ovation (n.)

1530s, in the Roman historical sense, from French ovation or directly from Latin ovationem (nominative ovatio) "a triumph, rejoicing," noun of action from past-participle stem of ovare "exult, rejoice, triumph," probably imitative of a shout (compare Greek euazein "to utter cries of joy").

In Roman history, a lesser triumph, granted to a commander for achievements (such as defeat of an inconsiderable enemy, accomplished with little bloodshed), insufficient to entitle him to a triumph proper. The figurative sense of "burst of enthusiastic applause from a crowd" is attested by 1831.