waftn.1
/wɒft/, /wɑːft/, /waft/, U.S. /wɑft/ 1.
a. A taste or flavour, esp. an ill taste, a ‘twang’. Now dialect. Cf. weffe n.1
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > taste and flavour > [noun]
smacka1000
savour?c1225
relesec1330
tastea1382
sentimentc1400
smatchc1400
taragec1407
tangc1440
weffec1440
tallage14..
sapor1477
verdurea1513
verdour1526
relish1530
verder1532
gustc1540
waft1542
smacker1549
talent1550
tack1602
tache1607
tincture1610
twang1611
foretaster1632
flavour1693
gusto1713
goût1751
saporosity1794
gustativeness1827
savouring1840
sipidity1880
palate1973
α.
β. 1542 A. Borde Compend. Regyment Helth x. sig. F.ii Ale..must not be ropy nor smoky, nor it must haue no weft nor tayle.1854 A. E. Baker Gloss. Northants. Words II. 388 Weft, a musty taste, generally applied to beer or wine that tastes of the cask. ‘The beer has a weft of the barrel.’figurative.1627 S. Ward Coal from Altar in Serm. & Treat. 17 Spices and wefts of these evils may be found in the sincerest Christians.1608 T. Middleton Mad World, my Masters iv. sig. F4v A strumpets loue will haue a waft i'th end, and distast the vessell: I can hardly beare this.
1866 J. E. Brogden Provinc. Words Lincs. Waft, a disagreeable flavour.
b. A scent or odour passing through the air or carried on the breeze. = waff n. 2b, weffe n.1
ΘΠ
the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > [noun]
smacka1000
breathOE
smella1175
irea1300
weffea1300
thefa1325
relesec1330
odour?c1335
incensea1340
flair1340
savoura1350
smellingc1386
flavourc1400
fumec1400
reflairc1400
air?a1439
scent?1473
taste?c1475
verdure1520
senteur1601
waft1611
effluvium1656
fluor1671
burning scent1681
aura1732
fumet1735
snuff1763
olfacient1822
odouret1825
waff1827
gush1841
sniff1844
tang1858
nose1894
α.
β. 1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §833 The Strongest Sort of Smells are best in a weft, a farre off.1640 J. Shirley Arcadia iii. ii. E 3 b If this be gold 'tis liquid and yet too thicke to be potable as they say, it has a kinde of weft me thinks if I have not lost a sence upon the sudden, I smell.1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Odeur, an odor, sent, smell, waft. Puant,..that hath an ill waft, or smell.
1676 J. Evelyn Philos. Disc. Earth 170 Aloes, and other Sedums..send-forth their aromatic wafts at considerable distance.
1693 T. Urquhart & P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais 3rd Bk. Wks. xxxii. 273 It is not a sensitive discerning or perception in it of the difference of Wafts and Smells.
1886 R. Holland Gloss. Words County of Chester (at cited word) Sitch a waft o' stinkin fish.
1889 A. E. Barr Feet of Clay ii. 37 The salt savour..was crossed by a waft of hayfields.
2.
a. A current or rush of air, a breath of wind; a blast; the ‘wind’ of a projectile.
ΘΠ
the world > matter > gas > air > moving air > [noun] > a movement of air > a blast or puff of air
blasta1000
pufflOE
huff1600
waft1650
waff1674
the world > matter > gas > air > moving air > [noun] > a movement of air > a current of air > rush of air caused by moving body
wind1553
waft1650
waff1836
windage1889
the world > matter > gas > air > moving air > [noun] > a movement of air > a current of air
windc1000
air-current1600
streama1722
draughta1774
air draught1786
waft1863
airstream1869
1650 D. Hotham in tr. C. Hotham Introd. Teutonick Philos. To Author sig. A3v Me thought the reading of him was like the standing upon a precipice, or by a Canon shot off, the waft of them lickt up all my brains.
a1657 G. Daniel Trinarchodia: Henry IV cccv, in Poems (1878) IV. 77 Chaine-Bulletts of his will Run through all Streets, and in the Waft, they kill.
a1707 A. Thornton Autobiogr. (1875) 33 A cannon bullett flew soe nigh the place where I stood that..the wafte tooke my breath from me for that present.
