waft
- waft
waft (
v.)
1510s, "
to carry over water,"
back-
formation from obsolete wafter "
convoy ship" (
late 15c.),
from M.Du. or M.L.G. wachter "
a guard,"
from wachten "
to guard,"
related to waken "
rouse from sleep" (
see WAKE (
Cf. wake) (
1)).
The meaning "
pass through air or space, float"
is first attested 1704,
and possibly shows some influence of northern dialect waff "
cause to move to and fro" (
1510s),
a variant of wave.
Related: Wafted;
wafting.
Etymology dictionary.
2014.
Synonyms:
Look at other dictionaries:
waft — [wa:ft, wɔft US wa:ft, wæft] v [Date: 1600 1700; Origin: waft to guard a group of ships as they sail along (16 17 centuries), from Middle Dutch wachten to watch, guard ] 1.) [I,T always + adverb/preposition] if a smell, smoke, or a light wind… … Dictionary of contemporary English
Waft — Waft, n. 1. A wave or current of wind. Everywaft of the air. Longfellow. [1913 Webster] In this dire season, oft the whirlwind s wing Sweeps up the burden of whole wintry plains In one wide waft. Thomson. [1913 Webster] 2. A signal made by waving … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Waft — 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.] [1913 Webster] But soft: who… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Waft — Waft, v. i. To be moved, or to pass, on a buoyant medium; to float. [1913 Webster] And now the shouts waft near the citadel. Dryden. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
waft — [ waft ] verb intransitive if a smell or noise wafts, it floats through the air in a gentle way: The aroma of freshly made pancakes wafted through the air. ╾ waft noun count … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
waft — waft·age; waft·er; waft; … English syllables
waft — [wäft, waft] vt. [back form. < obs. wafter, convoy < LME waughter < Du wachter, lit., a watcher < wachten, to watch: for IE base see WAKE1] 1. a) to carry or propel (objects, sounds, odors, etc.) lightly through the air or over water… … English World dictionary
waft — [v] carry bear, be carried, blow, convey, drift, float, ride, transmit, transport; concepts 147,217 … New thesaurus
waft — ► VERB ▪ pass easily or gently through the air. ► NOUN 1) a gentle movement of air. 2) a scent carried in the air. ORIGIN originally in the sense «escort (a ship)», later «convey by water»: from Low German, Dutch wachten to guard … English terms dictionary
waft|er — «WAF tuhr, WAHF », noun. 1. a person or thing that wafts. 2. a revolving fan or disk in a type of blower. ╂[< waft1 + er1] … Useful english dictionary