Middle English Dictionary Entry
clap(pe n.
Entry Info
| Forms | clap(pe n. Also claippe, cleap(pe, cleppe, klap. |
| Etymology | From clappen . |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Loud noise; a clap, peal (of thunder); thonder ~, thunderclap; (b) talking; esp., noisy, idle talking; stinten (holden) ~, to hold (one's) tongue.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.174 : The eyr..shal be ful of thonder clappes and lightnynges.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)79 : Clappe, or grete dynne: Strepitus, frangor [vr. Fragor].
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)1040 : After the clappe of a thundringe.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)118/27 : Þe clappys of þondyr.
b
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)18a : Þa ha hefden alles bigunnen to speokene, þa ne cuðen ha neauer stinten hare cleappe [Nero: cleppe].
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mil.(Manly-Rickert)A.3144 : Stynt thy clappe.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)171 : Þou art as ful of clap as is a mylle.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)3357 : Holde þou þy clappe!
- c1450 Dice(1) (Frf 16)309 : When that your tonge stynteth of hys clappe.
2.
(a) A blow, stroke, buffet; also fig.; at a ~, with one stroke, at once; (b) a stroke of (good or bad) fortune.
Associated quotations
a
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)26b : Ȝe..bireafde hire ed an cleap [Cleo (Morton): at a clap; F tolt a vn cop] þe eorðe & ec þe heouene.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)9142 : King Ban ȝaf to king Minape On þe helme swiche a clappe, Þat he him cleued to þe toþ.
- c1330 Body & S.(5) (Auch)160 : Þe prodest arst may kepe his [Death's] clap.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)25a : A Clappe, vbi buffett.
b
- a1400 Cato(3) (Frf 14)263 : If þi gode be lorne, sorou noȝt þar-forne..and hope ay of gode hap to come wiþ a gode clap wiþ-out ani warne.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)116 : Late not now be spoken of þe mishap, For eft it wille be wroken with a hardere klap.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)175 : Many grete mishappes..Haf comen vs hard clappes, whan þei gan vs assaile.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.B.188 : Dame Fortune with an vnware clappe Bokeled hym in a clothyng of anothir shappe.
3.
(a) The clapper of a mill; ?also, the noise of a mill; (b) ?a bell tower or steeple; (c) ?a staff, a club; (d) as a surname.
Associated quotations
a
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)17b : Þe twa cheken beoð þe twa grindel stanes; Þe tunge is þe claippe [Nero: cleppe].
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)79 : Clappe, or clakke of a mylle: Taratantara, batillus.
- c1450(c1400) Vices & V.(2) (Hnt HM 147)55/32 : Þes tonges..faren riȝt as þe clappe of a water mylle, þat can not stynte.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)25a : A Clape of A Mylne: taritantarum.
b
- ?a1475 PParv.(Win)84 : Clapp [vr. Clapparre]: percussorium.
c
- a1500 Mayer Nominale (Mayer)721/24 : Nomina domorum et rerum ecclesiasticarum..Hoc pedum: a clappe..Hoc pedum: a crowche.
d
- (1206) CRR(2) 4271 : Simon Clapp'.
- (c1230) Cart.Oseney in OHS 97363 : Henricus Clappe.