sniff

Meanings

Verb

• To make a short, audible inhalation, through the nose, as when smelling something.
• To say something while sniffing, for example in case of illness or unhappiness, or in contempt.
• To perceive vaguely
• To be dismissive or contemptuous of something.
• To intercept and analyse packets of data being transmitted over a network.
• To inhale drugs in powder form (usually cocaine) through the nose.

Noun

• An instance of sniffing.
• A quantity of something that is inhaled through the nose
• A brief perception, or tiny amount.
• Cocaine.

Origin

• From Middle English sniffen, of imitative origin.