snapn.
/snap/, U.S. /snæp/ I. A sharp and sudden action, and related uses.
1. A quick or sudden closing of the jaws or teeth in biting, or of scissors in cutting; a bite or cut made in this way. Also figurative and in figurative context.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > biting > [noun] > a bite
snack1402
snap1495
snip1767
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > [noun] > closing or shutting > quick or sudden closing
snap1495
1495 in Blackwood's Mag. Apr. (1908) 506/1 1 bay mare, a snappe in the left ear and in the right ear a ferthyng.
1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde iii. viii. f. 129v Whiche cutteth a man in sunder..at one snappe with his teethe.
1592 R. Greene Quip for Vpstart Courtier sig. D4 At euery word a snap with your sissors.
1634 J. Canne Necessitie of Separation i. 18 Craving to bee put into one of the Priestes offices, that hee may have a snappe at a crust of bread.
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World i. 156 He took the Cissars, and at one Snap, set them at Liberty again.
1816 W. Scott Antiquary I. iii. 58 He had the scent of a slow-hound..and the snap of a bull-dog.
1899 F. V. Kirby Sport E. Central Afr. iv. 51 The huge jaws opened once and shut with a vicious snap.
2. slang.
a. A share (cf. snack n.2 3); something worth securing or getting hold of; an odd chance; a good place or job.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > distributing or dealing out > an allotted share, portion, or part > [noun]
dealc825
lotOE
dolea1225
partc1300
portion?1316
sort1382
parcelc1400
skiftc1400
pane1440
partagec1450
shift1461
skair1511
allotment1528
snapshare1538
share1539
slice1548
fee1573
snap1575
moiety1597
snatch1601
allotterya1616
proportiona1616
symbol1627
dealth1637
quantum1649
cavelc1650
snip1655
sortition1671
snack1683
quota1688
contingency1723
snick1723
contingent1728
whack1785
divvy1872
end1903
bite1925
society > occupation and work > position or job > [noun] > good
berth1745
snap1864
the world > action or operation > advantage > [noun] > an advantage, benefit, or favourable circumstance > a benefit > casual
windfall1542
snap1864
1575 J. Awdely Fraternitye of Vacabondes (new ed.) sig. A2v An Vpright man..may cal them to accompt, & cõmaund a share or snap vnto him selfe, of al that they haue gained by their trade in one moneth.
a1800 S. Pegge Suppl. Grose's Provinc. Gloss. (1814) (at cited word) To go snaps is to go halves in anything.
1864 J. C. Hotten Slang Dict. (new ed.) Snapps, share, portion; any articles or circumstances out of which money may be made. ‘Looking out for snapps,’ waiting for windfalls or odd jobs.
1893 Dispatch (Columbus, Ohio) 20 Feb. ‘A public office is a public trust.’ The clerks regard it rather as a public ‘snap’.
1897 C. M. Flandrau Harvard Episodes 259 He's on the lookout for snaps.
b. Theatre. A short engagement.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > [noun] > an engagement > short engagement
snap1882
1882 Adventures Billy Shakespoke v. 89 I dropped in to see my old partner..and he proposed that we should try another ‘snap’ in Lynn.
1885 Santa Fé Weekly New Mexican 24 Sept. 4/6 It is the custom, during the summer months, for ‘snap’ companies to travel through the country and gather shekels.
a1891 Freund Music & Drama XIV. xvi. 3 Actors and actresses who have just come in from ‘summer snaps’ to prepare for the work of the coming season.
c. = soft snap n. at soft adj. Compounds 2a. Chiefly North American.
ΚΠ
1877 H. Ruede Sod-house Days 120 It is no snap, for the straw rolls out fast enough to keep them very busy.
1901 Daily Colonist (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 27 Oct. 3/4 Formerly porters received as low as $15 a month and this wage in a buffet car was at one time considered a snap, as tips were wont to bring a man's income up to all the way from $100 to $200 a month.
1909 N.Y. Evening Post 21 Oct. Choir work under Dudley Buck's direction was no ‘snap’.
1924 P. Marks Plastic Age xxiv. 287 He had three classes in literature, one in music—partly because it was a ‘snap’ and partly because he really wanted to know more about music—and his composition course.
1931 Amer. Speech 7 48 Quarterbacks on a college football team have a snap compared with this fellow.
1936 V. Sheean Personal Hist. i. 3 The football players, the social lights, the pretty co-eds, and all the other students who regarded study as an inconvenient detail in college life, rushed to inscribe themselves for ‘snap’ courses.
1962 A. Lurie Love & Friendship viii. 180 The new semester has started, and I have a whole new selection of little ‘creative writers’ on my hands…the course is rumored to be a Snap (one thinks of those paper crackers at children's parties).
1967 Technol. Week 95/2 (advt.) Blazing a path to the moon is no snap. Neither is charting a career.
3. A small piece or portion; a scrap, fragment, or morsel.
a. In emphatic use, as not a snap, every snap. Now dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > [noun] > a separate part > a piece or bit > small piece
fingereOE
snedec1000
seed?a1200
morselc1300
bittlock?a1400
farthingc1405
spota1413
lipetc1430
offe?1440
drewc1450
remnantc1450
parcel1483
crap1520
flakec1525
patch1528
spark1548
a piece1559
sparklec1570
inch1573
nibbling?1577
scantling1585
scrat1593
mincing1598
scantle1598
halfpenny1600
quantity1600
nip1606
kantch1608
bit1609
catch1613
scripa1617
snap1616
sippeta1625
crumblet1634
scute1635
scantleta1642
snattock1654
cantlet1700
tab1729
pallion1738
smallness1818
knobble1823
wisp1836
1616 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Scornful Ladie iv. sig. G2v Come, come, you would know it;..but not a snap, never long for't, not a snap deare Lady.
1690 W. Walker Idiomatologia Anglo-Lat. 423 They leave not a snap i' th' dish; i.e. eat all up; every bit and snap.
1837 Wilson's Hist. Tales Borders III. 257 The puir hungry wratches will eat it up, every snap, afore morning.
1875 W. Dickinson Gloss. Dial. Cumberland 10 Then he choppt up a drinkin' glass an' eat it ivery snap.
b. In general use. ? Obsolete (frequently in 17th cent.).
ΚΠ
1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes i. v. 132 in Wks. II Hee's a nimble Fellow! And alike skil'd in euery liberall Science, As hauing certaine snaps of all.
1642 T. Fuller Holy State v. xiv. 411 He may get some almes of learning, here a snap, there a piece of knowledge, but nothing to purpose.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 260 Our Burses being but Snaps of Buildings to these famous Buzzars.
4. A slight or hasty meal or mouthful; a snack. Now dialect or spec. (cf. quot. 1883). Also in combinations, as snap-time, snap-tin.Not always clearly distinguishable from prec.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > meal > [noun] > light meal or snacks
nuncheonc1260
morsela1382
refection?a1439
mixtumc1490
bever1500
banquet1509
collation1525
snatch1570
beverage1577
a little something1577
anders-meat1598
four-hours1637
watering1637
refreshment1639
snap1642
luncheona1652
crib1652
prandicle1656
munchin1657
baita1661
unch1663
afternooning1678
whet1688
nacket1694
merenda1740
rinfresco1745
bagging?1746
snack1757
coffee1774
second breakfast1775
nummit1777
stay-stomach1800
damper1804
eleven o'clock1805
noonshine1808
by-bit1819
morning1819
four1823
four o'clock1825
lunch1829
stay-bit1833
picnic meal1839
elevens1849
Tommy1864
picnic tea1869
dinnerette1872
merienda1880
elevenses1887
light bite1887
soldier's supper1893
mug-up1902
tray1914
café complet1933
nosha1941
namkeen1942
snax1947
snackette1952
chaat1954
ploughman's lunch1957
munchie1959
playlunch1960
short-eat1962
lite bite1965
munchie1971
ploughman1975
aperitivo2002
1642 T. Fuller Holy State iii. xii. 181 It is one thing to laugh at them in transitu, a snap and away, and another to make a set meal in jeering them.
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. xi. 152 Henry Burton..rather took a snap then made a meal in any University.
1668 R. Steele Husbandmans Calling x. §4. 251 The Egyptian dogs do taste the waters of Nilus for fear of the Crocodiles, a snap and away.
1700 P. Motteux Don Quixote (1733) II. 55 The Curate's Provision..was but a Snap among so many, for they were all very hungry.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian v, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. III. 114 First taste a snap of right Hollands.
1858 ‘G. Eliot’ Janet's Repentance i, in Scenes Clerical Life II. 52 Two hearty meals that might have been mistaken for dinners, if he had not declared them to be ‘snaps’.
1883 W. S. Gresley Gloss. Terms Coal Mining 229 Snap,..food taken by a collier during his shift.
1913 D. H. Lawrence Sons & Lovers i. 25 She..put him out a clean scarf and snap-bag.
1913 D. H. Lawrence Sons & Lovers iv. 65 I went to put my coat on at snap-time.
1935 A. J. Cronin Stars look Down i. ix. 67 ‘Come on, ye old beggor, and have yer snap,’ Tom called out with his mouth full of bread and cheese.
1960 C. Day Lewis Buried Day vii. 131 The black-faced miners cycling home from work with their snap-tins bumping at their sides.
1980 Guardian 11 Nov. 8/3 At 10 o'clock the regular farm hands disappeared to the dutch barn for their ‘snap’.
5.
a. A sudden snatch or catch at something; a quick movement or effort. †to lie at (or upon the) snap, to lie in wait. †by snaps, fitfully, spasmodically.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > frequency > infrequency > [adverb] > intermittently
by (formerly also at) startsc1422
startmeal?c1422
off and on1535
every otherwhile1542
by, or in, snatches1577
by fits and turns1583
by halves and fits1583
one time with another1591
fit-meal1593
by fits and spurts1605
planetarily?1609
scatteredly1612
startinglya1616
by snaps1631
intermittingly1654
from space to space1658
on and off1668
at (by) intervals1744
cessantly1746
by spells1788
fitfully1792
by fits and spasms1797
everylikea1800
intermittently1800
intermittedly1829
interjectionally1837
jerkily1839
at seasons1850
sporadically1852
parenthetically1860
spasmodically1877
snatchily1880
variously1892
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make attack [verb (intransitive)] > lie in wait
siteOE
wait?c1225
aspya1250
awaita1250
keepc1275
to sit in wait(s)a1300
lurkc1300
bush1330
to lie at (the) waitc1440
to lie on waitc1440
to lie wait1445
lay one's wait1535
hugger1567
to lie at (on, upon the) lurch1578
couch1582
ambuscade1592
to lie (also stand, stay, etc.) perdu1624
to lie at (or upon the) snap1631
ambush1638
to hole up1912
the mind > possession > taking > seizing > [noun] > quickly or hurriedly
snatchinga1529
snatch1587
snap1631
snapping1860
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > [noun] > sudden > a sudden dart
startc1330
gird1545
whip1550
shoota1596
whippeta1603
snap1631
jet1647
flirt1666
whid1719
dart1721
spout1787
with a thrash1870
sprit1880
divea1897
1631 T. Powell Tom of All Trades 42 A Sea Soldier may now and than chaunce to haue a snapp at a bootie.
1648 H. Hexham Groot Woorden-boeck Een Luymer, one that Lies upon the Snap, or Leers what one saith.
c1660 Songs & Poems Costume (Percy Soc.) 152 With sugared words they lye at snap, But I'le be sure to watch 'um.
1702 R. L'Estrange tr. Josephus Answer to Apion ii, in Wks. 1048 Now Apollonius does not Carry on his Malice..in a Continu'd Set Discourse, but now and then by Snaps as the Humour takes him.
1755 S. Johnson Dict. Eng. Lang. Snap,..a catch; a theft.
1823 E. Moor Suffolk Words 370 Snap,..any sharp, quick, short motion.
1882 Jamieson's Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. (new ed.) Snap, a sudden..grip, or seizure of any kind.
b. Angling. One or other of different methods of fishing for pike (see quots.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing for type of fish > [noun] > for coarse fish > for pike
snap1651
trolling1653
troll1688
1651 T. Barker Art of Angling (1820) 23 There is a way to take a Pike, which is called the taking of a Pike by snap, for which angling you must have a pretty strong rod.
1651 T. Barker Art of Angling (1820) 28 That other fine trick, Which our Artists call Snap, with a Goose or a Duck.
1787 T. Best Conc. Treat. Angling (ed. 2) 45 Angling for the pike at the snap is to let him run a little, and then to strike him, the contrary way from whence he runs, with two strong jerks.
