CHRISTMAS DEVICE (R179,_b_), Christmas was better kept as a festival in olden times than in modern days, lasting at this period from Christmas Eve to Old Christmas Day or Twelfth night. At Court, and in the Inns of Court, high revel was kept; from references such as the above it is clear that many a play was specially written for, and first presented at, these festivals. The sources of detailed descriptions are too well known to need particular reference. CHRISTMAS SONG (M15,_d_; 16,_a_ to _c_). Prof. Manly omits this precious production; perhaps rightly in view of his text being prepared for class-room use; the E.E.T. Society's issue gives it as a matter of course, as do I. CHURCH, "a _church_ here beside," etc. (M28,_b_), _i.e._ the abbey larder should provide the requisite cheer. CHURCH-STILE, "on the _church stile_" (M26,_a_), a stile in, or leading to, the precincts of the church. CHWAS (_passim_), I was--'ch was. CLARIFY, "This question to _clarify_" (M5,_a_), make clear or intelligible, answer, clear up. "A word to you I wold _claryfy_."--_Towneley Myst._, p. 67. CLASH, "at _clash_ and cards" (IP338,_b_), bawdy talk, gossiping, tittle-tattle, quarrelling. "Good Lord! what fiery _clashings_ we have had lately for a cap and a surplice!"--Howell, _Lett._ (1644-45), iv. 29. CLAWBACK, "you flearing _clawback_ you" (R188,_a_), lickspittle, flatterer. The whole passage is a striking early instance of sarcastic vituperation, and the gradual piling up of the weight of abuse. CLEAN, "a clean gentleman" (M22,_a_), fair, comely, noble: a general appreciative. "With the _clennest_ _cumpanye_ that euer king ladde."--_Will. of Paleren_ (_c._ 1360), 1609. CLEPE, "if I should _clepe_ to memory" (N45,_a_), call. "I shall inwardly _clepe_ the Lord."--Wycliffe, _Psalm_ xvii. 4. CLERICAL, "_clerical_ manner" (M8,_b_),--"a _clerical_ matter" (M26,_a_), clerk-like, scholarly, abstruse, learned. CLOTHES, "the _clothes_ of thy _shoon_" (M35,_b_), generic for fabric and material as well as for dress and apparel. CLOUTERY, (R263,_d_). Mr. Magnus glosses this as "mending," and probably he is right. On the other hand, a glance may be given to the Northern _clouter_ = to do dirty work. COBS, "the great _cobs_" (R232,_d_), a rich but grasping person, a person of superior rank and power. "Susteynid is not by personis lowe, But _cobbis_ grete this riote sustene."--_Occleve, MS. Soc. Antiq._ 134, f. 267. "But, at leisure, ther must be some of the gret _cobbes_ served likewise, and the king to have ther landes likewise, as, God willing, he shall have th' erle of Kildares in possession, or somer passe."--_State_ _Papers_, ii. 228 (Nares). COCK'S (_passim_), God's. Hence _Cock's body sacred_ = God's consecrated body. COMMEDIENS, "as _commediens_ vor us" (R212,_a_), commodious.