snuffles
snuffles Lexical Profile
snuffles Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A mild respiratory ailment, such as a head cold or nasal congestion, characterized by a blocked or runny nose and noisy breathing (usually preceded by "the").
"Half the children in the classroom stayed home with the snuffles after the sudden drop in temperature."
Plural form of snuffle: audible acts or sounds of inhaling noisily through a partially obstructed or weeping nose.
"Quiet snuffles could be heard throughout the theater during the tragic final scene of the film."
A contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract in domestic rabbits and other small mammals, typically caused by Pasteurella multocida and marked by sneezing and nasal discharge.
"The veterinarian isolated the newly rescued rabbit to ensure it did not spread snuffles to the rest of the shelter."
• verb
To breathe or inhale noisily through a partially blocked or runny nose, especially when crying or suffering from a cold (third-person singular simple present of snuffle).
"The little boy snuffles into his sleeve whenever he comes inside from the freezing wind."
To sniff or root around audibly while investigating a scent or foraging for food (used especially of animals).
"The hedgehog snuffles through the fallen autumn leaves in search of beetles and earthworms."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a noun denoting a mild cold or veterinary respiratory condition, "snuffles" is usually preceded by "the" and frequently takes a singular verb when referring to a specific veterinary disease.
Word Origin & Etymology
Recorded from the late 16th century as a frequentative formation of "snuff" (to draw air up the nose), likely influenced by Low German or Dutch cognates such as "snuffelen" (to sniff about).