whiffn.1
/wɪf/, U.S. /(h)wɪf/ I. Senses relating to a light puff.
1.
a. A slight puff or gust of wind, a breath.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > wind > [noun] > puff of
pufflOE
breathc1400
fuff1535
whiff1603
whift1614
tifta1765
cat's paw1769
skift1808
flaff1827
skiff1827
whiffle1842
whisp1884
quiff1912
1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet ii. ii. 476 With the whiffe and winde Of his fell sword, th'unnerued father falles.
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. iv. 126 The Winde..Whirles with a whiffe the sailes of swelling clout.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 195 Their Ensignes..Wave to and fro with whiffes of wind.
1786 F. Burney Diary Oct. (1842) III. 179 A whiff [of wind] from the King's stairs, enough to blow you half a mile off!
1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist III. xxxviii. 29 Give her a whiff of fresh air with the bellows, Charley.
b. transferred and figurative. A ‘breath’, ‘blast’, ‘burst’.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > manifestation > [noun] > a manifestation > slight
sparklec1380
taste1390
whiff1644
proffer1740
aperçu1828
snatch1880
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > a small quantity or amount > a slight touch or trace
specec1330
taste1390
lisounc1400
savourc1400
smatcha1500
smell?a1505
spice1531
smack1539
shadow1586
surmise1586
relish1590
tang1593
touch1597
stain1609
tincture1612
dasha1616
soula1616
twanga1640
whiff1644
haut-goût1650
casta1661
stricturea1672
tinge1736
tinct1752
vestige1756
smattering1764
soupçon1766
smutch1776
shade1791
suspicion1809
lineament1811
trait1815
tint1817
trace1827
skiff1839
spicing1844
smudgea1871
ghost1887
1644 J. Milton Areopagitica 24 That the whiffe of every new pamphlet should stagger them out of thir catechism.
1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης xxvii. 222 Deny'd and repuls'd by the single whiffe of a negative.
1767 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy IX. ii. 12 A whiff of military pride had puff'd out his shirt at the wrist.
1818 Ld. Byron Beppo l. 26 They had their little differences, too; Those jealous whiffs, which never any change meant.
1851 G. Brimley Ess. (1858) ii. 174 The Quarterly Review..issued a mild whiff of qualified approval.
1878 T. Hardy Return of Native III. v. ix. 243 There seemed to be not a whiff of life left in either of the unfortunates.
1883 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island iv. xx. 163 This little whiff of temper seemed to cool Silver down.
1912 Times Lit. Suppl. 13 June 241/1 Factories..brought with them the first whiff of cotton-spinning democracy.
c. A slight attack, ‘touch’; = waff n. 3b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > [noun] > bout or attack of > slight attack
spicea1479
touch1600
smatch1647
brush1733
waff1808
whiff1837
1837 T. Carlyle New Lett. (1904) I. 58 I have twice had flying whiffs of cold.
d. U.S. slang. A miss, a failure to hit (a ball).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > golf > [noun] > types of shot or stroke
putta1754
like1790
drive1829
tee-shot1850
gobble1857
push shot1865
iron shot1870
push stroke1873
drive-off1884
slice1886
raker1888
foozle1890
hook1890
iron1890
top1890
sclaff1893
brassy shot1894
run1894
chip shot1899
chip1903
pull1903
skimmer1903
draw shot1904
brassy1906
pitch-and-run1908
windcheater1909
air shot1920
chip-in1921
explosion1924
downhiller1925
blast1927
driver1927
shank1927
socket1927
recovery1937
whiff1952
pinsplitter1961
comebacker1965
bump-and-run1981
1952 N.Y. Herald Tribune 15 May 21/6 On the first tee he took a careful stance and then fanned the air four times. After the fourth whiff he growled, ‘This is the hardest course I ever played.’
