Sn -Symbol

  1. tin

SN -abbr

  1. seaman

snack ['snak] -n

  1. a light meal : food eaten between regular meals
  2. food suitable for snacking
  3. to eat a snack

snack bar -n

  1. a public eating place where snacks are served usu. at a counter

snaf·fle ['sna-fəl] -n

  1. a simple usu. jointed bit for a bridle

snaffle ['sna-f(ə-)liŋ] -vt

  1. to obtain esp. by devious or irregular means

sna·fu [sna-'fü, 'sna-,fü] -n

  1. a situation marked by errors or confusion : muddle
  2. an error causing such a situation
    • a scheduling snafu

snafu -adj

  1. snarled or stalled in confusion : awry
  2. to bring into a state of confusion

snag ['snag] -n, adj

  1. a tree or branch embedded in a lake or stream bed and constituting a hazard to navigation
  2. a standing dead tree
  3. : a rough sharp or jagged projecting part : protuberance: as
  4. a projecting tooth
  5. a stump of a tooth
  6. one of the secondary branches of an antler
  7. a concealed or unexpected difficulty or obstacle
  8. a jagged tear made by or as if by catching on a snag
  9. an irregularity that suggests the result of tearing
  10. a pulled thread in fabric
    • a snag in her stocking
  11. to catch and usu. damage on or as if on a snag
  12. to halt or impede as if by catching on a snag
  13. to hew, trim, or cut roughly or jaggedly
  14. to clear (as a river) of snags
  15. to catch or obtain usu. by quick action or good fortune

snag·gle·tooth ['sna-gəl-,tüth] -n, adj

  1. an irregular, broken, or projecting tooth

snail ['snāl] -n, adj

  1. a gastropod mollusk esp. when having an external enclosing spiral shell
  2. a slow-moving or sluggish person or thing
  3. to move, act, or go slowly or lazily

snail darter -n

  1. a darter ( Percina tanasi) of the Tennessee River drainage system of eastern Tennessee and northern Georgia

snail fever -n

  1. schistosomiasis

snail mail -n

  1. mail delivered by a postal system
  2. mail

snailpaced ['snāl-'pāst] -adj

  1. moving very slowly

snail's pace -n

  1. an extremely slow pace

snake ['snāk] -n, adj

  1. any of numerous limbless scaled reptiles (suborder Serpentes syn. Ophidia) with a long tapering body and with salivary glands often modified to produce venom which is injected through grooved or tubular fangs
  2. a worthless or treacherous fellow
  3. something (as a plumber's snake) resembling a snake
  4. to wind (as one's way) in the manner of a snake
  5. to move (as logs) by dragging
  6. to crawl, move, or extend silently, secretly, or sinuously

snake·bird ['snāk-,bərd] -n

  1. anhinga

snake·bit [-,bit] -adj

  1. having or experiencing failure or bad luck : unlucky

snake·bite [-,bīt] -n

  1. the bite of a snake and esp. a venomous snake

snake charmer -n

  1. an entertainer who exhibits a professed power to charm or fascinate venomous snakes

snakedance -vi

  1. to engage in a snake dance

snake dance -n

  1. a ceremonial dance in which snakes or their images are handled, invoked, or symbolically imitated by individual sinuous actions
  2. a group progression in a single-file serpentine path (as in celebration of an athletic victory)

snake doctor -n

  1. dragonfly
  2. hellgrammite

snake fence -n

  1. worm fence

snake in the grass

  1. a secretly faithless friend

snake oil -n

  1. any of various substances or mixtures sold (as by a traveling medicine show) as medicine usu. without regard to their medical worth or properties
  2. poppycock, bunkum

snake pit -n

  1. a hospital for mental diseases
  2. a place or state of chaotic disorder and distress

snake·root ['snāk-,rüt, -,ru̇t] -n

  1. any of various plants (as seneca snakeroot and Virginia snakeroot) most of which have roots sometimes believed to cure snakebites
  2. the root of such a plant

snake·skin ['snāk-,skin] -n

  1. leather prepared from the skin of a snake

snake·weed [-,wēd] -n

  1. any of various plants popularly associated with snakes (as in appearance, habitat, or the treatment of snakebite)
  2. any of an American genus ( Gutierrezia) of composite herbs or low shrubs with clustered yellow flower heads

snaky ['snā-kē] -adj, adv

  1. of, formed of, or entwined with snakes
    • the Gorgon with snaky hair -- Joseph Addison
  2. serpentine, snakelike
    • snaky coils
  3. suggestive of a snake
    • the oiliness and snaky insinuation of his demeanor -- Thomas DeQuincy
  4. abounding in snakes

