plaudit

Where does the word "plaudit" come from? It comes from Latin plaudere, passing through Latin before entering English (1600s).

Plaudit’s story begins in Latin: plaudere meant “to clap, to applaud.” Roman actors ended plays with 'plaudite!', applaud!, the source of 'plaudit'. Within Latin, it grew into plaudite by ancient. Clap! an imperative call to the audience at the end of Roman plays. It reached English by 1600s as plaudit. Shortened and settled as the English word for enthusiastic praise or approval. Today, plaudit means enthusiastic praise or approval, especially for an achievement.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient plaudere "to clap, to applaud", Roman actors ended plays with 'plaudite!', applaud!, the source of 'plaudit'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient plaudite "clap!", clap! an imperative call to the audience at the end of Roman plays.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s plaudit "enthusiastic praise or approval", shortened and settled as the English word for enthusiastic praise or approval.