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clinker definition

clinker (kliŋk′ər)

noun

  1. Archaic a very hard brick
  2. a hard mass of fused stony matter formed in a furnace, as from impurities in the coal
  3. Slang
    1. a mistake or error; often, specif., a misplayed musical note
    2. a total failure

Etymology: Du klinker, vitrified brick that clinks when struck < klinckaerd < klinken, to ring

intransitive verb

to form clinkers in burning

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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