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noun

Waft n.

1.

A wave or current of wind. "Everywaft of the air." "In this dire season, oft the whirlwind's wing Sweeps up the burden of whole wintry plains In one wide waft."

2.

A signal made by waving something, as a flag, in the air.

3.

An unpleasant flavor. (Obs.)

4.

(Naut.) A knot, or stop, in the middle of a flag. (Written also wheft) Note: A flag with a waft in it, when hoisted at the staff, or half way to the gaff, means, a man overboard; at the peak, a desire to communicate; at the masthead, "Recall boats."

verb

Waft v. t. (past & past part. wafted; pres. part. wafting)

1.

To give notice to by waving something; to wave the hand to; to beckon. (Obs.) "But soft: who wafts us yonder?"

2.

To cause to move or go in a wavy manner, or by the impulse of waves, as of water or air; to bear along on a buoyant medium; as, a balloon was wafted over the channel. "A gentle wafting to immortal life." "Speed the soft intercourse from soul to soul, And waft a sigh from Indus to the pole."

3.

To cause to float; to keep from sinking; to buoy. (Obs.) Note: This verb is regular; but waft was formerly sometimes used, as by Shakespeare, instead of wafted.

Waft v. i. To be moved, or to pass, on a buoyant medium; to float. "And now the shouts waft near the citadel."

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Etymology of 'Waft'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Waft" Quotes from Famous Books

... which would take us to Chilcat in a few hours, but unluckily the day was Sunday and the good wind was refused. Sunday, it seemed to me, could be kept as well by sitting in the canoe and letting the Lord's wind waft us quietly on our way. The day was rainy and the clouds hung low. The trees here are remarkably well developed, tall and straight. I observed three or four hemlocks which had been struck by lightning,—the first I noticed in Alaska. Some of ...

— Travels in Alaska • John Muir

... when Joe had managed to get himself in the front row and directly before the little teacher, that lady turned her head several times and showed signs of discomfort. When it finally struck the latter that the human breath might, perhaps, waft toward a lady perfumes more agreeable than those of mixed drinks, he abruptly quitted ...

— Romance of California Life • John Habberton

... she was stark Midsummer-mad to suppose, when she met him early next morning with his costume unchanged, that he would keep it on till he came to tea with the family, and then, still wearing it, waft her off ...

— Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 159, October 27, 1920 • Various

... sire reposeth in the wave, Beneath an Indian sky; The violets fringe her mother's grave, And there, her sisters lie! And we will waft to heaven our prayers, When her pure dust ...

— The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, No. 366 - Vol. XIII, No. 366., Saturday, April 18, 1829 • Various

... his ship.] he had landed sooner in France than in Essex: but such was his good hap, that he escaped and arriued at his appointed port. The lord Camois, [Sidenote: The lord Camois put in blame.] that was commanded with certeine ships of warre to waft the king ouer (whether the wind turned so that he could not kepe his direct course, or that his ship was but a slug) ran so far in the kings displeasure, that he was attached & indited, for that (as was surmized against him) he had practised with ...

— Chronicles (3 of 6): Historie of England (1 of 9) - Henrie IV • Raphael Holinshed

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