[f. CLINK v.2 + -ER.]
1. He who or that which clinches; a clincher.
1656. S. Holland, Zara, 46. Whether Orlando Smith, or Oswald Clinker.
2. fig. A clenching statement, etc.; a clencher.
1733. Swift, Life & Char. Dean S—t. A protestant’s a special clinker, It serves for Sceptic and freethinker.
1886. S. W. Lincolnsh. Gloss. (E. D. S.), Clinker, a clincher, or clencher. I gave him a clinker (i.e. a convincing argument).
3. A clinch-nail.
1881. Miss Jackson, Shropsh. Word-bk., Clinker, a nail used by shoemakers for protecting the toes of heavy boots.
1888. Sheffield Gloss., Clinker, a strong nail for shoes.
¶ In the two following there is probably a mixture of associations with CLINKER2, and perh. CLINKER1.
4. A smart sharp blow. dial. and colloq.
a. 1863. Thackeray, Mr. & Mrs. Berry, i. Berry … delivers a clinker on the gown-boy’s jaw.
1879. in Shropsh. Word-bk.
1883. in Hampsh. Gloss.
1887. S. Chesh. Gloss., Clinker, A smart blow, generally on the head.
5. slang. (see quot.) (?) Obs.
c. 1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Clinker, a crafty Fellow.
1725. so in New Cant. Dict.
1736. in Bailey (folio).
6. Comb. clinker-built a.: applied to ships and boats, the external planks of which overlap each other below, and are fastened together with clinched copper nails: now practised only with small craft. Hence clinker is used in many combinations, sometimes becoming almost adjectival: cf. CLINCHER.
1769. [see CLINCHER 6] Clinker-built.
1804. Hull Advertiser, 21 Jan., 2/3. A boat about fourteen feet long, and six feet wide, clinker built.
1837. J. Macculloch, Proofs Attrib. God, III. 282. The lines on a clinker built vessel … possess a grace or beauty to which no one is insensible.
1883. St. James’s Gaz., 9 Nov. These old Yorkshiremen are now nearly the only clinker-built vessels of any size left.
1592. Wills & Inv. N. C. (1835), 252. To my wiffe my clinkere lightner, with all her geare.
1869. Sir E. J. Reed, Shipbuild., x. 181. The clinker arrangement was prevalent for some years, until it was superseded by the now almost universal mode of plating.
1887. Daily News, 18 Oct., 2/5. The following fixtures were arranged—… the University Clinker Fours.
