/CLAP-meaning

/ CLAP

// Verb.

// Pronunciation: klæp.

// Etymology: from Middle English clappen. 

// Preterite tense: clapped (klæpt) or clapt. Preterite participle: clapped or clapt.

// Present participle: clapping.

// It is dated from 1300.

// Intransitive: 1. Obsolete meanings: a. (Of a thing, as thunder) to make an explosive noise. b. (Of a bell) to tinkle. c. To strike so as to make a noise; to knock (for example, at a door); to strike with a sounding blow, as with the fist; to rap upon a door or gate in order to call attention.

// 2. To talk loudly. (It’s scarcely documented).

‘What are you clapping about?’

G Graham… Brighton… 1938

// 3. (Of a window or door) to shut with a clap or with violence and noise.

// Synonyms for “clap”: bang, slam.

// Translation: claquer, in French; cerrarse de golpe, in Spanish; essere sbattuta, in Italian.

Before we could get to the end of the gallery, we heard the door of the great chamber clap behind us, but we did not dare turn back to see if the giant was following us

H. Walpole… The Castle of Otranto… 1764

Within the house, windows clattered, and doors clapped.

Scott… Redgauntlet… 1824

… she rushed through the garden-gate. As it clapped behind her, she knew she was safe, and then fell insensible on the ground.

Littell's Living Age… 1859

// 4. (Of a person) to strike the hands together in applause; to applaud.

… and the young mother in the orchestra leaned forward to nod her sympathy to me while she clapped.

Howells… Literature… 1902

And raising his hands high, Fiorsen clapped and called out: "Brava!"

Galsworthy… Beyond… 1917

// Transitive: // 1. To join or strike together (two bodies) with a clap or noise. 

"No," said Mr. Rogers, with a voice which had the flat, succinct sound of two pieces of wood clapped together. "Mrs. Rogers is still in Chicago." 

Howells… The Rise... 1884

2. (Of a person or thing) to shut (a door or window) with a clap or with violence and noise. (Obsolete meaning). Often construed with “to”.

// Translation: claquer, in French; cerrar de golpe, in Spanish; sbattere, in Italian.

// Synonyms: bang, slam.

" My dearest father, it is I, your daughter." Manfred, stepping back hastily, cried, " Begone! I do not want a daughter ;"and, flinging back abruptly, clapped the door against the terrified Matilda.

H. Walpole… The Castle of Otranto… 1764

… she threw Laura away, and clapped to the door.

Holcroft… Anna… 1792

… he clapped down the window again…

Dickens… Life… 1843

[He] clapped his little door behind him, as if the unwonted spectacle were too much for his feelings.

Dickens… The Cricket… 1845

I sprang up, seized the handle of the port-hole window, and tried to tighten it. In my ignorance and fright, I turned it the wrong way; in poured the dirty water. There stood I, clapping the window to with all my might, but utterly unable either to fasten it or to hold it tight enough to keep out the water.

H. Jackson… Glimpses… 1886

// 3. a. To strike (one’s hands) together so as to make an expressive or significative noise (in token of applause, delight, encouragement, etc.). b. To show approval of (a person, a work, etc.) by clapping the hands; to applaud.

The aria was received with… [delight]; thrice he was obliged to repeat it. Even Corthell, who was critical to extremes, approved, nodding his head. Laura and Page clapped their hands till the very last.

F. Norris… The Pit… 1798

When they re-entered the parlour, the queen clapped her hands, and two female attendants entered.

Scott… Anne of Geierstein… 1829

… if they clap him, he does not stand still to enjoy their applause.

The Annual biography… 1837

"O! I am so glad, so very glad," and I clapped my hands with joy; "is she very young, dear papa? and is she very, very pretty?"

M. Blessington… The Works… 1838

I confess I was bewildered! But my astonishment was increased when my master walked into a saloon opposite to a large assembly, who clapped their hands at his appearance.

A. Crowquill… A bundle of crowquills… 1854

// 4. To slap or strike (a person) with the palm of the hand, in token of approval or encouragement.

