[Of doubtful origin: probably connected with CLAG, as an umlaut derivative of same root.
If cledge went back to OE., its form would be clecg:—original *clagja-, or clagjo-; cf. edge, hedge. The latter correspond to Ger. eck(e, hecke, and it is possible that the analogue of cledge is kleck, klecke in sense ‘heap, of dirt, sticky mass’: see kleck 2 a, in Grimm. Connection with CLAY, OE. clǽʓ, is excluded by the fact that there the ʓ represents not palatalized g, but original j (y), klaijo-.]
A local name for clay or clayey soil, in Kent, etc.; also technically applied to the upper of the two beds of Fuller’s Earth, in Bedfordshire, and elsewhere in England.
1723. Holloway, in Phil. Trans., XXXII. 419. The Fullers-Earth; the upper Layer of which, being about a Foot deep, they call the Cledge [in Bedfordsh.].
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v. Fuller’s earth, The upper stratum of this [at Wavedon, Beds.] is about a foot thick, and they call it cledge.
1768. Projects, in Ann. Reg., 108/1. Clay, or brick-earth, strong cledge, flint-gravel, [etc.].
1887. Kentish Gloss. (E. D. S.), Cledge, clay; stiff loam.