snap ['snap] -vb

  1. to make a sudden closing of the jaws : seize something sharply with the mouth
    • fish snapping at the bait
  2. to grasp at something eagerly : make a pounce or snatch
    • snap at any chance
  3. to utter sharp biting words : bark out irritable or peevish retorts
  4. to break suddenly with a sharp sound
    • the twig snapped
  5. to give way suddenly under strain
  6. to make a sharp or crackling sound
  7. to close or fit in place with an abrupt movement or sharp sound
    • the lock snapped shut
  8. to move briskly or sharply
    • snap s to attention
  9. to undergo a sudden and rapid change (as from one condition to another)
    • snap out of it
    • snapped awake
  10. sparkle, flash
    • eyes snapping with fury
  11. to seize with or as if with a snap of the jaws
  12. to take possession or advantage of suddenly or eagerly usu. used with up
    • shoppers snapping up bargains
  13. to retort to or interrupt curtly and irritably
  14. to utter curtly or abruptly
  15. to break suddenly : break short or in two
  16. to cause to make a snapping sound
    • snap a whip
  17. to put into or remove from a particular position by a sudden movement or with a sharp sound
    • snap the lock shut
  18. to project with a snap
  19. to put (a football) in play with a snap
  20. to take photographically
    • snapping exclusive news pictures -- Current Biog.
  21. to take a snapshot of
  22. an abrupt closing (as of the mouth in biting or of scissors in cutting)
  23. a share of profits or booty
  24. something that brings quick and easy profit or advantage
  25. something that is easy and presents no problems : cinch
  26. a small amount : bit
  27. an act or instance of seizing abruptly : a sudden snatching at something
  28. a quick short movement
    • lithe snap s of its body -- Barbara Taylor
  29. a sudden sharp breaking
  30. a sound made by snapping something
    • shut the book with a snap
  31. a brief sharp and usu. irritable speech or retort
  32. a sudden spell of weather
    • a cold snap
  33. a catch or fastening that closes or locks with a click
    • the snap of a bracelet
  34. a flat brittle cookie
  35. snapshot
  36. the condition of being vigorous in body, mind, or spirit : alertness, energy
  37. a pleasing vigorous quality
  38. the act of a center's putting the football in play from its position on the ground by quickly passing it between his legs to a teammate (as a quarterback) standing behind him
  39. with a snap
  40. done, made, or carried through suddenly or without deliberation
    • a snap judgment
  41. called or taken without prior warning
    • a snap election
  42. fastening with a snap
    • a snap lock
  43. unusually easy or simple
    • a snap course

snap·back ['snap-,bak] -n

  1. a football snap
  2. a sudden rebound or recovery
    • a snapback of prices on the stock exchange

snap back -vi

  1. to make a quick or vigorous recovery

snap bean -n

  1. a bean grown primarily for its long pods that are cooked as a vegetable while young and tender and before the seeds have become enlarged

snapbrim ['snap-,brim] -n

  1. a usu. felt hat with brim turned up in back and down in front and with a dented crown

snap·drag·on ['snap-,dra-gən] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Antirrhinumof the family Scrophulariaceae, the snapdragon family) of herbs having showy bilabiate flowers
  2. a widely cultivated one ( A. majus) of Mediterranean origin having usu. pink, red, yellow, or white flowers

snapon ['snap-,ȯn, -,än] -adj

  1. designed to snap into position and fit tightly
    • snapon cuffs

snap pea -n

  1. a cultivated pea that has edible usu. round pods easily snapped like beans and that is classified with the snow pea as a variety ( Pisum sativum macrocarpon) called also sugar snap pea

snap·per ['sna-pər] -n

  1. : one that snaps: as
  2. something (as a remark) that gives new orientation to a situation or utterance
  3. snapping turtle
  4. click beetle
  5. any of numerous active carnivorous fishes (family Lutjanidae) of warm seas important as food and often as sport fishes
  6. any of several immature fishes (as the young of the bluefish) that resemble a snapper

snap·perback [-,bak] -n

  1. a football center

snapping turtle -n

  1. : either of two large American freshwater turtles (family Chelydridae) with a large head, powerful jaws, a long tail, and a strong musky odor:
  2. one ( Chelydra serpentina) that has the head covered with smooth skin, has large plates in a double row on the underside of the tail, and is distributed from eastern Canada to Central America
  3. alligator snapping turtle

