snap
snap / snap/ • v. (snapped, snap·ping) 1. break or cause to break suddenly and completely, typically with a sharp cracking sound: [intr.] guitar strings kept snapping | [tr.] dead twigs can be snapped off. ∎ [intr.] emit a sudden, sharp cracking sound: banners snapping in the breeze. ∎ [intr.] (of an animal) make a sudden audible bite: a dog was snapping at his heels. ∎ cause to move or alter in a specified way with a brisk movement and typically a sharp sound: Rosa snapped her bag shut. ∎ [intr.] move or alter in this way: his mouth snapped into a tight, straight line. ∎ [intr.] fig. suddenly lose one's self-control: she claims she snapped after years of violence. ∎ say something quickly and irritably to someone: [intr.] McIllvanney snapped at her | [with direct speech] “I really don't much care,” she snapped. 2. [tr.] take a snapshot of: he planned to spend the time snapping rare wildlife | [intr.] photographers were snapping away at her. 3. [tr.] Football put (the ball) into play by a quick backward movement from the ground.4. [tr.] fasten with snaps: he pulled a white rubber swim hat over his head and snapped it under his chin.• n. 1. a sudden, sharp cracking sound or movement: she closed her purse with a snap. ∎ [in sing.] a hurried, irritable tone or manner: “I'm still waiting,” he said with a snap. ∎ vigor or liveliness of style or action; zest: the snap of the dialogue.2. (usu. snaps) a small fastener on clothing, engaged by pressing its two halves together.3. [in sing.] inf. an easy task: a control panel that makes operation a snap.4. Football a quick backward movement of the ball from the ground that begins a play.5. a snapshot.6. Brit. a card game in which cards from two piles are turned over simultaneously and players call “snap” as quickly as possible when two similar cards are exposed.• adj. done or taken on the spur of the moment, unexpectedly, or without notice: a snap judgment he could call a snap election.PHRASES: in a snap inf. in a moment; almost immediately: gourmet-quality meals are ready in a snap.snap one's fingers make a sharp clicking sound by bending the last joint of the middle finger against the thumb and suddenly releasing it, typically in order to attract attention in a peremptory way or to accompany the beat of music.snap someone's head offsee head.PHRASAL VERBS: snap back recover quickly and easily from an illness or period of difficulty: our bodies can snap back pretty well from short-term bouts of stress.snap out of [often in imper.] inf. get out of (a bad or unhappy mood) by a sudden effort: come on, Fran—snap out of it!snap something up quickly and eagerly buy or secure something that is in short supply or being sold cheaply: all the tickets have been snapped up.DERIVATIVES: snap·ping·ly adv.
snap
A. antirrhinum XVI;
B. Christmas game of snatching raisins from burning brandy XVIII.