snipn.
/snɪp/, U.S. /snɪp/ I. A small piece or portion, and related uses.† 4.
1. † c. spec. Of glass: (see quot. 1688). Obsolete.
a. A small piece or slip, esp. of cloth, cut off or out; a shred.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > [noun] > a separate part > a piece or bit > a piece cut off
cutting1382
culponc1400
clipping1461
chop?1463
shearing1536
sharing?1553
chopping1558
snip1558
share1590
snipping1611
offcut1663
snippet1664
kerf1678
1558 in A. Feuillerat Documents Office of Revels Queen Elizabeth (1908) 27 In to Iagges and Snippes for defacinge of torche bearers.
1606 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iv. 32 Her lips two snips of crimsin Sattin are.
a1630 F. Moryson in Shakespeare's Europe (1903) v. vi. 489 To weare a litle snipp of yellowe lace vpon the left syde of their Clokes.
1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 95 Cut a snip from the thickest and thinnest part.
1756 Connoisseur No. 115. ⁋7 A snip of hair, or the portrait of a cherry~cheeked gentleman,..are the only remaining proofs of those beauties.
1787 W. Cowper Let. 10 Dec. (1982) III. 67 I thank you..for the snip of Cloth commonly called a pattern.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. vi. viii. 416 Patriotism has torn their red coats into snips.
1849 A. R. Smith Pottleton Legacy v. 24 Snips of the metal used in packing tea.
1864 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia IV. xvii. iv. 542 A snip of Paper.
b. transferred or figurative. (Frequently in Fuller.)
ΚΠ
1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine iii. 370 No snip, or shred of empty space cut off from the squareness of the Oracle.
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Yorks. 185 York-shire hath..Lancashire and a snip of Cheshire on the West.
1682 G. Wheler Journey into Greece iii. 280 There might be some Mediterranean Snip of Land, running down between Ionia and Lydia.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > glass and glass-like materials > [noun] > glass > pane > part of
snip1688
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 385/2 A Snip, is the upper halfe, and sometymes a quarter or lesse of a Quarry, Three Snips goes for a quarry.
2. A white or light mark, patch, or spot on a horse, esp. on the nose or lip.Cf. dialect German schnippe a horse with a mark on the nose, schnipp a horse or cow with a narrow blaze.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > colour or marking > [noun] > mark or streak > white mark or patch
snip1562
white sock1893
1562 in J. Raine Wills & Inventories N. Counties Eng. (1835) I. 202 A younge baye geldinge with a whyte snypp off [= on] ye nose.
1607 G. Markham Cavelarice ii. 4 Your redde Sorrell, and your darke Chesnutte, are much graced, if..they bee accompanied with any white markes, as..white snippes on the nose.
1679 Poor Robins Intelligence in Sporting Mag. (1812) 39 61 Her colour was now coal black, with a star, snip, and one white foot.
1726 Brice's Weekly Jrnl. 25 Mar. 3 A Brown Bay Nag, with..a white Snip in one of the hinder Feet.
1799 Hull Advertiser 10 Aug. 2/2 A stout handsome chesnut gelding,..a white snip on his nose.
1820– in Sc. and north. dial. use (Jam. and Eng. Dial. Dict. ).
1891 E. Kinglake Austral. at Home 118 That brown horse over there with a snip.
1893 M. H. Hayes Points of Horse (1897) xx. 222 A white or pink patch on either lip is called a ‘snip’.
3.
a. A small amount, piece, or portion, a little bit (of something). every snip, every bit.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > a small quantity or amount
speckc725
littleOE
somethingc1200
lutewihtc1230
little whatc1384
ouncec1387
lap1393
smalla1400
modicumc1400
nekedc1400
spota1413
tinec1420
nieveful?a1425
handfulc1443
mouthful?c1450
smatchc1456
weec1480
quern1503
halfpennyworth1533
groatsworth1562
dram1566
shellful1578
trickle1580
snatch1592
sprinkling1594
fleck1598
snip1598
pittance1600
lick1603
fingerful1604
modicum1606
thimbleful1607
flash1614
dasha1616
pipa1616
pickle1629
drachm1635
cue1654
smack1693
starn1720
bit1753
kenning1787
minikin1787
tate1805
starnie1808
sprat1815
harl1821
skerrick1825
smallums1828
huckleberry1832
scrimp1840
thimble1841
smite1843
nattering1859
sensation1859
spurt1859
pauchlea1870
mention1891
sketch1894
sputterings1894
scrappet1901
titch1937
tad1940
skosh1959
smattering1973
the world > relative properties > wholeness > the whole or all > [noun] > the whole quantity, number, or amount > the whole lot
every whita1450
every stitch?a1500
the devil and all1543
prow and poop1561
Christ-cross-row1579
every snip1598
thread and thrum1600
boodle1625
hair and hoof1705
rag-tag (also rag, tag) and bob-tail1725
tutti quanti1772
lot1791
lock, stock, and barrel1824
stock and fluke1825
the whole boiling1837
box and dice1839
the whole caboodlea1848
sub-cheese1859
the whole kit and boiling (boodle, caboodle, cargo)1859
the whole jingbang1866
the whole hypothec1871
the whole ball of wax1882
the whole (entire) shoot1884
(at) every whip-stitch1888
work1899
issue1919
guntz1958
full monty1979
(a)
(b)1624 J. Gee New Shreds Old Snare Pref. p. ii Some snips of..their legerdemaine trickes .. here I display.a1668 W. Davenant Man's the Master (1669) ii. i May not a man see a snip of her face?1700 J. Dryden in J. Fletcher & J. Vanbrugh Pilgrim (rev. ed.) Epil. sig. A3 The Poets..Tainted the Stage, for some small Snip of Gain.1831 T. Carlyle Let. 22 Aug. in Coll. Lett. T. & J. W. Carlyle (1976) V. 355 Sunday morning had a snip of a note from Empsom[n].1894 R. D. Blackmore Perlycross I. vii. 92 My hair is such a trouble, I have half a mind sometimes to cut off every snip of it.1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iii. i. 20 Keepe not too long in one tune, but a snip and away. View more context for this quotation
1624 R. Montagu Gagg for New Gospell? iii. 42 I like not that the ancient Fathers should be..sent away like schoole-boyes with snips.
