snub-nosed
Meaning
having a short, flat nose that turns up slightly at the end.
Structure
Usage
the breed is characterized by its compact body and snub-nosed face.
he was a cheerful, snub-nosed boy who was always getting into mischief.
many brachycephalic, or snub-nosed, dog breeds can have breathing difficulties.
Etymology
the compound 'snub-nosed' originates from the late 16th century. the key component, 'snub,' derives from a scandinavian root meaning to check or rebuke, which evolved in english to describe something short and blunt, as if it had been cut off or stopped short. this sense was applied to describe a nose that is short, broad, and turned up at the tip, giving the appearance of being flattened. the addition of 'nosed' creates a clear descriptive adjective, directly linking the characteristic shape of the nose to the concept of blunt shortness inherent in 'snub.'
Analysis
snub (from middle english snubben, meaning to rebuke or check, of scandinavian origin; related to old norse snubba, to scold. here it conveys the sense of being blunt or short, as if cut off). nosed (from old english nosu; the suffix -ed forms an adjective meaning 'having').