[f. SNAP v.]
1. The action of the vb. in various senses:
a. In intransitive senses.
1583. Stubbes, Anat. Abus., II. (1882), 50. When they come to the cutting of the haire, what snipping and snapping of the cycers is there.
a. 1734. North, Examen, Pref. (1740), 14. Such Snapping and Quarrelling would not clearly answer his Book.
1812. M. Cutler, in Life, etc. (1888), II. 196. The only way to account for the fire is by the snapping of the hemlock wood.
1815. J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 196. If a person not electrified held his hand near the tube while it was rubbed, the snapping was very sensible.
1891. C. Roberts, Adrift Amer., 47. The snapping and snarling [of wolves], varied by a howl.
1891. Daily News, 7 Nov., 6/4. In consequence of the snapping of an axle.
b. In transitive senses. Also with up.
1646. J. Hall, Horæ Vac., 113. Hee playes not well at draughts, that onely can avoyd snapping when it comes to a pinch.
1741. Compl. Fam. Piece, II. ii. 344. You must remember in Snapping, that you never give a Fish time to run…, but hook and draw him out directly.
1816. Scott, Bl. Dwarf, ii. There’s me, and my twa brothers,… will be wi’ you … in the snapping of a flint.
1860. Gen. P. Thompson, Audi Alt., cxxxix. III. 115. An abiding arrangement, opening its capacious jaws for the snapping-up of the guilty.
1885. Law Rep. 29 Chanc. Div. 453. There was no snapping of a judgment in the Irish action.
† 2. Thieves’ cant. The proceeds of a theft or robbery; a share of stolen goods claimed by a snap. (Cf. SNAPPAGE.) Obs.
1591. Greene, Conny Catch., II. Wks. (Grosart), X. 122. When he hath the window open and spyes any fat snappings worth the Curbing, then streight he sets the Warp to watch. Ibid. Which stolne parcells, they in their Art call snappinges.
1602. [see SNAPPAGE].
3. attrib., as snapping movement, noise, sound, etc.; snapping time, -tool (see quots.).
1815. J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 193. A sharp pain … which was accompanied by a snapping noise.
1849. Noad, Electricity (ed. 3), 30. A vivid spark will dart between them, accompanied by a sharp snapping sound.
1870. H. A. Nicholson, Man. Zool. (1880), 375. Keeping up a constant snapping movement.
1875. Knight, Dict. Mech., 2229/2. Snapping-tool.… A stamping-tool used to force a plate into holes in a die.
1883. Gresley, Gloss. Coal-mining, 229. Snapping Time.… A short period of rest during a shift in which a collier takes his snap.
