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snaphaunce
[ snap-hans, -hahns ]
noun
- an early flintlock mechanism for igniting a charge of gunpowder in a gun.
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Word History and Origins
Origin of snaphaunce1
First recorded in 1580–90; from Dutch snaphaan (or German Schnapphahn ) originally, “highwayman,” equivalent to snap(pen) “to snatch” + haan “rooster” ( Dutch haan, German Hahn, parallel to English cock meaning both “rooster” and “hammer of a firearm”); source of the final s sound unclear; snap, cock 1
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Example Sentences
There were also matchlocks, snaphaunce pieces, pistols, swords and hangers (cutlasses).
From Project Gutenberg
The “snaphaunce” or fire-lock, is distinctly stated by Grose to be of Dutch origin,—hence the name.
From Project Gutenberg
Textual remarks Page 12, snaphaunce is not a Dutch word; it is derived from the Dutch snaphaan.
From Project Gutenberg
Cotgrave has arquebuse à fusil, "a snaphaunce," and explains fusil as "a fire-steele for a tinder-box."
From Project Gutenberg
I have a couple of wheel locks, to start with, and three miguelet-locks and an Italian snaphaunce.
From Project Gutenberg
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