The Collaborative International Dictionary
Sniff \Sniff\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sniffedor Snift; p. pr. & vb. n. Sniffing.] [OE. sneven; akin to snivel, snuff; cf. Dan. snive to sniff. See Snuff, v. t.] 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.
Snift \Snift\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Snifted; p. pr. & vb. n. Snifting.] [From Sniff.]
To snort. [Obs.] ``Resentment expressed by snifting.''
--Johnson.-
To sniff; to snuff; to smell.
It now appears that they were still snifing and hankering after their old quarters.
--Landor.
Snift \Snift\, n.
A moment. [Prov. Eng.]
--Halliwell.Slight snow; sleet. [Prov. Eng.]
--Halliwell.
Wiktionary
Etymology 1 n. 1 (context UK dialect English) A moment. 2 (context UK dialect uncountable English) Slight snow; sleet. Etymology 2
vb. 1 To snort. 2 To sniff; to snuff; to smell.
Usage examples of "snift".
I mean to say, when they snift they snift, and when they snuffle theyas it weresnuffle.
I would sooner snift thy farthing candle than sustain that nasal cadence ever more.
The right eye rested for a moment on a magnificent Corot over the mantelpiece, and she snifted again.
And no matter how resourceful Herberts was at snifting any small item he might find, he was no match for someone intent on causing harm.
He had darted across to his action couch, snifted the big board, keyed first for open circuits.