from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Puff \Puff\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Puffed} (p[u^]ft); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Puffing}.] [Akin to G. puffen to pop, buffet, puff,
D. poffen to pop, puffen to blow, Sw. puffa to push, to cuff,
Dan. puffe to pop, thump. See {Puff}, n.]
1. To blow in puffs, or with short and sudden whiffs.
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2. To blow, as an expression of scorn; -- with at.
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It is really to defy Heaven to puff at damnation.
--South.
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3. To breathe quick and hard, or with puffs, as after violent
exertion.
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The ass comes back again, puffing and blowing, from
the chase. --L' Estrange.
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4. To swell with air; to be dilated or inflated. --Boyle.
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5. To breathe in a swelling, inflated, or pompous manner;
hence, to assume importance.
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Then came brave Glory puffing by. --Herbert.
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