I. ˈkləmp noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably from Low German klump; akin to Old English clympre lump of metal, Old English clamm bond, fetter — more at clam
1. : a group of things clustered together
a clump of bushes
people standing around in little clumps
a clump of buildings along the road
2. : a compact mass : a closely compact group or lump
a clump of roots
a clump of dates
3. : an aggregation or mass of particles (as of bacteria or blood cells) — compare agglutination
4. : a heavy tramping sound
5. clumps plural : a team game in which two players, one from each side, are sent out to agree upon some object, then upon their return each is surrounded by the members of the opposing team who try to guess the chosen object by asking questions to which the answers may be only “Yes,” “No,” or “I don't know”
6. Britain : a less-than-type-high slug used as spacing material
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
1. : to tread clumsily and noisily
2. : to cluster together in clumps : form clumps
the molecules tended to clump
transitive verb
1. : to arrange or cluster in a clump
ships are clumped in the harbor like sitting ducks — Newsweek
: cause to form clumps
the serum clumps the bacteria
2. : to strike heavily
3. : to group together indiscriminately : lump
clumping the various classes under one heading