1863 W. Thornbury True as Steel II. 66 A waft of air scattered them [the ashes] apart for ever.
1867 J. Ingelow Gladys 603 The air was full of voices, and the scent Of mountain blossom loaded all its wafts.
1884 Sladen Poetry of Exiles 55 Reading sweet verse or inhaling a waft of the harbour breeze.
b. figurative.
Π
1607 T. Walkington Optick Glasse 166 Riot's a barke in th' mindes vnconstant maine, Tost too and fro with wafts of appetite.
1658 G. Fox Jrnl. (1852) I. 345 I saw and felt a waft of death go forth against him.
1822 J. Galt Sir Andrew Wylie II. xxxvi. 321 If I get a favourable waft o' your good will, I can bide a wee for an answer.
1873 E. Gosse On Viol & Flute 59 Out of grieving at a present blight, Come sweeter wafts of garnered memory.
1880 J. H. Shorthouse John Inglesant xxxvi A waft of peace and calm, like a breeze from paradise, fell upon Malvolti's heart.
c. A sound carried by the breeze. Also (nonce-use), a transitory gleam (of light).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > other sounds spec. > [noun] > carried by wind
waft1697
1697 J. Vanbrugh Æsop v. 67 D'ye hear, Trumpets? When the Bride appears, Salute her with a Melancholy Waft. 'Twill suit her humour.
1845 P. J. Bailey Festus (ed. 2) 214 Sudden and soft, too, like a waft of light, The beautiful immortals come to me.
a1894 R. L. Stevenson Heathercat iii, in Lay Morals (1911) 319 The voice of the preacher came to him in wafts, at the wind's will, as by the opening and shutting of a door.
d. A puff (of smoke or vapour).
ΘΠ
the world > matter > gas > [noun] > fumes or vapour > puff of
puff1614
waft1896
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > products of burning > [noun] > smoke > a puff of
whiff1715
gust1811
pufflet1848
spirt1851
waft1896
1896 J. Barlow Mrs. Martin's Company 8 'Twas just the one way wid her as wid the waft of smoke there up in her ould chimney that went fluttherin' out on the width of the air, and sorra another breath anywheres nigh it.
1897 R. D. Blackmore Dariel xii. 109 Clusters of stars..and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them.
3. An act of wafting or carrying off as the wind does.
Π
1728 J. Thomson Winter (ed. 5) 25 Oft the Whirlwind's Wing Sweeps up the Burthen of whole wintry Plain In one wide waft.
4. An act of transporting or carrying over water; a passage across the sea. ? Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > transportation by water > [noun] > an act of
waft1654
1654 E. Gayton Pleasant Notes Don Quixot iii. vi. 106 They came to a Bury, which was at that time overflown with water, there Jany and Jocky stood gaping..untill a Traveller passing that way, profer'd the courtesie of a waft successively to them both.
1657 W. Davenant First Days Entertainm. Rutland-House 72 [He] with his long pole gives us a tedious waft, as if he were all the while poching for Eels.
1786 R. Burns Twa Dogs xxii, in Poems 17 Or maybe, in a frolic daft, To Hague or Calais takes a waft.
5. An act of waving (the wings or something held in the hand); a waving movement.
ΘΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > [noun] > flapping or beating up and down > instance of
waft1652
flap1774
winnow1802
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > oscillation > [noun] > waving, esp. of hand > instance of
waff1678
wave1688
waft1709
α.
β. 1709 J. Johnson Clergy-man's Vade Mecum: Pt. II 103 The orarium was a sort of scarf... The use the Deacon had for it..was to give notice to the people and clerks what they were to do or say, by the several wefts or motions that he made with it.1652 Bp. S. Patrick Funeral Serm. in J. Smith Sel. Disc. (1660) 495 He was all in a desire, as if the Angels that fetcht his Father, had lent him a waft of their wings, whereby he strove to fly with him to Heaven.
