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
Explanation
The tongue of a bell — the part inside that swings to make the bell ring — is called the clapper. The Liberty Bell cracked the first time the clapper struck the sides of the bell. The bell was recast twice, but eventually the clapper cracked that bell as well. The noun clapper is based on clap, from the Old English word clappan, which means to clap, throb, or beat. The word is supposed to be imitative of the sound the thing makes. When the clapper strikes the inside of a bell, it makes the bell ring. If you need the bell to be silent, you have to muffle the clapper to keep it from striking the inside of the bell and making a sound.
Vocabulary lists containing clapper
Much Ado About Nothing
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Scythe
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
He measured mileage by attaching a rod inside a wagon wheel — based on the circumference of the wheel, a clapper would sound at each mile and that’s where a marker would go.
From Washington Post • Aug. 22, 2020
Julia: The clapper, most ingeniously used to turn on and off a Christmas tree.
From Slate • Dec. 18, 2019
Every time the clapper board goes Mrs. Wilson, it's like, oh God, we're actually doing this.”
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2019
Roeg did his National Service after World War Two before getting a job making tea and operating the clapper board at Marylebone Studios, where he worked on a number of minor films.
From BBC • Nov. 24, 2018
“I’ll be right back,” Mario says, handing his clapper to Fiona as he heads off to wait in a Porta-Potty line.
From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen
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.
