snuff

Noun · Verb · Adjective
US[snuhf]/snʌf/1 syllable
Synonyms: sniffsnufflesnuff-brownmummy-brownchukker-brown

Open English WordNet

Noun (4)

  1. the charred portion of a candlewickType of charPart of candlewick
  2. a pinch of smokeless tobacco inhaled at a single timeType of touch, hint
  3. finely powdered tobacco for sniffing up the noseType of tobacco, baccyKinds rappee
  4. sensing an odor by inhaling through the noseSynonyms: sniffType of smell, smelling

Verb (2)snuffed, snuffing

  1. sniff or smell inquiringlySynonyms: snuffleMore general smell
  2. inhale (something) through the nose“snuff coke”More general inhale, inspire

Adjective (1)

  1. snuff colored; of a greyish to yellowish brownSynonyms: snuff-brownmummy-brownchukker-brownOpposite achromaticSimilar chromatic
Word of the day · Nov 3About this word
incessantadjective

What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz

Advertisement

Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Snuff noun

Origin: Cf. G. schnuppe candle snuff, schnuppen to snuff a candle (see Snuff, transitive verb, to snuff a candle), or cf. Snub, transitive verb

The part of a candle wick charred by the flame, whether burning or not.

If the burning snuff happens to get out of the snuffers, you have a chance that it may fall into a dish of soup.— Jonathan Swift
Snuff transitive verb [past tense & past participle Snuffed; present participle & verbal noun Snuffing.]

Origin: OE. snuffen. See Snuff of a candle Snuff to sniff.

To crop the snuff of, as a candle; to take off the end of the snuff of.

To snuff out, to extinguish by snuffing.

Snuff transitive verb

Origin: Akin to D. snuffen, G. schnupfen, schnuppen, to snuff, schnupfen a cold in the head, schnuppen to snuff (air), also, to snuff (a candle). Cf. Sniff, Snout, Snub, intransitive verb

1. To draw in, or to inhale, forcibly through the nose; to sniff.

He snuffs the wind, his heels the sand excite.— John Dryden

2. To perceive by the nose; to scent; to smell.

Snuff intransitive verb

1. To inhale air through the nose with violence or with noise, as do dogs and horses. John Dryden

2. To turn up the nose and inhale air, as an expression of contempt; hence, to take offense.

Do the enemies of the church rage and snuff?— Bp. Joseph Hall
Snuff noun

1. The act of snuffing; perception by snuffing; a sniff.

2. Pulverized tobacco, etc., prepared to be taken into the nose; also, the amount taken at once.

3. Resentment, displeasure, or contempt, expressed by a snuffing of the nose. obsolete

Snuff dipping. See Dipping, noun, 5. — Snuff taker, one who uses snuff by inhaling it through the nose. — To take it in snuff, to be angry or offended. William Shakespeare — Up to snuff, not likely to be imposed upon; knowing; acute. slang

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

Advertisement