Snaffle (Erastus), a successful speculator in “wild cat” stocks, especially ingenious in “standing from under” when the crash comes.--Arlo Bates, The Philistines (1888).
Snaggs, a village portrait-taker and tooth-drawer. He says, “I draws off heads, and draws out teeth,” or “I takes off heads, and takes out teeth.” Major Touchwood, having dressed himself up to look like his uncle, the colonel, pretends to have the tooth-ache. Snaggs being sent for, prepares to operate on the colonel, and the colonel, in a towering rage, sends him to the right about.--T. Dibdin, What Next?
Snags´by (Mr.), the law-stationer in Cook’s Court, Cursitor Street. A very mild specimen of the “spear half,” in terrible awe of his termagant wife, whom he calls euphemistically “his little woman.” He preceded most of his remarks by the words, “not to put too fine a point upon it.”--C. Dickens, Bleak House (1852).
Snail, the collector of customs, near Ellangowan House.--Sir W. Scott, Guy Mannering (time, George II.).
Snailsfoot (Bryce), the jagger or pedlar.--Sir W. Scott, The Pirate (time, William III.).
Snake (Mr.), a traitorous ally of Lady Sneerwell, who has the effrontery to say to her, “you paid me extremely liberally for propagating the lie, but, unfortunately, I have been offered double to speak the truth.” He says:
Ah, sir, consider; I live by the baseness of my character; and if it were once known that I have been betrayed into an honest action, I shall lose every friend I have in the world.--Sheridan, School for Scandal, v. 3 (1777).
Snaw´ley, “in the oil and color line.” A “sleek, flat-nosed man, bearing in his countenance an expression of mortification and sanctity.”--C. Dickens, Nicholas Nickleby, iii. (1838).
Sneak (Jerry), a hen-pecked pinmaker; a paltry, pitiful, prying sneak. If ever he summoned up a little manliness, his wife would begin to cry, and Jerry was instantly softened.
Master Sneak, ... the ancient corporation of Garratt, in consideration of your great parts and abilities, and out of respect to their landlord, Sir Jacob, have unanimously chosen you mayor.--Act ii.