Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Puff \Puff\ (p[u^]f), n. [Akin to G. & Sw. puff a blow, Dan.
   puf, D. pof; of imitative origin. Cf. {Buffet}.]
   1. A sudden and single emission of breath from the mouth;
      hence, any sudden or short blast of wind; a slight gust; a
      whiff. `` To every puff of wind a slave.'' --Flatman.

   2. Anything light and filled with air. Specifically:
      (a) A puffball.
      (b) a kind of light pastry.
      (c) A utensil of the toilet for dusting the skin or hair
          with powder.

   3. An exaggerated or empty expression of praise, especially
      one in a public journal.

   {Puff adder}. (Zo["o]l.)
      (a) Any South African viper belonging to {Clotho} and
          allied genera. They are exceedingly venomous, and have
          the power of greatly distending their bodies when
          irritated. The common puff adder ({Vipera, or Clotho
          arietans}) is the largest species, becoming over four
          feet long. The plumed puff adder ({C. cornuta}) has a
          plumelike appendage over each eye.
      (b) A North American harmless snake ({Heterodon
          platyrrhinos}) which has the power of puffing up its
          body. Called also {hog-nose snake}, {flathead},
          {spreading adder}, and {blowing adder}.

   {Puff bird} (Zo["o]l.), any bird of the genus {Bucco}, or
      family {Bucconid[ae]}. They are small birds, usually with
      dull-colored and loose plumage, and have twelve tail
      feathers. See {Barbet}
      (b) .