means A sustained, enthusiastic round of applause given to honor a performance, achievement, or person — often delivered while standing.

from From Latin 'ovatio,' a lesser triumph awarded to a Roman general for a victory that didn't quite merit the full triumphal parade. The word is linked to 'ovare,' to exult or rejoice, and possibly to 'ovis,' the sheep traditionally sacrificed at such a ceremony rather than the grander ox of a full triumph. So an ovation began as second-prize glory — the crowd cheering you for almost conquering — before it grew into the swelling applause we know today.