Clammy
/ˈklæmi/noun
Unpleasantly damp, sticky, or cold and moist.
Did you know?English **clammy** is linked to an old Germanic root meaning “to press, squeeze, or stick together,” the same ancient idea behind words for gripping and compressing.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*glebh-
“to stick, adhere, or clench”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*klam-
“sticky, moist, or adhering”
Old English
OE
clamm
“a bond, fetter, or something that binds tightly”
Middle English
ME
clammy
“sticky, moist, or adhesive”
Modern English
English
clammy
“unpleasantly damp, sticky, or cold and moist”