A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Snevilland,) Sneivilling, Snifland, Snafling, Sniffling, ppl. adj. [ME and e.m.E. snvuelinde (c1290), sneuelyng (1447), snyvelande (1483), sniveling (1608), snaffling (1620).] a. Of the nose: Full of, discharging, mucus. b. Weak-spirited, craven, not proud, sycophantic. (1) Of persons. (2) Of writings. —a. a1585 Polwart Flyt. 589 (T).
Contageous cankers clairis his sneivilling [Hart, 1629 (Cranstoun edn.) snafling] snowt —b. (1) 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6380.
As to this king that … was sa frayit for pacok taillis … Without mair skaith his armie skaillis, … I think thay war bot snifland snaillis —(2) 1661 Red Bk. Grandtully II 164.
Iff I knew the names of thes quho ar to try the business I wold … mak some sniffling adresse that itt might not be said I had neglected the ordinarie meanes
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"Snevilland ppl. adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 4 May 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/snevilland>