1749 T. Smollett tr. A. R. Le Sage Gil Blas III. vii. xii. 76 Let me know what is the business, and I promise you shall get some snips out of the minister.
1833 T. Carlyle in Fraser's Mag. May 587/2 Picking up a few residuary snips.
b. Applied to persons in depreciation or contempt. In later use: A young, slight, or diminutive person.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > condition of being held in contempt > [noun] > state or quality of being contemptible > contemptible person
wormc825
wretchOE
thingOE
hinderlingc1175
harlot?c1225
mixa1300
villain1303
whelpc1330
wonnera1340
bismera1400
vilec1400
beasta1425
creaturec1450
dog bolt1465
fouling?a1475
drivel1478
shit1508
marmoset1523
mammeta1529
pilgarlica1529
pode1528
slave1537
slim1548
skit-brains?1553
grasshopper1556
scavenger1563
old boss1566
rag1566
shrub1566
ketterela1572
shake-rag1571
skybala1572
mumpsimus1573
smatchetc1582
squib1586
scabship1589
vassal1589
baboon1592
Gibraltar1593
polecat1593
mushroom1594
nodc1595
cittern-head1598
nit1598
stockfish1598
cum-twang1599
dish-wash1599
pettitoe1599
mustard-token1600
viliaco1600
cargo1602
stump1602
snotty-nose1604
sprat1605
wormling1605
brock1607
dogfly?1611
shag-rag1611
shack-rag1612
thrum1612
rabbita1616
fitchock1616
unworthy1616
baseling1618
shag1620
glow-worm1624
snip1633
the son of a worm1633
grousea1637
shab1637
wormship1648
muckworm1649
whiffler1659
prig1679
rotten egg1686
prigster1688
begged fool1693
hang-dog1693
bugger1694
reptile1697
squinny1716
snool1718
ramscallion1734
footer1748
jackass1756
hallion1789
skite1790
rattlesnake1791
snot1809
mudworm1814
skunk1816
stirrah1816
spalpeen1817
nyaff1825
skin1825
weed1825
tiger1827
beggar1834
despicability1837
squirt1844
prawn1845
shake1846
white mouse1846
scurf1851
sweep1853
cockroach1856
bummer1857
medlar1859
cunt1860
shuck1862
missing link1863
schweinhund1871
creepa1876
bum1882
trashbag1886
tinhorn1887
snot-rag1888
rodent1889
whelpling1889
pie eatera1891
mess1891
schmuck1892
fucker1893
cheapskate1894
cocksucker1894
gutter-bird1896
perisher1896
skate1896
schmendrick1897
nyamps1900
ullage1901
fink1903
onion1904
punk1904
shitepoke1905
tinhorn sport1906
streeler1907
zob1911
stink1916
motherfucker1918
Oscar1918
shitass1918
shit-face1923
tripe-hound1923
gimp1924
garbage can1925
twerp1925
jughead1926
mong1926
fuck?1927
arsehole1928
dirty dog1928
gazook1928
muzzler1928
roach1929
shite1929
mook1930
lug1931
slug1931
woodchuck1931
crud1932
dip1932
bohunkus1933
lint-head1933
Nimrod1933
warb1933
fuck-piga1935
owl-hoot1934
pissant1935
poot1935
shmegegge1937
motheree1938
motorcycle1938
squiff1939
pendejo1940
snotnose1941
jerkface1942
slag1943
yuck1943
fuckface?1945
fuckhead?1945
shit-head1945
shite-hawk1948
schlub1950
asswipe1953
mother1955
weenie1956
hard-on1958
rass hole1959
schmucko1959
bitch ass1961
effer1961
lamer1961
arsewipe1962
asshole1962
butthole1962
cock1962
dipshit1963
motherfuck1964
dork1965
bumhole1967
mofo1967
tosspot1967
crudball1968
dipstick1968
douche1968
frickface1968
schlong1968
fuckwit1969
rassclaat1969
ass1970
wank1970
fecker1971
wanker1971
butt-fucker1972
slimeball1972
bloodclaat1973
fuckwad1974
mutha1974
suck1974
cocksuck1977
tosser1977
plank1981
sleazebag1981
spastic1981
dweeb1982
bumboclaat1983
dickwad1983
scuzzbag1983
sleazeball1983
butt-face1984
dickweed1984
saddie1985
butt plug1986
jerkweed1988
dick-sucker1989
microcephalic1989
wankstain1990
sadster1992
buttmunch1993
fanny1995
jackhole1996
fassyhole1997
fannybaws2000
fassy2002
the world > people > person > young person > [noun]
