SNUFF (from " to snuff, " i.e. to inhale, to draw in through the

See also:

• NOSE (O.Eng. nosu, cf. Dutch neus, Swed. nos, snout; the Aix in Provence. Both at Aix and at Lyons he acquired great connexion with O.Eng. nasu is obscure, cf. Ger. Nase, Lat. pares, distinction by his labours during outbreaks of the plague. In nostrils,

nose; cf. Dutch snuf,

See also:

• SCENT

scent, Ger. Schnupfen, a

See also:

• COLD (in O. Eng. cald and ceald, a word coming ultimately from a root cognate with the Lat. gelu, gelidus, and common in the Teutonic languages, which usually have two distinct forms for the substantive and the adjective, cf. Ger. Kolte, kalt, Dutch koude

cold,

See also:

• CATARRH (from the Gr. Karappeiv, to flow down)

catarrh, and Eng. " snuffle, " " sniff, " &c.)  , the name of a powdered preparation of tobacco used for inhalation (for the manufacture see TOBACCO) . The practice of inhaling snuff became common in England in the 17th century, and throughout the 18th century it was universal . At first each quantity inhaled was fresh grated (Fr. rdper), whence the coarser kinds were later known as " rappee . " This entailed the snuff-taker carrying with him a grater with a small spoon at one end and a box to hold the grated snuff at the other . Early 18th-century graters made of ivory and other material are in existence . Later the box and the grater were separated . The art and craft of the miniaturepainter, the enameller, jeweller and gold- and silver-smith was bestowed upon the box . The humbler snuff-takers were conte-tt with boxes of silver, brass or other metal, horn, tortoise-shell or wood . The mull (q.v.), a silver-mounted ram's head, is a large table snuff-box . Though " snuff-taking " ceased to be fashion-able at the beginning of the 19th century, the gold and jewelled snuff-box has continued to be a typical gift of sovereigns to those whom they delight to honour . This: word " snuff " must be distinguished from that meaning the charred inch of a candle or lamp, which is a variant of " snip " or " snop, " to cut off, trim, cf . Dan. snubbe .

Constant trimming or snuffing of candles was a necessity until obviated by the modern methods of candle manufacture, and the snuffers cone sisted of a pair of scissors with a closed box forming a receptacle for the charred wick cut off; the snuffers usually had three small feet which allowed them to stand on a tray . Made of silver, silver-gilt or other metal, " snuffers " were formerly a decorative article of plate in the equipment of a household . There is a beautiful example of silver snuffers with enamel decorations in the British Museum . These belonged to Cardinal Bainbridge and date from the reign of Henry VIII .