clap

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   The act of striking the palms of the hands, or any two surfaces, together.

   • He summoned the waiter with a clap.
2. 2

   The explosive sound of thunder.

   • The deafening claps of thunder and the dazzling flashes of lightning which lit up the ghastly scene testified that the artillery of heaven had lent its supernatural pomp to the already gruesome spectacle.
   • With each clap of thunder echoing from one high building to another the noise was terrific.
3. 3

   Any loud, sudden, explosive sound made by striking hard surfaces together, or resembling…

   Any loud, sudden, explosive sound made by striking hard surfaces together, or resembling such a sound.

   • Off in the distance, he heard the clap of thunder.
   • Give the door such a clap, as you go out, as will shake the whole room.
4. ›+ 15 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A slap with the hand, usually in a jovial manner.

      • His father's affection never went further than a handshake or a clap on the shoulder.
   2. 5

      A single, sudden act or motion

      A single, sudden act or motion; a stroke; a blow.

      • What, fifty of my followers at a clap!
      • But it took him a long time to get down-stairs, and a still longer to undo the fastenings, repenting (I dare say) and taken with fresh claps of fear at every second step and every bolt and bar.
   3. 6

      The nether part of the beak of a hawk.

   4. 7

      A dropping of cow dung (presumably from the sound made as it hits the ground)

      • “Oh! get some coo clap (cow dung), mix it wi’ fish oil (whale oil), put it on, and let it stop on all neet.”
   5. 8

      To strike the palms of the hands together, creating a sharp sound.

      • The children began to clap in time with the music.
   6. 9

      To applaud.

      • The audience loudly clapped the actress, who responded with a deep curtsey.
      • It isn’t the singers they are clapping; it's the composer.
      • “George is all very well on platforms,” said Bundle. “I’ve clapped him myself, though of course I know all the time that he’s talking balderdash.[…]”
   7. 10

      To slap with the hand in a jovial manner.

      • He would often clap his teammates on the back for encouragement.
   8. 11

      To bring two surfaces together forcefully, creating a sharp sound.

      • He clapped the empty glass down on the table.
      • She clapped the book shut.
      • He clapped across the floor in his boots.
   9. 12

      To slam (a door or window)

      To slam (a door or window); formerly often construed with to.

      • Hostesse clap to the doores.
      • The doors around me clapped.
      • Her fear gave her strength; she threw Laura away, and clapped to the door.
   10. 13

       To create or assemble (something) hastily (usually followed by up or together).

       • We should clap together a shelter before nightfall.
       • The rival factions clapped up a truce.
   11. 14

       To set or put, usually in haste.

       • The sheriff clapped him in jail.
       • She was the prettiest thing I'd ever clapped eyes on.
       • He had just time to get in and clap to the door.
   12. 15

       To shoot (somebody) with a gun.

   13. 16

       To defeat.

       • He started a fight but then got clapped immediately.
   14. 17

       To have sex, fornicate, copulate.

   15. 18

       Synonym of gonorrhea.

       • With the mischiefe of the melt and maw, / The clape and the canker,—
       • I stepped out of my tent in Marrakech one night to get a bar of candy and caught your dose of clap when that Wac I never even saw before hissed me into the bushes.
       • “What in hell makes you think he's got the clap?” Hawkeye asked. “Even a clap doctor can't diagnose it through a parka

The neighborhood

• neighborclap skate
• neighborapplaud
• neighborapplause