youngeOE
younglingOE
girlc1300
youtha1325
young onec1384
birdc1405
young person1438
young blood1557
primrosea1568
slip1582
juvenal1598
quat1607
airling1611
egga1616
saplinga1616
chita1657
a slip of a girla1660
juvenile1733
young adult1762
boots1806
snip1838
spring chicken1857
yob1859
kid1884
chiseller1922
juvenile adult1926
YA1974
yoof1986
1633 P. Massinger New Way to pay Old Debts ii. ii. sig. E2v This terme-driuer Marrall, This snippe of an Attourney.
1838 J. C. Maitland Lett. from Madras (1843) 221 Half the experienced men are kept in subordinate situations, and young raw snips placed over their heads.
1902 Daily Chron. 11 Feb. 5/1 Why, this snip is no better than anybody else when he lands here.
a. A share or portion; a snack. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > distributing or dealing out > an allotted share, portion, or part > [noun]
dealc825
lotOE
dolea1225
partc1300
portion?1316
sort1382
parcelc1400
skiftc1400
pane1440
partagec1450
shift1461
skair1511
allotment1528
snapshare1538
share1539
slice1548
fee1573
snap1575
moiety1597
snatch1601
allotterya1616
proportiona1616
symbol1627
dealth1637
quantum1649
cavelc1650
snip1655
sortition1671
snack1683
quota1688
contingency1723
snick1723
contingent1728
whack1785
divvy1872
end1903
bite1925
1655 tr. C. Sorel Comical Hist. Francion i. 13 The Justice of the place..not willing to lose his Snip [etc.].
1672 W. Wycherley Love in Wood i. ii He watches them like a younger brother that is afraid to be mumped of his snip.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 140 The Governor distributing to the Officers, and they to the Soldiers, every one having their Snips.
1702 R. Steele Funeral iii. 41 Take care of their Young Ladyships; you shall..have a Snip in the Sale of 'em.
b. to go snips (†or snip), to go shares (with some one, or in something), to share or participate in the profits. Now dialect.In very common use c1680–1690, esp. by Hickeringill.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > sharing > share [verb (intransitive)]
scot?c1225
deal1297
partc1300
to take partc1384
departc1440
skair1462
impart1471
participate1531
communicate1541
to part stakes (also shares)1553
boot1554
partake1561
intercommune1601
copart1637
to go sharers1644
to run shares1644
intervene1646
go1653
to go a share1655
to share and share alike (formerly also like)1656
to go shares1658
to go share and share alikea1661
to go snips (or snip)1671
to go snacks (or snack)1693
to club one's shares1814
to cut in1890
(a)
(b)1677 R. Thoresby Corr. (1830) II. 408 Some of our company went snips with them.1682 G. Topham Rome's Trad. 209 The Subtil Old Gentleman..offered him (if he would promote the Trade) to go Snips.1706 E. Baynard Cold Baths (1709) ii. 202 Those that go Snips with their Apothecaries, are Villains of the first Magnitude.1725 N. Bailey tr. Erasmus All Familiar Colloquies 338 The Gamester..promises I shall go Snips with him in what he shall win.a1800 S. Pegge Suppl. Grose's Provinc. Gloss. (1814) at Snaps 1861– in Sc. and north. dial. use ( Eng. Dial. Dict. ). 1671 J. Dryden Evening's Love v. 78 Pray, Sir, let me go snip with you in this lye.
1687 R. L'Estrange in E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne (new ed.) To Rdr. sig. A2v I recommend it to the Book-seller, for the common Benefit,..I go no snip with the Stationer.
II. A small cut or incision, and related uses.
5.
a. A small cut or incision made by, or such as that made by, a pair of scissors; a wound of this nature. Also dialect, a small hole or crack.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > [noun] > wound > cut
carfa1000
seamc1400
slapc1480
gap?a1500
gash1528
cut1530
scarification?1541
chopping1558
slash1580
slaughter1592
snip1600
hacka1610
sluice1648
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > an opening or aperture > [noun] > small opening
buttonhole1599
snip1600
pinhole1617
pink1667
to pass through the eye of a needle (also a needle's eye)1720
peepa1825
needle-hole1847
keyhole1900
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > cutting > [noun] > cutting off or away (with an instrument) > an act of snipping, etc. > a snip, etc.
