snappern.1
/ˈsnapə/, U.S. /ˈsnæpər/ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > sharing > [noun] > a sharer
partnerc1300
parcenera1325
partaker?a1425
parcenela1450
partman1468
party-taker?c1475
partsman1483
snapperc1555
partakener1565
sharer1580
co-sharer1596
sharesman1635
comportioner1706
society > law > rule of law > lawlessness > [noun] > crime > a criminal or law-breaker > one who assists
fellowa1382
accessory1414
accessary1451
confederate1495
confederator1536
snapperc1555
complice1581
accomplice?1589
assistor1601
socius criminis1602
fedariea1616
complier1619
particeps criminisa1634
correspondent1639
complicate1662
capper1753
palc1770
partner in crime1831
sidekick1893
side-kicker1894
ram1941
c1555 Manifest Detection Diceplay sig. Cvv This new nurtured nouis..is become so good a scoller that he knoweth redily his flats and barris, and hath bin snapper with ye old cole.at.ii.or.iii. deepe stroks.
2. A thing which snaps or produces a sharp cracking sound:† c. plural. Prince Rupert's drops. Obsolete. rare.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
a. A pistol. rare.
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society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > device for discharging missiles > firearm > small-arm > [noun] > pistol
pistolet1550
potguna1556
pistol?1560
snapper1587
pistoletto1647
pop1708
gun1744
cracker1751
stick1781
barking iron1785
barker1815
young gun1822
buffer1824
reporter1827
iron1828
flute1842
cannon1901
1587 W. Harrison Hist. Descr. Iland Brit. (new ed.) ii. xvi. 199/2 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) I The honest traueller is now inforced to ride with a case of dags.., or with some pretie short snapper, whereby he may deale with them further off in his owne defense.
1785 in F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue
b. plural. Bones (see bone n.1 19a); castanets. ? Obsolete.
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society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > percussion instrument > [noun] > bones
bone1600
snapper1605
knick-knack1650
marrowbones1714
rattle-bones1819
jawbone1844
knicky-knackers1876
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > percussion instrument > [noun] > castanets
snapper1605
castanet1647
knocker1648
crotaloa1682
knacker1691
crotalum1728
snip-snap1736
jawbone1844
crotal1850
clave1928
crotale1938
1605 Entert. of Earl Nottingham 18 Those six Ladies..danced a country dance with snappers on their thumbs.
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 172 The instruments [of music] no other than snappers, gingles, and round-bottomd drums.
1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. i. iv. 84 They hold them both in the right hand..as our Boys do their Snappers.
1705 tr. W. Bosman New Descr. Coast of Guinea xv. 268 Like two pieces of Wood stroke against each other, or a pair of Snappers.
1742 C. Owen Ess. Nat. Hist. Serpents iii. vi. 239 Whether this Custom be not the Original of Castanets or Snappers in Dancing.
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society > leisure > entertainment > toy or plaything > other toys > [noun] > others
spurc1450
cock1608
turnel1621
corala1625
house of cardsa1625
Jack-in-the-box1659
(Prince) Rupert's Drops1662
sucker1681
whirligig1686
playbook1694
card house1733
snapper1788
card castle1792
Aaron's bells?1795
Noah's Ark1807
Jacob's ladder1820
cat-stairs1825
daisy chain1841
beanbag1861
playboat1865
piñata1868
teething ring1872
weet-weet1878
tumble-over1883
water cracker1887
jumping-bean1889
play money1894
serpentin1894
comforter1898
pacifier1901
dummy1903
bubble water1904
yo-yo1915
paper airplane1921
snowstorm1926
titty1927
teaser1935
Slinky1948
teether1949
Mr Potato Head1952
squeeze toy1954
Frisbee1957
mobile1957
chew toy1959
water-rocket1961
Crazy Foam1965
playshop1967
war toy1973
waterball1974
pull-along1976
transformer1984
Aerobie1985
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > glass and glass-like materials > [noun] > glass > glass-work or glassware > Prince Rupert's drops
(Prince) Rupert's Drops1662
Prince Rupert's drop1695
snapper1788
water cracker1887
1788 G. S. Howard New Royal Encycl. II. 1738.
d. A cracker-bonbon.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > toy or plaything > other toys > [noun] > cracker
cracker1841
snappera1845
bon-bon1846
cosaque1858
a1845 R. H. Barham Wedding-day in Ingoldsby Legends (1847) 3rd Ser. 215 Nasty French lucifer snappers with mottoes.
