▪ I. snaste, n. Now dial.
(sneɪst)
Also 7, 9 snast, 9 snaast, snaist, sneest(e; 6 snase, 9 snace, snaice, sneeze.
[Of obscure origin: cf. gnast.]
A candle-wick: freq. the burning or burnt part of a wick, a snuff.
| 1592 Greene Upst. Courtier G iv b, After your weeke or snast [pr. snaft] is stiffened, you dip it in filthy drosse. 1596 Nashe Saffron Walden Wks. (Grosart) III. 203 His stinking breath, (which smells like the greasie snase of a candle). 1626 Bacon Sylva §369 Till some part of the Candle was consumed, and the Dust gathered about the Snast; But then it made the Snaste big, and long, and to burn duskishly. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 140 In our daies doe men practise to make long-lasting Snasts for lampes. 1691 Ray N.C. Words, The Snaste, the burnt Week or Snuffe of a Candle. a 1825– in dial. glossaries, etc. (Northampt., E. Anglia, Essex). |
▪ II. † snaste, v. Obs. rare.
[Cf. prec.]
trans. To snuff (a candle). Also fig.
| 1561 J. Daus tr. Bullinger on Apoc. 51 He had the charge..of seuen candels, for those must he pourge and snaste. Ibid., He..snasteth and pourgeth by faithe, what thinge so euer hath nede to be pourged. |