sneakn.
/sniːk/, U.S. /snik/ 1. 1837 B. D. Walsh tr. Aristophanes Knights ii. iii, in Comedies 209 I knew not..that you had been long..a sneak and a shuffler.1840 W. M. Thackeray Shabby Genteel Story iii We call him tuft~hunter, lickspittle, sneak.1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) v. 39 The sneak of an usher jeered at him no longer.1879 L. Stephen Hours in Libr. 3rd Ser. i. 47 A penitent is generally a bit of a sneak.
a. A sneaking, mean-spirited, paltry, or despicable person; one who acts in a shifty, shabby, or underhand manner.Jerry Sneak: see jerry-sneak n. at jerry n.1 Compounds.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > sneakiness > sneaky person > [noun]
snuch1579
sheep-biter?1589
sneaker1598
roundabout1605
sneaka1643
sneaks1653
creepa1876
society > morality > moral evil > lack of principle or integrity > [noun] > underhandedness or sneakiness > person
snuch1579
sheep-biter?1589
sneaker1598
sneaka1643
sneaks1653
creepa1876
a1643 W. Cartwright Ordinary (1651) iv. v. 75 I'l suffer no such sneaks As you, t'offend this way.
1677 W. Hughes Man of Sin ii. x. 159 The Devil,..being baffled, packs away, like a silly Sneak as he was.
b. One who robs or steals in a sneaking manner, or who enters places clandestinely for that purpose. (See also area sneak n. at area n. Compounds 2.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > thief > [noun] > who works by stealth
thief688
hole-creeper1462
stalker?a1513
sneak1785
creep1914
snooper1924
1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue Sneak, a pilferer.
1839 H. Brandon Dict. Flash or Cant Lang. in W. A. Miles Poverty, Mendicity & Crime 165/2 Sneaks, boys who creep into houses, down areas, or into shops, etc. to enter the premises.
1902 Westm. Gaz. 30 June 2/3 The genuine poacher—the real article we mean, not the commercial midnight game sneak.
2. Cant.
a. The act or practice of stealing in unperceived in order to rob; a robbery effected in this manner. Usually in upon the sneak. Also more generally on the sneak, on the sly, by stealth, under concealment.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > [noun] > in sneaking manner
manticulation1623
sneak1699
hole-creeping1852
creep1928
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > stealthy action, stealth > stealthy movement > [noun]
stalkingc1000
creeping1565
hedge-creeping1579
stealing1581
steal1590
stealth1600
insinuation1608
slinking1611
sneakinga1657
prowl1803
creep1818
sneak1819
lurk1829
slink1853
pussyfooting1956
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > stealthy action, stealth > [adverb]
softlyc1225
by stalea1240
privilya1250
slylyc1275
thieflyc1290
stealingly13..
by stealth1390
stalworthlya1400
theftfullyc1400
theftlyc1400
theftuouslyc1400
under veilc1425
thievishly?c1450
by theft1488
quietly1488
furtively1490
by surreption1526
hugger-muggera1529
in hugger-mugger1529
underhand1538
insidiously1545
creepingly1548
surreptiously1573
underboard1582
filchingly1583
sneakingly1598
underwater1600
slipperily1603
thief-likea1625
clandestinely1632
surreptitiously1643
thievously1658
clancularly1699
stownlins1786
stealthily1806
underhandedly1806
stolen-wise1813
on (upon, under, or by) the sly1818
round-the-corner1820
underhanded1823
stealthfully1828
slinkingly1830
slippingly1830
on the sneak?1863
sneakishly1867
behind backs1874
stalkingly1891
on the side1893
under the counter1926
underground1935
under the table1938
down and dirty1959
sneakily1966
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew at Ken-miller 'Tis a bob Ken, Brush upon the Sneak, 'tis a good House, go in if you will but Tread softly.
1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. at Gammon A thief detected in a house which he has entered, upon the sneak, for the purpose of robbing it.
