snuff¹ Definition
snuff (snuf)
noun
the charred end of a candlewick
Etymology: ME < ?
transitive verb
- to trim off the charred end of (a candlewick)
- to put out (a candle) with snuffers or by pinching
- Slang to kill; murder
Etymology: ME snuffen < the n.
adjective
designating or of a kind of pornographic film that shows someone being murdered as the climax of sexual activity
snuff¹ Idioms
snuff out
- to put out (a candle, etc.); extinguish
- to bring to an end suddenly; destroy
snuff² Definition
snuff (snuf)
transitive verb
- to draw in through the nose; inhale strongly; sniff
- to smell, sniff, or sniff at
Etymology: < MDu snuffen < Gmc *snuf- < IE *sneup < base *sneu-: see snout
intransitive verb
to sniff or snort
noun
- the act or sound of snuffing; sniff
- a preparation of powdered tobacco that is inhaled by sniffing, chewed, or rubbed on the gums
- smell; scent
snuff² Idioms
up to snuff
- Informal up to the usual standard, as in health, quality, etc.
- Brit., Informal not easily deceived; alert
snuff Usage Examples
Object
candle: Under the pretext of snuffing the candle, they put it out.
Converse of object
- take: Not to be sneezed at - not to be underrated or treated lightly Taking snuff may induce sneezing.
- use: Natural Healing: If your sinuses are very congested then use herbal snuff to relieve the pressure.
Adjective modifier
- oral: In February 1998, the UK government announced a ban on the supply and sale of oral snuff under the 1987 Consumer Protection Act.
- moist: Everyone who studies the effects of moist snuff comes up with the same conclusion.
- more: Then came the end of the night with chants from the netball girls being " hot to go " and probably yet more snuff!
Modifies a noun
- bottle: Coral snuff bottles from the eighteenth century are relatively rare.
- mill: Outside Bewdley, a snuff mill was created to grind the raw material, tobacco.
- movie: Video footage of races will be the new snuff movies.
- box: I can, for example, take up my snuff box.
- film: Give him a lead role in a snuff film.
- video: In fact much of what we are allowed to see is played in the background, with the likes of snuff videos.
Modifying Another Word
- finally: But just before the last flicker of the burning candle was finally snuffed out along came CAMRA and the rest is history.
- not: Jesus says: " a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
- quickly: The first port of call is an elderly woman, quickly snuffed out in her bed.
Noun used with modifier
tobacco: Snuff and chewing tobacco Snuff and chewing tobacco are not widely used in the UK, but are relatively common in mainland Europe.
Particle object:
- candle: The two women are ushered out of the room as Moore and Hart roll up their sleeves and snuff out the candle.
- danger: Keeper quickly off the line to snuff out any danger from Aonghas ( also a defender playing up front!
- life: The fact that she has snuffed out a life has left her intensely aroused.
- attack: However our impetus was gone and the Ilkeston defense was back together and able to snuff out attacks as they began.

