snap
snap
(snăp) verb
snapped,
snapping, snaps
verb
, intransitive
1.
To make a brisk, sharp cracking sound: "Logs snapped in the grate" (James Fox).
2.
To break suddenly with a brisk, sharp, cracking sound.
3.
a. To give way abruptly under pressure or tension: With so many people crowding onto the platform, its supports snapped. b. To suffer a physical or mental breakdown, especially while under stress: feared that the troops would snap from constant fatigue.
4. To bring the jaws briskly together, often with a clicking sound; bite.
5. To snatch or grasp suddenly and with eagerness: snap at a chance to go to China.
6. To speak abruptly or sharply: snapped at the child.
7. To move swiftly and smartly: snap to attention. See synonyms at jerk1.
8. To flash or appear to flash light; sparkle: eyes that snapped with anger.
9. To open, close, or fit together with a click: The lock snapped shut. The jacket snaps in front.
verb
, transitive
1.
To snatch at with or as if with the teeth; bite.
2.
To pull apart or break with a snapping sound.
3.
To utter abruptly or sharply: The sergeant snapped out a command.
4.
a. To cause to emit a snapping sound: snap a whip. b. To close or latch with a snapping sound: snapped the purse shut.
5. To cause to move abruptly and smartly: "His head was snapped back by a sudden scream from the bed" (James Michener).
6. a. To take (a photograph). b. To photograph: snapped the governor as she was getting into her car.
7. Football. To center (a football); hike.
noun
1.
A sudden, sharp cracking sound or the action producing such a sound.
2.
A sudden breaking.
3.
A clasp, catch, or other fastening device that operates with a snapping sound.
4.
A sudden attempt to bite, snatch, or grasp.
5.
a. The sound produced by rapid movement of a finger from the thumb tip to the base of the thumb. b. The act of producing this sound.
6. The sudden release of something held under pressure or tension.
7. A thin, crisp, usually circular cookie: a ginger snap.
8. a. Capacity to make a snapping sound; elasticity: This waistband has lost its snap. b. Informal. Briskness, liveliness, or energy.
9. A brief spell of brisk, cold weather.
10. Something accomplished without effort. See synonyms at breeze1.
11. a. A snapshot. b. The taking of a snapshot.
12. A snap bean.
13. Football. The passing of a football from the center to a back that initiates each play. Also called hike.
adjective
1.
Made or done suddenly, with little or no preparation: a snap decision.
2.
Fastening with a snap: snap pockets.
3.
Informal. Simple; easy: a snap assignment.
adverb
With a snap.
phrasal verb.
snap back
To recover quickly. snap up
To acquire quickly: snapped up the introductory offer.
idiom.
snap out of it Informal
To move quickly back to one's normal condition from an undesirable condition, such as depression, grief, or self-pity.
[Probably from Middle English snappe, a quick bite, probably from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch snappen, to seize, snap.]