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Origin and Etymology of snuff
Middle English snoffe
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: 14th century
in the meaning defined at sense 1
See Words from the same yearDefinition of snuff
snuffed;
snuffing;
snuffs
1
: to crop the snuff of (a candle) by pinching or by the use of snuffers so as to brighten the light
First Known Use of snuff
15th century
Definition of snuff
: characterized by the sensationalistic depiction of violence;
especially
: featuring a real rather than a staged murder
- snuff movies
First Known Use of snuff
1971
Definition of snuff
snuffed;
snuffing;
snuffs
1
: to draw forcibly through or into the nostrils
3
: to sniff at in order to examine
—used of an animal
1
: to inhale through the nose noisily and forcibly;
also
: to sniff or smell inquiringly
2
obsolete
: to sniff loudly in or as if in disgust
3
: to take snuff
Origin and Etymology of snuff
akin to Dutch snuffen to sniff, snuff — more at snivel
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: 1527
in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
See Words from the same yearFirst Known Use of snuff
1568
Definition of snuff
1
: a preparation of pulverized tobacco to be inhaled through the nostrils, chewed, or placed against the gums
2
: the amount of snuff taken at one time
—
up to snuff
: of sufficient quality : meeting an applicable standard
Origin and Etymology of snuff
Dutch snuf, short for snuftabak, from snuffen to snuff + tabak tobacco
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: 1650
in the meaning defined at sense 1
See Words from the same yearSNUFF Defined for Kids
Definition of snuff for Students
: powdered tobacco that is chewed, placed against the gums, or drawn in through the nostrils
Definition of snuff for Students
snuffed;
snuffing
: to draw through or into the nose with force
Definition of snuff for Students
snuffed;
snuffing
1
: to cut or pinch off the burned end of the wick of a candle
2
: to put an end to
Medical Dictionary
noun
\
ˈsnəf
\
medical Definition of snuff
: a preparation of pulverized tobacco to be inhaled through the nostrils, chewed, or placed against the gums;
also
: a preparation of a powdered drug to be inhaled through the nostrils
Learn More about snuff
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See words that rhyme with snuff Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for snuff Spanish Central: Translation of snuff Nglish: Translation of snuff for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of snuff for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about snuff
Seen and Heard
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