clap 1
(klăp)v. clapped, clap·ping, claps
v.intr.1. To strike the palms of the hands together with a sudden explosive sound, as in applauding.
2. To come together suddenly with a sharp sound.
v.tr.1. To strike together with a sharp sound, as one hard surface on another: clapped a book on the desk.
2. To strike (the hands) together with an abrupt, loud sound, usually repeatedly: clapped hands in time to the music.
3. To strike lightly but firmly with the open hand, as in greeting: clapped me on the shoulder.
4. To put or place quickly and firmly: clapped the purse snatcher in jail; clapped a lid on the box.
5. To arrange hastily: clapped together a plan.
n.1. The act or sound of clapping the hands.
2. A sudden, loud, explosive sound: a clap of thunder.
3. A sharp blow with the open hand; a slap.
4. Obsolete A sudden stroke of fortune, especially of bad luck.
[Middle English clappen, from Old English clæppan, clappian, to throb, and from Old Norse klappa, to clap, pat.]
clap 2
(klăp)n. Vulgar Slang Gonorrhea. Often used with the.
[Probably from obsolete French clapoir, bubo, from Old French clapier, brothel, from Old Provençal, rabbit warren, from clap, heap of stones, perhaps of Celtic origin.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
clap
(klæp) vb,
claps,
clapping or clapped1. to make or cause to make a sharp abrupt sound, as of two nonmetallic objects struck together
2. to applaud (someone or something) by striking the palms of the hands together sharply
3. (tr) to strike (a person) lightly with an open hand, in greeting, encouragement, etc
4. (tr) to place or put quickly or forcibly: they clapped him into jail.
5. (Zoology) (of certain birds) to flap (the wings) noisily
6. (tr; foll by up or together) to contrive or put together hastily: they soon clapped up a shed.
7. clap eyes on informal to catch sight of
8. clap hold of informal to grasp suddenly or forcibly
n9. the sharp abrupt sound produced by striking the hands together
10. the act of clapping, esp in applause: he deserves a good clap.
11. a sudden sharp sound, esp of thunder
12. a light blow
13. archaic a sudden action or mishap
[Old English clæppan; related to Old High German klepfen, Middle Dutch klape rattle, Dutch klepel clapper; all of imitative origin]
clap
(klæp) [C16: from Old French clapoir venereal sore, from clapier brothel, from Old Provençal, from clap heap of stones, of obscure origin]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
clap1
(klæp)
v. clapped, clap•ping,
n. v.t. 1. to strike the palms of (one's hands) together, usu. repeatedly, esp. to express approval.
2. to strike (someone) amicably with a light slap, as in greeting or encouragement: He clapped his friend on the back.
3. to strike (an object) against something quickly and forcefully, producing an abrupt, sharp sound.
4. to bring together forcefully (facing surfaces of the same object): She clapped the book shut.
5. to put or place quickly or forcefully.
6. to make or arrange hastily (often fol. by up or together).
7. to applaud (a performance, speaker, etc.) by clapping the hands.
v.i. 8. to clap the hands, as to express approval; applaud.
9. to make an abrupt, sharp sound, as of flat surfaces striking against one another: The shutters clapped in the wind.
10. to move or strike with such a sound.
n. 11. an act of clapping.
12. the abrupt, sharp sound produced by clapping.
13. a resounding blow; slap.
14. a loud and abrupt or explosive noise, as of thunder.
15. a sudden stroke, blow, or act.
16. Obs. a sudden mishap.
[1175–1225; Middle English clappen, Old English clæppan, c. Middle Low German kleppen]
clap2
(klæp)
n. Slang: Sometimes Vulgar. gonorrhea (often prec. by the).
[1580–90; akin to Middle French clapoir bubo, clapier brothel, Old Provençal clapier warren]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.