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| puff [ puf ] |
noun (plural puffs) |
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| Definition: |
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1. short sudden rush of air: a short sudden rush of air, wind, gas, or smoke
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2. sound of puff: the short sound made by a rush of air or gas
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3. amount in puff: the amount of substance contained in a puff
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4. short exhalation: a short blowing out of breath
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5. inhalation followed by exhalation: an inhalation followed by an exhalation, especially when smoking
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6. U.S. food
Same as puff pastry
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7. exaggerated praise or publicity: an exaggerated or flattering expression of praise, especially in publicizing something or somebody
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8. cosmetics
Same as powder puff
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9. swelling: a rounded swelling or projection on something
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10. gathered section of fabric: a piece of fabric gathered around the edges and bulging in the middle
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11. voluminous hairstyle: hair arranged in an enlarged mass by combing, rolling, or padding it
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12. U.S. quilted bedspread: a quilted and padded covering for a bed
(
dated
)
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13. genetics enlarged region on chromosome: an enlarged region on a chromosome resulting from active RNA synthesis
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verb (past and past participle puffed, present participle puff·ing, 3rd person present singular puffs) |
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| Definition: |
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1. intransitive verb breathe quickly: to breathe quickly in short blasts
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2. transitive and intransitive verb emit gas in short blasts: to emit or blow steam, gas, or smoke in short blasts
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3. transitive and intransitive verb inhale and exhale smoke: to inhale and exhale smoke from a cigarette, cigar, or pipe
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4. intransitive verb move while emitting smoke puffs: to move in a particular direction or way emitting puffs of smoke or steam
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5. intransitive verb move while panting: to move in a particular direction or way while panting
  He puffed up the hill.
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6. transitive and intransitive verb swell up: to swell, or make something swell, e.g. with air or pride
puffed out his cheeks
puffing up balloons
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7. transitive verb speak highly of somebody or something: to praise somebody or something extravagantly, especially in publicity material
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| [12th century. Origin ?] |
