[Of obscure origin: cf. SNAG sb.]
1. A rugged projection; a hard knob or knot; a snag. rare.
1665. Bunyan, Holy City, xv. (1669), 107. There shall be a smooth Face upon the whole Earth, all Snugs, and Hubs, and Hills … shall now be took away.
a. 1800. Devon Gloss., in Halliw. s.v. Snag, A snagg, vel snugg, a hard wooden ball, commonly some gnurre, knobb, or knott of a tree, which they [boys] make use of at the play of bandy instead of a ball.
1808. Jamieson, Snugs, small branches lopped off from a tree.
2. techn. A projection or ridge cast on a plate, bolt, etc., in order to keep something in position, prevent rotation, or for some similar purpose.
1843. Civil Eng. & Arch. Jrnl., VI. 138/2. Instead of the flanges there are ‘snugs’ on the tumbler between the chains to keep them on.
1844. H. Stephens, Bk. Farm, II. 214. On the top bar of the frames there are two strong snugs … cast, sufficient to resist the pressure of the rollers.
1887. D. A. Low, Machine Draw. (1892), 17. The snug fits into a short groove cut in the side of the hole.
attrib. c. 1850. Rudim. Navig. (Weale), 134. Deck nails … have snug heads.