snip1600
1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique i. xxv. 159 If there be any snips in their skins, you shall apply vnto them melted waxe.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) iv. iii. 90 Whats this? a sleeue?.. Heers snip, and nip, and cut, and slish and slash. View more context for this quotation
1682 G. Wheler Journey into Greece iii. 219 Long sharp leaves..without snips at the Edges.
1698 J. Crull Antient & Present State Muscovy I. 136 Bonnets, with a little snip open before and behind.
1775 J. Ash New Dict. Eng. Lang. at Snick A small snip or cut as in the hair of a beast.
1867 E. Waugh Tattlin Matty ii. 24 Squirtin' wayter into my ear through a snip i' th corner o' th window.
1886 C. Scott Pract. Sheep-farming 149 The snip and hole are used alternately, to designate..the exact part of the ear intended to be marked.
b. Pottery. A small projection on the lip of a vessel, the place for which is prepared by cutting a notch.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > receptacle or container > vessel > [noun] > rim > small projection on
snip1845
1845 P. Barlow Manuf. in Encycl. Metrop. VIII. 455/1 These manipulations fix on the clay vessels their handles, snips, spouts [etc.].
1845 P. Barlow Manuf. in Encycl. Metrop. VIII. 455 For snips of jugs, &c., a piece is cut out of the upper edge of proper size and shape.
6.
a. An act of snipping; a single cut or clip of scissors, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > cutting > [noun] > cutting off or away (with an instrument) > an act of snipping, etc.
snip1676
clipa1825
shirl1897
snick1898
1676 R. Wiseman Severall Chirurg. Treat. 256 I laid it open by a snip of a pair of Scissors.
1759 T. Flloyd tr. T.-S. Gueullette Tartarian Tales 265 Four Snips of a Pair of Scissors will initiate you.
1834 T. Carlyle Sartor Resartus i. v. 13/1 Every snip of the Scissors has been regulated..by ever-active Influences.
1886 Daily Tel. 14 Jan. (Cassell) A few snips of the scissors..and last year's robe will do duty for this.
b. A nip, pinch, bite, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > [noun] > wound > stings or bites
stingc900
stinging1398
biting1527
flea-bite1570
flea-biting1598
bite1736
bug bite1739
snip1767
stangc1800
myiasis1839
snake-bite1839
tooth-wound1899
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > biting > [noun] > a bite
snack1402
snap1495
snip1767
1767 ‘Coriat Junior’ Another Traveller! II. 41 He has a snip, or a flip, or a sting, or a fling, at almost every body!
1840 T. Hood Miss Kilmansegg i, in New Monthly Mag. 60 93 He got..Scratches, and pinches, snips, and snaps, As if from a Tigress or Bearess.
1880 R. D. Blackmore Mary Anerley III. iii. 34 The bruising snip a hungry cow makes.
7. slang or colloquial. A tailor. Also employed as an allusive personal name for a tailor.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > tailoring or making clothes > [noun] > tailor
seamsterc995
tailor1297
parnterc1400
parmenterc1450
pricklouse?a1513
Tom Tailor1575
stitcher1589
scissor man1593
cutter1599
snip1600
snipper1611
shred1616
needleman1621
fashioner1631
snip-snappera1632
sartor1656
nipshred1661
stult1675
cabbage1694
linen-armourer1699
stitch1699
snip-cabbage1708
tire-man1709
knight of the needlea1777
stay-tape1785
schneider1796
needle-jerker1801
skip-louse1807
darzi1809
cross-legs1823
tog-maker1901
knight of the shears-
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > tailoring or making clothes > [noun] > tailor > as personal name
Tom Tailor1575
snip1600
(a)
(b)1631 B. Jonson New Inne v. ii. 9 Hang him poore snip, a secular shop-wit! H'hath nought but his sheeres to claime by, & his measures.a1635 T. Randolph Muses Looking-glasse iv. ii. 70 in Poems (1638) Lup. Where's my wife: Colax. Shee's gone with a young Snip, and an old baud.1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue Snip, a taylor.1808 J. Mayne Siller Gun (new ed.) iii. 68 ‘A ring, a ring!’ the soutors cry'd; ‘A ring, a ring!’ the snips reply'd.1871 M. E. Braddon R. Godwin II. i. 6 Shall I give you a line to my snip?1893 R. S. Surtees Soapey Sponge's Sporting Tour (rev. ed.) v. 26 ‘Very neat, sir; would look remarkably well on you, sir,’ replies the obsequious snip.1600 B. Jonson Every Man out of his Humor iv. iv. sig. Niiv Well now maister Snip let me see your bill. View more context for this quotation
a1635 T. Randolph Muses Looking-glasse iv. iii. 74 in Poems (1638) Sir here's Snip the Taylor Charg'd with a riot.
1694 P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais Pantagruel's Voy.: 4th Bk. Wks. iv. lii At Paris..Snip Groignet the Taylor had turn'd an old Clementinæ into Patterns and Measures.
1824 W. E. Andrews Crit. & Hist. Rev. Fox's Bk. Martyrs I. 252 Both Snip and Snob were burned for their pains.
a1849 H. Coleridge Ess. & Marginalia (1851) I. 206 Snip can do more—he can make you an impeccable pair of inexpressibles by simply taking the girth of your thumb.
