catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     3. An exaggerated or empty expression of praise, especially
        one in a public journal.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Puff adder. (Zo["o]l.)
        (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 (Zo["o]l.), 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]

  Puff \Puff\ (p[u^]f), 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.
  
     2. Anything light and filled with air. Specifically:
        (a) A puffball.
        (b) a kind of light pastry.
        (c) A utensil of the toilet for dusting the skin or hair
            with powder.
  
     3. An exaggerated or empty expression of praise, especially
        one in a public journal.
  
     Puff adder. (Zo["o]l.)
        (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, or Clotho
            arietans) is the largest species, becoming over four
            feet long. The plumed puff adder ({C. 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 (Zo["o]l.), 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) .