| 释义 |
▪ I. snatch, n.|snætʃ|
Also 4 snacche, snasche, snache, 6 snach, snatche.
[f. snatch v.]
†1. A hasp, catch, or fastening. Obs. rare.
1341–2Ely Sacr. Rolls (1907) II. 118 In factura..lasches snasches et rening barres pro hostio pro les nouises. 1527–8Rec. St. Mary at Hid 343 Paid for mending of a snach in the morrow mas prestes chist.
†2. A trap, snare, entanglement. Obs.
13..K. Alis. 6559 (Laud MS.), No man ne may hym [sc. the unicorn] lacche, Bot by gyle & by snacche. 1568T. Howell Arb. Amitie (1879) 43 By dailie doome these precepts vewe, to scape the bayted snatch. 1581J. Bell Haddon's Answ. Osor. 20 b, You are caught..and so entangled in this snatch, that ye cannot escape. 1620Shelton Quix. iii. i, The Chevalier del Febo, being taken in a Gin like unto a Snatch that slipped under his feet. 1655Baily Life of Fisher xxi. 162 They think to take me in a Poppes snatch, but they are deceived.
3. a. A hasty catch or grasp; a sudden grab or snap at something. Freq. fig.
1577–87Holinshed Chron. II. 514 At which words George Buchanan giveth a snatch. 1590Spenser F.Q. iii. i. 22 Like dastard Curres, that..rome from place to place, To get a snatch, when turned is his face. 1611Bible Transl. Pref. ⁋2 Happy is he that is least tossed vpon tongues; for vtterly to escape the snatch of them it is impossible. 1651N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. ii. (1739) 175 What was gotten by the snatch was lost by the catch. 1821Scott Kenilw. xx, The fawning wile of the spaniel, the determined snatch of the mastiff. 1873M. Arnold Lit. & Dogma (1876) 226 Here and there he made guesses and snatches at the truth.
b. A catch, check, or hesitancy. rare—1.
1611Shakes. Cymb. iv. ii. 105 The snatches in his voice, And burst of speaking were as his.
c. A sudden twitch or jerk. rare—1.
1822–7Good Study Med. (1829) IV. 477 The movements of his arms were indeed in ungraceful snatches, and the muscles of the neck frequently evinced a like convulsive start.
d. (a) An unexpected and quick robbery; an act of forcibly robbing someone; (b) slang (orig. and chiefly U.S.), a kidnapping; also attrib.
(a)1866Morn. Star 21 Aug. 3/2 He saw him..walk a few steps in advance of her, then suddenly turn and make ‘the snatch’ in question. 1885M. Davitt Leaves from Prison Diary I. i. xvi. 152, I did a snatch near St. Paul's. 1939Forum Dec. 275/2 A piece of paper covering the slit was rolled aside in the course of a snatch. 1976Southern Even. Echo (Southampton) 17 Nov. 17/2 Basingstoke police warned women to hang on to their handbags after a sixth attempted snatch in recent weeks. 1980West Lancs. Even. Gaz. 6 June 1 An engineering labourer who was stabbed..during a wage snatch on Merseyside.
(b)1931D. Runyon in Collier's 26 Sept. 7/2 Harry the Horse and Spanish John and Little Isadore pay no attention whatever to local sentiment and go on the snatch. 1932E. D. Sullivan Snatch Racket p. x, Bootleg millions..have provided the sound support for two hundred standard rackets..in the United States and among them is kidnapping—the ‘snatch racket’. 1934‘D. Hume’ Too Dangerous to Live xix. 200 Where did this snatch take place, Inspector? 1945― Come back for Body ii. 21 Their only child..has vanished. It looks like a straightforward snatch. 1950J. D. MacDonald Brass Cupcake ii. 21, I handle it just like a snatch payment. The ransom for Junior. 1980C. Moorehead Fortune's Hostages ii. 26 By 1932 America was in the middle of..the ‘snatch racket’. Dozens of children had been seized... Kidnapping was happening everywhere.
e. Weightlifting. A lift in which the weight is raised in a single motion from the floor to a position overhead with the arms straight.