1858 A. Trollope Dr. Thorne II. iii. 56 Well done, Snip; go it again with the wax and thread.
8. plural. (See quot. 1846.) Cf. tinsnips n.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > cutting tool > shears or scissors > [noun] > types of
plate shears1599
stock-shears1688
right1846
snips1846
cropping shears1873
crocodile shears1884
kitchen scissors1907
tinsnips1944
tinmen's snips1950
1846 C. Holtzapffel Turning & Mech. Manip. II. 915 Hand shears..are often called snips, to distinguish them from bench shears.
1940 I. L. Idriess Lightning Ridge xiii. 88 As the miner's hand gently closed on the snips the jaws came together and bit a chip from the edge of the nobby.
1966 D. F. Galouye Lost Perception xviii. 188 He fished his snips out of the kit. ‘Now we have only to cut the cables.’
1979 Sunset Apr. 170/2 The home owner made a pattern first, then used tin snips to cut long pieces of copper trimmings into strips.
9. plural. Handcuffs. slang.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > binding or fettering > [noun] > bond(s) or fetter(s) or shackle(s) > for the hands or arms
copsa700
manaclec1350
handlock1532
hand-bolt1563
handcuff1649
cuff1663
Darbies1673
glim-fenders1699
government securities1707
pinion1736
ruffles1776
bracelet1817
nippers1821
handicuff1825
shangy1839
snitchers1864
come-along1874
shackle-irons1876
mitten1880
wristlet1881
snaps1891
snips1891
stringers1893
twister1910
1891 Evening Chron. (Newcastle) 21 Feb. 3/2 Accused did not offer to go quietly till the police had the ‘snips’ on him.
1895 A. Patterson Man & Nature on Broads 141 In a moment the slop..had the snips (handcuffs) on me.
10.
a. slang. Something easily obtained or won; a sure thing, a certainty.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > [noun] > that which is easy
ball play?c1225
child's gamec1380
boys' play1538
walkover1861
picnic1870
pudding1884
cakewalk1886
pie1886
cinch1888
snipa1890
pushover1891
pinch1897
sitter1898
pipe1902
five-finger exercise1903
duck soup1912
pud1917
breeze1928
kid stuff1929
soda1930
piece of cake1936
doddle1937
snack1941
stroll1942
piece of piss1949
waltz1968
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > certain prospect or possession > [noun] > something easily done or acquired
sure card?1562
sure thing1836
open-and-shut1841
cinch1888
cert1889
snipa1890
pinch1897
lead-pipe1898
sitter1898
stone ginger1936
slam dunk1984
a1890 Sporting Life (Philadelphia) in Barrère & Leland Dict. Slang (1890) II. 268 D. is in glorious form with his wires, and is certain to keep it up next week at the above meetings, for which he knows of several snips.
1894 J. D. Astley Fifty Years of my Life II. 181 The event looked a dead snip.
1899 Westm. Gaz. 24 July 5/3 The half-mile was described by the supporters of the Americans as a ‘snip’ for their men.
1913 C. Mackenzie Sinister St. I. ii. xi. 323 You'll get your Third Fifteen cap for a snip.
1923 E. P. Oppenheim Inevitable Millionaires xxviii. 285 ‘You think it will be a good speculation, then?’ Stephen observed, a little sadly. ‘A dead snip,’ Sir Philip assured them.
1945 ‘N. Shute’ Most Secret viii. 187 It is a snip; we will get both of them.
1954 P. G. Wodehouse Jeeves & Feudal Spirit ii. 19 Wooster..is the deadest of snips. He throws a beautiful dart.
b. A bargain, a good buy. slang.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > buying > [noun] > a purchase > a bargain
good cheapc1375
great cheapc1375
Robin Hood bargain1709
rug1746
bargain1766
best buy1879
snip1926
steal1942
bargoon1964
sacrifice1976
1926 H. V. Morton Spell of London 94 She sees a tea~gown with the authentic plainness..about it that tells her it began life in higher circles. ‘Now, that's a snip, miss. Just your style!’
1933 Camera Aug. 7 (advt.) Exchange your present camera for one of these guaranteed ‘snips’.
1935 L. A. G. Strong Tuesday Afternoon 20 The smart man comes along, looks in the window, spots the real snip.
1956 ‘N. Shute’ Beyond Black Stump ix. 254 Got them for only a couple of quid each, a snip.
1963 Punch 30 Jan. 162/1 A snip at forty bucks.
1977 Times 29 Oct. 10/6 At a time when Beaujolais prices are soaring it is a snip at £1·90.
c. A piece of good fortune. In a snip of a (thing) to designate something simpler, more excellent, or more pleasing than one could have expected, a ‘gift’.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [phrase]
not to be the rose but to be near it1818
a whale of1913
a snip of a1932
the best (or greatest, etc.) thing since sliced bread1958
the world > action or operation > prosperity > [noun] > good fortune > piece of
opportunity?a1425
honeyfall1642
luck in a bag1649
hit1666
godsend1810
stroke of luck1853
bonanza1878
lucky break1889
break1911
a bit of fat1923
snip1932
1932 W. S. Maugham For Services Rendered ii. 47 It's been a snip for me having this house to come to. Except for all of you I should have had a pretty thin time.
