snatching-roller 
snatching-roller (smic-ii'mg-ro'liT), n. In n 
printing-press using a continuous web of paper, 
one of a pair of rollers running at a higher 
speed than those next behind them, and scry nit,- 
to snatch or tear off the printed slice! at the 
line of perforations made to divide the web 
into sheets. 
snatchy (snach'i), a. [< snatch + -y 1 .] Con- 
sisting of or characterized by snatches; not 
uniform or continuous ; irregular. 
The modern style [of rowing] seems short and snatchy ; 
it has not the long majestic sweep of former days. 
Cambridge Sketches, p. 16. 
snath (snath), n. A shortened form of snatlic". 
O mower, lean on thy bended snath, 
Look from the meadows green and low. 
W hittier, Wreck of Rivermouth. 
snathe 1 (snaTH), v. t.; pret. and pp. snathed, 
ppr. Sneaking. A variant of snead 1 . Halliteell. 
snathe 2 (snaTH), n. [A var. of snead 2 .] The 
curved helve or handle of a scythe, to which 
are attached short handles called nibs. See 
scytlw. 
snattock (snat'ok), .. [Prob. for *snaddock, < 
snead 1 (ME. snadc) + -ock.~\ A chip ; a slice ; 
a fragment. [Prov. Eng.] 
Snattocks of that very cross ; of cedar some, some of ju- 
niper. Gayton, Notes on Don Quixote, p. 275. 
snaughtt. An obsolete preterit and past parti- 
ciple of snatch. 
snaw (sna), n. An obsolete or dialectal (Scotch) 
form of snow 1 . 
snead 1 (sned), v. t. [Also sneed, sued, also 
snathe, snaze; < MK "sneden, *snxden (in comp. 
to-sntfden),< AS. snsedan (= OHG. sneiton, MHG. 
sneiten = Icel. sneidha), cut, also feed, a secon- 
dary form of snithan, cut : see snithe. Cf . sncad 2 .] 
To cut ; lop ; prune. 
snead 1 (sned), n. [< ME. snade, snode, < AS. 
anted (= Icel. sneidli), a piece, bit, slice, < sni- 
than (pret. snatJi), in secondary form sniedan, 
cut : see snead 1 , v.] A. piece ; "bit ; slice. 
snead 2 (sned), re. [Also sneed. sned, also sncatJi, 
sneathe, snathe, snath; < ME. *sned, < AS. snied, 
the handle of a scythe, appar. < snithan (pret. 
snath), cut: see snead 1 .] The handle of a 
scythe : same as snathe?. [Prov. Eng.] 
This is fixed on a long sneed, or straight handle. 
Evelyn. 
Argent, a scythe, the blade in chief, the meyd (or han- 
dle) in bend sinister sable, etc. ..V. and Q., 7th ser., VI. 14. 
snead 3 (sned), n. Same as *ee<J 2 . 
sneak (snek), v. [< ME. sniken (appar. siiiken, 
whence mod. E. 'snick, with an allowed var. 
sneak), for orig. sniken (which would require a 
mod. E. *snike), < AS. sniean (pret. *sndc, pp. 
*snicen), creep, = Icel. "snika (in pp. snikinn, 
covetous, hankering after) = Sw. dial, sniga 
(pret. sneg), creep. = Dan. reflex snige, sneak, 
slink ; cf. Icel. snikja (weak verb), hanker after, 
beg for food silently, as a dog, = Sw. snika 
(pret. snek), hanker after ; cf. OHG. snahhan, 
sneak, MHG. snouken, go secretly, G. dial. 
schnaacken, schnacken, schiiaiohen, creep; cf. Ir. 
Gael, snaigh, snaig, creep, crawl, sneak. From 
the same ult. verb are E. snail, snake, snag$, 
smack 3 , etc.] I. intrans. 1. To creep or steal 
about privately ; go furtively, as if afraid or 
ashamed to be seen ; slink. 
A poor unminded outlaw sneaking home. 
