I. ˈsnag noun
Etymology: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse snagi clothes peg
Date: circa 1587
1.
a. : a tree or branch embedded in a lake or stream bed and constituting a hazard to navigation
b. : a standing dead tree
2. : a rough sharp or jagged projecting part : protuberance : as
a. : a projecting tooth ; also : a stump of a tooth
b. : one of the secondary branches of an antler
3. : a concealed or unexpected difficulty or obstacle
4.
a. : a jagged tear made by or as if by catching on a snag
b. : an irregularity that suggests the result of tearing ; especially : a pulled thread in fabric
a snag in her stocking
• snag·gy ˈsna-gē adjective
II. transitive verb
( snagged ; snag·ging )
Date: 1807
1.
a. : to catch and usually damage on or as if on a snag
b. : to halt or impede as if by catching on a snag
2. : to hew, trim, or cut roughly or jaggedly
3. : to clear (as a river) of snags
4. : to catch or obtain usually by quick action or good fortune