GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found 3 definitions
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Waft (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wafted; p. pr. & vb. n. Wafting.] [Prob. originally imp. & p. p. of wave, v. t. See Wave to waver.]
1. To give notice to by waving something; to wave the hand to; to beckon. [Obs.]
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But soft: who wafts us yonder? Shak.
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2. To cause to move or go in a wavy manner, or by the impulse of waves, as of water or air; to bear along on a buoyant medium; as, “a balloon was wafted over the channel”.
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A gentle wafting to immortal life. Milton.
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Speed the soft intercourse from soul to soul,
And waft a sigh from Indus to the pole. Pope.
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3. To cause to float; to keep from sinking; to buoy. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
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☞ This verb is regular; but waft was formerly somtimes used, as by Shakespeare, instead of wafted.
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Waft, v. i. To be moved, or to pass, on a buoyant medium; to float.
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And now the shouts waft near the citadel. Dryden.
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Waft, n.
1. A wave or current of wind. “Everywaft of the air.” Longfellow.
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In this dire season, oft the whirlwind's wing
Sweeps up the burden of whole wintry plains
In one wide waft. Thomson.
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2. A signal made by waving something, as a flag, in the air.
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3. An unpleasant flavor. [Obs.]
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4. (Naut.) A knot, or stop, in the middle of a flag. [Written also wheft.]
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☞ A flag with a waft in it, when hoisted at the staff, or half way to the gaff, means, a man overboard; at the peak, a desire to communicate; at the masthead, “Recall boats.”
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