I. ˈsnap verb
( snapped ; snapped ; snapping ; snaps )
Etymology: Dutch or Low German snappen, from Middle Dutch & Middle Low German, respectively; akin to Middle High German snappen to snap, stumble, sway, chatter, Old Norse snapa to snuffle, snap, and probably to Old High German snabul beak — more at neb
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to make a snap of the jaws : seize something with a snap of the mouth
an ill-conditioned cur that snaps and snarls
— usually used with at
fish snapping at the bait
b. : to grasp at something eagerly : make a pounce or snatch — usually used with at
snapped at the invitation
ready to snap at any chance for improvement
2. : to utter sharp biting words : bark out irritable or peevish retorts — often used with at
3.
a. : to break off or in two often with a short snapping sound : break suddenly (as under strain or tension)
the twig snapped
the taut cable finally snapped
b. : to give way under stress : suddenly yield usually to the cumulative effect of some strain
after three days of battle his nerve snapped
4.
a. : to make a sound that is a snap : give out a sharp or crackling sound or a sudden report or click
the fire snapped and crackled on the hearth
damp clothes snapping on the line
b. of a firearm : to make a sharp sound by the falling of the hammer on an empty chamber or on a round that does not fire ; also : misfire
5. : to move especially abruptly in a particular direction or manner usually in attaining a position of closure
the lid snapped down
her eyes snapped shut
the bolt snaps home with a click
6. : to emit sparks or flashes (as of wit or sarcasm)
the conversation snapped back and forth
also : to appear to scintillate : sparkle
eyes snapping with fury
transitive verb
1.
a. : to seize with or as if with a snap of the jaws : grasp or snatch suddenly or unexpectedly
the dog snapped the meat from the table
the wind snapped the scarf from her hand
b. : to capture or take possession of suddenly : steal by adroitness
ready to snap the very shoes from our feet
2. : to secure (something) to one's own use or possession by prompt decisive action — usually used with up
quick to snap up a bargain
a prize to be snapped up cheaply
snap up his offer
3.
a. : to retort to or interrupt with a snappish, cutting, or crushing remark : speak to curtly and usually irritably
snapped him short with a curt acknowledgement
snapped them a sharp reply
b. : to utter (words) curtly, harshly, or abruptly
snapping out an answer without a moment's hesitation
4.
a. : to break by snapping : break short or in two : break apart or into pieces
the blow snapped the bone
wind snaps many branches from the trees
b. : to harvest (as corn or cotton) by breaking from the stem
5.
a. : to cause to make a snapping sound usually in the course of some action or movement
wind snapping the sheets on the line
: cause to crack
snap a whip
b. : to cause (as a handgun) to discharge by pulling the trigger
c. : to put into or remove from a particular position or state by a sudden movement or with a snapping sound
snap the lock shut
snapped the top from the bottle
d. : to make a snapping sound by moving (fingers) against one another
6.
a. : to project with a snap : fillip
snapped a spitball across the classroom
b. : to make, present, or do without prolonged preparation or delay
snap into a performance or role
especially : to fire (a projectile) without chance for careful aim
snapped a shot at the fleeing bandit
c.
(1) : to catch (a cricket batsman) out sharply (as from a snicked ball) — often used with up
snapped up at the wicket
(2) : to put (a football) in play from a position on the ground with a quick continuous motion of the hands
d.
(1) : to take (a photograph) with a hand-held camera using an instantaneous exposure
(2) : take a snapshot of
snapping the scenery
Synonyms: see break , jerk
•
- snap off one's head
- snap one's fingers at
- snap out of it
II. noun
( -s )
1. : an abrupt closing (as of the mouth in biting or of scissors in cutting) : the action of one that bites or bites at something : a biting or snatching with the teeth or jaws
the dog took a snap at a flea
a snap of the scissors cut the string
2.
a. obsolete : something snapped up as one's share of profits or booty
b. : a chance to make money easily or quickly ; specifically : an easy remunerative post or position
c. : something (as a task or course of study) that is easy and presents no problems
it will be a snap to win the game
the literature course was a snap for him
3.
a. : a small amount : bit , morsel
cared not a snap for his mother's advice
b. dialect chiefly Britain : a small or hasty meal : snack ; especially : a miner's lunch eaten while on shift
4.
a. : an act or instance of seizing abruptly : a sudden gripping or snatching at something : a quick short brisk movement
a snap of the fingers
b. : a sudden sharp tearing or breaking
felt the snap of the bone parting
5.
a. : a sudden sharp sound made by or as if by snapping something (as together, apart, into place, off)
the snap of a twig
shut the book with a snap
b. : a brief sharp and usually irritable speech or retort
took me up with a snap
6. : fellow , lad
7. : a sudden interval of harsh weather
an unexpected cold snap
— compare spell 3b
8.
a. : a catch or fastening that closes or locks with a click (as one provided with a spring or with parts that fit tightly into each other)
the snap of a bracelet
closed the snaps on the suitcase
b. : a device (as a snap hook or snap fastener) having such a catch
9. : a thin brittle cookie
a batch of lemon snaps
a new chocolate snap
— compare gingersnap
10.
a. : snap shot
b. : snapshot
c. : snapdragon
11.
a. or snap tool : a tool having a usually cup-shaped depression in one end and used in forming rivetheads in riveting
b. : snaphead
12.
a. : the condition of being vigorous in body, mind, or spirit : alertness , energy , go
a young man with plenty of snap
b. : a pungent pleasing quality (as of literary style) : smartness
13. : a fruit that is snapped (as from the fruiting spur): as
a. : a whole mature cotton boll when harvested by snapping — usually used in plural
b. : snap bean
14. : scotch snap
15.
a. : an act or instance of snapping a football
b. : center 5a(1) — used chiefly in Canadian football
III. adverb
Etymology: snap (I)
: with a snapping movement or sound : with suddenness or violence : briskly
the sail went snap in the freshening wind
IV. adjective
Etymology: snap (I)
1.
a. chiefly Scotland : quick , smart , alert
b. : snapped up or done in a snap : secured, given, done, carried through suddenly or without due process or deliberation
a snap judgment
such snap decisions
c. : called or taken without prior warning
repeated calling of snap votes has given the cabinet some severe scares — Atlantic
2. : shutting, fastening, or otherwise coming together with a click or by means of a device that snaps
a snap lock
snap closures
a snap action
3. : unusually easy or simple
a snap course