applaudErete

applaudErete is a fictional social ritual described in speculative fiction and tabletop role-playing materials. It denotes a structured form of public praise that blends synchronized applause with brief vocal refrains to celebrate collective achievement. In the imagined practice, a cue leader marks sections with a rhythm, and participants perform rapid claps in varying cadences, sometimes accompanied by short calls or chants. The term derives from the English word applaud plus a suffix from a constructed language used in the source material to evoke communal awakening.

Origins and usage: applaudErete first appears in the novella The Lanterns of Aridia and is later adopted in role-playing game supplements as a ceremonial device for milestones, rites of passage, or climactic moments within an imagined society.

Variants: Soft applaudErete uses slower tempo and muted calls; grand applaudErete features faster clapping, louder calls, and optional effects like lighting cues or confetti.

Reception: In-universe scholars view applaudErete as a tool to build group cohesion and signal achievement, though some critics call it formulaic or emotionally demanding.

See also: applause, ritual, collective performance, speculative fiction.