could see nothing but dangers in our sailing.

J. Galt… Lawrie Todd… 1830

Every where there is a class of men who cling with fondness to whatever is ancient.

T. Macaulay… History of England… 1849

He felt that nothing could ever make him care for anyone but her; he clung to her remembrance as a faithful mastiff would to that of an absent master.

T. Gwynne… The school for fathers… 1852

// Transitive: (it is rarely used) to cause (something) to cling to something else.

// Synonym: to fasten.

… although I made use of his tail for a bridle, holding it fast with both my hands, and clung my legs as close to his sides as I could, yet we both came down together into the middle of the kennel.

Swift… The Works… 1732

Elthrida recovered her consciousness, and rushed towards Albert, who clung his left arm as fast as a bar of gold round her waist.

The Olio… 1833

// English words derived from CLING: clinger, cling (noun), clinginess, clinging (noun, adj.), clingingly, clingingness, clingy, uncling.

 

 | 

 /CLASS-meaning-etymology

// Verb.

// Pronunciation: klɑːs, or klæs.

// Etymology: from the noun CLASS, from Latin classis “class”.

// Preterite tense: classed. Preterite participle: classed.

// Present participle: classing.

// It is dated from 1700.

// Transitive: to consider (someone or something) to belong to a particular class or group because of their or its common qualities; assign to its proper class.

// Synonym: classify.

// Antonyms: disclass, declass.

// Translation: clasificar, in Spanish; classificare, in Italian; classer, in French.

There are many mountains, indeed, which have not the smallest appearance of being formed under the waters, and this fact causes an insurmountable difficulty in classing mountains.

R. Sulivan… A View of Nature… 1794

… I have already remarked that it is doubtful whether New Zealand and New Caledonia ought to be classed as oceanic islands.

Darwin… On the origin of species… 1859

The term "barrier" has been generally applied to that vast reef which fronts the N.E. shore of Australia, and by most voyagers likewise to that on the western coast of New Caledonia. At one time I thought it convenient thus to restrict the term, but as these reefs are similar in structure, and in position relatively to the land, to those, which, like a wall with a deep moat within, encircle many smaller islands, I have classed them together.

Darwin… Coral reefs… 1842

… so many places of interest did I visit, that I might rather have been classed as a "commercial tourist" than as a commercial traveler.

Clifford Beers… A Mind… 1908

// With the preposition “under” (it implies subordination to a noun that is designative of the class):

If two species belonging to two distinct though allied genera, had both produced a large number of new and divergent forms, it is conceivable that these might approach each other so closely that they would have all to be classed under the same genus.

Darwin… On the origin of species… 1859

Love, lust… harlotry, all words found in the dictionary, and all of which I suppose may be classed under the term erotic.

Walter… My secret life… 1888

//  With the preposition “with”:

My partiality towards my sister Mary had not been unnoticed. Lucretia classed me with those whom she despised.

R. Hunter… Lady Maclairn… 1806

[The Lama] is used, in South America, for the same services which the Arabians impose upon on the camel, and is classed by naturalists with that animal.

B. Silliman… A journal of travels… 1810

In deciding whether a bat should be classed with birds or beasts, we have to determine the nature of the beast and the true theory of his wings.

The Fortnightly… 1871

//  With the preposition “among”:

… it is that substances which have at one time been classed among plants, have at another time been classed among animals.

C. Loudon… An encyclopedia of gardening… 1839

This bird is of a brown colour. Some naturalists have classed it among the vultures, because its neck and head are bare of feathers.

J. Bigland… A natural history of birds… 1845

// Intransitive: to be classed or grouped.

The merit of every individual is to be estimated by a comparison with the genius under which it classes.

