I. ˈsnip noun
( -s )
Etymology: from or akin to Dutch & Low German snip small piece, snip
1.
a. : a small piece that is snipped off
cut a paper into snips
also : something very small : fragment , particle , bit
an essay seasoned with snips from great poets
b. : a cut, incision, or notch made by snipping
an armhole formed by a snip in the fabric
c. : an act or sound of snipping : a single stroke of shears or scissors
with a snip of his shears
heard the busy snip of her scissors
2. : a small stripe or spot of white on an animal's face ; especially : a white spot between the nostrils of a horse
3. archaic : tailor
4. : a presumptuous or impertinent person (as a saucy girl) : upstart , minx
the little snip — the nerve of her — Tom Walters
5. archaic : share
let me go snip with you in this lie — John Dryden
6. Britain
a. : something certain of achievement : a sure thing
it is a snip ; we will get both of them, and also the guns — Nevil Shute
b. : a purchase certain not to disappoint : a good value for the price : bargain , buy
a real snip
one small donkey cart … a snip at £15 — Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)
II. verb
( snipped ; snipped ; snipping ; snips )
Etymology: from or akin to Dutch & Low German snippen to snip; akin to Middle High German snipfen to snap the fingers
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to snatch quickly : snap off ; also : filch
2. : to cut with or as if with shears or scissors
snip off the surplus thread
specifically : to clip suddenly or by bits
snip his budget until it is within his income
3. chiefly dialect
a. : to mar by snipping or chipping a piece from : chip
b. : curb , check
4. : to make a snip with (shears or scissors)
intransitive verb
1. : to make a cut with or as if with shears or scissors ; specifically : to make a short quick cut
2. : to make the characteristic short cutting sound of shears or scissors