Sekirov Dictionary

clapper

/ˈklæpɚ/

noun 10
verb 3
forms 3

noun10

An object so suspended inside a bell that it may hit the bell and cause it to ring; a clanger or tongue.
The hinged part of a clapperboard, used to synchronise images and soundtrack, or the clapperboard itself.
One who claps; a person who applauds by clapping the hands.
•
A wooden mechanical device used as a scarecrow; bird-scaring rattle, a wind-rattle or a wind-clapper.
- "Sir, sir! folks' tongues go like the clappers in the fields to drive away the blackbirds. A very little wind makes 'em rattle wonderfully." — 1896
A clapstick (musical instrument).
(slang) A person's tongue.
A slapshot
A pounding block.
The chattering damsel of a mill.
•
(no longer used) A rabbit burrow.
- Poore cunnie so bagged, Is soone overlagged Plash burrow, set clapper, For dog is a snapper — 1557

verb3

To make a repetitive clapping sound; to clatter.
•
Of birds, to make such a noise by repeatedly striking the mandibles together.
- [W]hile he was away Hinzelmann began suddenly to clapper in the ladies' chamber like a stork, and then said, "Maid Anne, you much go look for your things to-day in the mill-stream." — 1828
•
To ring a bell by pulling a rope attached to the clapper.
- It is still necessary to warn clergymen against allowing the lazy and pernicious practice of 'clappering,' i.e. tying the bell-rope to the clapper, and pulling it instead of the bell. — 1903

forms

clappered · clappering · clappers

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