Clap v. t. [imp. & p. p. Clapped p. pr. & vb. n. Clapping.]
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. (a) To pledge faith by joining hands. [Obs.] --Shak. (b) To express contempt or derision. [Obs.] --Lam. ii. 15.
To clap hold of, to seize roughly or quickly.
To clap up. (a) To imprison hastily or without due formality. (b) To make or contrive hastily. [Obs.] “Was ever match clapped up so suddenly?”