Snuff — Defs

01 n. The part of a candle wick charred by the flame, whether burning or not.

1.
The part of a candle wick charred by the flame, whether burning or not.
“If the burning snuff happens to get out of the snuffers, you have a chance that it may fall into a dish of soup.” — Swift.

02 v. t. To crop the snuff of, as a candle; to take off the end of the snuff of.

imp. & p. p. Snuffed; p. pr. & vb. n. Snuffing

Phrases & compounds

To snuff out — to extinguish by snuffing.

03 v. t. To draw in, or to inhale, forcibly through the nose; to sniff.

1.
To draw in, or to inhale, forcibly through the nose; to sniff.
“He snuffs the wind, his heels the sand excite.” — Dryden.
2.
To perceive by the nose; to scent; to smell.

04 v. i. To inhale air through the nose with violence or with noise, as do dogs and horses.

1.
To inhale air through the nose with violence or with noise, as do dogs and horses.
2.
To turn up the nose and inhale air, as an expression of contempt; hence, to take offense.
“Do the enemies of the church rage and snuff?” — Bp. Hall.

05 n. The act of snuffing; perception by snuffing; a sniff.

1.
The act of snuffing; perception by snuffing; a sniff.
2.
Pulverized tobacco, etc., prepared to be taken into the nose; also, the amount taken at once.
3.
Resentment, displeasure, or contempt, expressed by a snuffing of the nose.[Obs.]

Phrases & compounds

Snuff dipping — See Dipping, n., 5.

Snuff taker — one who uses snuff by inhaling it through the nose.

To take it in snuff — to be angry or offended.

Up to snuff — not likely to be imposed upon; knowing; acute.