klam

• IPA^(key): [ˈklam]
• Hyphenation: klam
• Rhymes: -am

Deverbal from klamat (“to deceive”). Compare Slovak klam, Slovak klamstvo, Polish kłamstwo.

klam m inan

1. fallacy, illusion
2. deception

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

klam

1. second-person singular imperative of klamat

• klam in Příruční slovník jazyka českého, 1935–1957
• klam in Slovník spisovného jazyka českého, 1960–1971, 1989
• klam in Internetová jazyková příručka

From Middle Low German klam.

klam (neuter klamt, plural and definite singular attributive klamme, comparative klammere, superlative (predicative) klammest, superlative (attributive) klammeste)

1. uncomfortably damp and cold
2. (figurative, informal) unpleasant, repulsive

From Middle Dutch clam, ultimately from or related to Proto-West Germanic *klaimijan (“to smear with clay”).

• Audio

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɑm

klam (comparative klammer, superlative klamst)

1. damp, dank, moist and cool

• kalm

From Middle Low German klam (“tight”). (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Cognate with Danish klam, Dutch klam and German klamm.

• IPA^(key): /klam/

• Audio

  (file)

• Rhymes: -am
• Hyphenation: klam

klam (neuter singular klamt, definite singular and plural klamme, comparative klammere, predicative superlative klammest, attributive superlative klammeste)

1. clammy; damp, moist and cold (especially regarding human skin or the air)

   Synonym: fuktig

   Det var klamt og fuktig i rommet.

   It was clammy and damp in the room.

   • 1875, Henrik Ibsen, Catilina, page 101:

     jeg ser mig i en hvælving, klam som gravens muld

     I see myself in a vault, clammy like the dust of the grave

   • 1879, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, Norske Folke- og Huldre-Eventyr, page 174:

     klamme gjennemtrængende luftninger

     clammy penetrating aerations

   • 1885, Henrik Ibsen, Brand, page 117:

     her sænker skodden klamt sig ned

     here the shutter clammily lowers down

   • 1899, Henrik Ibsen, Når vi døde vågner, page 196:

     to klamme lig

     two moist corpses

   • 1907, Nils Collett Vogt, September-Brand, page 124:

     høstmørket længer sig klamt og vaadt

     the autumn darkness longs clammy and wet

   • 1889, Nils Collett Vogt, Familiens sorg, page 18:

     han var sved paa panden og klam paa hænderne

     he was sweating on his forehead and clammy on his hands

   • 1994, Dag Solstad, Genanse og verdighet:

     dette klamme klasseværelset

     this clammy classroom

   • 1990, Atle Næss, Kraften som beveger:

     en varm, klam septemberkveld med tordenvær i lufta

     a warm, humid September evening with thunderstorms in the air

   • 1996, Gunnar Staalesen, De døde har det godt:

     hun var … klam i hendene da vi håndhilste

     she was… clammy in her hands when we shook hands

   • 2005, Linn Ullmann, Et velsignet barn:

     klamme laken

     clammy sheets

2. (colloquial) piercing, unpleasant (of a mood or atmosphere)
   • 1911, Hjalmar Christensen, Fogedgaarden, page 24:

     det var ingen aabenbar uvenlighed, men en seig, klam mistænksomhet

     it was no obvious unkindness, but a tenacious, piercing suspicion

   • 1994, Dag Solstad, Genanse og verdighet:

     Johan Corneliussen må ha været den klamme taushet i rommet under dette måltid

     Johan Corneliussen must have been the most unpleasant silence in the room during this meal

3. awkward
   • 2003, Arne Svingen, De tøffeste gutta, page 57:

     alt ble så klamt når læreren skulle bry seg

     everything became so awkward when the teacher had to care

• klamsvett (“clammy and sweaty”)

• “klam” in The Bokmål Dictionary.
• “klam” in Det Norske Akademis ordbok (NAOB).