snortn.1
/snɔːt/, U.S. /snɔrt/ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > audible breathing > [noun] > snoring > a snore
snorea1616
snort1619
stertor1849
1619 H. Hutton Follie's Anat. sig. B5 At noone tide to concoct he takes a snort. His drowsie sences hudwinkt in a cap, Leaning vpon his chaire do take a nap.
1622 J. Mabbe tr. M. Alemán Rogue i. 133 The snores and snorts that came from them [a man and his wife].
2.
a. An act of snorting; a loud sound made by a horse or other animal in driving breath through the nostrils with some force. Also transferred.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by noises > voice or sound made by animal > [noun] > grunt or snort
snorec1330
grunt?1615
gruntlea1689
sneer17..
snort1808
snork1814
1808 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. at Snocker A snort.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward III. xiii. 325 Wishing..good night, in a tone resembling the snort of a shy horse.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth v, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. II. 173 Inarticulate groans and snorts, like those of a dying boar.
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin I. vi. 75 He overturned Sam, and, giving two or three contemptuous snorts,..was soon prancing away.
1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan i. i. 77 Now and then the snort of steam Sounds from the headland far away.
b. A similar sound made by persons in order to express contempt, disdain, or other feeling.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > other vocal sounds > [noun] > snort
snorting1575
snurting1611
snork1814
snort1864
woofling1932
1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. i. x. 91 Medusa..follows every lively remark made by that dear creature, with an audible snort.
1885 R. Buchanan Annan Water vii The old man uttered a low snort of defiance.
1887 H. Caine Son of Hagar ii. xvi The lawyer gave a contemptuous snort and turned on his heel.
3. slang (originally U.S.).
a. An alcoholic drink; a measure of spirits; a ‘snifter’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > [noun] > a drink of
strong drink?1490
drink1535
whiff1605
tip1612
wet1719
swilla1731
booze1732
slug1756
whitter1786
intoxication1799
O (or oh) be joyful1823
sneezer1823
north-wester1830
drain1836
damp1837
smile1839
snifter1844
liquor1860
rosiner1871
tiddlywink1880
bevvy1889
gargle1889
snort1889
jolt1904
smahan1914
tincture1914
taste1919
piss1925
drinkie1947
smash1959
shant1960
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > distilled drink > [noun] > a drink of
dramc1590
sopie1687
short1823
something damp or shortc1831
hooker1833
jigger1836
snifter1844
short drink1883
snort1889
taggeen1899
shot1928
shorty1931
shooter1971
1889 J. S. Farmer Americanisms 501/2 A snort of whiskey is a dram; a nip; a small quantity.
1912 J. Sandilands Western Canad. Dict. & Phrase-bk. 42/2 The sporting Canadian asks his friends, ‘Will you have a snort?’
1925 P. G. Wodehouse Carry on, Jeeves iv. 80 We were taking a quiet snort in a corner.
1945 J. Steinbeck Cannery Row xxix. 189 She..took out a bottle and a glass and poured herself a snort.
1962 ‘R. Gordon’ Doctor in Swim xii. 75 ‘How about an—ah—quick snort?’ I stared at him. ‘But you never drink except at Christmas.’
1966 M. Laurence Jest of God xii. 199 Ladies often feel it wouldn't be very nice to drink rye at such a time [as bereavement], but a snort of sherry is usually acceptable.
1981 M. E. Atkins Palimpsest viii. 83 We'll have another snort... C'mon, drink up, I'll fill your glass.
b. A dose or measure of cocaine or heroin which is taken by inhalation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > an intoxicating drug > [noun] > a) narcotic drug(s) > morphine, cocaine, or heroin > dose of
speedball1909
snort1951
1951 Time 26 Feb. 24/3 A sniff of heroin is a ‘snort of horse’, and an injection under the skin a ‘joy pop’.
1959 ‘E. McBain’ Pusher iv. 36 I gave him a snort... He got on mainline a couple of weeks later.
