clap1
v.
(claps, clapping, clapped)
- strike the palms of (one's hands) together repeatedly, especially to applaud.
▸(of a bird) flap (its wings) audibly.
- slap encouragingly on the back.
- place (a hand) briefly over one's face as a gesture of dismay or regret.
-
(clap something on)
abruptly impose a restrictive or punitive measure on.
n.
- an act of clapping.
- an explosive sound, especially of thunder.
Phrase
- clap someone in jail
(or irons)
put someone in prison (or in chains).
Etymology
OE clappan ‘throb, beat’, of imitative origin.
clap2
n.
informal a venereal disease, especially gonorrhoea.
Etymology
C16: from OFr. clapoir ‘venereal bubo’.