Prolonged applause
Meaning
Sustained and extended clapping from an audience, typically indicating strong approval, enthusiasm, or appreciation for a performance or speaker.
Origin
From ancient Roman amphitheatres where gladiators fought and emperors held court, approval wasn't just a polite clap; it was a roar, a sea of waving togas, or the rhythmic thumping of feet on wooden stands. As performance evolved, so did the rituals of audience appreciation, with clapping becoming the dominant form. But sometimes, a performance was so transcendent, a speech so stirring, that the audience couldn't just stop. Their hands kept coming together, a wave of sound that refused to die down, stretching on and on. "Prolonged applause" isn't a phrase coined in a dusty dictionary; it's the natural human response to something truly extraordinary, a testament to collective awe that has echoed through every theatre and forum for millennia, a timeless expression of overwhelming admiration.
Examples
- After the tenor's breathtaking aria, there was a prolonged applause that lasted several minutes, refusing to die down.
- The standing ovation and prolonged applause signaled the audience's overwhelming admiration for the director's new film.