snap·pish ['sna-pish] -adj, adv, n

  1. given to curt irritable speech
  2. arising from annoyance or irascibility
    • a snappish remark
  3. inclined to bite
    • a snappish dog

snap·py ['sna-pē] -adj, adv, n

  1. snappish
  2. quickly made or done
    • a snappy decision
  3. marked by vigor or liveliness
    • snappy dialogue
  4. briskly cold
  5. stylish, smart
    • a snappy dresser

snap roll -n

  1. an airplane maneuver in which a rapid full revolution is completed about the plane's longitudinal axis while an approximately level line of flight is maintained

snap·shoot·er ['snap-,shü-tər] -n

  1. a person who takes snapshots

snap·shot ['snap-,shät] -n

  1. a casual photograph made typically by an amateur with a small handheld camera
  2. an impression or view of something brief or transitory
    • a snapshot of life back then

snare ['sner] -n

  1. a contrivance often consisting of a noose for entangling birds or mammals
  2. trap, gin
  3. something by which one is entangled, involved in difficulties, or impeded
  4. something deceptively attractive
  5. one of the catgut strings or metal spirals of a snare drum
  6. snare drum
  7. a surgical instrument consisting usu. of a wire loop constricted by a mechanism in the handle and used for removing tissue masses (as tonsils)
  8. to capture by or as if by use of a snare
  9. to win or attain by artful or skillful maneuvers
  10. to entangle or hold as if in a snare
    • any object that snared his eye -- Current Biog.

snare drum -n

  1. a small double-headed drum with one or more snares stretched across its lower head

snarf ['snärf] -vt

  1. scoff
    • snarf ed down some pizza

snarky ['snär-kē] -adj, adv

  1. crotchety, snappish
  2. sarcastic, impertinent, or irreverent in tone or manner
    • snarky lyrics

snarl ['snär(-ə)l] -vb, n

  1. to cause to become knotted and intertwined : tangle
  2. to make excessively complicated
  3. to become snarled
  4. a tangle esp. of hairs or thread : knot
  5. a tangled situation
    • traffic snarl s
  6. to growl with a snapping, gnashing, or display of teeth
  7. to give vent to anger in surly language
  8. to utter or express with a snarl or by snarling
  9. a surly angry growl

snatch ['snach] -vb, n

  1. to attempt to seize something suddenly
  2. to take or grasp abruptly or hastily
    • snatch up a pen
    • snatch ed the first opportunity
  3. to seize or take suddenly without permission, ceremony, or right
    • snatch ed a kiss
  4. a brief period
    • caught snatch es of sleep
  5. a brief, fragmentary, or hurried part : bit
    • caught snatch es of the conversation
  6. a snatching at or of something
  7. an act or instance of kidnapping
  8. a lift in weight lifting in which the weight is raised from the floor directly to an overhead position in a single motion
  9. the female pudenda

snatch block -n

  1. a block that can be opened on one side to receive the bight of a rope

snath ['snath, 'sneth] -n

  1. the handle of a scythe

snaz·zy ['sna-zē] -adj

  1. conspicuously or flashily attractive : fancy
    • snazzy clothes
    • a snazzy car

SNCC -abbr

  1. Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee

sneak ['snēk] -vb

  1. to go stealthily or furtively : slink
    • snuck out early
  2. to act in or as if in a furtive manner
  3. to carry the football on a quarterback sneak
  4. to put, bring, or take in a furtive or artful manner
    • sneak a smoke
  5. a person who acts in a stealthy, furtive, or shifty manner
  6. a stealthy or furtive move
  7. an unobserved departure or escape
  8. sneaker usu. used in pl.
  9. quarterback sneak
  10. carried on secretly : clandestine
  11. occurring without warning : surprise
    • a sneak attack

sneak·er ['snē-kər] -n, adj

  1. one that sneaks
  2. a sports shoe with a pliable rubber sole

sneaking -adj, adv

  1. mean, contemptible
  2. characteristic of a sneak : furtive, underhanded
  3. not openly expressed or acknowledged
    • a sneaking respect for culture -- H. A. Burton
  4. that is a persistent conjecture
    • a sneaking suspicion

sneak preview -n

  1. a special advance showing of a motion picture usu. announced but not named

sneak thief -n

  1. a thief who steals whatever is readily available without using violence or forcibly breaking into buildings

