| 释义 |
snappish, a.|ˈsnæpɪʃ|
Also 6 snappyshe, -ishe, 7 snapish.
[f. snap v. + -ish.]
1. Of persons: Using, or apt to use, sharp, harsh, or uncivil language; peevish, testy, or ill-natured in speech or reply.
1542Udall Erasm. Apoph. 319 b, He found his wife coumbresome, crabbed & snappyshe unto hym. 1577Stanyhurst Descr. Irel. i. in Holinshed, Here percase some snappish carper will..snuffingly snibbe me, for debacing the Irish language. 1626R. Bernard Isle of Man (1627) 20 Scrupulosity..is an unsociable and snappish fellow. 1672O. Heywood Diaries (1883) III. 119 Clark..was churlish and snappish. 1740Richardson Pamela I. 47 Our Cook.., who is a little snappish and cross sometimes. 1842Borrow Bible in Spain xlii, I found him morose and snappish. 1897Allbutt's Syst. Med. III. 400 [Dyspeptics] are likely to become irritable and snappish.
b. Of manner, etc.: Marked or characterized by sharpness or curtness of speech.
1836Random Recoll. Ho. Lords xiv. 334 The contemptuous and snappish manner in which he spoke to deputations. 1848Dickens Dombey li, ‘Well,’ says Mrs Pipchin, in her snappish way, ‘he's pretty much as usual’. 1885Manch. Even. News 16 July 2/3 A most femininely snappish tone of voice.
c. Of the sea: Somewhat choppy or rough.
1867Macgregor Voy. Alone (1868) 85 When we..met the short, snappish sea in the bay, every wave dashed over me.
2. Of words, language, etc.: Sharp, curt, peevish, ungracious.
1551Robinson tr. More's Utop. (1895) 10 Aferd that at euery snappishe worde theire nose shalbe bitten of. 1581J. Bell Haddon's Answ. Osor. 277 b, Your crabbed and snappish accusation agaynst Luther. 1603Breton Packet Mad Lett. i. lxviii, I haue receiued your snappish Letter. 1665Pepys Diary 22 Dec., Vexed at a snappish answer Madam Williams did give me. c1740Mrs. Delany Life & Corr. (1861) I. 35 No one ever heard him say a snappish or cross thing to me. 1784Cowper Task iv. 198 The smart And snappish dialogue, that flippant wits Call comedy. 1896H. M. B. Reid Cameronian Apostle viii. 122 The snappish criticisms recorded in the Presbytery minutes.
†3. Bold, forward, impudent. Obs.
1608Topsell Serpents (1658) 783 If any wedlock-breakers..dare be so snappish to enter..into anothers house [etc.].
4. Of a dog, etc.: Inclined or prone to snap.
a1700in B.E. Dict. Cant. Crew. a1710Pope Imit. Eng. Poets, Spenser 19 The snappish cur..Close at my heel with yelping treble flies. 1727Gay Fables xlvi. 13 A village-cur, of snappish race. 1862H. H. Dixon Scott & Sebright 199 He [a horse] went to Malton, and a very rough snappish customer they thought him.
b. transf. (Cf. sense 2.)
1842S. Lover Handy Andy xv, The snappish barking of the pets was returned by one hoarse bay from ‘Bloodybones’.
5. Breaking with a snap; ‘short’.
1833New Monthly Mag. XXXIX. 297 The crust..is exceeding crisp, dry, and snappish. |