1980 Times 22 Dec. 12/8 People write to me of ‘snappers’ which are available at posh, probably preppy, parties in Boston, and which go pop like crackers.
e. U.S. A cracker on the end of a whiplash. Also figurative, a sharp or caustic remark.
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the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > criticism > [noun] > instance of > sharp
quippy1519
quip1532
snack?1554
gird1566
pincha1568
quib1656
hitc1668
snapper1817
shy1840
shot1841
swipe1892
jab1905
licks1971
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sharp or hard sound > [noun] > crack or snap > of whip > attachment for
snapper1817
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > derision, ridicule, or mockery > caustic or ironic ridicule > [noun] > instance of
gesta1387
quippy1519
quip1532
irony1534
nip1549
taunta1566
slent?1567
gamegall1577
yark1577
veny1586
jerk1590
wipe1596
glance1602
satire1606
by-wipe1641
quib1656
trait1704
skit1727
slant1825
ironism1842
wiper1846
by-quip1855
satirization1868
snapper1890
crack1896
1817 J. Sansom Sk. Lower Canada 15 One had proposed to put a snapper on the driver's whip.
1841 Knickerbocker 17 277 All the whips were provided with red snappers.
1878 B. F. Taylor Between Gates 156 Then that whip throws out fifteen feet of lash with an electric explosion at the end of it done up in a silk snapper.
1882 G. F. Pentecost Out of Egypt iii. 60 She brought out the last end of that question like the snapper on the end of a whip.
1890 O. W. Holmes Over Teacups xii If I had not put that snapper on the end of my whip-lash, I might have got off without the ill temper which my antithesis provoked.
1903 N.Y. Evening Post 29 Sept. 8/2 Senator Carmack..is simply adding a snapper to the lash of his vigorous denunciation of the whole Philippine policy.
1949 B. A. Botkin Treasury Southern Folklore i. v. 117 Showing off his prowess..he first split a horsefly into pieces, and then tore a bumblebee into shreds with the snapper on the end of his whip.
f. U.S. A word, sentence, verse, etc., used as a finishing touch or wind-up. Also attributive, as snapper ending.
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the mind > language > speech > speech-making > [noun] > a speech > concluding speech or part of speech
parclosec1390
conclusionc1405
period1532
peroration1550
close1578
corollary1603
epilogue1644
closing argument1819
snapper1857
the mind > language > linguistics > linguistic unit > phrase > [noun] > other specific types of phrase
et cetera1600
chreia1612
inn-phrase1631
hob-nob1761
phraseograph1847
snapper1857
humilific1892
frame1943
society > leisure > the arts > literature > a written composition > parts of a written composition > [noun] > epilogue, envoy, or conclusion
parclosec1390
envoyc1398
conclusionc1405
l'envoy1430
subscriptionc1450
extraduction1533
epilogue1564
surclose1589
corollary1603
post-face1742
retroduction1786
explicit1849
snapper1857
society > leisure > the arts > literature > prose > narrative or story > fiction > [noun] > plot > punchy ending
snapper1895
1857 J. G. Holland Bay-path xiv You'd 'a said twenty lashes, and she'd got 'em, and Mr. Moxon would 'a said twenty Amens on the end on 'em for a snapper.
1892 F. J. Child Eng. & Sc. Pop. Ballads IV. viii. 393/1 A copy..with the addition of one stanza for a ‘snapper’.
1895 ‘M. Twain’ in Youth's Companion 3 Oct. 464/1 The..humorous story finishes with a nub, point, snapper, or whatever you like to call it.
1949 Newsweek 19 Dec. 13/3 Then came the snapper: ‘No matter by what method we achieve security, we'll not achieve it in a bankrupt economy.’
1962 ‘E. Lacy’ Freeloaders ix. 186 This is the end of the story. I hardly think I've been steering you towards a twist, or snapper ending.
