late 15c., "quick, sudden bite or cut," from Dutch or Low German snappen "to snap," probably related to Middle Low German or Middle Dutch snavel "bill, beak," from West Germanic *snu-, an imitative root forming words having to do with the nose (see snout).
As an adjective from 1790. Commonly used to indicate instantaneous action, as in snap judgment (1841). Sense of "quick movement" is first recorded 1630s; that of "something easily done" is 1877. Meaning "brief or sudden spell" of weather (usually cold) is from 1740. Meaning "catch or fastener that closes with a snapping sound" is from 1815. The card game name is attested from 1881, from a call used in the game. Meaning "a snap-shot" is from 1894. U.S. football sense is from 1912, earlier snap-back (1880), which also was a name for the center position. Snap, Crackle and Pop, cartoon characters associated with Kellogg breakfast cereal Rice Krispies, are from 1940.
snap (v.)
1520s, of animals, "to make a quick bite," from snap (n.). Meaning "to break suddenly or sharply" is first recorded c. 1600; the mental sense is from 1970s. Meaning "come into place with a snap" is from 1793. Meaning "take a photograph" is from 1890. U.S. football sense first recorded 1887. Related: Snapped; snapping. To snap the fingers is from 1670s. Phrase snap out of it recorded by 1907. Snapping turtle is attested from 1784. Snap-brim (adj.) in reference to a type of hat is from 1928.
双语例句
1. Then something seemed to snap in me. I couldn't endure any more.
这时候，我的心里像有个东西突然绷断了——我再也忍受不了啦。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Often a patient cannot snap out of their negativity that easily.
病人常常不能那么容易就打消掉消极的情绪。
来自柯林斯例句
3. I could obtain with the snap of my fingers anything I chose.
我不费吹灰之力就可以得到我看中的任何东西。
来自柯林斯例句
4. I think this is too important for a snap decision.
我认为，这件事非常重要，不能仓促作决定。
来自柯林斯例句
5. I'm sorry, Casey, I didn't mean to snap at you like that.