1865 Ld. Tennyson Captain 72 And the lonely seabird crosses With one waft of the wing.
6.
a. Nautical. A flag (or some substitute) hoisted as a signal; the act of displaying such a signal. (See quot. 1867 at β. .) Cf. waff n. 1b.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > signalling > visual signalling > flag signalling > [noun] > signal flag
waif1530
waft1562
whiff1693
affirmative flag1796
whift1839
cornet1874
α.
β. 1562 W. Bullein Bk. Use Sicke Men f. lxxviv, in Bulwarke of Defence Then Ariadne rente from her, her womanly apparell, making a weffe thereof upon the ende of a pole.1613 J. Saris Jrnl. in Voy. Japan (1900) 49 We had sight of a wefte ashoare.1697 High Court of Admiralty Exam. (MS.) Bundle 81 f. 171 A weft hung out for her company to come on board.1798 S. T. Coleridge Anc. Marinere ii, in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads 11 The Sun came up upon the right..; And broad as a weft upon the left Went down into the Sea.1836 F. Marryat Mr. Midshipman Easy II. iii. 203 I have been looking for an English ensign to hoist over the French, but cannot find one, so I will hoist a wheft over it, that will do.1840 F. D. Bennett Narr. Whaling Voy. I. 266 The wrecked boat..with two whifts flying as a signal of distress.1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Waft, more correctly written wheft. It is a flag or ensign, stopped together at the head and middle portions, slightly rolled up lengthwise, and hoisted at different positions at the after~part of a ship.1894 C. N. Robinson Brit. Fleet 96 A signal of distress..is accentuated by making it into a ‘weft,’ which is done by knotting it in the middle.1644 H. Mainwaring Sea-mans Dict. (at cited word) Also wafts are used for signes to have the boate come a-boord (which is Coate, Gowne or the like, hung-up in the shrowdes) also it is a common signe of some extremetie, when a ship doth hang a waft upon the maine-stay, either that it hath sprung a-leake, or is in some distresse.
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 18 We immediately spread our Antient to let them know we saw them, and hung a Waft out as a Signal for them to come on Board.
1744 J. Philips Authentic Jrnl. Exped. Anson 125 This Day the Gloucester made us a Signal by a waft of her Ensign.
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Waft, a signal displayed from the stern of a ship..by hoisting the ensign, furled up together into a long roll, to the head of its staff.
1854 G. B. Richardson Univ. Code (ed. 12) v. 6394 Hoist a waft.
b. to make a waft; to hang out a flag (or substitute) as a signal.
ΘΠ
society > communication > indication > signalling > visual signalling > flag signalling > signal by flags [verb (intransitive)]
to make a waft1653
flag-signal1888
wig-wag1892
society > communication > indication > signalling > visual signalling > signal made by waving > signal by waving [verb (intransitive)]
wave1513
to put out or set forth a waff1600
to make a waft1653
α.
β. 1653 in J. S. Corbett Fighting Instr. (1905) 99 Upon the discovery of a fleet, receiving a sign from the general, which is to be..making a weft, two frigates..are to make sail.1820 W. Scott Abbot III. iii. 66 There have already been made two wefts from the warder's turret, to intimate that those in the castle are impatient for your return.1673 London Gaz. No. 819/4 Being driven near the Shore, they made a waft, and thereupon a Fisherboat went off.
1712 E. Cooke Voy. S. Sea 3 He is to make a Waft with his Jack or Ensign.
1712 E. Cooke Voy. S. Sea 455 We made a Waift.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 308 We..saw her make a Waft with her Antient, as a Signal for the Boat to come on Board.
7. An apparition, wraith. Cf. waff n. 5.
ΘΠ
the world > the supernatural > supernatural being > ghost or phantom > [noun]
soulOE
huea1000
ghostOE
fantasyc1325
spiritc1350
phantomc1384
phantasmc1430
haunterc1440
shadowa1464
appearance1488
wraith1513
hag1538
spoorn1584
vizarda1591
life-in-death1593
phantasma1598
umbra1601
larve1603
spectre1605
spectrum1611
apparitiona1616
shadea1616
shapea1616
showa1616
idolum1619
larva1651
white hat?1693
zumbi1704
jumbie1764
duppy1774
waff1777
zombie1788
Wild Huntsman1796
spook1801
ghostie1810
hantua1811
preta1811
bodach1814
revenant1823
death-fetch1826
sowlth1829
haunt1843
night-bat1847
spectrality1850
thivish1852
beastie1867
ghost soul1869
barrow-wight1891
resurrect1892
waft1897
churel1901
comeback1908
1897 Longman's Mag. July 252 I'm bound to die afore t' year is out... I seed my own waft (wraith) go into the kirk last St. Mark's Eve, and it never cam' out no more.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† waftn.2
Obsolete.
