View in context At this instant, while Daggoo, on the summit of the head, was clearing the whip --which had somehow got foul of the great cutting tackles --a sharp cracking noise was heard; and to the unspeakable horror of all, one of the two enormous hooks suspending the head tore ...
33. to make a similar rasping noise in (the throat), as to express disapproval or to attract attention. 34. to free of anything defamatory or discrediting: to clear one's name. 35. to free from suspicion, accusation, or imputation of guilt: The jury cleared the defendant of the ch...