waft
waft definition
waft (wäft, waft)
transitive verb
- to carry or propel (objects, sounds, odors, etc.) lightly through the air or over water
- to transport as if in this manner
Etymology: altered < waff
Obsolete to beckon or signal to, as by a wave of the hand
Etymology: 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
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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