Meaning

(archaic) An additional adverse event that occurs unexpectedly after an earlier one was thought to be over and done with..

Definitions by Sense

1. (archaic) An additional adverse event that occurs unexpectedly after an earlier one was thought to be over and done with.
2. (archaic) An unfavourable turn of events following a favourable situation; an eventuality for which one ought to be prepared.
3. The consequence (often, but not always, adverse) of an action or event.
4. A phenomenon occurring after a similar earlier one; a later manifestation of something.
5. A sound that follows another, especially a loud noise, such as thunder.
6. A symptom of an illness, especially one that appears after the initial onset; an illness or symptom caused by exposure to a substance, an injury, etc.
7. (uncountable, medicine, obsolete) Urethral discharge as a symptom of gonorrhea.
8. (obsolete) A change or attempted change to an agreement after it has been entered into; an additional charge (especially one over and above the previously agreed-upon price).

Example Sentences

[…] immediatly after the Vniuersall deluge, Nimrod […] perswaded the people to secure themselues from the like after-claps, by building some stupendious Edifice, which might resist the fury of a second deluge.

What plaguy mischiefs and mishaps Do dog him still with after-claps!

AFTERCLAPS, unpleasant things coming after affairs which were supposed ended.

Strange to say, the gale, after easing to a mild breeze, recrudesced in a sort of afterclap.

1770, Thomas Bridges, A Burlesque Translation of Homer, London: S. Hooper, 3rd ed., Volume I, p. 7, May you all live to see Troy out, And when you’ve storm’d the Trojan gaps, May you escape all after-claps.

[…] as cookes among all their sawces doo mind nothing lesse than sobernesse: so these in the abundance of their ioies, thought nothing of afterclaps […]

To spare a little for an after clappe Were not improuidence.

That burglary following so immediately upon the festivities of our delightful Christmas holidays, seemed a most trying and unfortunate afterclap; but we will hope for better things next time.

Word Forms

• afterclaps
• after-clap

Synonyms for afterclap

Related Words

When Should You Use Afterclap?

Use afterclap when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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