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snook1

[snook, snoo k]
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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.
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Origin of snook1

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

snook2

[snoo k, snook]
noun
  1. a gesture of defiance, disrespect, or derision.
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Idioms
  1. cock a/one's snook, to thumb the nose: a painter who cocks a snook at traditional techniques.Also cock a snoot.
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Origin of snook2

First recorded in 1875–80; origin uncertain
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

slithercrawlslinkevadeambushsliphidestealsmugglecreeppeepintrudepussyfootcheatpassmoochglidesidlepadshirk

Examples from the Web for snook

Historical Examples

  • All efforts to get Snook to talk about his hunting exploits were unavailing.

    Adventures in Alaska

    Samuel Hall Young

  • Then I guess we can find room for you, Mr. Snook, went on Jerry.

  • Once Rick saw a snook that would have been worth taking, but the fish sped off into the watery gloom.

    The Wailing Octopus

    Harold Leland Goodwin

  • Ned noticed that Mr. Snook grasped the sides of the seat with nervous hands, as if he expected something to happen at any moment.

  • All right, answered Mr. Snook, who hurried off, looking over his shoulder as if he feared he might see more spiders.

British Dictionary definitions for snook

snook1

noun plural snook or snooks
  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. Australian the sea pike Australuzza novaehollandiae
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Word Origin

C17: from Dutch snoek pike

snook2

noun
  1. cock a snook British
    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
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Word Origin

C19: of obscure origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for snook

n.

"derisive gesture," 1791, of unknown origin.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper