- snivel
- \ \ see SNUFF
Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
snivel
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Snivel — Sniv el, n. [AS. snofel. Cf. {Snivel}, v. i.] Mucus from the nose; snot. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Snivel — Sniv el, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Sniveled}or {Snivelled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Sniveling} or {Snivelling}.] [OE. snivelen, snevelen, snuvelen, freg. of sneven. See {Sniff}, and cf. {Snuffle}.] 1. To run at the nose; to make a snuffling noise. [1913… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
snivel — (v.) O.E. *snyflan to run at the nose (Cf. snyflung running of the nose ), related to snofl nasal mucus. Meaning to be in an (affected) tearful state is from 1680s. Related: Snivelled; snivelling. Snivelling mean spirited, weak is recorded from… … Etymology dictionary
snivel — The verb has inflected forms snivelled, snivelling in BrE, and in AmE usually sniveled, sniveling … Modern English usage
snivel — ► VERB (snivelled, snivelling; US sniveled, sniveling) 1) cry and sniffle. 2) complain in a whining or tearful way. ► NOUN ▪ a spell of snivelling. DERIVATIVES … English terms dictionary
snivel — [sniv′əl] vi. sniveled or snivelled, sniveling or snivelling [ME snivelen < OE * snyflan < base seen in snofl, mucus, prob. ult. < IE base * sneu , to flow] 1. to have mucus running from the nose 2. to sniff repeatedly, as from a head… … English World dictionary
snivel — [[t]snɪ̱v(ə)l[/t]] snivels, snivelling, snivelled VERB If someone is snivelling, they are crying or sniffing in a way that irritates you. Billy started to snivel. His mother smacked his hand. ...a journalist snivelling with the flu. N COUNT… … English dictionary
snivel — UK [ˈsnɪv(ə)l] / US verb [intransitive] Word forms snivel : present tense I/you/we/they snivel he/she/it snivels present participle snivelling past tense snivelled past participle snivelled showing disapproval to cry or to complain, especially in … English dictionary
snivel — sniveler; esp. Brit., sniveller, n. /sniv euhl/, v., sniveled, sniveling or (esp. Brit.) snivelled, snivelling, n. v.i. 1. to weep or cry with sniffling. 2. to affect a tearful state; whine. 3. to run at the nose; have a runny nose: She sniveled… … Universalium
snivel — verb 1) he slumped in a chair, sniveling Syn: sniffle, snuffle, whimper, whine, weep, cry; informal blubber, boo hoo 2) don t snivel about what you get Syn: complain, mutter, grumble, grouse … Thesaurus of popular words
snivel — I. intransitive verb ( eled or elled; eling or snivelling) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English *snyflan; akin to Dutch snuffelen to snuffle, snuffen to sniff Date: 14th century 1. to run at the nose 2. to snuff mucus up the nose audibly ; … New Collegiate Dictionary