2. † b. A sip or draught of liquor. Obsolete.
a. An inhalation of tobacco-smoke; smoke so inhaled; in early use also, †the ‘taking’ of tobacco, smoking ( to take the whiff, to smoke).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > tobacco > smoking > [noun] > a smoke or inhalation
whiff1600
quiff1617
draught1621
puffing1675
draw1823
shoch1831
pull1841
blow1855
reek1876
drag1914
inhale1934
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > tobacco > smoking > use as material for smoking [verb (transitive)] > use in the act of smoking
drone1600
to take the whiff1600
whiffc1616
puff1664
smoke1707
fuff1786
blow1808
burn1929
chuff1940
1600 B. Jonson Every Man out of his Humor Dram. Pers. sig. Aiv Shift... His cheef exercises are taking the Whiffe, squiring a Cocatrice, and making priuie searches for Imparters. View more context for this quotation
1600 B. Jonson Every Man out of his Humor iii. i. sig. Iiv Sog... Doe you professe these sleights in Tabacco?.. Punt. But you cannot bring him to the Whiffe so soone? View more context for this quotation
1601 J. Marston et al. Iacke Drums Entertainm. i. sig. B3 Iust like a whiffe of Tabacco, no sooner in at the mouth, but out at the nose.
1606 N. Breton Poste with Packet Madde Lett. (new ed.) II. sig. B3 Tobacco is like to grow a great commoditie, for there is not an Ostler, nor a Tapster, but will be at his whiffe or two.
1607 T. Walkington Optick Glasse ix. 54 Tobacco..must needs be very pernicious in regard of the immoderate & too ordinary whiffe.
1690 J. Stevens Jrnl. (1912) 139 Seven or eight will gather to the smoking of a pipe and each taking two or three whiffs gives it to his neighbour.
a1718 M. Prior Epigr.: Frank carves very Ill Four Pipes after Dinner he constantly smokes; And seasons his Whifs with impertinent Jokes.
1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews II. iv. xvi. 299 Gaffer Andrews..complained bitterly, that he wanted his pipe, not having had a Whiff that Morning. View more context for this quotation
1814 B. Heyne Tracts on India 392 The Malays..roll a little tobacco in a small piece of plantain leaf,..and after it is lighted, take only a few whifs, and throw the rest away.
1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge i. 238 He had taken his pipe from his lips, after a very long whiff to keep it alight.
1886 G. R. Sims Ring o' Bells Prol. 1 He took a couple of whiffs at his long churchwarden.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > [noun] > a drink of
strong drink?1490
drink1535
whiff1605
tip1612
wet1719
swilla1731
booze1732
slug1756
whitter1786
intoxication1799
O (or oh) be joyful1823
sneezer1823
north-wester1830
drain1836
damp1837
smile1839
snifter1844
liquor1860
rosiner1871
tiddlywink1880
bevvy1889
gargle1889
snort1889
jolt1904
smahan1914
tincture1914
taste1919
piss1925
drinkie1947
smash1959
shant1960
1605 Hist. Tryall Cheualry sig. Ev I had but a whiffe or two: for I was passing dry.
1624 Bp. J. Hall True Peace-maker 13 In beds of lust, chests of Mammon, whiffes and draughts of intoxication.
1653 T. Urquhart tr. F. Rabelais 1st Bk. Wks. vi. 31 I will yet go drink one whiffe more [Fr. encores quelque veguade].
3.
a. A wave or waft of (usually unsavoury) odour.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > fetor > [noun] > fetid smells
stenchc893
reekeOE
weffea1300
stink1382
fise14..
smeek?c1425
fist1440
fetorc1450
stew1487
moisture1542
putor1565
pouant1602
funk1606
graveolence1623
hogo1654
whiff1668
fogo1794
stythe1823
malodour1825
pen and ink1859
body scent1875
pong1900
niffa1903
hum1906
taint1927
honk1953
bowf1985
stank1996
1668 R. L'Estrange tr. F. G. de Quevedo y Villegas Visions (1708) 137 The Poysonous Whiffs she sends from her Toes and Arm-Pits.
1734 J. Swift Strephon & Cloe in Beautiful Young Nymph 8 No noisom Whiffs, or sweaty Streams..Could from her taintless Body flow.
1775 E. Burke Speech Amer. Taxation 49 To whom, a single whiff of incense withheld gave much greater pain, than he received delight, in the clouds of it.
1785 W. Cowper Task iv. 469 A whiff Of stale debauch.
1843 C. Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit (1844) v. 54 That whiff of russia leather, too, and all those rows on rows of volumes, neatly ranged within.
