waft
To waft is defined as to cause something to move smoothly through air or over water.
(verb)An example of to waft is for the smell of sauce to travel through the house.
The definition of a waft is a gust of wind or a smell carried through the air.
(noun)An example of a waft is the scent of soup carried through the house.
See waft in Webster's New World College Dictionary
transitive verb
- to carry or propel (objects, sounds, odors, etc.) lightly through the air or over water
- to transport as if in this manner
Origin: altered < waff
Obsolete to beckon or signal to, as by a wave of the hand
Origin: back-form. < obs. wafter, convoy < LME waughter < Du wachter, lit., a watcher < wachten, to watch: for IE base see wake
intransitive verb
- to float, as on the wind
- to blow gently: said of breezes
noun
- the act or fact of floating or being carried lightly along
- an odor, sound, etc. carried through the air
- a breath or gust of wind
- a wave, waving, or wafting movement
- Naut., Now Rare a signal flag or pennant, or a signal made by a flag or pennant, usually rolled or furled
See waft in American Heritage Dictionary 4
verb waft·ed, waft·ing, wafts verb, transitive
- To cause to go gently and smoothly through the air or over water.
- To convey or send floating through the air or over water.
- Something, such as an odor, that is carried through the air.
- A light breeze; a rush of air.
- The act of fluttering or waving.
- Nautical A flag used for signaling or indicating wind direction. Also called waif2.
Origin:
Origin: Back-formation from wafter, convoy ship
Origin: , alteration of Middle English waughter
Origin: , from Middle Dutch
Origin: or Middle Low German wachter, a guard
Origin: , from wachten, to guard; see weg- in Indo-European roots
.Related Forms:
- waftˈer noun
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