sneak

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sneak / snēk/ • v. (past sneaked or inf. snuck / ˈsnək/ ) [intr.] move or go in a furtive or stealthy manner: I sneaked out by the back exit. ∎  [tr.] convey (someone or something) in such a way: someone sneaked a camera inside. ∎  [tr.] do or obtain (something) in a stealthy or furtive way: she sneaked a glance at her watch. ∎  (sneak up on) creep up on (someone) without being detected: he sneaks up on us slyly.• n. inf. 1. a furtive and contemptible person: he was branded a prying sneak for eavesdropping on intimate conversation.2. (usu. sneaks) short for sneaker.• adj. acting or done surreptitiously, unofficially, or without warning: a sneak thief a sneak preview.ORIGIN: late 16th cent.: probably dialect; perhaps related to obsolete snike ‘to creep.’

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