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cleav|er /kliː və ^r / (cleavers ) N‑COUNT A cleaver is a knife with a large square blade, used for chopping meat or vegetables. □  …a meat cleaver.

clef /kle f/ (clefs ) N‑COUNT A clef is a symbol at the beginning of a line of music that indicates the pitch of the written notes.

cleft /kle ft/ (clefts )

1 N‑COUNT A cleft in a rock or in the ground is a narrow opening in it. □ [+ in ] …a narrow cleft in the rocks too small for humans to enter.

2 N‑COUNT A cleft in someone's chin is a line down the middle of it.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] If someone has a cleft chin, they have a cleft in their chin.

cle ft pa l|ate (cleft palates ) N‑VAR If someone has a cleft palate , they were born with a narrow opening along the roof of their mouth which makes it difficult for them to speak properly.

clema|tis /kle mət I s/ (clematises or clematis ) N‑VAR A clematis is a type of flowering shrub which can be grown to climb up walls or fences. There are many different varieties of clematis.

clem|en|cy /kle mənsi/ N‑UNCOUNT If someone is granted clemency , they are punished less severely than they could be. [FORMAL ] □  He avoided a stay in jail after a plea for clemency by his lawyer.

clem|ent /kle mənt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Clement weather is pleasantly mild and dry. [FORMAL ]

clem|en|tine /kle mənta I n/ (clementines ) N‑COUNT A clementine is a fruit that looks like a small orange.

clench /kle ntʃ/ (clenches , clenching , clenched )

1 VERB When you clench your fist or your fist clenches , you curl your fingers up tightly, usually because you are very angry. □ [V n] Alex clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. □ [V ] She pulled at his sleeve and he turned on her, fists clenching again before he saw who it was. □ [V -ed] …angry protestors with clenched fists.

2 VERB When you clench your teeth or they clench , you squeeze your teeth together firmly, usually because you are angry or upset. □ [V n] Patsy had to clench her jaw to suppress her anger. □ [V -ed] Slowly, he released his breath through clenched teeth. [Also V ]

3 VERB If you clench something in your hand or in your teeth, you hold it tightly with your hand or your teeth. □ [V n] I clenched the arms of my chair.

cler|gy /klɜː ^r dʒi/ N‑PLURAL The clergy are the official leaders of the religious activities of a particular group of believers. □  These proposals met opposition from the clergy.

clergy|man /klɜː ^r dʒimən/ (clergymen ) N‑COUNT A clergyman is a male member of the clergy.

cler|ic /kle r I k/ (clerics ) N‑COUNT A cleric is a member of the clergy. □  His grandfather was a Muslim cleric.

cleri|cal /kle r I k ^ə l/

1 ADJ [ADJ n] Clerical jobs, skills, and workers are concerned with work that is done in an office. □  …a strike by clerical staff in all government departments. □  The hospital blamed the mix-up on a clerical error.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Clerical means relating to the clergy. □  …Iran's clerical leadership.

clerk /klɑː ^r k, [AM ] klɜː rk/ (clerks , clerking , clerked )

1 N‑COUNT A clerk is a person who works in an office, bank, or law court and whose job is to look after the records or accounts. □  She was offered a job as an accounts clerk with a travel firm.

2 N‑COUNT In a hotel, office, or hospital, a clerk is the person whose job is to answer the telephone and deal with people when they arrive. [mainly AM ] □  …a hotel clerk.

3 N‑COUNT A clerk is someone who works in a store. [AM ]

4 VERB To clerk means to work as a clerk. [mainly AM ] □ [V ] Gene clerked at the auction.

clev|er ◆◇◇ /kle və ^r / (cleverer , cleverest )