clap

clap¹ [klæp] v past tense and past participle clapped present participle clapping

[: Old English; Origin: clAppan]

1.) [I and T]

to hit your hands against each other many times to make a sound that shows your approval, agreement, or enjoyment

→↑applause

▪ One man began to clap, and others joined in.

▪ The couple were cheered and clapped on their arrival.

▪ The audience clapped politely but without much enthusiasm.

2.) [T]

if you clap your hands, you hit your hands together a few times to attract someone's attention or to show that you are pleased

▪ Narouz clapped his hands and a servant entered.

▪ Mandy laughed and clapped her hands in delight.

3.) [T]

to put your hand on something quickly and firmly

▪ 'Mick!' She clapped her hand over her mouth. 'I'd forgotten!'

▪ Ben grinned and clapped me amiably on the shoulder .

4.) clap eyes on sb/sth

BrE informal to see someone or something, especially when you did not expect to

▪ Mark had loved the house from the moment he clapped eyes on it.

5.) clap sb in prison/jail/irons

literary to suddenly put someone in prison or chains

>clapping n [U]

▪ Each song was greeted with enthusiastic clapping.

clap ²

clap² n

[Sense: 1-2; Date: 1300-1400; Origin: CLAP¹]

[Sense: 3; Date: 1500-1600; : Old French; Origin: clapoir 'swelling on the skin']

1.) [singular]

the loud sound that you make when you hit your hands together many times to show that you enjoyed something

give sb a clap BrE

▪ Come on everyone, let's give Tommy a clap.

2.) [singular]

a sudden loud noise

▪ an ear-splitting clap of thunder

3.) the clap informal ↑gonorrhea