snivel

snivel
snivel (v.) O.E. *snyflan "to run at the nose" (Cf. snyflung "running of the nose"), related to snofl "nasal mucus." Meaning "to be in an (affected) tearful state" is from 1680s. Related: Snivelled; snivelling. Snivelling "mean-spirited, weak" is recorded from 1640s; Melville coined snivelization (1849).

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Snivel — Sniv el, n. [AS. snofel. Cf. {Snivel}, v. i.] Mucus from the nose; snot. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Snivel — Sniv el, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Sniveled}or {Snivelled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Sniveling} or {Snivelling}.] [OE. snivelen, snevelen, snuvelen, freg. of sneven. See {Sniff}, and cf. {Snuffle}.] 1. To run at the nose; to make a snuffling noise. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • snivel — The verb has inflected forms snivelled, snivelling in BrE, and in AmE usually sniveled, sniveling …   Modern English usage

  • snivel — ► VERB (snivelled, snivelling; US sniveled, sniveling) 1) cry and sniffle. 2) complain in a whining or tearful way. ► NOUN ▪ a spell of snivelling. DERIVATIVES …   English terms dictionary

  • snivel — [sniv′əl] vi. sniveled or snivelled, sniveling or snivelling [ME snivelen < OE * snyflan < base seen in snofl, mucus, prob. ult. < IE base * sneu , to flow] 1. to have mucus running from the nose 2. to sniff repeatedly, as from a head… …   English World dictionary

  • snivel — [[t]snɪ̱v(ə)l[/t]] snivels, snivelling, snivelled VERB If someone is snivelling, they are crying or sniffing in a way that irritates you. Billy started to snivel. His mother smacked his hand. ...a journalist snivelling with the flu. N COUNT… …   English dictionary

  • snivel — UK [ˈsnɪv(ə)l] / US verb [intransitive] Word forms snivel : present tense I/you/we/they snivel he/she/it snivels present participle snivelling past tense snivelled past participle snivelled showing disapproval to cry or to complain, especially in …   English dictionary

  • snivel — sniveler; esp. Brit., sniveller, n. /sniv euhl/, v., sniveled, sniveling or (esp. Brit.) snivelled, snivelling, n. v.i. 1. to weep or cry with sniffling. 2. to affect a tearful state; whine. 3. to run at the nose; have a runny nose: She sniveled… …   Universalium

  • snivel — verb 1) he slumped in a chair, sniveling Syn: sniffle, snuffle, whimper, whine, weep, cry; informal blubber, boo hoo 2) don t snivel about what you get Syn: complain, mutter, grumble, grouse …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • snivel — I. intransitive verb ( eled or elled; eling or snivelling) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English *snyflan; akin to Dutch snuffelen to snuffle, snuffen to sniff Date: 14th century 1. to run at the nose 2. to snuff mucus up the nose audibly ; …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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