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snap fastener

snap fastener

1 3.4
A small thing on clothes or bags that joins two pieces by pressing two round parts together
  • noun
  • /snæp ˈfæstənər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : broche a presión
  • She used a snap fastener to secure her jacket during the chilly weather.

Examples

  • "With sculptured arms for paddling, velcro neck and snap fasteners for the cold, it's just for surfers."

  • The dress features a series of snap fasteners that make it easy to put on.

  • To fix the broken strap, he replaced the old snap fastener with a new one.

Synonyms

snap
vssnap fastener
11 3.2

A small fastener on clothing that closes with a small sound

is the more specific technical name for the two interlocking discs
press stud
vssnap fastener
  • UK
3.7

A small fastener that snaps clothes closed

is the more general term for the same two interlocking discs

How Secure

to buckle
88 1.6
zipper
  • US
81 1.0
snap fastener
  • Specialized
1 3.4
button
203 1.0

Surface Forms

snap fastener singular

Morphology

snap + fastener

The sense of 'snap' here (a small stud that closes by snapping) combined with 'fastener' (a device that fastens) yields a directly compositional meaning: a fastening device that closes by snapping. This is a straightforward noun–noun compound following common word-formation patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

The name snap fastener comes from the quick 'snap' sound the two parts make when they click together. The word snap means a quick click and fastener means a thing that holds clothing closed, so the phrase now means the small device used to close clothing.