How Do You Spell CLOD?

Pronunciation: [klˈɒd] (IPA)

The word "clod" is spelled with four letters, but its pronunciation in IPA phonetic transcription is /klɒd/. The initial sound is a voiceless velar stop followed by a central low vowel and a voiced dental fricative. The spelling of this word may not be intuitive, as the sounds do not match their corresponding letters. Nonetheless, the spelling of "clod" has remained consistent in English since the Middle Ages, as evidenced by its use in Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales."

CLOD Meaning and Definition

  1. A clod is a noun referring to a small, compact mass of earth or clay, often associated with soil or dirt. It can also be used to describe a lump or cluster of something solid or malleable. In addition, clod can refer to an individual or object regarded as dull, stupid, or inept. This sense is commonly used in a derogatory manner to insult someone's intelligence or capabilities.

    On one hand, clod is frequently used in the context of agriculture or gardening, where it indicates a chunk of earth found in the ground. Farmers or gardeners encounter clods when they dig or till the soil, and they may manually break them apart to ensure a finer, more even texture. In construction, clods can also refer to compacted or hardened masses of soil or clay that need to be cleared or moved.

    On the other hand, when used in a figurative sense, clod carries a negative connotation, representing someone who lacks intelligence, proficiency, or social skills. It is often employed to express disdain or contempt towards the perceived incompetence or dullness of an individual. However, it is important to bear in mind that the usage of such terminology to insult or belittle others is undesirable and can be hurtful.

  2. A hard lump of earth of any kind; earth, ground, or turf; a stupid fellow; a dolt.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for CLOD *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for CLOD

Etymology of CLOD

The word "clod" traces its origins back to Old English, where it was spelled "clod" or "clodde" and referred to a lump of earth or clay. It is related to the Middle Dutch word "klodde" and the Middle Low German word "klappe", which both meant a lump or ball of material. The word "clod" later developed to also describe a thick, clumsy, or dull-witted person, possibly due to the association of someone as being as dense or unrefined as a lump of soil. This figurative usage of "clod" to describe a person dates back to the late 16th century.

Similar spelling words for CLOD

Plural form of CLOD is CLODS

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