Click vs clique

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Grammarist

A click is (1.) a quick, sharp sound, (2.) the act of pressing the button on a computer mouse, (3.) two people becoming suddenly attracted to each other, (4.) two or more people coming together to work successfully, (5.) to become understandable, in a flash. Click may be used as a verb or an adjective, related words are clicks, clicked and clicking. Click is considered an echoic word, but it is also associated with the Middle English clike, which is a locking latch.

A clique is an exclusive group of associates that rarely allows others to join. Related words are cliquey, cliquish, cliquishly and cliquishness. Clique comes from the eighteenth century French word, cliquer, which means latch. Presumably, referring to a group latching a lock to keep others out of their circle.

Examples

A click on the computer can help moms in Bangladesh (The Herald Extra)

However, the click and collect industry took a bit of a knock this week when it was reported that Tesco and Sainsbury’s have pulled out of a partnership with Transport for London that offered commuters the opportunity to pick up groceries in tube station car parks. (The Guardian)

The gun makes a clicking noise but does not fire, and Luna scrambles to the back of the Jeep to take cover, police say. (The Las Vegas Sun)

“Something clicked in my head. I fantasised putting skis on a bike and riding on water,” he said. (The Telegraph)

“I knew we had some talent, but the chemistry, the way we clicked today, executed, made tackles, made plays on offense, I was surprised, I’m not going to lie to you” (The Colorado Springs Gazette)

Plainly said, certain mines are desperate to expand, but a clique of preservationists, bent on saving the antiquated infrastructure, thwart the Range’s progress. (Duluth News Tribune)

My high school clique in suburban San Mateo, Calif., included Danny, Lee, Francis and Jon. (The Washington Post)

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