† ˈsneakbill Obs.
Also 6 sneke-, sneek-, 7 sneake- (and sneaksbill).
[Of obscure origin: cf. sneaksby.]
A mean or paltry fellow; a starved or thin-faced person. Also attrib.
| 1562 J. Heywood Prov. & Epigr. (1867) 72 Why will ye..I shall folow hir will? To make me Iohn drawlache, or such a snekebill. 1577 Kendall Floures of Epigr. 9 Perchaunce thou deemst me in thy minde, Therefore a sneekbill, snudge vnkinde. 1611 Cotgr., Chiche-face, a chichiface, micher, sneake-bill, wretched fellow. Ibid., Visage de bec, a sneake⁓bill, sharp-nose, chittiface. 1653 Urquhart Rabelais i. liv, Here enter not base pinching Usurers,..chichie sneakbil rogues. |