Applaud old driver quelling a public disturbance (5)

I believe the answer is:

cheer

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'applaud' is the definition.
(I know that cheer is a more specific form of the action applaud)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cheer that I've seen before include "Festive food and drink" , "hurrah" , "Shout of praise or joy" , "Applaud vocally, hurray etc" , "Urge on" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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