Snick
/snɪk/noun
A small, sharp cut, notch, or quick clicking sound; also a slight, sudden cutting action.
Did you know?English likely got the word from Scandinavian or Low German forms tied to a sharp cutting motion, which is why it feels so physically exact—like language itself making a little blade-sound.
Etymological Timeline
Old Norse / Middle Low German
Germanic
snikka / snicke
“To cut, notch, or make a quick sharp motion”
Late Middle English
English
snik / snikken
“A small cut, notch, or quick sharp sound”
16th Century
English
snick
“A slight cut or notch; a quick, sharp clicking sound”
Modern English
English
snick
“A small notch, cut, or brief sharp sound or motion”