[app. ad. L. clang-ĕre to emit a ringing sound, as a trumpet (clangunt tubæ), to scream as an eagle or other large bird. Cf. Gr. κλάζειν, root klag-, klang-, to emit a sharp piercing sound, said of birds, dogs, arrows, the string of a bow, the wind; also of men, to scream, shriek. Some of the Eng. uses are in imitation of the Greek.]
1. intr. To emit a loud resonant ringing sound as of pieces of metal struck together, etc. In earliest use said of a trumpet.
1576. Fleming, Panoplie Ep., 172. By the clanging trump of swift report, proclaimed.
1603. Florio, Montaigne, II. xi. (1632), 245. Armes clatter and clang.
1791. Cowper, Iliad, I. 59. Clang’d the cord Dread sounding [κλαγγὴ γένετ᾽].
1843. Carlyle, Past & Pr. (1858), 135. The bells of St. Edmundsbury clang out. Ibid. (1858), Fredk. Gt. (1865), II. VII. ii. 262. The fire-drums beat, the alarm-bells clanged.
1866. Kingsley, Herew., I. xii. 248. It clanged and rattled on the floor.
b. trans. with cognate object.
1850. Blackie, Æschylus, I. 15. Loud they clanged the peal of battle.
2. trans. To strike together with clanging sound.
c. 1720. Prior, Poems (1725), II. 55 (J.). The fierce Curetes … clang’d their sounding Arms.
1725. Pope, Odyss., II. 176. They [eagles] wheel on high, And clang their wings.
1853. Felton, Fam. Lett., x. (1865), 24. The company … clanged glasses together.
3. intr. Of certain birds: To utter their loud harsh cry.
1832. L. Hunt, Hero & Leander, II. 21. The Crane … Began to clang against the coming rain.
1860. Ld. Lytton, Lucile, I. VI. iii. The quarrelling crows Clang’d above him.
