snook

¹

[ snook, snook ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) snook, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) snooks.

1. any basslike fish of the genus Centropomus, especially C. undecimalis, inhabiting waters off Florida and the West Indies and south to Brazil, valued as food and game.
2. any of several related marine fishes.

snook

²

[ snook, snook ]

noun

1. a gesture of defiance, disrespect, or derision.

snook

¹

/ snuːk /

noun

1. any of several large game fishes of the genus Centropomus, esp C. undecimalis of tropical American marine and fresh waters: family Centropomidae (robalos)
2. the sea pike Australuzza novaehollandiae

snook

²

/ snuːk /

noun

1. cock a snook
   cock a snook
   1. to make a rude gesture by putting one thumb to the nose with the fingers of the hand outstretched
   2. to show contempt by being insulting or offensive

Word History and Origins

Origin of snook¹

First recorded in 1690–1700, snook is from the Dutch word snoek

Origin of snook²

First recorded in 1875–80; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of snook¹

C17: from Dutch snoek pike

Origin of snook²

C19: of obscure origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. cock a / one's snook, to thumb the nose: Also cock a snoot.

   a painter who cocks a snook at traditional techniques.

Example Sentences

On Pushing Daisies, her Olive Snook was lonely, lovesick, and brokenhearted, while still positively hysterical.

From The Daily Beast

Along the edges of shoals and mud-flats and over grassy banks the snook will be found at home.

From Project Gutenberg

Owing to this dark stripe the cobia is sometimes called sergeant-fish, thus confounding it with the snook.

From Project Gutenberg

It is known as snook on the east coast, and as rovallia on the west coast, a corruption of its Cuban name, robalo.

From Project Gutenberg

It was carved all over with the totemic images of the eagle and the brown bear, the totems of Snook's family.

From Project Gutenberg

A few days after this visit to Snook's house I was sitting in my house, which was within the stockade of the old fort.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ambush
• crawl
• creep
• evade
• hide
• slink
• slip
• slither
• smuggle
• steal