1962 J. Baldwin Another Country (1963) i. i. 14 His first taste of marijuana, his first snort of horse.
1972 H. C. Rae Shooting Gallery ii. 73 How did McDowell pick up a big enough snort to do for himself?
1978 G. Vidal Kalki iv. 88 ‘Want a snort?’ Bruce produced a cocaine snifter.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
snortn.2
/snɔːt/, U.S. /snɔrt/ Nautical slang (now historical).
= snorkel n. 1a. Frequently attributive.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > other equipment of vessel > [noun] > specific equipment on submarine
breathing tube1800
jumping-wire1919
snorkel1944
snort1944
1944 News Chron. 11 Dec. 4/2 The first ‘snort’ U-boats are probably already at sea... ‘Snort’ is the Navy's nickname for them.
1944 N.Y. Herald Tribune 12 Dec. 1/7 (heading) ‘Snorts’ said to enable vessels to stay under 20 days.
1950 Times 26 Apr. 6/6 Under the programme 10 existing submarines are to be equipped with the ‘Snort’ breathing apparatus.
1954 H. M. Burton tr. Diolé Under-water Explor. v. 69 The chief improvements to the standard type submarine which were introduced during the last war were the work of the Germans. They were responsible, in particular, for the Schnorchel, or ‘snort’.
1976 P. Kemp Oxf. Compan. Ships & Sea 759/1 In the British Navy the schnorkel tube was given the name snort.
Derivatives
snort v.2 (intransitive) of a submarine, to travel underwater by means of a snort.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > action or motion of vessel > [verb (intransitive)] > submerge or travel under water (of submarine)
dive1872
submerge1903
crash-dive1928
to do a porpoise1929
snort1953
1953 John o' London's Weekly 3 July 602/2 Since the Andrew crossed the Atlantic in total submergence, the word snort has acquired a different significance. Said her captain after she had achieved her object: ‘All we were told was: “You are going to snort back”—so we snorted.’
1974 ‘M. Hebden’ Pride of Dolphins iii. ii. 230 ‘Open Three Main vents. Periscope depth. Stand by to snort.’.. They were snorting slowly back up the Solent.
ˈsnorter n.4 a submarine fitted with a snort.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > war vessel > [noun] > submarine
submarine1889
Holland1899
sub1915
pigboat1921
fish1925
guppy1948
killer submarine1955
snorter1962
nuclear1969
1962 W. Granville Dict. Sailors' Slang 109/1 Snorter, submarine fitted with the snorkel device which enables her to keep at sea for a considerable period.
ˈsnorting n.2
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > [noun] > in submarine > in specific manner
snorting1957
1957 Jane's Fighting Ships 1957–8 51 On 15 June 1953 Andrew completed a 2500 sea miles voyage under water from Bermuda to the English Channel in 15 days, a record for ‘snorting’ in the Royal Navy.
1979 Daily Tel. 3 May 3/3 Since Olympus could reach safety from snorting depth in about a minute, the order to dive was given 45 seconds too late.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1986; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
snortv.
/snɔːt/, U.S. /snɔrt/ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > nose > [verb (intransitive)]
snorta1366
a1366 Romaunt Rose 157 Hir nose snorted vp for tene, Ful hidous was she forto sene.
a. To snore; to sleep heavily or sluggishly. Obsolete.Common from c1590–1650 in this and the next group.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > sleep > [verb (intransitive)] > snore or make noise during sleep
snortc1386
snorec1440
Z1909
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > audible breathing > [verb (intransitive)] > snore
routeOE
snortc1386
snorec1440
snork?1537
snotter1710
snortle1807
blurta1825
to drive pigs (to market)1828
c1386 G. Chaucer Man of Law's T. 692 He slepeth and he snorteth in his gyse.
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Reeve's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 243 This Millere hath so wisly bibbed ale That as an hors he snorteth in his sleep.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Isa. lvi. B They are slepery: slogish are they, & lie snortinge.
1567 J. Maplet Greene Forest f. 96 All winter long he snorteth, and is as he were deade.
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge i. i. sig. A4v Strotzo, to bed: snort in securest sleepe.
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. i. 28 Their Watch within their Corps de Garde About the Fire securely snorted hard.
1648 T. Gage Eng.-Amer. 141 Thus do they soundly sleep, and loudly snort after a dayes work.
a1680 S. Charnock Several Disc. Existence of God (1682) 737 Some rise out of their..Beds..at the first,..others lie snorting longer.