1928, etc. [see press n.1 6 c]. 1950Sun (Baltimore) 1 May 15/4 Sheppard lifted 240 in the snatch. 1968Globe & Mail (Toronto) 17 Feb. 11/3 Modern lifters do not perform one-arm lifts. Once, two of them were on the Olympic agenda: the one-arm press and the one-arm snatch. 1976All about Games (Com. Org. des Jeux Olympiques) 81 There are two lifts in modern weight⁓lifting—the snatch and the clean and jerk.
f. Jerkiness in the working of the transmission of a motor vehicle.
1932Motoring Encycl. 137/1 A little thin oil..will soften the [clutch] surfaces sufficiently to avoid snatch. 1955Times 2 Aug. 10/5 Upward and downward changes were made without any trace of snatch. 1962Which? Car Suppl. Oct. 139/1 The car was in excellent condition, apart from..a little ‘snatch’ in the transmission.
4. by, or in, snatches, by hasty, unsustained efforts; hurriedly, by fits and starts; intermittently, interruptedly, not continuously. Also rarely at..snatches.
(a)1577B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. ii. (1586) 48 By snatches (as it were) and not throughly. 1625Commons Deb. (Camden) 101 What is it..to get or lose a towne by snatches? 1665Manley Grotius' Low C. Wars 507 Hitherto all that was done, was by snatches and intervals, as it were at a breathing. 1733Pope Let. to Swift 28 May, I have begun two or three letters to you by Snatches, and been prevented from finishing them. 1753–4Richardson Grandison (1781) VII. 182 When..she now-and-then could look up, which she did by snatches, as it were. 1837Lockhart Scott (1839) IX. 59 The little that he read of new books..was done by snatches in the course of his meals. 1898Baring-Gould Old Eng. Home xi. 250 He has to take his victuals and his rest by snatches.
(b)1799J. Robertson Agric. Perth 169 The business..must often..be done in snatches, or not done at all. 1850S. Dobell Roman vi. Poet. Wks. (1875) 74 Passing gales in snatches bore me Their evening talk. 1897M. Kingsley W. Africa 287, I went in again and slept in snatches.
(c)1692Burnet Life & Death Rochester 138 He told me as his strength served him at several snatches.
5. a. A brief period, short space (of time).
1563Foxe A. & M. 1187/2, I wene we shall haue a snatch of rebellion euen now. 1573Tusser Husb. li. (1878) 113 Then after a shower to weeding a snatch. 1619Hieron Wks. II. 451 By day is not meant now and then a snatch, or a piece of the forenoone only. 1646Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. To Rdr., In this work attempts will exceed performances; it being composed by snatches of time. 1663Bunyan Praying in Spirit Wks. 1855 I. 623 One [vizard] for an appearance before men, and another for a short snatch in a corner. 1825Lamb Elia ii. Superannuated Man, The..tedious weeks that must intervene before such another snatch [of holidays] would come. 1893Stevenson Catriona xxix. 339, I was scarce so miserable the next days but what I had many hopeful and happy snatches.
b. esp. A short spell of sleep or slumber.
1820L. Hunt Indicator xiv, The most relishing snatch of slumber out of bed. 1863Mrs. Oliphant Salem Chapel xxi, Snatches of momentary sleep..had fallen upon her.
c. A brief manifestation or display of something.
1880Jefferies Gt. Est. 32 The sunshine broods warm over the mead. It is a delicious snatch of spring. 1885Manch. Exam. 14 July 5/1 Those snatches of fitful energy which mark the movements of the East.
6. a. A hasty meal or morsel; a snack.
1573Tusser Husb. lxxvi. (1878) 168 Call seruants to breakefast by day starre appere, a snatch and to worke. 1611Beaum. & Fl. Knt. Burning Pestle ii. i, Believe me, To sleep without a snatch would mickle grieve me. 1623Massinger Dk. Milan iii. ii, I fear you'll have cold entertainment..; and 'twere discretion To take a snatch by the way. 1694Motteux Rabelais v. vi, After we had pretty well staid our Stomachs with some tight Snatches. 1791Boswell Johnson (1831) II. 490 Our kind host and hostess would not let us go without a snatch as they called it; which was in truth a very good dinner. 1823E. Moor Suffolk Words, Snatch, a mouthful between meals. 1893Walker Three Churchmen vii. 76 He took only a snatch or light refection, returning immediately to his desk.
†b. In allusive use (see quots.). Obs.
