the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > applause > applaud [verb (intransitive)] > receive great applause (2)
to bring down the house, to bring down the gallery, etc.: to evoke such demonstrative applause as threatens or suggests the downfall of the building.
A round or burst of applause. In later use esp. in to give (also get,etc.) a big (also good,etc.) hand (originally U.S.): to give, receive, etc…