They clap him on the back kindly enough when he returns, after shipwreck, with money in his pocket.

Thackeray… The Newcomes… 1854

Mason clapped him on the shoulder. "You're just the sort of a gent we need," he declared. 

Max Brand… The Rangeland Avenger… 1922

// 5. (Obsolete meaning) to strike (a thing; for exemple, a dough) with a flat surface, so as to smooth or flatten.

// 6. Of a bird: to move (its wings), with a noise.

// Synonym: flap.

If the eagle appeared brisk, clapped her wings, and sported in the air.

J. Robinson… Archaeologia Graeca… 1827

From the sound, I thought it clapped its wings whilst settled on the ground, as well as whilst flying, but cannot be sure either of this or that it did settle.

Zoologist… 1899

// 7. To cause to get into or be in some place or position, with promptness.

// Synonym: apply, place, put, set.

// With the prepositions “on, upon, to, into, etc.”:

Lady Berkeley after dinner clapped my hat on another lady’s head.

Swift… The Journal to Stella… 1766

… he clapped the parchment upon the table with a report that made every fibre in my frame quiver.

Ainsworth… Mervyn… 1858

I was too frightened to say aught; but the Wagoner muttered something in the long man's ear, and gave him my bundle and money and the letter; and then I was clapped up on a pillion behind the long man, who had clomb up to the saddle of a vicious horse that went sideways.

G. Sala… Captain… 1863

Obenreizer clapped his hand on Vendale’s mouth and pointed to the track behind them.

Dickens and W. Collins… No Thoroughfare… 1867

He clapped his hand upon a little bell on the table, and one of the stalwart, sunbrowned clerks entered.

J. Altsheler… The Free Rangers… 1909

Then with a frightened gesture, she clapped her hand upon her mouth.

"You will say nothing of it, Herr Johann?" she pleaded. "It is a secret from all but a few."

J. Altsheler… The Hosts… 1915

… he clapped his ear to the keyhole and listened, holding his breath.

M. Brand… The Rangeland Avenger… 1922

//  Reflexively:

I would have gone directly out of the house, but she clapped herself before the door, and told me, I must first pay the bottle of wine I had the evening before

D. Defoe… The Memoirs… 1741

At last you rose up, and took a turn or two about the room; when, all of a sudden, and to my great surprise, you clapped yourself on my knee, threw your arms about my neck.

Correspondence… Hume to Rousseau… 1766

He clapped himself down in an old arm-chair.

W. Howitt… The hall… 1847

// In particular: to put (someone) in prison, with promptitude; to imprison. Hence: to clap up: to imprison with little or no formality.

At first, these rumours were disregarded as idle tales, wholly destitute of foundation, for nobody in Scotland-yard doubted that if the Lord Mayor contemplated any such dark design, he would just be clapped up in the Tower for a week or two, and then killed off for high treason.

Dickens… Sketches… 1836

For this, the unreasonable villains clapped me into jail.

Edgar Poe… The Narrative… 1838

// In a jocose way: to clap eyes on: to get a sight of.

As stout an old vagabond as I ever clapped eyes on.

Mackay… Longbeard 1850

// 8. Metaphor: a. To place (a sentinel, guard, etc.). b. To impose (writ, duty, copyright, name, etc.).

// 9. Metaphorical and archaic: to clap up: to make, or settle hastily (a match, agreement, peace, league, etc.), without much care. 

// Words derived from the verb CLAP: clapper (noun, verb), clapping, clap (noun).

 

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 /CLAMBER-meaning-etymology

// Verb.

// Pronunciation and accent: klæmbə(r). 

// Etymology: of uncertain origin. Maybe it is a derivative of CLIMB.

// It is dated from the beginning of 1400.

// Intransitive: 1. To climb with difficulty and by crawling; climb by using both the hands and feet.

// Translation: grimper, in French; trepar, in Spanish; arrampicarsi, in Italian.

 When he had clambered into the saddle, Rob led the horse into the middle of the street, and the beast, of its own accord, walked soberly across the Trongate towards the Stockwell.