1973 Publishers Weekly 10 Dec. 31/1 The second story is written as a correspondence between a clerk and an alien, and has an O. Henry snapper at the end.
1976 New Yorker 24 May 143/1 The first, a male ensemble with some very good martial-arts-style acrobatics, has a snapper ending that doesn't snap.
g. plural. Teeth; a set of false teeth. slang.
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the world > health and disease > healing > dentistry > [noun] > denture
ratelier1812
plate1845
mineral teeth1851
denture1874
tooth-plate1880
teeth-plate1897
gnasher1919
snapper1924
chopper1937
the world > life > the body > digestive or excretive organs > digestive organs > mouth > tooth or teeth > [noun] > set of
set1678
ratelier1812
mouthful of teeth1871
snapper1924
1924 P. G. Wodehouse Leave it to Psmith i. 36 You see, this fellow understands my snappers.
1958 Listener 31 July 154/2 Do your snappers fit snugly?
h. A sea-bed sampler that operates by enclosing material between two or more jaws that come together on contact with the bottom. Also snapper grab, snapper sampler.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > other specific types of equipment > [noun] > equipment for use on seabed
creeper?a1400
tangle1882
creep1889
Petersen grab1923
snapper grab1925
sled1939
piston sampler1946
piston core sampler1947
piston corer1954
hydrocast1960
1925 Proc. & Trans. Royal Soc. Canada (Math., etc. Sciences) 3rd Ser. 19 iv. 51 The ‘snapper’ is a simple and inexpensive instrument which has long been used in connection with submarine cable laying.
1942 H. U. Sverdrup et al. Oceans x. 344 Bottom samplers used for oceanographic work fall into three general categories: dredges (drag buckets), snappers, and coring tubes.
1942 H. U. Sverdrup et al. Oceans x. 345 Snapper samplers of the clamshell type have been widely used for obtaining samples of the superficial layers of the sediments.
1968 R. V. Tait Elem. Marine Ecol. iii. 49 For larger samples, various small spring-loaded, snapper grabs have been devised which take a shallow bite out of the sea-floor.
3.
a. One who snaps up or seizes upon a thing quickly.
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the mind > possession > taking > seizing > [noun] > quickly or hurriedly > one who
catcherc1450
cratcher?1518
snatcher1575
intercepter1598
interceptor1598
snappera1616
interloper1670
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iv. iii. 25 My Father..was likewise a snapper-vp of vnconsidered trifles. View more context for this quotation
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward III. iii. 76 The possibility of these erratic Countesses of Croye..falling into the hands of some wild snapper upon the frontiers.
1887 R. Jefferies Amaryllis at Fair x From Berlin and Vienna come the eager snappers-up of much considered trifles.
1902 Westm. Gaz. 3 Mar. 11/1 The snapper-up of such things should glance at the Mexican Eastern Railway 5 per cent. debentures.
b. American Football. Also snapper-back = snap-back n. 1a.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > American football > [noun] > types of player
side tackle1809
nose guard1852
rusher1877
goalkicker1879
quarterback1879
runner1880
quarter1883
full back1884
left guard1884
snap-back1887
snapper-back1887
running back1891
tackle1891
defensive end1897
guard1897
interferer1897
receiver1897
defensive back1898
defensive tackle1900
safety man1901
ball carrier1902
defensive lineman1902
homebrew1903
offensive lineman1905
lineman1907
returner1911
signal caller1915
rover1916
interference1920
punt returner1926
pass rusher1928
tailback1930
safety1931
blocker1935
faker1938
scatback1946
linesman1947
flanker1953
platoon player1953
corner-back1955
pulling guard1955
split end1955
return man1957
slot-back1959
strong safety1959
wide receiver1960
line-backer1961
pocket passer1963
tight end1963
run blocker1967
wideout1967
blitzer1968
1887 in P. H. Davis Football (1911) 475 Rule 12 altered so as to prohibit interference with the snapper-back until the ball is in motion.
1920 W. Camp Football without Coach 30 That involves a great deal harder work from the center rush or snapper back in getting the ball back to him.
1961 J. S. Salak Dict. Amer. Sports 409 The snapper is the player who snaps the ball.
1974 Rules of Game 148/1 The snapper may not slide his hands along the ball before grasping it, nor move his feet or lift a hand until after a snap.