1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. at Gammon Morning-sneak, going out early to rob private houses or shops by slipping in at the door unperceived [etc.].
?1863 T. Taylor Ticket-of-leave Man i. 9 Pottering about on the sneak, flimping or smashing a little when I get the chance.
1930 Amer. Mercury XXI. 458/1 You got to work strictly on the sneak. All the spots are hot.
1935 Sun (Baltimore) 13 July 9/6 A few of them [sc. betting spots] were ‘sneaking’ with just as many customers as ever... These spots ‘on the sneak’ usually are located in the upper floors of Loop skyscrapers.
1955 Publ. Amer. Dial. Soc. No. 24. 86 If the road mob decides to work on the sneak, that is, without advance arrangements in any locality, [etc.].
1982 Chicago Sun-Times 6 Aug. 71/1 He does so with all the glee of a schoolkid reading Playboy magazine on the sneak.
b. The act of stealing away or running off in a sneaking manner.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > escape > [noun] > stealthy
moonlight flitting1721
mizzle1789
sneak1819
moonlight flit1824
guy1889
moonlight1958
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > [noun] > going away suddenly or hurriedly > secretly or absconding
absconding1676
elopementa1763
flight1769
levanting1788
sneak1819
absconsion1827
skip1942
1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. (at cited word) One or more prisoners having escaped..by stealth, without..alarming their keepers, are said to have..given it to 'em upon the sneak.
1901 Wide World Mag. 6 478/1 Geronimo and his blood~thirsty cut-throats had ‘made a sneak’, that is, left their reservation and were on the war-path.
3. Cricket. A ball bowled so as to roll along the ground; a daisy-cutter.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > bowling > [noun] > a ball bowled > types of delivery or ball
full toss1826
long hop1830
twister1832
bail ball1833
bailer1833
grubber1837
slow ball1838
wide1838
ground ball1839
shooter1843
slower ball1846
twiddler1847
creeper1848
lob1851
sneak1851
sneaker1851
slow1854
bumper1855
teaser1856
daisy-cutter1857
popper1857
yorker1861
sharpshooter1863
headball1866
screwball1866
underhand1866
skimmerc1868
grub1870
ramrod1870
raymonder1870
round-armer1871
grass cutter1876
short pitch1877
leg break1878
lob ball1880
off-break1883
donkey-drop1888
tice1888
fast break1889
leg-breaker1892
kicker1894
spinner1895
wrong 'un1897
googly1903
fizzer1904
dolly1906
short ball1911
wrong 'un1911
bosie1912
bouncer1913
flyer1913
percher1913
finger-spinner1920
inswinger1920
outswinger1920
swinger1920
off-spinner1924
away swinger1925
Chinaman1929
overspinner1930
tweaker1938
riser1944
leg-cutter1949
seamer1952
leggy1954
off-cutter1955
squatter1955
flipper1959
lifter1959
cutter1960
beamer1961
loosener1962
doosra1999
1851 J. Pycroft Cricket Field vii. 105 Cowley..put on one Tailor Humphreys to bowl twisting underhand sneaks.
1862 J. Pycroft Cricket Tutor 52 Sneaks jump about and twist with the ground.
1886 J. Pycroft Oxf. Memories II. 93 Once, when good bowling was unsuccessful, they put in Tailor Humphreys to bowl twisting sneaks.
1899 A. Lubbock Mem. Eton xviii. 278 A long hop to leg would have been a more suitable ball than a straight sneak.
4. slang. A soft-soled, noiseless slipper or shoe.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > shoe or boot > shoe > [noun] > types of > with specific types of sole > soft sole
sneak1862
sneaker1895
1862 Female Life in Prison I. xvii. 211 The night~officer is generally accustomed to wear a species of India~rubber shoes or goloshes on her feet. These are termed ‘sneaks’ by the women [of Brixton Prison].
