v. waft·ed, waft·ing, wafts v.tr. To cause to go gently and smoothly through the air or over water: The breeze wafted the fog through the fields. v.intr. To float easily and gently, as on the air; drift: The smell of soup wafted from the kitchen. n. 1. Something, such as an odor, that is carried through the air: a waft of perfume. 2. A light breeze; a rush of air: felt the waft of the sea breeze. 3. The act or action of fluttering or waving: the waft of her dress. 4. Nautical A flag used for signaling or indicating wind direction. Also called waif2. [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 the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] wafter n. |
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