Shak., 1 Hen. IV., iv. 3. 68. 
I hate to see an awkward gawky come sneaking into the 
market. Sheridan (?), The Camp, i. 1. 
2. To behave with meanness and servility; 
crouch ; truckle. 
Tom struts a soldier, open, bold, and brave ; 
Will sneaks a scrivener, an exceeding knave. 
Pope, Moral Essays, i. 154. 
3. To steal; pilfer. See sneak-thief . [Colloq.] 
II. trans. To hide; conceal in a furtive or 
cowardly manner. [Rare.] 
Some sins dare the world in open defiance, yet this [slan- 
der] lurks, and sneaks its head. 
Abp. Wake, Rationale on Texts of Scripture (1701). p. 222. 
[(Latham.) 
sneak (snek), H. [(sneak, v.] 1. A mean, con- 
temptible fellow ; one who has recourse to mean 
and cowardly methods ; a person of selfish and 
cowardly temper and conduct. 
A set of simpletons and superstitious sneaks. 
Olanmlle, Sermons, iv. 
They may tell me I can't alter the world that there 
must be a certain number of sneaks and robbers in it, 
and if I don't lie and filch somebody else will. 
George Eliot, Felix Holt, v. 
Don't jaw, Dolly. Hold on, and listen tome. Yon never 
were a sneak. Whyte Melville, White Rose, II. xiii. 
2. Apettythief. See sneak-thief and area-sneak. 
360 
sneakbillt (snf-k'bil). . [Also snii,-si,ni : < 
MOM + bill 1 .] A sharp-nosed, lean, sneaking 
fellon-. 
Chiehe-face, a chichlface, micher, sneake-hi/l, n irh. d 
fellow, one out of whose nose hunger drn|i-. (Vtyrai*. 
sneak-boat (snek'bot), n. A small decked boat 
used in hunting wild fowl. It is masked with 
weeds or brush when used. [U.S.] 
The usual length of a Bnrnegat sneakboat Is 12 feet, width 
4 feet, square stern 34 Inches wide, 7 inches deep. 
Set. Amer., S. S., LX. 219. 
sneak-box (snek'boks), n. Same as sncak-lnmi. 
Tribune Book of Sports, p. 427. [U. S.] 
sneak-cupt (snek'kup), M. [< sneak, v., + obj. 
cup.] A toper who balks his glass; one who 
sneaks from his cup ; hence, a puny or paltry 
fellow. 
The prince is a Jack, a sneak-cup \sncak-up in some edi- 
tions, apparently confused with sneck up}. 
Shak., llien. IV., III. 3. 99. 
sneaker (sne'ker), n. [< sneak + -cr 1 .] 1. One 
who sneaks ; one who wants spirit ; a sneak. 
Sneakers and time servers. Waterland, Works, III. 420. 
2. A drinking-vessel : a kind of punch-bowl. 
After supper he asked me if I was an admirer of punch ; 
and immediately called for a sneaker. 
Addison, Freeholder, No. 22. 
sneakiness (sne'ki-nes), n. Same as sneaking- 
ness. 
sneaking (sne'king), p. a. 1. Pertaining to or 
worthy of a sneak ; acting like or characteristic 
of a sneak; mean; servile; crouching. 
He objected against religion itself. He said it wasa piti- 
ful, low, sneaking business for a man to mind religion. 
He said that a tender conscience was an unmanly thing. 
Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress, i. 
The fawning, sneaking, and flattering hypocrite. 
Siaiingfleet, Sermons, II. i. 
2. Secret or clandestine.and somewhat discred- 
itable ; underhand ; hence, in a less reprehen- 
sible sense, una vowed; not openly or frankly 
declared. 
For they possess'd. with all their pother, 
A sneaking kindness for each other. 
W. Combe, Dr. Syntax's Tours, i. 7. 
The sneaking kindness for "gentlemen of the road" is 
in our days but rarely displayed. 
