I. clap1 /klæp/
verb (
past tense and past participle clapped,
present participle clapping)
[
Language: Old English;
Origin: clæppan]
1. [intransitive and transitive] 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. [transitive] 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. [transitive] 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 somebody/something British English 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 somebody in prison/jail/irons literary to suddenly put someone in prison or chains
—clapping noun [uncountable]:
Each song was greeted with enthusiastic clapping. [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
II. clap2 noun[
Sense 1-2: Date: 1300-1400;
Origin: ⇒ clap1]
[
Sense 3: Date: 1500-1600;
Language: 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 somebody a clap British English:
Come on everyone, let’s give Tommy a clap.2. [singular] a sudden loud noise:
an ear-splitting clap of thunder3. the clap informal gonorrhea [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