?1847 T. Brown Man. Mod. Farriery 902 At both troll and snap some persons have two or more swivels to their line.
c. in a snap, in a moment, immediately.So West Frisian yn ien snap, German in einem schnapp, Low German mit ên(em) snapp.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb]
soonc825
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
rekeneOE
rekenlyOE
thereright971
anonOE
forth ona1000
coflyc1000
ferlyc1000
radlyOE
swiftlyc1000
unyoreOE
yareOE
at the forme (also first) wordOE
nowOE
shortlya1050
rightOE
here-rightlOE
right anonlOE
anonc1175
forthrightc1175
forthwithalc1175
skeetc1175
swithc1175
with and withc1175
anon-rightc1225
anon-rights?c1225
belivec1225
lightly?c1225
quickly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
hastilyc1275
i-radlichec1275
as soon asc1290
aright1297
bedenea1300
in little wevea1300
withoute(n dwella1300
alrightc1300
as fast (as)c1300
at firstc1300
in placec1300
in the placec1300
mididonec1300
outrightc1300
prestc1300
streck13..
titec1300
without delayc1300
that stounds1303
rada1325
readya1325
apacec1325
albedenec1330
as (also also) titec1330
as blivec1330
as line rightc1330
as straight as linec1330
in anec1330
in presentc1330
newlyc1330
suddenlyc1330
titelyc1330
yernec1330
as soon1340
prestly1340
streckly1340
swithly?1370
evenlya1375
redelya1375
redlya1375
rifelya1375
yeplya1375
at one blastc1380
fresha1382
ripelyc1384
presentc1385
presently1385
without arrestc1385
readilyc1390
in the twinkling of a looka1393
derflya1400
forwhya1400
skeetlya1400
straighta1400
swifta1400
maintenantc1400
out of handc1400
wightc1400
at a startc1405
immediately1420
incontinent1425
there and then1428
onenec1429
forwithc1430
downright?a1439
agatec1440
at a tricec1440
right forth1440
withouten wonec1440
whipc1460
forthwith1461
undelayed1470
incessantly1472
at a momentc1475
right nowc1475
synec1475
incontinently1484
promptly1490
in the nonce?a1500
uncontinent1506
on (upon, in) the instant1509
in short1513
at a clap1519
by and by1526
straightway1526
at a twitch1528
at the first chop1528
maintenantly1528
on a tricea1529
with a tricec1530
at once1531
belively1532
straightwaysa1533
short days1533
undelayedly1534
fro hand1535
indelayedly1535
straight forth1536
betimesc1540
livelyc1540
upononc1540
suddenly1544
at one (or a) dash?1550
at (the) first dash?1550
instantly1552
forth of hand1564
upon the nines1568
on the nail1569
at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572
indilately1572
summarily1578
at one (a) chop1581
amain1587
straightwise1588
extempore1593
presto1598
upon the place1600
directly1604
instant1604
just now1606
with a siserary1607
promiscuously1609
at (in) one (an) instant1611
on (also upon) the momenta1616
at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617
hand to fist1634
fastisha1650
nextly1657
to rights1663
straightaway1663
slap1672
at first bolt1676
point-blank1679
in point1680
offhand1686
instanter1688
sonica1688
flush1701
like a thought1720
in a crack1725
momentary1725
bumbye1727
clacka1734
plumba1734
right away1734
momentarily1739
momentaneously1753
in a snap1768
right off1771
straight an end1778
abruptedly1784
in a whistle1784
slap-bang1785
bang?1795
right off the reel1798
in a whiff1800
in a flash1801
like a shot1809
momently1812
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
in a gird1825
(all) in a rush1829
in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830
straightly1830
toot sweetc1830
in two twos1838
rectly1843
quick-stick1844
short metre1848
right1849
at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854
off the hooks1860
quicksticks1860
straight off1873
bang off1886
away1887
in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890
ek dum1895
tout de suite1895
bung1899
one time1899
prompt1910
yesterday1911
in two ups1934
presto changeo1946
now-now1966
presto change1987
1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shepherdess 119 An' now the fead [= feud] is softn'd..The face o' things is alter'd in a snap.
1801 in Spirit of Public Jrnls. (1806) IX. 381 I'll put you to rights in a snap.
d. A card game, in which the call of ‘snap’ under certain conditions (esp. when two matching cards are exposed) gives to one player the right to take cards from another. Also attributive, as snap-card.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > children's or simple games > [noun]
snap snorum1622
beggar-my-neighbour1734
snip-snap-snorum1755
old maid1831
pounce commerce1847
muggins1855
happy families1861
author1863
snap1881
strip-jack-naked1881
spoof1884
animal grab1894
grab1900
donkey1920
1881 Cassell's Bk. Indoor Amusements 144 The game of Snap may either be played with the ordinary Whist cards or with special cards prepared for the purpose.
1890 J. D. Champlin & A. E. Bostwick Young Folks' Cycl. Games & Sports 659/1 Snap, a game played by any number of persons with 36 cards.
1903 Cassell's Bk. of In-door Amusem. 125 Snap..may be played either with the ordinary whist cards, or with a special pack manufactured for the purpose. [Description follows.]
1916 Notes & Queries 9 Sept. 210/1 Who designed the illustrations that appear on snap cards, and when did they first appear?
1966 J. Derrick Teaching Eng. to Immigrants v. 188 Much pre-reading apparatus can be used for this purpose, such as word-matching cards, snapcards, word lotto, and other sets of apparatus where identifying and matching single words is involved.
e. A temporary faro game.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > games of chance > games of chance played with cards > [noun] > faro > varieties of
snap1845
skin faro1871
stuss1894
1845 J. J. Hooper Some Adventures Capt. Simon Suggs x. 133 I'll never bet on two pair agin! They're peart at the snap game, theyselves; but they're badly lewed this hitch!
1864 W. B. Dick Amer. Hoyle 208 Snap, [in Faro] a temporary bank, not a regular or established game.
1938 H. Asbury Sucker's Progress 280 A few of the river gamesters ran Faro snaps when ashore in St. Louis, but most of them concentrated on Poker.
f. A U.S. party game in which one of the players chases another round a ring formed by the rest.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > parlour and party games > [noun] > other party or parlour games
drawing of glovesc1540
drawing gloves1599
substantives and adjectives1601
draw gloves1648
grinning-match1711
Move All1782
consequences1811
stagecoach1831
letters1845
Russian scandal1861
buzz1864
snap1865
slappy1868
apple-ducking1886
up Jenkins1889
piladex1895
telephone1910
hot potato1915
sardines1924
murder in the dark1930
pass the parcel1953
seven minutes in (also of) heaven1953
Chinese whispers1964
1865 B. L. Ridley Battles & Sketches Army Tennessee (1906) 481 Games [in Georgia] soon began—‘Thimble’, ‘Snap’, and kissing songs.
1930 Virginia Jrnl. Educ. Oct. 73 Social intercourse [in the mountains of Virginia] was very limited. Monthly religious meetings at widely scattered churches, occasional parties at which ‘Boston’, ‘Snap’ and ‘Shaker's Dance’ were played all night long.
1944 G. Wilson Passing Institutions 93 Our liveliest game was Snap, a game that used to seem very exciting but now somewhat resembles Drop the Handkerchief.
g. American Football and Canadian Football. = snap-back n. 1b.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > American football > [noun] > actions or manoeuvres
rush1857
punt-out1861
goal-kicking1871
safety1879
safety touchdown1879
scrimmage1880
rushing1882
safety touch1884
touchback1884
forward pass1890
run1890
blocking1891
signal1891
fake1893
onside kick1895
tandem-play1895
pass play1896
spiral1896
shift1901
end run1902
straight-arm1903
quarterback sneak1904
runback1905
roughing1906
Minnesota shift1910
quarterbacking1910
snap-back1910
pickoff1912
punt return1914
screen forward pass1915
screen pass1920
power play1921
sneak1921
passback1922
snap1922
defence1923
reverse1924
carry1927
lateral1927
stiff-arm1927
zone1927
zone defence1927
submarine charge1928
squib1929
block1931
pass rushing1933
safetying1933
trap play1933
end-around1934
straight-arming1934
trap1935
mousetrap1936
buttonhook1938
blitzing1940
hand-off1940
pitchout1946
slant1947
strike1947
draw play1948
shovel pass1948
bootleg1949
option1950
red dog1950
red-dogging1951
rollout1951
submarine1952
sleeper pass1954
draw1956
bomb1960
swing pass1960
pass rush1962
blitz1963
spearing1964
onsides kick1965
takeaway1967
quarterback sack1968
smash-mouth1968
veer1968
turn-over1969
bump-and-run1970
scramble1971
sack1972
nose tackle1975
nickel1979
pressure1981
1922 P. D. Haughton Football & how to watch It 30 Watch the offensive ends begin their mad rush downfield at the snap of the ball.
1947 Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch b7/7 From a single-wing formation to the right, Deuber, the tailback, took the snap and set sail wide around Virginia's left end.
1958 Edmonton (Alberta) Jrnl. 7 Aug. 7/2 London kicker Legg fumbled a snap on the third down.
1974 Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) 27 Oct. 2- c/3 Penn State.. converted a fumbled snap into the game's first score only three minutes into the first period.
6. A curt or sharp speech or manner of speaking; an angry dispute.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > irritability > [noun] > snappishness > snappish speech
knappishness1617
snap1648
society > society and the community > dissent > quarrel or quarrelling > [noun] > noisy or angry quarrel > instance of
ganglinga1387
altercation1410
brawla1500
heat1549
wranglea1555
brabble1566
paroxysm1578
wrangling1580
brangle1600
branglement1617
rixation1623
row1746
skimmington1753
mêlée1765
breeze1785
squeal1788
hash1789
rook1808
blow-up1809
blowout1825
scena1826
reerie1832
catfight1854
barney1855
wigs on the green1856
bull and cow1859
scrap1890
slanging match1896
snap1897
up-and-downer1927
brannigan1941
rhubarb1941
bitch fight1949
punch-up1958
shout-up1965
shouting match1970
1648 H. Hexham Groot Woorden-boeck Een Snap, a Snap, or a Taunt.
1745 M. Delany Autobiogr. & Corr. (1861) II. 395 The least disapprobation, or snap, from the person I wish to oblige.
1762 O. Goldsmith Citizen of World II. 41 The moment I ventured to speak, I was at once contradicted with a snap.
1859 Habits Good Society vii. 245 ‘Beg your pardon,’ answered Tibbs, with a sharp snap, which makes the words sound like ‘Don't be a fool!’
1897 W. Beatty Secretar 254 It was while I was watching this game..that we had a bit snap with one another.
7.
a. A brief and sudden spell of cold, winter, etc. Originally U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > cold weather > [noun] > cold spell
snap1740
cold snap1776
snap1829
cold wave1876
big chill1911
1740 T. Smith Jrnl. (1849) 268 We had..two or three snaps of cold weather, else constantly warm.
1776 T. Smith Jrnl. (1849) 279 A dismal cold snap of weather.
1885 H. C. McCook Tenants Old Farm 114 If there comes a snap of cold.
1899 Daily Tel. 31 Mar. 6/5 She felt the effects of the snap of winter last week.
b. A sharp and sudden frost; a short spell of cold weather. Chiefly in cold snap (very common in recent use).
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > cold weather > [noun] > cold spell
snap1740
cold snap1776
snap1829
cold wave1876
big chill1911
1829 P. Hawker Diary (1893) II. 9 A determined ‘black snap’... Harbour all ice.
1830 P. Hawker Diary (1893) II. 14 The tightest snap on record.
1848 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (at cited word) ‘A cold snap,’ i.e. a period of sudden cold weather.
1892 W. Pike Barren Ground N. Canada 237 The cold snap continued for several days.
8. Scotch, Scots snap: see the first element.
9.
a. = snapshot n. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > shooting > [noun] > a shot at game
snapshot1808
left1833
right and left1833
pot-shot1843
snap1851
body shot1857
left and right1886
pot1986
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > [noun] > a shot > type of shot
hail-shot1569
random shot1598
long shot1767
snapshot1808
point-blanker1824
pot-shot1843
snap1851
hip shot1874
pop shot1880
sighter1897
pot1914
over1915
short1922
snipe1969
1851 G. H. Kingsley in Fraser's Mag. Aug. 144/1 Before I had recovered my senses sufficiently to take a desperate snap at him.
1860 W. H. Russell My Diary in India I. xxi. 346 Fellows took snaps at us from balconies, from doors on the roofs of houses.
b. = snapshot n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > photography > a photograph > [noun] > by method of photographing
melainotype1856
pistolgram1860
shot1867
snapshot1890
snap1894
telephotograph1894
Kodak1895
kite-photograph1897
close-up1913
vortograph1917
trick shot1924
Photomaton1927
rayograph1933
filter shot1937
flash1945
streak photograph1950
satellite picture1954
telephoto1960
digital photograph1962
xograph1974
digital photo1986
1894 Amer. Ann. Photogr. 251 The exposures were mostly ‘snaps’.
1899 St. George's Hosp. Gaz. VII. 91 An extremely pretty set of Kodak ‘snaps’ are contributed by Mr. Peck.
1950 National Geographic Mag. Apr. 514/1 We..eventually secured a few satisfactory snaps of the ordinary garden variety of jump.