sneaky ['snē-kē] -adj, adv, n

  1. marked by stealth, furtiveness, or shiftiness
    • a sneaky trick

sneap ['snēp] -vt

  1. to blast or blight with cold : nip
  2. chide
  3. rebuke, snub

sneck ['snek] -n

  1. latch

sneer ['snir] -vb, n

  1. to smile or laugh with facial contortions that express scorn or contempt
  2. to speak or write in a scornfully jeering manner
  3. to utter with a sneer
  4. the act of sneering
  5. a sneering expression or remark

sneeze ['snēz] -vi, n

  1. to make a sudden violent spasmodic audible expiration of breath through the nose and mouth esp. as a reflex act
  2. an act or instance of sneezing

sneeze·weed ['snēz-,wēd] -n

  1. any of several composite plants
  2. a No. American perennial herb ( Helenium autumnale) with yellow ray flowers and a darker globose disk

sneezy ['snē-zē] -adj

  1. given to or causing sneezing

snell ['snel] -adj

  1. quick, acute
  2. keen, piercing
    • a snell wind smote us -- Scotsman
  3. grievous, severe
  4. a short line (as of gut) by which a fishhook is attached to a longer line

SNF -abbr

  1. skilled nursing facility

snick ['snik] -vb

  1. to cut through
  2. to cut slightly
  3. to perform a light cutting action
  4. a small cut : nick
  5. click
  6. a slight often metallic sound : click

snick·er ['sni-kər] -vi, n, adj

  1. to laugh in a covert or partly suppressed manner : titter

snicker -n

  1. an act or sound of snickering

snick·er·snee ['sni-kə(r)-,snē] -n

  1. a large knife

snide ['snīd] -adj, adv, n

  1. false, counterfeit
  2. practicing deception : dishonest
    • a snide merchant
  3. unworthy of esteem : low
    • a snide trick
  4. slyly disparaging : insinuating
    • snide remarks

sniff ['snif] -vb

  1. to draw air audibly up the nose esp. for smelling
    • sniff ed at the flowers
  2. to show or express disdain or scorn
  3. snoop, nose
    • sniff ed around for clues
  4. to smell or take by inhalation through the nose
  5. to utter contemptuously
  6. to recognize or detect by or as if by smelling
    • sniff out trouble
  7. an act or sound of sniffing
  8. a quantity that is sniffed

sniff·er -n

  1. one that sniffs
  2. one who takes drugs illicitly by sniffing

sniff·ish ['sni-fish] -adj, adv, n

  1. sniffy, supercilious

snif·fle ['sni-fəl] -vi, n

  1. to sniff repeatedly : snuffle
  2. to speak with or as if with sniffling

sniffle -n

  1. a head cold marked by nasal discharge
  2. an act or sound of sniffling

sniffy ['sni-fē] -adj, adv, n

  1. having or expressing a haughty attitude : disdainful, supercilious

snif·ter ['snif-tər] -n

  1. a small drink of distilled liquor
  2. a short-stemmed goblet with a bowl narrowing toward the top

snig·ger ['sni-gər] -vi, n

  1. snicker

snigger -n

  1. snicker

snig·gle ['sni-gəl] -vb

  1. to fish for eels by thrusting a baited hook into their hiding places
  2. to catch (an eel) by sniggling

snip ['snip] -n

  1. a small piece that is snipped off
  2. fragment, bit
  3. a cut or notch made by snipping
  4. an act or sound of snipping
  5. a white or light mark
  6. a white spot between the nostrils of a horse
  7. a presumptuous or impertinent person
  8. an impertinent or saucy girl
  9. bargain, buy
  10. to cut or cut off with or as if with shears or scissors
    • snipped the stray threads
  11. to clip suddenly or by bits
  12. to make a short quick cut with or as if with shears or scissors

snipe ['snīp] -n

  1. any of various usu. slender-billed birds of the sandpiper family
  2. any of several game birds (esp. genus Gallinago) esp. of marshy areas
  3. a contemptible person
  4. to shoot at exposed individuals (as of an enemy's forces) from a usu. concealed point of vantage
  5. to aim a carping or snide attack

snip·er·scope ['snī-pər-,skōp] -n

  1. an optical device for use esp. with a rifle that allows a person to see targets better in the dark

snip·per·snap·per ['sni-pər-,sna-pər] -n

  1. whippersnapper

snip·pet ['sni-pət] -n

  1. a small part, piece, or thing
  2. a brief quotable passage

snip·pety [-pə-tē] -adj

  1. made up of snippets
  2. snippy

snip·py ['sni-pē] -adj, adv

  1. short-tempered, snappish
  2. unduly brief or curt
  3. putting on airs : sniffy

