A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1646-1700+
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Snuff, n. Also: snuffe. [17th c. Eng. snuff (1683), Du., Flem. snuf, snuif, appar. abbrev. f. snuiftabak, cf. LG snuvtobac. Cf. Snuff(e v.] Snuff; also, a pinch or inhalation of snuff. Also attrib. with mill, a snuff-box, and napkin. Also comb. as snuf tobaca. 1662 Proceedings of Society of Antiquaries XXII 220.
Go in with me and get an snuff 1662 Proceedings of Society of Antiquaries XXII 221.
Come again Henry and get another snuff for devil an pickle more ye will get of it; … and immediately after he got the said snuff … he was strucken speechless 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 110.
The good sport we have made with Spiny when we presented him the rose filled with snuffe 1671 Kingarth Par. Rec. 70.
[He] declares that he only strugled with Giles Frisel for a snuf of tobacco 1691 Foulis Acc. Bk. 138.
For 4 drap snuff [14 s.] 1696 Foulis Acc. Bk. 191.
For sweet scented snuff, 4 drap [6 s.]attrib. 1646 Edinburgh Testaments LXII 240.
Ane snuff mill estimat to iiij lib. 1687 Bk. Old Edinb. C. XXVII 145.
We shoot for a snuff millne which Mr. Dundas presented 1687 Sc. Ant. VIII 157.
For ane snuff napkin 1 s. a1689 Cleland 12.
Right well mounted of their gear: With durk, and snap work, and snuff-mill 1695 Household Bk. Gr. Baillie 189.
Snuf-napken 1703 Foulis Acc. Bk. 317.
2 silk snuff napkins [£3 6 s.]comb. 1707 Household Bk. Gr. Baillie 73.
Snuf tobaca
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"Snuff n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/snuff>