1872 W. Black Strange Adventures Phaeton xiii. 182 A whiff of honeysuckle was borne to us as we passed.
1884 R. C. Praed Zéro i Is not the very name Monte Carlo like a whiff of some intoxicating draught?
b. figurative. Flavour, savour.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > [noun] > an indication or sign > slight
sparklec1380
odourc1384
smell?a1505
savour?1531
casta1556
obumbrationa1631
smite1640
subindication1655
smattering1764
whiff1872
breath1873
1872 J. Morley Voltaire vii. 321 Apologising for some whiff of orthodoxy which Voltaire scented.
1895 H. Rashdall Univ. Europe in Middle Ages II. 514 (note) There is a whiff of the Renaissance about the very words of the Statute.
4.
a. A puff of smoke or vapour, esp. of tobacco-smoke.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > tobacco > smoking > [noun] > tobacco smoke > whiff of
whiff1715
fuff1816
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > products of burning > [noun] > smoke > a puff of
whiff1715
gust1811
pufflet1848
spirt1851
waft1896
1715 J. Addison Spectator No. 568. ¶1 I lighted it at a little Wax Candle..and, after having thrown in two or three Whiffs among them, sat down.
1752 Lady's Curiosity 10 He..knocks you down with a whiff, or a f—, if you ask for an argument.
1841 H. W. Longfellow Wreck of Hesperus in Boston Bk. (ed. 3) 74 The Skipper, he blew a whiff from his pipe.
1875 W. D. Howells Foregone Concl. vii The..heaven, in whose vast blue depths hung light whiffs of pinkish cloud.
b. transferred. A cigarette or small cigar.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > tobacco > smoking > articles or materials used in smoking > [noun] > thing which may be smoked > cigar or cigarette
whiff?1881
smoke1882
ciga1889
?1881 Census Eng. & Wales: Instr. Clerks classifying Occupations & Ages (?1885) 60 Cheroot Maker... Whiff Maker.
1896 Daily News 9 Mar. 5/4 The popular form of these daintily-got-up cigarettes is a ‘whiff’ of about two inches in length.
5.
a. A puffing or whistling sound, as of a puff or gust of wind through a small opening; a short or gentle whistle; hence frequently = whew n.1 (also as int.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sudden or violent sound > explosive sound > [noun] > explosive emission of air
puff1606
whiff1712
fuff1804
whoof1866
boof1906
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > unpleasant quality > shrill quality > [noun] > whistle
whew1513
whistling1513
whiplinga1529
whist1579
whewing?1590
siffling1603
sifflement1607
whistlea1648
whutea1663
whiff1712
whoop1840
whiffle1972
1712 J. Arbuthnot Lewis Baboon iv. i. 5 Nic...pull'd out a Boatswain's Whistle; upon the first Whiff, the Tradesmen came jumping into the Room.
1828 E. Bulwer-Lytton Pelham I. xxxiii. 293 Sir Willoughby..made..no other reply than a long whiff, and a ‘Well, Russelton, dash my wig..but you're a queer fellow.’
1843 R. S. Surtees Handley Cross I. ix. 160 Now we read the Hercules on the engine, and anon it pulls up with a whiff, a puff, and a whistle.
1850 Ld. Tennyson Princess (ed. 3) Concl. 174 But yonder, whiff! there comes a sudden heat.
1870 J. R. Lowell Cathedral 11 Sunshine, whose quick charm..wiled the bluebird to his whiff of song.
1876 J. S. Bristowe Treat. Theory & Pract. Med. ii. iii. 360 A like whiff or blowing sound follows each sonorous expiratory shock of cough.
b. A discharge of shot or explosive.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > [noun] > a shot
pot-shot1592
shot1653
pop1657
pluff1663
round1690
whiff1837
tap1987
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. III. vii. vii. 444 Six years ago, this Whiff of Grapeshot was promised.
1870 Routledge's Every Boy's Ann. Feb. 90 He might clear the gangway for the boarders with a ‘whiff’ of this terrible projectile [i.e. grape-shot].
1915 ‘I. Hay’ First Hundred Thousand ii. xviii. 251 A whiff o' shrapnel.
