noun
claque
KLAK/klæk/
A group organized to applaud or publicly praise a performer, person, or cause.
The paid claque applauds the bowing performer with coordinated enthusiasm.
Etymology
French claquer means “to clap.” The name shifted from the action to an organized group hired to perform it, making applause a planned service rather than a spontaneous audience response.
In context
members, called the claque, from the French for clap A theatre manager placed an order the way you'd order coffee for a meeting: so many clappers, Thursday night And the claque came itemised, a menu of reactions
More examples
- The theater hired a claque to cheer the singer.
- Her devoted claque praised even the weakest proposal.
- The reviewers accused the audience of being a paid claque.
Forms
claque · claques
Similar words
- audience
- An audience simply watches; a claque is organized to supply applause or support.