CLAPPING

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does clapping mean? 

• CLAPPING (noun)
  The noun CLAPPING has 1 sense:

1. a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together

  Familiarity information: CLAPPING used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CLAPPING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

applause; clapping; hand clapping

Hypernyms ("clapping" is a kind of...):

approval; commendation (a message expressing a favorable opinion)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "clapping"):

hand (a round of applause to signify approval)

handclap (a clap of the hands to indicate approval)

round (an outburst of applause)

Holonyms ("clapping" is a part of...):

ovation; standing ovation (enthusiastic recognition (especially one accompanied by loud applause))

Derivation:

clap (clap one's hands together)

clap (clap one's hands or shout after performances to indicate approval)

 Context examples 

Oh my stars and what's-their-names! she went on, clapping a hand on each of her little knees, and glancing shrewdly at me, I'm of too full a habit, that's the fact, Steerforth.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Round and round the room she danced, her hands clapping, her dark eyes gleaming with delighted wonder, and a thousand pretty Italian exclamations pouring from her lips.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

And clapping me in the friendliest way upon the shoulder, he hobbled off forward and went below.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

"By George, young fellah, you've put your hand on it!" said Lord John, clapping me on the back.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Nay, friend, take it not so sadly,” said Alleyne, clapping the disconsolate one upon the shoulder.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"Daisy and Demi, just the thing! I knew Teddy would do it," cried Jo clapping her hands.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

“Why, Anson, it is a fortune!” cried my mother, clapping her hands.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Hand-clapping and pleased cries from the gods greeted the performance.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

"And I shall get back to Kansas," cried Dorothy, clapping her hands.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

And now the juniper-tree began to move, and the branches waved backwards and forwards, first away from one another, and then together again, as it might be someone clapping their hands for joy.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)