Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Clog?

\Clog\, n. [OE. clogge clog, Scot. clag, n., a clot, v., to to obstruct, cover with mud or anything adhesive; prob. of the same origin as E. clay.] 1. That which hinders or impedes motion; hence, an encumbrance, restraint, or impediment, of any kind. All the ancient, honest, juridical principles and institutions of England are so many clogs to check and retard the headlong course of violence and opression. --Burke. 2. A weight, as a log or block of wood, attached to a man or an animal to hinder motion. As a dog . . . but chance breaks loose, And quits his clog. --Hudibras. A clog of lead was round my feet. --Tennyson. 3. A shoe, or sandal, intended to protect the feet from wet, or to increase the apparent stature, and having, therefore, a very thick sole. Cf. {Chopine}. In France the peasantry goes barefoot; and the middle sort . . . makes use of wooden clogs. --Harvey. {Clog almanac}, a primitive kind of almanac or calendar, formerly used in England, made by cutting notches and figures on the four edges of a clog, or square piece of wood, brass, or bone; -- called also a {Runic staff}, from the Runic characters used in the numerical notation. {Clog dance}, a dance performed by a person wearing clogs, or thick-soled shoes. {Clog dancer}.
\Clog\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Clogged}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Clogging}.] 1. To encumber or load, especially with something that impedes motion; to hamper. The winds of birds were clogged with ace and snow. --Dryden. 2. To obstruct so as to hinder motion in or through; to choke up; as, to clog a tube or a channel. 3. To burden; to trammel; to embarrass; to perplex. The commodities are clogged with impositions. --Addison. You 'll rue the time That clogs me with this answer. --Shak. Syn: Impede; hinder; obstruct; embarrass; burden; restrain; restrict.
\Clog\, v. i. 1. To become clogged; to become loaded or encumbered, as with extraneous matter. In working through the bone, the teeth of the saw will begin to clog. --S. Sharp. 2. To coalesce or adhere; to unite in a mass. Move it sometimes with a broom, that the seeds clog not together. --Evelyn.