wisp

The definition of a wisp is a thin piece or strand of something, or a small bundle.

(noun)

An example of a wisp is a strand of hair.

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See wisp in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. a small bundle or bunch, as of straw
  2. a thin, slight, or filmy piece, strand, etc.: a wisp of smoke
  3. something delicate, frail, etc.: a wisp of a girl
  4. will-o'-the-wisp

Origin: ME, prob. < Scand, as in Swed visp, a bundle of rushes or twigs, akin to ON visk: see whisk

transitive verb

to roll into a wisp

Related Forms:

See wisp in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A small bunch or bundle, as of straw, hair, or grass.
  2. a. One that is thin, frail, or slight.
    b. A thin or faint streak or fragment, as of smoke or clouds.
  3. A fleeting trace or indication; a hint: a wisp of a smile.
  4. A flock of birds, especially snipe. See Synonyms at flock1.
  5. See ignis fatuus.
verb wisped, wisp·ing, wisps
verb, transitive
To twist into wisps or a wisp.
verb, intransitive
To drift in wisps: smoke wisping from chimneys.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

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Related Forms:

  • wispˈi·ly adverb
  • wispˈi·ness (wĭsˈpē-nĭs) noun
  • wispˈy adjective

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