ΚΠ
1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 25 Truly you sleape so soundly, that you snorte agayne.
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. D3v Many a one snorteth in palpable ignorance all daies of their life.
1597 Bp. J. King Lect. Ionas i. 14 Haue we not read..that although themselues slept and snorted in pleasure, yet their damnation slept not?
1614 D. Dyke Myst. Selfe-deceiuing xxviii. 353 Dauid lay snorting in his owne sinne.
1642 E. Waller Vindic. of King 2 The same malignant party..hath been supinely snorting.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > idleness, lack of occupation or activity > be idle or unoccupied [verb (reflexive)] > convert oneself into something by idleness
snort1650
1650 J. Hall Paradoxes 15 The King employed the people that way, who else might have sunke into Luxury, or snorted themselves into implacable enemies.
3.
a. Of a horse: To make a characteristic loud or harsh sound by violently driving the breath through the nostrils, esp. when excited or frightened. Also said of other animals.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by noises > voice or sound made by animal > make sound [verb (intransitive)] > grunt or snort
grunnyc1340
groinc1400
gruntlec1400
snorec1400
snortc1405
snortle1577
snork1807
snark1866
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > sound made by horse > [verb (intransitive)] > snort
snorec1400
snortc1405
sneer1553
c1405 [see sense 2a].
figurative.1891 S. Baring-Gould In Troubadour-land xviii. 252 The Crusaders were snorting for plunder and murder.1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 724/1 This jade snorteth as were a courser of ten pounde.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iii. f. 116 If farr away There happen any noyse,..he snuffes, & snorthes at the same.
1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne xx. xxix. 369 He fomes, snorts, neies, and fire and smoake breaths out.
1601 R. Hakluyt tr. A. Galvano Discov. World 85 Certaine fishes which make a noyse like vnto hogs, and will snort.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 108 The Stallion..snorts and trembles for the distant Mare. View more context for this quotation
1735 W. Somervile Chace ii. 162 Snorting they breathe, their shining Hoofs scarce print The grass unbruis'd.
1786 S. Henley tr. W. Beckford Arabian Tale 84 The horses snorted, stamped the ground,..and plunged about without mercy.
1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor ix, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. II. 217 His horse..suddenly interrupted its steady and composed pace, snorted, reared, and..refused to proceed.
1825 T. Hook Sayings & Doings 2nd Ser. II. 41 The fat poodle snorting and wagging his little lionized tail.
1871 C. Gibbon For Lack of Gold xxi The horses were steaming and snorting with exertion.
b. To rush past with snorts.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by locomotion > locomotion of animals > [verb (intransitive)] > rush past snorting
snort1899
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > order Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates) > [verb (intransitive)] > of rhinoceros: rush past with snorts
snort1899
1899 F. V. Kirby Sport E. Central Afr. xi. 122 I obtained a glimpse of his dark grey hide as he [a rhinoceros] snorted past.
4. transferred. Of things, esp. in later use of a railway engine: To make or emit a sound resembling or suggestive of a snort.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > unpleasant quality > harsh or discordant quality > harsh or discordant [verb (intransitive)] > snort, snore, snarl, or groan
groan1513
snort1582
snarl1675
snore1823
gruff1855
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 36 The riuer..Through the breach owt spurging... It brayeth in snorting.
a1822 P. B. Shelley tr. J. W. von Goethe Scenes from Faust in Posthumous Poems (1824) 401 The giant-snouted crags,.. How they snort, and how they blow!
1879 G. A. Sala Paris herself Again II. xxi. 320 The little circular railway puffed and screamed and snorted.
1902 ‘Linesman’ Words by Eyewitness 196 The lyddite shells, snorting slowly through the air like a goods train up a gradient.
5. Of persons:
a. To express contempt or indignation by a snorting sound.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > think or behave contemptuously [verb (intransitive)] > express contempt vocally
hissa1425
puff1490
pup1560
blurt1596
pooh1614
pshaw1760
snort1818
bah1841
poof1915
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > other vocal sounds > [verb (intransitive)] > snort
sneeze1493
snur1523
snurt1549
snortle1577
snot1662
snotter1710
snort1818
woofle1902
the mind > emotion > anger > indignation or resentment > be or become resentful [verb (intransitive)] > express indignation > by snorting
snort1818
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian ix, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. IV. 187 Duncan..snorted thrice, and prepared himself to be in a passion.