4.
a. A taker of snapshots; a casual photographer.
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society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > photography > photographer > [noun] > types in general
portraitist1857
street photographer1859
mugfaker1880
Kodaker1890
snap-shooter1890
snapshottist1891
snapshotter1899
telephotographer1899
snapper1910
documentarian1951
smudger1961
smudge1968
pictorialist1971
1910 Chambers's Jrnl. 13 Aug. 589/1 There is no relief in a protest, for the rampant ‘snapper’ knows that the law is on his side.
1921 Chambers's Jrnl. 30 July 546/1 He who was but a snapper, a presser of a button, and next became a photographic enthusiast.
1977 Ripped & Torn vi. 7/2 And thanks a lot to all you budding photographers for the offers of photos, just send 'em in you snappers.
b. slang. A ticket inspector.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > permission > [noun] > document which permits or authorizes > ticket > ticket-inspection
snapper1938
1938 F. D. Sharpe Sharpe of Flying Squad 333 A snapper, ticket inspector.
1957 ‘N. Culotta’ They're Weird Mob (1958) x. 142 'E doesn't want yer ticket. The snapper's got yer ticket.
5. A snappish person; one who speaks or answers snappishly or roughly.
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the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > discourtesy > [noun] > curtness or brusqueness > person
snapper1648
the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > irritability > [noun] > snappishness > snappish person
snapper1648
needle-spitter1805
1648 H. Hexham Groot Woorden-boeck Een Versnauwer, a Snapper, or a Taunter.
1847 J. O. Halliwell Dict. Archaic & Provinc. Words II Snappers, waspish persons that answer crossly or peevishly.
1869 R. D. Blackmore Lorna Doone II. xxiii. 315 What a nasty way you have of telling the very commonest piece of news!.. What man will ever fancy you, you unlucky little snapper?
1908 Daily Chron. 17 Aug. 5/7 We are told that though these mischief-makers, these snappers and snarlers, may be few, yet they are very influential.
6. † a. Angling. A snap-hook or snap-rod. Obsolete.
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
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 103/1 A Snapper, or Snap Rod, is a strong Pole, peculiar for a Pike.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory (1905) iii. xvi. 80/1 This is by some termed a cod fish hooke; but by Fishers and Anglers it is termed a Snapper, being made with a loop at the top.
b. local. (See quot. 1892.)
ΚΠ
1892 Longman's Mag. Nov. 83 Some of the men were armed with long wooden ‘snappers’, not unlike blacksmith's tongs,..thickly set with wire points or projecting nails,..and with these cruel implements they struck at and secured the stupefied fish [= eels].
7. attributive and in other combinations.1884 G. B. Goode in G. B. Goode et al. Fisheries U.S.: Sect. I 395 The Snapper Family—Pristipomatidæ.1888 G. B. Goode Amer. Fishes 76 Snapper-fishing is usually carried on with a bottom bait.1888 G. B. Goode Amer. Fishes 76 A trip to the Snapper banks is a favorite summer recreation.
a. One or other of various fishes, esp. the West Indian Lutjanus blackfordii or L. vivanus or other fish of this group, the North American rose-fish, Sebastes marinus, and the Australian Pagrus unicolor (see quots. and b). Cf. schnapper n.
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the world > animals > fish > superorder Acanthopterygii (spiny fins) > order Perciformes (perches) > family Sparidae (sea-breams) > [noun] > member of genus Pagrus or Chrysophrys (schnapper)
tai1620
snapper1697
stone-bass1698
schnapper1821
paugy1848
scup1848
scuppaug1870
count-fish1874
tarwhine1880
the world > animals > fish > superorder Acanthopterygii (spiny fins) > order Perciformes (perches) > suborder Percoidei > [noun] > family Lutjanidae (snappers) > member of (snapper)
snapper1697
mangrove snapper1735
red snapper1775
silka1818
sara1837
yelting1873
schoolmaster snapper1876
sea-lawyer1876
silk snapper1876
opakapaka1905
red emperor1936
the world > animals > fish > superorder Acanthopterygii (spiny fins) > order Perciformes (perches) > order Scorpaeniformes (scorpion-fish) > [noun] > family Scorpaenidae (scorpion-fishes) > sebastes marinus (red-fish)
snapper1697
rosefish1731
red perch1746
Norway haddock1836
bergylt?1838
red fish1964
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World iv. 88 Fish, particularly Snappers and Rock-fish, are..plentiful.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World iv. 91 The Snapper is a Fish made much like a Roach, but a great deal bigger... The Back is of a bright Red.
