[f. CLACK v.1 + -ING1.] The action of the vb. CLACK: a. the making of a sharp, hard noise.

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1565–78.  Cooper, Thesaurus, Closmus, a clacking with the tongue to cheare a horse.

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c. 1610.  Sir J. Melvil, Mem. (1735), 393. The clacking of their Culverins and Pistols.

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1832.  Marryat, N. Forster, xxviii. Clacking of pattens.

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1858.  Carlyle, Fredk. Gt. (1865), II. IV. ix. 23. A common Mill … its clacking audible upon the common Stream.

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  b.  Chatter of tongues; noisy talk.

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1586.  T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., II. (1594), 118. When they adde to their clacking euill speech and backe-biting.

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1620.  Bp. Hall, Hon. Mar. Clergy, § 19. 107 (T.). To wearie the World with this foolish clacking.

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1863.  B. Taylor, H. Thurston, i. 19. Again the clacking of tongues rose high and shrill.

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