from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Puff \Puff\, 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.
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2. Anything light and filled with air. Specifically:
(a) A puffball.
(b) kind of light pastry.
(c) A utensil of the toilet for dusting the skin or hair
with powder.
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3. An exaggerated or empty expression of praise, especially
one in a public journal.
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{Puff adder}. (Zool.)
(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 arietans},
or {Clotho arietans}) is the largest species, becoming
over four feet long. The plumed puff adder ({Clotho
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} (Zool.), 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) .
[1913 Webster]