1883 J. Greenwood In Strange Company (ed. 2) 321 ‘Sneaks’..are shoes with canvas tops and indiarubber soles.
1904 A. Griffiths Fifty Years Public Service xiv. 204 His footsteps were..deadened by the ‘sneaks’, or cloth slippers, worn to conceal his whereabouts.
5. U.S. colloquial = sneak preview n. at sneak- comb. form 1.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > cinematography > film show > [noun] > preview
trade show1913
roadshowing1923
press show1928
sneak preview1938
sneak1941
1941 B. Schulberg What makes Sammy Run? iv. 60 We'll know better after the sneak... And..when we see whether Mr. and Mrs. Public buy tickets.
1967 Boston Globe 5 Apr. 57/1 (heading) Sneaks slated at music hall.
1978 E. Tidyman Table Stakes ii. vi. 265 The studio agreed to give the production three previews... The first ‘sneak’..took place at a small theater in Redlands.
Draft additions 1993
c. colloquial. A tell-tale, an informer.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > informing on or against > [noun] > informer
wrayerc1000
wrobberc1300
discoverera1400
denunciator1474
informer1503
denouncer1533
detector1541
delatora1572
sycophant1579
inquisitor1580
scout1585
finger man1596
emphanista1631
quadruplator1632
informant1645
eastee-man1681
whiddler1699
runner1724
stag1725
snitch1785
qui tam1788
squeak1795
split1819
clype1825
telegraph1825
snitcher1827
Jack Nasty1837
pigeon1847
booker1863
squealer1865
pig1874
rounder1884
sneak1886
mouse1890
finger1899
fizgig1902
screamer1902
squeaker1903
canary1912
shopper1924
narker1932
snurge1933
cheese eater1935
singer1935
tip-off1941
top-off1941
tout1959
rat fink1961
whistle-blower1970
1886 H. Baumann Londinismen p. v Are smashers and divers And noble contrivers Not sold to the beaks By the coppers an' sneaks?
1915 W. S. Maugham Of Human Bondage xxi. 86 ‘It would serve you right if I told him,’ said Mr. Carey. ‘If you like to be a perfect sneak you can.’
1934 Ld. Berners First Childhood iii. 33 She was a spoil-sport and a sneak.
1959 I. Opie & P. Opie Lore & Lang. Schoolchildren x. 189 One who blabs to a teacher or to a senior is a..‘rotten sneak’.
1989 Independent 11 Feb. (Mag.) 22/1 It started with a tip-off... The Sun was told by one of its regular sneaks, paid on a story-by-story basis that [etc.].
Draft additions 1993
b. A stealthy movement; a sneaking departure or expedition. quarterback sneak: see quarterback sneak n. at quarterback n. Compounds. slang (chiefly U.S.).
ΚΠ
1904 ‘O. Henry’ Cabbages & Kings xvii. 303 Well, we three made a sneak around the edge of town so as not to be seen.
1930 Liberty 11 Oct. 30/3 Rube copped a sneak on the joint to find out if it was ready. In twenty minutes he gives us the O.K.
1936 P. G. Wodehouse Laughing Gas iv. 51 She had said something about her chances of doing a quiet sneak to bed at a fairly early hour.
Draft additions September 2013
6. American Football. = quarterback sneak n. at quarterback n. Compounds.
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
1921 Lima (Ohio) News & Times-Democrat 13 Nov. 12/3 Winegardner 2 yards on a sneak.
1986 Quarterback 17 May 4/1 All the Colts points were scored by quarterback Dean Isaacs... The second, coming in the third quarter was a 10-yard sneak.
1997 N.Y. Times 7 Sept. i. 22/5 After two sneaks set up third-and-goal from the 1, a sack pushed the Indians back.
2004 N. Allen More Tales from Hog Heaven i. 16 The 76-yard sneak brought Eichler recognition from Arkansas clear back to the Big Apple.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
sneakv.
/sniːk/, U.S. /snik/ I. intransitive.in extended use.1707 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. 30 Sept. Our Bishops sneak to the old Cause.
