clapperboard

1 7.5

Two boards joined at one end that people clap to mark the start of a film take

noun
/ˈklæpərˌbɔrd/

Specialized

: pizarra

(clapperboard snaps)

Examples

(clapperboard snaps)

Postcards from the Edge (1990)
Into position, (clapperboard snaps) come on.

Postcards from the Edge (1990)
You jump like a jack-in-the-box every time they snap the clapperboard.

Fiction book (1993)
( clapperboard )

The Hybrids Family (2016)
(Clapperboard snaps shut)

The Seven Minutes (1971)
(clapperboard snaps)

Postcards from the Edge (1990)
The director brought out the clapperboard to signal the start of the scene.
She snapped the clapperboard loudly, indicating that they were ready to record.
Before each take, the sound engineer adjusted the clapperboard to synchronize sound with the video.

Synonyms

clapboard

vsclapperboard

Specialized

7.6

A board with a hinged stick used to mark a film take and match sound with picture

is two hinged boards brought together to sync sound with picture at start

Surface Forms

clapperboard singular

clapperboards plural

Morphology

clapperboard = clapper + board (transparent) = clapper + board

Clear compound of 'clapper' (makes a clapping sound) + 'board' yielding a board that claps; the meaning is directly inferable though it names a specific film device.

Etymology

Clapperboard is a simple word made from clap ('a short, loud sound') and board ('a flat piece of wood'). It is a board that makes a sharp clap at the start of a film shot so the sound can be matched to the picture.