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Clap vs Smack - What's the difference?

clap | smack | Synonyms |

As nouns the difference between clap and smack

is that clap is the act of striking the palms of the hands, or any two surfaces, together while smack is a distinct flavor.

As verbs the difference between clap and smack

is that clap is to strike the palms of the hands together, creating a sharp sound while smack is to indicate or suggest something.

As an adverb smack is

as if with a smack or slap.

clap

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) .

Noun

(en noun)
  • The act of striking the palms of the hands, or any two surfaces, together.
  • He summoned the waiter with a clap .
  • The explosive sound of thunder.
  • * Episode 12, The Cyclops
  • The deafening claps of thunder and the dazzling flashes of lightning which lit up the ghastly scene testified that the artillery of heaven had lent its supernatural pomp to the already gruesome spectacle.
  • Any loud, sudden, explosive sound made by striking hard surfaces together, or resembling such a sound.
  • Off in the distance, he heard the clap of thunder.
  • * Jonathan Swift
  • Give the door such a clap , as you go out, as will shake the whole room.
  • A slap with the hand, usually in a jovial manner.
  • His father's affection never went further than a handshake or a clap on the shoulder.
  • A single, sudden act or motion; a stroke; a blow.
  • * Shakespeare
  • What, fifty of my followers at a clap !
  • (falconry) The nether part of the beak of a hawk.
  • (Yorkshire) A dropping of cow dung (presumably from the sound made as it hits the ground) Edward Peacock, A Glossary of Words Used in the Wapentakes of Manley and Corringham, Lincolnshire , p 188
  • * 1890 , John Nicholson, Folk Lore of East Yorkshire , page 139
  • “Oh! get some coo clap (cow dung), mix it wi’ fish oil (whale oil), put it on, and let it stop on all neet.”
    Synonyms
    * (sound of thunder) thunderclap * See also
    Derived terms
    * thunderclap

    Verb

    (Clapping)
  • To strike the palms of the hands together, creating a sharp sound.
  • The children began to clap in time with the music.
  • To applaud.
  • The audience loudly clapped the actress, who responded with a deep curtsey.
    It isn’t the singers they are clapping ; it's the composer.
  • To slap with the hand in a jovial manner.
  • He would often clap his teammates on the back for encouragement.
  • To bring two surfaces together forcefully, creating a sharp sound.
  • He clapped the empty glass down on the table.
    She clapped the book shut.
    ''He clapped across the floor in his boots.
  • * Marvell
  • Then like a bird it sits and sings, / And whets and claps its silver wings.
  • To come together suddenly with noise.
  • * Dryden
  • The doors around me clapped .
  • To create or assemble (something) hastily (usually followed by up'' or ''together ).
  • We should clap together a shelter before nightfall.
    ''The rival factions clapped up a truce.
  • To set or put, usually in haste.
  • The sheriff clapped him in jail.
    She was the prettiest thing I'd ever clapped eyes on.
  • * John Locke
  • He had just time to get in and clap to the door.
  • * Lamb
  • Clap an extinguisher upon your irony.
  • (slang, AAVE) To shoot (somebody) with a gun.
  • Derived terms
    * clapper * claptrap * clapperboard

    See also

    * applaud * applause

    Etymology 2

    Uncertain.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Gonorrhea.
  • 1997 MASH
  • * “What in hell makes you think he's got the clap ?” Hawkeye asked. “Even a clap doctor can't diagnose it through a parka
  • 1998 Dan Savage
  • * When I explained that I thought he had given me the clap , he said I must be mistaken, it had to be someone I'd “tricked” with at ... He'd never had an STD in his life, he told me, and slammed down the phone.
  • 1998 Changing Bodies
  • * He thought I had given him the clap [gonorrhea], but I knew I didn't.
  • 2006 The STDs Update
  • * Gonorrhea, sometimes called the clap , is caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
  • I'm gonna kill that bitch for giving me the clap !
    If your dick has "the drip" you probably have the clap and need to go to the sex clinic.
    He wasn't careful; he caught both syphilis and the clap .

    References

    Anagrams

    * ----

    smack

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) smac, smak, smacke, from (etyl) . More at smake, smatch.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A distinct flavor.
  • A slight trace of something; a smattering.
  • * 1883 ,
  • He was not sailorly, and yet he had a smack of the sea about him too.
  • (slang) Heroin.
  • Derived terms
    * (l)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To indicate or suggest something.
  • Her reckless behavior smacks of pride.
  • * Shakespeare
  • All sects, all ages, smack of this vice.
  • To have a particular taste.
  • Derived terms
    * smack of

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) smack (Low German .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A small sailing vessel, commonly rigged as a sloop, used chiefly in the coasting and fishing trade and often called a .
  • Etymology 3

    From or akin to (etyl) ).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A sharp blow; a slap. See also: spank.
  • A loud kiss.
  • * Shakespeare
  • a clamorous smack
  • A quick, sharp noise, as of the lips when suddenly separated, or of a whip.
  • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To slap someone, or to make a smacking sound.
  • * (Benjamin Disraeli)
  • A horse neighed, and a whip smacked , there was a whistle, and the sound of a cart wheel.
  • (New Zealand) To strike a child (usually on the buttocks) as a form of discipline. (US spank)
  • To wetly separate the lips, making a noise, after tasting something or in expectation of a treat.
  • * 1763 , Robert Lloyd, “A Familiar Epistle” in St. James Magazine :
  • But when, obedient to the mode / Of panegyric, courtly ode / The bard bestrides, his annual hack, / In vain I taste, and sip and smack , / I find no flavour of the Sack.
  • To kiss with a close compression of the lips, so as to make a sound when they separate.
  • Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • As if with a smack or slap
  • Right smack bang in the middle.
    Derived terms
    * smack-dab

    Anagrams

    * ----