snuff
1 (snŭf)
[Middle English snoffen, to snuff a candle, sniffle, probably from snoffe, snuff; see snuff2.]
verb: snuffed, snuff·ing, snuffs.
transitive verb
- To inhale (something) audibly through the nose; sniff.
- To sense or examine by smelling; sniff at.
intransitive verb
- To sniff; inhale.
noun
- The act of snuffing or the sound produced by it; a snuffle.
snuff
2 (snŭf)
[Middle English snoffe, possibly of Low German origin.]
noun
- The charred portion of a candlewick.
transitive verb: snuffed, snuff·ing, snuffs.
- To extinguish: snuffed out the candles.
- To put a sudden end to: lives that were snuffed out by car accidents.
- Slang To kill; murder.
- To cut off the charred portion of (a candlewick).
snuff
3 (snŭf)
[Dutch snuf, short for snuftabak, Dutch snuffen, to sniff; see snuffle, + tabak, tobacco.]
noun
- A preparation of finely pulverized tobacco that can be drawn up into the nostrils by inhaling. Also called smokeless tobacco
- The quantity of this tobacco that is inhaled at a single time; a pinch.
- A powdery substance, such as a medicine, taken by inhaling.
intransitive verb: snuffed, snuff·ing, snuffs.
- To use or inhale snuff.
idioms
- up to snuff
- Normal in health. Up to standard; adequate.
