I. ˈsnif verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English sniffen; probably akin to Middle English snivelen to snivel — more at snivel
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to draw air audibly up the nose : smell or snuff with short audible inhalations
lifted the lids of pots and pans, sniffed appreciatively — Winifred Bambrick
sniff at several perfumes before choosing one
also : to clear the nose of mucus by sniffing
got a runny nose and began sniff
b. : to make a sniffing noise (as to express disdain)
asked what stipend he might expect, and on being enlightened … sniffed loudly and disdainfully — Elinor Wylie
2. : to show or express disdain or scorn : be contemptuous — usually used with at
like all who had read through the four volumes she could sniff at those who knew but the abridged versions — J.D.Hart
3. : take a curious or suspicious look
turning … to politics, he might finance some lunatic group or sniff suspiciously around public libraries — T.D.Parrish
transitive verb
1. : to smell or take by inhalation through the nose
a pack of bloodhounds eagerly sniffing the ground
: inhale
threw open the window and sniffed the fresh morning air
addicts who sniff cocaine
2. : to utter or express with a sniff or with disdain or scorn
men, she sniffed, were poor creatures — Laura Krey
3. : to recognize or detect by or as if by smelling
excelled … in sniffing trouble before it began — Times Literary Supplement
— often used with out
German shepherd dogs are parachuted in the Austrian Alps to sniff out survivors of avalanches — P.T.White
II. noun
( -s )
1. : an act or sound of sniffing
the aspirant must school and steel himself to sniffs and sneers — H.L.Mencken
the coughs, sneezes, and sniffs of those who had colds
2. : a quantity that is sniffed
got a good sniff of sea air
3.
a. : muggins 1b
b. : the first doublet played in the game of muggins