snaphaunce

[ snap-hans, -hahns ]

noun

1. an early flintlock mechanism for igniting a charge of gunpowder in a gun.

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

Example Sentences

The great creature, sore stricken, charges this way and that; at length, bristling with fifty spears, spouting the red blood from her trunk, and struck by other bullets from the white man’s snaphaunce, she falls heavily to earth.

From Project Gutenberg

As the grim monster charges down upon him, he steadily raises his snaphaunce and fires.

From Project Gutenberg

It was like reintroducing the matchlock or the snaphaunce, but Ruger doted on the single-shot, and that was that.

From Time Magazine Archive

Cotgrave has arquebuse à fusil, "a snaphaunce," and explains fusil as "a fire-steele for a tinder-box."

From Project Gutenberg

This is a genuine snaphaunce, not to be confused with the Spanish or Moorish Miguelet or outside-lock flintlock.

From Project Gutenberg