Emily Dickinson Lexicon

clarify (clarified, clarifies, -ing), v. [OFr clarifier < late L. clarificare, make clear.]

Elucidate; illuminate; refine; make clear.

clasp (-s), n. [see clasp, v.]

A means of fastening, generally of metal, consisting of two interlocking parts.

clasp (-s), v. [appeared in the 14^th c.; origin obscure.] (webplay: arms, covers, hand, hold, shut).

Clutch; grasp; inclose; enfold; hold tightly; [fig.] possess.

clasped, verbal adj. [see clasp, v.] (webplay: book, close, fingers, hand, small, stem).

Bound; held closely and tightly.

class (-es), n. [17^th c. classe < Fr. classe.] (webplay: scientific).

1. Division of society; rank, grade, or status of society; group of people.
2. Scientific division; set of things grouped together scientifically due to common characteristics.

classic (-s), n. [Fr. classique, or L. classic-us, of the highest class, of the first order.]

Writer or literary work of acknowledged excellence; model; standard.

classify, v. [modern word < L. class-is, class.] (webplay: scientifically).

Categorize; group; sort; separate; arrange or distribute into classes or groups according to a system.

classifying, n. [see classify, v.]

Grouping; categorizing; the act of arranging or distributing into classes.

clause, n. [OFr < med. L. clausula, close of a period or formula, conclusion.] (webplay: proviso, sentence, will).

1. Short sentence; distinct part of a sentence.
2. A particular and separate article, stipulation, or proviso, in any formal or legal document.

Claus, Santa, [see Santa Claus, proper n.]