Obs. exc. dial. [This word, CLAM sb.3, CLAM v.1, CLAMMY, and other derivatives, form a group of which the mutual relations are not quite clear. Although the verb is as yet cited earlier than the adj., the latter perhaps has etymological priority: it corresponds also to Du. and LG. klam, in Kilian klam, klamp, ‘moist, clammy, viscous, sticky,’ Da. and Sw. klam ‘dampish, wettish.’ Not known in the earlier stages of these languages. Cf. CLAM v.1]
Sticky, glutinous, adhesive like wet clay. dial. a. Cold and damp, clammy; b. see quot. 1808.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 79. Clam’ or cleymows, glutinosus.
1595. Duncan, App. Etymol., Tenax, clamm, tewgh.
1641. Best, Farm. Bks. (1856), 71. Yow are not to beginne to marke soe longe as the markinge stuffe is any thing clamme, or cleaveth and ropeth … but lette it bee as thinne and runne of like water afore yow beginne.
1647. H. More, Song of Soul, III. III. xxxiii. The hand did smite With a clam pitchie ray shot from that Centrall Night [the Egyptian darkness].
1808. Jamieson, Sc. Dict., s.v., Ice is said to be clam, when beginning to melt with the sun or otherwise, and not easy to be slid upon. [Still so used.]
1877. E. Peacock, N. W. Linc. Gloss. (E. D. S.), Clam, (1) cold, damp. Thoo’s strange an’ clam, thu feels like a curpse. (2) tenacious, sticky, adherent. The muck’s that clam, it wëant slip off’n th’ sluff when ye dig it.
