waft
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
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This entry lacks etymological information. If you are familiar with the origin of this word, please add it to the page as described here. Particularly: “Is the back formation from "wafter" plausible? Oxford ety dict. is the source; some refs point to possible Scandanavian root for word and also for obs. senses of waif” |
- Back-formation from wafter (armed convoy ship), alteration of Middle English waughter, from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German wachter (a guard), from wachten (to guard)
- the current usage derives from the sense 'carried by water'. See waif
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Verb
waft (third-person singular simple present wafts, present participle wafting, simple past and past participle wafted)
- (ergative) to cause to float easily or gently through the air
- A breeze came in through the open window and wafted her sensuous perfume into my eager nostrils.
- 1922, James Joyce, Ulysses Chapter 13
- Through the open window of the church the fragrant incense was wafted and with it the fragrant names of her who was conceived without stain of original sin...
[edit] Translations
to float easily and gently on the air
[edit] Noun
waft (plural wafts)
- A light breeze.
- Something (a scent or odor), such as a perfume, that is carried through the air.
- 1908, Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows
- Meanwhile, the wafts from his old home pleaded, whispered, conjured, and finally claimed him imperiously.
- 2010 September, "The SLM Calendar", St. Louis magazine, ISSN 1090-5723, volume 16, issue 9, page 170:
- Patrol Magazine says of this Oxford, Miss., band: "Guitars are responsible for every noise in Colour Revolt's mix—not a single note of piano, waft of synthesizer, or evidence of electronic tampering are to be found. […] "
- 1908, Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows
- (nautical) A flag, (also called a waif or wheft), used to indicate wind direction or, with a knot tied in the center, as a signal.