(See quot. 1688.)
Π
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 99/1 Waft, or Finger Bread [= braid], are kind of Purse strings woven on the Fingers either round or broad.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
waftv.1
/wɑːft/, /wɒft/, /waft/, U.S. /wɑft/ a. transitive. To convoy (a ship or fleet of ships, persons sailing). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > [verb (transitive)] > of ships: accompany vessels
waft1513
convoy1598
wafter1615
society > armed hostility > hostilities at sea > operations or manoeuvres > perform operation or manoeuvre [verb (transitive)] > convoy or escort
waft1513
convoy1598
wafter1615
1513 W. Gonson in A. Spont Lett. & Papers War France (1897) X. 130 A letter..in the wyche he comaundyth me thatt..I shall conducte and wafftt hys vytellars to hys grett army in the water of Brest. I..made hys Grace answer..I wolld go my sellfe in the smallist of the 3 Spanyards sentt fforthe wit me..and leffe John Ysame and Rychiard Barkeley in the other 2 Spanyiarde shyps to waftt over the Zeland fleett.
1513 E. Echyngham Let. to Wolsey in A. Spont Lett. & Papers War France (1897) X. 150 Sir Weston Brown..hath yeven me and Harper in commaundment for to go to Hampton for to wafte the vytlers unto theym.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry IV f. xxvi Because certain pyrates..were lurkyng at the Temmes mouthe..Thomas Lord Camois with certaine shippes of warre was appointed to wafte ouer the king.
1580 R. Hitchcock Pollitique Platt c iiij That two of her graces Shippes of warre, suche as yeerely be appointed to wafte the Marchants maie contineue vpon her Maiesties Seas..for two yeares: for the defence of these fishing Shippes.
1622 in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 210 Don Faderique de Toledo, who is gone to waft the West India fleet homeward.
1644 H. Mainwaring Sea-mans Dict. (at cited word) To waft, is to guard any ship, or fleete at sea.
1670 J. Smith England's Improvem. Reviv'd 270 The Fishermen agreed amongst themselves to pay a Dollar upon every last of Herrings, towards the maintenance of certain Ships of Warr, to Waft and secure them in their Fishing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > moving with current of air or water > movement in or on water > move in or on water [verb (transitive)] > move on surface of > direct course of something floating
waft1605
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. v. 157 A little Fish that swimming still before, Directs him [sc. the Whale]... Much like a Childe that louing leads about His aged Father when his eyes be out, Still wafting him through euery way so right.
2. figurative.1616 B. Jonson Every Man in his Humor (rev. ed.) Prol. in Wks. I. 5 Playes..Where neither Chorus wafts you ore the seas; Nor creaking throne comes downe, the boyes to please.1670 J. Milton Hist. Brit. i. 5 That fond invention that wafted hither the fifty daughters of a strange Dioclesian King of Syria.reflexive.1653 H. Holcroft tr. Procopius Hist. Warres Justinian Pref. sig. A2v He could gain no footing in Italy, but in all that time was forced to waft himself by stealth from one Port-town to another.1677 W. Hubbard Narr. Troubles with Indians New-Eng. 27 They, taking the advantage of a low tide, either waded over..or else wafted themselves over upon small Rafts of timber.† c. intransitive. To sail about, off, to and fro, up and down; to cross over by water. Obsolete.
a. To convey safely by water; to carry over or across a river, sea, etc. Obsolete exc. poetic.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > transportation by water > transport by water [verb (transitive)]
fraughtc1425
ship1436
waff1586
waft1594
float1739
navigate1795
society > travel > travel by water > transportation by water > transport by water [verb (reflexive)]
waft1594
1594 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 iv. i. 115 I am sent Ambassador for the Queene to France, I charge thee waffe [1623 waft] me crosse the channell.