1712 E. Cooke Voy. S. Sea 114 Silver Fish, Snappers, Bonito's and very large Craw-fish.
1777 W. Anderson Jrnl. 16 Apr. in J. Cook Jrnls. (1967) III. ii. 853 The other sorts were chiefly Parrot fish, snappers and a brown spotted rock fish.
a1818 M. G. Lewis Jrnl. W. India Proprietor (1834) 104 Nothing can be less tempting than the sounds of Jew-fish, hog-fish, mud-fish, snappers,..and grunts.
1840 F. D. Bennett Narr. Whaling Voy. I. 23 They were chiefly of the kinds known as ‘rock-cod’, ‘snappers’, or gilt-heads.
1842 W. R. Wade Journey Northern Island N.Z. vii. 180 Some snappers which the lads had caught furnished us with a hearty supper.
1888 G. B. Goode Amer. Fishes 73 The Snappers and Grunts are among the most highly colored of the tropical fishes.
1896 Badminton Mag. 3 206 A great variety of large game fish..the Nannyghai, the snapper, and a dark species of rock cod.
1959 A. H. McLintock Descr. Atlas N.Z. 48 Snapper..is the most important species in the commercial catch.
1977 Best of Austral. Angler 9/1 The floating gar system used for tailor is also one of the very best ways to catch snapper from the rocks.
b. With distinctive epithets, as black snapper, brown snapper, etc. bastard snapper, grey snapper, red snapper: see the first element.Many different species are mentioned by Goode Fishes Bermudas (1876), Nat. Hist. Aquatic Anim. (1884), and American Fishes (1888).
ΚΠ
1775 B. Romans Conc. Nat. Hist. E. & W. Florida App. 52 The fish caught here..are such as..red, grey and black snappers, dog snappers, mutton-fish.
1822 J. M. Good Study Med. I. 201 Fishes of a few other kinds, as..gray-snapper (coracinus fuscus major).
1827 O. W. Roberts Narr. Voy. Central Amer. 34 They..soon caught plenty of groupers, red and silver snappers.
1833 M. Scott Tom Cringle's Log II. iv. 139 A red snapper, for all the world like a gigantic gold fish, was hauled on board.
1885 C. F. Holder Marvels Animal Life 176 Snappers, red and brown.
c. A snapping-turtle.alligator snapper: see the first element.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > reptiles > order Chelonia (turtles and tortoises) > [noun] > suborder Cryptodira > family Chelydridae > member of (snapping-turtle)
snapping tortoise1784
snapper1796
alligator turtle1798
alligator tortoise1801
1796 Aurora (Philadelphia) 17 May The crocodile throats of the gentle snappers or mud tortles in the Jersey market.
1872 M. S. De Vere Americanisms 388 The Snapping Turtle.., also called simply Snapper, is a ferocious kind, snapping at everything, and inflicting a painful bite.
c1880 Cassell's Nat. Hist. IV. 255 One of these aquatic Emydes..preys upon small fish, and is called Temminck's Snapper.
1888 Encycl. Brit. XXIII. 458 The family of Chelydridæ includes freshwater tortoises, which are known under the names of Snappers or Alligator Terrapins.
d. A woodpecker (Halliwell, 1847).
Categories »
e. U.S. A flysnapper ( Cent. Dict. 1891).
