snirt

Definition

To give a suppressed laugh or sharp intake of breath.

Etymology

Origin uncertain. Either from Middle English snurten (“to sneer; snort, snore”), a variation of snorten (“to snort”); or from Middle English *snyrten, an alteration of fnyrten, fnerten, from Old English fnǣrettan. Compare also Norwegian snurt (“vexed, peevish”), Middle English snirt (“stern, gloomy”).

Example Sentences

• ""He grins, and snirts, and thraws ye ken —"
• ""But ye see there was a great deal of blushing and snirting, and bits of made coughs, as if to keep down a thorough guffau.""
• "The Whaup grew very red in the face, and ‘snirted’ with laughter.""