Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Waft?

\Waft\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wafted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Wafting}.] [Prob. originally imp. & p. p. of wave, v. t. See {Wave} to waver.] 1. To give notice to by waving something; to wave the hand to; to beckon. [Obs.] But soft: who wafts us yonder? --Shak. 2. To cause to move or go in a wavy manner, or by the impulse of waves, as of water or air; to bear along on a buoyant medium; as, a balloon was wafted over the channel. A gentle wafting to immortal life. --Milton. Speed the soft intercourse from soul to soul, And waft a sigh from Indus to the pole. --Pope. 3. To cause to float; to keep from sinking; to buoy. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne. Note: This verb is regular; but waft was formerly som?times used, as by Shakespeare, instead of wafted.
\Waft\, v. i. To be moved, or to pass, on a buoyant medium; to float. And now the shouts waft near the citadel. --Dryden.
\Waft\, n. 1. A wave or current of wind. ``Everywaft of the air.'' --Longfellow. In this dire season, oft the whirlwind's wing Sweeps up the burden of whole wintry plains In one wide waft. --Thomson. 2. A signal made by waving something, as a flag, in the air. 3. An unpleasant flavor. [Obs.] 4. (Naut.) A knot, or stop, in the middle of a flag. [Written also {wheft}.] Note: A flag with a waft in it, when hoisted at the staff, or half way to the gaff, means, a man overboard; at the peak, a desire to communicate; at the masthead, ``Recall boats.''