SNIFF
sniff, snuff
(noun) sensing an odor by inhaling through the nose
sniff, sniffle
(verb) inhale audibly through the nose; “the sick student was sniffling in the back row”
sniff, whiff
(verb) perceive by inhaling through the nose; “sniff the perfume”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Verb
sniff (third-person singular simple present sniffs, present participle sniffing, simple past and past participle sniffed)
(ambitransitive) To make a short, audible inhalation, through the nose, as when smelling something.
To say something while sniffing, for example in case of illness or unhappiness, or in contempt.
(transitive) To perceive vaguely
To be dismissive or contemptuous of something.
(computing) To intercept and analyse packets of data being transmitted over a network.
(slang, UK) To inhale drugs in powder form (usually cocaine) through the nose.
Noun
sniff (countable and uncountable, plural sniffs)
(countable) An instance of sniffing.
(countable) A quantity of something that is inhaled through the nose
(countable, colloquial) A brief perception, or tiny amount.
(uncountable, slang) Cocaine.
Interjection
sniff!
A short inhalation sound, sometimes associated with crying.
Anagrams
• niffs
Source: Wiktionary
Sniff, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sniffed or Snift; p. pr. & vb. n.
Sniffing.] Etym: [OE. sneven; akin to snivel, snuff; cf. Dan. snive
to sniff. See Snuff, v. t.]
Definition: To draw air audibly up the nose; to snuff; -- sometimes done as
a gesture of suspicion, offense, or contempt.
So ye grow squeamish, gods, and sniff at heaven. M. Arnold.
Sniff, v. t.
1. To draw in with the breath through the nose; as, to sniff the air
of the country.
2. To perceive as by sniffing; to snuff, to scent; to smell; as, to
sniff danger.
Sniff, n.
Definition: The act of sniffing; perception by sniffing; that which is
taken by sniffing; as, a sniff of air.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition