snuff¹ (snŭf)

v., snuffed, snuff·ing, snuffs.

v.tr.

1. To inhale (something) audibly through the nose; sniff.
2. To sense or examine by smelling; sniff at.

v.intr.
To sniff; inhale.

n.
The act of snuffing or the sound produced by it; a snuffle.

[Middle English snoffen, to snuff a candle, sniffle, probably from snoffe, snuff. See snuff².]

snuff² (snŭf)
n.
The charred portion of a candlewick.

tr.v., snuffed, snuff·ing, snuffs.

1. To extinguish: snuffed out the candles.
2. To put a sudden end to: lives that were snuffed out by car accidents.
3. Slang. To kill; murder.
4. To cut off the charred portion of (a candlewick).

[Middle English snoffe, possibly of Low German origin.]

snuff³ (snŭf)
n.

1. 1. A preparation of finely pulverized tobacco that can be drawn up into the nostrils by inhaling. Also called smokeless tobacco.
   2. The quantity of this tobacco that is inhaled at a single time; a pinch.
2. A powdery substance, such as a medicine, taken by inhaling.

intr.v., snuffed, snuff·ing, snuffs.
To use or inhale snuff.

idiom:

up to snuff Informal.

1. Normal in health.
2. Up to standard; adequate.

[Dutch snuf, short for snuftabak : Dutch snuffen, to sniff; see snuffle + tabak, tobacco.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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