1977 Time (Atlantic ed.) 26 Sept. 31/2 They even had a prospectus put together for publishers and included some sample snaps.
10. Wrestling. A throw made when the hold of one of the wrestlers on the other is broken.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > wrestling > [noun] > manoeuvres
swengOE
turn?c1225
castc1400
trip1412
fall?a1425
foil1553
collar1581
lock1598
faulx1602
fore-hip1602
forward1602
inturn1602
mare1602
hug1617
disembracement1663
buttock1688
throw1698
back-lock1713
cross-buttock1713
flying horse1713
in holds1713
buttocker1823
chip1823
dogfall1823
cross-buttocker1827
hitch1834
bear hug1837
backfall1838
stop1840
armlock1841
side hug1842
click1846
catch-hold1849
back-breaker1867
back-click1867
snap1868
hank1870
nelson1873
headlock1876
chokehold1886
stranglehold1886
hip lock1888
heave1889
strangle1890
pinfall1894
strangler's grip1895
underhold1895
hammer-lock1897
scissor hold1897
body slam1899
scissors hold1899
armbar1901
body scissors1903
scissors grip1904
waist-hold1904
neck hold1905
scissors1909
hipe1914
oshi1940
oshi-dashi1940
oshi-taoshi1940
pindown1948
lift1958
whip1958
Boston crab1961
grapevine1968
powerbomb1990
1868 J. Robinson & S. Gilpin Wrestling 57 The stewards were inclined to bring the fall in a ‘snap’, but the vanquished man very honourably declared himself to be fairly thrown.
11.
a. Alertness, energy, vigour, ‘go’. Originally U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [noun]
greennesseOE
lustinessc1325
forcea1375
vigourc1386
virrc1575
vigour1602
nerve1605
vivacity1649
vis1650
actuosity1660
amenity1661
vogue1674
energy1783
smeddum1790
dash1796
throughput1808
feck1811
go1825
steam1826
jism1842
vim1843
animalism1848
fizz1856
jasm1860
verve1863
snap1865
sawdusta1873
élan1880
stingo1885
energeticism1891
sprawl1894
zip1899
pep1908
jazz1912
zoom1926
toe1963
zap1968
stank1997
1865 Harper's Mag. Jan. 145/2 [They were] good enough people in their way, but had no snap about them. She liked people with snap.
1872 H. W. Beecher Pop. Lect. Preaching x. 185 I like to see a man who has got snap in every part of him.
1885 Harper's Mag. Jan. 286/1 There are few..factories which have not ‘snap’ enough to make a..pair of samples at half a day's notice.
1894 A. Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes 60 A young, pushing man with plenty of snap about him.
b. transferred. Of writings, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > vigour or force > [noun]
eloquence1382
elocution1509
gravity?1520
pith?1531
vigour1532
emphasy1548
energy?1549
emphasisa1555
pithiness1557
abruptness1591
emphaticalness1647
nervousness1727
cogency1750
forcibility1771
cogence1782
verve1803
forcefulness1825
force1842
snap1870
full-bloodedness1894
punch1901
compulsiveness1918
punchiness1938
1870 ‘M. Twain’ Lett. to Publishers (1967) 49 I should write the book as if I went through all these adventures myself—this in order to give it snap and freshness.
1885 G. S. Merriam Life & Times S. Bowles II. 375 The vigorous vernacular, the pithy phrase of the Yankee farmer, gave zest and snap to many a paragraph.
1896 Peterson's Mag. Jan. 111/1 A delightful little tale, full of romance, snap, and brightness.
II. Senses relating to deception.† 12. † b. A sharper or swindler; a sly or treacherous fellow. Obsolete.Frequently in 17th cent. in cunning or subtle snap.
a. Thieves' Cant. = cloyer n.2 1. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > thief > receiver of stolen goods > [noun] > and controller of young thieves
snap1591
cloyer1602
Fagin1839
1591 R. Greene Notable Discouery of Coosenage To Rdr. sig. B4 When the Foist, the picke-pockets (sir reuerence I meane) is cros-bitten by the Snappe, and so smoakt for his purchase.
1591 R. Greene Notable Discouery of Coosenage f. 8v The Cutte purse, a Nippe. He that is halfe with him, the Snappe.
1611 T. Middleton & T. Dekker Roaring Girle sig. Lv Then there's a cloyer, or snap, that dogges any new brother in that trade, and snappes will haue halfe in any booty.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > thief > defrauder or swindler > [noun]
feature14..
frauderc1475
prowler1519
lurcher1528
defrauder1552
frauditor1553
taker-upc1555
verserc1555
fogger1564
Jack-in-the-box1570
gilenyer1590
foist1591
rutter1591
crossbiter1592
sharker1594
shark1600
bat-fowler1602
cheater1606
foister1610
operator1611
fraudsman1613
projector1615
smoke-sellera1618
decoy1618
firkera1626
scandaroon1631
snapa1640
cunning shaver1652
knight of industrya1658
chouse1658
cheat1664
sharper1681
jockey1683
rooker1683
fool-finder1685
rookster1697
sheep-shearer1699
bubbler1720
gyp1728
bite1742
swindler1770
pigeon1780
mace1781
gouger1790
needle1790
fly-by-night1796
sharp1797
skinner1797
diddler1803
mace cove1811
mace-gloak1819
macer1819
flat-catcher1821
moonlight wanderer1823
burner1838
Peter Funk1840
Funk1842
pigeoner1849
maceman1850
bester1856
fiddler1857
highway robber1874
bunco-steerer1875
swizzler1876
forty1879
flim-flammer1881
chouser1883
take-down1888
highbinder1890
fraud1895
Sam Slick1897
grafter1899
come-on1905
verneuker1905
gypster1917
chiseller1918
tweedler1925
rorter1926
gazumper1932
chizzer1935
sharpie1942
sharpster1942
slick1959
slickster1965
rip-off artist1968
shonky1970
rip-off merchant1971
a1640 J. Fletcher & P. Massinger Spanish Curat ii. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. E3v/2 Take heed of a Snap (Sir) has a cozening countenance, I doe not like his way.
a1652 A. Wilson Hist. Great Brit. (1653) 288 Butler being a subtle Snap, wrought so with his Companion..that he got the possession of it.
1680 R. L'Estrange tr. Erasmus 20 Select Colloquies xiii. 195 There were a great many Cunning Snaps that had the Plot in the Wind.
c. Applied to persons in somewhat slighting use, but without implication of bad qualities.
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > person > [noun]
hadc900
lifesmaneOE
maneOE
world-maneOE
ghostOE
wyeOE
lifeOE
son of manOE
wightc1175
soulc1180
earthmanc1225
foodc1225
person?c1225
creaturec1300
bodyc1325
beera1382
poppetc1390
flippera1400
wat1399
corsec1400
mortal?a1425
deadly?c1450
hec1450
personagec1485
wretcha1500
human1509
mundane1509
member1525
worma1556
homo1561
piece of flesh1567
sconce1567
squirrel?1567
fellow creature1572
Adamite1581
bloat herringa1586
earthling1593
mother's child1594
stuff1598
a piece of flesh1600
wagtail1607
bosom1608
fragment1609
boots1623
tick1631
worthy1649
earthlies1651
snap1653
pippin1665
being1666
personal1678
personality1678
sooterkin1680
party1686
worldling1687
human being1694
water-wagtail1694
noddle1705
human subject1712
piece of work1713
somebody1724
terrestrial1726
anybody1733
individual1742
character1773
cuss1775
jig1781
thingy1787
bod1788
curse1790
his nabs1790
article1796
Earthite1814
critter1815
potato1815
personeityc1816
nibs1821
somebody1826
tellurian1828
case1832
tangata1840
prawn1845
nigger1848
nut1856
Snooks1860
mug1865
outfit1867
to deliver the goods1870
hairpin1879
baby1880
possum1894
hot tamale1895
babe1900
jobbie1902
virile1903
cup of tea1908
skin1914
pisser1918
number1919
job1927
apple1928
mush1936
face1944
jong1956
naked ape1965
oke1970
punter1975
1653 G. Wharton Disc. Comets in Wks. (1683) 141 Why do I discourage the poor Snap?
1671 S. Skinner & T. Henshaw Etymologicon Linguæ Anglicanæ A merry Snap,..alacer, lepidus, agilis.
1676 W. Wycherley Plain-dealer ii. i Come, lady, pray snap up this young snap at first.
1703 R. Thoresby Let. 27 Apr. in J. Ray Corr. (1848) 427 Snap, a lad or servant, now mostly used ludicrously.
d. dialect (See quot. 1896 and snap-dog n. at snap- comb. form 1a.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Canidae > hound > [noun] > greyhound > kinds of or used for specific purpose
side lay1575
wolf-greyhound1825
Newmarket greyhound1856
harlequin greyhound1883
snap1896
dog1898
nap1926
1896 W. W. Skeat & T. Hallam Pegge's Two Coll. Derbicisms 123 Snap, a mongril greyhound with a short tail, excellent at snapping, or jumping on a hare.
e. U.S. A trick, deception, trap; also in to give the snap away.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > snare, trap, entanglement > [noun]
neteOE
angleOE
grinc1000
trapc1175
caltropa1300
lacec1330
girnc1375
espyc1380
webc1400
hook1430
settingc1430
lure1463
stall?a1500
stalea1529
toil1548
intrap1550
hose-net1554
gudgeon1577
mousetrap1577
trapfall1596
ensnarementa1617
decoy1655
cobweba1657
trepan1665
snap1844
deadfall1860
Judas1907
tanglefoot1908
catch-221963
trip-wire1971
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > snare, trap, entanglement > set a trap [verb (intransitive)]
lurea1591
to lie at catch or upon the catch1611
to draw the badger1817
springe1895
to give the snap away1900
1844 Lexington (Kentucky) Observer 18 Sept. 3/1 Mr Van Buren..with his characteristic politeness declined to be caught in any such snap.
1885 Weekly New Mexican Rev. 2 July 4/3 He was roped into this snap by Chicago sharpers.
1900 Congress. Rec. 15 Feb. 1850/2 Ex-Senator Vilas gave the snap away when he said [etc.].
1919 E. Hough Sagebrusher 501 If that girl's not blind she'll get out and give this snap away.
III. Something that operates with a snapping motion, and related uses.
13. † a. (See quot. 1611) Obsolete. rare.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.attributive.1869 E. J. Reed Shipbuilding xvii. 329 The snap-point is sometimes formed on snap-headed rivets, and nearly always so in machine riveting.1874 S. J. P. Thearle Naval Archit. (new ed.) I. 127 This snap tool consists of a hollow cup of steel welded to a punch head for striking upon.1889 J. J. Welch Text Bk. Naval Archit. iv. 75 ‘Snap punch’—a tool provided with a hemispherical hollow at one end.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > dentistry > [noun] > instruments for extracting teeth
tooth-iron1483
pelican1598
tooth-drawer1598
dog1611
snap1611
plychon1688
pullikins1688
screw pelican1688
tooth-wrest1706
pounce1742
key instrument1762
key1774
punch1826
tooth-key1827
tooth-forceps1844
turnkey1855
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Pelican,..a Snap, or Dog; the toole wherewith Barbers pull out teeth.
b. A pistol.Apparently an isolated use.
ΚΠ
1775 R. B. Sheridan Rivals iv. i For your curst sharps and snaps, I never knew any good come of 'em.
c. A snap-hook.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > hook > [noun] > hooks fastened together
snap-hook1688
snapper1688
springer1688
jigger1815
snap1839
dree-draw1850
stroke-haul1850
triangle1867
gang1879
black doctor1883
murderer1883
trap-hook1883
treble hook1895
treble1897
1839 Salter in T. C. Hofland Brit. Angler's Man. v. 125 This snap-hook is a double hook, or two single hooks, No. 6, tied back to back, on gimp; to bait this snap, use the baiting-needle.
1856 ‘Stonehenge’ Man. Brit. Rural Sports i. v. iii. 256 The plain snap is made in several ways, as follows.
d. A device or implement used for rounding the head of a rivet.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > driving or beating tools > [noun] > tool for driving in rivets > for shaping head
dolly1848
snap1869
snap head1875
1869 W. J. M. Rankine Cycl. Machine & Hand-tools Pl.P. 14 The snap, c, has a conical projection at the end, which fits exactly into a corresponding recess in the die.
