puff
1. puff \'p*f\ vb [ME puffen, fr. OE pyffan, of imit. origin] 1a1: to blow
in short gusts 1a2: to exhale forcibly 1b: to breathe hard : PANT 1c: to
emit small whiffs or clouds (as of smoke) 2: to speak or act in a
scornful, conceited, or exaggerated manner 3a: to become distended : SWELL
- usu. used with up 3b: to open or appear in or as if in a puff 1: to
emit, propel, blow, or expel by or as if by puffs : WAFT 2a: to distend
with or as if with air or gas : INFLATE 2b: to make proud or conceited :
ELATE 2c: to praise extravagantly; specif : ADVERTISE
2. puff \'p*f-e--n*s\ \'p*f-e-\ n 1a: an act or instance of puffing : WHIFF
1b: a slight explosive sound accompanying a puff 1c: a perceptible cloud
or aura emitted in a puff 2: a light pastry that rises high in baking 3a:
a slight swelling : PROTUBERANCE 3b: a fluffy mass : as 3b1: POUF 3b2: a
small fluffy pad for applying cosmetic powder 3b3: a soft loose roll of
hair 3b4: a quilted bed covering 4: a commendatory notice or review -
puff.i.ness n