Sniffing

sniff  (snf)

v. sniffed, sniff·ing, sniffs

v.intr.

1.

a. To inhale a short, audible breath through the nose, as in smelling something.

b. To sniffle.

2. To use the sense of smell, as in savoring or investigating: sniffed at the jar to see what it held.

3. To regard something in a contemptuous or dismissive manner: The critics sniffed at the adaptation of the novel to film.

4. Informal To pry; snoop: The reporters came sniffing around for more details.

v.tr.

1. To inhale forcibly through the nose: sniffed the cool morning air.

2. To smell, as in savoring or investigating: sniffed the lilacs; sniffed the breeze for traces of smoke.

3. To perceive or detect by or as if by sniffing: dogs that sniffed out the trail through the snow; sniffed trouble ahead.

4. To utter in a contemptuous or haughty manner: The countess sniffed her disapproval.

n.

1. An instance or the sound of sniffing.

2. Something sniffed or perceived by or as if by sniffing; a whiff: a sniff of perfume; a sniff of scandal.

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[Middle English sniffen, probably of Scandinavian origin.]

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sniffa·ble adj.

sniffer n.