I. ˈhwif also ˈwif noun
( -s )
Etymology: imitative
1.
a.
(1) : a quick puff or slight gust of air
the wind came in whiffs — Wallace Stegner
(2) : a puff, gust, or wave of odor
wafted a feline whiff — David Walker
(3) : a puff or gust of vapor, gas, or liquid in the air
a whiff of smoke hangs over a sleeping volcano — Richard Church
whiffs of spray from the fountain — Lawrence Durrell
b.
(1) : an inhalation of odor, smoke, gas, or vapor
she went off at the first whiff of ether — O.S.J.Gogarty
(2) obsolete : a drink or sip of liquor
c. : a slight puffing or whistling sound
the almost inaudible whiff of his spread wings — Saul Bellow
2. : a slight trace or sample : intimation , hint
his unerring detection of the faintest whiff of sentiment — H.J.Muller
there is more than a whiff of propaganda — Richard Mallett
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
1. : to move with or as if with a puff of air ; also : to make or produce a puffing or whistling sound
2. : to emit whiffs : puff
3. : to inhale an odor : engage in sniffing
4. : fan 4
transitive verb
1.
a. : to carry or convey by or as if by a whiff : blow
the storm … whiffed smoke and ashes into their faces — Isak Dinesen
b. : to expel or puff out in a whiff : exhale
c. : smoke 3a
2. : to cause (a batter) to fan in baseball or softball : strike out
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: origin unknown
: any of several flatfishes related to the turbot ; especially : a small European fish ( Lepidorhombus megastoma )