1. To move, go, walk, etc., in a stealthy or slinking manner; to creep or steal furtively, as if ashamed or afraid to be seen; to slink, skulk:figurative and in extended use.1643 G. Wither Campo-Musæ 72 That Delusion Which had so hotly charg'd me, sneaked thence.a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Surrey 96 When the Sun ariseth the Moon sneaketh down obscurely.1857 S. Osborn Quedah xii. 159 Towards dusk a small canoe sneaked out, under the plea of fishing.figurative.1726 D. Defoe Polit. Hist. Devil ii. v. 252 Being asham'd, as well as discourag'd, they sneak'd out of the World as well as they could.1838 R. W. Emerson Addr. Divinity Coll. 23 Now man is ashamed of himself; he skulks and sneaks through the world.1871 R. Browning Balaustion 94 To thee who..livest now Through having sneaked past fate apportioned thee.figurative.1633 G. Herbert Temple: Sacred Poems 121 Thus Sinne in Egypt sneaked for a while.1692 Vindication 15 Vice..always sneaks when bravely born up to.1765 J. Beattie Judgment of Paris 26 Coward Office..Sneaks secure in insolence of state.1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel II. 83 How blest she'd been,..If, ere want sneak'd for grudg'd support from pride [etc.].
a. With adverbs, as away, down, in, off, out, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > sneakiness > [verb (intransitive)]
sneak1598
the world > movement > progressive motion > specific manner of progressive motion > move progressively in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > softly or stealthily
creepc1175
skulk?c1225
stealc1374
slipc1400
sneak1598
crawl1623
snake1848
slime1898
oil1925
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > stealthy action, stealth > stealthy movement > move stealthily [verb (intransitive)]
besteala725
snikec897
steal1154
creepc1175
skulk?c1225
snaker?c1225
stalkc1300
slenchc1330
lurka1375
slinkc1374
snokec1380
slide1382
slipc1400
mitchera1575
sneak1598
snake1818
sly1825
snoop1832
to steal one's way1847
sniggle1881
gumshoe1897
slime1898
pussyfoot1902
soft-foot1913
cat-foot1916
pussy1919
pussa1953
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 iv. iii. 60 A poore vnminded outlaw sneaking home. View more context for this quotation
1630 T. Dekker Second Pt. Honest Whore iii. ii. 148 I hope he will not sneake away with all the money.
1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes ii. iv. 124 in Wks. II Where's Madrigall? Is he sneek'd hence.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 9. ⁋3 Miss having heard enough, sneaks off for Fear of Discovery.
1740 S. Richardson Pamela I. xix. 47 [The cook] was hot with her Work; and I sneak'd away.
1844 C. Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit xlvii. 544 To avoid people, and sneak on unobserved.
1877 W. Black Green Pastures & Piccadilly I. i. 5 The two women were sneaking off by themselves.
1887 Lantern (New Orleans) 17 Dec. 3/3 He grubbed ten dollars from de bums an den snuck home.
1932 J. T. Farrell Young Lonigan ii. 55 They had all snuck in and were having a good time, making trouble.
1969 Oz May 3/1 It was sticking out of a dustbin—the mag I mean..so I snuck off to the park and had a good old read.
1976 S. Brett So Much Blood xvi. 191 At the interval Charles and Frances snuck out to the pub.
1979 Vassar Q. Summer 17/3 I have come around the back way and snuck up, as we say in Nebraska, on my subject.
b. With prepositions, as about, after, from, into, etc.
ΚΠ
1607 F. Beaumont Woman Hater v. iii. sig. K1 There are they still poore rogues,..sneaking after cheeses.
1609 S. Rowlands Dr. Merrie-man (Hunterian Club) 20 The Rusticke..softly sneaking out of doores, About his message goes.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) i. ii. 171 To her vnguarded Nest, the Weazell (Scot) Comes sneaking . View more context for this quotation
1714 A. Pope Corr. 25 Sept. (1956) I. 255 I have..sneaked along the walks, with that astonished and diffident air.
1749 T. Smollett tr. A. R. Le Sage Gil Blas I. i. xiii. 66 But I made no reply, and very wisely condescended to sneak into the straw.
