Chiefly north. dial. and Sc. Also 8–9 snert. [f. next.] A suppressed laugh; a snicker.
1781. J. Hutton, Tour to Caves (ed. 2), Gloss. 96. Snert, an ineffectual effort to stifle a laugh.
1825. in Jamieson, Suppl.
1828–. in north. dial. glossaries, etc. (see also Eng. Dial. Dict.).
1899. Hall Caine, Shadow of Crime, xxiv. ‘Saucer een,’ said Mrs. Garth with a snirt.
