An archaic term meaning to scold, quarrel with, or verbally attack someone fiercely.
From 'clapper' (tongue or striking device) + 'claw' (to scratch/attack). The image is of attacking with words as if scratching, dating to Middle English combative language.
Clapperclaw appears in Shakespeare and documents from the 1500s-1600s—it's a perfect word showing how English speakers invented new insults by combining ideas of striking, scratching, and loud noise.
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