snap (snăp)

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[Probably from Middle English snappe, a quick bite, probably from Middle Low German, or Middle Dutch snappen, to seize, snap.]

verb: snapped, snap·ping, snaps. 

intransitive verb 

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. 1. To give way abruptly under pressure or tension: With so many people crowding onto the platform, its supports snapped.
   2. To suffer a physical or mental breakdown, especially while under stress: feared that the troops would snap from 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.

transitive verb 

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. 1. To cause to emit a snapping sound: snap a whip.
   2. 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. 1. To take (a photograph).
   2. To photograph: snapped the winner on the podium.
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. 1. The sound produced by rapid movement of a finger from the thumb tip to the base of the thumb.
   2. 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. 1. Capacity to make a snapping sound; elasticity: This waistband has lost its snap.
   2. Informal Briskness, liveliness, or energy.
9. A brief spell of brisk, cold weather.
10. Something accomplished without effort. See synonyms at breeze¹
11. 1. A snapshot.
    2. 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 verbs

snap back

To recover quickly.

snap to

To pay attention or begin complying abruptly.

snap up

To acquire quickly: snapped up the tickets.

idioms

snap out of it

To move quickly back to one's normal condition from an undesirable condition, such as depression, grief, or self-pity.