Clap

Clap, klap, n. the noise made by the sudden striking together of two things, as the hands: a burst of sound: a slap.—v.t. to strike together so as to make a noise: to thrust or drive together suddenly: to fasten promptly: to pat with the hand in a friendly manner: to applaud with the hands: to bang: to imprison—e.g. 'to clap one in prison.'—v.i. to strike the hands together: to strike together with noise: to applaud:—pr.p. clap′ping; pa.p. clapped.—ns. Clap′-board, a thin board used in covering wooden houses; Clap′-bread, a kind of hard-baked oatmeal cake; Clap′-dish (same as Clack-dish); Clap′-net, a kind of net which is made to clap together suddenly by pulling a string; Clap′per, one who claps: that which claps, as the tongue of a bell: a glib tongue.—v.t. Clap′per-claw, to claw or scratch: (Shak.) to scold.—ns. Clap′ping, noise of striking: applause; Clap′-sill, the bottom part of the frame on which lock-gates shut—called also Lock-sill; Clap′trap (Shak.), a trick to gain applause: flashy display: empty words; Claptrap′pery.—adj. Claptrap′pish.—Clap eyes on, to see; Clap hands (Shak.), to make an agreement; Clap hold of, to seize roughly; Clap up (Shak.), to conclude suddenly. [Ice. klappa, to pat; Dut. and Ger. klappen.]