1592Greene Upst. Court. Wks. (Grosart) XI. 256 Tush! what bawdry is it he wil not suffer, so he may have mony and good chere, and, if he like the wench well, a snatch himselfe. 1611Cotgr. s.v. Pain, Prendre vn pain sur la fournée, to get a snatch at his wench thats readie to be maried. 1621Burton Anat. Mel. iii. ii. v. iii. 648 They had rather go to the stewes, or haue now and then a snatch.., then haue wiues of their owne.
†c. A share; a portion seized on. Obs.
1601Holland Pliny I. 368 And not only these haue a share, but also..other seruitors pill and poll, and euery one hath a snatch. a1610Healey Theophrastus (1636) 51 Those which sacrifice and feast he makes great love to, hoping to get a snatch.
7. a. A small amount or portion († taken hurriedly); a mere fragment or disconnected piece.
1592Harvey Four Lett. iv. 57 A snatch, and away, with..the common sort of studentes, may please a little, but profiteth nothing. 1656Baxter Reformed Pastor 20 It is not now and then an idle snatch or taste of studies that will serve to make a sound Divine. 1673Remarques Hum. Town 124 You will hear..some snatches of occurences, whose beauty you are not able to perceive without the knowledge of the whole. 1732H. Walpole Lett. (1903) I. 1 That little snatch of conversation was so agreeable. 1780Johnson in Boswell (Oxf. ed.) II. 347 Snatches of reading..will not make a Bentley or a Clarke. 1809Malkin Gil Blas ii. vi. ⁋5 The barber..had heard some little snatches of my story from Fabricio. 1865Carlyle Fredk. Gt. xiii. iv. (1872) V. 43 We had better give the snatch of Dialogue in primitive authentic form. 1890Stevenson Vailima Lett. (1895) 12, I returned to begin this snatch of a letter before dinner was ready.
b. A brief view; a glimpse.
1816L. Hunt Rimini ii. 133 For leafy was the road, with..distant snatches of blue hills between. 1842L. S. Costello Auvergne I. 319 Planted with gigantic trees, from openings between which are charming snatches of country.
8. a. A short passage, a few words, of a song, etc.; a small portion, a few bars, of a melody or tune.
1602Shakes. Ham. iv. vii. 178 Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunes. 1795–1814Wordsw. Excurs. i. 569 He..whistled many a snatch of merry tunes. 1818Scott Hrt. Midl. xl, Madge was..singing her own wild snatches of songs and obsolete airs. 1837Carlyle Fr. Rev. iii. iii. viii, Not a musical Patriot can blow himself a snatch of melody from the French Horn. 1884F. M. Crawford Rom. Singer I. 10 It was quite natural that he should..begin to sing a snatch of the tenor air to me.
b. ellipt. in the same senses.
1823Lamb Elia ii. New Year's Coming of Age, Singing..a number of old snatches besides, between drunk and sober. 1847Alb. Smith Chr. Tadpole vii. (1879) 66 Having carolled which snatches, he played a kind of symphony. 1890Saintsbury Elizab. Lit. i. 9 Sometimes..both syntax and prosody..recall the ruder snatches of an earlier time.
†9. A quibble; a captious argument. Obs.
1603Shakes. Meas. for M. iv. ii. 6 Come sir, leaue me your snatches, and yeeld mee a direct answere. 1687R. L'Estrange Answ. Dissenter 33 There are several Snatches in This Paper, that are either Founded, or Pretend to be Founded upon the Resolution, and Obligation of Laws.
10. That which is obtained in snatches.
1879J. D. Long æneid p. v, This, the snatch and pastime of the last year, is not printed because there is want of it.
11. ellipt. (See quot. 1867 and snatch-block.)
c1850Rudim. Navig. (Weale) 98 The hawser is hauled in through the snatch. 1867Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. 636 Snatch, any open lead for a rope: if not furnished with a sheave, it is termed a dumb snatch, as on the bows and quarters for hawsers. 1882Nares Seamanship (ed. 6) 180 The snatch for the mast rope must be fitted with a bolt.
12. Mining. (See quot.)
1860Eng. & For. Mining Gloss. (ed. 2) 79 Snatch, a small chimney at surface,..used to ventilate very limited under⁓ground workings by means of one shaft.