The English Review… 1788

// Words derived from Latin classis: declassify, declassifiable, declassification, declassified, disclassify, classable, classed, classer, classic, classical, classicality, classicalize, classically, classicism, classicist, classicistic, classicize, classifiable, classific, classifically, classification, classificational, classificator, classificatory, classified, classifier, classify, classifying, classiness, classing, classless, classlessness, classmate, classy, unclassable, unclassed, unclassic, unclassical, unclassically, unclassifiable, unclassified.

/CLAP-meaning

/ CLAP

// Verb.

// Pronunciation: klæp.

// Etymology: from Middle English clappen. 

// Preterite tense: clapped (klæpt) or clapt. Preterite participle: clapped or clapt.

// Present participle: clapping.

// It is dated from 1300.

// Intransitive: 1. Obsolete meanings: a. (Of a thing, as thunder) to make an explosive noise. b. (Of a bell) to tinkle. c. To strike so as to make a noise; to knock (for example, at a door); to strike with a sounding blow, as with the fist; to rap upon a door or gate in order to call attention.

// 2. To talk loudly. (It’s scarcely documented).

‘What are you clapping about?’

G Graham… Brighton… 1938

// 3. (Of a window or door) to shut with a clap or with violence and noise.

// Synonyms for “clap”: bang, slam.

// Translation: claquer, in French; cerrarse de golpe, in Spanish; essere sbattuta, in Italian.

Before we could get to the end of the gallery, we heard the door of the great chamber clap behind us, but we did not dare turn back to see if the giant was following us

H. Walpole… The Castle of Otranto… 1764

Within the house, windows clattered, and doors clapped.

Scott… Redgauntlet… 1824

… she rushed through the garden-gate. As it clapped behind her, she knew she was safe, and then fell insensible on the ground.

Littell's Living Age… 1859

// 4. (Of a person) to strike the hands together in applause; to applaud.

… and the young mother in the orchestra leaned forward to nod her sympathy to me while she clapped.

Howells… Literature… 1902

And raising his hands high, Fiorsen clapped and called out: "Brava!"

Galsworthy… Beyond… 1917

// Transitive: // 1. To join or strike together (two bodies) with a clap or noise. 

"No," said Mr. Rogers, with a voice which had the flat, succinct sound of two pieces of wood clapped together. "Mrs. Rogers is still in Chicago." 

Howells… The Rise... 1884

2. (Of a person or thing) to shut (a door or window) with a clap or with violence and noise. (Obsolete meaning). Often construed with “to”.

// Translation: claquer, in French; cerrar de golpe, in Spanish; sbattere, in Italian.

// Synonyms: bang, slam.

" My dearest father, it is I, your daughter." Manfred, stepping back hastily, cried, " Begone! I do not want a daughter ;"and, flinging back abruptly, clapped the door against the terrified Matilda.

H. Walpole… The Castle of Otranto… 1764

… she threw Laura away, and clapped to the door.

Holcroft… Anna… 1792

… he clapped down the window again…

Dickens… Life… 1843

[He] clapped his little door behind him, as if the unwonted spectacle were too much for his feelings.

Dickens… The Cricket… 1845

I sprang up, seized the handle of the port-hole window, and tried to tighten it. In my ignorance and fright, I turned it the wrong way; in poured the dirty water. There stood I, clapping the window to with all my might, but utterly unable either to fasten it or to hold it tight enough to keep out the water.

H. Jackson… Glimpses… 1886

// 3. a. To strike (one’s hands) together so as to make an expressive or significative noise (in token of applause, delight, encouragement, etc.). b. To show approval of (a person, a work, etc.) by clapping the hands; to applaud.

The aria was received with… [delight]; thrice he was obliged to repeat it. Even Corthell, who was critical to extremes, approved, nodding his head. Laura and Page clapped their hands till the very last.

F. Norris… The Pit… 1798

When they re-entered the parlour, the queen clapped her hands, and two female attendants entered.

Scott… Anne of Geierstein… 1829

… if they clap him, he does not stand still to enjoy their applause.

The Annual biography… 1837

"O! I am so glad, so very glad," and I clapped my hands with joy; "is she very young, dear papa? and is she very, very pretty?"

