Middle English Dictionary Entry
snof(fe n.
Entry Info
| Forms | snof(fe n. Also snofe, snuffe. |
| Etymology | Cp. MDu. snuf, snof, MLG snūve head cold & MLG snūveschere candle-snuffer; for sense connection cp. also ME snit(te n. & snīten v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The burnt end of a candlewick; candel ~; (b) ?a candle snuffer; (c) glossing L muco.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Ex.25.38 : Candell qwenchers..& where þe snoffis [vr. snoffes] ben qwenchid ben..made of most puyre gold.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)132a/b : It is seyde þat smoke of þe snoffe of a candel [L candele extincte] greueþ females þat gone wiþ broode in so moche þat ȝif a mere in trauayle of folynge smelliþ suche a smoke, sche schal fole a deed colte.
- a1450 WBible(2) (Corp-C 147)Ex.25.38 : Candil snuffis [Roy: tongis to do out the snottis..be maad of clenneste gold].
- a1475 Bk.Courtesy (Sln 1986)829 : Þo chandeler..Of wax þese candels alle..Þo snof of hom dose a-way With close sesours.
- a1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)2020 : For quenching of som snofe a mare wil cast her vole.
b
- -?-(1459) Will in Som.RS 16188 : [Three silver candlesticks with] snoffes.
c
- ?a1475 PParv.(Win)419 : Snuffe, of a candel: Muco, -nis.
2.
?A head cold, the sniffles; ?nasal polyps.
Associated quotations
- c1400 Daniel *Herbal (Arun 42)f.43v : Dragaunce .., [the herb] Basilisca .. Tak wolle & wassh it clene & dip it wel in ious of his sed & put in þe nostrellys & it stanchith & fordoþ þat desese in þe hed þat is called 'þe snof,' 'þe snot' [Macer (Choulant 1739): morbum qui polypus est vocitatus; ME Macer 25b/18: þe siknesse þat is clepid polipus].