afterclap
(ˈɑːftəklæp, æ-)
[after- 6 + clap, blow, shock.]
An unexpected stroke after the recipient has ceased to be on his guard; a subsequent surprise; ‘an unexpected event happening after an affair is supposed to be at an end.’ J.
| a 1420 Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 855 That after-clap in my mynde so depe Ifycched is. 1513 More Rich. III (1641) 404 To provide for after clappes that might happen and chance. 1535 Latimer Serm. I. 27 He can give us an after-clap, when we least ween. 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. iii. 31 Who fearing afterclaps, had strongly fortified the Castle. 1663 Butler Hudibr. i. iii. 4 What plaguy Mischiefs and Mishaps Do dog him still with After claps. 1755 Mem. Capt. P. Drake II. iii. 162, I desired a Receipt to prevent any Afterclaps, which he readily granted. 1851 Melville Whale xviii. 101 Fear of after-claps. 1862 S. Lucas Secul. 12 The mitigated afterclap of this [the French] Revolution, in 1848. |