8. dialect. Something exceptionally large, heavy, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > largeness > [noun] > an exceptionally large thing of its kind
swinger1599
rapper1653
thumper1660
whisker1668
spanker1751
slapper1781
whopper1785
skelper1790
smasher1794
pelter1811
swapper1818
jumbo1823
sneezer1823
whacker1825
whanger1825
infant1832
bulger1835
three-decker1835
bouncer1842
snorter1859
whalera1860
plonker1862
bruiser1868
snapper1874
plumper1881
boomer1885
heavy1897
sollicker1898
sanakatowzer1903
Moby Dicka1974
stonker1987
1874 T. Hardy Far from Madding Crowd I. xv. 172 We get a fine day, and then down comes a snapper [of rain] at night.
1902 Ardrossan Herald 3 Jan. 4 That's a snapper o' an orange they've gi'en ye.
9. dialect.
a. The greater stitchwort, Stellaria Holostea.
ΚΠ
1882 in H. Friend Gloss. Devonshire Plant Names 51 Snap-jacks, Stellaria Holostea, L. In Sussex the Stitchwort is called ‘Snappers’. Both names apply to the bursting of the seed-vessels with a snap.
1886 in J. Britten & R. Holland Dict. Eng. Plant-names
b. The bladder campion, Silene inflata.
ΚΠ
1886 in J. Britten & R. Holland Dict. Eng. Plant-names
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
snappern.2
Scottish.
A stumble or trip. Frequently figurative, a slip in conduct; a fault or error; a scrape or difficulty.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > [noun] > manner of walking > stumbling > a stumble
spurnc1390
stumble1547
snappera1572
trip1681
stoiter1838
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > lack of truth, falsity > an error, mistake > [noun]
misnimming?c1225
errora1340
defaulta1387
balkc1430
fault1523
jeofail1546
errat1548
trip1548
naught1557
missa1568
missinga1568
slide1570
snappera1572
amiss1576
mistaking1579
misprize1590
mistake1600
berry-block1603
solecism1603
fallibility1608
stumblea1612
blota1657
slur1662
incorrectnessa1771
bumble1823
skew1869
(to make) a false step1875
slip-up1909
ricket1958
bad1981
the world > action or operation > difficulty > [noun] > difficult state of things > predicament or straits
needfulnessc1350
kankedortc1374
pressc1375
needfultya1382
briguec1400
brikec1400
plightc1400
taking?c1425
partyc1440
distrait1477
brakea1529
hot water1537
strait1544
extremes1547
pickle1562
praemunire1595
lock1598
angustiae1653
difficulty1667
scrape1709
premune1758
hole1760
Queer Street1811
warm water1813
strift1815
fix1816
plisky1818
snapper1818
amplush1827
false position1830
bind1851
jackpot1887
tight1896
squeeze1905
jam1914
a1572 J. Knox Hist. Reformation Scotl. in Wks. (1846) I. 79 Forresse war runne upon the day to Smallame..and such place nere about, but many snapparis thei gate.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 340 This king dies..throuch the vehement snapper of a Wantount horse.
1629 Z. Boyd Last Battell Soule (new ed.) 190 I am not like these sinners which but trip and stumble, and rise again after a snapper.
17.. A. Ramsay Epil. to ‘Drummer’ 8 Men of sense will kindly praise us, And, if we make a little snapper, raise us.
a1732 T. Boston Crook in Lot (1805) 164 They were only so [over-rash] in applying the time to the promise; a snapper that saints in all ages have made.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian viii, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. II. 197 Advocate Langtale has brought folk through waur snappers than a' this.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
snapperadj.
Scottish.
Sharp, snappish.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > irritability > irritable [adjective] > snappish or sharp-tongued
knappish1542
snappish1542
short1591
tart1601
tart-tongued1602
nimble-tongued1608
snapping1642
snapper1673
snip-snap1770
snaggy1781
twittya1825
snappy1834
sharp-tongued1837
snippy1848
snack1883
1673–4 Earl Kincardin in Lauderdale P. (Camden) III. 30 The K. gave him a snapper ansuer.
1808 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. (at cited word) A snappert answer.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
snapperv.1
/ˈsnapə/, U.S. /ˈsnæpər/, Scottish English /ˈsnapər/ Chiefly (and now only) northern and Scottish.proverbial.a1598 D. Fergusson Sc. Prov. (1641) sig. A4v A horse may snapper on foure feet.1721 J. Kelly Compl. Coll. Scotish Prov. 26 A Horse with four Feet may snapper, by a time.
