Clammy — Clam my, a. [Compar. {Clammier}; superl. {Clammiest}.] [Cf. AS. cl[=a]m clay. See {Clam} to clog, and cf. {Clay}.] Having the quality of being viscous or adhesive; soft and sticky; glutinous; damp and adhesive, as if covered with a cold… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
clammy — (adj.) late 14c., probably from M.E. clam viscous, sticky, muddy (mid 14c.), from O.E. clæm mud, sticky clay, from P.Gmc. *klaimaz clay (Cf. Flem. klammig, Low. Ger. klamig sticky, damp, O.E. clæman to smear, plaster; Cf. CLAY (Cf. clay)) … Etymology dictionary
clammy — [adj] damp close, dank, drizzly, moist, mucid, mucous, muculent, pasty, slimy, soggy, sticky, sweating, sweaty, wet; concept 603 Ant. dry … New thesaurus
clammy — ► ADJECTIVE (clammier, clammiest) 1) unpleasantly damp and sticky. 2) (of air) cold and damp. DERIVATIVES clammily adverb clamminess noun. ORIGIN from dialect clam «to be sticky»; related to … English terms dictionary
clammy — [klam′ē] adj. clammier, clammiest [ME < clam, viscous, muddy, prob. < OE clam, mud, clay: for IE base see CLAY] unpleasantly moist, cold, and sticky clammily adv. clamminess n … English World dictionary
clammy — [[t]klæ̱mi[/t]] ADJ GRADED Something that is clammy is unpleasantly damp or sticky. Think of the clammy hands you get when you visit the dentist!... My shirt was clammy with sweat … English dictionary
clammy — UK [ˈklæmɪ] / US adjective Word forms clammy : adjective clammy comparative clammier superlative clammiest cold and wet in an unpleasant way Her hands felt cold and clammy. Derived word: clamminess noun uncountable … English dictionary
clammy — adjective (clammier; est) Etymology: Middle English, probably from clammen to smear, stick, from Old English clǣman; akin to Old English clǣg clay Date: 14th century 1. being damp, soft, sticky, and usually cool < a clammy and inten … New Collegiate Dictionary
clammy — clammily, adv. clamminess, n. /klam ee/, adj. clammier, clammiest. 1. covered with a cold, sticky moisture; cold and damp: clammy hands. 2. sickly; morbid: She had a clammy feeling that something was wrong at home. [1350 1400; ME, equiv. to ME… … Universalium
clammy — clam·my klam ē adj, clam·mi·er; est being moist and sticky <a patient in shock may be cold and clammy (Emergency Medicine)> <clammy sweating> … Medical dictionary
clammy — adjective 1) his clammy hands Syn: moist, damp, sweaty, sticky; slimy, slippery Ant: dry 2) the clammy atmosphere Syn: damp, dank … Thesaurus of popular words
