Puff \Puff\, n. [Akin to G. & Sw. puff a blow, Dan. puf, D. pof;
   of imitative origin. Cf. {Buffet}.]
   1. A sudden and single emission of breath from the mouth;
      hence, any sudden or short blast of wind; a slight gust; a
      whiff. " To every puff of wind a slave." --Flatman.
      
[1913 Webster]


   2. Anything light and filled with air. Specifically:
      (a) A puffball.
      (b) kind of light pastry.
      (c) A utensil of the toilet for dusting the skin or hair
          with powder.
          
[1913 Webster]


   3. An exaggerated or empty expression of praise, especially
      one in a public journal.
      
[1913 Webster]


   {Puff adder}. (Zool.)
      (a) Any South African viper belonging to {Clotho} and
          allied genera. They are exceedingly venomous, and have
          the power of greatly distending their bodies when
          irritated. The common puff adder ({Vipera arietans},
          or {Clotho arietans}) is the largest species, becoming
          over four feet long. The plumed puff adder ({Clotho  cornuta}) has a plumelike appendage over each eye.
      (b) A North American harmless snake ({Heterodon  platyrrhinos}) which has the power of puffing up its
          body. Called also {hog-nose snake}, {flathead},
          {spreading adder}, and {blowing adder}.

   {Puff bird} (Zool.), any bird of the genus {Bucco}, or family
      {Bucconidae}. They are small birds, usually with
      dull-colored and loose plumage, and have twelve tail
      feathers. See {Barbet}
      (b) .
          
[1913 Webster]

Puff \Puff\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Puffed} (p[u^]ft); p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Puffing}.] [Akin to G. puffen to pop, buffet, puff,
   D. poffen to pop, puffen to blow, Sw. puffa to push, to cuff,
   Dan. puffe to pop, thump. See {Puff}, n.]
   1. To blow in puffs, or with short and sudden whiffs.
      
[1913 Webster]


   2. To blow, as an expression of scorn; -- with at.
      
[1913 Webster]


            It is really to defy Heaven to puff at damnation.
                                                  --South.
      
[1913 Webster]


   3. To breathe quick and hard, or with puffs, as after violent
      exertion.
      
[1913 Webster]


            The ass comes back again, puffing and blowing, from
            the chase.                            --L' Estrange.
      
[1913 Webster]


   4. To swell with air; to be dilated or inflated. --Boyle.
      
[1913 Webster]


   5. To breathe in a swelling, inflated, or pompous manner;
      hence, to assume importance.
      
[1913 Webster]


            Then came brave Glory puffing by.     --Herbert.
      
[1913 Webster]

Puff \Puff\, a.
   Puffed up; vain. [R.] --Fanshawe.
   
[1913 Webster]

Puffball \Puff"ball`\, n. (Bot.)
   A kind of ball-shaped fungus ({Lycoperdon giganteum}, and
   other species of the same genus) full of dustlike spores when
   ripe; -- called also {bullfist}, {bullfice}, {puckfist},
   {puff}, and {puffin}.
   
[1913 Webster]

Puff \Puff\, v. t.
   1. To drive with a puff, or with puffs.
      
[1913 Webster]


            The clearing north will puff the clouds away.
                                                  --Dryden.
      
[1913 Webster]


   2. To repel with words; to blow at contemptuously.
      
[1913 Webster]


            I puff the prostitute away.           --Dryden.
      
[1913 Webster]


   3. To cause to swell or dilate; to inflate; to ruffle with
      puffs; -- often with up; as, a bladder puffed with air.
      
[1913 Webster]


            The sea puffed up with winds.         --Shak.
      
[1913 Webster]


   4. To inflate with pride, flattery, self-esteem, or the like;
      -- often with up.
      
[1913 Webster]


            Puffed up with military success.      --Jowett
                                                  (Thucyd. )
      
[1913 Webster]


   5. To praise with exaggeration; to flatter; to call public
      attention to by praises; to praise unduly. " Puffed with
      wonderful skill." --Macaulay.
      
[1913 Webster]