snips ['snips] -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. hand shears used esp. for cutting sheet metal

snit ['snit] -n

  1. a state of agitation
    • in a snit

snitch ['snich] -n

  1. one that snitches : tattletale
  2. inform, tattle
  3. to take by stealth : pilfer

snit·ty ['sni-tē] -adj

  1. disagreeably agitated : ill-tempered

sniv·el ['sni-vəl] -vi, n

  1. to run at the nose
  2. to snuff mucus up the nose audibly : snuffle
  3. to cry or whine with snuffling
  4. to speak or act in a whining, sniffling, tearful, or weakly emotional manner

snivel -n

  1. head cold
  2. an act or instance of sniveling

snob ['snäb] -n

  1. cobbler
  2. one who blatantly imitates, fawningly admires, or vulgarly seeks association with those regarded as social superiors
  3. one who tends to rebuff, avoid, or ignore those regarded as inferior
  4. one who has an offensive air of superiority in matters of knowledge or taste

snob appeal -n

  1. qualities in a product that appeal to the snobbery in a purchaser

snob·bery ['snä-b(ə-)rē] -n

  1. snobbish conduct or character : snobbishness
  2. an instance of snobbery

snob·bish ['snä-bish] -adj, adv, n

  1. being, characteristic of, or befitting a snob
    • a snobbish attitude

snob·bism ['snä-,bi-zəm] -n

  1. snobbery

snob·by ['snä-bē] -adj

  1. characterized by snobbery
    • a snobby brat
    • snobby neighborhoods

snocone ['snō-,kōn] -n

(variant of snow cone)

  1. granular ice molded into a ball and flavored with a syrup

snood ['snüd] -n

  1. a fillet or band for a woman's hair
  2. a net or fabric bag pinned or tied on at the back of a woman's head for holding the hair
  3. snell
  4. to secure with a snood

snook ['snu̇k, 'snük] -n

  1. a large vigorous bony fish ( Centropomus undecimalisof the family Centropomidae) of coastal and brackish waters that is an important food and sport fish
  2. any of various marine fishes of the same family as the snook
  3. a gesture of derision made by thumbing the nose

snook·er ['snu̇-kər, chiefly Brit 'snü-] -n

  1. a variation of pool played with 15 red balls and 6 variously colored balls

snooker -vt

  1. to make a dupe of : hoodwink

snoop ['snüp] -vi, n

  1. to look or pry esp. in a sneaking or meddlesome manner
  2. one that snoops

snoopy ['snü-pē] -adj, adv

  1. given to snooping esp. for personal information about others

snoot ['snüt] -n

  1. snout
  2. nose
  3. a grimace expressive of contempt
  4. a snooty person : snob
  5. to treat with disdain : look down one's nose at

snooty ['snü-tē] -adj, adv, n

  1. looking down the nose : showing disdain
  2. characterized by snobbery
    • a snooty store

snooze ['snüz] -vi

  1. to take a nap : doze
  2. nap
  3. something boring or uninspiring

snooz·er ['snü-zər] -n

  1. one that snoozes
  2. snooze

snoo·zle ['snü-zəl] -vb

  1. nuzzle

snore ['snȯr] -vb, n

  1. to breathe during sleep with a rough hoarse noise due to vibration of the soft palate
  2. to spend (time) in snoring or sleeping
  3. an act of snoring
  4. a noise of or as if of snoring

snor·kel ['snȯr-kəl] -n

  1. a tube housing air intake and exhaust pipes for a submarine's diesel engine that can be extended above the water's surface so that the engines can be operated while the submarine is submerged
  2. any of various devices (as for an underwater swimmer) resembling a snorkel in function

snorkel [-k(ə-)liŋ] -vi, n

  1. to operate or swim submerged using a snorkel

snort ['snȯrt] -vb

  1. to force air violently through the nose with a rough harsh sound
  2. to express scorn, anger, indignation, or surprise by a snort
  3. to emit explosive sounds resembling snorts
  4. to take in a drug by inhalation
  5. to utter with or express by a snort
  6. to expel or emit with or as if with snorts
  7. to inhale (a drug in powdered form) through the nostrils
  8. a drink of usu. straight liquor taken in one draft
  9. an act or sound of snorting

snort·er ['snȯr-tər] -n

  1. one that snorts
  2. something that is extraordinary or prominent : humdinger
  3. snort