1952 M. Tripp Faith is Windsock xiv. 210 A snip of an op. Cloud over the target thwarted any searchlights, fog kept the fighters down and there was no flak.
a1953 D. Thomas Under Milk Wood (1954) 47 Llaregyb this snip of a morning is wildfruit and warm, the streets, fields, sands and waters springing in the young sun.
Compounds
C1. attributive and in other combinations, as snip-like, snip-nosed adjs.
ΚΠ
1814 T. Moore New Costume Ministers v While Y-rm-th, with snip-like and brisk expedition, Cuts up..a large Cath'lic Petition.
1880–4 F. Day Fishes Great Brit. & Ireland I. 130 Trachinotus Cumberlandi,..the fisherman's name is Snip-nosed-mullet.
C2. † snip-cabbage n. Obsolete a tailor.† snip-work n. Obsolete Glazing (cf. 1c above).
snip-bag n. a bag for holding snips of cloth, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > treating or processing textile fabric > [noun] > bag or box for pieces of cloth
ragbag1820
piece bag1863
piece box1872
snip-bag1880
1880 L. S. Floyer Plain Hints Examiners Needlework 35 Take one yard of ‘cheese cloth’..out of the snip bag.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > tailoring or making clothes > [noun] > tailor
seamsterc995
tailor1297
parnterc1400
parmenterc1450
pricklouse?a1513
Tom Tailor1575
stitcher1589
scissor man1593
cutter1599
snip1600
snipper1611
shred1616
needleman1621
fashioner1631
snip-snappera1632
sartor1656
nipshred1661
stult1675
cabbage1694
linen-armourer1699
stitch1699
snip-cabbage1708
tire-man1709
knight of the needlea1777
stay-tape1785
schneider1796
needle-jerker1801
skip-louse1807
darzi1809
cross-legs1823
tog-maker1901
knight of the shears-
1708 E. Ward London Terræ-filius No. 5. 35 The Gentleman and yonder Snip-Cabbage, his Taylor, [were] Commended for their Ingenuity.
snip-faced adj. (of a horse) marked with a snip.
ΚΠ
1878 W. Dickinson Gloss. Words & Phrases Cumberland (ed. 2) Snip feasst.
snip-jack n. a person of little account or worth (cf. quot. 1846).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [noun] > one who is unimportant > of little worth
toy1573
puny1579
puisne1592
urchin1593
short-arse1706
rip1781
snip-jack1846
twopence1866
jerk1935
1846 F. Marryat Privateersman xiv ‘I can do without such snip-jacks as you are.’ ‘Snip-jacks!’..replied I, ‘if I must say it, we are better born and better bred than you or any of your connections’.
snip-nose n. (see quot. 1753).
ΚΠ
1753 J. Hanway Hist. Acct. Brit. Trade Caspian Sea IV. xxxi. 241 This man was from that time called binnie buride, or snip-nose.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with glass > [noun] > specific processes
annealing1662
snip-work1703
founding1783
glass-blowing1829
nibbling1850
lamp-working1925
1703 R. Neve City & Countrey Purchaser 154 Ordinary Houses..are Glazed with Quarries, which is Bevel Work, so like~wise is a great deal of Fret, and all Snip-work.
Draft additions January 2018
colloquial. With the. A vasectomy operation; esp. in to have the snip. Also reduplicated, as snip-snip.
ΚΠ
1987 Herald (Melbourne) (Nexis) 19 Aug. The number [of men] seeking the quick-snip method of surgical contraception is rising rapidly.]
1988 Bulletin (Sydney) 5 July 112/1 It was about 1976 that I decided I should have the Snip.
2003 M. Redhill Fidelity 149 ‘Is this the snip-snip?’...‘Vasectomy,’ said Sybill.
2009 A. Creed Suffer Children 8 There'll be no further heartbreak because he's had the snip and Leanne..got herself sterilised.
2017 Advertiser (Austral.) (Nexis) 20 June 9 Chris Jagger..said he did not think the singer would be having any more children. ‘No way... I think he's going to have the snip.’
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
snipv.
/snɪp/, U.S. /snɪp/ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > seizing > seize [verb (intransitive)] > seize quickly or hurriedly
snip1577
the mind > possession > taking > seizing > seize [verb (transitive)] > quickly or hurriedly
nipa1500
snatch1530
snap1550
snatch1555
snatch1563
snip1577
sneck1608
snapa1639
snap1673
snaffle1895
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > remove or take away > seize and remove
plitchOE
hentOE
to catch awayc1400
snip1577
1577 R. Stanyhurst Hist. Irelande iii. 78/1 in R. Holinshed Chron. I One of youre horsemen promised mee a choyce Horse, if I snippe one heare from your berde. Well, quoth the earle,..if thou plucke anie more than one [etc.].
1633 Match at Mid-night ii. i Well, and she be snipped by threescore and ten, may she live six-score and eleven.
1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 8 The Captain seldom ordered any thing..but I snipt some of it for my own Share.
