Snuff
Pronunciation
- RP enPR: snÅf, IPA: /snÊŒf/
- Rhymes: -ÊŒf
Origin 1
Related to sniff (""). Cognate to Dutch snuffen ("to snuff").
Full definition of snuff
Noun
snuff
(countable and uncountable; plural snuffs)- Finely ground or pulverized tobacco intended for use by being sniffed or snorted into the nose.
- Fine-ground or minced tobacco, dry or moistened, intended for use by placing a pinch behind the lip or beneath the tongue; see also snus.
- 1896, Universal Dictionary of the English Language:Dry snuffs are often adulterated with quicklime, and moist snuffs, as rappee, with ammonia, hellebore, pearl-ash, etc.
- A snort or sniff of fine-ground, powdered, or pulverized tobacco.
- The act of briskly inhaling by the nose; a sniff, a snort.
- Resentment or skepticism expressed by quickly drawing air through the nose; snuffling; sniffling.
- (obsolete) Snot, mucus.
- (obsolete) Smell, scent, odour.
Derived terms
Verb
- To inhale through the nose.
- DrydenHe snuffs the wind, his heels the sand excite.
- Orwell Animal Farm|6Napoleon paced to and fro in silence, occasionally snuffing at the ground.
- To turn up the nose and inhale air, as an expression of contempt; hence, to take offence.
- Bishop HallDo the enemies of the church rage and snuff?
Origin 2
Origin uncertain.
Noun
snuff
(uncountable)- The burning part of a candle wick, or the black, burnt remains of a wick (which has to be periodically removed).
- 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, II.3.3:his memory stinks like the snuff of a candle when it is put out ....
- Jonathan SwiftIf the burning snuff happens to get out of the snuffers, you have a chance that it may fall into a dish of soup.
- (obsolete) Leavings in a glass after drinking; heel-taps.
- (attributive) Pertaining to a form of pornographic film which involves someone's actually being murdered.