1889 P. N. Hasluck Model Engineer's Handybk. 124 Rivet with a small hammer, and, for appearance sake, finish with a snap.
1890 W. J. Gordon Foundry 48 The rivet was inserted from the inside, and held in position by the holder, and the snap outside.
e. In miscellaneous uses (see quots.).
ΚΠ
1875 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. 2229/1 Snap,..an implement used in making glassware.
1883 W. S. Gresley Gloss. Terms Coal Mining 229 Snaps, a haulage clip.
1888 S. O. Addy Gloss. Words Sheffield 225 Snaps, a horizontal vice.
1888 W. E. Nicholson Gloss. Terms Coal Trade Snap, a small flat pointed pick, used on the screens.
1976 Eastern Daily Press (Norwich) 16 Dec. 13/4 The friction strips which make the bang are known as ‘snaps’ in the industry.
1980 Daily Tel. 25 Nov. 15/5 Those who felt inspired to make their own crackers..may have encountered some difficulty in finding the vital bangers, called snaps in the trade.
14. † a. An ear-ring, fastened with a spring-catch. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > jewellery > jewellery worn on the ear > [noun]
earringOE
earlet1610
ear-bob1648
top1703
rose drop1707
ear-drop1720
snap1748
ear hoop1779
ear stud1817
ear-plug1820
girandole1825
stud1831
stud earring1873
ear-piercing1896
sleeper1896
pierced earring1914
earclip1940
keeper1960
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa III. vi. 54 A pair of diamond snaps in her ears.
b. A spring-catch, clasp, or fastening, or one closing with a snapping or clicking sound.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > fastenings > [noun] > catch
catch1398
clicket1487
snaphance1603
catch hook1695
snapc1815
catch lock1836
bulldog1908
c1815 Houlston's Juvenile Tracts, Cork Jacket 4 She took off her spectacles, and put them carefully into an old fish skin case with a snap to it.
1859 Habits Good Society iv. 179 Rows of pearls, confined by a diamond snap, are beautiful in every [evening] dress.
1903 F. J. Garrard Watch Repairing 156 Bottoms and bezels are sometimes jointed to the case band, and sometimes are loose, being merely snapped tight. These circular snaps, as they are called, are much more dust tight than a joint can be.
c. plural. Hand-cuffs. slang.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > binding or fettering > [noun] > bond(s) or fetter(s) or shackle(s) > for the hands or arms
copsa700
manaclec1350
handlock1532
hand-bolt1563
handcuff1649
cuff1663
Darbies1673
glim-fenders1699
government securities1707
pinion1736
ruffles1776
bracelet1817
nippers1821
handicuff1825
shangy1839
snitchers1864
come-along1874
shackle-irons1876
mitten1880
wristlet1881
snaps1891
snips1891
stringers1893
twister1910
1891 Let. from Correspondent ‘Snips’ at Sheffield are a kind of light handcuff. A friend at Sheffield tells me that they are there called ‘snaps’.
1895 J. Caminada 25 Years Detective Life 49 I put the ‘snaps’ on ‘Pudding’, and conveyed him..to Livesey Street police station.
1910 Encycl. Brit. X. 296/1 Several recently invented appliances are used as handcuffs, e.g. snaps, nippers, twisters. They differ from handcuffs in being intended for one wrist only... The nippers can be instantly fastened on the wrist.
1958 M. Procter Man in Ambush x. 119 We got the snaps on him and locked him up.
1967 M. Procter Exercise Hoodwink xxv. 178 Sergeant, we'd better have the snaps on these three.
d. U.S. A press-stud or snap-fastener. Usually plural.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > fastenings > [noun] > snapfastening
snap-fastener1895
press stud1903
popper1959
snap1964
1964 McCall's Sewing in Colour xii. 221/1 Snaps are used to hold fabrics together where there is little strain on the garment. They give a neat flat closure.
1968 J. Updike Couples (1970) ii. 160 Frank's delicate hand uncoupled her bra snaps.
1977 New Yorker 27 June 72/3 The [pillow]slip is homemade, with snaps at one end.
IV. A sharp sound; an act of snapping, and related uses.
15.
a.
(a) A quick, sharp sound or report.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sharp or hard sound > [noun] > crack or snap
crackingc1290
cracka1400
crickling1584
crick-crack1600
snap1611
snapping1812
crickle1914
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Niquet,..a knicke, clicke, snap with the teeth, or fingers.
1688 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. sig. Qqq3/2 It gave such a snap, that it made me startle, cela fit un si grand bruit, que j'en tremblai de peur.
c1710 C. Fiennes Diary (1888) 153 Set the Coales together with some fire and it shall give a snap and burn up light.
1769 B. Franklin Exper. & Observ. Electr. (new ed.) 480 In our small experiments we call this light and sound the electric spark and snap.
1825 W. Scott Talisman iv, in Tales Crusaders III. 104 A spring bolt..the snap of which resounded through the chapel.
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. I. xii. 136 With a crack like the snap of a gigantic whip, the ice opened.
1880 C. E. L. Riddell Myst. Palace Gardens xxx Edwina shut the book with a snap.
(b) snap, crackle, (and) pop, an advertiser's catchphrase representing the lively sound produced by a brand of breakfast cereal when milk is added; used allusively and in transferred senses for breakfast cereal or for vigour or energetic behaviour.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > grain dishes > [noun] > breakfast cereals
granola1886
cornflakes1890
cereal1899
shredded wheat1899
wheatflakes1903
Post Toasties1908
Wheaties1925
Rice Krispies1928
Pablum1932
Weetabix1936
muesli1939
flakes1951
snap, crackle, pop1954
sugar puff1957
granola1970
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > repeated sound or succession of sounds > [noun] > crackling
crackling1599
crickle-crackle1637
crepitation1656
decrepitation1669
crinkling1823
crackle1833
crinkle1859
snap, crackle, pop1954
1954 Daily Mail 15 Dec. 2/1 (advt.) With their fascinating ‘Snap! Crackle! Pop!’ as the milk's poured on, Rice Krispies really do seem to be talking.
1959 Times Lit. Suppl. 27 Mar. 179/4 In the 1950s the whole of America, Canada, Australia, England and parts of Europe are eating cereals for breakfast—snap, crackle, pop.
1960 Guardian 17 Mar. 9/2 Marples..always acting with that zestful snap, crackle, pop that entertains as much as it nourishes.
1962 ‘R. Gordon’ Doctor in Swim xi. 66 Now the poor fellow was as jumpy as a plate of snap-crackle-pop when you pour the milk on.
1962 F. Williams Amer. Invasion ii. 20 With every snap, crackle and pop on the breakfast table the American accent carries farther.
1963 Trade Marks Jrnl. 1 June 730/2 Snap Crackle Pop. 851,181. Cereal preparations made of rice for food for human consumption. Kellogg Company of Great Britain Limited..Manchester, 3rd July 1963.
1965 Times Lit. Suppl. 22 Apr. 315/5 When due allowance has been made for the chapter's snap crackle pop style.
1977 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 28 Apr. 11/4 But the few paragraphs of real information are hard to find in the snap, crackle, and pop of gossip and insult.
1979 P. Levi Head in Soup vii. 128 Snap, crackle, pop. The telephone went dead.
b. In negative phrases denoting complete disregard or indifference.
ΚΠ
1833 S. Smith Life & Writings Major Jack Downing 140 I don't care a snap for her or all old White's cattle.
a1852 F. M. Whitcher Widow Bedott Papers (1856) xxii. 232 If you don't care a snap for him, what makes you go with him to lecters, and concerts, and sleigh rides?
1859 F. W. Farrar Julian Home ii. 19 Should you care the snap of a finger for the opinion or the acquaintance of a man [etc.]?
1877 C. H. Spurgeon Serm. XXIII. 60 Never caring a snap of the fingers whether it offended or whether it pleased.
1897 G. A. Henty On Irrawaddy 338 I don't care a snap for the titles.
16. The act of snapping or breaking suddenly; a break or fracture.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > breaking or cracking > [noun] > a crack or breach
chinec888
bruche?a1300
crevice1382
scar1390
scorec1400
rimea1425
riftc1425
riving1440
creekc1480
brack1524
rive1527
bruise1530
crack1530
chink1545
chap1553
riff1577
chop1578
chinker1581
coane1584
fraction1587
cranice1603
slifter1607
fracture1641
shake1651
snap1891
1755 S. Johnson Dict. Eng. Lang. Snap, the act of breaking with a quick motion.
1828 N. Webster Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Snap, a sudden breaking or rupture of any substance.
1891 C. Roberts Adrift in Amer. 73 In the majority of cases the snap is so clean that a green hand would most likely pass it by.
17.
a. Scottish and northern dialect. A small, usually round, cake or biscuit of crisp gingerbread; a ginger-snap.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > biscuit > [noun] > other biscuits
dorcake14..
cracknelc1440
hard breada1500
crackling1598
Naples biscuit1650
gingerbread man1686
chocolate biscuit1702
biscotin1723
sponge biscuit1736
maple biscuita1753
butter biscuit1758
nut1775
Oliver biscuit1786
funeral biscuit1790
rock biscuit?1790
ratafia1801
finger biscuit1812
Savoy drop1816
lady's finger1818
snap1819
Abernethy1830
pretzel1831
wine-biscuit1834
gingersnap1838
captain's biscuit1843
lebkuchen1847
simnel1854
sugar cookie1854
peppernut1862
McClellan pie1863
Savoy ring1866
Brown George1867
beaten biscuit1876
digestive1876
Osborne1876
Bath Oliver1878
marie1878
boer biscuit1882
charcoal biscuit1885
biscotti1886
fairing1888
snickerdoodle1889
pfeffernuss1891
zwieback1894
Nice1895
Garibaldi biscuit1896
Oswegoc1900
squashed fly1900
amaretto1905
boerebeskuit1905
Romary1905
petit beurre1906
Oswego biscuit1907
soetkoekie1910
Oreo1912
custard cream1916
Anzac1923
sweet biscuit1929
langue de chat1931
Bourbon biscuit1932
Afghan1934
flapjack1935
Florentine1936
chocolate chip cookie1938
choc chip cookie1940
Toll House cookie1940
tuile1943
pizzelle1949
black and white1967
Romany Cream1970
papri1978
1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor xi, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. I. 314 She will gi'e ye a ginge-bread snap for your pains.
1852 T. Carlyle Let. 19 Sept. in J. A. Froude T. Carlyle: Life in London (1884) II. xx. 110 The main panes round, and about the size of a biggish snap.
1855 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Yorks. Words 161 Snaps, thin round gingerbread cakes for children.
b. attributive, as snap-machine, snap-wife, snap-woman.
ΚΠ
1831 R. Shennan Tales, Songs, & Misc. Poems 42 The auctioneers and snap-wives too, Had staid to try what they could do.
1871 Carlyle in Mrs. Carlyle Lett. I. 110 Beggars, ballad-singers, snap-women, &c.
a1884 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Suppl. 826/1 Snap Machine, a machine for cutting a blanket of dough into snaps.
18. U.S. (See quots.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > fruit and vegetables > vegetables > pulse > [noun] > bean > kidney beans
kidney bean1548
fasels1562
frijoles1568
Welsh bean1585
longbean1587
haricot1653
string-bean1759
snapc1770
butter bean1820
snap-bean1870
flageolet1877
sieva1888
pinto bean1913
pinto1918
borlotti1932
soldier bean1968
c1770 J. Randolph Treat. Gardening in Gardiner & Hepburn Amer. Gardener (1818) 275 French beans and snaps are the same.
1842 C. M. Kirkland Forest Life II. xli. 232 ‘Snaps’ are young green beans.
1848 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms Snaps, young kidney-beans in the pod.
1872 M. S. De Vere Americanisms 410 Such are the beans, known in England as Kidney-beans or French-beans, while here they are called String-beans..or Snaps, and occasionally Snap-beans.
