English
Etymology
rfe|Is the back formation from "wafter" plausible? Oxford ety dict. is the source; some refs point to possible Scandanavian root for word and also for obs. senses of waif
back-form|wafter|nodot=7 (armed convoy ship), alteration of Middle English waughter, from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German wachter (a guard), from wachten (to guard)
the current usage derives from the sense 'carried by water'. See waif
Pronunciation
enPR|w�ft, IPA|/w�ft/, SAMPA|/wQft/
audio|en-us-waft.ogg|Audio (US)
:Rhymes:English:-�ft|Rhymes: -�ft
Verb
en-verb
- to float easily and gently on the air
#* A breeze wafted through the open window and wafted her sensuous perfume to my eager nostrils . . .
Noun
en-noun
- a light breeze
- something (a scent or odor), such as a perfume, that is carried through the air
- nautical a flag, (also called a waif), used to indicate wind direction
fa:waft
io:waft
pl:waft
te:waft
vi:waft
zh:waft
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