13. An illicit line used in fishing.
1899in Eng. Dial. Dict. s.v., Charged with using a snatch for the purpose of catching salmon.
14. dial. and slang. The female pudenda. Also attrib. Cf. sense 6 b.
1904in Eng. Dial. Dict. 1955W. Gaddis Recognitions iii. iv. 851 She said, See? and pulled up her dress to show me her{ddd}to show there weren't any marks on her{ddd}anywhere else on her body.—You mean on her snatch. 1961J. Heller Catch-22 xxvii. 303 She..twisted away, fleeing far enough..for Yossarian to lunge forward and grab her by the snatch again. 1969P. Roth Portnoy's Complaint 193 Know what I did when I was fifteen? Sent a lock of my snatch-hair off in an envelope to Marlon Brando. 1971B. W. Aldiss Soldier Erect 128, I was vexed and disappointed that the contact with the bibi had been so commercial, so perfunctory—why, I had not even seen or touched her snatch. 1978J. Updike Coup (1979) v. 191 Sooner a black man mate with a lazy shit⁓smeared sow..than entrust his ebony penis to the snatch of a white devil mare.
▪ II. snatch, v.|snætʃ|
Also 3 snecchen, 4–5 snacche, snache, 6 snach, snatche; 7 pa. tense snaught.
[Of obscure origin: perhaps related to snack n.2]
1. intr.
a. To make a sudden snap or bite (at something).
a1225Ancr. R. 324 Ase ofte ase þe hund of helle keccheð ei god from þe,..smit hine so luðerliche þet him loðie to snecchen eft to þe. 1398Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xviii. xxvi. 788 Whan þei [flies] fleeþ aȝens his face, he [a hounde] snaccheþ after [1495 snatchyth at] hem wiþ his mouþe. c1400Beryn 651 The dogg lay evir grownyng, redy for to snache. 1568Jacob & Esau ii. ii, Esau. If I had thee, I woulde eate thee, to God I vowe... Ragau. Fall ye to snatching at folkes: adieu, I am gone. 1595Shakes. John iv. i. 117 And, like a dogge that is compell'd to fight, Snatch at his Master that doth tarre him on. 1718F. Hutchinson Witchcraft 6 In that Madness..the Person will Bark, and Snatch at those that are near. 1828[see snatch- b].
fig.1561T. Norton Calvin's Inst. i. To Rdr., I thinke there is no man, that hath ben snatched at, bitten, & torne in sonder with moe sclaunders than I. 1581J. Bell Haddon's Answ. Osor. 59 b, You come at the length to our Church, the orders whereof you do captiously snatch at.
b. To make a sudden catch at a thing, in order to secure hold or possession of it. Also fig.
1530Palsgr. 723/2, I snatche at a thynge hastelye to take it, je happe apres. 1590Shakes. Mids. N. iii. ii. 29 Briars and thornes at their apparell snatch. 1604― Oth. v. ii. 275 This looke of thine will hurle my Soule from Heauen, And Fiends will snatch at it. 1665Manley Grotius' Low-C. Wars 375 The Government..was snatched at on the one side by the Wife..: On the other side, by some Noblemen. 1789F. Burney Diary 6 Jan., I had previously entreated my father to snatch at any possible opportunity of expressing his satisfaction. 1829Scott Anne of G. i, All..snatched at bushes and rocks by which to secure themselves. 1831― Cast. Dang. xix, To snatch at any such occasion as shall be ministered to me. 1882J. Parker Apost. Life I. 93 The Apostles did not snatch at praise for themselves.
2. a. trans. To seize, to take or lay hold of, suddenly, smartly, or unexpectedly.
c1330R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 13889 Þe lyon for hunger snacches & sleþ þe best þat he first lacches. 1526Skelton Magnyf. 1170 Snatche a puddyng tyl the rost be redy. 1590Spenser F.Q. i. ii. 17 The Sarazin..Snatcheth his sword, and fiercely to him flies. 1616J. Lane Contn. Sqr.'s T. vii. 262 Algarsife..snaught his swoord, and with a loftie whiff, rann vppon Camball. 1687A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. ii. 60 He snatches a man, and jumping into the water with him, carries him over to the other side. 1728Young Love Fame i. 47 Will no superior genius snatch the quill, And save me, on the brink, from writing ill? 1837Carlyle Fr. Rev. i. v. iv, All green things are snatched, and made cockades of. 1841Lane Arab. Nts. I. 83 The fisher⁓man hastily snatched the sealed leaden stopper.
fig.1597Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, iv. v. 192 It seem'd in mee, But as an Honour snatch'd with boyst'rous hand. 1823Scott Quentin D. i, Those advantages, which..the Duke would have snatched with an armed hand.
b. With immaterial object: To take, obtain, acquire, etc., in a hasty or improper manner, or so as to take advantage of a momentary chance.
