Pu"et (?), n. (Zoˆl.) The pewit.
Puff (pf), 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.
2. Anything light and filled with air. Specifically: (a) A puffball.
(b) a kind of light pastry. (c) A utensil of the toilet for dusting the
skin or hair with powder.
3. An exaggerated or empty expression of praise, especially one in a
public journal.
Puff adder. (Zoˆl.) (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, or Clotho arietans) is the largest species, becoming over four
feet long. The plumed puff adder (C. 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 (Zoˆl.), any bird of the genus Bucco, or family BucconidÊ. They
are small birds, usually with dull- colored and loose plumage, and have
twelve tail feathers. See Barbet (b).
Puff, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Puffed (pft); 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.