Middle English Dictionary Entry
snacchen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | snacchen v. Also snac(c)he, (N) snak & (early) snecchen, snechccen & (in surname) snatch-. |
| Etymology | ?OE *snæccan, *sneccan (cp. OE twi-snæc(c)e & þri-snæc(c)e, -snece). The form snak is prob. due to N displacement of the assibilated forms (cp. OI snakka); but also cp. MDu. snakken. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Of a dog, the devil: to snap; ~ after (on, toward), snap at (sb. or sth.); (b) to seize (prey); (c) in surname.
Associated quotations
a
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)167/4 : Nim þe ȝerde of þi tunge, & as ofte as þe dogge of helle kecheð ei god from þe, smit him ananriht mid te ȝerde of þi tunge i schrift, & smit him se luðerliche þet him laði & drede to snecchen [Tit: snacchen; Cai: snechccen] eft toward te.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)278b/b : Houndes..ben þanne sore agrieued wiþ flies..whanne þay fleeþ aȝeins his face he snacchiþ after hem wiþ his mouþ.
- a1400 Ancr.(Pep 2498)164/35 : It is good þat vche Man & womman sette summe hardschippes abouten hem lest þe deuel wil ouȝth snacche to hem ward.
- a1425(c1300) NHom.(1) Peter & P.(Ashm 42)79/310 : Sone come þare forthe dogges blak & on Petir gon þai snak.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)651 : The dogg lay evir grownyng, redy for to snache.
b
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)13889 : Þe lyon for hunger snacches & sleþ þe best þat he first lacches.
c
- (1379) Nickname in LuSE 55164 : Will. Snatchberd.