1563Foxe A. & M. 1367/1, I could wyshe more faythfull dealyng with Gods woorde, and not to..snatche a part here and another there. 1598Drayton Heroical Ep. viii. 98 My lips haue waited,..And snatch'd his words, ere he could get them forth. 1621G. Sandys Ovid's Met. ii. (1626) 30 What should shee doe? but..snatch a parting kisse? 1667Milton P.L. x. 1025, I fear least Death So snatcht will not exempt us from the paine. 1726Berkeley Let. Wks. 1871 IV. 138, I shall nevertheless snatch the present moment to write you short answers. 1789Belsham Ess. I. xi. 212 Let not..persons..pretend to snatch those graces which are beyond the reach of art. 1829Lytton Disowned 40 Let us snatch what happiness is yet in our power. 187919th Cent. No. 32. 665 He seeks, at times, to snatch a verdict for his client by ignoring..evidence. 1891Labour Commission Gloss., Snatching a victory by getting an advance in wages. The method employed is to choose a time when the masters are divided in opinion.
†c. refl. To catch or entangle (oneself). Obs.—1
1575Gascoigne Flowers, etc. Wks. 1907 I. 99 His wayting still to snatch himselfe in snare.
d. spec. (a) To steal, esp. by snatching; (b) slang (orig. and chiefly U.S.), to kidnap.
1765Ann. Reg. i. 215 It was agreed that Matthews and Byfield should that night pick pockets or snatch hats. 1887G. W. Walling Recollections N.Y. Chief of Police xviii. 254 His most brilliant exploit was his ‘snatching’ of $100,000 from the Royal Insurance Company's office in Broadway in broad daylight. 1919Wodehouse Coming of Bill (1920) i. i. 12 As if she had caught him in the act of endeavouring to snatch her purse. 1932Detective Fiction Weekly 17 Dec. 23/2 It's dollars to doughnuts the kid was snatched up in the park. 1934Sun (Baltimore) 10 Mar. 1/7 Banghart had introduced him to the Touhy mob just before the market speculator was ‘snatched’. 1936Detective Fiction Weekly 6 June 12/1 It's one more sweet-running crate. Just about the sweetest I ever snatched. 1973‘I. Drummond’ Jaws of Watchdog xii. 156 Why didn't we snatch him in the street and take him away someplace?
e. To partake hurriedly of (food, sleep, etc.).
1803M. Wilmot Let. 6 Aug. in Russian Jrnls. (1934) 1. 34 We rose with one accord, dress'd, snatch'd a cup of Coffee and got into Mdm R―'s Carriage. 1942Berrey & Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Slang §94/13 Eat a small or hurried meal,..snatch a bite. Ibid. §251/6 Take a nap,..snatch a wink. 1952M. Steen Phoenix Rising i. 27 I'm snatching a sandwich at the club. 1977M. Kenyon Rapist x. 121 He might snatch two hours' sleep..if he swallowed a couple of sleepers.
f. to snatch it or one's time: to resign, to leave a job and take the wages due. Austral. slang.
1941Argus (Melbourne) Week-End Mag. 15 Nov. 1/4 Snatch your time, resign from the Army, or threaten to leave. 1944A. Marshall These are my People 158 ‘I suppose you struck some bad bosses in your time?’ ‘If they're bad, I snatch it.’ 1962T. Ronan Deep of Sky 55 What's more, when we pass Silverton I'm snatching my time. 1973F. Huelin Keep Moving 83 What are yous goin' to do? Snatch it or stay?
3. a. To seize, catch, or take suddenly from or out of one's hands, etc.
