Influence or power to affect others or make things happen, or a heavy blow or hit.
From Old English 'clut' (a cloth or patch), then evolved to mean 'to hit' and 'a blow,' eventually broadening to mean 'influence' and 'power' (the ability to make an impact).
The evolution of 'clout' from 'a cloth patch' to 'powerful influence' shows how words shift meaning through metaphor—a person with 'clout' has the power to make an impact just like a heavy blow does, which is why today's social media influencers are sometimes called people with 'clout.'
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