Middle English Dictionary Entry
clǒm n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | clǒm n.(1) Also clum. |
| Etymology | OE or ON; cp. OE clum(m)ian mumble & Norw. dial. kluma strike dumb. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Silence; (b) as interj.: Be silent! Mum's the word!
Associated quotations
a
- c1350 Ayenb.App.(Arun 57)264/12 : Bote yef þer by heȝliche clom [L silentium].
- c1350 Ayenb.App.(Arun 57)266/7 : Yef ye me wylleþ y-here, habbeþ amang you clom and reste.
b
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mil.(Manly-Rickert)A.3638-9 : 'Now, Pater noster, clum [vr. clom]!' seyde Nicholay, And 'clum' quod Iohn and 'clum' seyde Alisoun.