snick
/snɪk
/verb [with object]
1Cut a small notch or incision in (something): the stem can be carefully snicked to allow the bud to swell
1.1 Cricket Deflect (the ball) slightly with the edge of the bat; deflect a ball delivered by (a bowler) in this way: he scored 23 before he snicked Snell’s out-swinger...
- He soon gave our skipper a chance to redeem himself, by snicking my quicker ball straight to him again.
- Then, when he was on eight, he snicked one through slips.
- They did, however, have a little good fortune as both snicked balls over the slips to the boundary, but they and the rest of the batsmen are going to need some more fortune tomorrow to keep in touch with Middlesex's huge first innings.
2Cause (something) to make a sharp clicking sound: [with object and complement]: he placed the pen in the briefcase and snicked it shut...
- The door snicked closed behind her with an awful finality.
- Carried thusly, they may be snicked off the belt clip in a heartbeat for use as a hand-held light, or instantly attached to a pistol.
- However, old salts may at first find themselves trying in vain to snick the safety on before holstering.
2.1 [no object] Make a sharp clicking sound: the bolt snicked into place...
- The safety snicked off, the only sound in the universe.
- It snicks on and off with a crisp snap, not too stiff, not too easy, just right.
- The blade snicks into place with all the precision found in a Swiss watch - and bank vault.
noun
1A small notch or cut: he had several shaving snicks...
- It needs only a few snicks with a knife and a touch of green paint to convert a piece of dry mahogany bark into an ornamental fish, complete with the scales and tail-fin.
1.1 Cricket A slight deflection of the ball by the bat.The shot resulted in a snick to the wicket-keeper and he departed absolutely livid with himself....
- The umpire ignored two huge snicks from Aussie batsman as New Zealand pressed for victory in the third Test.
- Or a rearing leg-spinner would be met with a snick that first slip would put down.
2A sharp click: he heard the snick of the latch...
- The person inside reached up to release the seal ring on the neck of the pressure suit and with a sharp snick, the helmet came loose.
- The right thumb notched the spur back with the oily snick and click from a different century.
- She heard a labored snick and felt the brick move under her hand.
Origin
Late 17th century: probably from obsolete snick or snee 'fight with knives'.