Library / English Dictionary

SNATCHER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Someone who unlawfully seizes and detains a victim (usually for ransom)

Synonyms:

abductor; kidnaper; kidnapper; snatcher

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("snatcher" is a kind of...):

captor; capturer (a person who captures and holds people or animals)

criminal; crook; felon; malefactor; outlaw (someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "snatcher"):

crimp; crimper (someone who tricks or coerces men into service as sailors or soldiers)

seizer; shanghaier (a kidnapper who drugs men and takes them for compulsory service aboard a ship)

Derivation:

snatch (take away to an undisclosed location against their will and usually in order to extract a ransom)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A thief who grabs and runs

Example:

a purse snatcher

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("snatcher" is a kind of...):

stealer; thief (a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it)

Derivation:

snatch (to grasp hastily or eagerly)

Credits