/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.

 

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