snuff

¹

[snuhf]

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)

1. to draw air into the nostrils by inhaling, as to smell something; snuffle.

   After snuffing around, he found the gas leak.

2. to draw powdered tobacco into the nostrils; take snuff.

3. Obsolete.,  to express disdain, contempt, displeasure, etc., by sniffing (often followed byat ).

noun

1. an act of snuffing; an inhalation through the nose; a sniff.

2. smell, scent, or odor.

3. a preparation of tobacco, either powdered and taken into the nostrils by inhalation or ground and placed between the cheek and gum.

4. a pinch of such tobacco.

snuff

²

[snuhf]

noun

1. the charred or partly consumed portion of a candlewick.

2. a thing of little or no value, especially if left over.

verb (used with object)

1. to cut off or remove the snuff of (candles, tapers, etc.).

verb phrase

1. snuff out

   1. to extinguish.

      to snuff out a candle.

   2. to suppress; crush.

      to snuff out opposition.

   3. Informal.,  to kill, murder, or bring to a sudden end.

      Many lives were snuffed out during the epidemic.

snuff

¹

/ snʌf /

noun

1. finely powdered tobacco for sniffing up the nostrils or less commonly for chewing

2. a small amount of this

3. any powdered substance, esp one for sniffing up the nostrils

4. informal

   1. in good health or in good condition

   2. not easily deceived

verb

1. (intr) to use or inhale snuff

snuff

²

/ snʌf /

verb

1. (often foll by out) to extinguish (a light from a naked flame, esp a candle)

2. to cut off the charred part of (the wick of a candle, etc)

3. informal,  (usually foll by out) to suppress; put an end to

4. informal,  to die

noun

1. the burned portion of the wick of a candle

snuff

³

/ snʌf /

verb

1. (tr) to inhale through the nose

2. (esp of an animal) to examine by sniffing

noun

1. an act or the sound of snuffing

Other Word Forms

• snuffingly adverb
• snuffer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of snuff¹

First recorded in 1520–30; probably from Middle Dutch snuffen, snoffen

Origin of snuff²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English noun snof(fe), snuffe; further origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of snuff¹

C17: from Dutch snuf, shortened from snuftabale, literally: tobacco for snuffing; see _snuff ¹

Origin of snuff²

C14 snoffe, of obscure origin

Origin of snuff³

C16: probably from Middle Dutch snuffen to snuffle, ultimately of imitative origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. up to snuff,

   1. British. not easily imposed upon; shrewd; sharp.

   2. up to a certain standard; satisfactory.

      His performance wasn't up to snuff.

More idioms and phrases containing snuff

• up to par (snuff)

Example Sentences

But substitute Taukei'aho snuffed out those hopes with two tries in the final 12 minutes to seal an All Blacks victory.

From BBC

Even when the Lions got decent field position, the power of the Wallabies snuffed them out.

From BBC

The haul included two historic, richly-decorated snuff boxes on loan from the UK's Royal Collection.

From BBC

Any hope of shutting out the hosts was soon snuffed out as replacement George Horne threw a blind pass on his own five-metre while being bundled into touch.

From BBC

Reijnders' athleticism and reading of the game was evident, showing his ability to get around the pitch to snuff out attacks, while also being able to pick out a pass and drive the side forward.

From BBC

Related Words

• extinguish