1590Spenser F.Q. ii. i. 43 Out of her gored wound the cruell steele He lightly snatcht. 1617Moryson Itin. i. 219 They sent out their boyes to scorne us, who..snatched from us our hats and other things. 1663S. Patrick Parab. Pilgr. xxiii. (1687) 244 She sometimes..threw it abroad among the people; and then again snatched it out of their hands. 1737[S. Berington] Mem. G. de Lucca (1738) 106 He snatch'd it out of my Hands with a prodigious Eagerness. 1812Cary Dante, Parad. iii. 109 [Men] Forth snatch'd me from the pleasant cloister's pale. 1878M. A. Brown Nadeschda 35 He hurries off, with the intent to snatch The savage garland from her locks.
fig.1607Shakes. Timon iv. iii. 441 The Moones an arrant Theefe, And her pale fire, she snatches from the Sunne. 1651Hobbes Leviath. i. viii. 33 Such as they have, that entring into any discourse, are snatched from their purpose. 1781Cowper Table-T. 689 He snatch'd it [the laurel] rudely from the muses' hand. 1825Scott Talism. viii, Nor befits it our fame that a brave adversary be snatched from our weapon by such a disease. 1848Gallenga Italy I. p. xxvi, The sons of the north are snatching from your hands the sceptre of the arts.
absol.1674N. Fairfax Bulk & Selv. To Rdr., While we..snip here and snatch there from some of them.
b. With immaterial object. (Cf. 2 b.)
1588Shakes. L.L.L. v. ii. 382 It were a fault to snatch words from my tongue. 1725Pope Odyss. i. 13 Oh, snatch some portion of these acts from fate, Celestial Muse! 1755Johnson Let. 4 Feb. in Boswell, Snatch what time you can from the Hall, and the pupils [etc.]. 1795Coleridge Sibyl. Leaves, Eolian Harp 10 How exquisite the scents Snatched from yon bean-field! 1845James Arrah Neil iv, All were anxious to snatch a few hours from the gloomy thoughts that hung over the times. 1871Freeman Norm. Conq. (1876) IV. 116 That a new English host was coming to snatch the victory from the conquerors.
c. To remove or avert hastily. Const. from.
1796F. Burney Camilla I. 316 She snatched her hands from her face. 1855Tennyson Brook 101 But Katie snatch'd her eyes at once from mine.
4. With adverbs:
†a. With down: To devour hastily. Obs.—1
1519W. Horman Vulg. 39 b, Beware snatche nat thy meate downe to gredelye.
b. To catch, pick, or take up, suddenly or smartly.
1555Eden Decades (Arb.) 173 One of these wylde men..soodenly snatched vppe a childe of therse. 1592Ard. of Feversham v. i, Chast Diana Would..Fling down Endimion and snatch him vp. 1638F. Junius Paint. Ancients 112 So were they taught that Art whose instruments they had snatched up. 1698Fryer Acc. E. India & P. 276 The Women..never are snatch'd up for their Great Fortunes. 1784Cowper Task v. 49 His dog..snatches up the drifted snow With iv'ry teeth. 1837Carlyle Fr. Rev. i. i. iii, Scarcely..could they snatch up their ‘enormous hoops’.
transf.1575Gascoigne Certain Notes Instruct. (Arb.) 33 The light accent is depressed or snatched vp.
c. To seize and take away suddenly.
1608Shakes. Per. iii. i. 24 Why do you make us love your goodly gifts, And snatch them straight away? 1684Contempl. State Man i. ii. (1699) 15 That which Time spares, is often snatcht away by the covetousness of the Thief. a1770Jortin Serm. (1771) II. xvii. 332 The Devil is here said to snatch the wood away from such persons. 1820Shelley Hymn Merc. xxix, And from the portion..I will snatch my share away.
d. To pull or tear off quickly (and roughly).
1687A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. i. 33 They snatch it quickly off of the fire, or stir it. 1709Steele Tatler No. 45 ⁋7, I snatched his Hat off his Head. a1763W. King Polit. & Lit. Anecd. (1819) 63 One of Cromwell's soldiers snatched off Sir William Smyth's hat. 1847S. Austin Ranke's Hist. Ref. III. 371 Those who were standing near snatched off the wax of the seal.
