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puff

1. To blow in puffs, or with short and sudden whiffs.

2. To blow, as an expression of scorn; with at. It is really to defy heaven to puff at damnation. (south)

3. To breathe quick and hard, or with puffs, as after violent exertion. The ass comes back again, puffing and blowing, from the chase. (L' Estrange)

4. To swell with air; to be dilated or inflated.

5. To breathe in a swelling, inflated, or pompous manner; hence, to assume importance. Then came brave glory puffing by. (herbert)

Origin: Akin to G. Puffen to pop, buffet, puff, D. Poffen to pop, puffen to blow, Sw. Puffa to push, to cuff, Dan. Puffe to pop, thump.

See: Puff.

1. A sudden and single emission of breath from the mouth; hence, any sudden or short blast of wind; a slight gust; a whiff. To every puff of wind a slave.

2. Anything light and filled with air. Specifically: A puffball. Kind of light pastry. A utensil of the toilet for dusting the skin or hair with powder.

3. An exaggerated or empty expression of praise, especially one in a public journal. Puff adder.

(Science: medicine) Any bird of the genus Bucco, or family Bucconidae. They are small birds, usually with dull-coloured and loose plumage, and have twelve tail 4c3

feathers.

See: barbet .

Origin: Akin to G. & Sw. Puff a blow, Dan. Puf, D. Pof; of imitative origin. Cf. Buffet.