▪ I. snuffing, vbl. n.1
(ˈsnʌfɪŋ)
[f. snuff v.1]
1. a. The action of removing the burnt part of a wick from a candle or lamp.
| 1591 Percivall Sp. Dict., Despavesadura, the snuffing of a candle. 1638 Quarles Hieroglyphics iv. i, Too much snuffing makes a wast. 1657 W. Morice Coena quasi κοινὴ xxi. 209 If the lights burn dimme, it is a wildness instead of snuffing to put them out. 1763 W. Lewis Phil. Comm. Arts 28 The Lamps require frequent snuffing and smoke much. 1837 P. Keith Bot. Lex. 360 The candle burns with a clear and brilliant flame, and the wick needs no snuffing. 1884 E. Yates Recoll. I. 44 Tallow-candles, which required snuffing..about every quarter of an hour. |
| fig. 1641 Milton Reform. i. Wks. 1851 III. 22 The dim Taper of this Emperours age that had such need of snuffing. |
b. The burnt part of a wick which is removed with snuffers or otherwise. Also fig.
| 1574 Hellowes Gueuara's Fam. Ep. (1577) 357 The bason of gold, wherein they should bestow the snuffings of the lampes. 1652 N. Culverwel Lt. Nature i. xviii. (1661) 164 The snuffings of Nature, and Reason will never make up a Day. 1789 Buchan Dom. Med. (1790) 155 Many dirty things,..as spiders, cobwebs, snuffings of candles, &c. 1817 Byron Beppo lxxv, These unquench'd snuffings of the mid⁓night taper. |
| attrib. 1687 Miége Gt. Fr. Dict. i, Porte-mouchettes,..a snuffing pan. |
2. The action of putting out or extinguishing.
| 1881 Nation (N.Y.) XXXII. 442 The snuffing out of the school by a parietary regulation. 1897 Advance (Chicago) 29 July 144/1 The great triumph of Parnell, and his sad, inglorious snuffing-out. |
3. With out: dying.
| 1922 P. A. Rollins Cowboy iii. 55 His demise was sometimes referred to as his ‘snuffing out’..or ‘passing in his checks’. |
▪ II. snuffing, vbl. n.2
(ˈsnʌfɪŋ)
[f. snuff v.2]
1. The action of drawing in air through the nose; sniffing, snuffling.
| 1540 Morysine tr. Vives' Introd. Wysd. F iij b, What snuffynge of the nose, what grennynge of the tethe. 1609 W. M. Man in Moon (1849) 11 He..keepeth such a snuffing and puffing. a 1616 Beaum. & Fl. Custom of Country iv. iv, You seem to have a snuffing in your head Sir, A parlous snuffing. 1661 Evelyn Fumifugium (1825) 225 Is there under heaven such coughing and snuffing to be heard, as in the London churches and assemblies of people? 1860 Mayne Reid Hunters' Feast xxii, I heerd now and then the snuffin' o' the bar. |
| fig. 1573 G. Harvey Letter-bk. (Camden) 32 Seeming nether to be ignorant of the contents of them [letters] nor of M. Nuces snuffing at them. c 1584 Robinson's Handful Delights (Arb.) 35 And do not snuffe though I be plaine,..For huffing and snuffing deserueth blame. |
b. pl. Mucus collected in this way. rare—1.
| 1598 Florio, Mocci, the snots or snuffings of ones nose. |
2. The action or practice of taking snuff.
| 1691 Wood Ath. Oxon. II. 419 Intoxicated with bibbing, but more with talking, and snuffing with powder. 1830 Marryat King's Own xxxv, Snuffing's a vile habit,—I wish I could leave it off. 1859 Habits of Gd. Society vii. 252 Sneezing brings me to snuffing, which is an obsolete custom, retained only by a few old gentlemen. 1860 Tristram Grt. Sahara xii. 203 Hence the prohibition of smoking, snuffing, and coffee. |
▪ III. snuffing, ppl. a.
(ˈsnʌfɪŋ)
Also 6 snoffyng.
[f. snuff v.2]
That snuffs, in various senses.
| a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VIII, 242 He was a man, that..could not abide the snoffyng pride of some prelates. 1570 Foxe A. & M. II. 1360/1 These snuffing Prelates..hee could neuer abyde. a 1618 Sylvester Job Triumphant iv. 590 Canst thou his tongue with steely Crotchets thrill; Or with a Thorn his snuffing Nose, or Guill? 1683 Lond. Gaz. No. 1800/4 At the [sign of the] Jessamine-Tree and Snuffing-Gentleman. 1744 E. Moore Fables vi. 90 Fear wings his flight; the marsh he sought, The snuffing dogs are set at fault. 1884 [see snuffer2 4]. |
Hence ˈsnuffingly adv., in a snuffing manner.
| 1577 Stanyhurst Descr. Irel. i. in Holinshed, Here percase some snappish carper will..snuffingly snibbe me. 1891 Harper's Mag. Jan. 228/1 The dogs..went about with inquisitive, drooping noses..amongst the various gear which they snuffingly recognized. |