snatch Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a small fragment
    bit.
    • overheard snatches of their conversation
  2. noun obscene terms for female genitals
    puss; pussy; twat; slit; cunt.
  3. noun (law) the unlawful act of capturing and carrying away a person against their will and holding them in false imprisonment
    kidnapping.
  4. noun a weightlift in which the barbell is lifted overhead in one rapid motion
  5. noun the act of catching an object with the hands
    catch; snap; grab.
    • Mays made the catch with his back to the plate
    • he made a grab for the ball before it landed
    • Martin's snatch at the bridle failed and the horse raced away
    • the infielder's snap and throw was a single motion
  6. verb to grasp hastily or eagerly
    snap; snatch up.
    • Before I could stop him the dog snatched the ham bone
  7. verb to make grasping motions
    • the cat snatched at the butterflies
  8. verb take away to an undisclosed location against their will and usually in order to extract a ransom
    abduct; nobble; kidnap.
    • The industrialist's son was kidnapped

WordNet

Snatch transitive verb
Etymology
OE. snachen, snechen; akin to D. snakken to gasp, to long (for), to desire. Cf. Snack, n., Sneck.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Snatched ; present participle & verbal noun Snatching
Definitions
  1. To take or seize hastily, abruptly, or without permission or ceremony; as, to snatch a loaf or a kiss.
    When half our knowledge we must snatch, not take. Pope.
  2. To seize and transport away; to rap. "Snatch me to heaven." Thomson. Syn. -- To twitch; pluck; grab; catch; grasp; gripe.
Snatch intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To attempt to seize something suddenly; to catch; -- often with at; as, to snatch at a rope.
Snatch noun
Definitions
  1. A hasty catching or seizing; a grab; a catching at, or attempt to seize, suddenly.
  2. A short period of vigorous action; as, a snatch at weeding after a shower. Tusser.
    They move by fits and snatches. Bp. Wilkins.
  3. A small piece, fragment, or quantity; a broken part; a scrap.
    We have often little snatches of sunshine. Spectator.
    Leave me your snatches, and yield me a direct answer. Shak.
Snatch noun
Etymology
Cf. AS. snian to cut, to mow, snd a bite, bit snip.
Definitions
  1. The handle of a scythe; a snead. Variously written in England snead, sneed, sneath, sneeth, snathe, etc.; in Scotland written sned.

Webster 1913