M. Blessington… The Works… 1838

I confess I was bewildered! But my astonishment was increased when my master walked into a saloon opposite to a large assembly, who clapped their hands at his appearance.

A. Crowquill… A bundle of crowquills… 1854

// 4. To slap or strike (a person) with the palm of the hand, in token of approval or encouragement.

They clap him on the back kindly enough when he returns, after shipwreck, with money in his pocket.

Thackeray… The Newcomes… 1854

Mason clapped him on the shoulder. "You're just the sort of a gent we need," he declared. 

Max Brand… The Rangeland Avenger… 1922

// 5. (Obsolete meaning) to strike (a thing; for exemple, a dough) with a flat surface, so as to smooth or flatten.

// 6. Of a bird: to move (its wings), with a noise.

// Synonym: flap.

If the eagle appeared brisk, clapped her wings, and sported in the air.

J. Robinson… Archaeologia Graeca… 1827

From the sound, I thought it clapped its wings whilst settled on the ground, as well as whilst flying, but cannot be sure either of this or that it did settle.

Zoologist… 1899

// 7. To cause to get into or be in some place or position, with promptness.

// Synonym: apply, place, put, set.

// With the prepositions “on, upon, to, into, etc.”:

Lady Berkeley after dinner clapped my hat on another lady’s head.

Swift… The Journal to Stella… 1766

… he clapped the parchment upon the table with a report that made every fibre in my frame quiver.

Ainsworth… Mervyn… 1858

I was too frightened to say aught; but the Wagoner muttered something in the long man's ear, and gave him my bundle and money and the letter; and then I was clapped up on a pillion behind the long man, who had clomb up to the saddle of a vicious horse that went sideways.

G. Sala… Captain… 1863

Obenreizer clapped his hand on Vendale’s mouth and pointed to the track behind them.

Dickens and W. Collins… No Thoroughfare… 1867

He clapped his hand upon a little bell on the table, and one of the stalwart, sunbrowned clerks entered.

J. Altsheler… The Free Rangers… 1909

Then with a frightened gesture, she clapped her hand upon her mouth.

"You will say nothing of it, Herr Johann?" she pleaded. "It is a secret from all but a few."

J. Altsheler… The Hosts… 1915

… he clapped his ear to the keyhole and listened, holding his breath.

M. Brand… The Rangeland Avenger… 1922

//  Reflexively:

I would have gone directly out of the house, but she clapped herself before the door, and told me, I must first pay the bottle of wine I had the evening before

D. Defoe… The Memoirs… 1741

At last you rose up, and took a turn or two about the room; when, all of a sudden, and to my great surprise, you clapped yourself on my knee, threw your arms about my neck.

Correspondence… Hume to Rousseau… 1766

He clapped himself down in an old arm-chair.

W. Howitt… The hall… 1847

// In particular: to put (someone) in prison, with promptitude; to imprison. Hence: to clap up: to imprison with little or no formality.

At first, these rumours were disregarded as idle tales, wholly destitute of foundation, for nobody in Scotland-yard doubted that if the Lord Mayor contemplated any such dark design, he would just be clapped up in the Tower for a week or two, and then killed off for high treason.

Dickens… Sketches… 1836

For this, the unreasonable villains clapped me into jail.

Edgar Poe… The Narrative… 1838

// In a jocose way: to clap eyes on: to get a sight of.

As stout an old vagabond as I ever clapped eyes on.

Mackay… Longbeard 1850

// 8. Metaphor: a. To place (a sentinel, guard, etc.). b. To impose (writ, duty, copyright, name, etc.).

// 9. Metaphorical and archaic: to clap up: to make, or settle hastily (a match, agreement, peace, league, etc.), without much care. 

// Words derived from the verb CLAP: clapper (noun, verb), clapping, clap (noun).

 

 | 

 /CLAMBER-meaning-etymology

// Verb.

