Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1400-1500
Language: Latin
Origin: applaudere, from ad- 'to' + plaudere 'to applaud'

applaud

 verb
     
ap‧plaud
1 [intransitive and transitive] to hit your open hands together to show that you have enjoyed a play, concert, speaker etc [= clap]:
A crowd of 300 supporters warmly applauded her speech.
2 [transitive] formal to express strong approval of an idea, plan etc:
I applaud the decision to install more security cameras.
applaud somebody for something
She should be applauded for her honesty.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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