whiff
Part of speech: noun
verb
adj
intj
Morphological type: simple
Topics: ball-games
baseball
fishing
games
hobbies
lifestyle
nautical
sports
transport
video-games
Etymology: The noun is possibly:
* partly a variant of Middle English wef, weffe (“bad smell, stench, stink; exhalation; vapour; tendency of something to go bad (?)”) [and other forms], possibly a variant of either:
** waf, waif, waife (“odour, scent”), possibly from waven (“to move to and fro, sway, wave; to stray, wander; to move in a weaving manner; (figuratively) to hesitate, vacillate”), from Old English wafian (“to wave”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *webʰ- (“to braid, weave”); or
** wef (“a blow, stroke”), from weven (“to travel, wander; to move to and fro, flutter, waver; to blow something away, waft; to cause something to move; to fall; to cut deeply; to sever; to give up, yield; to give deference to; to avoid; to afflict, trouble; to beckon, signal”); further etymology uncertain, perhaps from Old English wefan (“to weave”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *webʰ- (“to braid, weave”)), or from wǣfan (see bewǣfan, ymbwǣfan); and
* partly onomatopoeic.
Noun sense 6 (“name of a number of flatfish”) is possibly derived from sense 1 (“brief, gentle breeze; a light gust of air”), sense 4 (“small quantity of cloud, smoke, vapour, etc.”), and other such senses.
The verb and adjective are derived from the noun. Verb sense 2.6 (“to catch fish by dragging a handline near the surface of the water from a moving boat”) is possibly derived from sense 1.1 (“to carry or convey (something) by, or as by, a whiff or puff of air”), sense 2.2 (“to be carried, or move as if carried, by a puff of air”), and other such senses.
The interjection is derived from noun sense 7.4 (“a sound like that of air passing through a small opening; a short or soft whistle”).
Inflected forms:
form: whiffs
pos: noun
tags: plural
form: whiffs
pos: verb
tags: present
singular
third-person
form: whiffing
pos: verb
tags: participle
present
form: whiffed
pos: verb
tags: participle
past
form: whiffed
pos: verb
tags: past
form: more whiff
pos: adj
tags: comparative
form: most whiff
pos: adj
tags: superlative
Senses:
gloss: A brief, gentle breeze; a light gust of air; a waft.
pos: noun
examples: Purrus at Pryam driues, but all in rage, / Strikes vvide, but vvith the vvhiffe and vvinde / Of his fell ſvvord, th'unnerued father falles.
Now as the VVinde, buffing vpon a Hill / VVith roaring breath againſt a ready Mill, / VVhirls vvith a vvhiff the ſails of ſvvelling clout, / The ſails doo ſvving the vvinged ſhaft about.
Their Enſignes ſhine, and Dragons fell that therein pictur'd ſhow, / VVave to and fro vvith vvhiffes of vvind, as it doth gently blovv.
"Give her a whiff of fresh air with the bellows, Charley," said Mr. Dawkins; "and you slap her hands, Fagin, while Bill undoes the petticoats."
gloss: A short inhalation or exhalation of breath, especially when accompanied by smoke from a cigarette or pipe.
pos: noun
examples: Sog[liardo]. […] [D]oe you profeſſe theſe ſleights in Tabacco? / […] / Shift. Yes as ſoone ſir; he ſhall receiue the 1, 2, and 3 VVhiffe, if it pleaſe him, & (vpon the receit) take his horſe, drinke his three cups of Canarie, and expoſe one at Hounſlovv, a ſecond at Stanes, and a third at Bagſhot.
I was yesterday in a coffee-house not far from the Royal Exchange, where I observed three persons in close conference over a pipe of tobacco; upon which, having filled one for my own use, I lighted it at the little wax candle that stood before them: and, after having thrown in two or three whiffs amongst them, sat down and made one of the company.
Four pipes after dinner he conſtantly ſmokes; / And ſeaſons his whifs with impertinent jokes.
Gaffar Andrevvs teſtified no remarkable Emotion, he bleſſed and kiſſed her, but complained bitterly, that he vvanted his Pipe, not having had a VVhiff that Morning.
The skipper, he blew a whiff from his pipe, / And a scornful laugh laughed he.
Mr. Willet looked first at her, then at his son, then back again at Dolly, and then made an ineffectual effort to extract a whiff from his pipe, which had gone out long ago.
Silver took a whiff or two of his pipe with great composure, and then ran on again.