snot ['snät] -n

  1. nasal mucus
  2. a snotty person

snot·ty ['snä-tē] -adj, adv, n

  1. soiled with nasal mucus
    • a snotty nose
  2. annoyingly or spitefully unpleasant
  3. snooty

snout ['snau̇t] -n, adj

  1. a long projecting nose (as of a swine)
  2. an anterior prolongation of the head of various animals (as a weevil) : rostrum
  3. the human nose esp. when large or grotesque
  4. : something resembling an animal's snout in position, function, or shape: as
  5. prow
  6. nozzle
  7. the terminal face of a glacier

snout beetle -n

  1. weevil

snow ['snō] -n, adj

  1. precipitation in the form of small white ice crystals formed directly from the water vapor of the air at a temperature of less than 32F (0C)
  2. a descent or shower of snow crystals
  3. a mass of fallen snow crystals
  4. : something resembling snow: as
  5. a dessert made of stiffly beaten whites of eggs, sugar, and fruit pulp
    • apple snow
  6. a usu. white crystalline substance that condenses from a fluid phase as snow does
    • ammonia snow
  7. cocaine
  8. heroin
  9. small transient light or dark spots on a television screen
  10. to fall in or as snow
  11. to cause to fall like or as snow
  12. to cover, shut in, or imprison with or as if with snow
  13. to deceive, persuade, or charm glibly
  14. to whiten like snow

snow·ball ['snō-,bȯl] -n

  1. a round mass of snow pressed or rolled together
  2. snow cone
  3. any of several cultivated shrubby viburnums (genus Viburnum) with clusters of white sterile flowers called also snowball bush

snowball -vi

  1. to engage in throwing snowballs
  2. to increase, accumulate, expand, or multiply at a rapidly accelerating rate
  3. to throw snowballs at
  4. to cause to increase or multiply at a rapidly accelerating rate

snow·bank ['snō-,baŋk] -n

  1. a mound or slope of snow

snow·belt [-,belt] -n

  1. a region that receives an appreciable amount of annual snowfall

snow·ber·ry [-,ber-ē] -n

  1. any of several white-berried shrubs (esp. genus Symphoricarposof the honeysuckle family)
  2. a low-growing No. American shrub ( S. albus) with pinkish-white flowers in small axillary clusters

snow·bird [-,bərd] -n

  1. any of several birds (as a junco or fieldfare) seen chiefly in winter
  2. one who travels to warm climes for the winter

snow blindness ['snō-,blīnd] -n, adj

  1. inflammation and photophobia caused by exposure of the eyes to ultraviolet rays reflected from snow or ice

snow·blow·er ['snō-,blō-ər] -n

  1. a machine for removing snow (as from a driveway or sidewalk) in which a rotating spiral blade picks up and propels the snow aside

snow·board [-,bȯrd] -n, vi

  1. a board like a wide ski ridden in a surfing position downhill over snow

snow·board·cross ['snō-,bȯrd-,krȯs] -n

  1. a snowboard race that includes jumps and turns

snow·bound [-'bau̇nd] -adj

  1. shut in or blockaded by snow

snow·brush [-,brəsh] -n

  1. a spreading white-flowered western No. American shrub ( Ceanothus velutinus) of the buckthorn family

snow bunting -n

  1. a white bunting ( Plectrophenax nivalis) with black or brown markings on the upperparts that breeds in arctic regions and winters in northern parts of No. America and Eurasia

snow·cap [-,kap] -n, adj

  1. a covering cap of snow (as on a mountain peak)

snow·cat ['snō-,kat] -n

  1. a tracklaying vehicle for travel on snow

snow cone ['snō-,kōn] -n

  1. granular ice molded into a ball and flavored with a syrup

snow crab -n

  1. any of several long-legged crabs (genus Chionoecetes,esp. C. opilioand C. bairdi) of the eastern north Pacific Ocean and esp. Alaska and the western north Atlantic Ocean that are used for food

snow·drift ['snō-,drift] -n

  1. a bank of drifted snow

snow·drop [-,dräp] -n

  1. a bulbous European herb ( Galanthus nivalis) of the amaryllis family bearing nodding white flowers that often appear while the snow is on the ground

snow·fall [-,fȯl] -n

  1. a fall of snow
  2. the amount of snow that falls in a single storm or in a given period

snow fence -n

  1. a usu. slatted fence placed across the path of prevailing winds to protect (as a building, road, or railroad track) from drifting snow by disrupting the flow of wind and causing the snow to be deposited on the lee side of the fence

