Also 6–7 snuffe. [f. SNUFF v.2 Cf. MDu. and Du. snuf, snof snuffing, snuffling, cold in the head, scent (of a thing), G. schnuff scent, nose, LG. snüff nose, snout; also MDu. snuuf, snuyf, LG. snûf snuffing, snuffles.]
1. An (or the) act of snuffing, esp. as an expression of contempt or disdain.
1570. Dee, Math. Pref., *iiij b. Other (perchaunce) with a proude snuffe will disdaine this litle.
1593. Abp. Bancroft, Daungerous Positions, IV. iii. 140. These points are … passed ouer with a snuffe, and with great disdaine.
1629. Gaule, Holy Madnesse, 198. Nought but a glance, a puffe, a snuffe, a frown, a shoulder, a spurne?
1809. Malkin, Gil Blas, IV. viii. ¶ 9. That hound-like snuff at an ill construction, with which the devil has armed the noses of the most charitable.
1840. Hood, Up the Rhine, 178. Ere a horrible reek … Set the dogs on the snuff.
1849. C. Brontë, Shirley, viii. His nostrils emitted a derisive and defiant snuff.
1866. [see SNIVEL sb. 4].
b. A persistent snuffling; a disease in sheep.
a. 1585. Montgomerie, Flyting, 308. The snuff and the snoire, the chaud-peece, the chanker.
1902. Westm. Gaz., 13 June, 10/2. A sheep affected soon becomes thin and languid, and its painful snuffling has led farmers to call the disease ‘snuff.’
† 2. A puff, blast. Obs.
1613. J. Davies (Heref.), Muse’s Tears, Wks. (Grosart), I. 15/1. Then, let Fates Snuffes and Puffes as winds of Grace, Serene the Heauen of your Maiestick Face.
1642. D. Rogers, Naaman, 439. Though it lye long in the moulds by reason of cold snuffes of weather.
3. Smell, odor, scent.
1763. Stukeley, Palæogr. Sacr., 93. The immortal, the eternal,… wants not the snuff of mortal incense, for his, but for our own sakes.
1844. Hood, The Turtles, 34. All whiffs, and sniffs, and puffs, and snuffs, From metals, minerals, and dyewood stuffs.
4. An inhalation, a sniff, of something.
1822. Galt, Sir A. Wylie, III. v. 34. To take a snuff or caller air on the brow of the hill.
1852. Mrs. Stowe, Uncle Tom’s C., I. xvi. 259. One snuff of anything disagreeable being … sufficient to … put an end to all her earthly trials.
