Clart

Pronunciation

• IPA: /klɑːt/
• Rhymes: -ɑː(ɹ)t

Alternative forms

• clairt, clort

Origin

From Middle English *clart, found in the verb biclarten ("to cover or smear with dirt"). Further origin uncertain.

Full definition of clart

Noun

1. A daub.a clart of grease
2. (now Scotland, northern England) Sticky mud, mire or filth.
• 1997, Thomas Pynchon, Mason & Dixon:I’m but a county Surveyor,– not really at m’ best upon the grand and global type of expedition, content here at home, old Geordie a-slog thro’ the clarts ….
3. (Geordie, pejorative) A person who is unclean.
4. (Geordie, pejorative) A fool.

Derived terms

• beclart
• clarty

Verb

1. (transitive, now Scotland, northern England) To daub, smear, or spread, especially with mud, etc.; to dirty.
• 1932, Lewis Grassic Gibbon, Sunset Song, Polygon 2006 (A Scots Quair), p. 43:Chris boiled water in kettles for hours and hours and then towels came down, towels clairted with stuff she didn't dare look at, she washed them quick and hung them to dry.