snack

[snak]

noun

1. a small portion of food or drink or a light meal, especially one eaten between regular meals.

2. a share or portion.

3. Slang.,  a sexy and physically attractive person; hottie.

4. Australian Slang.,  something easily done.

verb (used without object)

1. to have a snack or light meal, especially between regular meals.

   They snacked on tea and cake.

snack

/ snæk /

noun

1. a light quick meal eaten between or in place of main meals

2. a sip or bite

3. rare,  a share

4. informal,  a very easy task

verb

1. (intr) to eat a snack

Word History and Origins

Origin of snack¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English verb snacchen, snac(c)he, snak “(of a dog) to snap at, bite, seize”; Middle English noun snacche, snak(e); further origin uncertain; compare Middle Dutch snacken “(of a dog) to snap”: Norwegian dialect snaka “(of an animal) to snatch”

Word History and Origins

Origin of snack¹

C15: probably from Middle Dutch snacken, variant of snappen to _snap

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. go snack / snacks, to share profits or returns.

Example Sentences

Europe's largest bat doesn't merely snack on small birds -- it hunts and captures them more than a kilometer above the ground and consumes them while still in flight.

Read more on Science Daily

“Whole Foods has great brand equity. It’s been built up over decades,” said John Foraker, CEO of Once Upon a Farm, which sells organic baby food and snack bars at Whole Foods.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Fueled by bins of snacks — chips, oranges and bottled water — many volunteers expressed enthusiasm for the long day ahead.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Most staple foods, such as meat, produce, grains, snacks and nonalcoholic beverages are considered eligible purchases.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

We like the eggs, the fresh pressed juices and we get our dog snacks from there.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• lunch 
• morsel 
• refreshment 
• tea