[f. SNUFF v.1]
1. The action of removing the burnt part of a wick from a candle or lamp.
1591. Percivall, Sp. Dict., Despavesadura, the snuffing of a candle.
1638. Quarles, Hieroglyphics, IV. i. Too much snuffing makes a wast.
1657. W. Morice, Coena quasi Κοινὴ, xxi. 209. If the lights burn dimme, it is a wildness instead of snuffing to put them out.
1763. W. Lewis, Phil. Comm. Arts, 28. The Lamps require frequent snuffing and smoke much.
1837. P. Keith, Bot. Lex., 360. The candle burns with a clear and brilliant flame, and the wick needs no snuffing.
1884. E. Yates, Recoll. & Exper., I. 44. Tallow-candles, which required snuffing … about every quarter of an hour.
fig. 1641. Milton, Reform., I. Wks. 1851, III. 22. The dim Taper of this Emperours age that had such need of snuffing.
b. The burnt part of a wick which is removed with snuffers or otherwise. Also fig.
1574. Hellowes, Gueuara’s Fam. Ep. (1577), 357. The bason of gold, wherein they should bestow the snuffings of the lampes.
1652. N. Culverwel, Lt. Nature, I. xviii. (1661), 164. The snuffings of Nature, and Reason will never make up a Day.
1789. W. Buchan, Dom. Med. (1790), 155. Many dirty things are extolled for the cure of intermitting fevers, as spiders, cobwebs, snuffings of candles, &c.
1817. Byron, Beppo, lxxv. These unquench’d snuffings of the midnight taper.
attrib. 1687. Miége, Gt. Fr. Dict., I. Porte-mouchettes,… a snuffing pan.
2. The action of putting out or extinguishing.
1881. Nation (N.Y.), XXXII. 442/2. The snuffing-out of the school by a parietary regulation.
1897. Advance (Chicago), 29 July, 144/1. The great triumph of Parnell, and his sad, inglorious snuffing-out.