J. Galt… The Entail… 1823

… he clambered into the boat…

F. Kemble… Journal of a Residence… 1838

I proceeded, therefore, without hesitation, to summon up all my remaining strength and fortitude, and endeavour, as I best might, to clamber over the crate.

E. Poe… Gordon Pym… 1838

Still nothing appeared. The gold-seeker, whom I sincerely pitied, at length clambered from the pit, with the bitterest disappointment imprinted upon every feature, and proceeded, slowly and reluctantly, to put on his coat, which he had thrown off at the beginning of his labor.

E. Poe… The Gold Bug… 1843

The 'castle' consisted of an irregular assemblage of cliffs and rocks--one of the latter being quite remarkable for its height as well as for its insulated and artificial appearance. I clambered to its apex, and then felt much at a loss as to what should be next done.

E. Poe… The Gold Bug… 1843

The cripple hurled his torch at them, clambered leisurely to the ceiling, and disappeared through the sky-light.

E. Poe… Hop-Frog… 1849

Presently the party he trailed came to a halt. Its members concealed themselves in the foliage bordering the game trail along which they had come. Gust, that he might the better observe, clambered into the branches of a tree to the rear of them, being careful that the leafy fronds hid him from the view of his erstwhile mates.

E. Burroughs… The Beasts… 1914

// With the preposition “up” (redundant construction):

Yesterday, I and one of the dogs went on a goat-hunting expedition. Clambering up a steep hill, we caught sight of a flock in the rear.

A. Earle… Narrative… Island of Tristan… 1832

He retraced his steps immediately, and, clambering up the stowage a second time, called out my name, loudly as before, having watched for a lull.

E. Poe… Gordon Pym… 1838

Our donkeys clambered actively up the sides of the crumbling mountain…

E. Warburton… The Crescent… 1844

// 2. (Of a plant) to spread over a surface, as if by climbing by means of its tendrils.

Over the upper portion of this huge window, extended the trellice-work of an aged vine, which clambered up the massy walls of the turret.

E. Poe… Ligeia… 1838

[A grape-vine] had clambered first to the lower roof -- then to the higher; and along the ridge of this latter it continued to writhe on, throwing out tendrils to the right and left, until at length it fairly attained the east gable, and fell trailing over the stairs.

E. Poe… Landor’s Cottage… 1849

Luxuriant vines clambered over all the mossy doors.

J. Hay… Castilian Days… 1903

The day had been still and hot, but now a soft breeze was stirring the long grasses, and bending the tassels of the reeds gracefully over the water, and the scent of flowers came floating down from the vines clambering over the old ruin, and the hum of insects filled the air.

R. Stockton… Round-about Rambles… 1910

// 3. Metaphor: (of smoke or the like) to rise steeply or slowly.

On the black marble altar at the further end of the hall was burning some rich incense, whose perfumed smoke, clambering heavily upwards, mingled with that of the lamps beneath the ceiling.

J. Hawthorne… Idolatry… 1874

// Transitive: to climb over (something) with difficulty by crawling or by using both the hands and feet

… he was clambering a ladder.

J. Niven… The Island Providence… 1910

It didn't take me long to clamber the rickety ladder to the catwalk in front of the men's caves and make my way to the last one to the left of the ladder.

E. Burroughs… Carson of Venus… 1938

// Words derived from the verb CLAMBER: clamber (n.), clamberer, clambering.

 

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 /CHIP-meaning

-) Verb.

-) Pronunciation: tʃɪp.

-) Etymology: from Middle English chippen.

-) Preterite tense: chipped (tʃɪpt).  Preterite participle: chipped.

-) Present participle: chipping.

-) It is dated from the end of 1400.

-) Transitive: -) 1. Obsolete meaning: to pare (bread) by cutting away its crust..

-) 2. To hew with a cutting tool, as an ax, chisel, adze, etc. 

One of the men was sitting on an upturned box beside the fire, waiting for the gently-humming kettle to boil; whilst the other was chipping wood outside the house.

E. Landor… The Bushman… 1847

… there was cold ham, and chipped beef, and sausages.

