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clout Definition

clout (klo̵ut)

noun

  1. Now Chiefly Dial.
    1. a piece of cloth or leather for patching
    2. any piece of cloth, esp. one for cleaning; rag
  2. a blow, with or as with the hand; rap
  3. Informal
    1. a hard hit, as in baseball
    2. power or influence; esp., political power
  4. Archery a form of long-distance shooting in which archers aim at a large target laid out on the ground with a flag in the center

Etymology: ME cloute < OE clut (akin to MLowG klūt, clod of earth), orig., lump of something, hence, piece of cloth, patch: for IE base see climb

transitive verb

  1. Now Chiefly Dial. to patch or mend coarsely
  2. Informal to strike, as with the hand
  3. Informal to hit (a ball) hard

Etymology: ME clutien < the n.

clout Usage Examples

Preposition: that

tom: Soul cruise the rev clout that tom are offering some routes that call.

Converse of object

  • wield: Christian conservatives wield enormous clout here through a network of advocacy groups and relationships with politicians from President Bush on down.
  • carry: Surely a website can't carry more clout than a TV prog?
  • cast: Origin ' Ne'er cast a clout till May be out ' is an English proverb.
  • lack: And do its three new commissioners lack the clout of their predecessors?
  • have: Perhaps ESA have a little less clout with the media than NASA?
  • add: The rhyming dialog, far from being a gimmick, adds metaphorical clout to the script without distracting from the performances in any way.

Adjective modifier

  • political: Often you need political clout to ensure your rights are enforced.
  • financial: Bully tactics Men use power in terms of financial clout.
  • considerable: All in all, the EU has gained considerable clout during the last few years in these areas.
  • economic: Could the Saudis be using their economic clout quietly with threats of an oil boycott?
  • enough: There is just a chance that it might have enough clout to make the US politicians wake up!
  • sufficient: His status as a matinee idol gave him sufficient clout to lease the Queen's Theater for a season.

Modifies a noun

  • nail: The top end of each piece should be secured with two rows of clout nails.
  • round: Jan Leicester said: " He has gone too far this time and needs a good clout round the ear.

Noun used with modifier

  • marketing: With the marketing clout of Lockheed Martin behind it, the future of the Golden Eagle is sure to be bright.
  • market: And there are plenty of companies, like Samsung, with the money and market clout to do it.
  • box: Jeremy Sams directs a cast with considerable box office clout.

Preposition: in

negotiation: In addition to internal free trade, a common external trade policy helps us argue with clout in world trade negotiations.

Preposition: of

company: Championing Irish musicians who produce their own CDs but who do not have the clout of a record company behind them.

Browse dictionary entries near clout

  1. clough
  2. Clouet
  3. cloudy
  4. cloudlet
  5. cloudless
  6. cloudland
  7. cloudburst
  8. cloudberry
  9. cloud on title
  10. cloud nine
  1. clove
  2. clove hitch
  3. clove pink
  4. cloven
  5. clover
  6. cloverleaf
  7. Clovis I
  8. clown
  9. clown (around)
  10. cloy