Forms: (1 clappian), 3–4 clappen, 4–7 clappe, (5 cleppyn, clape, 8 Sc. clep), 6– clap. Pa. t. and pple. 3–6 clapte, 5 clappid, (7–8 claped, clap’d, clap’t, 7–9 clapp’d), 4– clapped, 6– clapt (klæpt). [ME. clappen, OE. type *clappian (Somner has clappan from some unspecified source), corresp. to MLG., MDu., LG., Du. (also mod. G.) klappen, OHG. chlaphôn, MHG. and mod.Ger. klapfen; these point to a common WGer. type witnessing, with ON. klappa (Sw. klappa, Du. klappe), to an OTeut. *klappôjan, vb. intr., f. *klappo- CLAP sb.1 ME. cleppen corresponds formally to another type *klappjan, appearing in MLG. and MDu. kleppen (whence mod.G. kleppen, kläppen), HG. kläpfen; cf. cleppe under CLAP sb. The primitive Teutonic sense is that of ‘make a clap or explosive sound,’ whence a wide range of derivative senses in the various languages. If the word was not preserved in OE., it may have reentered ME. from ON.; and, in any case, some of the senses are prob. of Norse origin; the mod. Scandinavian langs. have it with the same range of meaning as in Eng., also with the sense ‘pat endearingly,’ as in Sc. and north. dial. (sense 9.)]
I. Of noise alone.
1. intr. To make the hard explosive noise described under CLAP sb.1 Said of agents, instruments, thunder, etc. (Now chiefly dial.)
1509. Barclay, Shyp of Folys (1874), I. 222. Clappynge with their helys in churche.
1530. Palsgr., 485/2. I clappe, I make noyse, as the clapper of a myll, je clacque.
1577–87. Holinshed, Chron., III. 1219/2. The small shot clapt suddenly round about the house.
1579. Gosson, Sch. Abuse (Arb.), 59. The boulte is falne ere the Ayre clap.
1742. R. Blair, Grave, 5. Doors creak, and Windows clap.
1847. Tennyson, Princess, II. 209. A clapper clapping in a garth, To scare the fowl from fruit.
1848. Thackeray, Bk. Snobs, xxxv. We went clapping up a clean stone backstair.
b. Formerly said of a bell; to tinkle.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 81. Cleppyn or clynchyn [1499 clippyn or clynkyn], tinnio. [See also CLAPPING.]
† 2. intr. To talk loudly, chatter, prate. Obs.
1393. Gower, Conf., I. 122. There maie nothinge his tonge daunt That he ne clappeth as a belle.
1406. Occleve, Misrule, 394. That to myself thus longe Clappid have I!
1471. Ripley, Comp. Alch., V. xxiv. in Ashm. (1652), 154. How eloquently, de materia prima they clape.
1557. Tottel’s Misc. (Arb.), 135. O euyll tonges, which clap at euery winde.
1562. J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr. (1867), 107. Hir tounge was clappyng lyke a paten.
[1722. Ramsay, Three Bonnets, I. 2. To heed that clepping thing ca’d conscience.]
trans. c. 1315. Shoreham, Poems, 135. Aȝen hy clappeth thys and that.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Chan. Yem. Prol. & T., 412. [It] Nis nat good what so men clappe or crye.
1393. Gower, Conf., II. 282. All that thou herest thou shalt telle And clappe it out as doth a belle.
II. Of making the noise by particular actions.
† 3. intr. To strike so as to make a noise; to rap, knock (e.g., at a door). Obs.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Friar’s T., 281. This sompnour clapped at the widowes gate.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1673), 309. Beat all the windy places with a good hasell wand, or with both your hands, clapping upon the places puffed up with wind.
1698. Walker, in Phil. Trans., XX. 433. I clapt every Second of Time Ten or Fifteen times together.
4. To shut (as a door or window) with a clap or explosive noise; to bang, slam.
a. intr. Said of a door, window, etc. arch.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 807. And þai [jaws] clappe shall full clene, & neuer vnclose aftur.
c. 1470. Harding, Chron. lxxvi. vi. So sodenly doores and wyndowes al clapped With hydeous noyce.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., IX. xviii. (1632), 914. A doore clapped, and in came rushing men in harnesse.