"I call that a dirty-looking pipe," he added, blowing a contemptuous whiff in the direction of Limpet's pipe.
gloss: A short inhalation or exhalation of breath, especially when accompanied by smoke from a cigarette or pipe.
pos: noun
tags: archaic
broadly
gloss: An odour (usually unpleasant) carried briefly through the air.
pos: noun
examples: And then, ſo nice, and ſo genteel; / Such Cleanlineſs from Head to Heel: / No Humours groſs, or frowzy Steams, / No noiſom Whiffs, or ſweaty Streams, / Before, behind, above, below, / Could from her taintleſs Body flow.
The fortune of ſuch men was a temptation too great to be reſiſted by one, to whom, a ſingle whiff of incenſe withheld gave much greater pain, than he received delight, in the clouds of it, which daily roſe about him from the prodigal ſuperſtition of innumerable admirers.
[E]v'ry twentieth pace / Conducts the unguarded noſe to ſuch a whiff / Of ſtale debauch forth-iſſuing from the ſtyes / That law has licenſed, as makes temp'rance reel.
When the major rose from his rocking-chair before the stove and so disturbed the hot air and balmy whiff of soup which fanned their brows, the odour of stale tobacco became so decidedly prevalent as to leave no doubt of its proceeding mainly from that gentleman's attire.
But the butterflies were dead. A whiff of rotten eggs had vanquished the pale clouded yellows which came pelting across the orchard and up Dods Hill and away on to the moor, now lost behind a furze bush, then off again helter-skelter in a broiling sun
gloss: A small quantity of cloud, smoke, vapour, etc.; specifically (obsolete), chiefly in take the whiff: a puff of tobacco smoke.
pos: noun
examples: Shift. […] His cheef exerciſes are taking the VVhiffe, ſquiring a Cocatrice, and making priuie ſearches for Imparters.
The Hispaniola rolled steadily, dipping her bowsprit now and then with a whiff of spray.
gloss: A flag used as a signal.
pos: noun
examples: When the Indiaman was within a mile, the stranger threw out neutral colours, and hoisted a whiff, half-mast down, as a signal that she was in distress.
gloss: Any of a number of flatfish such as (dated) the lemon sole (Microstomus kitt) and now, especially, the megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) and (with a descriptive word) a species of large-tooth flounder or sand flounder (family Paralichthyidae).
pos: noun
gloss: A slight sign of something; a burst, a glimpse, a hint.
pos: noun
tags: figuratively
examples: [I]t reflects to the diſrepute of our Miniſters […] that after all this light of the Goſpel vvhich is, and is to be, and all this continuall preaching, they ſhould be ſtill frequented vvith ſuch an unprincipl'd, unedify'd, and laick rabble, as that the vvhiffe of every nevv pamphlet ſhould ſtagger them out of thir catechiſm, and Chriſtian vvalking.
[N]othing can be more unhappy, more diſhonourable, more unſafe for all, then vvhen a vviſe, grave, and honourable Parlament ſhall have labourd, debated, argu'd, conſulted, and, as he himſelfe ſpeaks, contributed for the public good all their Counſels in common, to be then fruſtrated, diſapoiunted, deny'd and repuls'd by the ſingle vvhiffe of a negative, from the mouth of one vvillfull man; […]
[A] vvhiff of military pride had puff'd out his ſhirt at the vvriſt; and upon that in a black leather thong clipp'd into a taſſel beyond the knot, hung the Corporal's ſtick— […]
They had their little differences, too; / Their jealous whiffs, which never any change meant: […]
But there seemed to be not a whiff of life left in either of the unfortunates.
This little whiff of temper seemed to cool Silver down. He had been growing nettled before, but now he pulled himself together.
This was a rare whiff of the big-time for a club whose staple diet became top-flight football for so long—the glamour was in short supply, however. Thousands of empty seats and the driving Yorkshire rain saw to that.
I can tell you first-hand that we are dealing with a regime that is not being forthright and will seize upon the faintest whiff of trepidation. This is a test to see how far they can push us before we break.
gloss: A slight attack or touch.
pos: noun
tags: figuratively
gloss: A characteristic quality of something; a flavour, a savour, a taste.
pos: noun
tags: figuratively
gloss: A sound like that of air passing through a small opening; a short or soft whistle.
pos: noun
tags: figuratively
examples: Nic. anſvver'd little to that, but immediately pull'd out a Boatſvvain's VVhistle; upon the firſt VVhiff, the Tradeſmen came jumping into the Room, […]
gloss: A failure to hit a ball in various sports (for example, golf); a miss.
pos: noun
tags: US
figuratively
slang
gloss: A failure to hit a ball in various sports (for example, golf); a miss.
