puff etymology

Etymology:

The word "puff" is derived from the Middle English word "puffen," which means "to blow with the breath" or "to blow up." It is thought to be onomatopoeic, imitating the sound of the wind, or of breath being blown.

Meaning:

• Noun:
  • A small, soft cloud of powder, dust, smoke, or steam
  • A small, soft, light pastry filled with cream, jam, or other sweet filling
  • A boastful or exaggerated statement
• Verb:
  • To blow with the breath
  • To fill with air or steam
  • To swell or become larger
• Adjective (Puffed):
  • Swollen or inflated
  • Blustering or boastful

Origin:

The word "puff" first appeared in the 13th century, and has been used in various forms since then. It is a common word in many languages, including German, French, and Spanish.

Related Words:

• Puffball (n.) - a type of mushroom that puffs out a cloud of spores when mature
• Puffin (n.) - a type of seabird with a distinctive beak that resembles a puff
• Puffy (adj.) - swollen or inflated
• Puffery (n.) - exaggerated or boastful statements

puff relate terms

• poof

  Etymology The word poof has a complex and uncertain etymology It is believed to have

• pouf

  Etymology The word pouf has its origins in the French language Pouffer To blow out

• puffer

  Etymology The word puffer has several possible etymologies Middle English puf m

• drag

  Etymology The word drag originates from the Middle English term dragen which means

• draw

  Etymology The word etymology is derived from the Greek words étymon which means tr

• inflate

  Etymology The word inflate originates from the Latin verb inflare meaning to blow int

• pant

  Etymology of pant The word pant is derived from the Middle English word pante whic

• boil

  Etymology Origin Old French boillir Latin bullire Indo European bhel to bubble

• blast

  Etymology The term blast has an Old English origin Old English blæst Proto Germ

• chuff

  Etymology Chuff is derived from the Middle English word choffen meaning to blow wi

• heave

  Etymology Middle English from late 14th century from Middle Dutch heven Old Saxon heb

• bluster

  Etymology Old English blōstre meaning a boast bragging Derived from the Proto Germ