claque

American  

[klak] / klæk /

noun

1. a group of persons hired to applaud an act or performer.

2. a group of sycophants.

   The agency head was applauded, as always, by a claque of appointees.

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claque British  

/ klæk /

noun

1. a group of people hired to applaud

2. a group of fawning admirers

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Etymology

Origin of claque

First recorded in 1860–65; from French, derivative of claquer “to clap”

Example Sentences

Beginning as a feud between culturally ambitious game critics and a claque of revanchist fans, Gamergate became a free-floating snowball of grievance.

From The Verge

Donald Trump’s 2015 announcement speech is now remembered for his descent down the Trump Tower escalator, the hired claque of supporters and the wild accusation that Mexico was exporting rapists across the border.

From The Guardian

Bellini’s “Norma” opened to boos, some probably from a claque that supported a rival composer.

From New York Times

Dozens, scores, cliques and claques of elephants, ears flapping like flags, trunks slowly swinging, and many of their faces decidedly free of ivory eruptions.

From New York Times

He also organized a cadre of professional applauders, known as a “claque,” to provide enthusiastic ovations, demand encores, and cry “Brava!” for any performer willing to pay.

From Literature