The first thing we are going to do in order to fully understand the meaning of the term at hand is to determine its etymological origin. Specifically, it comes from Latin, from the word “acclamatio” which can be translated as “the action and effect of applauding as approval” and which is the result of the sum of several components:
-The prefix “ad”, which can be translated as “towards”.
-The verb “clamare”, which is synonymous with “call” or “ask”.
-The suffix “-cion”, which is used to indicate “the action and the effect”.
The concept refers to the act and consequence of cheering . This verb, for its part, can refer to applauding, cheering or cheering something or someone ; to attract attention through some expression; or to choose unanimously.
For example: "The general secretary of the union was re-elected by acclamation" , "The public's acclaim for the singer's talent did not take long to arrive" , "I believe that the acclaim of the businessmen for this candidate is self-serving" .
Acclaim can be a collective manifestation that reflects people's approval of an action or recognition of a person. In ancient times, it was common for people to gather to receive emperors, monarchs or generals after a military victory. Acclamations were also frequent when faced with certain announcements or speeches from the authorities.
Today these acclamations continue to exist, although there are various ways to express approval or recognition. Suppose that a soccer team becomes champion of an international tournament and, upon returning to their country of origin, its players go up on a stage installed in a park to display the trophy and celebrate. The attendees, upon seeing the athletes, will celebrate with acclamations. In addition, other people can virtually join the acclaim through social networks, with messages and greetings.
It can be said, on the other hand, that elections where a candidate is elected unanimously are resolved by acclamation: “The delegate of the assembly was elected by acclamation.”
In the same way, we cannot ignore the existence of the expression “by popular acclamation.” This is used with different meanings. However, among the most significant is the one that uses it to refer to the fact that any decision has been adopted because the people or a part of it wanted it that way.
Examples of this are, for example, currently surveys carried out through websites or social networks about the most beautiful cities in a country. Thus, their results determine that “Córdoba has been chosen by popular acclaim as the most beautiful in Spain.”
Curiosities about this type of gesture is that Hildebrand was elected Pope on April 22, 1073 by popular acclamation. An election that was considered an absolute transgression of the law, since it was established that only a council of priests could make that decision.