snow·field ['snō-,fēld] -n

  1. a broad level expanse of snow
  2. a mass of perennial snow at the head of a glacier

snow·flake [-,flāk] -n

  1. a flake or crystal of snow
  2. any of a genus ( Leucojum) of Old World bulbous plants of the amaryllis family
  3. one ( L. vernum) resembling the snowdrop

snow goose -n

  1. a No. American goose ( Chen caerulescenssyn. Anser caerulescens) that has a pinkish bill and exists either as a white form with black primaries or as a grayish-black form with a white head

snowinsummer -n

  1. a European creeping perennial herb ( Cerastium tomentosum) of the pink family with hairy grayish foliage and white flowers that is often used as a ground cover

snow job -n

  1. an intensive effort at persuasion or deception

snow leopard -n

  1. a large cat ( Panthera unciasyn. Uncia uncia) of upland central Asia with long heavy grayish-white fur irregularly marked with brownish-black spots, rosettes, and rings

snow line -n

  1. the lower margin of a perennial snowfield

snow·mak·er ['snō-,mā-kər] -n

  1. a device for making snow

snow·mak·ing [-,mā-kiŋ] -n

  1. the production of snow usu. for ski slopes

snow·man [-,man] -n

  1. snow shaped to resemble a human figure

snow·melt [-,melt] -n

  1. runoff produced by melting snow

snow·mo·bile ['snō-mō-,bēl] -n

  1. any of various automotive vehicles for travel on snow
  2. an open vehicle for usu. one or two persons with steerable skis on the front and an endless belt at the rear

snow·mo·bil·ing [-,bē-liŋ] -n

  1. the sport of driving a snowmobile

snowonthemountain -n

  1. a spurge ( Euphorbia marginata) of the central and western U.S. that has showy white-bracted flower clusters and is grown as an ornamental

snow·pack ['snō-,pak] -n

  1. a seasonal accumulation of slow-melting packed snow

snow pea -n

  1. a cultivated pea with flat edible pods that is classified with the snap pea as a variety ( Pisum sativum macrocarpon)

snow plant -n

  1. a fleshy bright-red saprophytic herb ( Sarcodes sanguinea) of the Indian-pipe family that grows in high-altitude coniferous woods of the western U.S. and often appears before the snow melts

snow·plow ['snō-,plau̇] -n

  1. any of various devices used for clearing away snow
  2. a stemming with both skis used for coming to a stop, slowing down, or descending slowly

snowplow -vi

  1. to execute a snowplow
    • snowplow ed to a stop

snow pudding -n

  1. a pudding made very fluffy and light by the addition of whipped egg whites and gelatin

snow·scape ['snō-,skāp] -n

  1. a landscape covered with snow

snow·shed [-,shed] -n

  1. a shelter against snowslides

snow·shoe [-,shü] -n

  1. a usu. lightweight platform for the foot that is designed to enable a person to walk on soft snow without sinking and that typically consists of an oblong frame crossed with leather thongs or synthetic material

snowshoe [-,shü-ər] -vi, n

  1. to travel on snowshoes

snowshoe hare -n

  1. a hare ( Lepus americanus) of northern No. America with heavy fur on the hind feet and a coat that in most populations is brown in the summer but usu. white in the winter called also snowshoe rabbit varying hare

snow·slide ['snō-,slīd] -n

  1. an avalanche of snow

snow·storm [-,stȯrm] -n

  1. a storm of or with snow

snow·suit [-,süt] -n

  1. a one-piece or two-piece lined garment for winter wear by children

snow thrower -n

  1. snowblower

snow tire -n

  1. an automotive tire with a tread designed to give added traction on snow

snow under -vt

  1. to overwhelm esp. in excess of capacity to absorb or deal with something
  2. to defeat by a large margin

snowwhite ['snō-'hwīt, -'wīt] -adj

  1. white as snow

snowy ['snō-ē] -adj, adv, n

  1. composed of snow or melted snow
  2. marked by or covered with snow
  3. whitened by snow
  4. snow-white

snowy egret -n

  1. a white American egret ( Egretta thula) having a slender black bill, black legs, and yellow feet

snowy owl -n

  1. a large ground-nesting diurnal arctic owl ( Nyctea scandiaca) that enters the chiefly northern parts of the U.S. in winter and has plumage that is sometimes nearly pure white but usu. with brownish spots or bars

snowy plover -n

  1. a small plover ( Charadrius alexandrinus) of the Gulf coast and the eastern U.S. and Mexico that is light gray above with a black bill, black patches on the head and sides of the neck, and white underparts

