PUFF, n.

1. A sudden and single emission of breath from the mouth; a quick forcible blast; a whiff. Philips.
2. A sudden and short blast of wind. – Ralegh.
3. A fungous ball filled with dust.
4. Any thing light and porous, or something swelled and light; as, puff-paste. – Tatler.
5. A substance of loose texture, used to sprinkle powder on the hair. – Ainsworth.
6. A tumid or exaggerated statement or commendation. – Cibber.

1. To drive air from the mouth in a single and quick blast. – Shak.
2. To swell the cheeks with air.
3. To blow as an expression of scorn or contempt. It is really to defy heaven to puff at damnation. – South.
4. To breathe with vehemence, as after violent exertion. The ass comes back again, puffing and blowing from the chase. – L'Estrange.
5. To do or move with hurry, agitation and a tumid, bustling appearance. That came brave glory puffing by. – Herbert.
6. To swell with air; to dilate or inflate. – Boyle.

1. To drive with a blast of wind or air; as, the north wind puffs away the clouds. – Dryden.
2. To swell; to inflate; to dilate with air; as, a bladder puffed with air. The sea puffed up with winds. – Shak.
3. To swell; to inflate; to blow up; as, puffed up with pride, vanity or conceit; to puff up with praise or flattery. – Denham. Bacon.
4. To drive with a blast in scorn or contempt. I puff the prostitute away. – Dryden.
5. To praise with exaggeration; as, to puff a pamphlet.

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. To blow in puffs, or with short and sudden whiffs.
3. To drive with a puff, or with puffs.
   
   

   The clearing north will puff the clouds away. Dryden.

4. Puffed up; vain.
   
   
   [R.] Fanshawe.
5. Anything light and filled with air.
   
   
   Specifically: (a)
6. To blow, as an expression of scorn] -- with at.
   
   

   It is really to defy Heaven to puff at damnation. South.

7. To repel with words; to blow at contemptuously.
   
   

   I puff the prostitute away. Dryden.

8. An exaggerated or empty expression of praise, especially one in a public journal.
   
   

   Puff adder. (Zoöl.) (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 (Zoöl.), any bird of the genus Bucco, or family Bucconidæ. They are small birds, usually with dull- colored and loose plumage, and have twelve tail feathers. See Barbet (b).

9. To breathe quick and hard, or with puffs, as after violent exertion.
   
   

   The ass comes back again, puffing and blowing, from the chase. L' Estrange.

10. To cause to swell or dilate; to inflate; to ruffle with puffs; -- often with up; as, a bladder puffed with air.
    
    

    The sea puffed up with winds. Shak.

11. To swell with air; to be dilated or inflated.
    
    
    Boyle.
12. To inflate with pride, flattery, self- esteem, or the like; -- often with up.
    
    

    Puffed up with military success. Jowett (Thucyd. )

13. To breathe in a swelling, inflated, or pompous manner; hence, to assume importance.
    
    

    Then came brave Glory puffing by. Herbert.

14. To praise with exaggeration; to flatter; to call public attention to by praises; to praise unduly.
    
    
    " Puffed with wonderful skill." Macaulay.