early 15c., "commendation, praise," from Latin applausus, past participle of applaudere "approve by clapping hands" (see applaud). English in 16c.-17c. had applausible "worthy to be applauded."
Entries linking to applause
applaud v.
late 15c. (implied in applauding), "to express agreement or approval; to praise," from Latin applaudere "to clap the hands in approbation, to approve by clapping hands; to strike upon, beat," from assimilated form of ad "to" (see ad-) + plaudere "to clap" (see plaudit). The sense of "clap the hands" is from 1590s; the extended meaning arrived in English before the literal. Related: Applauded.