5. To remove quickly from sight, etc.; to hide or conceal suddenly.
1582Stanyhurst æneis i. (Arb.) 20 Thee clowds snach gloomming from sight of Coompanie Troian Both Light and welken. 1711Pope Temple Fame 354 A sudden cloud strait snatch'd them from my sight. 1835Lytton Rienzi i. xii. 90 The long herbage, and the winding descent, soon snatched her ill-omened apparition from the desolate landscape. 1887Bowen æneid i. 88 Clouds snatch from the Teucrians' sight Sunlight and sky.
6. a. To remove suddenly from this world or life. Used in passive and freq. with away and from.
1597Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. xlvi. §1 Rather to bee taken then snatched away from the face of the earth. 1601Shakes. All's Well v. iii. 154, I am a-feard the life of Hellen (Ladie) Was fowly snatcht. 1655Fuller Ch. Hist. ix. 110 William Bradbridge..was snatcht away with a sudden death. 1694F. Bragge Disc. Parables ix. 335 The covetous rich fool, that trusted in his riches,..was suddenly snatched from them to give account of his stewardship. 1752Berkeley Th. Tar-water Wks. III. 501 Several who are snatched away by untimely death. 1781Cowper Retirem. 167 They.., unregretted, are soon snatch'd away From scenes of sorrow into glorious day. 1837Carlyle Fr. Rev. ii. iii. vii, Wailing..that a Sovereign Man is snatched away. 1888Burgon Lives 12 Good Men I. Pref. p. xiv, He was snatched away while affording..fresh promise of a truly brilliant Professorial career.
b. To cut off from, by sudden removal.
1799Cowper Castaway 63 When, snatch'd from all effectual aid, We perish'd, each alone.
7. To save or rescue from or out of danger, etc., by prompt or vigorous action.
1601Shakes. Twel. N. iii. iv. 394 This youth that you see heere, I snatch'd one halfe out of the iawes of death. 1696Tate & Brady Ps. cxliv. 7 And snatch me from the stormy Rage. 1737Whiston Josephus, Antiq. vi. vi. 169 They snatched him out of the danger he was in. 1791Burke Corr. (1844) III. 215 The men who..snatch the worst criminals from justice. 1876M. E. Braddon J. Haggard's Dau. II. 22 Every soul snatched from darkness and death was a rich harvest. 1893Matheson About Holland 10 A great part of it has been snatched from the sea.
8. In miscellaneous uses (see quots.).
1648J. Beaumont Psyche vii. cxxiv, Through the air they snatch'd their greedy way. 1657W. Morice Coena quasi κοινὴ xvi. 256 The Spartan valour, who being struck down by a mortal blow, used to snatch their mouths full of earth [etc.]. 1864Tennyson Aylmer's F. 209 But Edith's eager fancy hurried with him Snatch'd thro' the perilous passes of his life.
9. Naut. To place (a line) in a snatch-block.
1769Falconer Dict. Marine (1780) E ee, To snatch the main-bowline, or put it into the snatch-block. 1840R. H. Dana Bef. Mast xxxvi. 136 The line is snatched in a block upon the swifter. 1882Nares Seamanship (ed. 6) 181 Snatch the top-gallant sheets.
10. intr. Of a mechanism or its control in a motor vehicle, aircraft, etc.: to operate in a jerky or rough manner.
1932Motoring Encyl. 137/1 When..fabric disks have settled down and worn smooth, they are sometimes prone to snatch and engage fiercely. 1942B. J. Ellan Spitfire xii. 65 His ailerons were obviously snatching too, as first one wing and then the other would dip violently. 1955Times 12 July 12/6 The car tested was inclined to ‘snatch’ in the transmission if the speed was allowed to drop too low in top gear.
Hence ˈsnatching ppl. a.
1828Scott F.M. Perth vi, Those naked, snatching mountaineers, who are ever doing us wrong.
▸ trans. Weightlifting (orig. U.S.). To lift (a specified weight) above the head from the floor in a single motion. Cf. snatch n. 3e.
1952Washington Post 27 July c3/2 He snatched 117.5 kilos (259{oneon4} pounds) a world record in that phase for a lightweight. 1960Muscle Power Feb.–Mar. 37/3 The fine stylist Vitali Zhgun..managed to snatch 276.1 lbs on his outstretched hands. 2004Southland (N.Z.) Times (Nexis) 23 Feb. 21 Frengley snatched 47.5 kg and clean and jerked 62.5kg for an excellent total of 110kg. |