Definition of snippet

The word "snippet" originally comes from the Dutch word "snip," meaning "to cut off" or "to snip." It entered English in the early 18th century as a noun describing a small piece of anything, especially cloth. Over time, the meaning evolved to refer to a short, detached portion of something, like a piece of writing or music. This evolution reflects the action of snipping, which implies cutting something into smaller, more manageable pieces.