James Hall… Legends… 1869

-) 3. To cut one or more small pieces from (something); to break one or more fragments off; to cut or break into fragments; to reduce to chips.

-) Translation: astillar, in Spanish; ébrécher, in French; scheggiare, in Italian.

Near these relicks there is a defaced inscription… It was defaced, as we were informed, by two Frenchmen, who, because they could not read it themselves, chipped it off out of spite to the British travellers.

J. Galt… Voyages and travels… 1812

… the large blue dish for the cake is not chipped at the edges.

E. Carrington… Confessions… 1828

The rails fencing the lawn from what was termed the park, were rotten, chipped, broken down, or tied together with pack-thread.

E. Pickering… The Squire… 1837

One of the demonstrators dined with us upon a certain occasion, when a glass was observed to be slightly chipped at the rim, and a remark was made on the delicacy of the blow that had fractured so nicely without destroying the glass.

The Dollar Magazine… Vol. 2… 1842

The Old Red House was the same shadowy, mysterious looking place as heretofore. Though occupied, nothing had been done to sustain or decorate it; indeed, decay seemed going apace in its destruction. Its paint was still more chipped by wind and rain.

E. Meteyard… Lilian’s golden hours… 1858

-) 4. To cut or break (a small piece or a chip) from something.

-) With “off”, “from”, etc. 

As we walked on, many were the fragments of stones or of soil that Bob picked up, and, as he chipped them with his hammer, we discussed their nature, the order of formations to which they belonged, the metals whose ores they contained, or the chemical or other properties by which they were distinguished.

R. Douglas… Adventures… 1848

One sat up and chipped earth from his huge boots with an iron girder he grasped in his hand; the second rested on his elbow; the third whittled a pine tree into shape and made a smell of resin in the air.

H. Wells… The Food… 1903

-) 5. To diminish or shape by cutting away small portions; to make (a work) by chipping.

We have never seen a man who could take a round ball, and so chip it off on four sides as to make a square block, and have nothing left.

The Mechanic… Vol. 3… 1834

Agates are made into marbles at Oberstein by first chipping the pieces nearly round with a hammer, and then wearing them down upon the face of large grindstones.

American cyclopaedia… 1861

-) 6. (Of a chicken) to crack (the egg-shell).

There has it dwelt, since first it chipped the shell, and came forth from the clear brown egg.

The Sporting magazine… 1856

-) 7. (Of a player) to put in a chip or chips as one’s share of a stake; stake chips; hence, to make one’s contribution; to contribute.

-) Found only in the colloquial combination “chip in”. Also as intransitive verb.

-) Intransitive: -) 1. To make chipping strokes.

Peter opened the letter and read it. Then without a word, he gave it open to the Dozent. There was silence in the laboratory while the Dozent read it, silence except for his canary, which was chipping at a lump of sugar.

M. Rinehart… The Street… 1914

-) 2. (Of a thing) to break in one or more small pieces; to be chipped.

The old peasant so often mentioned in the preceding pages spoke of the inscription as originally cut or scratched upon a thin "tabulet" which hung from a projection on the headstone in the glen. Something like a projection still remains; the tablet is not to be found. The stone itself is of a white flaky substance, which has gradually chipped off, with the moisture of the grotto; and if the tablet were of the same material, this may account for its disappearance.

G. Darley… The labours of idleness… 1826

-) 3. To chip at: to aim a blow at, hit at; also, to banter.

-) It is also found with the omission of “at”, and equivalent to “to make (a person) the object of a joke”.

-) Words derived from CHIP: chipping, chipper, chipped, unchipped.

 

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/chuckle-meaning

// Verb. 

// Pronunciation and accent: tʃʌk(ə)l).  

// Etymology: it is said to be derived from the verb CHUCK “to make a clucking noise”, to which is suffixed –le (suffix with frequentative force). W. Skeat: it might be related to CHOKE more immediately than to CHUCK. 

// Preterite tense, preterite participle: chuckled.

// Present participle: chuckling.

// It is dated from the end of 1500.