2. figurative.1637 T. Jackson 2nd Serm. Jer. xxvi. 19 in Diverse Serm. 83 For snipping this secret hypocrisie,..or exercise of the civill sword, hath no force or dint.1674 J. Bryan Harvest-home ii. 5 Th' impartial Fates..With keenest Scissars snip lifes thread asunder.1893 Advance (Chicago) 11 May While the ‘Higher Criticism’ is laboriously snipping the book of Genesis into ‘Elohistic’ and ‘Jehovistic’ fragments.
a. To cut, to cut up or off, by or as by scissors or some similar cutting instrument.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > cutting > cut [verb (transitive)]
snithec725
carvec1000
cutc1275
slitc1275
hag1294
ritc1300
chop1362
slash1382
cut and carvea1398
flash?a1400
flish?a1400
slenda1400
race?a1425
raise?a1425
razea1425
scotch?c1425
ochec1440
slitec1450
ranch?a1525
scorchc1550
scalp1552
mincea1560
rash?1565
beslash1581
fent1589
engrave1590
nick1592
snip1593
carbonado1596
rescide1598
skice1600
entail1601
chip1609
wriggle1612
insecate1623
carbonate1629
carbonade1634
insecta1652
flick1676
sneg1718
snick1728
slot1747
sneck1817
tame1847
bite-
1593 J. Norden Speculum Brit.: Middlesex (Camden) Pref. p. xiv They have snippers wherwith they snyppe and pare their plates.
a1657 G. Daniel Trinarchodia: Richard II xlii, in Poems (1878) III. 147 Hee takes the Measure of his Maister's stuffe, And Snips it to a Size..Convenient for his Fashion.
a1687 H. More Contin. Remark. Stories 420 They would be snipt and slasht full of holes.
1796 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 86 445 It was snipt a good deal, and several holes were worn in the middle.
1841 T. R. Jones Gen. Outl. Animal Kingdom xxiv. 426 If one of these muscular capsules be snipped by means of a pair of very fine scissors.
1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xl. 366 He found Becky and her companion..busy culling, ripping, snipping, and tearing all sorts of black stuffs.
b. absol. To make a cut or cuts with or as with scissors, etc. Also, of scissors: To cut.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > cutting > cut [verb (intransitive)]
carve?c1225
rivec1275
shearc1275
cutc1400
racea1413
incise?1541
slash1548
slive1558
hackle1577
haggle1577
slice1606
snipa1680
chip1844
bite1849
a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) II. 138 Like a Barber's Scissars, which are always snipping, as well when they do not cut, as when they do.
1827 W. Scott Jrnl. 7 Dec. (1941) 147 I wish I have not made that article too long, and Lockhart will not snip away.
1847 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) xxix. 291 Miss Tox,..arming herself with her scissors, began to snip and clip among the leaves.
1872 R. A. Proctor Ess. Astron. xxiv. 312 One can snip round the borders of a region until its size has been reduced.
c. To injure by chipping or taking small pieces out of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > damage > damage or injure [verb (transitive)] > by breaking, tearing, or cutting something off
forcutc1386
shattera1513
cancel1574
snip1822
mutilate1824
shard1879
detruncate1885
nick1885
1822– in north. dial. use ( Eng. Dial. Dict. ).
1884 Liverpool Mercury 22 Oct. 5/5 The granite pedestal may be snipped; or a thousand other disasters may occur.
d. Cricket. To hit (the ball) lightly; to snick.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > bat [verb (transitive)] > hit > hit with specific stroke
take1578
stop1744
nip1752
block1772
drive1773
cut1816
draw1816
tip1816
poke1836
spoon1836
mow1844
to put up1845
smother1845
sky1849
crump1850
to pick up1851
pull1851
skyrocket1851
swipe1851
to put down1860
to get away1868
smite1868
snick1871
lift1874
crack1882
smack1882
off-drive1888
snip1890
leg1892
push1893
hook1896
flick1897
on-drive1897
chop1898
glance1898
straight drive1898
cart1903
edge1904
tonk1910
sweep1920
mishook1934
middle1954
square-drive1954
tickle1963
square-cut1976
slash1977
splice1982
paddle1986
1890 Pall Mall Gaz. 21 Aug. 6/3 Maclaren soon opens his account.., but gently snipping a ball from Streatfeild he is easily caught by Abel in the slips.
3.
a. To cut off by means of scissors or other sharp instrument. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or detachment > detach [verb (transitive)] > cut off
becarveOE
carvec1000
hewc1000
shredc1275
cuta1300
chapc1325
cleavec1330
off-shearc1330
withscore1340
to cut offc1380
colea1400
slivea1400
to score awayc1400
abscisea1500
discidea1513
sharea1529
off-trenchc1530
off-hewc1540
pare1549
detrench1553
slice?1560
detrunk1566
sneck1578
resect1579
shred1580
curtail1594
off-chop1594
lop?1602
disbranch1608
abscind1610
snip1611
circumcise1613
desecate1623
discerpa1628
amputate1638
absciss1639
prescind1640
notch1820
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Mordiller, to nibble, gnaw, fret, snip off.