1. intransitive. To stumble or trip. †Also, to fall through stumbling.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > walk, tread, or step [verb (intransitive)] > stumble
spurnc1000
stumpc1250
misstepc1300
stummer13..
stumblec1325
snappera1352
thrumble1362
snatera1400
tripc1440
stut1574
stomber1588
flounder1592
strumble1681
plunther1841
a1352 L. Minot Poems (1914) x. 16 Wight men of þe west neghed þam nerr, And gert þam snaper in þe snare.
a1400 Metr. Hom. (Ashm. 42) f. 70 b Full radde he was to snapir rathe, To drowne him & his childir bathe.
c1400 26 Pol. Poems iv. 90 Many can stomble at a stre; Þey nyl not snapere at a style.
c1425 Thomas of Erceld. 381 Stedes shall snapre throwght tresoun.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 723/2 My horse dyd nat stumble, he dyd but snapper a lytell.
1597 J. Skene De Verborum Significatione at Cathorius Quhen ane horse..snappers of fallis with his maister.
1607 G. Markham Cavelarice ii. 134 Or els setting downe his feete vncertainly [he] doth often stumble and snapper.
1650 Reg. Privy Counc. Scot. VIII. 233 He snappered and lighted upon ane cart wheele.
1737 H. Bracken Farriery Improved xlv. 594 He will not..be so apt to snapper and stumble.
1816 W. Scott Black Dwarf ix*, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. I. 187 Wouldst thou snapper now and break my neck?
1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xl. 281 Only Samie's shaltie snappert.
2. figurative or transferred. To stumble or make a slip in action or conduct; to fall into error.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > lack of truth, falsity > be mistaken, err [verb (intransitive)]
dwelec900
haltc900
marOE
slidea1000
misfangOE
missOE
to have wough?c1225
misnimc1225
misrekec1275
mis-startc1275
err1303
to go wrongc1340
misgo1340
slipc1340
snapperc1380
forvay1390
to miss of ——c1395
to make a balkc1430
to run in ——1496
trip1509
fault1530
mistake1548
misreckon1584
misstep1605
warpa1616
solecize1627
hallucinate1652
nod1677
to go will1724
to fare astray (misliche, amiss)a1849
slip1890
skid1920
c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. II. 367 Mannis affecciouns..shulde stonde stalworþly, lest þe soule snaperide aftir.
a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Jer. xviii. 15 My puple hath forȝete me..and snaperiden in her weies.
a1500 in Ratis Raving 23 The foly of the ful garis hyme snapyr.
1528 J. Skelton Honorificatissimo: Replycacion agaynst Yong Scolers sig. B Count ye your selfe good clerkes And snapper in suche werkes?
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 227 He appeiret to snapper, anent the celebratione of the Pasche day..; at qlke stane snappired lykwyse Bischope Aidane.
1731 Reasons for Presbyterians dissenting 101 He hath miserably snapper'd upon Hazael for a pattern.
1792 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) II. 75 Blind Chance, let her snapper and stoyte on her way.
Derivatives
ˈsnappering adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > [adjective] > having specific manner of walking > stumbling
stumbling1538
tripping1577
snappering1596
stumbly1890
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1895) II. 319 To bring..tua bald snapring horsses [L. summæ pernicitatis equos] for the flicht.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
snapperv.2
rare. Now dialect.
1. intransitive. ? To snap the beak.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > [verb (intransitive)] > make sound
to sing awk1600
warble1605
snapper1664
flute1800
note1906
wing-clap1964
1664 H. More Modest Enq. Myst. Iniquity 333 This Image was made to snapper and chatter something like that Bird [the magpie].
2. To snap or crackle; to give out a sharp snapping sound.
ΚΠ
1852–88 in Berkshire glossaries.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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n.1c1555
n.2a1572
adj.1673v.1a1352v.21664- highland gathering
- highland honours
- highland kilt
- highland line
- highland moccasin
- highland or balmoral schottische
- highland pipe
- highland piper
- highland plover
- highland pony
- highland regiment
- highland terrier
- highland woman
- highlander
- highlanders
- highlandest
- highlandish
- highlandman
- highlandry
- hexagonal closepacked
- hexagonal closepacking
- hexagonal numbers
- hexagonal symmetry
- hexagonalize
- hexagonally