north. Eng. and Sc. Also 5 cleyngk, 6 clenk. [Northern form corresp. to CLINCH, CLENCH; identical in form and sense with Du., EFris., L.Ger. klinken, Da. klinke, Sw. klinka.
Clink is prob. simply a later phonetic form of clenk = clench:—OE. clęnc(e)an, the change of -eng, -enk, to -ing, -ink, being usual in ME.; cf. think from OE. þencan, also stink, stench, blink, blench, bink, bench, earlier benk; also Inglish = English. But klink might be the Danish or LGer. word, and clinch a result of its action upon clench.]
trans. To clench, rivet, fix or fasten with nails or rivets. Hence Clinked ppl. a.
1440. [see CLENCH v.1 1]. It sall be cleyngked.
c. 1460. Towneley Myst., Crucifixio, 219. For to clynk and for to dryfe Therto I am fulle prest.
a. 1568. Sempill Ballates (1872), 230. A littill Fleminge berge Off clenkett wark.
1583. Stanyhurst, Poems (Arb.), 138. An armoure, With gould ritchlye shrined, wheare scaals be ful horriblye clincked.
c. 1768. Ross, Rock & Wee Pickle Tow (Jam.). A pair of grey hoggers well clinked benew.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 51. Double plank, cross and cross, and clinked together.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, xxxiv. Yonder gay Chief … will soon find on his shoulders with what sort of blows I clink my rivets!
