\Clap\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Clapped}; 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 extinguaisher 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?'' --Shak.

\Clap\, v. i.
1. To knock, as at a door. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. To strike the hands together in applause.
         Their ladies bid them clap.           --Shak.
3. To come together suddenly with noise.
         The doors around me clapped.          --Dryden.
4. To enter with alacrity and briskness; -- with to or into.
   [Obs.] ``Shall we clap into it roundly, without . . .
   saying we are hoarse?'' --Shak.
5. To talk noisily; to chatter loudly. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

\Clap\ (kl[a^]p), n.
1. A loud noise made by sudden collision; a bang. ``Give the
   door such a clap, as you go out, as will shake the whole
   room.'' --Swift.
2. A burst of sound; a sudden explosion.
         Horrible claps of thunder.            --Hakewill.
3. A single, sudden act or motion; a stroke; a blow.
         What, fifty of my followers at a clap! --Shak.
4. A striking of hands to express approbation.
         Unextrected claps or hisses.          --Addison.
5. Noisy talk; chatter. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
6. (Falconry) The nether part of the beak of a hawk.
{Clap dish}. See {Clack dish}, under {Clack}, n.
{Clap net}, a net for taking birds, made to close or clap
   together.

\Clap\, n. [Cf. OF. clapoir.]
Gonorrhea.