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snaphaunce
[ snap-hans, -hahns ]
/ ËsnĂŠp hĂŠns, -hÉns /
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noun
an early flintlock mechanism for igniting a charge of gunpowder in a gun.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known asâŠ
Origin of snaphaunce
First recorded in 1580â90; from Dutch snaphaan (or German Schnapphahn ) originally, âhighwayman,â equivalent to snap(pen) âto snatchâ + haan âroosterâ (Dutch haan, German Hahn, parallel to English cock meaning both âroosterâ and âhammer of a firearmâ); 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. 2023