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classy /klɑː si, klæ si/ (classier , classiest ) ADJ If you describe someone or something as classy , you mean they are stylish and sophisticated. [INFORMAL ] □  The German star put in a classy performance.

clat|ter /klæ tə ^r / (clatters , clattering , clattered )

1 VERB If you say that people or things clatter somewhere, you mean that they move there noisily. □ [V prep/adv] He turned and clattered down the stairs.

2 VERB If something hard clatters , it makes repeated short noises as it hits against another hard thing. [LITERARY ] □ [V prep] She set her cup down, and it clattered against the saucer. ● N‑SING Clatter is also a noun. □ [+ of ] From somewhere distant he heard the clatter of a typewriter.

clause /klɔː z/ (clauses )

1 N‑COUNT A clause is a section of a legal document. □  He has a clause in his contract which entitles him to a percentage of the profits. □  …a complaint alleging a breach of clause 4 of the code.

2 N‑COUNT In grammar, a clause is a group of words containing a verb. Sentences contain one or more clauses. There are finite clauses and non-finite clauses.

3 → see also main clause , relative clause , subordinate clause

claus|tro|pho|bia /klɔː strəfoʊ biə/ N‑UNCOUNT Someone who suffers from claustrophobia feels very uncomfortable or anxious when they are in small or enclosed places.

claus|tro|pho|bic /klɔː strəfoʊ b I k/

1 ADJ You describe a place or situation as claustrophobic when it makes you feel uncomfortable and unhappy because you are enclosed or restricted. □  They lived in an unhealthily claustrophobic atmosphere. □  The house felt too claustrophobic.

2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you feel claustrophobic , you feel very uncomfortable or anxious when you are in a small, crowded, or enclosed place. □  The churning, pressing crowds made her feel claustrophobic.

clavi|chord /klæ v I kɔː ^r d/ (clavichords ) N‑VAR A clavichord is a musical instrument rather like a small piano. When you press the keys, small pieces of metal come up and hit the strings. Clavichords were especially popular during the eighteenth century.

clavi|cle /klæ v I k ^ə l/ (clavicles ) N‑COUNT Your clavicles are your collar bones. [MEDICAL ]

claw /klɔː / (claws , clawing , clawed )

1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The claws of a bird or animal are the thin, hard, curved nails at the end of its feet. □  The cat tried to cling to the edge by its claws.

2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The claws of a lobster, crab, or scorpion are the two pointed parts at the end of its legs which are used for holding things.

3 VERB If an animal claws at something, it scratches or damages it with its claws. □ [V + at ] The wolf clawed at the tree and howled the whole night. [Also V n]

4 VERB To claw at something means to try very hard to get hold of it. □ [V + at ] His fingers clawed at Blake's wrist. [Also V n]

5 VERB If you claw your way somewhere, you move there with great difficulty, trying desperately to find things to hold on to. □ [V way prep/adv] Some did manage to claw their way up iron ladders to the safety of the upper deck.

▸  claw back

1 PHRASAL VERB If someone claws back some of the money or power they had lost, they get some of it back again. [BRIT ] □ [V P n] They will eventually be able to claw back all or most of the debt. [Also V n P ]

2 PHRASAL VERB If a government claws back money, it finds a way of taking money back from people that it gave money to in another way. [BRIT ] □ [V P n] The Chancellor will try to claw back £3.5 billion in next year's Budget. [Also V n P ]

clay /kle I / (clays )