Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Puff?

\Puff\ (p[u^]f), n. [Akin to G. & Sw. puff a blow, Dan. puf, D. pof; of imitative origin. Cf. {Buffet}.] 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.'' --Flatman. 2. Anything light and filled with air. Specifically: (a) A puffball. (b) a kind of light pastry. (c) 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}. (Zo["o]l.) (a) Any South African viper belonging to {Clotho} and allied genera. They are exceedingly venomous, and have the power of greatly distending their bodies when irritated. The common puff adder ({Vipera, or Clotho arietans}) is the largest species, becoming over four feet long. The plumed puff adder ({C. cornuta}) has a plumelike appendage over each eye. (b) A North American harmless snake ({Heterodon platyrrhinos}) which has the power of puffing up its body. Called also {hog-nose snake}, {flathead}, {spreading adder}, and {blowing adder}. {Puff bird} (Zo["o]l.), any bird of the genus {Bucco}, or family {Bucconid[ae]}. They are small birds, usually with dull-colored and loose plumage, and have twelve tail feathers. See {Barbet} (b) .
\Puff\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Puffed} (p[u^]ft); p. pr. & vb. n. {Puffing}.] [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}, n.] 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. --Boyle. 5. To breathe in a swelling, inflated, or pompous manner; hence, to assume importance. Then came brave Glory puffing by. --Herbert.
\Puff\, v. t. 1. To drive with a puff, or with puffs. The clearing north will puff the clouds away. --Dryden. 2. To repel with words; to blow at contemptuously. I puff the prostitute away. --Dryden. 3. To cause to swell or dilate; to inflate; to ruffle with puffs; -- often with up; as, a bladder puffed with air. The sea puffed up with winds. --Shak. 4. To inflate with pride, flattery, self-esteem, or the like; -- often with up. Puffed up with military success. --Jowett (Thucyd. ) 5. To praise with exaggeration; to flatter; to call public attention to by praises; to praise unduly. `` Puffed with wonderful skill.'' --Macaulay.
\Puff\, a. Puffed up; vain. [R.] --Fanshawe.