snaphance

noun

snap·​hance

variants or snaphaunce

ˈsnapˌ han|(t)s,

-hän|

or less commonly snaphaan

|n

plural -s

1

a

: a primitive flintlock

b

: an old-time musket having such a lock

2

obsolete : a snap catch or spring catch

Word History

Etymology

Dutch snaphaan highway man, snaphance (influenced in meaning by snappen to snap and haan hammer of a gun), from Middle Dutch snaphaen highwayman, from snappen to snap, snatch + haen cock; akin to Old High German hani cock

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