[f. the vb.]
† 1. A snore. Obs. rare.
1619. H. Hutton, Follies Anat. (Percy Soc.), 22. At noontide to concoct he takes a snort, His drowsie sences hudwinkt in a cap, Leaning upon his chaire do take a nap.
1622. [see SNORE sb. 3].
2. An act of snorting; a loud sound made by a horse or other animal in driving breath through the nostrils with some force. Also transf.
1808. Jamieson, Snocker, a snort.
1823. Scott, Quentin D., xxxvi. Wishing … good-night in a tone resembling the snort of a shy horse. Ibid. (1828), F. M. Perth, xvii. Inarticulate groans and snorts, like those of a dying boar.
1852. Mrs. Stowe, Uncle Tom’s C., I. vi. 75. He overturned Sam, and, giving two or three contemptuous snorts,… was soon prancing away.
1884. W. C. Smith, Kildrostan, I. i. 4/77. And now and then the snort of steam Sounds from the headland far away.
b. A similar sound made by persons in order to express contempt, disdain, or other feeling.
1865. Dickens, Mut. Fr., I. x. Medusa … follows every lively remark made by that dear creature, with an audible snort.
1885. R. Buchanan, Annan Water, vii. The old man uttered a low snort of defiance.
1887. Hall Caine, Son of Hagar, II. xvi. The lawyer gave a contemptuous snort and turned on his heel.
