Clap

Pronunciation

• IPA: /klæp/
• Rhymes: -æp

From Old English clæppan.

Full definition of clap

Noun

1. The act of striking the palms of the hands, or any two surfaces, together.He summoned the waiter with a clap.
2. The explosive sound of thunder.
• Joyce Ulysses Episode 12, The CyclopsThe 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.
3. 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.
• Jonathan SwiftGive the door such a clap, as you go out, as will shake the whole room.
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.
5. A single, sudden act or motion; a stroke; a blow.
• ShakespeareWhat, fifty of my followers at a clap!
6. (falconry) The nether part of the beak of a hawk.
7. (Yorkshire) A dropping of cow dung (presumably from the sound made as it hits the ground) Edward Peacock, A Glossary of Words Used in the Wapentakes of Manley and Corringham, Lincolnshire, p 188
• 1890, John Nicholson, Folk Lore of East Yorkshire, page 139“Oh! get some coo clap (cow dung), mix it wi’ fish oil (whale oil), put it on, and let it stop on all neet.”

Synonyms

• (sound of thunder) thunderclap

Derived terms

• thunderclap

Verb

1. To strike the palms of the hands together, creating a sharp sound.The children began to clap in time with the music.
2. 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.
3. To slap with the hand in a jovial manner.He would often clap his teammates on the back for encouragement.
4. 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.
• MarvellThen like a bird it sits and sings,
  And whets and claps its silver wings.
5. To come together suddenly with noise.
• DrydenThe doors around me clapped.
6. 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.
7. To set or put, usually in haste.The sheriff clapped him in jail.She was the prettiest thing I'd ever clapped eyes on.
• John LockeHe had just time to get in and clap to the door.
• LambClap an extinguisher upon your irony.
8. (slang, AAVE) To shoot (somebody) with a gun.

Derived terms

• clapper
• claptrap
• clapperboard

Uncertain.

Noun

1. (slang, with "the") Gonorrhea.
• 1997 MASH
• “What in hell makes you think he's got the clap?” Hawkeye asked. “Even a clap doctor can't diagnose it through a parka1998 Dan Savage
• When I explained that I thought he had given me the clap, he said I must be mistaken, it had to be someone I'd “tricked” with at ... He'd never had an STD in his life, he told me, and slammed down the phone.1998 Changing Bodies
• He thought I had given him the clap gonorrhea, but I knew I didn't.2006 The STDs Update
• Gonorrhea, sometimes called the clap, is caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
2. I'm gonna kill that bitch for giving me the clap!If your dick has "the drip" you probably have the clap and need to go to the sex clinic.He wasn't careful; he caught both syphilis and the clap.

Anagrams

• calp