1825 T. Hook Sayings & Doings 2nd Ser. II. 51 They..sneaked from my door with every mark of..servile cowardice.
1835 J. Ross Narr. Second Voy. North-west Passage ii. 22 Appearing disorderly and dirty, as they..sneaked about the ship.
1879 E. K. Bates Egyptian Bonds II. viii. 191 Like truant schoolboys who sneak into the busy schoolroom.
1940 R. Chandler Farewell, my Lovely vi. 36 I snuck in there and grabbed it.
1957 J. Kerouac On the Road ii. viii. 159 Four sullen fieldworkers, snuck from their chores to brawl in drinking fields.
c. Without const. (Frequently used to denote want of courage, independence, or straightforwardness, without reference to place or movement.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > stealthy action, stealth > be stealthy [verb (intransitive)]
sneak1633
society > morality > moral evil > lack of principle or integrity > be unprincipled [verb (intransitive)] > be sneaky or underhand
sneak1633
the mind > emotion > fear > cowardice or pusillanimity > be cowardly or show signs of cowardice [verb (intransitive)] > (of cowardice) sneak
sneak1765
1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. vi. v. sig. Nn8 As these Russians could not take a better way than that of not sneaking, to avoid the having their Rites and Persons undervalu'd.
1682 N. O. tr. N. Boileau-Despréaux Lutrin ii. 184 For he..scorn'd to stand, and sneak with hands in Pocket.
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 266 He sneak'd like a Cock, that hangs down his wings when he's beaten.
1734 A. Pope Epist. to Visct. Cobham 6 Tom struts a Soldier,..Will sneaks a Scriv'ner, an exceeding Knave.
1781 S. Johnson Pope in Pref. Wks. Eng. Poets VII. 140 Pope was reduced to sneak and shuffle, sometimes to deny, and sometimes to apologise.
1845 Nonconformist V. 133 Law..may allow..them to sneak—but law cannot wipe away the reproach of sneaking.
1861 ‘G. Eliot’ Silas Marner ix. 144 If you know where he's sneaking..you may tell him to spare himself the journey o' coming back home.
d. U.S. colloquial. To make off quietly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)] > go away quietly or stealthily
steal1154
to steal one's wayc1385
skew?a1400
astealc1400
fleetc1400
slip?c1450
shrink1530
flinch1563
shift1594
foist1603
shab1699
slope1851
smuggle1865
sneak1896
mope1914
to oil out1945
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)] > go away suddenly or hastily > secretly or abscond
to run awayOE
elope1596
to step aside1620
abscond1652
shirk1681
decamp1751
levant1797
absconce1823
skip1865
skin1871
to shoot the crow1887
sneak1896
to go through1933
to take a run-out powder1933
1896 G. Ade Artie 7 I'd a' sneaked early in the game.
1901 Scribner's Mag. Apr. 409/1 When you get over the fence,..yell fire till the crowd comes, then sneak.
2. To cringe or be servile to (a person, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > humility > servility > be servile to [verb (transitive)]
fawna1568
comply1641
sneak1665
spaniel1812
yessir1898
yes1915
ass-kiss1951
cocksuck1954
ass-lick1962
crawl1966
1665 R. South Serm. preached before Court 34 I need salute no great Mans Threshold, sneak to none of his Friends or Servants.
a1704 T. Brown Dialogue Oxf. Schollars in Wks. (1707) I. i. 12 Pitiful Curates or Chaplains that must sneak to the Groom and Butler.
1796 E. Burke Let. Dec. in Corr. (1970) IX. 163 We sneak to the Regicides, but we boldly trample on our poor fellow Citizens.
1873 R. Browning Red Cotton Night-cap Country iv. 257 Why else to me..Sneak, cap in hand, now bribe me to forsake My maimed Léonce, now bully, cap on head.
