Definition of snip

The origins of the word "snip" can be traced back to its Old English ancestor "snīpan," which meant "to cut short" or "to trim." This verb was derived from the noun "snīppe," which referred to a young bird that had been clipped to prevent it from flying. The use of "snip" in relation to cutting or trimming can be found in various English dialects dating back to the 16th century. For example, in the Lancashire dialect, "snip" was used to describe the act of cutting dried flowers or grass, while in the Yorkshire dialect, it was used to refer to the cutting of wool from sheep. Over time, the usage of "snip" became more varied, and it began to be associated with other activities that involved cutting, such as snipping fabric with scissors or trimming hair. Today, the term "snips" is commonly used to refer to fireworks that explode into bright flashes of light in the sky. In summary, the word "snip" originated in Old English as a verb meaning "to cut short" or "to trim," with the noun "snīppe" describing a young bird that had been cut in this way. Its usage has evolved over time to encompass many different activities that involve trimming or cutting, as it remains a versatile and descriptive word in the English language.