// Intransitive: 1. Obsolete meaning: to laugh convulsively.

// 2. To laugh in a suppressed manner, as if inwardly; to laugh to oneself, as when one congratulates oneself; to laugh quietly with a chuckle (an almost inaudible laugh).

// Antonyms: to sulk, pout, boody.

// Synonyms for “chuckle”: titter, giggle, snigger, snicker, sniggle.

// Translation: ridacchiare, in Italian; reír entre dientes, in Spanish; glousser, in French.

The last man being gone, Mr Gregsbury rubbed his hands and chuckled, as merry fellows will, when they think they have said or done a more than commonly good thing.

Dickens… Nicholas… 1839

Making an obeisance, the man left the baron alone, chuckling in anticipation of success.

Pierce Egan… Robin Hood… 1840

Gibson chuckled with delight; he had humbugged a stranger.

Marryat… Travels and Adventures… 1843

I chuckled excessively when I thought of my acumen. It was the first time I had ever known Wyatt to keep from me any of his artistical secrets.

E. Poe… The Oblong Box… 1844

// With the preposition “over” + the cause of the joy:

Joe Duncombe was, to tell the truth, a little ashamed of his credulity on that occasion. He entertained no doubt that he had been victimized by a clever practical joke, and while he chuckled over the recollection that it had been an expensive jest to the perpetrator, who had lost a valuable gold coin by the transaction, he had no fancy for exposing himself to any further ridicule on the occasion.

E. Braddon… Run to Earth 1868

// With the preposition “at” + a noun, or a gerund, by which the cause of the joy is designated:

Gashford, with many a sly look towards the bed, sat chuckling at his master's folly.

Dickens… Barnaby… 1841

Upon the eighth night, I was more than usually cautious in opening the door. A watch's minute hand moves more quickly than did mine. Never before that night had I felt the extent of my own powers - of my sagacity. I could scarcely contain my feelings of triumph. To think that there I was, opening the door, little by little, and he not even to dream of my secret deeds or thoughts. I fairly chuckled at the idea; and perhaps he heard me; for he moved on the bed suddenly, as if startled. Now you may think that I drew back - but no.

E. Poe… The Tell-Tale… 1843

... they chuckled inwardly at the idea of the workmen's discomfiture and defeat, in their attempt to alter one iota of what Thornton had decreed.

Gaskell… North and South… 1854

… my companions chuckled hugely at the success of their manoeuvre.

Burton… First footsteps… 1856

Jeremiah chuckled at having forced her to adopt his phrase.

Dickens… Little Dorrit… 1857

“Buenos días, Señor!” returned the captain, with so vile a pronunciation that Jack could scarcely repress a smile. He passed on unrecognized, and chuckled at having so completely deceived the worthy captain.

H. Strang… The Light brigade in Spain… 1905

Corson chuckled at the thought of such easy money.

M. Brand… Alcatraz… 1923

// With a verb in infinitive, by which the cause of the joy is designated:: 

Next to Nicot, an old woman and a young virgin were muttering in earnest whispers, and the atheist painter chuckled inly to overhear their discourse.

E. Lytton… Zanoni… 1842

// With the preposition “to” + noun of the person to whom the chuckler signifies joy by a chuckle:

Approaching the nest, … [Charley] gently lifted the crying infant from between its two screeching and somewhat pugnacious companions. The moment he had done so, the little innocent became quiet, and instantly recognising him, she held out her hands, and smiled and chuckled to him....

T. Lauder… Tales of the Highlands… 1841

… Sarah Benson instantly chuckled to her daughters to attract their notice before Seph had passed the door to the men’s side.

E. Marshall… Life’s aftermath… 1877

//  With reflexive pronoun: 

The old man walked all around the big bell. Not a boy was to be seen… The boys chuckled to themselves as they watched the puzzled old man walking around the bell, again and again peering over the balustrade…

Noah Brooks… Fairport 1880

He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands together.

Doyle… Sherlock Holmes… 1892

// With reciprocal meaning:

The men on the doorsteps chuckled to each other and kept silence.

