Now chiefly dial. [Imitative: cf. SNIFTER v., and older Da. snifte, snyfte (Da. snøfte), Sw. snyfta (MSw. snypta, snöpta).]
1. intr. To sniff, in various senses.
The vbl. sb. is recorded much earlier.
1703. Thoresby, Lett. to Ray (E. D. S.), Snift, to draw the wind smartly up the nose.
1744. Desaguliers, Exp. Philos., II. xii. 474. The Air makes a Noise … like a Man snifting with a Cold.
1762. Sterne, Tr. Shandy, VI. v. He shall neither … hawk, or spit, or snift.
1801. H. F. Cary, Mem., I. 186. With her mouth and nose drawn up on one side, and snifting through the latter, which … is the highest elevation of her mirth and gladness.
1828–. in dial. glossaries and texts (N. Cy., Yks., Lancs., Leic., Northampt., Warw., etc.).
a. 1845. Barham, Ingoldsby Leg., Ser. III. Brothers of Birchington, lx. Father Richard … At once began coughing, and snifting, and sneezing.
1893. Kipling, Many Invent., 13. More steamers came along snorting and snifting at the buoys.
b. fig. (With after or at.)
1824. Landor, Imag. Conv., Bp. Burnet & Humphrey Hardcastle, Wks. 1853, I. 46/2. It now appears that they were still snifting and hankering after their old quarters.
1824. Spirit Public Jrnls. (1825), 304. He has seen ‘Life,’ and dum vivivas vivamus is a motto not to be snifted at.
c. Of an engine, etc.: To blow out air or steam.
1865. Smiles, Lives Boulton & Watt, 135. The machine snifted at many openings.
2. trans. To draw up by sniffing; to sniff the smell of. rare.
1736. Ainsworth, I. To snift up, Mucum resorbere.
1796. Mme. D’Arblay, Camilla, IV. viii. I would sooner snift thy farthing candle once a day, than sustain that nasal cadence ever more.
