snaphaunce
[ snap-hans, -hahns ]
/ ˈsnæp hæns, -hɑns /
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noun
an early flintlock mechanism for igniting a charge of gunpowder in a gun.
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Origin of snaphaunce
First recorded in 1580–90; from Dutch snaphaan (or German Schnapphahn ) originally, “highwayman,” equivalent to snap(pen) “to snatch” + haan “rooster” (Dutch haan, German Hahn, parallel to English cock meaning both “rooster” and “hammer of a firearm”); source of the final s sound unclear; see snap, cock1
Words nearby snaphaunce
snap brim, Snapchat, snap course, snapdragon, snap fastener, snaphaunce, snap-in, snap judgment, snap link, snap-off, snap-on
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021