What is "to clap hold of"

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.