Clanked: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Middle English 'clanken,' which means to make a loud noise or clatter.
• It is related to the Old English word 'clanc,' which refers to a sharp ringing sound.
• The usage of 'clanked' in literature dates back to the 15th century, often describing metal hitting metal.

Sound Perception

• Sounds described as 'clanking' often evoke feelings of surprise or alertness due to their sharpness.
• Research shows that high-frequency sounds, like a clank, catch our attention faster than low-frequency ones.
• Clanking sounds can have various interpretations; in some contexts, they can signal danger or malfunction.

Cultural Context

• In many cultures, clanking sounds are associated with factories or industrial settings, symbolizing hard work and production.
• The clanking of metal is commonly portrayed in films and video games during battles or machinery operation.
• Clanking is often used in music, especially in industrial and electronic genres, to evoke a raw, mechanical sound.

Literature

• Writers often use the verb 'clanked' to create a vivid auditory image, enhancing the reader's experience.
• In classic narratives, the sound of armor clanking can illustrate a character's power and presence.
• The use of onomatopoeia, like 'clanked,' brings scenes to life, making them more relatable to readers.

Everyday Usage

• The term can describe everyday events, like pots and pans clanking in the kitchen during cooking.
• People use 'clanked' to describe the sound of closing car doors or heavy machinery working.
• In casual conversations, it's often used humorously to denote accidental sounds, like stumbling or dropping something.

This word's position of #34,238 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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• 34235 polychromatic
• 34236 covenanting
• 34237 mistreat
• 34238 clanked
• 34239 whacking
• 34240 uneaten
• 34241 penetrable
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