SNP ['snip] -n

  1. a variant DNA sequence in which the purine or pyrimidine base (as cytosine) of a single nucleotide has been replaced by another such base (as thymine)

Snr -abbr

  1. senior

snub ['snəb] -vt

  1. to check or stop with a cutting retort : rebuke
  2. to check (as a line) suddenly while running out esp. by turning around a fixed object (as a post or a cleat)
  3. to check the motion of by snubbing a line
    • snub the anchor
  4. to restrain the action of : suppress
    • snub a vibration
  5. to treat with contempt or neglect
    • snub an old acquaintance
  6. to extinguish by stubbing
    • snub out a cigarette
  7. an act or an instance of snubbing
  8. slight
  9. blunt, stubby
    • a snub nose
  10. used in snubbing
    • snub line

snub·ber ['snə-bər] -n

  1. one that snubs
  2. shock absorber

snub·by ['snə-bē] -adj, n

  1. snub-nosed
  2. snub

snubnosed ['snəb-,nōzd] -adj

  1. having a stubby and usu. slightly turned-up nose
  2. having a very short barrel
    • a snubnosed revolver

snuck ['snēk] -vb

(variant of sneak)

  1. to go stealthily or furtively : slink
    • snuck out early
  2. to act in or as if in a furtive manner
  3. to carry the football on a quarterback sneak
  4. to put, bring, or take in a furtive or artful manner
    • sneak a smoke
  5. a person who acts in a stealthy, furtive, or shifty manner
  6. a stealthy or furtive move
  7. an unobserved departure or escape
  8. sneaker usu. used in pl.
  9. quarterback sneak
  10. carried on secretly : clandestine
  11. occurring without warning : surprise
    • a sneak attack

snuff ['snəf] -n

  1. the charred part of a candlewick
  2. umbrage, offense
  3. huff
  4. to crop the snuff of (a candle) by pinching or by the use of snuffers so as to brighten the light
  5. to extinguish by or as if by the use of a candlesnuffer often used with out
  6. to make extinct : put an end to usu. used with out
    • snuff ed out their hopes
  7. kill, execute
    • snuff ed the bad guys
  8. characterized by the sensationalistic depiction of violence
  9. featuring a real rather than a staged murder
    • snuff movies
  10. to draw forcibly through or into the nostrils
  11. scent, smell
  12. to sniff at in order to examine used of an animal
  13. to inhale through the nose noisily and forcibly
  14. to sniff or smell inquiringly
  15. to sniff loudly in or as if in disgust
  16. to take snuff
  17. the act of snuffing : sniff
  18. a preparation of pulverized tobacco to be inhaled through the nostrils, chewed, or placed against the gums
  19. the amount of snuff taken at one time

snuff·box ['snəf-,bäks] -n

  1. a small box for holding snuff usu. carried about the person

snuff·er ['snə-fər] -n

  1. a device similar to a pair of scissors for cropping and holding the snuff of a candle usu. used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr.
  2. candlesnuffer

snuffer -n

  1. one that snuffs or sniffs

snuf·fle ['snə-fəl] -vb, n

  1. to snuff or sniff usu. audibly and repeatedly
  2. to breathe through an obstructed nose with a sniffing sound
  3. to speak through or as if through the nose : whine
  4. to seek or test by or as if by repeated sniffs

snuffle -n

  1. sniffles
  2. the act or sound of snuffling
  3. a nasal twang

snuffy ['snə-fē] -adj

  1. quick to become annoyed or take offense
  2. marked by snobbery
  3. soiled with snuff
  4. resembling snuff
  5. addicted to the use of snuff
  6. having unpleasant habits

snug ['snəg] -vb

  1. snuggle, nestle
    • snug down for bed
  2. to cause to fit closely
  3. to make snug
  4. hide
  5. to secure by fastening or lashing down
  6. manifesting seaworthiness : taut
  7. trim, neat
  8. fitting closely and comfortably
    • a snug coat
  9. enjoying or affording warm secure shelter or cover and opportunity for ease and contentment
    • a snug cottage
  10. marked by cordiality and secure privacy
  11. affording a degree of comfort and ease
    • a snug income
  12. offering safe concealment
    • a snug hideout
  13. a small private room or compartment in a pub

snug·gery ['snə-g(ə-)rē] -n

  1. a snug cozy place
  2. a small room

snug·gle ['snə-gəl] -vb, n

  1. to curl up comfortably or cozily
  2. to draw close esp. for comfort or in affection
  3. to make snug