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clinker

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(kliŋk′ər)

noun

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

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

intransitive verb

to form clinkers in burning

See clinker in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The incombustible residue, fused into an irregular lump, that remains after the combustion of coal.
A partially vitrified brick or a mass of bricks fused together.
An extremely hard burned brick.
Vitrified matter expelled by a volcano.
Slang
a. A sour note in a musical performance: hit a clinker.
b. A mistake; a blunder.
c. Something of inferior quality; a conspicuous failure: a clinker of a show.
Chiefly British Something admirable or first-rate.

intransitive verb clink·ered, clink·er·ing, clink·ers

To form clinkers in burning.

Origin:

Origin: Obsolete Dutch klinckaerd

Origin: , from Middle Dutch klinken, to clink; see clink¹

Origin: . N., senses 5 and 6, from clink¹

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