snook

/snu:k/

Thân thiện

A fisherman holds up a large snook he just caught.

Definition

Noun: 1. A large tropical American fish: A type of large, predatory fish found in coastal and brackish waters of the Americas, valued for both food and sport. It has a streamlined body and a distinct, sloping forehead, somewhat resembling a pike. 2. (Chiefly British, informal) A gesture of contempt: A rude gesture made by placing the thumb on the nose and wiggling the fingers.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Fish):
  • Anglers travel to Florida hoping to catch a trophy snook.
  • The snook is a popular game fish known for its fighting spirit.
• Noun (Gesture):
  • The child made a snook at his teacher behind her back.
  • He was reprimanded for cocking a snook at the referee.

Advanced Usage

• "to cock a snook at (someone/something)": To show open disrespect or contempt for a person, rule, or convention.
  • The rebellious artist was known for cocking a snook at traditional artistic styles.
  • His actions cocked a snook at the company's strict dress code.

Variants and Related Words

• Snooks (interjection, archaic/informal): An exclamation expressing contempt or derision, similar to "Nonsense!" or "Phooey!"

Synonyms

• (For the fish): Robalo, sergeant fish.
• (For the gesture): Thumb one's nose, make a rude gesture.

Related Idioms

• "to cock a snook at": This is the primary idiom associated with the word. It means to defy or show scorn towards someone or something in a deliberately obvious way.

Học thuật

Noun

1. large tropical American food and game fishes of coastal and brackish waters; resemble pike