clump / kləmp/ • n. 1. a compacted mass or lump of something: clumps of earth. ∎  a small, compact group of people. ∎  a small group of trees or plants growing closely together: a clump of ferns. ∎ Physiol. an agglutinated mass of blood cells or bacteria, esp. as an indicator of the presence of an antibody to them.2. a thick extra sole on a boot or shoe.3. the sound of heavy footsteps.• v. [intr.] 1. form into a clump or mass: the particles tend to clump together.2. (also clomp) walk with a heavy tread.

clump compact mass of trees XVI; transf. of other things XVII. — MLG. klumpe (LG. klump), rel. to MDu. klompe (Du. klomp) lump, mass, and OE. clympre (mod. dial. clumper) lump of metal, and further to CLAMP 2; cf. CLUB.

Clump

an unshaped mass; a heap; a cluster of trees; a tuft of shrubs; a compact mass or patch of any growing plants; used figuratively. See also group, thicket.

Examples: clump of bananas, 1845; of bread, 1868; of flowers; of frog-spawn, 1721; of grass; of houses, 1870; of plants, 1822; of reeds, 1766; of salt, 1767; of stitches [needlework], 1870; of trees, 1586.