Clap — Defs

01 v. t. 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 o…

imp. & p. p. Clapped; p. pr. & vb. n. Clapping

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 extinguisher upon your irony.” — Lamb.
3.
To manifest approbation of, by striking the hands together; to applaud; as, to clap a performance.
4.
To express contempt or derision.[Obs.]

Phrases & compounds

To clap hands — To pledge faith by joining hands.

To clap hold of — to seize roughly or quickly.

To clap up — To imprison hastily or without due formality.

02 v. i. To knock, as at a door.

1.
To knock, as at a door.[Obs.]
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.]
5.
To talk noisily; to chatter loudly.[Obs.]

03 n. A loud noise made by sudden collision; a bang.

1.
A loud noise made by sudden collision; a bang.
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.]
6.
The nether part of the beak of a hawk.(Falconry)

Phrases & compounds

Clap dish — See Clack dish, under Clack, n.

Clap net — a net for taking birds, made to close or clap together.

04 n. Gonorrhea.