I. ˈsnēz verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English snesen, alteration of fnesen, from Old English fnēosan; akin to Middle High German pfnūsen to snort, sneeze, Old Norse fnȳsa to snort, Greek pnein to breathe
intransitive verb
1. : to make a sudden violent spasmodic audible expiration of breath through the nose and mouth usually as a reflex act following irritation of the nasal mucous membrane
2. : to make a sound like a sneeze
the last wind snarls and sneezes — Thomas Hardy
transitive verb
1. : to utter or give forth with a sneeze
2. : to cause to be or go by sneezing
sneeze germs over everyone
3. slang : to place under arrest
•
- sneeze at
II. noun
( -s )
1. : the act or fact of sneezing : a sudden violent audible spasmodic expiration through the nose and mouth
2. slang : arrest