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British

claque

[ klak ]

/ klæk /

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noun

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

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

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Origin of claque

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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH claque

claque , clique

Words nearby claque

clappy-doo, clap skate, clapt, Clapton, claptrap, claque, claqueur, clar., Clara, clarabella, Clarabelle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use claque in a sentence

In contrast, the clerisy has little needed for the basically educated, but only an approving claque and faithful servants.
The Last Patrician: Romney Falls From Favor as America Loses Faith in Old Money|Joel Kotkin|January 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
To save the banking system, Greenspan, along with a claque of Republicans like Lindsey Graham, now endorses nationalization.
The Naked Truth|Tina Brown|February 18, 2009|DAILY BEAST
When Madame la Marchale has finished her run, will the claque be re-admitted to start a new piece?
Punch, or The London Charivari, Vol. 101, August 15, 1891|Various
The dbutante was received politely but cordially—an indication that there was not a strong claque, which was a relief.
The Mapleson Memoirs, vol II|James H. Mapleson

Patti is not one of them—who carry with them on their foreign tours a chef de claque as a member of their ordinary suite.
The Mapleson Memoirs, vol II|James H. Mapleson
Lem Perry, the leader of the claque, had a somewhat set speech, being uninventive in the construction of new phrases.
Roads of Destiny|O. Henry
A claque of his supporters replied with feigned enthusiasm, but a malcontent at Alices side rose and stamped to the door.
The Half-Hearted|John Buchan

British Dictionary definitions for claque

claque

/ (klæk) /

noun

a group of people hired to applaud

a group of fawning admirers

Word Origin for claque

C19: from French, from claquer to clap, of imitative origin

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