Dictionary
snuff
Pronunciation: (snuf), [key]—
v.t.
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.
—
v.i.
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. Obs.to express disdain, contempt, displeasure, etc., by sniffing (often fol. by
at).
—
n.
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.
5. up to snuff, Informal.
a. Brit.not easily imposed upon; shrewd; sharp.
b. up to a certain standard; satisfactory:
His performance wasn't up to snuff. snuff
Pronunciation: (snuf), [key]—
n.
1. the charred or partly consumed portion of a candlewick.
2. a thing of little or no value, esp. if left over.
—
v.t.
1. to cut off or remove the snuff of (candles, tapers, etc.).
2. snuff out,
a. to extinguish:
to snuff out a candle.
b. to suppress; crush:
to snuff out opposition.
c. Informal.to kill or murder:
Many lives were snuffed out during the epidemic. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