// Pronunciation and accent: klæmbə(r). 

// Etymology: of uncertain origin. Maybe it is a derivative of CLIMB.

// It is dated from the beginning of 1400.

// Intransitive: 1. To climb with difficulty and by crawling; climb by using both the hands and feet.

// Translation: grimper, in French; trepar, in Spanish; arrampicarsi, in Italian.

 When he had clambered into the saddle, Rob led the horse into the middle of the street, and the beast, of its own accord, walked soberly across the Trongate towards the Stockwell.

J. Galt… The Entail… 1823

… he clambered into the boat…

F. Kemble… Journal of a Residence… 1838

I proceeded, therefore, without hesitation, to summon up all my remaining strength and fortitude, and endeavour, as I best might, to clamber over the crate.

E. Poe… Gordon Pym… 1838

Still nothing appeared. The gold-seeker, whom I sincerely pitied, at length clambered from the pit, with the bitterest disappointment imprinted upon every feature, and proceeded, slowly and reluctantly, to put on his coat, which he had thrown off at the beginning of his labor.

E. Poe… The Gold Bug… 1843

The 'castle' consisted of an irregular assemblage of cliffs and rocks--one of the latter being quite remarkable for its height as well as for its insulated and artificial appearance. I clambered to its apex, and then felt much at a loss as to what should be next done.

E. Poe… The Gold Bug… 1843

The cripple hurled his torch at them, clambered leisurely to the ceiling, and disappeared through the sky-light.

E. Poe… Hop-Frog… 1849

Presently the party he trailed came to a halt. Its members concealed themselves in the foliage bordering the game trail along which they had come. Gust, that he might the better observe, clambered into the branches of a tree to the rear of them, being careful that the leafy fronds hid him from the view of his erstwhile mates.

E. Burroughs… The Beasts… 1914

// With the preposition “up” (redundant construction):

Yesterday, I and one of the dogs went on a goat-hunting expedition. Clambering up a steep hill, we caught sight of a flock in the rear.

A. Earle… Narrative… Island of Tristan… 1832

He retraced his steps immediately, and, clambering up the stowage a second time, called out my name, loudly as before, having watched for a lull.

E. Poe… Gordon Pym… 1838

Our donkeys clambered actively up the sides of the crumbling mountain…

E. Warburton… The Crescent… 1844

// 2. (Of a plant) to spread over a surface, as if by climbing by means of its tendrils.

Over the upper portion of this huge window, extended the trellice-work of an aged vine, which clambered up the massy walls of the turret.

E. Poe… Ligeia… 1838

[A grape-vine] had clambered first to the lower roof -- then to the higher; and along the ridge of this latter it continued to writhe on, throwing out tendrils to the right and left, until at length it fairly attained the east gable, and fell trailing over the stairs.

E. Poe… Landor’s Cottage… 1849

Luxuriant vines clambered over all the mossy doors.

J. Hay… Castilian Days… 1903

The day had been still and hot, but now a soft breeze was stirring the long grasses, and bending the tassels of the reeds gracefully over the water, and the scent of flowers came floating down from the vines clambering over the old ruin, and the hum of insects filled the air.

R. Stockton… Round-about Rambles… 1910

// 3. Metaphor: (of smoke or the like) to rise steeply or slowly.

On the black marble altar at the further end of the hall was burning some rich incense, whose perfumed smoke, clambering heavily upwards, mingled with that of the lamps beneath the ceiling.

J. Hawthorne… Idolatry… 1874

// Transitive: to climb over (something) with difficulty by crawling or by using both the hands and feet

… he was clambering a ladder.

J. Niven… The Island Providence… 1910

It didn't take me long to clamber the rickety ladder to the catwalk in front of the men's caves and make my way to the last one to the left of the ladder.

E. Burroughs… Carson of Venus… 1938

// Words derived from the verb CLAMBER: clamber (n.), clamberer, clambering.

 

 |