6. in a whiff: in a short time, in a jiffy. dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb]
soonc825
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
rekeneOE
rekenlyOE
thereright971
anonOE
forth ona1000
coflyc1000
ferlyc1000
radlyOE
swiftlyc1000
unyoreOE
yareOE
at the forme (also first) wordOE
nowOE
shortlya1050
rightOE
here-rightlOE
right anonlOE
anonc1175
forthrightc1175
forthwithalc1175
skeetc1175
swithc1175
with and withc1175
anon-rightc1225
anon-rights?c1225
belivec1225
lightly?c1225
quickly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
hastilyc1275
i-radlichec1275
as soon asc1290
aright1297
bedenea1300
in little wevea1300
withoute(n dwella1300
alrightc1300
as fast (as)c1300
at firstc1300
in placec1300
in the placec1300
mididonec1300
outrightc1300
prestc1300
streck13..
titec1300
without delayc1300
that stounds1303
rada1325
readya1325
apacec1325
albedenec1330
as (also also) titec1330
as blivec1330
as line rightc1330
as straight as linec1330
in anec1330
in presentc1330
newlyc1330
suddenlyc1330
titelyc1330
yernec1330
as soon1340
prestly1340
streckly1340
swithly?1370
evenlya1375
redelya1375
redlya1375
rifelya1375
yeplya1375
at one blastc1380
fresha1382
ripelyc1384
presentc1385
presently1385
without arrestc1385
readilyc1390
in the twinkling of a looka1393
derflya1400
forwhya1400
skeetlya1400
straighta1400
swifta1400
maintenantc1400
out of handc1400
wightc1400
at a startc1405
immediately1420
incontinent1425
there and then1428
onenec1429
forwithc1430
downright?a1439
agatec1440
at a tricec1440
right forth1440
withouten wonec1440
whipc1460
forthwith1461
undelayed1470
incessantly1472
at a momentc1475
right nowc1475
synec1475
incontinently1484
promptly1490
in the nonce?a1500
uncontinent1506
on (upon, in) the instant1509
in short1513
at a clap1519
by and by1526
straightway1526
at a twitch1528
at the first chop1528
maintenantly1528
on a tricea1529
with a tricec1530
at once1531
belively1532
straightwaysa1533
short days1533
undelayedly1534
fro hand1535
indelayedly1535
straight forth1536
betimesc1540
livelyc1540
upononc1540
suddenly1544
at one (or a) dash?1550
at (the) first dash?1550
instantly1552
forth of hand1564
upon the nines1568
on the nail1569
at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572
indilately1572
summarily1578
at one (a) chop1581
amain1587
straightwise1588
extempore1593
presto1598
upon the place1600
directly1604
instant1604
just now1606
with a siserary1607
promiscuously1609
at (in) one (an) instant1611
on (also upon) the momenta1616
at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617
hand to fist1634
fastisha1650
nextly1657
to rights1663
straightaway1663
slap1672
at first bolt1676
point-blank1679
in point1680
offhand1686
instanter1688
sonica1688
flush1701
like a thought1720
in a crack1725
momentary1725
bumbye1727
clacka1734
plumba1734
right away1734
momentarily1739
momentaneously1753
in a snap1768
right off1771
straight an end1778
abruptedly1784
in a whistle1784
slap-bang1785
bang?1795
right off the reel1798
in a whiff1800
in a flash1801
like a shot1809
momently1812
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
in a gird1825
(all) in a rush1829
in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830
straightly1830
toot sweetc1830
in two twos1838
rectly1843
quick-stick1844
short metre1848
right1849
at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854
off the hooks1860
quicksticks1860
straight off1873
bang off1886
away1887
in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890
ek dum1895
tout de suite1895
bung1899
one time1899
prompt1910
yesterday1911
in two ups1934
presto changeo1946
now-now1966
presto change1987
the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > [adverb] > instantaneously or with a short space of time
swiftlya1400
at one fling1556
at one (a) chop1581
per saltum1602
at one (fell, etc.) swoop1612
popa1625
instantaneously1644
in the catching up of a garter1697
in the drawing of a trigger1706
in a handclap1744
at a slap1753
momentaneously1753
in a whiff1800
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
bolt1839
at a single jeta1856
overnight1912
jiffy-quick1927
in two ups1934
1800 M. Edgeworth Eton Montem i, in Parent's Assistant (ed. 3) VI. 147 Lean on my arm, madam, and we'll have you in and at home in a whiff.
