'applausive' originates from English, specifically formed from the noun 'applause' plus the adjectival suffix '-ive' (meaning 'tending to' or 'causing').

'applause' entered English from Middle French/Modern French 'applaudir'/'applaud' (from Old French aplaudir), which in turn comes from Latin 'plaudere' meaning 'to strike' or 'to clap'; 'applausive' was later formed in English by adding '-ive' to 'applause'.

Initially connected with the act 'to clap' (Latin 'plaudere'), the meaning shifted into English as 'applause' (the act of clapping) and then into an adjectival form 'applausive' meaning 'causing or deserving applause'.