The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Applause \Ap*plause"\, n. [L. applaudere, applausum. See
   Applaud.]
   The act of applauding; approbation and praise publicly
   expressed by clapping the hands, stamping or tapping with the
   feet, acclamation, huzzas, or other means; marked
   commendation.
   [1913 Webster]

         The brave man seeks not popular applause. --Dryden.
   [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Acclaim; acclamation; plaudit; commendation; approval.
        [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

applause
    n 1: a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together
         [syn: applause, hand clapping, clapping]

The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906):

APPLAUSE, n.  The echo of a platitude.