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View synonyms for snivel

snivel

[ sniv-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, sniv·eled, sniv·el·ing or (especially British) sniv·elled, sniv·el·ling.
  1. to weep or cry with sniffling.
  2. to affect a tearful state; whine.
  3. to run at the nose; have a runny nose:

    She sniveled from the cold.

  4. to draw up mucus audibly through the nose:

    Stop sniveling and use your handkerchief.



verb (used with object)

, sniv·eled, sniv·el·ing or (especially British) sniv·elled, sniv·el·ling.
  1. to utter with sniveling or sniffling.

noun

  1. weak, whining, or pretended weeping.
  2. a light sniffle, as in weeping.
  3. a hypocritical show of feeling:

    a sentimental snivel.

  4. mucus running from the nose.
  5. (the) snivels, a sniveling condition; a slight cold; the sniffles.

snivel

/ ˈsnɪvəl /

verb

  1. intr to sniffle as a sign of distress, esp contemptibly
  2. to utter (something) tearfully; whine
  3. intr to have a runny nose
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


noun

  1. an instance of snivelling
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈsnivelly, adjective
  • ˈsnivelling, adjectivenoun
  • ˈsniveller, noun
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Other Words From

  • snivel·er especially British, snivel·ler noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of snivel1

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English snyvele; compare Old English snyflung “sniveling,” derivative of snofl “mucus”; cognate with Low German snüfeln
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Word History and Origins

Origin of snivel1

C14 snivelen; related to Old English snyflung mucus, Dutch snuffelen to smell out, Old Norse snoppa snout
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Example Sentences

I, the Socman, am shorn of my lands that you may snivel Latin and eat bread for which you never did hand's turn.

There was a snivel of delight on the face of the rascal who had formerly spoken, and who now responded to his chief's invitation.

I dont snivel about what you call moral obligations; I only recognize money obligations.

The boy was sniveling too, but I took notice it wasn't a scared snivel—it was a mad snivel, if you all know what I mean.

Whatever you do (and I address myself in particular to you in the furthest), never snivel.

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