1827 W. Scott Two Drovers in Chron. Canongate 1st Ser. I. xiii. 304 Ye needna snort, none of you Highlanders.
1889 F. E. Gretton Memory's Harkback 300 Upon this conclusion, his reverence snorted, and turned upon his heel in dudgeon.
b. dialect and U.S. To laugh loudly or roughly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > types of laughter > laugh in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > laugh loudly or coarsely
kenchc1225
fleer1553
checkle1627
roar1689
guffaw1721
horse-laugh1763
cachinnate1824
snort1825
haw-haw1833
yaw-haw1836
to laugh like a drain1948
1825 J. T. Brockett Gloss. North Country Words Snort, to laugh outright.
1833 Lett. President's Tour by Major Jack Downing xiii. 45 We all snorted and snicker'd.
1835 T. C. Haliburton Clockmaker 1st Ser. xix I thought I should have snorted right out two or three times.
6. transitive.
a. To utter with a snort; to give out, drive away, etc., by snorting (†or snoring).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > other vocal sounds > [verb (transitive)] > snort
snorta1635
snore1791
a1635 T. Randolph Muses Looking-glasse iv. iii. 78 in Poems (1638) Your pittifull Worship snorting out pardons To the despairing sinner.
1796 E. Burke Two Lett. Peace Regicide Directory France i. 33 The..tyrant Carnot, shall have snorted away the fumes of the indigested blood of his Sovereign.
1840 W. M. Thackeray Barber Cox in Comic Almanack 17 ‘Dat is gut! haw! haw!’ snorted the Baron.
1900 F. T. Pollok & W. S. Thom Wild Sports Burma & Assam 376 He snorted defiance, challenging us, as it were, to approach nearer.
b. To eject or discharge through the nostils with a snort; to spout out in this way.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > emit > in a jet
sprout1578
spirt1582
squirt1583
spurt1601
spirt1646
jeta1684
snort1818
skeet1880
splurt-
1818 J. Keats Endymion ii. 95 Fish-semblances, of green and azure hue, Ready to snort their streams.
1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. iii. 28 Great, crude, wallowing sea-hogs, snorting out fountains of white spray.
1868 R. Browning Ring & Bk. I. i. 47 The old Triton..A spray of sparkles snorted from his conch, High over the caritellas.
c. To clear (the nose) with a snort.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > organs of excretion > excretion of mucus > excrete mucus [verb (transitive)] > clear nose
snitec1305
snuff1561
snot1576
void1594
snurt1600
snuff1648
snivel1835
snort1835
1835 Politeness & Gd.-breeding 104 Never..snivel and snort a wet nose.
7. slang (originally U.S.). To inhale (a narcotic drug in powder form, esp. cocaine or heroin). Also absol.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > take drugs [verb (transitive)] > inhale drugs
sniff1934
snort1935
snarf1973
toot1975
1935 A. J. Pollock Underworld Speaks 110/1 Snort, to sniff cocaine or heroin.
1958 H. Braddy in Southern Folklore Q. Sept. 134 Since ma was a viper And daddy would snort, There wasn't much more I had to be taught.
1967 M. M. Glatt et al. Drug Scene in Great Brit. iii. 32 I started snorting cocaine through the nose.
1972 M. J. Bosse Incident at Naha i. 38 She snorted Methedrine. I saw her do it many times.
1974 M. C. Gerald Pharmacol. xv. 291 Cocaine is usually administered intravenously, although some prefer to ‘sniff’ or ‘snort’ it.
1980 M. Booth Bad Track ii. 46 ‘Are you snorting?’.. He nodded... He inhaled the cocaine.
1982 Daily Tel. 4 Oct. 3/3 Mrs Pulitzer's lawyers claim that she started snorting cocaine after being sucked into the vortex of the ‘Palm Beach lifestyle’.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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