1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 iii. iii. 253 Our high Admirall, Shall waft them [sc. soldiers] safelie to the English coast.
1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 v. vii. 41 Awaie with her, and wafte hir hence to France.
1618 J. Taylor Pennyles Pilgrimage E 2 And as by water I was wafted in, I thought that I in Charons Boate had bin.
1628 Boyle in Lismore Papers (1886) II. 262 We all landed safely..and the next morning I dischardged Capn Jones..who I hired to wafte me over.
1639 Act in Arch. Maryland (1883) I. 78 No person..other then the owner of the said ferry boat..shall waft or passe any person over the said River.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 144 Nor wou'd th' Infernal Ferry-Man once more Be brib'd, to waft him to the farther shore. View more context for this quotation
1769 Ann. Reg. 1768 32/2 Great bodies of the Asiatic troops were continually wafted over to the European side of the Hellespont.
1789 Massachusetts Spy 9 Apr. 3/2 An elegant barge is building to waft the great Washington across the Hudson.
1817 T. Moore Lalla Rookh i. 450 Again she sees his pinnace fly, Wafting him fleetly to his home.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam ix. 12 Fair ship,..Spread thy full wings, and waft him o'er. View more context for this quotation
b. Of the sea or waves: To carry, transport. Obsolete exc. poetic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > sea or ocean > [verb (transitive)] > carry
adriveeOE
waft1615
1615 J. Day Festivals 129 Now the Red-Sea of Baptisme..hath conveyed vs, and waft vs over.
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd i. 104 A calmer voyage now Will waft me. View more context for this quotation
1742 A. Pope New Dunciad 302 Where, eas'd of Fleets, the Adriatic Main Wafts the smooth Eunuch and enamour'd swain.
1742 E. Young Complaint: Night the First 9 A soul immortal..Thrown into Tumult..At aught this scene can threaten..Resembles Ocean into Tempest wrought, To waft a Feather, or to drown a Fly.
1878 B. Taylor Prince Deukalion ii. iii. 69 The waves of earth are wafting to and fro The ashes of great lives.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > [verb (intransitive)]
sailc893
lithec900
fleetc1275
ship13..
assailc1450
waft?a1562
sneir1568
sulk1579
single1587
navigate1588
waff1611
passage1791
?a1562 G. Cavendish Life Wolsey (1959) 100 Ther was no lesse than a M1 bottes..waffetyng vppe & down in temmes expectyng my lordes departyng.
1577 R. Holinshed Chron. II. 1804/1 Maister William Winter..made saile towards Scotlande, and wafting alongst the coast in Ianuary, came into the Forth.
1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse Ep. Ded. sig. ☞3 He had not played long in the Sea, wafting too and fro, at his pleasure, but he returned agayne, stroke sayle, [etc.].
1619 E. M. Bolton tr. Florus Rom. Hist. iv. viii. 454 And now his nauie wafted vp, and downe in the middle of the sea.
1631 tr. J. A. Comenius Porta Linguarum Reserata xliii. §473 Where there is no foord or shallow place they passe, or waft ouer with a wherrie or ferrie boat.
1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 89 When all these of the Fleete were returned..fifteene of them wafted off towards Porto di Torre.
1648 T. Gage Eng.-Amer. xxi. 190 We as prisoners were wafting up and down the sea with them.
1648 T. Gage Eng.-Amer. xxi. 200 We that day wafted about for a good wind.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ii. 1042 Satan..Wafts on the calmer wave by dubious light And like a weather-beaten Vessel holds Gladly the Port. View more context for this quotation
1693 J. Dryden tr. Ovid Metamorphoses i, in Examen Poeticum 28 High on the Summet of this dubious Cliff, Deucalion wafting, moor'd his little Skiff.
