Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Clap?

\Clap\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Clapped}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Clapping}.] [AS. clappan; akin to Icel. & Sw. klappa, D, klappen, to clap, prate, G. klaffen, v. i., to split open, yelp, klopfen, v. t. & i., to knock.] 1. To strike; to slap; to strike, or strike together, with a quick motion, so, as to make a sharp noise; as, to clap one's hands; a clapping of wings. Then like a bird it sits and sings, And whets and claps its silver wings. --Marvell. 2. To thrust, drive, put, or close, in a hasty or abrupt manner; -- often followed by to, into, on, or upon. He had just time to get in and clap to the door. --Locke Clap an extinguaisher upon your irony. --Lamb. 3. To manifest approbation of, by striking the hands together; to applaud; as, to clap a performance. {To clap hands}. (a) To pledge faith by joining hands. [Obs.] --Shak. (b) To express contempt or derision. [Obs.] --Lam. ii. 15. {To clap hold of}, to seize roughly or quickly. {To clap up}. (a) To imprison hastily or without due formality. (b) To make or contrive hastily. [Obs.] ``Was ever match clapped up so suddenly?'' --Shak.
\Clap\, v. i. 1. To knock, as at a door. [Obs.] --Chaucer. 2. To strike the hands together in applause. Their ladies bid them clap. --Shak. 3. To come together suddenly with noise. The doors around me clapped. --Dryden. 4. To enter with alacrity and briskness; -- with to or into. [Obs.] ``Shall we clap into it roundly, without . . . saying we are hoarse?'' --Shak. 5. To talk noisily; to chatter loudly. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
\Clap\ (kl[a^]p), n. 1. A loud noise made by sudden collision; a bang. ``Give the door such a clap, as you go out, as will shake the whole room.'' --Swift. 2. A burst of sound; a sudden explosion. Horrible claps of thunder. --Hakewill. 3. A single, sudden act or motion; a stroke; a blow. What, fifty of my followers at a clap! --Shak. 4. A striking of hands to express approbation. Unextrected claps or hisses. --Addison. 5. Noisy talk; chatter. [Obs.] --Chaucer. 6. (Falconry) The nether part of the beak of a hawk. {Clap dish}. See {Clack dish}, under {Clack}, n. {Clap net}, a net for taking birds, made to close or clap together.
\Clap\, n. [Cf. OF. clapoir.] Gonorrhea.