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to clap

to clap

1 7.4
To make wings hit together and make a loud sound when flying
  • verb
  • /klæp/
: batir las alas
  • As the bird soared through the sky, it began to clap its wings rhythmically to gain speed.

Examples

  • While flying low over the water, the ducks started to clap their wings, splashing droplets everywhere.

  • The seagulls above me were clapping their wings, creating a beautiful sound against the salty breeze.

  • I can hear the cougars clapping.

  • Seals on a rock, barking, sleeping, clapping.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The apple tree moves to and fro, like a happy child clapping.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Schoolboys in their respective school blazers, Afrikaan and English, yell, whistle, and clap.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Kara ambles up the walk of the Myers house, shoes clapping up the porch steps as she digs the keys out of her overstuffed bag.

    Fiction book (1995)

Idioms

a dose of the clap
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A thing that is very unpleasant or embarrassing, like a joke that is not funny

Phrasal Verbs

to clap eyes on
  • Archaic
1 8.0

To see someone or something for the first time

1 7.2

To put a quick layer of something like sunscreen or paint on without care

1 6.8

To make something quickly and without care using what you have

To put on a quick fake smile to hide how you feel

9.8

To put something together quickly and without care

How Audible

to clap
1 7.4
flap
6 2.0
to flutter
52 3.5

Surface Forms

clap infinitive
clapped past
clapped past participle
clapping present participle
claps third person singular

Etymology

Clap in this sense also copies the sharp sound idea: when a bird's wings hit each other they make a quick 'clap', so the verb means to strike wings together and make that noise.