clapping

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clap¹

(klăp)

v. clapped, clap·ping, claps

v.intr.

1. To strike the palms of the hands together with a sudden explosive sound, as in applauding.

2. To come together suddenly with a sharp sound.

v.tr.

1. To strike together with a sharp sound, as one hard surface on another: clapped a book on the desk.

2. To strike (the hands) together with an abrupt, loud sound, usually repeatedly: clapped hands in time to the music.

3. To strike lightly but firmly with the open hand, as in greeting: clapped me on the shoulder.

4. To put or place quickly and firmly: clapped the purse snatcher in jail; clapped a lid on the box.

5. To arrange hastily: clapped together a plan.

1. The act or sound of clapping the hands.

2. A sudden, loud, explosive sound: a clap of thunder.

3. A sharp blow with the open hand; a slap.

4. Obsolete A sudden stroke of fortune, especially of bad luck.

[Middle English clappen, from Old English clæppan, clappian, to throb, and from Old Norse klappa, to clap, pat.]

clap²

(klăp)

n. Vulgar Slang

Gonorrhea. Often used with the.

[Probably from obsolete French clapoir, bubo, from Old French clapier, brothel, from Old Provençal, rabbit warren, from clap, heap of stones, perhaps of Celtic origin.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

clapping

(ˈklæpɪŋ)

applause

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Noun

clapping - a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together

applause, hand clapping

commendation, approval - a message expressing a favorable opinion; "words of approval seldom passed his lips"

ovation, standing ovation - enthusiastic recognition (especially one accompanied by loud applause)

hand - a round of applause to signify approval; "give the little lady a great big hand"

handclap - a clap of the hands to indicate approval

round - an outburst of applause; "there was a round of applause"

Translations

clapping

[ˈklæpɪŋ] N (= applause) → aplausos mpl; (= sound of hands) → palmoteo m

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

clapping

[ˈklæpɪŋ] n (= applause) → applaudissements mpl

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

clapping

n → (Beifall)klatschen nt, → Beifall m

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

clapping

[ˈklæpɪŋ] n → applausi mpl

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References in classic literature ?

Another has the toothache: the carpenter out pincers, and clapping one hand upon his bench bids him be seated there; but the poor fellow unmanageably winces under the unconcluded operation; whirling round the handle of his wooden vice, the carpenter signs him to clap his jaw in that, if he would have him draw the tooth.

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They sang together and everyone in the theater began clapping and shouting, while the man and woman on the stage- who represented lovers- began smiling, spreading out their arms, and bowing.

(He was Duport, who received sixty thousand rubles a year for this art.) Everybody in the stalls, boxes, and galleries began clapping and shouting with all their might, and the man stopped and began smiling and bowing to all sides.

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Mrs Boffin was then taken with a laughing fit of clapping her hands, and clapping her knees, and rocking herself to and fro, and then with another laughing fit of embracing Bella, and rocking her to and fro--both fits, of considerable duration.

'No, it ain't!' cried Mrs Boffin, clapping her hands, and shaking her head.

'No, it ain't!' cried Mrs Boffin, again clapping her hands and shaking her head.

At this, Mrs Boffin fairly screamed with rapture, and sat beating her feet upon the floor, clapping her hands, and bobbing herself backwards and forwards, like a demented member of some Mandarin's family.

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There was a round of clapping during which she deftly fixed bells to her wrists.

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The clapping stopped suddenly; as if countless mothers had rushed to their nurseries to see what on earth was happening; but already Tink was saved.

View in context

Police arrested four more suspects on Friday in relation to the Kohistan video scandal that saw five women killed, after a video emerged of them singing and clapping as young men danced to a tribal song.

Police arrest four more accused in Kohistan video scandal

Instead, he shared St Mirren's tweet about Hammill's opener and added three clapping emojis.

scottish football myths debunked; Hearts fans can't wait to see Ryan Edwards back in a maroon jersey

The crowd went into an ecstasy of clapping, cheering and fist pumping, cheering them to their glory, as music from various music systems filled the air.

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