snatch

[snach] /snætʃ/
verb (used without object)
1.
to make a sudden effort to seize something, as with the hand; grab (usually followed by at).
verb (used with object)
2.
to seize by a sudden or hasty grasp:
He snatched the old lady's purse and ran.
3.
to take, get, secure, etc., suddenly or hastily.
4.
to rescue or save by prompt action:
He snatched the baby from the fire.
5.
Slang. to kidnap.
noun
6.
the act or an instance of snatching.
7.
a sudden motion to seize something; grab:
He made a snatch as if to stop her.
8.
a bit, scrap, or fragment of something:
snatches of conversation.
9.
a brief spell of effort, activity, or any experience:
to work in snatches.
10.
Nautical. a sheave or projecting member serving as a fairlead.
11.
a brief period of time.
12.
Slang. an act of kidnapping.
13.
Slang: Vulgar. vulva; vagina.
14.
Weightlifting. a lift in which the barbell is brought in a single motion from the floor to an arms-extended position overhead.
Compare clean and jerk.
Origin
1175-1225; Middle English snacche (noun), snacchen (v.) < ?; cognate with Middle Dutch snacken
Related forms
snatchable, adjective
snatcher, noun
snatchingly, adverb
outsnatch, verb (used with object)
unsnatched, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for snatch

snatch

/snætʃ/
verb
1.
(transitive) to seize or grasp (something) suddenly or peremptorily: he snatched the chocolate out of my hand
2.
(intransitive) usually foll by at. to seize or attempt to seize suddenly
3.
(transitive) to take hurriedly: to snatch some sleep
4.
(transitive) to remove suddenly: she snatched her hand away
5.
(transitive) to gain, win, or rescue, esp narrowly: they snatched victory in the closing seconds
6.
(transitive) (in weightlifting) to lift (a weight) with a snatch
7.
(Austral, informal) snatch one's time, to leave a job, taking whatever pay is due
noun
8.
an act of snatching
9.
a fragment or small incomplete part: snatches of conversation
10.
a brief spell: snatches of time off
11.
(weightlifting) a lift in which the weight is raised in one quick motion from the floor to an overhead position
12.
(slang, mainly US) an act of kidnapping
13.
(Brit, slang) a robbery: a diamond snatch
Derived Forms
snatcher, noun
Word Origin
C13 snacchen; related to Middle Dutch snakken to gasp, Old Norse snaka to sniff around
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.

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).

Slang definitions & phrases for snatch

snatch

noun
  1. : a $50,000 ransom to get him back from a snatch
  2. : A piece of paper covering the slit was rolled aside in the course of a snatch
  3. The vulva; cunt: Put the goddamned piece up her snatch and pulled the trigger (1903+)
verb
  1. To kidnap: The kid was snatched as he left school (1932+)
  2. To steal (1765+)
Related Terms

put the snatch on someone or something