snuff-dish
Definition
Noun - A container for snuff: A "snuff-dish" is a small dish, tray, or receptacle designed to hold snuff (powdered tobacco that is inhaled through the nose). - A tray for candle-snuffing tools: Historically, a "snuff-dish" could also refer to a tray used to hold scissors or other tools for trimming candle wicks (snuffers), though this usage is less common.
Usage Examples
- (The dish held the snuff for guests to use.)
- (The dish was an ornamental container for snuff.)
Advanced Usage
- "to pass the snuff-dish": An old-fashioned gesture of offering snuff to others in a social setting.
- In the 18th century, it was polite to pass the snuff-dish around after dinner. (The host offered snuff to guests from the dish.)
Variants and Related Words
- Snuff (n): powdered tobacco inhaled through the nose.
- He took a pinch of snuff from the snuff-dish. (The dish contained the tobacco.)
- Snuffer-tray (n): a synonym for "snuff-dish" in the sense of a tray for candle-snuffing tools.
- The snuffer-tray held the scissors used to trim the candle wick. (The tray was for candle maintenance, not tobacco.)
Synonyms
- Snuff box: a small, often decorative box for holding snuff (similar in function but typically smaller and lidded).
- Snuff tray: a flat dish or tray for snuff (synonymous with "snuff-dish").
Related Idioms
- "Up to snuff": meeting a required standard; in good condition.
- The performance was not up to snuff. (The performance did not meet expectations.)
- Note: This idiom derives from the quality of snuff, but does not directly use the word "snuff-dish."