Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SNEER, v., n. Also snere, snear, snire. [′sniər]
I. v. 1. To snort, to twitch the nose, to snuffle, to inhale or exhale heavily and noisily (Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis; Fif., Ayr. 1825 Jam.; Ork. 1929 Marw., Ork. 1971); to blow the nose (Ork. 1971). Now only dial. in Eng. Deriv. sneerag, a child's toy, made from the larger bone of a pig's foot, or from a disc of cardboard and two strings which are twisted, and then tightened and slackened in rapid succession, so that the disc revolves, making a loud whirring or snoring sound (Cai. 1904 E.D.D., Cai. 1971). Cf. snorick s.v. Snore.Sc. 1776 D. Herd Sc. Songs II. 170:
Wi' sniring behind and before him, For sic is the metal of brutes.Sc. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm II. 447:
It [new-born calf] opens its eyes, and tries to shake its head, and sneer with its nose.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin vi.:
The simultaneous up-sneerin' o' snuff.
2. To hiss, of a snake (Cld. 1825 Jam.).
II. n. 1. A snort, a noisy inhalation or exhalation through the nose (Sc. 1825 Jam.), esp. of a horse.Sc. 1791 Lochmaben Harper in Child Ballads No. 192 A. xv.:
There she gave mony a nicher and sneer.
2. The hiss of a snake (Cld. 1825 Jam.).
[O.Sc. sneir, a snort, c.1460, to snort, 1553.]