1774 J. Beattie Minstrel: 2nd Bk. xlviii. 25 He braves The surge and tempest,..And to a happier land wafts merrily away.
1818 E. Scobell in J. H. Tuckey Narr. Exped. River Zaire Introd. p. xiii I met several floating islands..which..wafting to the motion of the sea, rushed far into the ocean.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > lightness > make light or lighter [verb (transitive)] > buoy up
waft1646
buoy1653
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica iv. vii. 196 Some alledge that spirits are light substances, and naturally ascending do elevate and waft the body upward. View more context for this quotation
1650 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica (ed. 2) iv. vi. 167 Whether Cripples and mutilated persons, who have lost the greatest part of their thighs, will not sink but float, their lungs being abler to waft up their bodies.
4. Of the wind: To propel (a vessel) or convey (a navigator or passenger) safely.Originally a mere contextual use of sense 2. The frequency of examples in which the verb denotes the action of the wind gave rise in the 18th cent. to the notion that the essential meaning of the verb had reference to this agency, and to the identification of the word with the etymologically distinct waft v.2 The older sense 2, so far as it survives, is coloured by association with this sense.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impelling or driving > impel or drive [verb (transitive)] > of natural forces > of wind
forblowc893
bewave1513
waft1653
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > wind > blow (a blast) (of the wind [verb (transitive)] > propel (a vessel or sailor)
adriveeOE
waft1653
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of wind > get into the current of the wind [verb (transitive)] > of wind: propel or convey a vessel or person
carry1526
waft1653
a1707 M. Prior In vain you Tell (song) 2 In vain you tell your parting Lover You wish fair Winds may waft Him over.
1713 W. Derham Physico-theol. i. ii. 18 The Sea, and the Land-Breezes; the one serving to carry the Mariner in long Voyages from East to West; the other serving to waft him to particular Places.
1773 J. Hawkesworth Acct. Voy. Southern Hemisphere III. iii. v. 555 The gale that afterwards wafted us to the shore, would then certainly have beaten us to pieces.
1816 J. Wilson City of Plague i. ii. 70 While favouring breezes waft his blessed ship Far from the Plague.
1821 R. Heber in Evangelical Mag. July 316 Waft, waft, ye winds, His story.
1842 Ld. Tennyson You ask me Why 25 Yet waft me from the harbour-mouth, Wild wind!
5. To carry (something) through the air or through space.
a. with sound, scent, infection, etc. as object: said of the wind. Also with away, by, round.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > moving with current of air or water > motion in the air > move through the air [verb (transitive)] > move (something) through the air
waft1709
float1823
overfloat1844
1709 A. Pope Summer in Poet. Misc.: 6th Pt. vi. 736 Your Praise the Birds shall chant in ev'ry Grove, And Winds shall waft it to the Pow'rs above.
1781 W. Cowper Heroism 35 The self-same gale that wafts the fragrance round Brings to the distant ear a sullen sound.
1803 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 10 136 Assuredly, then, this affection [influenza] has been rather wafted on us, than communicated to us in the way of personal intercourse.
1811 P. B. Shelley St. Irvyne i. 17 And low, chilling murmurs, the blast wafted by.
1855 Ld. Tennyson Maud xxi. i, in Maud & Other Poems 67 And the woodbine spices are wafted abroad.
1887 C. Bowen tr. Virgil Æneid i, in tr. Virgil in Eng. Verse 90 Where sweet scents are wafted from garlands ever in bloom.
b. with material object.
ΚΠ
1726 G. Shelvocke Voy. round World xiv. 425 Nitrous and sulphurous particles..are wafted in the air by adverse winds.
1785 W. Cowper Task iii. 540 And ev'n the breathing air Wafts the rich prize [pollen] to its appointed use.
1817 J. Evans Excursion to Windsor 457 Our Table Cloth..was in the act of being wafted overboard.
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 2nd Ser. 222 The balloons were wafted gently away.