Draft additions September 2013
d. Journalism slang. A brief news report, usually as a preliminary to a fuller report; a newsflash. Cf. flash n.2 1d.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > broadcasting > a broadcast programme or item > [noun] > types of
news bulletin1857
news summary1875
police message1886
newsflash1904
headline1908
play-by-play1909
feature1913
spot ad1916
magazine1921
news1923
time signal1923
outside broadcast1924
radiocast1924
amateur hour1925
bulletin1925
serial1926
commentary1927
rebroadcast1927
school broadcast1927
feature programme1928
trailer1928
hour1930
schools broadcast1930
show1930
spot advertisement1930
spot announcement1930
sustaining1931
flash1934
newscast1934
commercial1935
clambake1937
remote1937
repeat1937
snap1937
soap opera1939
sportcast1939
spot commercial1939
daytimer1940
magazine programme1941
season1942
soap1943
soaper1946
parade1947
public service announcement1948
simulcasting1949
breakfast-time television1952
call-in1952
talkathon1952
game show1953
kidvid1955
roundup1958
telenovela1961
opt-out1962
miniseries1963
simulcast1964
soapie1964
party political1966
novela1968
phone-in1968
sudser1968
schools programme1971
talk-in1971
God slot1972
roadshow1973
trail1973
drama-doc1977
informercial1980
infotainment1980
infomercial1981
kideo1983
talk-back1984
indie1988
omnibus1988
teleserye2000
kidult-
1937 M. Weatherall & R. Weatherall tr. K. Capek War with Newts i. vii. 98 That will be a swell snap for the papers.
1978 L. Heren Growing up on The Times vii. 252 Valentine found a telephone.., dictated a couple of snaps, and then..removed a microphone from the phone thus making it useless for the opposition.
1986 Times 23 Oct. 16 At 7.31 on the night of Friday January 24 this year, the Press Association..put out a ‘snap’ which said that the print unions of all four newspapers owned by News International had walked out.
2009 P. Chantler & P. Stewart Essent. Radio Journalism viii. 153 Keep snaps short, only run them when news is really ‘hot’, and try not to break a story within a few minutes of the bulletin unless it is top priority.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
snapadj.
/snap/, U.S. /snæp/, Scottish English /snap/ Scottish.
Quick; smart; sharp. Jamieson's Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. (1882) also gives: ‘short-tempered, surly’; ‘brittle, short-grained, crisp’; these senses may be derived from snap v.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > [adjective]
sharpc888
yepec1000
spacka1200
yare-witelc1275
fellc1300
yap13..
seeinga1382
far-castinga1387
sightya1400
perceivinga1425
snellc1425
politic?a1439
quickc1449
pregnant?a1475
pert1484
quick-wittedc1525
apt1535
intelligentc1540
queemc1540
ready-witted1576
political1577
of (a) great, deep, etc., reach1579
conceited1583
perspicuous1584
sharp-witteda1586
shrewd1589
inseeing1590
conceived1596
acute1598
pregnate1598
agile1599
nimble-headed1601
insighted1602
nimble1604
nimble-witted1604
penetrant1605
penetrating1606
spraga1616
acuminous1619
discoursing1625
smart1639
penetrativea1641
sagacious1650
nasute1653
acuminate1654
blunt-sharpa1661
long-headed1665
smoky1688
rapid1693
keen1704
gash1706
snack1710
cute1731
mobile1778
wide awake1785
acuminated1786
quick-minded1789
kicky1790
snap1790
downy1803
snacky1806
unbaffleable1827
varmint1829
needle-sharp1836
nimble-brained1836
incisivea1850
spry1849
fast1850
snappy1871
hard-boiled1884
on the spot1903
1790 A. Shirrefs Poems 352 She is a lass fu' snap To grant her patronage.
a1796 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 192 Nae snap conceits, but that sweet spell O' witchin' love.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
snapv.
/snap/, U.S. /snæp/ I. To snatch at, utter sharply, and related uses.† 4. † b. To pounce upon a person or thing. rare.
1. figurative.1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iii. ii. 322 If the yong Dase be a baite for the old Pike, I see no reason..but I may snap at him. View more context for this quotationfigurative.1589 ‘Pasquill of England’ Returne of Pasquill sig. Ciij The Preachers of the faction..begin to snappe and to turne.1782 F. Burney Cecilia V. ix. iv. 51 Never mind, my chick,..more to be had; if one won't snap, another will.1884 Kendal Mercury 3 Oct. 5/2 All the newspapers abroad have been set a-barking and snapping, big dogs and little dogs alike.
a. intransitive. Of animals: to make a quick or sudden bite at something; to feed on in this way.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by eating habits > [verb (transitive)] > snap at
snap1530
the world > animals > by habits or actions > habits and actions > [verb (transitive)] > snap at or bite
gnasp1530
snap1530
savage1838
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 723/2 I snappe at a thyng to catche it with my tethe.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 723/2 His horse snapped at myne arme.
c1592 C. Marlowe Jew of Malta v. ii Like the Asse..That labours with a load of bread and wine, And leaues it off to snap on Thistle tops.
1648 T. Winyard Midsummer-moone 2 This makes the mad bandog snap at all hee meets.
1655 W. Gouge & T. Gouge Learned Comm. Hebrewes (iii. 13) i. 373 Fair baits, whereby dangerous hooks are covered over to entice silly fish to snap at them.
1710 J. Addison Tatler No. 120. ⁋3 A little Lap-Dog, that barked and snapped at every one.
1832 W. Irving Alhambra II. 261 The seven dogs..snapping at the heels of the terrified friar.
1875 W. S. Hayward Love against World 14 The fox turns and snaps viciously at his relentless pursuer.
b. Without const.
ΚΠ
1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde f. 207 The hounde..approcheth so neare hym snappynge and grynnynge.
1633 P. Fletcher Purple Island xi. xxv. 152 A gentle greyhound set around With little curres, which dare his way molest, Snapping behinde.
1692 R. L'Estrange Fables cclxxxv. 249 It is the Nature of..Mungril Curs, to Bawl, Snarle, and Snap.
1858 O. W. Holmes Autocrat of Breakfast-table viii Settle snapping-turtles snap..before they are out of the egg-shell.
2.
a. To utter sharp, tart, or cutting words or remarks; to speak or reply irritably or abruptly. Usually with at.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > criticism > criticize [verb (intransitive)] > severely
quip1542
snap1579
quib1580
to lash out1884
slam1884
to rip into——1907
to lace into1908
to light into ——1922
to give (make, have, etc.) grief1974
excoriate1985
the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > irritability > be irritable [verb (intransitive)] > speak snappishly
snap1579
1579 L. Tomson tr. J. Calvin Serm. Epist. S. Paule to Timothie & Titus 1002/1 By this word, he snappeth at them which haue their eyes so dazeled with these flitting thinges.
1635 E. Pagitt Christianographie To Rdr. Let him confute the maine plot..and not snap and cavil onely at some particulars in it.
1666 A. Wood Life & Times (1892) II. 89 Dr. Fell..snapt up and told me ‘I should pay, because I had not cubile in the college.’
1693 A. Wood Life (1892) II. 13 July He would not suffer him to speak for snapping and snarling.
1786 S. Henley tr. W. Beckford Arabian Tale 120 He was afraid of being snapped at by Shaban his tutor.
1825 E. Hewlett Cottage Comforts xii. 193 They humour the child till they are out of patience with him, and then snap at him.
1866 A. Trollope Belton Estate III. ii. 41 Every now and then speaking a word, and restraining himself from snapping at his rival.
b. transitive. To utter (words) in an angry, sharp, or peevish manner or tone.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > irritability > be irritable [verb (transitive)] > utter snappishly
snap1675
snap1888
1675 Duke of Buckingham Rehearsal (ed. 3) i. 6 Whereupon I presently snapt this upon her; Non, non, Madam [etc.].
1852 R. S. Surtees Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour x. liv. 313 ‘You can't know all about it!’ snapped Mr. Sponge.
1884 R. Browning Family 36 The next in age snapped petulant: ‘Too rash!’
1897 ‘O. Rhoscomyl’ For White Rose Arno (U.K. ed.) xxviii. 298 He tore into the long reaches behind, panting and snapping curses.
c. Similarly with out.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > irritability > be irritable [verb (transitive)] > utter snappishly
snap1675
snap1888
1888 F. Hume Madame Midas i. ii. 26 Slivers was just going to snap out a refusal.
1902 R. Bagot Donna Diana viii. 99 She snapped it out, however—the plain, vulgar word porco.
3. † a. Thieves' cant. To go shares with a thief or sharper. Cf. snap n. 2. Obsolete.† d. Scottish. To attempt to do something. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > distributing or dealing out > distribute or deal out [verb (intransitive)] > divide and share > with a thief or sharper
snap1611
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > receiving or possessing stolen goods > receive or possess stolen goods [verb (intransitive)] > receive or possess share of
snap1611
1611 T. Middleton & T. Dekker Roaring Girle sig. Lv Then there's a cloyer, or snap, that dogges any new brother in that trade, and snappes will haue halfe in any booty.
1612 N. Field Woman a Weather-cocke iv. ii Thou snapp'st besides with cheats and cutpurses.
b. To snatch, to make a quick or eager catch, at a thing. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > seizing > seize [verb (transitive)] > quickly or hurriedly
nipa1500
snatch1530
snap1550
snatch1555
snatch1563
snip1577
sneck1608
snapa1639
snap1673
snaffle1895
the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold [verb (transitive)] > lay hold of or grasp > grasp at or clutch at
snatch1530
reach1542
to catch at ——1578
snap1673
to grasp at1677
clutch1834
grabble1837
seize1848
grab1852
1673 J. Dryden Marriage a-la-Mode i. i. 7 A man, in these hard times, snaps at 'em, as he does at Broad-gold.
1691 A. Wood Athenæ Oxonienses I. 313 Such..are apt to snap at anything to please themselves.
1741 tr. Marquis d'Argens Chinese Lett. vi. 34 They delay to take a Revenge,..and when they find an Opportunity, they snap at it greedily.
1778 F. Burney Jrnl. 2 Aug. in Early Jrnls. & Lett. (1994) III. 65 Any Bookseller will snap at what you write.
1827 W. Scott Jrnl. 10 July (1941) 74 His resignation was eagerly snapd at.
1898 K. S. Ranjitsinhji With Stoddart's Team (ed. 3) x. 198 Storer in his eagerness snapped at the ball which otherwise would have landed safely into short slip's hands.
c. to snap short, to fail to get or obtain.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > acquisition > not obtaining or acquiring > not to be obtained [verb (intransitive)] > fail to obtain
to miss of ——a1275
to snap short1677
to drop shorta1688
1677 W. Hughes Man of Sin ii. v. 95 Lay-men may not tast the Cup at all... Their Clergy..will not snap short as the Laity must.
1738 J. Swift Compl. Coll. Genteel Conversat. 109 Snap short makes you look so lean, Miss.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > make an attempt or endeavour [verb (intransitive)] > to do something
cuneOE
seekc1000
fanda1225
suec1325
tastec1330
enforcec1340
study1340
temptc1384
intendc1385
assaila1393
proffera1393
to make meansc1395
search?a1400
fraistc1400
pursuec1400
to go aboutc1405
pretend1482
attempta1513
essay?1515
attend1523
regarda1533
offer1541
frame1545
to stand about1549
to put into (also in) practice1592
prove1612
imitate1626
snap1766
begin1833
make1880
1766 A. Nichol Poems 19 If some auld swinger snap to speak Of pink-ey'd queans, he gives a squeek.
a. To strike or stab at one. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > strike at
swipc1380
lasha1400
foundc1420
drivec1540
dent1580
tilt1589
snap1631
spar1755
peg1828
slap1842
1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes 2nd Intermeane 12 in Wks. II I'ld not giue a rush for a Vice, that has not a wooden dagger to snap at euery body he meetes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > move downwards [verb (intransitive)] > swoop or spring down
souse1583
pounce1648
snap1648
swoop1837
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > suddenly
bursta1400
to fly at, on, upon1549
sousea1616
snap1648
jump1789
to pounce on (or upon)1812
to jump on1868
raid1875
1648 H. Hexham Groot Woorden-boeck Een Snap-haen, a Robber that Snaps upon one in the high way.
1679 T. Puller Moderation Church of Eng. (1843) 41 Those who love not to be contained in any good bounds when they read the Bible, choose to do it out of all canonical order, or generally snap upon the chapters fortuitously.
II. To snatch and secure, and related uses.
5. figurative and in extended use.1580 C. Hollyband Treasurie French Tong Prendre au pied levé, to snappe one in wordes, to take him at aduantage.a1677 I. Barrow Wks. (1683) II. 136 Alexander was snapt in the flower of his age and glory.1706 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1885) I. 303 A Daughter who by chance snap'd a Gentleman Commoner..of a considerable Estate.1859 Watson's Bards Borders 73 If disease them didna snap, He wad ha'e plenty tatties.
a. transitive. To catch, capture, or seize quickly, suddenly, or by surprise. Common in the 17th cent.; now chiefly dialect, or spec. in Cricket.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > seizing > catching or capture > catch or capture [verb (transitive)]
i-lecchec1000
fang1016
hentOE
takeOE
alatchlOE
catchc1275
wina1300
to take ina1387
attain1393
geta1400
overhent?a1400
restay?a1400
seizea1400
tachec1400
arrest1481
carrya1500
collara1535
snap1568
overgo1581
surprise1592
nibble1608
incaptivate1611
nicka1640
cop1704
chop1726
nail1735
to give a person the foot1767
capture1796
hooka1800
sniba1801
net1803
nib1819
prehend1831
corral1860
rope1877
1568 T. Howell Arbor of Amitie f. 34v And shall I thus an wofull wretch, be snapt in sugred snare?
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 24 My coosen was snapt by wycked Vlisses.
