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snuff1
—snuffingly, adv./snuf/, 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.4. to draw air into the nostrils by inhaling, as to smell something; snuffle: After snuffing around, he found the gas leak.5. to draw powdered tobacco into the nostrils; take snuff.6. Obs. to express disdain, contempt, displeasure, etc., by sniffing (often fol. by at).n.7. an act of snuffing; an inhalation through the nose; a sniff.8. smell, scent, or odor.9. a preparation of tobacco, either powdered and taken into the nostrils by inhalation or ground and placed between the cheek and gum.10. a pinch of such tobacco.11. 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.[1520-30; < D snuffen]snuff2/snuf/, 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.3. to cut off or remove the snuff of (candles, tapers, etc.).4. 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.[1350-1400; ME snoffe < ?]
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▪ powdered tobaccopowdered preparation of tobacco used by inhalation or by dipping—that is, rubbing on the teeth and gums. Manufacture involves grinding the tobacco and subjecting it to repeated fermentations. Snuffs may be scented with attar of roses, lavender, cloves, jasmine, etc.The practice of inhaling snuff became popular in England around the 17th century; during the 18th century it was widespread throughout the world. At first, each quantity was freshly grated. Rappee (French râpé, “grated”) is the name later given to a coarse, pungent snuff made from dark tobacco. Snuff takers carried graters with them; early 18th-century graters made of ivory and other materials still exist, as do elaborate snuffboxes (snuffbox).* * *
Universalium. 2010.
