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) .
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
|