Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for snatch on Thesaurus.com verb (used without object) to make a sudden effort to seize something, as with the hand; grab (usually followed by at ). Show More
to seize by a sudden or hasty grasp: He snatched the old lady's purse and ran. to take, get, secure, etc., suddenly or hastily. to rescue or save by prompt action: He snatched the baby from the fire. Slang to kidnap. Show More
the act or an instance of snatching. a sudden motion to seize something; grab: He made a snatch as if to stop her. a bit, scrap, or fragment of something: snatches of conversation. a brief spell of effort, activity, or any experience: to work in snatches. Nautical a sheave or projecting member serving as a fairlead. a brief period of time. Slang an act of kidnapping. Slang : Vulgar vulva; vagina. Weightlifting a lift in which the barbell is brought in a single motion from the floor to an arms-extended position overhead. Show More
Origin of snatch 1175–1225; Middle English snacche (noun), snacchen (v.) < ?; cognate with Middle Dutch snacken
Related forms snatch·a·ble , adjective snatch·er , noun snatch·ing·ly , adverb out·snatch , verb (used with object) un·snatched , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for snatch snippet ,
cunt ,
pussy ,
pull ,
kidnap ,
rescue ,
jerk ,
seize ,
wrest ,
win ,
pluck ,
snag ,
jump ,
wrench ,
clutch ,
catch ,
abduct ,
steal ,
yank ,
fragment Examples from the Web for snatch Contemporary Examples of snatch In another change since his transit days, crooks now snatch cellphones, not gold chains.
It is easy for an unscrupulous individual to pose as an underground banker, snatch up several large deposits, then cut and run.
The company reported $2.4 billion in annual sales and could snatch a valuation as high as $5 billion.
Police believe that their rigorous schedule actually gave the alleged abductors a safe window in which to snatch the child.
Scar-Jo, who also received the title in 2006, is the only woman to ever snatch it twice.
Historical Examples of snatch Our pleasures are but the stolen moments we can snatch from its inattention.
Adams offered to snatch the gun out of his companion's hand.
I now think that to lie is, as it were, to snatch the reins out of God's hand.
I might, unnoticed, of course, snatch a bun from its grasp now and then.
Who is there among you, my friends, that may not snatch a brand from the burning!
British Dictionary definitions for snatch (tr) to seize or grasp (something) suddenly or peremptorily he snatched the chocolate out of my hand (intr usually foll by at ) to seize or attempt to seize suddenly (tr) to take hurriedly to snatch some sleep (tr) to remove suddenly she snatched her hand away (tr) to gain, win, or rescue, esp narrowly they snatched victory in the closing seconds (tr) (in weightlifting) to lift (a weight) with a snatch snatch one's time Australian informal to leave a job, taking whatever pay is due Show More
an act of snatching a fragment or small incomplete part snatches of conversation a brief spell snatches of time off weightlifting a lift in which the weight is raised in one quick motion from the floor to an overhead position slang , mainly US an act of kidnapping British slang a robbery a diamond snatch Show More
Derived Forms snatcher , noun Word Origin for snatch C13 snacchen; related to Middle Dutch snakken to gasp, Old Norse snaka to sniff around
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for snatch v. early 13c., "make a sudden snap or bite" (at something), of uncertain origin; perhaps from an unrecorded Old English *snæccan or Middle Dutch snacken "to snatch, chatter." Cf. snack (n.). Meaning "lay hold of suddenly" is from early 14c.; especially "take from someone's hands" (1580s). Weight-lifting sense is attested from 1928. Related: Snatched ; snatching .
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n. c.1300, "a trap, snare," from snatch (v.). Meaning "a sudden grab" is from 1570s; that of "a small amount" is from 1590s. Sense in weight-lifting is from 1928. Vulgar slang sense of "vulva" is recorded from 1903; a much older venereal sense was "sexual intercourse quickly performed" (1580s).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
