clapper
Americannoun
-
a person who applauds.
-
the tongue of a bell.
-
Slang. the tongue.
-
Usually clappers. two flat sticks held between the fingers and struck rhythmically against each other to produce abrupt, sharp sounds.
-
Printing. a platen press.
noun
-
a person or thing that claps
-
a contrivance for producing a sound of clapping, as for scaring birds
-
Also called: tongue. a small piece of metal suspended within a bell that causes it to sound when made to strike against its side
-
a slang word for tongue
-
informal to move extremely fast
Etymology
Origin of clapper
First recorded in 1250–1300, clapper is from the Middle English word claper. See clap 1, -er 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“That’s a clapper rail,” Mike said, an endangered bird that makes its home in the estuary.
From Los Angeles Times
“Maybe you could get a remote or a really passive aggressive clapper.”
From Los Angeles Times
When speaking to BBC News NI he brought along a clapper board, dog tag and Ranger Battalion jacket he kept from the set of Saving Private Ryan.
From BBC
That clapper, William Sherman, a retiree from the Beaverdale neighborhood of Des Moines, was more than happy to share his feeling.
From New York Times
The event includes a cedar weaving demonstration, drum song and dance, and craft making traditional clappers.
From Seattle Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
