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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

sniv·el

Audio Help [sniv-uh

l] Pronunciation Key verb, -eled, -el·ing or (especially British

) -elled, -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.

–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 prec. by the).

[Origin: 1275–1325; ME snyvele; cf. OE snyflung (ger.), deriv. of snofl mucus; c. LG snüfeln

]

—Related forms

sniv·el·er; especially British, sniv·el·ler, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
snivel

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

sniv·el Audio Help (snĭv'əl) Pronunciation Key
intr.v. sniv·eled or sniv·elled, sniv·el·ing or sniv·el·ling, sniv·els

To sniffle.
To complain or whine tearfully.
To run at the nose.

The act of sniffling or sniveling.
Nasal mucus.

[Middle English snivelen, from Old English *snyflan.]

sniv'el·er n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
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).

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

snivel
noun
1.	whining in a tearful manner
2.	the act of breathing heavily through the nose (as when the nose is congested) [syn: snuffle]
verb
1.	talk in a tearful manner
2.	snuff up mucus through the nose [syn: snuffle]
3.	cry or whine with snuffling; "Stop snivelling--you got yourself into this mess!"

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Snivel

Snif"fle\, v. i. [Freq. of sniff. See Snivel.] To snuffle, as one does with a catarrh. [Prov. Eng.]

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Snivel

Sniv"el\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sniveledor Snivelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Sniveling or Snivelling.] [OE. snivelen, snevelen, snuvelen, freg. of sneven. See Sniff, and cf. Snuffle.]

1. To run at the nose; to make a snuffling noise.

2. To cry or whine with snuffling, as children; to cry weakly or whiningly.

Put stop to thy sniveling ditty. --Sir W. Scott.

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