pos: noun
tags: US
figuratively
slang
gloss: An expulsion of explosive or shot.
pos: noun
tags: archaic
examples: Singular: in old Broglie's time, six years ago, this Whiff of Grapeshot was promised: but it could not be given then; could not have profited then.
gloss: An outrigged boat for one person propelled by oar.
pos: noun
gloss: A sip of an alcoholic beverage.
pos: noun
tags: obsolete
examples: Fly about vvhither thou vvilt, […] thou ſhalt no vvhere finde reſt for the ſoles of thy feet, but in this Arke of Chriſts perfect righteouſneſſe: In vaine ſhalt thou ſeeke it […] in beds of luſt, cheſts of Mammon, vvhiffes and draughts of intoxication, ſongs of ribaldry, ſports of recreation; […]
I will yet go drink one whiffe more and if in the meane time any thing befall you that may require my presence, I will be so near to you, that, at the first whistling in your fist, I shall be with you forthwith: […]
gloss: To carry or convey (something) by, or as by, a whiff or puff of air; to blow, puff, or waft away.
pos: verb
tags: transitive
examples: There are in all but three vvayes of going thither [to the moon]. […] [The] third, Old Empedocles vvay; vvho vvhen he leaped into Ætna, having a drie ſeare bodie, and light, the ſmoake took him and vvhift him up into the Moone, vvhere he lives yet vvaving up and dovvne like a feather, all foot and embers comming out of that cole-pit; our Poet met him, and talkt vvith him.
Five weeks ago, when they kissed the hand of Majesty, the mode he took got nothing but censure; and then his 'sincere attachment,' how was it scornfully whiffed aside!
The assemblage rose, whiffed ceremony to the winds, and rushed for the door like a mob; […]
[Alexander von] Humboldt reached the peak at eight o'clock suffering from cold; we arrived at six, perspiring from the climb to face the same bitter, westerly wind which searched our marrow as it tore over the world. It whiffed by us steam and sulphurous vapors from the caldron, the Echeyde (Hell) of the Guanches; the La Caldera Diabla (Devil's Caldron) of the Spanish peasantry, in which all food of hell is cooked.
gloss: To say (something) with an exhalation of breath.
pos: verb
tags: transitive
examples: [H]e ſat ſolitary and penſive vvith his pipe—looking at his lame leg—then vvhiffing out a ſentimental heigh ho! vvhich mixing vvith the ſmoak, incommoded no one mortal.
They crossed themselves, and whiffed out a protective prayer or two.
gloss: To inhale or exhale (smoke from tobacco, etc.) from a cigarette, pipe, or other smoking implement; to smoke (a cigarette, pipe, etc.); to puff.
pos: verb
tags: transitive
examples: VVhat pleaſure tak'ſt thou in that breath, vvhich dravvs & vvhiffs perpetuall fears?
[…] Richard, knowing his retainer's zest for conspiracy too well to seek him anywhere but in the part most favoured with shelter and concealment, found him furtively whiffing tobacco.
There was silence as they [the Shawnees] whiffed at the council pipes. Then a tall chief arose and glanced at the handful of whites and at his own three hundred along the walls of the council house.
gloss: To breathe in or sniff (an odour); to smell.
pos: verb
tags: transitive
examples: Come, come, my deare, and let us both retire / And vvhiffe the dainties of the fragrant fields: […]
The kalender, […] hath late deſcry'd / That evill affected planet Mars, ally'd / To temporizing Mercury, conjoyn'd / I'th'houſe of Death; […] That Houſe; vvhich like a Sun in this our Orbe, / VVhiffes up the Belgick fumes, and does abſorbe / From every Soile rich vapours, […]
He glanced once at the pines, going farther away, whiffed at the pleasant odor of the grape blooms, waved his hand to the roses, in farewell, perhaps, lifted his face to the blue heaven— […] then, wearing that same old look of his mother's, he turned, without a word, and re-entered the prison.
gloss: To shoot (someone) with a firearm; hence, to assassinate or kill (someone).
pos: verb
tags: archaic
dated
slang
transitive
examples: Arms are the one thing needful: with arms we are an unconquerable man-defying National Guard; without arms, a rabble to be whiffed with grapeshot.
It was pointed out that troops would not always remain in the open to be whiffed out of existence by shrapnel. Rather would they get under cover at what speed they might. So a shell to deal with entrenchments, buildings, and fortifications was indicated.