1656. H. More, Antid. Ath., II. xii. (1712), 79. The upper-lid [of the eye] presently claps down.
1765. H. Walpole, Otranto, i. (1798), 25. ‘What noise was that?’ said Manfred…. ‘A door clapped,’ said the peasant.
1842. Tennyson, Day-Dream, Revival, i. There rose a noise of … doors that clapt.
b. trans. (Often with to). arch. or dial.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Miller’s T., 554. ‘Te-hee’! quoth sche, and clapt the wyndow to.
1596. Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., II. iv. 305. Hostesse, clap to the doores.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., III. xii. 3. A stormy whirlwind blew Throughout the house, that clapped every dore.
1765. H. Walpole, Otranto, i. (1798), 18. [He] clapped the door against the terrified Matilda.
1844. Dickens, Mart. Chuz., ix. 106. He clapped down the window.
5. trans. To strike the palms of the hands together with noise (usually, in token of applause, encouragement or delight; formerly, also, in derision; also, as a signal, etc.). [An earlier const. connecting this with 3 may have been to clap with the hands.]
c. 1386. Chaucer, Frankl. T., 475. Whan this Maister … Saugh it was tyme he clapte hise handes.
a. 1400. Octouian, 569. Tho gan Florence her handys clappe For that tydyng.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 79. Clappyn hondys togedyr for ioy or for sorowe, complodo.
1535. Coverdale, Job xxvii. 23. Than clappe men their hondes at him, yee and ieast of him. Ibid., Ps. xcviii. 8. Let the floudes clappe their hondes.
a. 1656. Bp. Hall, Rem. Wks. (1660), 61. To clap their hands (as boyes are wont to do in dog-fights).
1782. Priestley, Corrupt. Chr., II. VIII. 124. Preachers … even hired persons to clap their hands.
1841. Lane, Arab. Nts. (Routl.), 232. He clapped his hands, when several slaves instantly appeared.
b. intr. (‘hands’ not being expressed): To applaud by clapping hands.
1613. Shaks., Hen. VIII., Epil. 4. All the best men are ours; for ’tis ill hap, If they hold, when their Ladies bid ’em clap.
1676. Marvell, Mr. Smirke, 5. His little party … had posted themselves at every corner to feigne a more numerous applause: but clap’d out of time.
1721. D’Urfey, Two Queens Brentford, ii. in New Opera’s, 33. If the Audience should chance to Clap here.
1853. Kingsley, Hypatia, II. vii. 175. Ladies … waved their hands and handkerchiefs, and clapped and shouted to the gladiators.
c. trans. (elliptically) To clap the hands at, or in honor of, applaud (a person, performance, etc.) with claps. (Rarely, to drive away, out, etc., by clapping the hands.)
c. 1555. Harpsfield, Divorce Hen. VIII. (1878), 121. The which John Bacon was whistled and clapped out of Rome.
1601. Shaks., Jul. C., I. ii. 261. If the tag-ragge people did not clap him, and hisse him, according as he pleas’d, and displeas’d them.
1669. Pepys, Diary, 2 Feb. Indeed it was very finely sung, so as to make the whole house clap her.
1713. Eusden, Pref. Verses Addison’s Cato. Crowds the sentiments of every line Impartial clap’d.
1820. Southey, Wesley, II. 488. A few bucks clapped and encored him.
† d. (See quot.)
1592. Greene, Art Conny-catch., II. 6. Hee bargained … & bought him … and the horse-stealer clapt him good lucke.
III. Of actions incidentally accompanied by the noise.
6. trans. To strike, hit, knock, beat, with sounding blows. Obs. or arch. (To clap a dish (quot. 1670): cf. CLAP-DISH.)
c. 1300. Havelok, 1814. [He] clapte him on þe crune, So þat he stan-ded fel þor dune.
1382. Wyclif, Judg. vii. 19. Thei bigunnen with trompis to cryen, and clappen [1388 to bete] togidre bitwix hem seluen the wyn pottis.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 79. Clappyn’ or knokkyn, pulso.
