Clang

Pronunciation

• enPR: klăng, IPA: /klæŋ/
• (also) US enPR: klāng, IPA: /kleɪŋ/
• Rhymes: -æŋ

Origin

Latin clangere.

Full definition of clang

Noun

1. A loud, ringing sound, like that made by free-hanging metal objects striking each other.
2. Quality of tone.
3. The cry of some birds, including the crane and the goose.
4. (psychology, psychiatry) A word or phrase linked only by sound and not by meaning, characteristic of some mental disorders.
• Oliver Sacks, AwakeningsFor much of this day, Mrs Y. wrote in her diary, covering page after page in a rapid scrawl full of paligraphic repetitions, puns, clangs, and violent, perseverative crossings-out...

Verb

1. (transitive) To strike (objects) together so as to produce a clang.
• PriorThe fierce Caretes ... clanged their sounding arms.
2. (intransitive) To give out a clang; to resound.
• 1933, Norvell Page, Wings of the Black DeathA cell door clanged metallically and Wentworth was flung inside. He tripped, collapsed upon the concrete floor.
• 1920, Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence Chapter XXIXThe clanging and groaning of the train came nearer, and it staggered slowly into the station like a prey- laden monster into its lair.
• 1917, Rose Wilder Lane, Henry Ford’s Own StoryThen the sparks flew from the anvil while the great hammer clanged on the metal, shaping it, and Henry begged to be allowed to try it