Definitions For Clepe

Noun

CLEPE (plural CLEPEs) (now, chiefly, dialectal) A cry; an appeal; a call.

Verb

clepes , cleping , cleped , past2=clept , cleped , past_ptc2=clept , past_ptc3=clepen , past_ptc4=yclept (intransitive, archaic, or, dialectal) To give a call; cry out; appeal. (transitive, archaic, or, dialectal) To call; call upon; cry out to. (transitive, archaic, or, dialectal) To call to oneself; invite; summon. (transitive, archaic, or, dialectal) To call; call by the name of; name. (intransitive, now, chiefly, dialectal, often with 'on') To tell lies about; inform against (someone). (intransitive, now, chiefly, dialectal) To be loquacious; tattle; gossip. (transitive, now, chiefly, dialectal) To report; relate; tell.

Usage notes

The verb is obsolete, except in certain dialects or when used in the past participle yclept which is sometimes used as a deliberate archaism, or as an idiomatic set phrase: aptly yclept.

Synonyms

call by the name of designate, dub, name; see also thesaurus:denominate tell lies about; inform against grass, snitch; see also thesaurus:rat out be loquacious; tattle; gossip blab; see also thesaurus:gossip or thesaurus:chatter

Derived terms

beclepe

Alternative forms

cleep, clip clep, clipe, claip, clype {{qualifier, Scotland}}

Etymology

From Middle English clepen, clepien, from {{inh, en, ang, cleopian}}, clipian, , to speak, cry out, call, summon, invoke, cry to, implore, from {{inh, en, gem-pro, klipōną, , to ring, sound}}, from {{inh, en, ine-pro, *gal-, , to sound}}. Cognate with {{cog, ofs, klippa}}, kleppa, , to ring, {{etyl, nl, -}} kleppen, , to toll, chatter, {{cog, gml, kleppen, , to strike, sound}}, {{cog, gml, kleperen, , to rattle}}.

Anagrams

cleep