Usually in a friendly way, as in encouragement or greeting

Usage examples of clapping.

George produces his present, which is greeted with admiring leapings and clappings by the young family, and with a species of reverential admiration by Mr. Bagnet.

But beshrew me, he cried, clapping hand to his forehead, tomorrow will be a new day and, thousand thunders, I know of a marchand de capotes, Monsieur Poyntz, from whom I can have for a livre as snug a cloak of the French fashion as ever kept a lady from wetting.

Hanse surprised all three of them then, himself included, by standing and clapping Khulna on the upper arm.

Anorislas gazed at him for a time, then nodded and made a couple of clapping motions as if dusting his hands.

Applause broke out from the spectators, and Prince Gavril bowed with a broad smile before clapping Mierre on his shoulder and speaking a quick word in his ear.

It was a heady moment, though Marcus wondered how many of the clapping men had led armies into the Empire.

They yelled back eagerly, clapping their hands and clashing swords and shields together.

Other dancers, laughing and clapping, pulled them further in, at last shoving them into the open space in the center of the rings, where Viridovix had been dancing alone.

They clambered onto the mole, unrolled the green flag of the Prophet hi front of the Harbor Gate, and began dancing around it slowly, clapping their hands.

Of course there was an enthusiastic clapping when Miss Celia sat down, but even while hands applauded, consciences pricked, and undone tasks, complaining words and sour faces seemed to rise up reproachfully before many of the children, as well as their own faults of elocution.

The bright disguises glittered in the sun, and the two young Princesses giggled at the pantomime, clapping their hands with glee.

At this Ronsard and his search party broke out in cheers for their comrades, clapping them on the backs and shaking their hands.

Cissy Caffrey played with baby Boardman till he crowed with glee, clapping baby hands in air.

I must acquaint you, said Mr Crotthers, clapping on the table so as to evoke a resonant comment of emphasis, old Glory Allelujurum was round again today, an elderly man with dundrearies, preferring through his nose a request to have word of Wilhelmina, my life, as he calls her.

She displays her hands naturally on the nightly news, shuffling papers and clapping them together when someone on the set says something funny.