snɪf v. & n. --v. 1 intr.
draw up
air audibly
through the nose to
stop it
running or to
detect a
smell or as an
expression of
contempt. 2 tr. (often foll. by up) draw in (a
scent,
drug,
liquid, or air) through the nose. 3 tr. draw in the scent of (food,
drink, flowers, etc.) through the nose. --n. 1 an
act or
sound of sniffing. 2 the
amount of air etc. sniffed
up. øsniff at 1
try the smell
of;
show interest in. 2 show contempt
for or
discontent with. sniff
out detect;
discover by
investigation. øøsniffingly adv. [ME, imit.]