Applause, n.
Etymology: [L. applaudere, app. 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. The brave man seeks not popular applause. Dryden.
Syn. -- Acclaim; acclamation; plaudit; commendation; approval.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for applause; he lists it under praise.
Where he writes about it:
Praise is the hearty approval of an individual, or of a number or multitude considered individually, and is expressed by spoken or written words; applause, the spontaneous outburst of many at once. — from praise
Applause is expressed in any way, by stamping of feet, clapping of hands, waving of handkerchiefs, etc., as well as by the voice; acclamation is the spontaneous and hearty approval of many at once, and strictly by the voice alone. — from praise
Thus one is chosen moderator by acclamation when he receives a unanimous viva voce vote; we could not say he was nominated by applause. — from praise
Plaudit is a shout of applause, and is commonly used in the plural; as, the plaudits of a throng. — from praise
Applause is also used in the general sense of praise. — from praise