? Obs. Also 7 -sne. [Cf. prec. and SNICK OR SNEE.]
1. A combat with cut-and-thrust knives.
1673. Mrs. Behn, Dutch Lover, III. iii. 50. There lyes my sword; and since you dare me at my own weapon, I tell you I am as good at snick a snee as the best Don of you all.
1688. B. Willy, On Dutch War, in Jane Barker, Poet. Recreat., II. 56. But they’ll e’er long come to themselves you’ll see When we in earnest are at Snick-a-snee.
1767. S. Paterson, Another Trav., II. 115. We may … possibly have a few bouts at snik-a-snee.
2. A cut-and-thrust knife. Also attrib.
1760. Brit. Chron., 6 Aug., 127. One Turner … with a snick-a-snee stabbed her several times in her body.
1832. Marryat, N. Forster, III. xii. 196. Flemish seamen, with their long snickasnee knives. Ibid. (1837), Snarleyyow, III. xix. 283 Jansen stepped forward with his snickasee [sic], the rope was divided at once, and the body of the departed Vanslyperken plunged into the wave and disappeared.
1864. in Slang Dict., 238.