1530. Palsgr., 485/2. I clappe, I stryke, je frappe. Clappe hym on the backe a good stroke, there is a fysshe bone in his throte.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., X. 473. [He] clapd mee on the face with his foote.
1669. Worlidge, Syst. Agric., ix. § 3 (1681), 195. Clap the empty Hive again, and get as many Bees out as you can.
1670. Ray, Proverbs, 186 (R.). He claps his dish at a wrong man’s door.
† 7. To strike (hands) reciprocally, in token of a bargain. Obs.
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., V. ii. 133. Giue me your answer, yfaith doe, and so clap hands, and a bargaine.
1607. Dekker, Northw. Hoe, IV. Wks. 1873, III. 56. Green. Ist a bargen. Omn. And hands clapt vpon it.
1614. T. Adams, Devil’s Banquet, 240. We neuer clap’d them the hand of couenant.
b. Hence app. the following:—
1611. Shaks., Wint. T., I. ii. 104. Ere I could make thee open thy white Hand: And [folio A] clap thy selfe my Loue.
8. Of a bird: To move (the wings) forcibly and repeatedly, so that they strike each other, the sides, or the air; to flap. Also fig.
c. 1400. Maundev., xx. 219. Dyverse foules … clappyng here Wenges to gydere.
1660. Hist. Indep., IV. 48. Having proceeded on thus far successfully, they now begin to clap their wings as invincible.
a. 1700. Dryden, Cock & Fox, 666. This chanticleer … Stood high upon his toes, and clapped his wings.
1832. Tennyson, Dream Fair Women, 180. The crested bird That claps his wings at dawn.
9. To slap with the palm of the hand, in token of approval or encouragement; esp. in to clap (a person) on the back (also fig.). In north. dial. (expressing gentler action) to pat in token of endearment, to pat fondly. (So in Icel. and Da.)
c. 1530. Ld. Berners, Arth. Lyt. Bryt. (1814), 328. These lusty damoyselles playnge … wyth these fresshe yonge lusty knightes, clappynge theym on the backes with theyr whyte handes.
1580. Baret, Alv., K 78. To kisse one, or clap her on the lips, as we say merrily.
1595. Duncan, App. Etymol., Demulceo, to clap, to straike with the hand.
a. 1605. Montgomerie, Sonn., xxviii. 4. A louing dog was of his maister fane … His courteous maister clappit him agane.
1684. Baxter, Answ. Theol. Dial., 28. Clapping on the back with encouragement the Drunkards.
1719. D’Urfey, Pills (1872), III. 219. She clapped his cheeks, and curled his hair.
1791. Boswell, Johnson, xlix. Tom Davies clapped him on the back to encourage him.
1842. Tennyson, Dora, 130. His grandsire … clapt him on the hands and on the cheeks, Like one that lov’d him.
1886. Stevenson, Treasure Isl., II. xii. 97. Clapping me in the friendliest way upon the shoulder.
b. To slap or strike with a flat surface, so as to smooth or flatten; to pat. So to clap out. Chiefly north.
1550. Coverdale, Spir. Perle, vi. (1588), 75. As the dier, blecher, or the laundresse washeth, beateth, lompeth and clappeth the foule, vnclenly and defiled clothes.
1750. E. Smith, Compl. Housewife, 333. Lay them [cloths] on a table, and clap them.
1807. Southey, Espriella’s Lett. (1814), II. 137. The dough being laid on a round board … she clapped it out with her hands, till it covered the board.
1824. Mrs. Sherwood, Waste Not, I. 19. She was made to iron, and plait, and stamp and clap, and clear-starch.
IV. Of action resembling the preceding in its prompt energy, but with no notion of noise.
10. trans. To apply, place, put, set, or ‘stick,’ with promptness and effect: properly with the implication that the object in question is promptly brought flat and close to the other surface, but this notion often disappears (see esp. the quotations under b), and the word becomes a vivid or picturesque equivalent of ‘put,’ ‘place,’ with the implication of energetic action easily performed. This notion is also present in senses 11–15. Cf. CHOP v.1 7, STICK v.
