Also snicker-, snikker-snee. [Alteration of SNICK OR SNEE.]
1. = SNICK-A-SNEE 1.
1727. Boyer, Dict. Royal, II. Snicker-snee (the Dutch way of fighting with pointed Knives).
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Snikker-Snee. A combat with knives.
2. A large knife.
1775. Ash, Dict., Snickersnee,… a long kind of knife.
1791. G. Huddesford, in Salmagundi, 86. He pulled out his Snicker-snee With imprecations horrid.
1809. W. Irving, Knickerb. (1861), 171. A host more, armed … with swords, hatchets, snicker-snees,… and what not.
a. 1825. Forby, Voc. E. Anglia, Snicker-snee, a large clasp knife.
1840. Thackeray, Catherine, xiv. Drawing his snickersnee, he plunged it in the bailiff’s chest.
1885. W. S. Gilbert, Mikado, II. 37. As I gnashed my teeth, When from its sheath I drew my snicker-snee.
