clang

plural clangs

1. A loud, ringing sound, like that made by free-hanging metal objects striking each other; usually, one considered more jarring than melodious.

   Bang, bang, Maxwell's silver hammer Came down upon her head Clang, clang, Maxwell's silver hammer Made sure that she was dead

   1969, Paul McCartney, “Maxwell's Silver Hammer”, in Abbey Road, performed by The Beatles

2. Quality of tone.
3. The cry of some birds, including the crane and the goose.
4. human sciencesA word or phrase linked only by sound and not by meaning, characteristic of some mental disorders.

   For much of this day, Mrs Y. wrote in her diary, covering page after page in a rapid scrawl full of paligraphic repetitions, puns, clangs, and violent, perseverative crossings-out […]

   1973, Oliver Sacks, Awakenings

5. alternativeentertainmentAlternative form of klang.

present singular third person clangs · participle present clanging · participle past clanged · past clanged

1. transitiveTo strike (objects) together so as to produce a clang.

   A dented metal punching bag waiting to be clanged; a solitary object in the rhino's cage.

   2020, “Zoo”, in Still at the Rough Cusp of Renaissance, performed by Good Fuck

   1 more example

   Around, the first Curetes (order solemn / To thy foreknowing mother!) trod tumultuous / Their mystic dance, and clanged their sounding arms; [...]

   a. 1722 (date written), Matthew Prior, “The First Hymn of Callimachus. To Jupiter.”, in The Poetical Works of Matthew Prior […], Edinburgh: James Nichol, […], published 1858, →OCLC, page 207, lines 58–60

2. intransitiveTo give out a clang; to resound.

   A cell door clanged metallically and Wentworth was flung inside. He tripped, collapsed upon the concrete floor.

   1933, Norvell Page, Wings of the Black Death

   3 more examples

   Middlesbrough will wonder whether it might have been different if the volley that Jelle Vossen slashed towards John Ruddy’s net after nine minutes had been a couple inches lower rather than clanging off the crossbar. They should not dwell on that moment too long, however.

   2015 May 25, Daniel Taylor, “Norwich reach Premier League after early blitz sees off Middlesbrough”, in The Guardian (London)

   The clanging and groaning of the train came nearer, and it staggered slowly into the station like a prey- laden monster into its lair.

   1920, Edith Wharton, chapter XXIX, in The Age of Innocence

   Then the sparks flew from the anvil while the great hammer clanged on the metal, shaping it, and Henry begged to be allowed to try it

   1917, Rose Wilder Lane, Henry Ford’s Own Story

3. human sciencesTo utter a word or phrase linked only by sound and not by meaning, characteristic of some mental disorders.

1. Imitative of a loud metallic ringing sound.
2. humorousSaid after someone has name-dropped (mentioned a famous person with whom they are acquainted).