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Snuff

 - 13 dictionary results

snuff

1  [snuhf]
Use Snuff in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to draw in through the nose by inhaling.
2. to perceive by or as by smelling; sniff.
3. to examine by smelling, as an animal does.
–verb (used without object)
4. to draw air into the nostrils by inhaling, as to smell something; snuffle: After snuffing around, he found the gas leak.
5. to draw powdered tobacco into the nostrils; take snuff.
6. Obsolete. to express disdain, contempt, displeasure, etc., by sniffing (often fol. by at).
–noun
7. an act of snuffing; an inhalation through the nose; a sniff.
8. smell, scent, or odor.
9. a preparation of tobacco, either powdered and taken into the nostrils by inhalation or ground and placed between the cheek and gum.
10. a pinch of such tobacco.
—Idiom
11. up to snuff, Informal.
a. British. not easily imposed upon; shrewd; sharp.
b. up to a certain standard; satisfactory: His performance wasn't up to snuff.
Origin:
1520–30; < D snuffen

Related forms:
snuff⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

snuff

2  [snuhf]
–noun
1. the charred or partly consumed portion of a candlewick.
2. a thing of little or no value, esp. if left over.
–verb (used with object)
3. to cut off or remove the snuff of (candles, tapers, etc.).
—Verb phrase
4. snuff out,
a. to extinguish: to snuff out a candle.
b. to suppress; crush: to snuff out opposition.
c. Informal. to kill or murder: Many lives were snuffed out during the epidemic.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME snoffe < ?
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Snuff
snuff 1   (snŭf)   
v.   snuffed, snuff·ing, snuffs

v.   tr.

  1. To inhale (something) audibly through the nose; sniff.

  2. To sense or examine by smelling; sniff at.

v.   intr.
To sniff; inhale.
n.  The act of snuffing or the sound produced by it; a snuffle.

[Middle English snoffen, to snuff a candle, sniffle, probably from snoffe, snuff; see snuff2.]
snuff 2   (snŭf)   
n.  The charred portion of a candlewick.
tr.v.   snuffed, snuff·ing, snuffs

  1. To extinguish: snuffed out the candles.

  2. To put a sudden end to: lives that were snuffed out by car accidents.

  3. Slang To kill; murder.

  4. To cut off the charred portion of (a candlewick).


[Middle English snoffe, possibly of Low German origin.]
snuff 3   (snŭf)   
n.  

    1. A preparation of finely pulverized tobacco that can be drawn up into the nostrils by inhaling. Also called smokeless tobacco.

    2. The quantity of this tobacco that is inhaled at a single time; a pinch.

  2. A powdery substance, such as a medicine, taken by inhaling.

intr.v.   snuffed, snuff·ing, snuffs
To use or inhale snuff.

[Dutch snuf, short for snuftabak : Dutch snuffen, to sniff; see snuffle + tabak, tobacco.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Slang Dictionary
snuff (so) (out)

  1. tv.
    to kill someone. : Max really wanted to snuff the eyewitness out, once and for all.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Word Origin & History

snuff  (v.1)
"to cut or pinch off the burned part of a candle wick," c.1450, from noun snoffe "burned part of a candle wick" (1382), of unknown origin, perhaps related to snuff (v.2). The meaning "to die" is from 1865; that of "to kill" is from 1932; snuff-film, urban legend, is from 1975.

snuff  (v.2)
"draw in through the nose," 1527, from Du. or Flem. snuffen "to sniff, snuff," related to Du. snuiven "to sniff," from P.Gmc. *snuf- (cf. M.H.G. snupfe, Ger. Schnupfen "head-cold"), imitative of the sound of drawing air through the nose.

snuff  (n.)
"powdered tobacco to be inhaled," 1683, from Du. or Flem. snuf, shortened form of snuftabak "snuff tobacco," from snuffen "to sniff, snuff" (see snuff (v.2)). The practice became fashionable in England c.1680. Snuff-box is attested from 1687.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: snuff
Pronunciation: 'sn&f
Function: noun
: a preparation of pulverized tobacco to be inhaled through the nostrils, chewed, or placed againstthe gums; also : a preparation of a powdered drug to be inhaled through the nostrils
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

snuff (snŭf)
v. snuffed, snuff·ing, snuffs
To inhale something audibly through the nose; sniff. n.

  1. A preparation of finely pulverized tobacco that can be drawn up into the nostrils by inhaling.

  2. A medicated powder inhaled through or blown into the nose.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Idioms & Phrases

snuff

In addition to the idiom beginning with snuff, also see up to par (snuff).

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Encyclopedia

snuff

powdered preparation of tobacco used by inhalation or by dipping-that is, rubbing on the teeth and gums. Manufacture involves grinding the tobacco and subjecting it to repeated fermentations. Snuffs may be scented with attar of roses, lavender, cloves, jasmine, etc.

Learn more about snuff with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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