/ wɪf; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun [ usually sing. ]
1.
whiff (of sth) a smell, especially one that you only smell for a short time :
a whiff of cigar smoke
He caught a whiff of perfume as he leaned towards her.
2.
whiff (of sth) a slight sign or feeling of sth :
a whiff of danger
3.
( NAmE ) ( in golf or baseball ) an unsuccessful attempt to hit the ball
■ verb [ v ]
1.
( BrE , informal ) to smell bad
2.
( NAmE ) ( in golf or baseball ) to try without success to hit the ball
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent. (originally in the senses gust of wind and inhalation of tobacco smoke , also, as a verb, blow with a slight gust ): imitative.