The book series "The Wheel of Time" frequently talks about characters "sniffing" at someone.
Here are a few examples:
“ ‘Poke the meekest dog too often,’ “ Elayne quoted, “ ‘and he will bite.’ Not that Lan is very meek.” She got a sharp look and a sniff from Nynaeve.
Or this one:
Her smile became a grin that made Elayne sniff disapprovingly
It doesn't seem natural to think of someone inhaling air through their nose in these situations… So what does it really mean?
Best Answer
A sniff (drawing air through the nose in a short, audible inhalation) is sometimes used as a sign of contempt. See Dictionary.com:
Nynaeve is disparaging Elayne's comment by the sniff. Note that a sniff can be a haughty way to express disdain, as if words would be too much to waste.