You shot Geiger to get it. Last night in the rain. It was dandy shooting weather. The trouble is he wasn't alone when you whiffed him. Either you didn't notice that, which seems unlikely, or you got the wind up and lammed.
gloss: Of a pitcher: to strike out (a batter); to fan.
pos: verb
tags: US
slang
transitive
gloss: To consume (an alcoholic beverage).
pos: verb
tags: obsolete
transitive
examples: Hee therefore that would ſtriue to faſhion his leggs to his ſilke ſtockins, and his proud gate to his broad garters, let him whiffe downe theſe obſeruations; […]
And when Gargantua whiffed the great draught, they thought to have been drowned in his mouth, and the flood of wine had almost carried them away into the gulf of his stomack.
gloss: To move in a way that causes a light gust of air, or a whistling sound.
pos: verb
tags: intransitive
gloss: To be carried, or move as if carried, by a puff of air; to waft.
pos: verb
tags: intransitive
examples: […] I have sought to stay myself, in falling, against what looked to be a solid trunk, and the whole thing has whiffed away at my touch like a sheet of paper.
gloss: To smoke a cigarette, pipe, or other smoking implement.
pos: verb
tags: intransitive
examples: Morrow Captaine Tucca, vvill you vvhiffe this morning?
The brawny threſher whirling faſt his flail, / Pauſes, and takes a pinch each ſheaf betwixt; / The Squire too whiffeth, o'er his mug of ale; / And eke the Parſon, o'er ſome crabbed text, / Sucketh his pipe, and ſeeth the doctrine leſs perplext.
gloss: To smell; to sniff.
pos: verb
tags: intransitive
gloss: To give off or have an unpleasant smell; to stink.
pos: verb
tags: intransitive
slang
examples: She [a dead cat]—is—there, gettin' ready to surprise 'em. Presently she'll begin to whisper to 'em in their dreams. Then she'll whiff. Golly, how she'll whiff!
The second trauma was sharing a boat with all the foreigners who were beginning to whiff somewhat and had things crawling out of their beards, having spent days on end reaching the ferry on their bikes.
gloss: Especially in baseball or golf: to completely miss hitting a ball; hence (baseball), of a batter: to strike out; to fan.
pos: verb
tags: US
intransitive
slang
examples: "Casey Bat". You can't help but swing this bat with all your might. There's a good chance that you may just whiff.
gloss: To fail spectacularly.
pos: verb
tags: broadly
intransitive
slang
examples: Or consider an alternative [imaginary] exhibit, in some side gallery, that sadly reflects on an enormous lost opportunity. […] This is a dark, dead end in the Biden library: A once mighty nation is served its toughest challenge yet, and it whiffs.
And she was particularly critical of Attorney-General Pam Bondi for her handling of the Epstein case, saying she "whiffed" on handling public expectations by suggesting the Justice Department had a client list waiting to be disclosed only for the administration to later say it did not exist.
gloss: In fighting games, to execute a move that fails to hit the opponent.
pos: verb
tags: intransitive
slang
gloss: To catch fish by dragging a handline near the surface of the water from a moving boat.
pos: verb
tags: intransitive
gloss: Having a strong or unpleasant odour.
pos: adj
tags: informal
examples: [F]rom under a pile of stones [they] drew forth the new-slain corpse of a cat. […] 'Well-nourished old lady, ain't she?' said Stalky. 'How long d'you suppose it'll take her to get a bit whiff in a confined space?' / 'Bit whiff! What a coarse brute you are!' said M'Turk. 'Can't a poor pussy-cat get under King's dormitory floor to die without your pursuin' her with your foul innuendoes?'
Whoo boy that gear oil is pretty whiff. If you actually do this, spend the extra money for the synthetic gear oil as it will not have as bad a sulfur stink as the regular stuff.
gloss: Used to indicate a sound like that of air passing through a small opening, that is, a short or soft whistle.
pos: intj
examples: Sir Willoughby, […] made to this extraordinary remonstrance no other reply than a long whiff, and a "Well, Russelton, dash my wig (a favourite oath of Sir W.'s) but you're a queer fellow."
But yonder, whiff! there comes a sudden heat, / The gravest citizen seems to lose his head, […]
Derived words: whiffle
whiffy
whiffer
whiffing
Translations:
lang: Bulgarian
word: дъх
roman: dǎh
lang: Dutch
word: teug
lang: Dutch
word: trek
lang: Finnish
word: henkäys
lang: French
word: bouffée
lang: Macedonian
word: здив
roman: zdiv
lang: Russian
word: затя́жка
roman: zatjážka
lang: Spanish
word: bocanada