snoot
UK[snuːt]US[snuːt]
n
The nose of an animal, especially a dog or a pig.
n
(Informal, humorous) A person's nose.
n
(Informal, derogatory) A person who shows contempt for those considered to be of a lower social class; a snob.
Etymology
The word 'snoot' is a variant of 'snout', which entered Middle English from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German 'snūte'. These Germanic forms can be traced back to a Proto-Germanic root snūt-, meaning 'snout, nozzle'. This root is likely imitative in origin, echoing the sound of drawing in breath or snuffling through the nose. The modern informal and derogatory sense of 'snoot' as a snobbish person developed in the early 20th century, metaphorically extending the idea of a person looking down their nose at others.
Analysis
The word 'snoot' is a simplex word of Germanic origin. It is a variant of 'snout', with the same core meaning. The '-oot' ending is a phonetic alteration, not a separable morpheme with independent meaning.
Examples
The dog pressed its wet snoot against the window.
He wrinkled his snoot in distaste at the strong smell.
She was dismissed as a pretentious snoot who only cared about fine art and wine.