clapper

[ klap-er ]

/ ˈklæp ər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR clapper ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

Nearby words

clapboard, clapham sect, clapometer, clapped out, clapped-out, clapper, clapper bridge, clapper rail, clapperboard, clapperclaw, clappy-doo

Origin of clapper

First recorded in 1250–1300, clapper is from the Middle English word claper. See clap¹, -er¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for clapper

Asked whether the National Security Agency collects “any type of data at all on millions of Americans,” Clapper said, “No, sir.”
Ron Wyden and Rand Paul, the Senate's NSA-Busting ‘Ben Franklin Caucus’|Eleanor Clift|June 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instead, Clapper responded with an egregious falsehood, if not an outright lie.
Ron Wyden and Rand Paul, the Senate's NSA-Busting ‘Ben Franklin Caucus’|Eleanor Clift|June 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
U.S. officials say that this time around there were three factors that swayed Clapper to support the deal.
How Obama Convinced His Spies to Support the Taliban Prisoner Release|Eli Lake|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Like others, DNI Clapper had concerns about these individuals,” said Clapper spokesman Shawn Turner.
How Obama Convinced His Spies to Support the Taliban Prisoner Release|Eli Lake|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

At least one U.S. intelligence official says that Clapper might have gotten just a bit ahead of his skis.
Western Intelligence Suspects Assad Has a Secret Chemical Stockpile|Noah Shachtman, Christopher Dickey|May 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The clapper of the high-school bell was swinging wilder and harder against the metal sides than ever before in its short life.
The Boy Scouts of Lakeville High|Leslie W. Quirk
You've made me miss my stroke; but I'll not miss you, and I'll give it to you till you muffle that clapper of yours.
Sons of the Soil|Honore de Balzac
He would not cry, and this was another spur to the efforts of Mr. Clapper.
The Underworld|James C. Welsh
In ringing, the bell is swung round; in tolling, it is swung merely sufficiently for the clapper to strike the side.
Notes and Queries, Vol. III, Number 83, May 31, 1851|Various
At this remark Dr. Pornell subsided and made some inquiries, but, of course, the clapper was not found.
The Putnam Hall Encampment|Arthur M. Winfield

British Dictionary definitions for clapper

clapper

/ (ˈklæpə) /

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 (def. 1)

go like the clappers, run like the clappers or move like the clappers British informal to move extremely fast

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for clapper

clapper

late 13c., agent noun from clap (v.). Meaning "tongue of a bell" is from late 14c. Old English had clipur. Meaning "hinged board snapped in front of a camera at the start of filming to synchronize picture and sound" is from 1940.

clapper

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of clapper

Examples from the Web for clapper

British Dictionary definitions for clapper

clapper

noun

Word Origin and History for clapper

clapper