Puff

puf, v.i. to blow in puffs or whiffs: to swell or fill with air: to breathe with vehemence: to blow at, in contempt: to bustle about.— v.t. to drive with a puff: to swell with a wind: to praise in exaggerated terms.— n. a sudden, forcible breath: a sudden blast of wind: a gust or whiff: a fungus ball containing dust: anything light and porous, or swollen and light: a kind of light pastry: a part of a fabric gathered up so as to be left full in the middle: a light ball or pad for dusting powder on the skin, .: an exaggerated expre ion of praise.— ns. Puff′-add′er , a large, venomous African serpent; Puff′-ball , a dried fungus, ball-shaped and full of dust; Puff′-bird , a South American bird resembling the kingfisher in form, but living on insects; Puff′-box , a box for holding powder for the toilet, and a puff for applying it.— adj. Puffed , gathered up into rounded ridges, as a sleeve.— ns. Puff′er , one who puffs: one who raises the prices at an auction in order to excite the eagerne of the bidders to the advantage of the seller; Puff′ery , puffing or extravagant praise.— adv. Puff′ily .— ns. Puff′ine , state of being puffy or turgid: intumescence; Puff′ing , the act of praising extravagantly.— adv. Puff′ingly .— n. Puff′-paste , a short flaky paste for pastry.— adj. Puff′y , puffed out with air or any soft matter: tumid: bombastic: coming in puffs.— Puff up ( B. ), to inflate. [Imit.; cf. Ger. puffen , .]