applaud
verbEtymology From Middle English applauden, from Latin applaudere (“to clap the hands together, applaud”), from ad (“to”) + plaudere (“to strike, clap”).
1
To express approval (of something) by clapping the hands.
- After the performance, the audience applauded for five minutes.
2
To praise, or express approval for something or someone.
- Although we don't like your methods, we applaud your motives.
- Now by the Gods, I do applaude his courage.c. 1607–1608 (date written), William Shakespeare, [George Wilkins?], The Late, and Much Admired Play, Called Pericles, Prince of Tyre. […], London: […] [William White and Thomas Creede] for Henry Gosson, […], published 1609, →OCLC, [Act II, scene v]:
1 more example
- It moved him to within one goal of Thierry Henry's 34 in 2004 and Henry - honoured with a statue outside the stadium on Friday - rose from his seat in the stands to applaud Van Persie.2011 December 10, David Ornstein, “Arsenal 1 - 0 Everton”, in BBC Sport:
- Derived terms
- applaudable, applauder, applaudingly, applaud to the echo, reapplaud, unapplauded, unapplauding
- Related terms
- explosion, implausible, implode, plaudit, plausible