puff

puff [puf]

n.

[ME puf < OE pyff < the v.]

1.

a) a short, sudden burst or gust, as of wind, or an expulsion, as of breath

b) the sound of this

c) a small quantity of vapor, smoke, etc. expelled at one time

2. a draw at a cigarette, pipe, etc.

3. a swelling, or a protuberance caused by swelling

4. a shell of soft, light pastry filled with whipped cream, custard, etc.

5. a soft, bulging mass of material, full in the middle and gathered in at the edges

6. a soft roll of hair on the head

7. a soft pad for dabbing powder on the skin or hair

8. a quilted bed covering with cotton, wool, or down filling

9.

a) Archaic vain show; bluff

b) an advertisement, review, etc., as of a book, containing undue or exaggerated praise

vi.

[ME puffen < OE pyffan, of echoic orig.]

1. to blow in puffs, as the wind

2.

a) to give forth puffs of smoke, steam, etc.

b) to breathe rapidly and hard, as from running

3. to move, giving forth puffs: with away, out, in, etc.

4. to come in puffs, as smoke

5.

a) to fill (out or up), as with air

b) to become inflated, as with pride: with out or up

c) to swell (out or up), as skin tissue

6. to take a puff or puffs at a cigarette, pipe, etc.

vt.

1. to blow, drive, give forth, etc. in or with a puff or puffs

2. to swell; distend; inflate

3. to praise unduly

4. to write or print a puff of [to puff a novel]

5. to smoke (a cigarette, pipe, etc.)

6. to set (the hair) in soft, round masses or rolls