[puff] vb [ME, fr. OE pyffan, of imit. origin] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): to blow in short gusts (2): to exhale forcibly b: to breathe hard: pant c: to emit small whiffs or clouds (as of smoke) often as an accompaniment to vigorous action "~ at a pipe"
2: to speak or act in a scornful, conceited, or exaggerated manner 3 a: to become distended: swell--usu. used with up b: to open or appear in or as if in a puff
4: to form a chromosomal puff ~ vt 1 a: to emit, propel, blow, or expel by or as if by puffs: waft b: to draw on (as a cigar, cigarette, or pipe) with intermittent exhalations of smoke
2. a: to distend with or as if with air or gas: inflate b: to make proud or conceited: elate c (1): to praise extravagantly and usu. with exaggeration (2): advertise
[2]puff n (13c) 1 a: an act or instance of puffing: whiff b: a slight explosive sound accompanying a puff c: a perceptible cloud or aura emitted in a puff d: draw 1a
2: a light round hollow pastry 3 a: a slight swelling: protuberance b: a fluffy mass: as (1): pouf
2. (2): a small fluffy pad for applying cosmetic powder (3): a soft loose roll of hair (4): a quilted bed covering
4: a commendatory or promotional notice or review
5: an enlarged region of a chromosome that is associated with intensely active genes involved in RNA synthesis -- puff.i.ness n -- puffy adj