[Cf. SNUDGE v.1, and see also SNOWGE, SNUCH.]
1. A miser, a mean avaricious person, a niggard; a sneaking or sponging fellow. Now dial.
Very common from c. 1550 to 1610.
1545. Ascham, Toxoph., I. (Arb.), 28. Thus youre husbandrie me thinke, is more like the life of a couetouse snudge…, then the labour of a good husband.
1553. T. Wilson, Rhet. (1567), 82. Some riche snudges hauyng greate wealthe, goe with their hose out at heeles.
1608. Dekker, Work for Armourers, Wks. (Grosart), IV. 160. Those snudges and miserable cormorants that now feede vpon thee.
1677. Miége, Dict., II. s.v., A Snudging man, or a Snudge, a man that has a curmudging way with him.
1694. Motteux, Rabelais, V. xvi. (1737), 72. The filthy Snudge is … mischievous.
1877–88. in Cheshire and Sheffield glossaries.
transf. 1573. G. Harvey, Letter-bk. (Camden), 8. He plaid the veri snudg then that had so much lerning and shoud so litle. Ibid. (1593), Pierce’s Super., Wks. (Grosart), II. 254. Histories are no snudges in matters of note.
1600. Dekker, Old Fortunatus, II. ii. E 4. O I feare that deitie Hath stolne him hence, that Snudge his destinie.
Comb. 1576. T. Newton, trans. Lemnie’s Complex., 103 b. Who Snudgelike to his frend … Not one poore draught thereof would send.
1606. Wily Beguiled, in Hazl., Dodsley, IX. 232. I heard your father say that he would marry you to Peter Plod-all, that puck-fist, that snudge-snout.
† 2. Cant. (See quot.) Obs. (Cf. SNUDGE v.2)
1676. Coles, Snudg, one that hides himself in a house to do mischief.
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Snudge, one that lurks under a Bed, to watch an opportunity to Rob the House.