U. Spencer, Prin. of Sociol., 574. 
sneakingly (sne'king-li), adv. In a sneaking 
manner; meanly. 
Do all things like a man, not sneakingly; 
Think the king sees thee still ; for his King does. 
G. Herbert, Church Porch. 
sneakingness (sne'king-nes), n. The character 
of being sneaking ; meanness, 
sneaksbillt, n. See sneakbill. 
sneaksby (sneks'bi), n. [Formerly also sneaks- 
bie, sneakesbie; < sneak + -s-by as also in idlesby, 
lewdsby, rndesby, suresbi/, wigsby, etc. Cf. sneak- 
bill, sneaksbill.] A paltry, sneaking fellow ; a 
sneak. 
A meacocke, milkesop, sneafabie, worthlesse fellow. 
Cotgrave. 
A demure sneaksby, a clownish singularist. 
Barrow, Works, III. xxxiv. 
sneak-shooting (snek'sh6"ting), n. The act or 
practice of shooting wild fowl from a sneak- 
boat or sneak-box. 
sneak-thief (snek'thef), n. One who steals by 
entering houses through doors or windows left 
open or unfastened. [Colloq.] 
sneak-upt, See sneak-cup. 
sneaky (sne'ki), a. [< sneak + -y 1 .] Some- 
what sneaking. Jean Ingelow. [Colloq.] 
Both dogs had a sneaky appearance, as though they 
knew a flogging was in store for them. 
Harper's Mag., LXXVI. 199. 
sneap (snep), v. t. [Formerly also sneep,- E. 
dial, also snape ; < Icel. snei/pa. orig. outrage, 
dishonor, chide, snub, lit. 'castrate' (> sneypa, a 
disgrace), = Sw. snopa, castrate ; cf. Sw. snoppa, 
cut off, snuff a candle; snubba, reprove: see 
snip, stub, snub 1 .] 1. To check; reprove ab- 
ruptly; reprimand. 
But life that 's here. 
When into it the soul doth closely wind, 
Is often sneep'd by anguish and by fear. 
With vexing pain and rage that she no'te easly bear. 
Dr. H. More, Sleep of the Soul, ill. 18. 
2. To nip; bite; pinch. 
Give the sneaped birds more cause to sing. 
Shak., Lucrece, 1. 333. 
[Obsolete or provincial in both uses.] 
sneap (snep), n. [< mii-ap, i\] A reprimand; 
a rebuke ; a check ; a snub. [Obsolete or pro- 
vincial.] 
sneer 
I will nut uiiiliTUn this mrap without 
IV ,ii. 1. 138. 
'l!i ! 1 irpmc.f, wi-iuhcd so much on the 
mind of thr l;i-.|)np thai ;i* hr i 
many times with suit tears. 
/.'. If. liUi-ii, Hht. church f Eng., Til. 
sneart, '' An obsolete spelling of MMT. 
sneath,sneathe(sni-'t h, sm -TII). Sinnr **; 
XIIKHI-, Kllllt/ll ', Xllllllll--, XII'llll. 
snebt (sneb), t'. t. A variant of tnib. 
sneck 1 ( snek), D.<. [Avar.ofsacfc.] To snatch. 
[Obsolete or provincial.] 
i:iin of pearl? 
I surckt it away finely. 
Middleton, Vonr Five Gallants, L 2. 
Snecked rubble. See rubble. Sneck upt, snick upt 
(also sneak up), shut up ! be hanged ! go hang ! ned in- 
ter] ectionally. 
We did keep time, sir, In our catches. Sneck up! 
Shak., T. N., II. 3. 101. 
Dost want a master? If thou dost, I'm for thee ; 
Else choose, and sneck up ! Ford, Lady's Trial, Ui. 2. 
Give him his money, George, and let him go snick-up. 
Beau, and Fl., Knight of Burning Pestle, iii. -.; 
She shall not rise, sir, goe, let your Muter snick-up. 