1640 J. Fletcher & J. Shirley Night-walker ii. sig. D1v The chest is of some weight, and we may make Such noise ith carriage we may be snap'd.
c1645 I. Tullie Narr. Siege of Carlisle (1840) 6 They..failed in snapping Col. Graye's small regement of horse at Stanwick.
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 103 The Doctor..finds Stesichorus in danger of being snapt in his intended Journey.
1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 193 We should snap her in the Morning.
1794 J. O'Keeffe Wild Oats (new ed.) v. i. 66 I wish we could snap any straggler to bring before her.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward III. xiii. 312 She is not quite goose enough to fall in love with the fox who has snapped her.
1855 R. Browning Fra Lippo Lippi in Men & Women I. 39 As I was stealing back again..You snap me of the sudden.
1872 John Wisden's Cricketers' Almanack (ed. 9) 23 John Smith stayed with Mr Grace until 63 runs were made, when Pooley snapped him.
1898 K. S. Ranjitsinhji With Stoddart's Team (ed. 3) x. 195 Iredale also secured an ‘egg’, Storer snapping him at the wicket.
b. To snatch for one's own use; to take to oneself with a quick movement; to steal or purloin in this manner. Also with away.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > steal [verb (transitive)]
pick?c1300
takec1300
fetch1377
bribec1405
usurpc1412
rapc1415
to rap and rendc1415
embezzle1495
lifta1529
pilfer1532
suffurate1542
convey?1545
mill1567
prig1567
strike1567
lag1573
shave1585
knave1601
twitch1607
cly1610
asport1621
pinch1632
snapa1639
nap1665
panyar1681
to carry off1684
to pick up1687
thievea1695
to gipsy away1696
bone1699
make1699
win1699
magg1762
snatch1766
to make off with1768
snavel1795
feck1809
shake1811
nail1819
geach1821
pull1821
to run off1821
smug1825
nick1826
abduct1831
swag1846
nobble1855
reef1859
snig1862
find1865
to pull off1865
cop1879
jump1879
slock1888
swipe1889
snag1895
rip1904
snitch1904
pole1906
glom1907
boost1912
hot-stuff1914
score1914
clifty1918
to knock off1919
snoop1924
heist1930
hoist1931
rabbit1943
to rip off1967
to have off1974
the mind > possession > taking > seizing > seize [verb (transitive)] > quickly or hurriedly
nipa1500
snatch1530
snap1550
snatch1555
snatch1563
snip1577
sneck1608
snapa1639
snap1673
snaffle1895
a1639 H. Wotton View Life & Death Duke of Buckingham in Reliquiæ Wottonianæ (1651) 88 There was near Bayon, an Herd of Goats.., upon which sight the said Sir R. Greham tells the Marquess, he would snap one of the Kids.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 11 Did I not see you, Rascal,..When you lay snug to snap young Damon's Goat?
c1756 in W. Wing Ann. Steeple Aston (1875) 57 A simple hare, had he but snapt, Or partridge in the wood.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth II. viii. 202 See that he snap them [sc. gold buttons] not away.
1858 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia I. ii. xiv. 181 Neighbouring potentates..snapped away..some convenient bit of territory.
1899 S. MacManus In Chimney Corners 133 Doesn't one of the king's men snap the shoe off his foot.
c. To catch or seize with a quick bite or snap. Also in figurative context.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold [verb (transitive)] > lay hold of or grasp > quickly or suddenly
cleeka1400
nipa1500
grab1589
snatch1590
snap1688
scrab1890
1688 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. sig. Qqq 3/2 An unlucky Dog snapt my Leg.
1715 R. South 12 Serm. IV. 162 He who has escaped in many Battles,..by playing too often at the Mouth of Death, has been snapped by it at last.
1760 J. Jortin Life Erasmus II. 153 The Ægyptian dogs, when they drink at the Nile, are said to run all the while, for fear of being snaped by the Crocodiles.
1824 J. Mactaggart Sc. Gallovidian Encycl. 499 Now a trap did snap him:.. A rafter down did fa', Which catch'd a leg.
1863 C. C. Clarke Shakespeare-characters vi. 161 They think it a mere flouting at the gifts of Providence if they do not snap the bait like gudgeons.
d. To secure, obtain, take up, quickly or readily.More frequently with up: see 6c.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > seizing > seize [verb (transitive)] > eagerly or readily
cratch1377
snap1794
to pounce on (or upon)1828
snap1873
1794 J. O'Keeffe Wild Oats (new ed.) ii. iii. 30 Oh, here he is! Trap. Snap him at any terms.
1905 Westm. Gaz. 15 Feb. 9/1 Recent issues have been readily snapped.
e. To secure the passing or giving of (decisions, legislation, etc.) without allowing due time for consideration or discussion.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > suddenness > come upon suddenly [verb (transitive)] > decide suddenly
snap1883
society > authority > rule or government > ruler or governor > deliberative, legislative, or administrative assembly > governing or legislative body of a nation or community > procedure of parliament or national assembly > [verb (transitive)] > pass motion or bill
carry1640
snap1883
to nod through1976
1883 Gibson Speech in Parl. 14 Aug. To snap legislation..which they were not gravely asked to pass at the time when it could have been carefully considered.
1885 Law Rep.: Chancery Div. 29 453 He was defeated by the Defendant going to another Court and managing to snap a judgment first.
1901 Scotsman 11 Mar. 9/4 They were strong enough..to prevent hasty decisions being snapped behind the backs of the people.
f. American Football and Canadian Football. To put (the ball) in play by passing it quickly backwards to begin a scrimmage; to make a snap (sense 5g). Also with back.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > American football > play American football [verb (transitive)] > actions to ball
return1884
snap1887
drive1889
centre1895
to turn over1921
convert1932
lateral1932
snag1942
shovel pass1948
bootleg1951
squib1966
to take a (also the) knee1972
spike1976
1887 Outing Oct. 70/1 In a scrimmage he places it on the ground, and at a signal from his quarter, snaps the ball back by a downward and backward pressure with his foot.
1920 W. Camp Football without Coach iii. 48 Now let us say the quarter calls the signal..the play would get under way and the center would snap him the ball.
1968 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 3 Feb. 37/6 During such periods, when a pass is incomplete or a ball goes into touch, time will not resume until the ball has been snapped on the next play.
1973 Philadelphia Inquirer 7 Oct. (Today Suppl.) 42/1 Moss lights up and hunches over his desk, like a linebacker waiting for signals. The ball is snapped; he's off.
g. To match (an exposed card in a game of snap); to call out ‘snap!’ to (an opponent).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > children's or simple games > [verb (transitive)] > match in 'snap'
snap1935
1935 Encycl. Sports, Games & Pastimes 568/2 In case a player calls snap when there is nothing to snap on the table, the cards in front of him go to a pool.
1935 Encycl. Sports, Games & Pastimes 568/2 Grimace snap is extremely simple. Instead of snapping each other, the two players are under contract to make each other laugh, to which they may do anything except speak.
6. With up:figurative.1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas III. ix. vi. 414 Then..I snapped up the words out of his mouth. To be sure, my tongue did run at a fine rate against him.
a. = senses 5, 5b, 5c.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > answer > answer [verb (transitive)] > sharply
returna1500
reply1526
snap1550
pat1575
retort1597
regyre1606
regest1614
retaliate1632
snap1647
repartee1677
riposte1823
to shoot back1974
the mind > possession > taking > seizing > seize [verb (transitive)] > quickly or hurriedly
nipa1500
snatch1530
snap1550
snatch1555
snatch1563
snip1577
sneck1608
snapa1639
snap1673
snaffle1895
the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold [verb (transitive)] > lay hold of or grasp > quickly or suddenly > snatch up
latcha1225
plitcha1400
snap1550
snatch1555
click1651
snack1871
scoop1916
snarf1968
1550 M. Coverdale tr. O. Werdmueller Spyrytuall & Precyouse Pearle x. sig. Evv Whan we lyue in ydlenes in all luste and pleasure, the deuyll snappyth vs vp.
1601 J. Wheeler Treat. Commerce 59 The single Merchant..is many times snapped vp and made a praye to Dunkerkers, and other Sea rouers.
1692 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) II. 427 A yatch..is missing, and 'tis feared is snapt up by some French privateer.
1732 Tricks of Town 9 The Dog is instantly snapp'd-up, and convey'd away..to some filthy Cellar or Garret.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward I. vii. 156 Tristan but pretends to mistake, that he may snap up the kindly Scots that come over to see their kinsfolks.
1865 J. Ruskin Sesame & Lilies i. 78 We snap up anything in the way of a scientific bone that has meat on it.
1884 Spectator 4 Oct. 1287/2 Merchant~steamers..would be snapped up by the fast cruisers of the enemy.
b. To secure (a girl) in marriage.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > seeking marriage > seek in marriage [verb (transitive)] > gain as wife
winc1330
snap1842
1842 R. H. Barham Merchant of Venice in Ingoldsby Legends 2nd Ser. 48 Portia..Is not to be snapp'd up like little potatoes.
1866 A. Trollope Belton Estate I. x. 256 The conquest of Clara would not be too facile. She was a woman of value, not to be snapped up easily.
1889 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Robbery under Arms xxxvi All the girls about here are getting snapped up quick.
c. = sense 5d.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > seizing > seize [verb (transitive)] > eagerly or readily
cratch1377
snap1794
to pounce on (or upon)1828
snap1873
1873 Punch 20 Sept. 118/1 When you see one at that price, don't wait to write, but snap him up—buy him for me.
1887 A. Jessopp Arcady vii. 196 Every little outlying farm was snapped up and bought by country gentlemen.
1890 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Colonial Reformer (1891) 402 Cattle..were snapped up at eight-pounds-ten a head.
Thesaurus »
d. To eat up quickly or hastily.
7. With off:
a. To bite off (a limb, etc.) sharply and quickly. Also transferred, to drink off quickly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > [verb (transitive)] > drink up or off
swap?1507
swingea1529
drink1535
uphalec1540
toss1568
trill off?1589
snapa1592
to toss offa1592
to turn down1593
to top off1598
drain1604
to take off1613
outdrinka1631
whip1639
swoop1648
epote1657
to fetch off1657
ebibe1689
fetch1691
to tip off1699
to sweep off1707
tip1784
to turn over1796
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > biting > bite [verb (transitive)] > bite off
snapa1592
a1592 R. Greene Frier Bacon (1594) sig. B4v We will to the Tauern, and snap off a pint of wine or two.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing v. i. 116 Wee had likt to haue had our two noses snapt off with two old men without teeth. View more context for this quotation
1700 S. L. tr. C. Frick Relation Voy. in tr. C. Frick & C. Schweitzer Relation Two Voy. E.-Indies 16 The Carpenter..had his Arm and Shoulder snap'd off.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth VI. 241 The shark darted after him..and snapped off his leg.
b. to snap one's nose, or head, off, to speak or reply to (a person) in a curt, sharp, ungracious, or angry manner.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > discourtesy > be discourteous [verb (intransitive)] > be curt or brusque
to snap one's nose, or head, off1709
to brusque it1826
1709 S. Centlivre Busie Body i. i. 7 I..ask'd him if he was at leisure for his Chocolate,..but he snap'd my Nose off, No, I shall be busie here these two Hours.
1742 M. Delany Autobiogr. & Corr. (1861) II. 166 Old G. snapped my nose off for saying I had sent for him.
1861 T. Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. II. xi. 214 Do you ever snap people's noses off, or tell them you think them very foolish.
1886 F. W. Robinson Courting Mary Smith i. xiv If I had not been quite sure he would have snapped my head off.
1950 T. S. Eliot Cocktail Party i. ii. 60 Have you looked in your bag?..Well, don't snap my head off.
1976 J. I. M. Stewart Memorial Service i. 12 He adores the place... That's why he snaps your head off if you venture to say a good word for it.
8.
a. To catch or take (one) up with an abrupt or sharp remark. Also with short.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > answer > answer [verb (transitive)] > sharply
returna1500
reply1526
snap1550
pat1575
retort1597
regyre1606
regest1614
retaliate1632
snap1647
repartee1677
riposte1823
to shoot back1974
1647 H. Hexham Copious Eng. & Netherduytch Dict. Snapped him up, berispte hem.
1649 in E. Nicholas Papers (1886) I. 156 The King grew very chollerick and angry and did snap him up very short.
