clink (klingk)

[ clinkumbell is but a var. of clinch, clench, with which clink in its orig. sense (def. 1) is closely related: see clench, clinch. Co Compare click1, clink, with clack, clank. As to the imitation, cf. chink2, tink, tinkle, ring.] I. in trans. 1. To ring or jingle; chink; give forth a sharp metallic sound, or a succe ion of such sounds, as small metallic or other sonorous bodies in collision. Many a jewelled sword Clinked at the side of knight or lord. William Morris, Earthly Paradise, II. 108. 2. To cause a clinking sound by striking two objects, as gla es, together. So fill up thy can, and clink with me. R. H. Stoddard, In Alsatia. 3. To make a jingle; chime. And yet I must except the Rhine, Because it clinks with Caroline. IMG:content-0593.png:[graphic] Swift . II. trans. 1. To cause to produce a sharp, ringing sound: as, to clink gla es in drinking healths. And I shall clinken yow so mery a belle, That I shal waken al this companye. Chaucer, Prol. to Shipman's Tale, 1. 24. But, while they [the pa engers] are at the tables, one may be seen going round among the cars with a lantern and a hammer, intent upon a graver busine . He is clink ing the wheels to try if they are sound. O. W. Holmes, Old Vol. of Life, pp. 260, 261. 2. To clench; weld; clasp: seize quickly. [Scotch.]