1559. Dr. Fecknam, in Strype, Ann. Ref., I. App. ix. 62. With a little piece of paper clappid over the … wordes.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 388. The King clapped his hands upon his shoulder and arested him.
1583. Stanyhurst, Æneis, II. (Arb.), 56. Let vs … Greecian armour Al clap on oure bodyes.
1592. Shaks., Rom. & Jul., III. i. 6. [He] claps me his Sword vpon the Table, and sayes, God send me no need of thee. Ibid. (1598), Merry W., II. ii. 142. Clap on more sailes, pursue.
1605. Play Stucley, in Sch. Shaks. (1878), 223. The uncivil Lord … clapt irons on my heels.
1654. Trapp, Comm. Esther i. 20. As a man … clappeth on a plaister.
1670–98. Lassels, Voy. Italy, II. 89. Clapping himself down upon the ground.
1709. Addison, Tatler, No. 20, ¶ 2. She clap’d her Fan before her Face. Ibid. (1710), Whig Exam., No. 1, ¶ 13. He clapped spurs to his horse. Ibid. (1712), Spect., No. 445, ¶ 1. A sheet … that must have this new Imprimatur clapt upon it.
1716. Lady M. W. Montague, Lett., I. iii. 12. The parson clapped on a broad-brimmed hat.
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist. (1776), I. 300. If we clap our hand upon the mouth of a vessel.
1790. Bewick, Quadrupeds (1807), 40. If any person come near the calves, they clap their heads close to the ground.
1806–7. J. Beresford, Miseries Hum. Life (1826), VI. Introd. Wild beasts with saddles clapped on their backs and so called Horses.
1826. Sister’s Gift, 10. He dried up his tears, mounted, clapped to his spurs, and set off a galloping as merry as a Greek.
1833. Marryat, P. Simple, xlvi. We clapped on the royals to follow her.
1865. Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., VI. XVI. xii. 284. Rücker claps-on the Town-seal.
b. 1614. T. Adams, Devil’s Banquet, 151. An vnder-hand Fee clapt in the left hand of a Magistrate.
1651–3. Jer. Taylor, Serm. (1678), 99. These are the clouds, the Devil claps between Heaven and Us.
1655. trans. Sorel’s Com. Hist. Francion, X. 1. To heap words on words … only clapping in of some odd adventures to delight the Idiots.
1667. Earl Orrery, State Lett. (1743), II. 121. I would … clap into Kilmallock … good parties of the militia.
1676. C. Hatton, in Hatton Corr. (1878), 141. A man clapt his head out at a window.
1683. Tryon, Way to Health, 315. They presently clap more Victuals or Drink into their Mouthes.
1699. Dampier, Voy., II. I. viii. 155. I clapt the Helm a Starboard.
1807. Crabbe, Par. Reg., III. 850. I have nappy beer: Clap that within.
1807–8. Syd. Smith, Plymley’s Lett., Wks. 1859, II. 167/2. Their prophecies of ruin … will be clapped into the notes of some quaint history.
1873. Browning, Red Cott. Nt.-cap, 234. An angel caught you up and clapped you down.
c. ellipt. = ‘clap an arrow.’
1597. Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., III. ii. 51. Hee drew a good Bow … hee shot a fine shoote … hee would haue clapt in the Clowt at Twelue-score.
† d. To clap hold of: to lay hold of promptly.
1583. Babington, Commandm., viii. Wks. (1637), 84. To clappe hold of Jesus Christ.
1681. R. Knox, Hist. Ceylon, 29. He claps hold of them by a kind of peg that growes on his tayl.
† e. Naut. To clap (a vessel) aboard, on board: to lay her on board, fall aboard of her, board her (see ABOARD 1 d, BOARD sb. 12 c, BOARD v. 1.) Obs.
1583. T. Stocker, Warres Lowe Countries, I. 88 b. Foure or fiue … [men of warre] began to assayle her [the Gally] to haue clapt her a bord.
1671. Lond. Gaz., No. 630/1. Finding the said ship a great way a sterne of the men of Warr, they clapped her on board, and … made themselves Masters of her.
a. 1688. Villiers (Dk. Buckhm.), Chances (1714), 116. All your Discretion Is not yet lost; this was well clap’d aboard.