1691 A. Wood Athenæ Oxonienses II. 185 William Earl of Exeter..snapped him up for a begging scholar.
1797 A. Radcliffe Italian III. i. 37 You always snap me up so short at the beginning.
1797 A. Radcliffe Italian III. ii. 53 I don't much like to be snapped up so!
1847 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) xliv. 438 ‘Susan Nipper,’ snapping her up particularly short, ‘a month's warning from this hour.’
1883 J. Payn Thicker than Water xx If I am snapped up in this manner, and not permitted to go on,..argument is impossible.
b. To interrupt or snub, to cut short, in an abrupt or peevish manner. Also with off.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > taciturnity or reticence > refrain from uttering [verb (transitive)] > silence or prevent from speaking
to stop a person's mouthc1175
stilla1225
to keep ina1420
stifle1496
to knit up1530
to muzzle (up) the mouth1531
choke1533
muzzle?1542
to tie a person's tongue1544
tongue-tiea1555
silence1592
untongue1598
to reduce (a person or thing) to silence1605
to bite in1608
gaga1616
to swear downa1616
to laugh down1616
stifle1621
to cry down1623
unworda1627
clamour1646
splint1648
to take down1656
snap1677
stick1708
shut1809
to shut up1814
to cough down1823
to scrape down1855
to howl down1872
extinguish1878
hold1901
shout1924
to pipe down1926
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > discourtesy > treat discourteously [verb (transitive)] > be curt or brusque with
snap1677
brusque1836
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or detachment > become detached [verb (intransitive)] > break off
to carry away1604
snap1796
to break away1860
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or detachment > detach [verb (transitive)] > break off > with a snap
snap1796
1677 G. Miege New Dict. French & Eng. sig. Yy 3v/1 To Snap one, or give him a rough and biting answer.
1723 D. Defoe Hist. Col. Jack (ed. 2) 36 He snapt me short, Why, says he, how shall I get them to him?
1796 M. Robinson Angelina III. 172 To be sure your ladyship did snap and snub her confoundedly.
1837 T. Hood United Family i One liking this, one hating that, Each snapping each, like dog and cat.
1899 W. Raymond No Soul above Money ii. i Never waiting to snap a body off short who had any little favour to ask.
9.
a. To bring down by a quick shot.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > shooting > shoot game [verb (transitive)] > manner or type of
snap1828
pot1860
brown1873
snapshot1928
1828 P. Hawker Diary (1893) I. 342 The only plan was..to snap down the birds as they rose.
b. To take (an instantaneous photograph); to snapshot.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > photography > action of taking photograph > photograph [verb (transitive)] > in specific manner
to fire away1859
stereograph1860
flashlight1886
shoot1890
snap1890
Kodak1891
snapshot1898
mug1899
mutoscope1899
telephotograph1899
mutograph1908
photomaton1927
soft-focus1928
minicam1937
microfiche1975
pap1993
1890 St. Nicholas Oct. 1034 A hand camera, with which he followed the babies about, ‘snapping’ them in their best positions.
1892 Pall Mall Gaz. 20 Apr. 6/1 The privilege of ‘snapping’ photographs from the pier.
c. intransitive. To take instantaneous photographs.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > photography > action of taking photograph > take photograph [verb (intransitive)] > in specific manner
shoot1890
Kodak1891
snap1891
snapshot1894
mug1899
1891 Internat. Ann. Anthonys Photogr. Bull. 202 Perhaps the circus has been in town, and you've snapped on the elephants.
1891 Internat. Ann. Anthonys Photogr. Bull. 202 Why, you were snapping away for dear life.
1894 Westm. Gaz. 2 Jan. 7/3 The photographers..were busily at work snapping at everything and anything.
III. To close with a snap or sharp retort, and related uses.
10. transitive.
a. To close (the jaws, mouth, etc.) suddenly or with a snap.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > mouth > [verb (transitive)] > close
snap1573
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > jaws > [verb (transitive)] > close suddenly
snap1573
1573 T. Twyne tr. Virgil in T. Phaer & T. Twyne tr. Virgil Whole .xii. Bks. Æneidos xii. Nn ij b He [a dog] snoppes his iawes, and is deceaued [h]is bit by half an inche.
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin I. viii. 104 Tom, whose great heavy mouth had stood ajar,..now suddenly snapped it together.
1904 Field 6 Feb. 208/1 He snapped his beak with a noise like pistol shots.
b. To wink or blink (the eyes) quickly or angrily (cf. 14).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > eye > [verb (transitive)] > move eyes > wink or blink
beatc1360
wag1574
twinkle1591
wink1838
snap1847
blink1858
1847 J. O. Halliwell Dict. Archaic & Provinc. Words II. (at cited word) To snap the eye, i.e. to wink.
1907 W. W. Jacobs Short Cruises 205 Mr. Wragg, snapping his eyes nervously, threatened in vain.
11.
a. To pull the trigger of or fire (a pistol); to strike (a flint, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > use or operation of small arms > use small arms [verb (transitive)] > shoot with pistol > fire (pistol)
snap1673
1673 Justiciary Proc. (S.H.S.) 131 [They] saw the gun presented and snapped.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 357 I snapping an uncharg'd Pistol.
1743 J. Bulkeley & J. Cummins Voy. to South-seas 83 The Lieutenant, bringing a Pair of Pistols to the Carpenter,..did not imagine they were loaded, snapping the first it miss'd Fire.
1847 Infantry Man. (1854) 42 He..will be taught to snap caps.
1857 J. G. Holland Bay-path xxvi. 334 I..drew the old charge, and snapped it two or three times, to let the children see the fire roll.
b. Const. at a person or thing.
ΚΠ
1798 Ld. Auckland Corr. (1862) III. 418 He snapped a pocket-pistol at him, which missed him.
1825 in W. Hone Every-day Bk. (1826) I. 1288 He had the imprudence to snap an unloaded pistol at him.
1852 W. M. Thackeray Henry Esmond I. v. 115 The officer, drawing a pistol, snapped it at his lordship.
c. To fire off (questions).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > ask, enquire [verb (transitive)] > ask a question > forcefully
pop1573
snap1874
1874 R. St. J. Tyrwhitt Our Sketching Club 39 They are apt to flash or snap questions at each other as in a French novel.
12. absolute.1880 ‘M. Twain’ Tramp Abroad xxiv. 234 She got to snapping the lid of her smelling-bottle,—it made a loud sharp sound, but..she snapped and snapped away.
a. To cause (something) to make or give out a sharp sound of the nature of a click or crack; to close or fasten, to open or shut, etc., with this sound; to crack (a whip); to jerk out with a snap; to switch off or on, or to shut to, with a snapping sound; to cause (fabric, elastic, etc.) to make such a sound.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sharp or hard sound > [verb (transitive)] > crack or snap
crack1647
snap1714
1714 D. Manley Adventures of Rivella 82 The Man..got up nimbly into his Coach-box, snapt his Whip.
1747 S. Richardson Clarissa I. xxxi. 196 Many a fan have I caused to be snapped at a sister-beauty.
1781 W. Cowper Table Talk 477 Tyranny..Slips the slave's collar on, and snaps the lock.
1889 Brit. Jrnl. Photogr. 36 605/2 How can any one snap his shutter at the right moment unless he is carefully watching the object.
1893 R. S. Surtees Soapey Sponge's Sporting Tour (rev. ed.) xxvii. 153 Snapping his toothpick against the frame of his chair.
1893 R. Kipling Many Inventions 196 Gisborne snapped out the empty shells [from his rifle].
1911 H. S. Harrison Queed 68 Queed cleverly bethought him to snap on an electric light.
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses i. i. [Telemachus] 19 Haines helped himself [to a cigarette] and snapped the case to.
1925 F. S. Fitzgerald Great Gatsby viii. 191 About five o'clock it was blue enough outside to snap off the light.
1926 J. Masefield Odtaa xvi. 277 He snapped-to the breech of his rifle.
1949 B. A. Botkin Treasury Southern Folklore ii. iii. 252 Both Bilbo and Gene Talmadge were famous for their red suspenders, which Talmadge loved to snap.
1962 J. Updike Centaur (1963) vi. 178 He laughed and behind me I could hear all the Caucasus laughing and snapping their towels and flipping their silvery genitals.
1979 R. Jaffe Class Reunion (1980) ii. vii. 248 Ken was dressed, snapping on his wrist-watch.
1979 R. Jaffe Class Reunion (1980) ii. vii. 254 Ken snapped off the TV with his remote control.
b. To cause (the fingers) to make a sharp noise by striking against the ball of the thumb, esp. as a sign of delight or contempt. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sharp or hard sound > [verb (transitive)] > crack or snap > the fingers
thrip1594
knick1731
snap1742
society > communication > indication > gesturing or gesture > hand gesture > [verb (transitive)] > express with fingers > snap fingers
snap1742
1671 S. Skinner & T. Henshaw Etymologicon Linguæ Anglicanæ To snap with ones fingers,..digitis concrepare, vel crepitare.
1721 in N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. ]
1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews I. i. xvi. 116 He then snapt his Fingers,..and took two or three turns about the Room in an Extasy. View more context for this quotation
1821 J. Baillie Columbus in Metrical Legends xlviii. 20 The..Indian..foots the ground like vaunting child, Snapping his thumbs with anticks wild.
1839 T. Mitchell in Aristophanes Frogs 66 (note) At its conclusion he snaps his fingers in sovereign contempt.
1886 J. K. Jerome Idle Thoughts 36 It is not until you have snapped your fingers in Fortune's face..that she begins to smile upon you.
c. to snap one's fingers at, to treat with indifference or contempt; to disregard or ignore.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > hold in contempt [verb (transitive)] > express contempt of > by gesture
finger-point1563
to bite the thumb at1573
fig1600
tweak1604
to make horns at1607
rump1737
to snap one's fingers at1806
to give (a person) the finger1874
scuff1897
1806 W. Scott 11 Feb. in J. G. Lockhart Mem. Life Scott I hope I shall be very soon able to..snap my fingers at the bar and all its works.
1861 T. Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. III. viii. 146 You'll..be able to snap your fingers at them all.
1886 R. L. Stevenson Kidnapped xxiii. 226 The men of his country..would have snapped their fingers at the Court of Session.
d. absol. To strike at with a snapping sound.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sharp or hard sound > [verb (intransitive)] > crack or snap > strike at with
snap1852
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking in specific manner > strike in specific manner [verb (transitive)] > so as to make a sound > strike at with a snapping sound
snap1852
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin (U.K. ed.) iv. 22 He set her on his broad shoulder, and began capering and dancing with her, while Mas'r George snapped at her with his pocket-handkerchief.
13. intransitive.
a. Of things: To make or emit a sharp cracking sound or report; to crack, crackle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sharp or hard sound > [verb (intransitive)] > crack or snap
crackc1000
snap1673
yack1873
pistol1898
1673 Justiciary Proc. (S.H.S.) 131 He heard not the gun snapp.
1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (at cited word) To snap, (or to give a snap), Éclater, faire du bruit.
1768 J. Byron Narr. Patagonia 74 Cedar..makes a brisk fire, but is..subject to snap and fly.
1789 S. T. Coleridge Nose iv Hear ye my entrails how they snap?
1855 R. Browning Old Pictures in Florence i No flash snapped, no dumb thunder rolled.
1884 E. P. Roe Nature's Serial Story ii My caps only snapped.
b. To move or slide into place, to close or shut, to fit home or in, to come off, with a snap.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > become closed or shut [verb (intransitive)] > close with sharp sound
snap1793
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sharp or hard sound > [verb (intransitive)] > crack or snap > move with
snap1793
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come in [verb (intransitive)] > slip or glide in > with a snap
snap1875
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §241 I..gave it a violent pull, upon which it snapped into its place.
1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2229/2 Snap-lock,..a lock with a spring latch which snaps shut.
1891 R. Kipling Light that Failed xiii. 253 The studio door snapped behind her.
1892 W. W. Greener Breech-loader 63 They are liable to miss fire if the lever does not snap ‘home’.
1967 Boston Sunday Herald 26 Mar. (Mag.) 26/2 (advt.) Quality absorbent reusable cotton pad snaps in—removes easily for laundering.
1976 Columbus (Montana) News 1 July 3/3 (advt.) Safety grilles snap off to clean. 3-speed 20″ Fan.
14.
a. Of the eyelids or eyes: To open and close quickly in an angry manner.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > anger > manifestation of anger > show anger [verb (intransitive)] > look angry > of eyes: blink angrily
snap1870
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > eye > [verb (intransitive)] > move eyes > wink or blink > of eyes or eyelids
wink1661
nictitate1822
snap1870
1870 E. E. Hale Ten Times One ii. (Cent. Dict.) How Caroline's eyes snapped and flashed fire!
1899 B. Capes Lady of Darkness ii Ned..saw his Madonna jerk erect, her eye~lids snapping.
b. Of jaws, etc.: To close with a snap.
