snuff

• Adjectif vieilli signifiant 'de mauvaise qualité' ou 'bon à rien' ; il est également utilisé dans l'expression 'snuff-coloured' pour décrire une couleur brun foncé. En anglais moderne, ce mot est considéré comme archaïque.

An archaic adjective meaning 'of poor quality' or 'worthless'; also used in the phrase 'snuff-coloured' to describe a dark brownish colour. The word is now considered obsolete in modern English.

1. Snuff-coloredC1formal

   Of a greyish to yellowish brown color, resembling the color of snuff tobacco.

   couleur tabac à priser

   • He wore a snuff-colored coat to the autumn festival.
   • The walls were painted a muted snuff shade.
   • Her snuff-colored scarf matched the earthy tones of the landscape.

• Substance désignant à la fois le tabac en poudre fine prisé par le nez, une petite prise de ce tabac, la partie brûlée de la mèche d'une bougie, et l'action de renifler ou de priser.

A noun referring to the charred part of a candlewick, a small amount of smokeless tobacco taken at once, finely ground tobacco for nasal inhalation, or the act of smelling something by inhaling through the nose.

1. Charred candlewickC1formal

   The burnt or blackened part of a candle wick that has been extinguished.

   Mèche de bougie consumée

   • She trimmed the snuff from the candle before relighting it.
   • The snuff fell into the wax, creating a small black speck.
   • Old candles often have a long snuff that needs to be removed.

2. Single dose of smokeless tobaccoB2informal

   A small amount of powdered tobacco that is inhaled or placed in the mouth at one time.

   prise de tabac à priser

   • He took a quick snuff of tobacco before the meeting.
   • She offered him a snuff from her silver box.
   • A single snuff can provide a strong nicotine hit.

   Synonymesdippinch

3. Powdered tobacco for nasal useB2formalbritish

   Finely ground tobacco that is sniffed up the nose, often as a traditional form of tobacco consumption.

   Tabac à priser

   • Snuff was popular in the 18th century among European aristocrats.
   • He carried a small snuff box in his pocket.
   • The shop sells various blends of snuff from different regions.

4. Act of sniffingB1informal

   The action of inhaling through the nose to detect an odor or to clear the nasal passages.

   Action de renifler

   • She gave a quick snuff to smell the flower.
   • He took a deep snuff of the fresh air.
   • The dog made a snuff at the ground, searching for a scent.

   Synonymesinhalationsniffsnortsnuffle

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner l'action d'éteindre une bougie ou une flamme, ou (en argot) pour tuer ou mettre fin à quelque chose.

A verb used to indicate the act of extinguishing a candle or flame, or (slang) to kill or put an end to something.

1. Sniff or smell inquisitivelyB2formal

   To sniff or smell something, often in a curious or investigative manner.

   renifler

   • The dog snuffed at the strange object on the ground.
   • He snuffed the air, trying to detect the source of the scent.
   • She snuffed the flower gently before picking it.

   Synonymesnosescentsmellsniffsnuffle

2. Inhale audibly through the noseB2informal

   To breathe in sharply and audibly through the nose, often to clear the nasal passages or express emotion.

   Renifler fortement

   • He snuffed loudly after crying for a while.
   • She snuffed to clear her nose in the cold weather.
   • The child snuffed as he tried to hold back tears.

   Synonymessniffsnortsnuffle

   Antonymesexhale

Variantes phrasalsnuff out