different between clap vs claps

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /klæp/
• Rhymes: -æp

Etymology 1

From Middle English clappen, from Old English clæppan, from Proto-Germanic *klapp?n?. Cognate with Dutch klappen, Icelandic klappa, and Faroese klappa.

Noun

clap (plural claps)

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

2. The explosive sound of thunder.
3. Any loud, sudden, explosive sound made by striking hard surfaces together, or resembling such a sound.
   • 1731, Jonathan Swift, Directions to Servants

     Give the door such a clap, as you go out, as will shake the whole room.

4. A slap with the hand, usually in a jovial manner.

5. A single, sudden act or motion; a stroke; a blow.
6. (falconry) The nether part of the beak of a hawk.
7. (Yorkshire) A dropping of cow dung (presumably from the sound made as it hits the ground)
   • 1890, John Nicholson, Folk Lore of East Yorkshire, page 139

     “Oh! get some coo clap (cow dung), mix it wi’ fish oil (whale oil), put it on, and let it stop on all neet.”

Synonyms

• (sound of thunder): thunderclap
• See also Thesaurus:applause

Derived terms

• clapalong
• clapboard
• clapbread
• clapdish
• clap-gate
• clap-net
• clap of thunder
• clapometer
• clap-sill
• claptrap
• thunderclap

Related terms

• clap skate

Translations

Verb

clap (third-person singular simple present claps, present participle clapping, simple past and past participle clapped or (archaic) clapt)

1. To strike the palms of the hands together, creating a sharp sound.

2. To applaud.

3. To slap with the hand in a jovial manner.

4. To bring two surfaces together forcefully, creating a sharp sound.
   • 1681, Andrew Marvell, The Garden

     Then like a bird it sits and sings, / Then whets and claps its silver wings.
5. To come together suddenly with noise.
   • 1677, John Dryden, All for Love

     The doors around me clapped.

6. To create or assemble (something) hastily (usually followed by up or together).

7. To set or put, usually in haste.

   • He had just time to get in and clap to the door.

   • Clap an extinguisher upon your irony.

8. (slang, African-American Vernacular) To shoot (somebody) with a gun.

Derived terms

• beclap
• clap eyes on
• clap hold of
• clap on
• clap up
• clapped out
• clapper
• clapping

Translations

See also

• applaud
• applause

Etymology 2

Uncertain. Probably from Old French clapoir (“bubo, inflammation from infection”), from clapier (“brothel”). Attested from the 16th century.

Noun

clap (plural claps)

1. (slang, with "the") Gonorrhea.

Translations

References

Anagrams

• calp

Catalan

Pronunciation

• (Balearic, Central, Valencian) IPA^(key): /?klap/

Noun

clap m (plural claps)

1. patch

Further reading

• “clap” in Diccionari de la llengua catalana, segona edició, Institut d’Estudis Catalans.

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /klap/

Noun

clap m (plural claps)

1. clapperboard

Middle English

Etymology 1

A back-formation from clappen.

Noun

clap

1. Alternative form of clappe

Etymology 2

From Old English clæppan.

Verb

clap

1. Alternative form of clappen

Occitan

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?klap/

Noun

clap m (plural claps)

1. stone

Derived terms

• aclapar
• aclap
• clapàs
• clapassièr
• clapassejar
• clapassilha
• clapièr
• clapilha
• clapeirar

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /klæps/
• Rhymes: -æps

Noun

claps

1. plural of clap

Verb

claps

1. Third-person singular simple present indicative form of clap

Anagrams

• calps, clasp, scalp

French

Noun

claps m

1. plural of clap