1878 T. H. Huxley Physiography (ed. 2) 192 Dense showers of such dust have been wafted by winds for even hundreds of miles.
c. To send (a sound, fragrance, etc.) through the air; to ‘blow’ (a kiss).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > moving with current of air or water > motion in the air > move through the air [verb (transitive)] > send through the air
waft1728
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > mental image, idea, or fancy > give mental shape to [verb (transitive)] > transport
waft1871
1728 A. Pope Dunciad ii. 241 Thames wafts it [the sound] thence to Rufus' roaring hall, And H—d re-echoes, bawl for bawl.
1815 Ld. Byron Harp Monarch Minstrel ii, in Hebrew Melodies 6 It [sc. the harp] told the triumphs of our King, It wafted glory to our God.
1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) xi. 103 And many a kiss did Mr. Snodgrass waft in the air, in acknowledgment of something very like a lady's handkerchief.
1855 Baroness Bunsen in A. J. C. Hare Life & Lett. Baroness Bunsen (1879) II. iv. 181 At the year's beginning and end, one is peculiarly moved to..waft wishes and kind thoughts to many a far-removed locality.
1871 J. R. Macduff Memories of Patmos v. 62 This Tree with its perennial fruits, wafting immortal fragrance and distilling immortal balm.
d. To carry in flight: said chiefly of angels.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > angel > [verb (transitive)] > carry in flight
wafta1718
the world > movement > progressive motion > moving with current of air or water > motion in the air > move through the air [verb (transitive)] > convey in flight
wing1628
wafta1718
a1718 M. Prior Danistonus' Ad Amicos Imit. 12 Glad I release it from it's Partner's Cares; And bid good Angels waft it to the Stars.
1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Iliad in Iliad & Odyssey I. v. 925 Swift as her pinions waft the dove away.
1816 J. Wilson City of Plague iii. ii O Heaven protect my faithful Isabel, And waft her safe, as on an angel's wing, To that sweet lake.
1817 T. Moore Lalla Rookh i. 261 Oft..I've wish'd that little isle had wings, And we, within its fairy bow'rs, Were wafted off to seas unknown.
1845 E. Fitzball Maritana ii. Aria Oh! that angels now might waft him To the mansions of the blest!
e. figurative. To transport instantaneously, as by magic or in imagination.
ΚΠ
1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 242 Hopes of heav'n, bright prospects of an hour That come to waft us out of sorrow's pow'r.
1819 W. Irving Sketch Bk. i. 6 With what longing eyes would I gaze after their lessening sails, and waft myself in imagination to the ends of the earth.
6. † b. Of a bird, winged insect: To pass by flying. Obsolete.
a. intransitive. To pass through the air or through space; to float upon, come or go with the wind or breeze.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > moving with current of air or water > motion in the air > move in the air [verb (intransitive)] > gently
roll1614
fan1622
waft1664
fluff1888
1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. i. 3 Small hairs..which (by blowing upon) you might see waft to and fro.
1676 J. Dryden Aureng-Zebe iii. 32 Those Trumpets his triumphant Entry tell. And now the Shouts waft near the Cittadel.
1690 J. Dryden Amphitryon ii. i. 13 There is an ill savour that offends my Nostrils; and it wafteth this way?
1717 A. Pope Eloisa to Abelard in Wks. 428 Tears that delight, and sighs that waft to heav'n.
1802 M. Moore Lascelles II. 9 I recognized his charming voice in the delightful strains which wafted on my ear.
1890 Daily News 7 July 6/2 Great green boxes [of roses] were being opened with very perceptible whiffs of perfume wafting from them.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by locomotion > locomotion of animals > [verb (intransitive)] > fly
flusha1300
soarc1384
fly1480
flitter1483
flit1535
fleck1567
flirt1582
wagtail1606
waft1682
to take to wing1693
flaffer17..
to take (its, etc.) wing1807
skirl1859
1682 N. O. tr. N. Boileau-Despréaux Lutrin iii. 24 Then wafting at one Reach, they proudly Pearch On highest Pinnacle of the fatal Church!
1714 A. Pope Rape of Lock (new ed.) ii. 13 Some to the Sun their Insect-Wings unfold, Waft on the Breeze, or sink in Clouds of Gold.
c. Of the breeze: To blow softly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > wind > blow (of the wind) [verb (intransitive)] > blow gently
breathe1567
perspire1648
breeze1682
waft1804
sniffle1885
zephyr1973
1804 ‘Gabrielli’ Something Odd! II. 26 In vain..did the soft breezes of an approaching summer waft around him.
