waft
(redirected from wefts)Also found in: Thesaurus, Encyclopedia.
waft
(wäft, wăft)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 Indo-European roots.]
waft′er n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
waft
(wɑːft; wɒft)vb
to carry or be carried gently on or as if on the air or water
n
1. the act or an instance of wafting
2. something, such as a scent, carried on the air
3. a wafting motion
4. (Nautical Terms) nautical Also called: waif (formerly) a signal flag hoisted furled to signify various messages depending on where it was flown
[C16 (in obsolete sense: to convey by ship): back formation from C15 wafter a convoy vessel, from Middle Dutch wachter guard, from wachten to guard; influenced by waff]
ˈwaftage n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
waft
(wɑft, wæft)v.t.
1. to carry lightly and smoothly through the air or over water: A breeze wafted the music across the lake.
2. to send or convey lightly: wafting kisses across the footlights.
v.i. 3. to float or be carried, esp. through the air.
n. 4. a sound, odor, etc., faintly perceived.
5. a wafting motion, as a light current or gust: a waft of air.
6. the act of wafting.
[1535–45; back formation from late Middle English waughter armed escort vessel < Dutch or Low German wachter watchman]
waft′er, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
waft
Past participle: wafted
Gerund: wafting
| Imperative |
|---|
| waft |
| waft |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. |  waft - a long flag; often tapering flag - emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design |
| Verb | 1. |  waft - be driven or carried along, as by the air; "Sounds wafted into the room" |
| 2. | waft - blow gently; "A breeze wafted through the door" blow - be blowing or storming; "The wind blew from the West" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
waft
verb
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
Translations
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
waft
[ˈwɒft ˈwɑːft]Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
waft
vi → wehen; a delicious smell wafted up from the kitchen → ein köstlicher Geruch zog aus der Küche herauf
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995