3. School slang. To peach, inform, tell tales.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > informing on or against > inform on or against [verb (intransitive)]
inform1588
peach1598
whistle1599
sing1612
whiddlec1661
squeak1690
wheedle1710
whittle1735
to blow the gab1785
snitch1801
rat1810
nose1811
sing1816
gnarl1819
split1819
stag1839
clype1843
squeal1846
blow1848
to round on1857
nark1859
pimp1865
squawk1872
ruck1884
to come or turn copper1891
copper1897
sneak1897
cough1901
stool1911
tattle-tale1918
snout1923
talk1924
fink1925
scream1925
sarbut1928
grass1929
to turn over1967
dime1970
1897 Daily News 3 June 7/2 Sneaking, in the ethics of public school boys, is the unpardonable sin.
1902 Spectator July 46/2 The boys..usually prefer to suffer rather than ‘sneak’ of one of their companions.
II. transitive.† 5. To do or act (one's part) in a sneaking or cringing manner. Obsolete. rare.
4. reflexive.1680 Advice to Soldier ii, in Harl. Misc. (1753) I. 467 I have seen some of those Gallants..in the Middle of a Sea-fight,..sneak themselves behind the Main-mast.
a. To turn or draw aside, to put or thrust in or into, to move or slide to, etc., in a stealthy manner.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come in [verb (intransitive)] > surreptitiously or subtly
to steal (some one or something) ina1555
shuffle1565
slink1567
to come in at (also by) the window1590
insinuate1600
wimble1605
screw1614
sneak1680
oil1925
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > stealthy action, stealth > stealthy movement > withdraw, steal away [verb (reflexive)]
stealc1386
wile?a1400
diskenc1460
convey1535
sneak1680
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > stealthy action, stealth > stealthy movement > traverse stealthily [verb (transitive)] > convey
sneak1680
1684 T. Otway Atheist iii. 22 Sneak what Ready-money thou hast into my Hand.
1702 C. Beaumont J. Beaumont's Psyche (new ed.) i. xlvii. 4 Stout Trees..From this dire Breath sneak'd their faint heads aside.
1754 Connoisseur No. 32. ⁋3 I see a man every minute stealing out a dirty muckender, then sneaking it in again.
1889 Macmillan's Mag. Aug. 253/1 I lay stirless, softly sneaking my right hand to the pistol.
1892 A. C. Gunter Miss Dividends (1893) 275 When Lawrence's name comes up for membership, he sneaks in a black-ball, as many another prig..has done before.
1968 J. M. Ullman Lady on Fire (1969) xii. 160 You've got a new lead. Maybe something the sister told you after you snuck her out of that hotel.
1971 D. E. Westlake I gave at Office (1972) 12 There was some suspicion that a couple of guests had snuck friends in.
1979 R. Jaffe Class Reunion i. vii. 69 He wanted to sneak her into his room.
b. To keep out of sight; to hide. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > hide, conceal [verb (transitive)]
heeleOE
forhelec888
i-hedec888
dernc893
hidec897
wryOE
behelec1000
behidec1000
bewryc1000
forhidec1000
overheleOE
hilla1250
fealc1325
cover1340
forcover1382
blinda1400
hulsterc1400
overclosec1400
concealc1425
shroud1426
blend1430
close1430
shadow1436
obumber?1440
mufflea1450
alaynec1450
mew?c1450
purloin1461
to keep close?1471
oversilec1478
bewrap1481
supprime1490
occulta1500
silec1500
smoor1513
shadec1530
skleir1532
oppressa1538
hudder-mudder1544
pretex1548
lap?c1550
absconce1570
to steek away1575
couch1577
recondite1578
huddle1581
mew1581
enshrine1582
enshroud1582
mask1582
veil1582
abscondc1586
smotherc1592
blot1593
sheathe1594
immask1595
secret1595
bemist1598
palliate1598
hoodwinka1600
overmaska1600
hugger1600
obscure1600
upwrap1600
undisclose1601
disguise1605
screen1611
underfold1612
huke1613
eclipsea1616
encavea1616
ensconcea1616
obscurify1622
cloud1623
inmewa1625
beclouda1631
pretext1634
covert1647
sconce1652
tapisa1660
shun1661
sneak1701
overlay1719
secrete1741
blank1764
submerge1796
slur1813
wrap1817
buttress1820
stifle1820
disidentify1845
to stick away1900
1701 W. Wake Ration. Texts Script. (Todd) 222 Some sins dare the world in open defiance, yet this [sc. slander] lurks, and sneaks its head.
