1. (used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone, usually held between the thumb and fingers, that are made to click together in rhythm with the dance, as used by Spanish dancers
   "The flamenco dancer skilfully manipulated the clappers";
   - bones, castanets

1. [informal] Metal striker that hangs inside a bell and makes a sound by hitting the side
   "The old church bell's clapper had worn down over centuries of use";
   - tongue
    
2. Someone who applauds
   "The enthusiastic clapper stood up to give the performance a standing ovation";
   - applauder
    
3. [informal] A mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
   "The lingua, or clapper, is essential for speech and swallowing";
   - tongue, lingua [technical]

Type of: articulator, extoller, laudator, lauder, organ, percussion instrument, percussive instrument, striker

Part of: bell, cakehole [Brit, informal], gob [Brit, informal], hole [informal], kisser [informal], maw [informal], mouth, oral cavity, oral fissure, pharynx, throat, trap [informal], yap [N. Amer, informal]

Encyclopedia: Clappers, Scottish Borders