snapshot
UK: ˈsnæpʃɒt | US: ˈsnæpʃɑːt
n. 1. A quick photograph taken informally, often with a handheld camera.
n. 2. A brief overview or summary of a situation at a specific moment.
vt. 3. To capture or record something quickly or informally.
snapshot = snap<quick action> + shot<photograph>
- snap: From Middle Dutch or Middle Low German snappen ("to seize, snap"), imitative of a sudden action. In modern usage, it implies speed or spontaneity.
- shot: Derived from Old English scēot ("a shot, act of shooting"), later extended to photography (as "taking a shot").
Etymology Origin:
The term snapshot originated in the mid-19th century among hunters, referring to a hurried shot fired without careful aim. By the 1890s, it was adopted by photographers to describe impromptu pictures, emphasizing the speed and spontaneity of the process. The word’s evolution mirrors technological shifts—from firearms to cameras—while retaining its core idea of capturing a fleeting moment.
She took a snapshot of the sunset with her phone.
The report provides a snapshot of the company’s financial health.
He snapped a quick shot of the rare bird before it flew away.
The documentary offers snapshots of life in the 1920s.
Snapshots from the party were shared on social media.