sniv·el
[sniv-uh
l] verb, sniv·eled, sniv·el·ing or ( especially British ) sniv·elled, sniv·el·ling, noun verb (used without object)
1.
to weep or cry with sniffling.
2.
to affect a tearful state; whine.
3.
to run at the nose; have a runny nose: She sniveled from the cold.
4.
to draw up mucus audibly through the nose: Stop sniveling and use your handkerchief.
verb (used with object)
5.
to utter with sniveling or sniffling.
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noun
6.
weak, whining, or pretended weeping.
7.
a light sniffle, as in weeping.
8.
a hypocritical show of feeling: a sentimental snivel.
9.
mucus running from the nose.
10.
snivels, a sniveling condition; a slight cold; sniffles (usually preceded by the ).
Origin:
1275–1325; Middle English snyvele; compare Old English snyflung (gerund), derivative of snofl mucus; cognate with Low German snüfeln
1275–1325; Middle English snyvele; compare Old English snyflung (gerund), derivative of snofl mucus; cognate with Low German snüfeln
Related forms
sniv·el·er; especially British, sniv·el·ler, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To Snivel
Collins
World English Dictionary
snivel (ˈsnɪvəl) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb , (US) -els, -elling, -elled, -els, -eling, -eled | |
| 1. | (intr) to sniffle as a sign of distress, esp contemptibly |
| 2. | to utter (something) tearfully; whine |
| 3. | (intr) to have a runny nose |
| —n | |
| 4. | an instance of snivelling |
| [C14 snivelen; related to Old English snyflung mucus, Dutch snuffelen to smell out, Old Norse snoppa snout] | |
| 'sniveller | |
| —n | |
| 'snivelling | |
| —adj, —n | |
| 'snivelly | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
snivel
O.E. *snyflan "to run at the nose" (cf. snyflung "running of the nose"), related to snofl "nasal mucus." Meaning "to be in an (affected) tearful state" is from 1690. Snivelling "mean-spirited, weak" is recorded from 1647; Melville coined snivelization (1849).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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