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What is "to clap hands"

The Collaborative International Dictionary
To clap hands

Clap \Clap\ (kl[a^]p), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Clapped (kl[a^]pt); p. pr. & vb. n. Clapping.] [AS. clappan; akin to Icel. & Sw. klappa, D, klappen, to clap, prate, G. klaffen, v. i., to split open, yelp, klopfen, v. t. & i., to knock.]

  1. To strike; to slap; to strike, or strike together, with a quick motion, so, as to make a sharp noise; as, to clap one's hands; a clapping of wings.

    Then like a bird it sits and sings, And whets and claps its silver wings.
    --Marvell.

  2. To thrust, drive, put, or close, in a hasty or abrupt manner; -- often followed by to, into, on, or upon.

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

    Clap an extinguisher upon your irony.
    --Lamb.

  3. To manifest approbation of, by striking the hands together; to applaud; as, to clap a performance. To clap hands.

    1. To pledge faith by joining hands. [Obs.]
      --Shak.

    2. To express contempt or derision. [Obs.] --Lam. ii. 15. To clap hold of, to seize roughly or quickly. To clap up.

      1. To imprison hastily or without due formality.

      2. To make or contrive hastily. [Obs.] ``Was ever match clapped up so suddenly?''
        --Shak.

Usage examples of "to clap hands".

He was by no means the first person to clap hands to his ears to muffle the awful screeching.

Just as I was never called upon to dance at parties, I was never called upon to sing (anywhere), and I reveled in my opportunity here at a height where there was nobody to clap hands over their ears and beg me to leave off tormenting them.

Even Bayan's Ungrians gave the prince his due, shrill whistles that made him think his ears might pop and that forced Blessing to clap hands over her ears to muffle the sound.

Just as I was never called upon to dance at parties, I was never called upon to sing (anywhere), and I reveled in my opportunity, here at a height where there was nobody to clap hands over their ears and beg me to leave off tormenting them.