clammy
UK: ˈklæmi | US: ˈklæmi
adj. unpleasantly damp, sticky, and cold to the touch
adj. (figuratively) causing discomfort or unease, often with a sense of oppression
clammy = clam<sticky> + my<adjective suffix>
- clam (from Old English clǣman, meaning "to smear or stick") → retains the sense of stickiness or adhesion.
- -my (a Middle English adjectival suffix, now archaic but preserved in words like "dreamy" or "gloomy") → adds a descriptive quality.
Etymology Origin:
The word "clammy" traces back to Old English clǣman (to stick or adhere), reflecting its core association with stickiness. Over time, the suffix -my (as in "gloomy") was added to form an adjective describing tactile discomfort. The modern sense of "damp and cold" emerged by the 14th century, likely influenced by the physical sensation of touching something sticky in humid conditions. The word’s evolution mirrors how tactile experiences shape language—stickiness (literal) → oppressive dampness (figurative).
His hands were clammy from nervousness during the interview.
The cave walls felt clammy and unwelcoming in the dim light.
She wiped her clammy forehead after the intense workout.
The morning fog left a clammy residue on the grass.
The politician’s smile was warm, but his handshake was oddly clammy.