[ad. L. applaus-us, vbl. sb. f. applaud-ĕre: see APPLAUD v. Cf. It. applauso, and Sp. aplauzo.]
1. Approbation loudly expressed; acclamation.
[1553–87. Foxe, A. & M., III. 828. They should depart speaking last, cum applausu populi, with the rejoycing triumph of the people.]
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., III. ii. 144. Hearing applause and vniuersall shout.
1623. Bingham, Xenophon, 81. The Souldiers hearing his words gaue an applause.
1725. Pope, Odyss., VIII. 404. Loud applauses rend the vaulted sky.
1879. Froude, Cæsar, xiii. 175. Applause rang out from a hundred thousand throats.
2. Demonstrative approbation, marked approval or commendation.
1601. Cornwallyes, Ess., xii. Nothing goeth with full applause, that holdes not his perfection to the end.
1714. Spect., No. 610, ¶ 5. We should not be led away by the Censures and Applauses of Men.
1781. Gibbon, Decl. & F., III. 17. The preacher understood the true value of popular applause.
1804. Wellington, in Gurw., Desp., III. 133. He has always conducted himself in such a manner as to gain my applause.
† 3. Agreement or assent formally or publicly expressed. Cf. APPLAUD v. 2 b. Obs. rare.
1612. Brinsley, Lud. Lit., x. (1627), 153. The Latine of Tully being the purest, by the general applause of all the Learned.
† 4. The object of applause. Cf. aversion. Obs.
1623. B. Jonson, in Shaksp. C. Praise, 148. The applause! delight! the wonder of our Stage.
