Middle English Dictionary Entry
snorten v.
Entry Info
| Forms | snorten v. |
| Etymology | From fnorten v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. snurten v.
1.
To snore; also, breathe heavily, snort.
Associated quotations
- c1410 Chaucer CT.Rv.(Hrl 7334)A.4163 : This meller haþ so wysly bibbed ale That as an hors he snortith [vrr. fnorteth, snoreth, fnoreth] in his sleep.
- c1440 Chaucer CT.ML.(Eg 2726)B.790 : Snorteth [Heng: He slepeth and he fnorteth in his gyse].
- c1450 Mirk Fest.(Dc 60)53/27 : Snorted [Gough: When he herd speke of hom, anon he wold froton at þe nose and froþe at þe mowth for angur].
- a1500 Discip.Cler.(Wor F.172)51 : And as somoche the more he mygt disceive the thief, he snorted and Rented [L stertere coepit] as he had bigonne to sleepe.