snap English · revision 6265

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing, onomatopoeia|attested=1495}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /snæp/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is probably [[bor|nl|snappen|t=to snap, seize]] or Low German snappen,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) partly imitative;^(Hoad 1986)^(Etymonline) it is cognate with German [[m|de|schnappen]] and Old Norse snapa, and probably related to Middle Dutch snavel, beak (see [[neb]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A quick bite or cut: 1495.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The verb, of animals biting quickly, is from the 1520s;^(Etymonline) to break suddenly is from about 1600,^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) and ''snap at'', to speak sharply, from the 1570s.^(Etymonline) A quick movement is from 1631, a sudden spell of cold weather from 1740, and a catch that closes with a snap from 1815.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The card game is from 1881,^(Etymonline) a snapshot photograph from 1890–94,^(Etymonline) and something easily done, ''a snap'', from 1877.^(Etymonline) As an adjective, instantaneous, as ''a snap judgment'', it is from 1790.^(Etymonline) ''Snap out of it'' is by 1907, and to lose one's self-control from the 1970s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1495 – a quick bite.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1520s – to bite quickly.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1600 – to break suddenly.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1740 – a cold snap.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1881 – the card game.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1890 – to take a photograph.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To break suddenly with a sharp cracking sound.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To make a sudden bite.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To speak sharply or irritably.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To lose one's self-control suddenly.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To take a photograph.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A sudden sharp sound or movement.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A short period of a particular weather: ''a cold snap''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A [[snapshot]] photograph.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A card game in which players call ''snap'' on seeing matching cards.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Done quickly without thought: ''a snap decision''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[snapless]]

+ * [[snappable]]

+ * [[snappingly]]

+ * [[snappish]]

+ * [[snappy]]

+ * [[snap-in]]

+ * [[gingersnap]]

+ * [[snap-brim]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[snack]]

+ * [[snatch]]

+ * [[snapshot]]

+ * [[snapdragon]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}