cleek

[ kleek ]

noun

1. Chiefly Scot. a large hook, especially one fixed to the inside walls of a house to hold clothing, pots, or food.
2. Golf: Older Use. a club with an iron head, a narrow face, and little slope, used for shots from a poor lie on the fairway and sometimes for putting.

verb (used with object)

, claught or cleeked or claucht, cleeked, cleek·ing.

1. Chiefly Scot. to grasp or seize (something) suddenly and eagerly; snatch.

cleek

/ kliːk /

noun

1. a large hook, such as one used to land fish
2. golf a former name for a club, corresponding to the modern No. 1 or No. 2 iron, used for long low shots

Word History and Origins

Origin of cleek¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English ( Scots ) cleke “hook,” derivative of cleke “to take hold of,” variant of cleche, akin to clutch ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cleek¹

C15: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

A long cleek laid his ball off the green, a good approach stopped a little short of the hole, and the put went down.

From Project Gutenberg

A drive with a wooden club is almost sure to carry into the swamp, and only a careful cleek shot is safe.

From Project Gutenberg

Booverman sighted the hole, and then took his stance; but the cleek in his hand shook like an aspen.

From Project Gutenberg

No, but Cleek of what do you call your quarters—eh—ah—Scot-land Yard—eh—yes, he might!

From Project Gutenberg

If there were geraniums and fuchsias much would depend upon it, Cleek had murmured.

From Project Gutenberg