Obs. exc. dial. Also 5–6 cleuer. [First found in 13th c.; cf. Da. klavre to climb, clamber, and mod.Du. klaveren, kleveren, LG. klauern, in same sense; ON. had klifra to climb. All these are regarded as frequentatives, from the vb.-root klif-, kliv-, in OTeut. kliƀ- to stick, adhere, hence to climb. Cf. also ME. cleafer, OE. clifer, claw, talon.] intr. To climb, clamber. (Some take it in first quot. as = clutch, claw.)
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 102. Hweðer þe cat of helle claurede euer toward hire, & cauhte, mid his cleafres, hire heorte heaued.
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 3325. Two kynges ware clymbande, and claverande one heghe.
1423. James I., Kingis Q., clix. A quhele, on quhich cleuering I sye A multitude of folk before myn eye.
1647. M. Hudson, Div. Right Govt., Ep. Ded. 1. Subjects are clavered up into the Kings Throne, and the King debased below … a free-born subject.
1876. Mid-Yorksh. Gloss. (E. D. S.), Clavver, to clamber.
