wisp /wɪsp/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Origin: Perhaps from whisk ]
1 . a wisp of hair, grass, ↑ hay etc is a thin piece of it that is separate from the rest
wisp of
A wisp of hair had escaped from under her hat.
2 . a wisp of smoke, cloud, mist etc is a small thin line of it that rises upwards
wisp of
Wisps of smoke rose into the air.
⇨ ↑ will o' the wisp
—wispy adjective