clap

Definition

The act of striking the palms of the hands, or any two surfaces, together.

Etymology

From Middle English clappen, from Old English clæppan, *clappian, from Proto-West Germanic *klappijan, *klappōn, from Proto-Germanic *klappōną (“to clap”). Cognate with Dutch klappen, Icelandic klappa, Faroese klappa and Danish klappe.

Example Sentences

• "He summoned the waiter with a clap."
• "The 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."
• "With each clap of thunder echoing from one high building to another the noise was terrific."