1624 T. Gataker Discuss. Transubstant. 214 Hee should have done well..to have snipt off or concealed at least, the last clause.
a1640 J. Fletcher et al. Faire Maide of Inne iv. ii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Fffffff4v/2 Because I will not afflict you with any large bill Of circumstances, I will snip off particulars.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World xii. 339 He takes hold of the fore-skin with two sticks, and with a pair of Scizzars snips it off.
1742 H. Baker Microscope made Easy ii. x. 122 A piece of the..Membrane..snipped off with a Pair of sharp Scissars.
1826 S. Cooper First Lines Pract. Surg. (ed. 5) ii. xiii. 349 The new opening,..is then to be enlarged by snipping off the flap of the iris.
1846 W. S. Landor Imaginary Conversat. in Wks. I. 79/2 He has snipt off as much as he could pinch from every author of reputation.
1888 E. A. Freeman in W. R. W. Stephens Life & Lett. E. A. Freeman (1895) II. x. 380 I simply had my uvula snipped off.
b. With away, from, out of, etc.
ΚΠ
1768 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued I. i. 261 By snipping away the superfluities of the paper from her figure.
1858 C. Dickens Let. 25 Aug. (1995) VIII. 638 He is perpetually snipping pieces out of newspapers.
1896 Pall Mall Mag. May 16 A bullet snipped a corner from my hat.
c. To cut out by snipping. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > extraction > extract [verb (transitive)] > by cutting
to cut outc1400
slice?1560
exsect1641
exscind1662
excide1739
snip1801
scissor1832
excise1835
outcut1860
1801 Asiatic Ann. Reg. 1800 Proc. E. India House 113/2 He next proceeded very accurately to snip out their suspicions into four and twenty parts.
1855 O. W. Holmes Poems 137 Boys..Who, for a very trifling sum, Will snip one's picture out.
4. To snub, check, repress. Now dialect.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restrain [verb (transitive)]
pindeOE
steerc950
hold971
forbidc1000
withstewc1175
withholdc1200
stewa1225
crempa1250
bistintc1300
i-stillc1315
withdraw1340
entemperc1380
rebukec1380
forfenda1382
refraina1382
refrainc1390
restraina1393
restayc1400
retainc1415
to hold abackc1440
overholda1450
reclaim?c1450
revokec1450
bedwynge1480
sniba1500
repressa1525
rein1531
inhibit1535
to keep back1535
cohibit1544
reprimec1550
lithe1552
to rein up1574
check1581
embridle1583
to rein in1593
retrench1594
refrenate1599
to hold back1600
snip1601
becheck1605
sneap1611
trasha1616
supersede1645
reprimand1689
snape1691
to clap a guy on1814
to pull up1861
to pull in1893
withstrain1904
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > rebuke or reproof > rebuke or reprove [verb (transitive)]
threac897
threapc897
begripea1000
threata1000
castea1200
chaste?c1225
takec1275
blame1297
chastya1300
sniba1300
withnima1315
undernima1325
rebukec1330
snuba1340
withtakea1340
reprovec1350
chastisea1375
arate1377
challenge1377
undertake1377
reprehenda1382
repreync1390
runta1398
snapea1400
underfoc1400
to call to account1434
to put downc1440
snebc1440
uptakec1440
correptc1449
reformc1450
reprise?c1450
to tell (a person) his (also her, etc.) own1450
control1451
redarguec1475
berisp1481
to hit (cross) one over (of, on) the thumbs1522
checkc1530
admonish1541
nip1548
twig?1550
impreve1552
lesson1555
to take down1562
to haul (a person) over the coals1565
increpate1570
touch1570
school1573
to gather up1577
task1580
redarguate?1590
expostulate1592
tutor1599
sauce1601
snip1601
sneap1611
to take in tax1635
to sharp up1647
round1653
threapen1671
reprimand1681
to take to task1682
document1690
chapter1693
repulse1746
twink1747
to speak to ——1753
haul1795
to pull up1799
carpet1840
rig1841
to talk to1860
to take (a person) to the woodshed1882
rawhide1895
to tell off1897
to tell (someone) where he or she gets off1900
to get on ——1904
to put (a person) in (also into) his, her place1908
strafe1915
tick1915
woodshed1935
to slap (a person) down1938
sort1941
bind1942
bottle1946
mat1948
ream1950
zap1961
elder1967
1601 [implied in: Breton (title) No Whippinge, nor Trippinge: but a kinde friendly Snippinge. (at snipping n. 3)].
1614 [implied in: J. Taylor (title) The nipping or snipping of abuses. (at snipping n. 3)].
1647 T. Fuller Good Thoughts in Worse Times i. x. 24 If I were curb'd and Snip't in my younger yeares by feare of my parents, from those vicious excrescencies.
1823– in dial. use (Suffolk, Somerset, Devon).
5. Used adverbially to denote either sound or action.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > cutting > [adverb]
snipa1661
stabbingly1673
clippingly1849
incisively1871
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sharp or hard sound > [adverb] > snip
snip-snap1596
snipa1661
snicker-snack1871
a1661 B. Holyday tr. Juvenal Satyres (1673) 189 How many towns he owns, who went snip, snip; As his quick sizzers my young beard did clip!
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1558v.1577