waft

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Verb 1.3.1 Translations 1.4 Noun

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

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

• enPR: wŏft, IPA: /wɒft/, SAMPA: /wQft/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

  Rhymes: -ɒft

[edit] Verb

to waft (third-person singular simple present wafts, present participle wafting, simple past and past participle wafted)

1. 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.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Noun

waft (plural wafts)

1. a light breeze
2. 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.

3. (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