[f. SNIP v.]
1. The action of the verb; cutting, clipping. Also with off.
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.
1611. Cotgr., Retaillement, a shredding, clipping, snipping.
1648. Hexham, II. Een snipperinge,… a Snipping off, or a Snip.
1867. Miss Braddon, Doctor’s Wife, xxxvii. She heard the horrible snipping of crape and bombazine going on all day.
attrib. 1648. Hexham, II. Knip-schaerken, Snipping Cicers.
2. A part or piece snipped or cut off; a clipping, cutting. Usu. in pl.
1611. Cotgr., Retailleures, shreds, clippings, snippings, parings.
1846. Landor, Imag. Conv., Lucian & Timotheus (1891), I. 321. Give me all the shreds and snippings you can spare me. They will feel like clothes.
1870. E. Peacock, Ralf Skirl., II. 41. These little snippings of bright coloured raiment.
fig. and transf. 1862. Sat. Rev., 5 July, 23. The remaining snippings from our author’s book of ethical commonplaces.
1884. Athenæum, 5 Jan., 21/2. By complete essays or sections, and not by mere snippings here and there.
† 3. A snibbing, snubbing or reproving. Obs.
1601. Breton (title), No Whippinge, nor trippinge: but a kinde friendly Snippinge.
1614. J. Taylor (Water P.) (title), The Nipping or Snipping of Abvses.
