sniffing
verb (used without object)
1.
to draw air through the nose in short, audible inhalations.
2.
to clear the nose by so doing; sniffle.
3.
to smell by short inhalations.
4.
to show disdain, contempt, etc., by or as by sniffing.
verb (used with object)
5.
to perceive by or as by smelling: to sniff a scandal.
6.
to inhale through the nose: to sniff the air.
00:10
Sniffing
is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
noun
7.
an act of sniffing; a single, short, audible inhalation.
8.
the sound made by such an act.
9.
a scent or odor perceived: a sniff of perfume.
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.
Cite This Source
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Link To sniffing
Collins
World English Dictionary
sniff (snɪf) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb (when intr, | |
| 1. | to inhale through the nose, usually in short rapid audible inspirations, as for the purpose of identifying a scent, for clearing a congested nasal passage, or for taking a drug or intoxicating fumes |
| 2. | to perceive or attempt to perceive (a smell) by inhaling through the nose |
| —n | |
| 3. | the act or sound of sniffing |
| 4. | a smell perceived by sniffing, esp a faint scent |
| [C14: probably related to snivelen to | |
| 'sniffing | |
| —n, —adj | |
| sniff (snɪf) | |
| —vb (when intr, | |
| 1. | to inhale through the nose, usually in short rapid audible inspirations, as for the purpose of identifying a scent, for clearing a congested nasal passage, or for taking a drug or intoxicating fumes |
| 2. | to perceive or attempt to perceive (a smell) by inhaling through the nose |
| —n | |
| 3. | the act or sound of sniffing |
| 4. | a smell perceived by sniffing, esp a faint scent |
| [C14: probably related to snivelen to | |
| 'sniffing | |
| —n, —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
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
sniff
mid-14c., of imitative origin; possibly related to snyvelen (see snivel). As a synonym for smell (v.) it dates from 1845. In ref. to cocaine from 1925. The noun is first recorded 1767; the scornful sense is from 1859.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Slang Dictionary
sniff definition
|
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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