1726. Shelvocke, Voy. round World (1757), ix. 286. They clapped her on board, but not holding fast, they fell astern.
f. To clap eyes on: to get a sight of. colloq.
1838. Dickens, O. Twist, xxvi. You might never have clapped eyes upon the boy.
1887. Besant, The World went, x. 80. I never clapped eyes on you before to my knowledge.
11. esp. To put (with promptitude or high-handedness) in prison or custody; to imprison, confine, Also simply to clap up († to clap fast): ‘to imprison with little formality or delay’ (J.).
1515. Barclay, Egloges, I. (1570), A v/4. Then art thou clapped in the Flete or Clinke.
1581. Marbeck, Bk. of Notes, 667. The King caused him to be clapt in prison.
1583. Stubbes, Anat. Abus., II. 41. They are sometimes sent to prison, clapt in irons, manicled.
1593. Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., I. iv. 53. Let them be clapt vp close.
a. 1618. Raleigh, Rem. (1644), 73. Wee’le clap you up, and you shall sue to us ere you get out.
1697. Potter, Antiq. Greece, I. xxvi. (1715), 152. Let him be clapt up in Gaol till he pays the whole.
1720. De Foe, Capt. Singleton, xviii. (1840), 306. Certain nobles whom the king had clapped up.
1777. Robertson, Hist. Amer. (1778), II. V. 82. He was … clapt in fetters.
1840. Thackeray, Catherine, v. What did the creditors do but clap my gay gentleman into Shrewsbury gaol.
1843. Carlyle, Past & Pr. (1858), 125. Some were clapt in prison.
12. fig. To impose as with authority. (Cf. quot. 1712 in 10 a.)
a. To impose, place, set, station (a sentinel, guard, workman, attendant) upon, on, etc. arch.
1705. Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), V. 623. They have centinells clapt upon them to prevent a duel.
1708. Penn, in Pa. Hist. Soc. Mem., X. 270. Clap somebody upon them, as servants for me. Ibid. (a. 1718), Life, Wks. I. 36. A Guard was there clapt upon him.
1768. Goldsm., Good-n. Man, I. i. To arrest him for that very debt: to clap an officer upon him.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1789), Clap on here twenty hands! the order from an officer for twenty men to be employed on some particular duty.
1820. Byron, Lett. to Moore, 9 Dec. I have … clapt sentinels at the doors.
b. fig. To impose or lay (a liability, action, writ, duty, etc.); to impose or apply (a name, etc.); † to lay the blame or responsibility of (obs.). Const. on or upon.
1609. Ev. Woman in Hum., II. i. in Bullen, O. Pl., IV. 343. Now thou hitst the finger right Upon the shoulder of Ingratitude. Thou hast clapt an action of flat felony.
1613. Shaks., Hen. VIII., V. iv. 84. On your heads [Ile] Clap round Fines for neglect.
1641. J. Jackson, True Evang. T., I. 25–6. He set on fire the Edifices … and … clapt the wicked fact upon the backs of Christians?
1690. W. Walker, Idiomat. Anglo-Lat., 36. I’ll clap a writ on your back.
1690. Locke, Hum. Und., III. x. § 5. One who would speak thus … would … have clap’d upon him one of … two Names.
1847. Emerson, Repr. Men, Plato, Wks. (Bohn), I. 305. He has clapped copyright on the world.
1875. Whitney, Life Lang., viii. 137. A title … selected and made ready for clapping upon it.
1884. Manch. Exam., 1 Nov., 5/2. He would have us clap import duties on the manufactures of other countries.
13. † a. To put or stick together, construct or put up, hastily or without much care. Obs.
1622–62. Heylyn, Cosmogr., II. (1682), 78. The Buildings … clapt up together without Art, and of little beauty.
1649. Milton, Eikon., i. 10. The lip-work of every Prelatical Liturgist, clapt together and quilted out of Scripture phrase.
