clunter

English

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈklʌn.tə/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈklʌn.tɚ/

Etymology 1

From Middle Dutch clonter (modern Dutch klonter (“lump, clod”), an extension of Middle Dutch clont (“shapeless mass, clump”), related to Middle Low German klunter, klünter (“lump”), German Low German Klunter (“clump, clod”), Saterland Frisian Kluntje (“sugar cube”).

Alternative forms

• clunther

Noun

clunter (plural clunters)

1. (dialectal) A large mass or lump.
2. (dialectal) A clod of earth.

Derived terms

• clunterbush
• clunterhead

Related terms

• cluntish

Etymology 2

From Middle Dutch clonteren (“to clot”), whence Dutch klonteren (“to become lumpy”). Cognate with West Frisian klonterje (“to become lumpy”), German Low German kluntern (“to curdle”).

Verb

clunter (third-person singular simple present clunters, present participle cluntering, simple past and past participle cluntered)

1. (intransitive, dialectal) To become lumpy, run in clots; to coagulate, curdle.
2. (transitive, dialectal) To assemble clumsily.

Etymology 3

Origin obscure. Cognate with Scots clanter (“to make a clattering noise”). Perhaps from Middle English clondren (“to drone, hum”); alternatively, from clunt (“to walk noisily; tread heavily”) +‎ -er (frequentative suffix). Compare also Middle Low German klunderen (“to rumble, make a noise”).

Alternative forms

• clunther, clointer, clonter

Verb

clunter (third-person singular simple present clunters, present participle cluntering, simple past and past participle cluntered)

1. (intransitive, dialectal) To make noise with the feet while walking; to tread heavily.

Derived terms

• clunterer
• clunterfoot

Noun

clunter (plural clunters)

1. (dialectal) Clatter, noise.
2. (dialectal) Confusion.