Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CLAP, v.t. [pret. and pp. clapped or clapt. D. klappen, kloppen; Dan. klapper; Sw. klappa; G. klappen or klaffen; Russ. kleplyu. The Dutch and German words signify to clap or strike, and to talk, clatter, prate. Sax. cleopian or clypian, to call, to speak, whence ycleped (obs.), W. clepian, to clack, to babble, from llep, a lapping, llepiaw, to lap, to lick. The sense is to send, drive or strike, L. alapa, a slap.]

1. To strike with a quick motion, so as to make a noise by the collision; to strike with something broad, or having a flat surface; as, to clap the hands; to clap the wings. – Locke. Dryden.
2. To thrust; to drive together; to shut hastily; followed by to; as, to clap to the door or gate. – Locke. Shak.
3. To thrust or drive together; to put one thing to another by a hasty or sudden motion; followed by to, on or in; as, to clap the hand to the mouth; to clap spurs to a horse; to clap on a saddle. – Watts. Addison. Dryden.
4. To thrust; to put, place or send; followed by in, into, under, over, &c.; as, to clap one under the hatches; to clap one into Bedlam; to clap a board over a pit. – Shak. Spectator.
5. To applaud; to manifest approbation or praise by striking the hands together; as, to clap a performance on the stage.
6. To infect with venereal poison. – Wiseman. To clap up, to make or complete hastily; as, to clap up a peace. – Shak. Howel. #2. To imprison hastily, or with little delay. – Sandys.