snatch

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Snatched p. pr. & vb. n. Snatching. ] [ OE. snachen, snechen; akin to D. snakken to gasp, to long (for), to desire. Cf. Snack, n., Sneck. ] 1. To take or seize hastily, abruptly, or without permission or ceremony; as, to snatch a loaf or a kiss. [ 1913 Webster ]

When half our knowledge we must snatch, not take. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To seize and transport away; to rap. “Snatch me to heaven.” Thomson. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To twitch; pluck; grab; catch; grasp; gripe. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To attempt to seize something suddenly; to catch; -- often with at; as, to snatch at a rope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A hasty catching or seizing; a grab; a catching at, or attempt to seize, suddenly. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A short period of vigorous action; as, a snatch at weeding after a shower. Tusser. [ 1913 Webster ]

They move by fits and snatches. Bp. Wilkins. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A small piece, fragment, or quantity; a broken part; a scrap. [ 1913 Webster ]

We have often little snatches of sunshine. Spectator. [ 1913 Webster ]

Leave me your snatches, and yield me a direct answer. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Naut.), a kind of block with an opening in one side to receive the bight of a rope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who snatches, or takes abruptly. [ 1913 Webster ]