- Clapping
- Clap Clap (kl[a^]p), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Clapped} (kl[a^]pt);
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.
[1913 Webster]
Then like a bird it sits and sings, And whets and claps its silver wings. --Marvell. [1913 Webster]
2. To thrust, drive, put, or close, in a hasty or abrupt manner; -- often followed by to, into, on, or upon. [1913 Webster]
He had just time to get in and clap to the door. --Locke [1913 Webster]
Clap an extinguisher upon your irony. --Lamb. [1913 Webster]
3. To manifest approbation of, by striking the hands together; to applaud; as, to clap a performance. [1913 Webster]
{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. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
