I. ˈkliŋk verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English clinken, probably from Middle Dutch, of imitative origin
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to give out a slight sharp short metallic sound
the coin clinked as it hit the floor
swished the highball gently around in his glass so that the ice clinked — Leslie Charteris
b. : to move or act so that such a sound is given out (as by the heels)
a man in hobnailed boots clinked in at the door
2. of words or verses , archaic : rhyme , jingle
3. dialect Britain : to move or throw oneself quickly and abruptly — usually used with down
clinked down beside her on the sofa
or off
clinked off … and jumped safe over hedge — Thomas Hardy
transitive verb
1. : to cause to clink : strike together so as to produce a clinking sound
clinked the coins in his purse — T.B.Costain
2. archaic : to make (words or lines) rhyme or jingle
3. dialect Britain : to strike or beat sharply : slap
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from clinken, v.
1.
a. : a clinking sound
the clink of glasses
the clink of coins
b. chiefly Scotland : money , cash , coin
2. : rhyme , assonance , jingle
3. : the sharp note of certain birds (as the stonechat)
4.
a. dialect Britain : a quick sharp blow : rap
b. dialect : instant , moment
in a clink
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English clinken, perhaps from Old English -clencan (in beclencan to hold fast) — more at clench
chiefly Scotland : to clinch especially with nails or rivets
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: from Clink, a prison in Southwark, borough of London, England, probably from Clink, a part of the Manor of Southwark
slang : jail , prison : prison cell : guardhouse
put in the clink for petty thievery
safeguards the reputation of the arresting policeman by riding with him when he takes the girl to the county clink — G.S.Perry