1825 J. T. Brockett Gloss. North Country Words (at cited word) In a whiff, in a short time.
1888 Lippincott's Monthly Mag. Apr. 454 All this passed through his mind in a whiff.
II. Senses relating to a flag.
7. A flag hoisted as a signal.Cf. waff n. 1b, waft n.1 6, waif n.2 2, whiffler n.2 3, whift n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > signalling > visual signalling > flag signalling > [noun] > signal flag
waif1530
waft1562
whiff1693
affirmative flag1796
whift1839
cornet1874
1693 R. Lyde True Acct. Retaking of Ship 20 I took a Sash from one of them,..and put it out for a Whiff.
1832 F. Marryat Newton Forster III. xi. 178 The stranger..hoisted a whiff, half-mast down.
III. Senses relating to a type of boat.
8. A light kind of outrigged boat for one sculler, used on the Thames.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > vessels propelled by oars or poles > [noun] > rowing boat > light or racing
boat1829
torpid1838
wager-boat1844
skiff1845
slogger1852
whiff1859
gig1865
best boat1866
shell1867
ship1878
sculling four1885
rum-tum1891
Togger1891
1859 Guardian 13 Apr. 331/1 The accidental upsetting of a pleasure-boat, called a ‘whiff’, on the river Cherwell.
1875 H. R. Robertson Life Upper Thames 209 A funny is an open, out-rigged sculling-boat, having stem and stern alike, the keel falling away in a sloping curve from either end. A whiff resembles a funny in every point, except that the stern is upright, and not sloped away as the bows are.
1880 Daily News 2 Mar. 5/1 Every Etonian who has passed an examination in swimming may boat..in skiffs or whiffs, gigs and outriggers.
1910 Encycl. Brit. IV. 100/1 Whiff. Length. 20′ to 23′. Beam. 1′ 4″ to 1′ 6″... Whiff Gigs. 19′ to 20′. 2′ 8″ to 2′ 10″.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
whiffn.2
/wɪf/, U.S. /(h)wɪf/ A name for various flatfishes or flounders, as the sail-fluke or mary-sole, Rhombus megastoma, the smear-dab, Pleuronectes microcephalus.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > fish > superorder Acanthopterygii (spiny fins) > order Perciformes (perches) > order Pleuronectiformes (flat-fish) > [noun] > family Pleuronectidae > genus Pleuronectes > pleuronectes microcephalus (smear-dab)
whiff1713
smear-dab1769
kit1836
the world > animals > fish > superorder Acanthopterygii (spiny fins) > order Perciformes (perches) > order Pleuronectiformes (flat-fish) > [noun] > family Pleuronectidae > genus Pleuronectes > pleuronectes megastoma (whiff)
whiff1713
lantern-fish1753
sail-fluke1882
carter1884
the world > animals > fish > superorder Acanthopterygii (spiny fins) > order Perciformes (perches) > order Pleuronectiformes (flat-fish) > [noun] > family Pleuronectidae > genus Pleuronectes > member of
yellowbelly1775
patiki1834
fool-fish1842
whiff1867
the world > animals > fish > superorder Acanthopterygii (spiny fins) > order Perciformes (perches) > order Pleuronectiformes (flat-fish) > [noun] > family Pleuronectidae > miscellaneous types of
sandnecker1835
town-dab1836
rock sole1850
sand-sucker1862
Greenland halibut1872
whiff1873
greenback1947
1713 Jago in Ray's Synopsis Piscium 163 Passer Cornubiensis asper, magno oris hiatu. A Whiff.
1836 W. Yarrell Hist. Brit. Fishes II. 251 The Whiff. The Carter, Cornwall.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Whiff, the Rhombus cardina, a passable fish of the pleuronect genus.
1873 T. Gill Catal. Fishes East Coast N. Amer. 17 Citharichthys microstomus... Whiff.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
whiffv.1
/wɪf/, U.S. /(h)wɪf/ 1.
a. intransitive. To blow with a whiff or slight blast; to move with or make the sound of this. Chiefly in verbal noun and participial adjective.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > continuous or protracted sound > [verb (intransitive)] > make blowing sound
blow1340
whiff1605
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > wind > blow (of the wind) [verb (intransitive)] > blow fitfully > in puffs
whiff1605
whiffle1671
flicker1873
fuff1876
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. ii. 49 When through their greene boughs, whiffing winds do wherle With wanton puffes their wauing locks to curle.
1608 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iv. 98 A sodain whirl-winde, with a whiffing Fire.
1608 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iv. 131 The whiffing Flashes of this Sword so quick.
