Part 515

Snap"ping (?), a. & n. from Snap, v.

Snapping beetle. (Zoöl.) See Snap beetle, under Snap. -- Snapping turtle. (Zoöl.) (a) A large and voracious aquatic turtle (Chelydra serpentina) common in the fresh waters of the United States; -- so called from its habit of seizing its prey by a snap of its jaws. Called also mud turtle. (b) See Alligator snapper, under Alligator.

Snap"pish (?), a. 1. Apt to snap at persons or things; eager to bite; as, a snapping cur.

2. Sharp in reply; apt to speak angrily or testily; easily provoked; tart; peevish.

The taunting address of a snappish misanthrope.

Jeffrey.

-- Snap"pish*ly, adv. -- Snap"pish*ness, n.

Snap"py (?), a. Snappish. [Colloq.]

Snap"sack` (?), n. [Cf. Sw. snappsäck, G. schnappsack.] A knapsack. [Obs.] South.

Snap"weed` (?), n. (Bot.) See Impatiens.

Snar (?), v. i. [Akin to LG. & OD. snarren, G. schnarren, E. snore. See Snore, and cf. Snarl to growl.] To snarl. [Obs.] Spenser.

Snare (?), n. [AS. sneara cord, a string; akin to D. snoer, G. schnur, OHG. snour a cord, snarahha a noose, Dan. snare, Sw. & Icel. snara, Goth. sn&?;rj&?; a basket; and probably also to E. needle. See Needle, and cf. Snarl to entangle.] 1. A contrivance, often consisting of a noose of cord, or the like, by which a bird or other animal may be entangled and caught; a trap; a gin.

2. Hence, anything by which one is entangled and brought into trouble.

If thou retire, the Dauphin, well appointed, Stands with the snares of war to tangle thee.

Shak.

3. The gut or string stretched across the lower head of a drum.

4. (Med.) An instrument, consisting usually of a wireloop or noose, for removing tumors, etc., by avulsion.

Snare drum, the smaller common military drum, as distinguished from the bass drum; -- so called because (in order to render it more resonant) it has stretched across its lower head a catgut string or strings.

Snare, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Snared (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Snaring.] To catch with a snare; to insnare; to entangle; hence, to bring into unexpected evil, perplexity, or danger.

Lest that too heavenly form . . . snare them.

Milton.

The mournful crocodile With sorrow snares relenting passengers.

Shak.

Snar"er (?), n. One who lays snares, or entraps.

Snarl (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Snarled (?); p. pr. & vvb. n. Snarling.] [Etymol. uncertain.] To form raised work upon the outer surface of (thin metal ware) by the repercussion of a snarling iron upon the inner surface.

Snarl, v. t. [From Snare, v. t.] 1. To entangle; to complicate; to involve in knots; as, to snarl a skein of thread. "Her snarled hair." Spenser.

2. To embarrass; to insnare.

question that they would have snarled him with.