## Etymology
From Middle English clinken, of imitative (onomatopoeic) origin, akin to Dutch klinken 'to ring, sound'. The slang sense 'prison' derives from the Clink, a former prison in Southwark, London.

## AI Etymology
Clink comes from Middle English clinken, of imitative (onomatopoeic) origin, akin to Dutch klinken 'to ring, sound'. The slang sense 'prison' derives from the Clink, a former prison in Southwark, London. Its formation is sound-symbolic rather than a regular transparent compound, with the older form echoing the sound named in the history. Used as a verb and noun, clink now means "make a light sharp ringing sound; informally, prison", so the present definition can be read against the older forms and meanings. The same lexical family is also visible in derived forms such as clinking and related forms such as clank, clunk, and clinker. The result is a borrowed or transmitted form whose modern spelling carries a compact record of its route into English.

## Topics
- Senses & Perception

markdown

clink

Meanings

Thesaurus

Etymology

Topics

External links

Keyboard Shortcuts

General

Send feedback