claque
Americannoun
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a group of persons hired to applaud an act or performer.
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a group of sycophants.
The agency head was applauded, as always, by a claque of appointees.
noun
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a group of people hired to applaud
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a group of fawning admirers
Etymology
Origin of claque
First recorded in 1860–65; from French, derivative of claquer “to clap”
Vocabulary lists containing claque
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.
The firm establishment of the "Claque," which is so well described by Mr. Sutherland Edwards, and the proverbial caprice of Parisian audiences, are sufficient to take the edge off of defeat.
From Famous Singers of To-day and Yesterday by Lahee, Henry C.
I have mentioned that my first article was on the Claque, that organisation established to encourage applause in theatres, it being held that the Parisian spectator required to be roused by some such method.
From My Days of Adventure The Fall of France, 1870-71 by Vizetelly, Ernest Alfred
Brossard having introduced me to the sous-chef of the Claque at the Opéra Comique, I often obtained admission to that house as a claqueur.
From My Days of Adventure The Fall of France, 1870-71 by Vizetelly, Ernest Alfred
The first article, all my own, which appeared in print was one on that notorious theatrical institution, the Claque.
From My Days of Adventure The Fall of France, 1870-71 by Vizetelly, Ernest Alfred
Claque, klak, n. an institution for securing the success of a public performance, by bestowing upon it preconcerted applause.—n.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various
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.
