Club \Club\ (kl[u^]b), n. [Cf. Icel. klubba, klumba, club,
   klumbuf[=o]ir a clubfoot, SW. klubba club, Dan. klump lump,
   klub a club, G. klumpen clump, kolben club, and E. clump.]
   1. A heavy staff of wood, usually tapering, and wielded with
      the hand; a weapon; a cudgel.
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            But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs;
            Rome and her rats are at the point of battle.
                                                  --Shak.
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   2. [Cf. the Spanish name bastos, and Sp. baston staff, club.]
      Any card of the suit of cards having a figure like the
      trefoil or clover leaf. (pl.) The suit of cards having
      such figure.
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   3. An association of persons for the promotion of some common
      object, as literature, science, politics, good fellowship,
      etc.; esp. an association supported by equal assessments
      or contributions of the members.
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            They talked
            At wine, in clubs, of art, of politics. --Tennyson.
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            He [Goldsmith] was one of the nine original members
            of that celebrated fraternity which has sometimes
            been called the Literary Club, but which has always
            disclaimed that epithet, and still glories in the
            simple name of the Club.              --Macaulay.
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   4. A joint charge of expense, or any person's share of it; a
      contribution to a common fund.
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            They laid down the club.              --L'Estrange.
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            We dined at a French house, but paid ten shillings
            for our part of the club.             --Pepys.
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   Club law, government by violence; lynch law; anarchy.
      --Addison. 
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   Club root (Bot.), a disease of cabbages, by which the roots
      become distorted and the heads spoiled.

   Club topsail (Naut.), a kind of gaff topsail, used mostly
      by yachts having a fore-and-aft rig. It has a short "club"
      or "jack yard" to increase its spread.
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