snaphaunce

[ snap-hans, -hahns ]

noun

1. an early flintlock mechanism for igniting a charge of gunpowder in a gun.

Word History and Origins

Origin of snaphaunce¹

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; snap, cock ¹

Example Sentences

There were also matchlocks, snaphaunce pieces, pistols, swords and hangers (cutlasses).

From Project Gutenberg

The “snaphaunce” or fire-lock, is distinctly stated by Grose to be of Dutch origin,—hence the name.

From Project Gutenberg

Textual remarks Page 12, snaphaunce is not a Dutch word; it is derived from the Dutch snaphaan.

From Project Gutenberg

Cotgrave has arquebuse à fusil, "a snaphaunce," and explains fusil as "a fire-steele for a tinder-box."

From Project Gutenberg

I have a couple of wheel locks, to start with, and three miguelet-locks and an Italian snaphaunce.

From Project Gutenberg