Dictionary
Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.
snip-snap en · NOUN
Etymology
Reduplication of snap.
Meanings
-
A sharp snapping sound.
-
(idiomatic) A tart dialogue with quick replies.
The daily snip-snaps and hubbubs between the cross-purposed couple accentuated that tendency in her. After each altercation Mrs. Coley was seized with an hysterical attack, and my services were needed.
1933, American Medicine, volume 39, page 73:snip-snap short, and interruption smart
1728, [Alexander Pope], “(please specify the page)”, in The Dunciad. An Heroic Poem. […], Dublin; London: […] A. Dodd, →OCLC:
Forms
snip-snap en · VERB
Etymology
Reduplication of snap.
Meanings
-
To shut, close, bite, etc., with a brisk snap.
He had picked a small section of scrub behind his shanty which the lagoon below cut into paintable patterns, and with easel snip-snapped up and palette set, was going through the essential preliminary of peering at it[.]
1938, Norman Lindsay, Age of Consent, 1st Australian edition, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1962, →OCLC, page 40:No doubt of it, Edmund was at grips with that bumptious little hairy dog. They were going it at the very top note of sadistic fury, screaming and snip-snapping in such a lightning mixture of black and white murder that the eye could not follow it.
1938, Norman Lindsay, Age of Consent, 1st Australian edition, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1962, →OCLC, page 140:
Forms