1
Stage 1 of 3
cliquer
Old French · 1200s
"to click, clatter, crackle"
an echoic coinage imitating a sharp clicking or clattering sound
2
Stage 2 of 3
clique
French · 1300s
"a sharp noise; a latch or bolt"
the noise-word narrowed to name a door latch and, by association, a tight little group of people
3
Stage 3 of 3
clique
English · 1711
"an exclusive party of persons"
borrowed for an exclusive, self-interested social set
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