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.a1420HoccleveDeReg.Princ.855That after-clap in my mynde so depe Ifycched is.1513MoreRich.III (1641) 404To provide for after clappes that might happen and chance.1535LatimerSerm.I. 27He can give us an after-clap, when we least ween.1611SpeedHist.Gt.Brit.ix. iii. 31Who fearing afterclaps, had strongly fortified the Castle.1663ButlerHudibr. i. iii. 4What plaguy Mischiefs and Mishaps Do dog him still with After claps.1755Mem.Capt.P. Drake II. iii. 162,I desired a Receipt to prevent any Afterclaps, which he readily granted.1851MelvilleWhale xviii. 101Fear of after-claps.1862S. LucasSecul. 12The mitigated afterclap of this[the French]Revolution, in 1848.