Word of the Day – Clout

Clout (noun)

kl-ao-wt

A heavy blow with the hand or a hard object: Influence or power, especially in politics or business.

(archaic) A piece of cloth or article of clothing which is the clout mentioned in the proverb; “ne’er cast a clout till May be out” with May more likely to mean the blossom of the Hawthorn than the month.

Example sentences

“That said, he delivered a swift clout round about her ears.”

“His leadership has been accompanied by immense popularity that has endowed him with significant power and political clout.”