snap
pronunciation
How to pronounce snap in British English:
UK [snæp]
How to pronounce snap in American English:
US [snæp]
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- Noun:
- the act of catching an object with the hands
- a spell of cold weather
- tender green beans without strings that easily snap into sections
- a crisp round cookie flavored with ginger
- the noise produced by the rapid movement of a finger from the tip to the base of the thumb on the same hand
- a sudden sharp noise
- a sudden breaking
- the tendency of a body to return to its original shape after it has been stretched or compressed
- an informal photograph; usually made with a small hand-held camera
- a fastener used on clothing; fastens with a snapping sound
- any undertaking that is easy to do
- the act of snapping the fingers; movement of a finger from the tip to the base of the thumb on the same hand
- (American football) putting the ball in play by passing it (between the legs) to a back
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- Verb:
- utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
- separate or cause to separate abruptly
- break suddenly and abruptly, as under tension
- move or strike with a noise
- snap close with a sound
- make a sharp sound
- move with a snapping sound
- to grasp hastily or eagerly
- put in play with a snap
- cause to make a snapping sound
- lose control of one's emotions
- record on photographic film
Word Origin
- snap
- snap: see snack
- snap (n.)
- late 15c., "quick, sudden bite or cut," from Dutch or Low German snappen "to snap," probably related to Middle Low German or Middle Dutch snavel "bill, beak," from West Germanic *snu-, an imitative root forming words having to do with the nose (see snout). As an adjective from 1790. Commonly used to indicate instantaneous action, as in snap judgment (1841). Sense of "quick movement" is first recorded 1630s; that of "something easily done" is 1877. Meaning "brief or sudden spell" of weather (usually cold) is from 1740. Meaning "catch or fastener that closes with a snapping sound" is from 1815. The card game name is attested from 1881, from a call used in the game. Meaning "a snap-shot" is from 1894. U.S. football sense is from 1912, earlier snap-back (1880), which also was a name for the center position. Snap, Crackle and Pop, cartoon characters associated with Kellogg breakfast cereal Rice Krispies, are from 1940.
- snap (v.)
- 1520s, of animals, "to make a quick bite," from snap (n.). Meaning "to break suddenly or sharply" is first recorded c. 1600; the mental sense is from 1970s. Meaning "come into place with a snap" is from 1793. Meaning "take a photograph" is from 1890. U.S. football sense first recorded 1887. Related: Snapped; snapping. To snap the fingers is from 1670s. Phrase snap out of it recorded by 1907. Snapping turtle is attested from 1784. Snap-brim (adj.) in reference to a type of hat is from 1928.
Example
- 1. Mr noda may prefer to see his twin aims passed into law and then call a snap election .
- 2. The prime minister holds a powerful if unspoken sanction over its members : the ability to call a snap general election in which many would lose their seats .
- 3. The photographers jumped out of the bushes to snap pictures of the 50-year-old singer while she was visiting friends in bridgehampton , new york , said liz rosenberg of warner brothers records .
- 4. Mr rodriguez used a custom-built infrared trap to snap the wolf as it leapt into the air .
- 5. His snap decision on november 22nd to grant himself sweeping new powers was necessary , they say , to forestall an alleged plot by counter-revolutionaries to block the passage of a new constitution .