a. Also 6 snappyshe, -ishe, 7 snapish. [f. SNAP v. + -ISH.]
1. Of persons: Using, or apt to use, sharp, harsh or uncivil language; peevish, testy, or ill-natured in speech or reply.
1542. Udall, Erasm. Apoph., 319 b. He found his wife coumbresome, crabbed & snappyshe vnto hym.
1577. Stanyhurst, Descr. Irel., i. in Holinshed. Here percase some snappish carper will … snuffingly snibbe me, for debacing the Irish language.
1626. R. Bernard, Isle of Man (1627), 20. Scrupulosity … is an unsociable and snappish fellow.
1672. O. Heywood, Diaries (1883), III. 119. Clark … was churlish and snappish.
1740. Richardson, Pamela, I. 47. Our Cook…, who is a little snappish and cross sometimes.
1842. Borrow, Bible in Spain (1843), III. v. 78. I found him morose and snappish.
1897. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., III. 400. [Dyspeptics] are likely to become irritable and snappish.
b. Of manner, etc.: Marked or characterized by sharpness or curtness of speech.
1836. Random Recoll. Ho. Lords, xiv. 334. The contemptuous and snappish manner in which he spoke to deputations.
1848. Dickens, Dombey, li. ‘Well,’ says Mrs. Pipchin, in her snappish way, ‘he’s pretty much as usual.’
1885. Manch. Even. News, 16 July, 2/3. Lord Northbrook corrected him in a most femininely snappish tone of voice.
c. Of the sea: Somewhat choppy or rough.
1867. J. Macgregor, Voy. Alone (1868), 85. When we … met the short, snappish sea in the bay, every wave dashed over me.
2. Of words, language, etc.: Sharp, curt, peevish, ungracious.
1551. Robinson, trans. More’s Utop. (1895), 10. Aferd that at euery snappishe worde theire nose shalbe bitten of.
1581. J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 277 b. Your crabbed and snappish accusation agaynst Luther.
1603. Breton, Packet Mad Lett., I. lxviii. I haue receiued your snappish Letter.
1665. Pepys, Diary, 22 Dec. Vexed at a snappish answer Madam Williams did give me.
c. 1740. Mrs. Delany, Life & Corr. (1861), I. 35. No one ever heard him say a snappish or cross thing to me.
1784. Cowper, Task, IV. 198. The smart And snappish dialogue, that flippant wits Call comedy.
1896. H. M. B. Reid, Cameronian Apostle, viii. 122. The snappish criticisms recorded in the Presbytery minutes.
† 3. Bold, forward, impudent. Obs.
1608. Topsell, Serpents (1658), 783. If any Wedlock-breakers, and Cuckold-makers dare be so snappish to enter … into anothers house [etc.].
4. Of a dog, etc.: Inclined or prone to snap.
a. 1700. in B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew.
a. 1710. Pope, Imit. Eng. Poets, Spenser, 19. The snappish cur … Close at my heel with yelping treble flies.
1727. Gay, Fables, xlvi. 13. A village-cur, of snappish race.
1862. H. H. Dixon, Scott & Sebright, 199. He [a horse] went to Malton, and a very rough snappish customer they thought him.
b. transf. (Cf. sense 2.)
1842. S. Lover, Handy Andy, xv. The snappish barking of the pets was returned by one hoarse bay from ‘Bloodybones.’
5. Breaking with a snap; ‘short.’
1833. New Monthly Mag., XXXIX. 297. The crust … is exceeding crisp, dry, and snappish.
