snuff-taking

Definition

Noun: The practice or act of inhaling powdered tobacco (snuff) into the nostrils, typically for its stimulant or pleasurable effects.

Usage Examples

• (The act of inhaling snuff.)
• (A repeated personal habit.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be given to snuff-taking": to have a tendency or habit of using snuff.
  • He was given to snuff-taking, always carrying a small box of powdered tobacco. (He habitually used snuff.)
• "snuff-taking paraphernalia": tools and containers associated with the practice, such as snuff boxes and graters.
  • The museum displayed antique snuff-taking paraphernalia, including ornate silver boxes. (Items used for snuff.)

Variants and Related Words

• Snuff (noun): powdered tobacco that is inhaled.
  • He purchased a fresh supply of snuff for his daily use. (The substance itself.)
• Snuff-taker (noun): a person who takes snuff.
  • The snuff-taker delicately tapped the powder onto his thumb. (A person engaged in the habit.)
• Snuffing (gerund): the act of taking snuff.
  • Snuffing was once considered a refined pastime. (The action of inhaling snuff.)

Synonyms

• Tobacco inhalation: a general term for inhaling tobacco products.
• Nasal tobacco use: a clinical or descriptive term for snuff-taking.

Related Idioms

• "Up to snuff": meeting the required standard; in good condition (originally related to snuff-taking, meaning "worthy of the snuff").
  • His performance was not up to snuff. (Not meeting the expected quality.)
• "Snuff it": (slang, British) to die (unrelated to snuff-taking, but derived from "snuff out").
  • The old cat finally snuffed it last night. (Passed away.)