waft
(wäft, w
ft)
KEY
VERB:
waft·ed
,
waft·ing
,
wafts
VERB:
tr.
- To cause to go gently and smoothly through the air or over water.
- To convey or send floating through the air or over water.
VERB:
intr.
- To float easily and gently, as on the air; drift:
"It was a heat that wafted from streets, rolled between buildings and settled over sidewalks"
(Sarah Lyall).
NOUN:
- Something, such as an odor, that is carried through the air.
- A light breeze; a rush of air.
- The act of fluttering or waving.
-
Nautical
A flag used for signaling or indicating wind direction.
Also called
waif
2
.
ETYMOLOGY:
Back-formation from
wafter,
convoy ship, alteration of Middle English
waughter, from Middle Dutch, or Middle Low German
wachter,
a guard from
wachten,
to guard; see
weg- in Indo-European roots
OTHER FORMS:
waft
er
(Noun)
