I. ˈsnag, -aa(ə)g, -aig intransitive verb
( snagged ; snagged ; snagging ; snags )
Etymology: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Icelandic snagga to quarrel, wrangle, and perhaps to Old Norse snaga, a kind of ax — more at snag II
dialect chiefly Britain : to scold aggravatingly : nag , carp
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian dialect snag projecting point on a headland, islet or skerry, Old Norse snagi clothes peg, snaga, a kind of ax, and probably to Norwegian snake to sniff around, snatch at something with the teeth — more at snatch
1.
a.
(1) : a stub or stump remaining on a tree after a branch has been lopped off
(2) : the rough stub remaining after a branch has been torn off (as by wind) ; also : such a roughly broken branch
stumbling through underbrush and over the snags that littered the ground
b. : a tree or a branch, log, or stump embedded in a lake or stream bed in such a manner that projecting parts constitute a hazard to navigation
c. : a standing dead tree from which parts or all of the top have fallen ; especially : one that is more than 20 feet tall — compare stub
d. : a short stub that is left temporarily to support the new growth from the scion when the stock is cut back after some side graft or more often budding operations
2. : a rough sharp or jagged projecting part or unit : protuberance: as
a. : a projecting tooth ; also : a stump of a tooth
b. : one of the secondary branches of an antler : a small tine or a branch of a tine
3. : a concealed or unexpected impediment, difficulty, or obstacle
4.
a. : a jagged tear made by or as if by catching on a sharp projection
b. : an irregularity that suggests the result of tearing ; especially : a pulled thread in fabric
a snag in her stocking
5.
a. : an irregular piece separated from a larger unit
broke off a snag of bread
b. : an indefinite amount
came into quite a snag of money
Synonyms: see obstacle
III. transitive verb
( snagged ; snagged ; snagging ; snags )
1. : to lop off (as branches) so as to leave snags : hew, trim, or cut roughly or jaggedly
2.
a. : to catch on an underwater tree
the boat was snagged near the right bank
b. : to catch (as wool) on sharp bushes or brush
c. : to catch (a line or hook) on underwater weeds or stones
d. : to catch (as clothes) on wire
snagged his pants on the barbed wire fence
e. : to hook (a fish) in the body rather than in the mouth
f. : to hook (a fish) with a snagline
g. : to interrupt or interfere with as if by catching on a snag
commerce … has been snagged by … lack of foreign exchange — New York Times
3.
a. : to clear (a river) of snags
b. : to remove rough protuberances from a foundry casting
4. : to catch or obtain by quick, decisive, and often more or less irregular action
snag a football pass from the opponent
snagged a taxi — Frances Crane
snagged the cake from the pantry while his mother was out
worked out ways and means of snagging a rich husband — Polly Adler
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: origin unknown
dialect Britain : sloe , blackthorn