plaudite

Plaudite is a Latin verb form meaning “applaud!” or “you all clap.” It is the second-person plural present active imperative of plaudere, the verb meaning to clap, applaud, or acclaim. In Latin grammar, the singular imperative is plaude, while the plural imperative is plaudite.

The word appears in contexts where a group is being urged to respond, most notably in stage directions and public performances. In Roman theater and other public entertainments, cues for audience participation could include the command plaudite to prompt applause. Because it is a direct imperative, plaudite conveys a clear, coordinated action by a plural subject.

Plaudere, the root verb, belongs to the common Latin family of verbs dealing with social or responsive actions and is related in meaning to expressions of approval and acclaim. Plaudite, as the imperative, functions as a succinct directive and is often encountered in classical Latin texts, inscriptions, and educational materials illustrating verb formation and usage.

In modern reference works, plaudite is cited primarily as the plural imperative form of plaudere and as a typical example of a theatrical or ceremonial cue in Latin. It is not a noun or a participle, but a finite verb form, used to address a group directly. See also plaudere and related Latin verbs for broader conjugation patterns and usage.

See also: plaudere, Latin verbs, Latin stage directions, Latin imperatives.