W. Johnson… Among French folk… 1922

// Transitive: to utter (a sound, interjection, etc.) while chuckling. 

"He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector.

A. Doyle… Sherlock… 1892

Harrigan chuckled his triumph and went on with the scrubbing of the bridge.

M. Brand… Harrigan… 1918

// With the adverb “out”, in a pleonastic construction:

He chuckled out a deep rumbling laugh of amusement.

A. Hope… The Great Miss Driver… 1908

// English words derived from “chuckle”: chuckler, chuckling, chucklingly. 

 

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 /CHERISH-meaning

-) Transitive verb.

-) Pronunciation and accent: tʃɛrɪʃ.

-) It is dated from the beginning of 1300.

-) Etymology: from Middle French cheriss-, stem of chérir “to cherish, hold dear”, from cher “dear”, + -ish, from Latin carus “dear”.

-) 1. Obsolete meanings: -) a. To treat caressingly or fondly; to hold dear. -) b. To caress; to pat endearingly.

… you shall cherish him [the horse], that he may understand what your will is.

Gervase Markham… A Way to Get Wealth… 1695

-) 2. Rare: -) a. To treat with fostering care; nurse (children). -) b. To cultivate (a plant, etc.)

… it is cherished in the gardens of Italie.

J. Gerard… The Herball… 1636

In wandering round the shattered walls and through the devastated interior, I gathered evidence that the calamity was not of late occurrence.  Winter snows, I thought, had drifted through that void arch, winter rains beaten in at those hollow casements; for, amidst the drenched piles of rubbish, spring had cherished vegetation: grass and weed grew here and there between the stones and fallen rafters.

C. Bronte… Jane… 1847

We left him in the arms of his faithful nurse, and we find him still tenderly loved and cherished by her. 

C. Crosland… Lydia 1852

… Peggy cherished the girl with an all-indulgent tenderness…

Oliphant… The House on the Moor… 1861

-) 3. Obsolete meaning: to entertain kindly, cherishingly or lovingly (a guest).

-) 4. Obsolete and rare: to keep carefully and cherishingly (a thing, either material o immaterial).

This book I had again and again perused with delight… Yet, when this cherished volume was now placed in my hand--when I turned over its leaves, and sought in its marvellous pictures the charm I had, till now, never failed to find--all was eerie and dreary…

C. Bronte… Jane… 1847

-) 5. Archaic and rare: to keep warm.

-) 6. To keep, maintain or entertain (a hope, design, thought, etc.) in the mind, as if by cultivation or nursing.

He was too cordial-hearted, however, to cherish any malice against the offenders.

C. Frances… Mothers… 1830

To those who have cherished an affection for a faithful and sagacious dog, I need hardly be at the trouble of explaining the nature or the intensity of the gratification thus derivable.  

Poe… The Black Cat… 1843

It would be difficult to say why they cherished this fancy…

S. Cooper… Rural Hours… 1850

Henry was incapable of cherishing vindictive feelings against any one.

C. Hentz… Robert… 1855

He was aware of this change of feeling, despised himself for it, struggled with it nay, internally yielded to it and cherished it, long before he suffered the slightest expression of it, by word, action, or look, to escape him.

Dickens… A House to Let… 1858

We walked round the ruined garden twice or thrice more, and it was all in bloom for me. If the green and yellow growth of weed in the chinks of the old wall had been the most precious flowers that ever blew, it could not have been more cherished in my remembrance.

Dickens… Great Expectations… 1861

-) Hence: /cherished (participial adjective):

… whenever I pressed him to divulge the cherished secret, he shook his head knowingly, and placing his finger on his nose, uttered solemnly the word, "Wait!"—and I did so.

Bentley's Miscellany, vol. IX 1842

Henry, to whom Robert the night before had told his plighted faith to Julia, rejoiced at this consummation of his cherished wishes.

Hentz… Robert Graham… 1856

-) English words derived from the verb CHERISH: cherisher, cherishing, cherishingly, cherishment, cherishable, uncherished, uncherishing.

 

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