Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- intransitive verb To make a brisk sharp cracking sound.
- intransitive verb To break suddenly with a brisk, sharp, cracking sound.
- intransitive verb To give way abruptly under pressure or tension.
- intransitive verb To suffer a physical or mental breakdown, especially while under stress.
- intransitive verb To bring the jaws briskly together, often with a clicking sound; bite.
- intransitive verb To take up something suddenly and eagerly; snatch or grasp.
- intransitive verb To speak abruptly or sharply.
- intransitive verb To move swiftly and smartly.
- intransitive verb To flash or appear to flash light; sparkle.
- intransitive verb To open, close, or fit together with a click.
- intransitive verb To snatch at with the teeth or mouth; bite.
- intransitive verb To pull apart or break with a snapping sound.
- intransitive verb To utter abruptly or sharply.
- intransitive verb To cause to emit a snapping sound.
- intransitive verb To close or latch with a snapping sound.
- intransitive verb To cause to move suddenly.
- intransitive verb To take (a photograph).
- intransitive verb To photograph.
- intransitive verb Football To pass (the ball) from the ground back between the legs to begin a down; hike.
- noun A sudden sharp cracking sound or the action producing such a sound.
- noun A sudden breaking.
- noun A clasp, catch, or other fastening device that operates with a snapping sound.
- noun A sudden attempt to bite, snatch, or grasp.
- noun The sound produced by rapid movement of a finger from the thumb tip to the base of the thumb.
- noun The act of producing this sound.
- noun The sudden release of something held under pressure or tension.
- noun A thin, crisp, usually circular cookie.
- noun Capacity to make a snapping sound; elasticity.
- noun Informal Briskness, liveliness, or energy.
- noun A brief spell of brisk, cold weather.
- noun Something accomplished without effort. synonym: breeze.
- noun A snapshot.
- noun The taking of a snapshot.
- noun A snap bean.
- noun Football The passing of the ball from the ground back through the legs to a back to initiate a play.
- adjective Made or done suddenly, with little or no preparation.
- adjective Fastening with a snap.
- adjective Informal Simple; easy.
- adverb With a snap.
- idiom (snap out of it) To move quickly back to one's normal condition from an undesirable condition, such as depression, grief, or self-pity.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A temporary banking game: as, to deal a snap at faro.
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
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Examples
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White horse with lots of dark horses around it. *adjust camera* *snap* *snap, snap, snap*
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Now altogether now, let’s pronounce ‘couture’. * snap snap* kü-'tur, yes work that tongue girlfriend, ku-tur!
natinski Diary Entry natinski 2004
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The varieties most frequently raised today do not have this, and are more tender and crisp - therefore the term snap beans.
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Holder later publicly apologized for what he called a snap decision and said he would have advised against it had he paid more attention to the case.
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Holder later publicly apologized for what he called a snap decision and said he would have advised against it had he paid more attention to the case.
Iowa State Daily 2008
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Holder later publicly apologized for what he called a snap decision and said he would have advised against it had he paid more attention to the case.
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Holder later publicly apologized for what he called a snap decision and said he would have advised against it had he paid more attention to the case.
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Holder later publicly apologized for what he called a snap decision and said he would have advised against it had he paid more attention to the case.
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The "snap" is rarely necessary because the message can be brought home with a lot less pressure.
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The "snap" is rarely necessary because the message can be brought home with a lot less pressure.
oroboros commented on the word snap
Pans in reverse.
November 2, 2007
yarb commented on the word snap
"the San Jose Sharks' offensive dynamo snapped a deadlock, scalding the locals with a late-game dandy" - Vancouver Sun, 1-4-08
January 11, 2008
yarb commented on the word snap
...that bloke on the wall,
the Thespian snap,
he's got teeth just like
Anachronistes,
genus of shark...
- Peter Reading, 5x5x5x5x5, 1983
July 4, 2008
alexz commented on the word snap
To snapchat.
Overheard "snap you when I get home"
May 6, 2016
alexz commented on the word snap
Spotted in the wiktionary entry... "sorry. Your browser... JavaScript enabled .. "
June 13, 2016