1850 G. Cupples Green Hand viii. 92/1 There wasn't a breath of air yet, either, save what seemed now and then to waft out of the thick woods.
7. transitive. To move, drive, or carry away (something) by producing a current of air.
ΚΠ
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 636 A sort of winnowing machine, which wafts away the finer and lighter parts.
1844 A. W. Kinglake Eothen xviii. 295 It seems to you that it is not the donkey, but the donkey-boy who wafts you on with his shouts.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
† waftv.2
Obsolete.
1. absolute.a1648 Ess. Death in Bacon's Remaines 10 These wait upon the shore of death, and waft unto him to draw neer.
a. transitive. To wave (the hand or something held in the hand), esp. as a signal.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > oscillation > oscillate [verb (transitive)] > wave, esp. the hand
waive1338
waft1604
weave1607
wavea1616
flarea1766
wampish1816
society > communication > indication > gesturing or gesture > hand gesture > [verb (transitive)] > wave (the hand)
shake1569
waft1604
wavea1616
1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies vii. xvi. 540 They were accustomed in their elections to make great feasts and dances, where they wafted many lightes.
1636 T. Heywood Loves Maistresse i. i Shee now hath climb'd the Rock, And wafts her hand.
b. To signal to (a person, etc.) by waving the hand or something held in the hand. Also, of a flag.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > signalling > visual signalling > signal made by waving > signal by waving [verb (transitive)]
waft1578
1578 G. Best True Disc. Passage to Cathaya ii. 10 We espied certaine of the countrie people..with a flag, wafting vs backe againe.
?1592 Trag. Solyman & Perseda sig. B1v Hee that will try me, let him waft mee with his arme.
1606 G. Chapman Gentleman Vsher i. sig. B4 Till you can directlie boord him, Waft him aloofe with hats, and other fauours.
1608 T. Middleton Mad World, my Masters iii. sig. F The hayre about the hat is as good as a flag vppo' th pole at a common Playhouse to waft company.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) i. i. 71 One do I personate of Lord Timons frame, Whom Fortune with her Iuory hand wafts to her. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) ii. ii. 112 But soft, who wafts vs yonder. View more context for this quotation
1645 R. Stapleton tr. Musaeus Ερωτοπαιγνιον: Loves Hero & Leander sig. A4v The Tow'r where Sestian Hero lay, And held the Torch, wafting Leander o're.
1694 Narbrough's Acct. Several Late Voy. 49 They saw seven people..making a noise and wafting them to the ship.
1717 S. Garth in J. Dryden et al. tr. Ovid Metamorphoses xiv. 487 At length a Sail I wafted, and aboard My Fortune found an hospitable Lord.
c. To move (something) aside with a wave of the hand.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > sideways movement or a sideways movement > cause to move sideways [verb (transitive)] > with a wave of the hand
waft1782
1782 W. Cowper Hope in Poems 170 Now truth perform thine office, waft aside The curtain drawn by prejudice and pride.
2. To turn (the eyes) aside with a disdainful movement.Apparently an isolated use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > eye > [verb (transitive)] > move eyes
rollc1425
roilc1450
wallc1500
wafta1616
slink1923
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) i. ii. 373 When hee Wafting his eyes to th' contrary, and falling A Lippe of much contempt, speedes from me. View more context for this quotation
3. intransitive. To move to and fro, to wave. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > move to and fro or up and down [verb (intransitive)]
to come and goc1384
babble1440
play1513
popple1555
dance1563
bob1568
dodge1645
waft1650
reciprocate1678
lollop1851
pump1887
piston1930
yo-yo1967
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > oscillation > oscillate [verb (intransitive)] > wave
wave1487
waft1650
wavela1689
wampish1818
1650 Bp. J. Taylor Funerall Serm. Countesse of Carbery 4 The face of the waters wafting in a storm, so wrinkles it self, that it makes upon its forehead furrows.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
<
n.11542
n.21688
v.11513v.21578