waft

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Contents

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

EB1911A-pict1.png 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

Infinitive
to waft

Third person singular
wafts

Simple past
wafted

Past participle
wafted

Present participle
wafting

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

Singular
waft

Plural
wafts

waft (plural wafts)

  1. a light breeze
  2. something (a scent or odor), such as a perfume, that is carried through the air
  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