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snuff

noun (1)
\ ˈsnəf How to pronounce snuff (audio) \

Definition of snuff

 (Entry 1 of 6)

1 : the charred part of a candlewick
2a obsolete : umbrage, offense
b chiefly Scotland : huff

snuff

verb (1)
snuffed; snuffing; snuffs

Definition of snuff (Entry 2 of 6)

transitive verb

1 : to crop the snuff of (a candle) by pinching or by the use of snuffers so as to brighten the light
2a : to extinguish by or as if by the use of a candlesnuffer —often used with out
b : to make extinct : put an end to —usually used with out snuffed out their hopes also : kill, execute snuffed the bad guys
snuff it
British
: die

snuff

adjective

Definition of snuff (Entry 3 of 6)

: characterized by the sensationalistic depiction of violence especially : featuring a real rather than a staged murder snuff movies

snuff

verb (2)
snuffed; snuffing; snuffs

Definition of snuff (Entry 4 of 6)

transitive verb

1 : to draw forcibly through or into the nostrils
2 : scent, smell
3 : to sniff at in order to examine —used of an animal

intransitive verb

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

snuff

noun (2)

Definition of snuff (Entry 5 of 6)

: the act of snuffing : sniff

snuff

noun (3)

Definition of snuff (Entry 6 of 6)

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

First Known Use of snuff

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1971, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1527, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1568, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for snuff

Noun (1)

Middle English snoffe

Verb (2)

akin to Dutch snuffen to sniff, snuff — more at snivel

Noun (3)

Dutch snuf, short for snuftabak, from snuffen to snuff + tabak tobacco

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Time Traveler for snuff

The first known use of snuff was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for snuff

snuff

noun
\ ˈsnəf How to pronounce snuff (audio) \

Kids Definition of snuff

 (Entry 1 of 3)

: powdered tobacco that is chewed, placed against the gums, or drawn in through the nostrils

snuff

verb
snuffed; snuffing

Kids Definition of snuff (Entry 2 of 3)

: to draw through or into the nose with force

snuff

verb
snuffed; snuffing

Kids Definition of snuff (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : to cut or pinch off the burned end of the wick of a candle
2 : to put an end to

snuff

noun
\ ˈsnəf How to pronounce snuff (audio) \

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on snuff

Rhyming Dictionary: 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

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