Heyicood, Fair Maid of the West (Works, ed. 1874, II. 268). 
sneck 1 (snek), . [< sneck 1 , v.] A snap; a click. 
[Scotch.] 
An industrious house, wherein the bur of the wheel and 
the sneck of the reel hail sounded. 
A. Leighton, Traditions of Scottish Life, p. 116. 
sneck 2 (snek), n. [< ME. sneck, snekk, snekke, 
snek, a latch; prob. < snack, v., catch, snatch: 
see snack, snatch.'] 1. The latch or catch of a 
door or lid. [Obsolete or provincial, especially 
Scotch.] 
If I cud tell wheay 's cutt our band fra' th' sneck, 
Next time they come Ise mack them jet the neck. 
A Yorkshire Dialogue (1597), p. 46. (HattitccU.) 
2. A piece of land jutting into an adjoining 
field, or intersecting it. Halliwell. [Prov. Eng.J 
sneck 2 (snek), r. t. [< sneck, 2 , n.] To latch or 
shut (a door or lid). 
sneck 3 (snek), v. t. A Scotch form of snick. 
sneck-drawer (snek'dra'er), H. [< ME. snek- 
drawer; < sneck 2 + drawer.] One who draws 
a latch; a latch-lifter; hence, a dishonest fel- 
low ; a thief. 
sneck-drawing (snek ' dra ' ing), a. Crafty; 
cheating; roguish. [Scotch.] 
And you, ye auld sneck-draicing dog, 
Ye came to Paradise incog. 
Burns, Address to the Dell. 
sneck-drawn (snek'dran), a. Mean; stingy; 
close. Hallimell. [Prov. Eng.] 
sneckett (snek'et), w. [< sntck 1 + -el. Cf. 
fnacket.] Same as sneck 1 . Cotgrate. 
snecking (snek'ing), n. In masonry, rubble- 
work. 
sneck-pOSSet(suek'pos''et),H. A"latch-drink'': 
the kind of entertainment a person receives 
when the door is shut in his face. A T . and Q., 
7th ser., VII. 116. [Prov. Eng.] 
sned 1 (sned), r. Same as snead 1 . 
sned 2 (sned), . Same as snead 2 . [Prov. Eng.] 
snedden (sned'n), . The larger sand-lance. 
[Prov. Eng.] 
snee (sue), . [< D. snee, snede, a cut, cleft, 
slice, edge, section (= MHG. snide, G. seltneide, 
edge), < snijden, cut: see snithe, snead 1 .] A 
knife, especially a large knife; a dirk Snick 
and snee. See snick. 
sneed 1 (sned). A spelling of snead 1 , snead 2 . 
sneed 2 (sned), w. [A dial. var. of snood.] Same 
as snood, 2. [Prov. Eng. and Scotch.] 
sneept, v- 1. An obsolete form of sneap. 
sneer (sner), r. [Formerly also snear; < ME. 
sneren, < Dan. snxrre, grin like a dog; akin to 
snar, snarl 1 .] I. intrans. If. To grin or laugh 
foolishly. 
A fourth would fondly kiss and paw his companions, and 
snear in their faces, with a countenance more antic than 
any in a Dutch drolL Beverley, Virginia, iv. 1 is. 
2. To grin; especially and usually, to grin or 
smile in a contemptuous manner; express con- 
tempt by a grimace marked by slight turning 
up of the nose. 
I have no power over one muscle In their faces, though 
they sneered at every word spoken by each other. Tatler. 
3. To insinuate contempt by a covert expres- 
sion ; use words suggestive rather than expres- 
sive of contempt ; speak derisively. 
To sneer at the sentiments which arc the springs of nil 
just and virtuous actions is merely a display of unthink- 
ing levity, or of want of the natural sensibilities. 
O. If. Holmes, Essays, p. 92. 
= Syn. 3. Sco/. Sneer, Jeer, Gibe. Scnff is the strongest 
word for the expression of utter contempt or abhorrence 
