clapboard

¹

[ klab-erd, klap-bawrd, ‑-bohrd ]

noun

1. Chiefly Northeastern U.S. a long, thin board, thicker along one edge than the other, used in covering the outer walls of buildings, being laid horizontally, the thick edge of each board overlapping the thin edge of the board below it.
2. British. a size of oak board used for making barrel staves and for wainscoting.

adjective

1. of or made of clapboard:

   a clapboard house.

clapboard

²

[ klap-bawrd, -bohrd ]

noun

, Movies.

1. a small board with a hinged stick attached that is clapped clap down at the beginning of the filming of a shot for use later in synchronizing sound and image in the editing of the film.

clapboard

/ ˈklæbəd; ˈklæpˌbɔːd /

noun

1. 1. a long thin timber board with one edge thicker than the other, used esp in the US and Canada in wood-frame construction by lapping each board over the one below
   2. ( as modifier )

      a clapboard house

verb

1. tr to cover with such boards

Word History and Origins

Origin of clapboard¹

1510–20; earlier clap bord, alteration of obsolete clapholt < Low German klappholt (cognate with Dutch klaphout ) split wood used for barrel staves; clap ¹, holt

Origin of clapboard²

clap ¹ + board

Word History and Origins

Origin of clapboard¹

C16: partial translation of Low German klappholt, from klappen to crack + holt wood; related to Dutch claphout; see board

Example Sentences

Momentary pictures emerge from the crackling cloud and then sink back — a girl walking, a simple clapboard building, a hand holding a teacup, a car careening over a steep embankment and more.

From Los Angeles Times

Using her arms as a makeshift clapboard, a Sudanese woman in a black hijab and black-and-white caftan clapped her hands together, signaling the beginning of the rehearsal.

From New York Times

He said he had opted for “draconian” measures, barring future owners from installing insulation or replacing original clapboards.

From New York Times

It emerged long enough for a photo shoot at their residence, then was whisked back to Rye’s white clapboard town hall and securely stashed in a filing cabinet.

From New York Times

That, at least, felt like home for the hundreds of thousands of Protestant middle Americans who migrated to L.A. and, in the land of Spanish missions, built themselves white clapboard New England-style steepled churches.

From Los Angeles Times