n.
- informal a heavy blow.
- informal influence or power.
- archaic a piece of cloth or clothing.
- Archery a large target placed flat on the ground with a flag marking its centre and used in long-distance shooting.
-
(also clout nail)
a nail with a large, flat head, used especially in securing roofing felt.
v.
- informal hit hard.
- archaic mend with a patch.
Etymology
OE clūt (in the sense ‘a patch or metal plate’); rel. to cleat and clot.
