CLEVER, an adjective implying dexterous activity of mind or body, and ability to meet emergencies with readiness and adroitness. The etymology and the early history of the word are obscure. Some derive it, in the sense of "quick to seize," from M.E. cliver or clivre, a claw. This original sense probably sur vives in the frequent use of the word for nimble, dexterous, quick and skilful in the use of the hands, and so it is often applied to a horse, "clever at his fences." The word has also been connected with O.E. gleaw, wise, which became in M.E. gleu, and is cognate with Scottish gleg, quick of eye.