1662. Gerbier, Princ., 28. Belconies clapt up in the old Wall.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 86, ¶ 5. As bad a System of Features as ever was clapped together.
b. To clap up: to make, settle or concoct hastily (a match, agreement, etc.); ‘to complete suddenly without much precaution’ (J.). (Rarely without up.) arch.
1595. Shaks., John, III. i. 235. To clap this royall bargaine vp of peace. Ibid. (1596), Tam. Shr., II. i. 327. Was euer match clapt vp so sodainly?
1633. Ford, ’Tis Pity, III. i. There is no way but to clap up a marriage in hugger-mugger.
1665. Surv. Aff. Netherl., 166. They can clap a League with the Turk.
1676. Temple, Let. Sir J. Williamson, Wks. 1731, II. 371. To clap up an Agreement with Denmark, for arming a joint Fleet next Summer.
1755. Smollett, Quix. (1803), II. 151. The grand Signior … clapped up a peace with the Venetians.
1883. J. Payne, 1001 Nights, VI. 325. Go this very day … and clap up an acquaintance with him.
14. intr. (for refl.) To press, get, ‘stick,’ or lie close (to, in, etc., any thing). Now chiefly Sc.
1590. Marlowe, Edw. II., III. iii. I’ll clap so close Among the lords of France.
1608. Middleton, Trick to Catch, II. i. Clap sure to him widow.
1656. Sanderson, Serm. (1689), Pref. 87. Clap in with him that getteth the day.
1885. Pall Mall Gaz., 29 Oct., 4/2. The young deer ‘clap’ in their forms, and rise only when the eye is directly upon them. [Cf. 10 a, quot. 1790.]
† b. Naut. To clap on (or by) a wind: to bring the ship’s head closer to windward, sail nearer to the wind. Obs.
1627. Smith, Seaman’s Gram., xii. 57. If hee clap close by a wind.
1673. Retaking St. Helena, in Arb., Garner, I. 62. They clapped by a wind, and we after them.
1708. Lond. Gaz., No. 4422/7. They clapp’d again upon a Wind and left us.
1726. Shelvocke, Voy. round World, 307. Fearing she was one of the Enemy’s men of war, I clapp’d on a wind.
† 15. intr. (for refl. = to clap oneself anywhere): To come or go with sudden and decisive motion, throw oneself, drop, fall, strike in. Obs. exc. as in c. (Cf. CHOP v.1 8.)
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turks (1621), 730. Their horsemen also clapt behind them, to haue there charged them.
c. 1610. Sir J. Melvil, Mem. (1735), 5. They clapped again about you and kept you two Years a captive.
1655. Gurnall, Chr. in Arm., V. § 4 (1669), 93/2. Thou clappest down on thy seat to sleep.
1672. Marvell, Reh. Transp., I. 63. Hearing of a vacancy with a Noble-man, he clap’d in, and easily obtained to be his Chaplain.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe (1840), II. v. 106. To take the advantage and clap in between them and their boats.
1750. [R. Pultock], Life P. Wilkins, xxi. (1883), 61/2. Whether to take her first, and then catch the chickens, or to let her go off, and then clap upon them.
† b. fig. ‘To enter with alacrity and briskness upon anything’ (J.); to strike into. Obs.
1600. Shaks., A. Y. L., V. iii. 11. Come, sit, sit, and a song … Shal we clap into’t roundly. Ibid. (1603), Meas. for M., IV. iii. 43. Truly Sir, I would desire you to clap into your prayers.
c. absol. To clap on: to apply oneself with energy to a task; to ‘set to.’ colloq.
1852. R. S. Surtees, Sponge’s Sp. Tour, xxviii. 170. Why didn’t he clap on, and try to catch up the hounds at a check…?
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Who says Amen? Who will clap on with a will?
V. Erroneous uses, due to confusion.
† 16. = CLIP, clasp, embrace.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 384. Þen kisses he kenely þe quene · clappis in armes. Ibid., 3237, and 5252.
† 17. = CLEPE, call.
1649. G. Daniel, Trinarch., Hen. IV., cclxix. Hee calls ’em in … And claps the better Runners by their Names.
¶ Combinations, in which the vb.-stem is the first element: see CLAP sb.1 15.