ΚΠ
1899 F. V. Kirby Sport E. Central Afr. iv. 51 The great jaws snapped like the teeth of so many wolf-traps.
IV. To break, cause to break, and related uses.
15. intransitive.
a. To break suddenly and (usually) with a sharp noise or report; to give way or part suddenly owing to strain or tension.Dutch snappen and Frisian snappe have also this sense.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > breaking or cracking > break [verb (intransitive)] > shatter or break to pieces or burst > with noise
clattera1225
crash1535
snap1602
go1798
unsnap1867
1602 J. Marston Hist. Antonio & Mellida i. sig. B4v What a slender waste he hath!..Heele snap in two at euery little straine.
a1631 J. Donne Storm in Poems (1633) 58 Our tacklings Snapping, like too-high-stretched treble strings.
1799 J. Robertson Gen. View Agric. Perth 236 Scotch oak..is found to snap over when used as ribs to a ship.
1819 M. R. Mitford in A. G. L'Estrange Life M. R. Mitford (1870) II. iii. 76 Four or five glasses snapped, one after another.
1850 H. T. Cheever Whale & his Captors xiv. 212 Another line was taken on board, which immediately snapped.
1897 W. H. Thornton Reminisc. Clergyman vi. 181 Even strong harness snaps when subjected to a sudden jerk.
b. figurative or in figurative context.
ΚΠ
a1822 P. B. Shelley Triumph of Life in Posthumous Poems (1824) 79 The fiery band which held Their natures, snaps.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. III. iii. i. 162 When the so-called Bonds of Society snap asunder.
1876 C. M. Yonge Womankind xviii. 137 When your power of arresting mischief snaps.
1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad ix. 16 Sharp the link of life will snap.
1927 P. G. Wodehouse Meet Mr. Mulliner ix. 310 Something seemed to snap in James. The scales seemed to fall from James's eyes.
1933 E. O'Neill Days without End (1934) i. 49 He knew..she was going to die... He..saw that no miracle would happen... Something snapped in him then.
1970 A. Fry How a People Die xxiv. 212 Something snapped. I lost my temper and I chewed that poor guy out from hell to breakfast.
c. To be broken off with a snap.
ΚΠ
1806 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 15 497 Such a violent spasm of the jaw that a piece of one of the incisor teeth snapped off.
1842 S. Lover Handy Andy xlvii The butt-ends of the muskets snapped off like tobacco pipes.
1892 R. L. Stevenson Across Plains ii. 87 Without a nod of warning, the huge pine-tree snaps off short.
d. colloquial. To change one's behaviour or position quickly, esp. to snap back: to recover; to snap (in)to: to throw oneself smartly into (an action); to snap out of: to desist from (an attitude, etc.), to change a mood, pattern of behaviour, etc., by sudden effort. Frequently as imperative snap out of it.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > behave, conduct, or bear oneself [verb (intransitive)] > change one's behaviour
to sing another song or a different tune1390
vary1481
to change (turn, alter) one's copy1523
to turn down a leaf1633
tack1637
to sing different1897
snap out of it1918
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come into [verb (transitive)] > slide into with a snap
to snap (in)to1918
the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > proceed rapidly [verb (intransitive)] > take prompt action
spring1548
to take at the (first) bounda1556
to be quick off (occasionally also on) the mark1914
to jump to it1917
to snap (in)to1918
the world > action or operation > amending > restoration > restoration of a person > recovery from misfortune, error, etc. > [verb (intransitive)] > quickly
to snap back1944
1918 in F. A. Pottle Stretchers (1929) ix. 239 Oh, snap into it! We want to get this done.
1918 Sat. Evening Post 21 Dec. 29 The sergeants and corporals emphasized the command to rise with sharp injunctions to ‘Snap out of it!’, ‘Hit the deck!’
1928 Sat. Evening Post (Philadelphia) 7 Jan. 9/3 Oh, for heaven's sake, Lucia, snap out of it and act like a human being.
1929 A. C. Edington & C. Edington Studio Murder Myst. vi. 75 The stars..are so sure of themselves, you see. They know they can snap into the action as soon as the camera starts.
1929 A. C. Edington & C. Edington Studio Murder Myst. ix. 119 Up until the instant the camera started, this man was..entertaining the rest of the company with a running fire of ludicrous comment. Then, the ‘snapping’ into the scene.
1941 N. Marsh Death & Dancing Footman (1942) vi. 114 Do snap out of being all Freudian.
1943 K. Tennant Ride on Stranger xviii. 205 Time we were getting a move on... Snap into it, Joe.
1944 Sun (Baltimore) 13 Jan. 5/1 If the Government acts quickly.., the aircraft industry will snap back quickly.
1962 J. Glenn in J. Glenn et al. Into Orbit 18 We had to demonstrate how well we could undergo all kinds of stress and discomfort and then snap back again.
1967 Boston Sunday Herald 14 May (This Week Mag.) 15/3 The Senator..spent half an hour persuading a very reluctant repairman to come. ‘Why,’ asked a guest, ‘didn't you just tell him to snap to it?’
1967 ‘R. Petrie’ Foreign Bodies xi. 163 Oh, snap out of it. You'll pull through on your ownsome.
1981 M. Spark Loitering with Intent x. 158 We mustn't get morbid. Let's snap out of it.
16. transitive.slang.1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue To snap the glaze, to break shop windows, or shew glasses.
a. To break (something) suddenly and cleanly; to break in two; to cause (a rope, etc.) to part or give way.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > breaking or cracking > break [verb (transitive)]
breaka1000
forbreakc1000
shenec1000
burstc1250
disquattec1380
brasta1400
stonyc1440
to strike up1467
dirupt1548
unframe1548
disrump1581
split1597
crack1608
snap1679
fracture1767
disrupt1817
snop1849
1679 Trial Lord Cornwallis 12 My Lord..holding the white Staff..in both hands.., snapt it in two.
1680 R. Morden Geogr. Rectified (1685) 52 There is the Herb Ossifraga..which snaps the bones of Cattel that tread upon it.
1725 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey III. x. 668 Full endlong from the roof the sleeper fell, And snapt the spinal joint, and wak'd in hell.
a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. iv. 372 They found no difficulty in snapping short the single sticks.
1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ Operative Mechanic 33 The shock proceeding from inertia snaps the teeth of the wheels.
1855 Ld. Tennyson Maud xxiii. iv, in Maud & Other Poems 78 The shock Of cataract seas that snap The three-decker's oaken spine.
1871 J. R. Macduff Memories of Patmos xxv. 347 Its moorings are snapped as tow.
b. figurative or in figurative context. Also spec. in sport, to break a tie or a pattern of performance (U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > continuity or uninterruptedness > discontinuity or interrupted condition > break the continuity of or interrupt [verb (transitive)]
discontinuea1398
breakc1400
interrupta1420
intermit1557
takea1586
interpellate1599
interfalk1621
snapa1790
fault1837
society > leisure > sport > types of play, actions, or postures > [verb (transitive)] > other actions or types of play
outshoot1545
football1599
pitch1717
make1819
to warm up1868
to draw out1893
bench1898
foot1900
cover1907
cannonball1911
telegraph1913
unsight1923
snap1951
to sit out1955
pike1956
to sit down1956
wrong-foot1960
blindside1968
sit1977
a1790 B. Franklin Autobiogr. (1981) i. 55 At length a Trifle snapt our Connexion.
1798 S. T. Coleridge Anc. Marinere vi, in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads 37 And in its time the spell was snapt.
1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci v. i. 82 There arose a Power Which graspt and snapped the threads of my device.
1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola II. xvii. 207 She had been strong enough to snap asunder the bonds she had accepted in blind faith.
1951 Amer. Speech 26 230 Michigan snaps Gopher streak.
1967 Boston Herald 8 May 16/6 His run-scoring single in the fifth inning climaxed a two-run rally that snapped a 3–3 tie.
1973 Internat. Herald Tribune 15 June 15/6 California held on to score a 7–5 home victory over Boston, snapping a four-game losing streak.
1976 Washington Post 19 Apr. d3/1 Danny Lawson's goal at 14:53 of the third period snapped a 4–4 tie.
c. To break off with a snap.
ΚΠ
1808 C. Vancouver Gen. View Agric. Hants (1813) xii. §4. 389 A claim..of taking what is called snap~wood, that is, all the fallen branches, and such as they can snap off by hand.
1820 P. B. Shelley Sensitive Plant in Prometheus Unbound 172 A northern whirlwind..Shook the boughs..And snapped them off.
1822 J. M. Good Study Med. III. 131 If it be forcibly snapped off, it will shoot out the wider.
1833 T. Hook Parson's Daughter I. vii. 126 A five pound fish..had snapped off the top joint of his..rod.
d. To get (a person) out of a certain frame of mind. Cf. sense 15d above.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > disposition or character > temporary state of mind, mood > get out of mood [verb (transitive)]
snap1957
1957 A. Grimble Return to Islands iv. 78 Once they had struck their noble attitude officially..nothing but the crack of doom would ever snap them out of it.
1964 M. McLuhan Understanding Media i. v. 55 The parallel between two media holds us on the frontiers between forms that snap us out of the Narcissus-narcosis.
1968 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 13 Jan. 28/5 Brisk way to snap yourself out of the post holiday lethargy is to get out your little or not so little lists and decide to do some entertaining.
V. Adverbial uses.
17.
a. With, or as with, a snap; quickly, smartly. Frequently in to go snap.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sharp or hard sound > [adverb] > crack or snap
snap1583
crack1767
crick-crack1835
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > [adverb] > swiftly and suddenly
snap1583
whip-stitch1676
spang1843
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > [adverb] > swiftly and briskly
sharplya1000
smartc1300
smartlyc1300
spackc1330
wightlyc1330
spacklya1350
swipperly?a1400
wighta1400
nimblyc1450
quiverly1519
roundly1548
nimble1568
bragly1579
snap1583
yarelya1616
briskly1665
smartish1839
nippily1932
snappingly1976
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. G8v Then snap go the fingers, ful brauely god wot.
1602 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor iv. v. 2 What would thou haue..Speake, breath, discus, short, quick, briefe, snap.
?1748 ‘T. Bobbin’ View Lancs. Dial. (ed. 2) 13 On coom snap, on axt meh whot he wantut?
1836 N. Paterson Manse Garden i. 54 Snap goes the branch, making a very unseemly fracture.
1890 L. C. D'Oyle Notches Rough Edge Life 175 Snap went the noose.
b. to cry snap.In quot. 1782 in allusion to the crying of ‘Snap!’ in the game Snip-snap-snorum.
ΚΠ
1694 S. Johnson Notes Pastoral Let. 13 This is an Argument which cries snap like a Mousetrap, but will catch nothing.
1782 F. Burney Cecilia V. ix. vi. 119 I suppose he'll shilly shally till somebody else will cry snap, and take her.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
snapint.
/snap/, U.S. /snæp/ The call in the card game snap (snap n. 5d); hence as an exclamation used when two similar objects turn up or two similar events take place.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [interjection] > snap
snap1890
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > children's or simple games > [interjection] > snap
snap1890
1890 J. D. Champlin & A. E. Bostwick Young Folks' Cycl. Games & Sports 659/2 When a player turns a card having the same design as one on the top of another player's exposed pile, both must say ‘Snap’.
1958 N. F. Simpson Hole 7 Cerebro. He seems to be biding his time at the moment. Soma. Snap!
1962 J. Braine Life at Top v. 88 He passed me his cigarette-case. The cigarettes..bore his initials. I reached for my cigarette-lighter then took out instead one of the books of matches I'd taken away from the Savoy. He looked at the matches and grinned. ‘Snap,’ he said.
1971 M. Russell Deadline viii. 95 ‘I've read your stuff.’ ‘Snap.’
1980 J. Wainwright Venus Fly-trap 39 Daphne, too, was wearing dark glasses... Harry..murmured, ‘Snap.’
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1986; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
> see also
also refers to : snap-comb. form
<
n.1495
adj.1790
v.1530
int.1890see also
- peacock behaviour
- peacock blue
- peacock butterfly
- peacock cichlid
- peacock coal
- peacock colour
- peacock copper
- peacock fan
- peacock feather
- peacock fish
- peacock flower
- peacock flower fence
- peacock fly
- peacock fool
- peacock gazania
- peacock green
- peacock hackle
- peacock iris
- peacock moth
- peacock mottle
- peacock of the sea
- peacock ore
- peacock pheasant
- peacock pride
- peacock ritualism