Definition of "clemming" [clemming]

• Present participle of clem. (verb)

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• "Even the middle classes suffered, and the poor could only meet such trouble by 'clemming' or self-starvation."
• "Yet I would have thee look to this at least; that I took thee from poverty and pinching, and have reared thee as faithfully as ever mother did to child; clemming thee never, smiting thee not so oft, and but seldom cruelly."
• "How they're clemming and starving poor weavers like me"