c. To pass through in an underhand or stealthy manner.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > stealthy action, stealth > stealthy movement > traverse stealthily [verb (transitive)]
prowla1586
sneak1891
1891 Daily News 29 Jan. 2/4 Mr. Stephens..objected.. to this cruel and unjust Bill being ‘sneaked’ through Parliament.
1896 Voice (N.Y.) 5 Mar. 2/4 A most important measure is being sneaked through the general assembly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > stealthy action, stealth > accomplish clandestinely [verb (transitive)]
steal1625
sneaka1657
the mind > emotion > fear > cowardice or pusillanimity > be cowardly [verb (transitive)] > act in sneaking manner
sneaka1657
a1657 G. Daniel Trinarchodia: Henry V ccxcii, in Poems (1878) IV. 174 Something hidden lifts the Thought To Noble Actions, when they heare 'em told, And Hee who Sneaks his part, will praise 'em bold.
6.
a. Cant. (See quot. 18192.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > escape > escape from [verb (transitive)] > contrive to escape or evade > a person or slip away from
aglya1250
outsteala1325
glide?1510
slip1513
betrumpa1522
to give (one) the slip1567
to get by ——1601
outslip1616
to give (a person or thing) the go-by1653
elude1667
to tip (a person) the picks1673
bilk1679
to tip (a person) the pikes1688
to give one the drop1709
jouk1812
double1819
sneak1819
shirk1837
duck1896
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > steal [verb (transitive)] > steal from > steal from sneakingly
sneak1819
creep1914
1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. (at cited word) To sneak a place is to rob it upon the sneak.
1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. (at cited word) One or more persons having escaped from their confinement by stealth, without..alarming their keepers, are said to have sneak'd 'em.
b. colloquial. To steal in a sneaking or stealthy manner; to filch; to take or partake of surreptitiously.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > taking surreptitiously > take surreptitiously [verb (transitive)]
forsteala940
stealc950
undernimc1175
to run away with?c1430
embezzle1469
steal?1473
surrept1548
cloyne1549
abstract1555
secrete1749
smuggle1768
to run off1821
snakea1861
sneak1883
snitch1904
palm1941
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > steal [verb (transitive)] > steal sneakingly
snakea1861
sneak1883
swike1889
1883 Daily News 14 Sept. 3/7 The various kinds of people who visit public libraries for other than legitimate purposes, such as..those who sneaked umbrellas, and those who stole books.
1889 J. K. Jerome Three Men in Boat ix. 142 Somebody must have sneaked it, and run off with it.
1900 Dial. Notes 2 61 Sneak, to appropriate.
1921 E. O'Neill Emperor Jones i. 160 When I sleeps, dey sneaks a sleep, too, and I pretends I never suspicions it.
a1953 E. O'Neill More Stately Mansions (1964) ii. iii. 136 Each sneaks a suspicious, probing glance at the other.
1955 J. H. O'Hara Ten North Frederick (1956) 34 I can sneak us another drink.
1956 M. Duggan Immanuel's Land 107 The conductor stood on the bucking platform, sneaking a cigarette.
1968 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 17 Feb. 6/2 If they did have these smoking areas..the students wouldn't have to sneak a smoke in the washroom.
1978 J. Irving World according to Garp ii. 30 He was happy to run errands for the patients, deliver messages, sneak food.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
> see also
also refers to : sneak-comb. form
<
n.a1643
v.1598see also