1645 Z. Boyd Holy Songs 441 Their head on neck could not abide. off chopt with whiffing steele.
1851 W. H. Walshe Dis. Lungs & Heart 93 The character of the murmurs is hollow, whiffing, and moderately metallic.
1867 J. Macgregor Rob Roy on Baltic x. 132 The whiffing of the strong wings of the wild goose.
1890 Daily News 12 Dec. 3/1 A raw and biting breeze whiffing about his grey hairs.
b. transitive. To utter with a whiff or puff of air.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > say in a particular manner [verb (transitive)] > breathily
puff1576
pant1608
gaspa1616
whiff1765
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > exhalation > exhale [verb (transitive)] > utter with puff of air
whiff1765
1765 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy VIII. xxvi. 119 Then whiffing out a sentimental heigh ho!
1889 ‘M. Twain’ Connecticut Yankee xxvi. 343 They crossed themselves, and whiffed out a protective prayer or two.
2.
a. transitive. To drive or carry by or as by a whiff; to puff or blow away, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > command to go away [verb (transitive)] > drive away > by or as by a puff or gust
whiffa1618
winnow1764
a1618 J. Sylvester Iob Triumphant in tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Diuine Weekes & Wks. (1621) 922 How oft, as Straw before the winde, are They, And as the Chaff with Tempest whift away?
a1637 B. Jonson Newes from New World 189 in Wks. (1640) III The smoake took him and whift him up into the Moone.
a1648 W. Percy Cuck-queanes & Cuckolds Errants (1824) i. iii. 16 Neither keene knife, nor yet Thumbe, May whiff him by slit or by numbe.
a1648 W. Percy Cuck-queanes & Cuckolds Errants (1824) i. ii. 11 I take him by the sleeue,..bid him looke to himself, Then round as a Jugler's boxe, whiffe his vpper vestment, and away.
1657 A. Farindon XXX. Serm. ii. v. 108 That joy which is..raised as a Meteor out of dung and is whiffed up and down by every wind and breath.
1812 W. Tennant Anster Fair i. xii. 9 John Frost..Whiff'd off the clouds that the pure blue conceal'd.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. v. ii. 226 And then his ‘sincere attachment’, how was it scornfully whiffed aside.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. v. vi. 261 A rabble to be whiffed with grapeshot.
1916 Blackwood's Mag. Jan. 59/1 Troops would not always remain in the open to be whiffed out of existence by shrapnel.
b. intransitive. To move with or as with a puff of air.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > move irregularly or be agitated [verb (intransitive)] > flutter or flicker
flatterc1425
flitter1483
flickera1500
flutter1561
play1590
swattera1666
whiff1686
feather1770
whiffle1817
1686 J. Goad Astro-meteorologica i. xvi. 105 The Index hath whiffed round all the points of the Compass.
1889 R. L. Stevenson Master of Ballantrae iii. 78 I have sought to stay myself..against what looked to be a solid trunk, and the whole thing has whiffed away at my touch like a sheet of paper.
3.
a. transitive. To puff out tobacco-smoke from a pipe, etc.; hence, to smoke. (With the smoke or the pipe, etc. as object.) Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > tobacco > smoking > use as material for smoking [verb (transitive)] > use in the act of smoking
drone1600
to take the whiff1600
whiffc1616
puff1664
smoke1707
fuff1786
blow1808
burn1929
chuff1940
c1616 R. C. Times' Whistle (1871) v. 2220 Every..skip-iacke now will have his pipe of smoke, And whiff it bravely till hee's like to choke.
1617 R. Brathwait Smoaking Age in tr. ‘B. Multibibus’ Solemne Ioviall Disputation 171 These smokers of our Age; they whiffe me [Time] out in fume.
1628 Mad Pranks Robin Goodfellow (Percy Soc.) 34 She whift her pipe, she drunke her can.
1644 F. Quarles Barnabas & Boanerges 170 What pleasure tak'st thou in that breath which drawes and whiffs perpetuall feares?
1756 Mrs. Calderwood's Journey in Coltness Coll. (1842) 166 He put his pipe in the cheek next him, and whifed it in his face.
1859 G. Meredith Ordeal Richard Feverel II. vii. 126 Richard..found him furtively whiffing tobacco.
1867 Good Cheer 7 These formal toasts.. having been all drunk, the men whiffed their pipes.
b. absol. or intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > tobacco > smoking > smoke [verb (intransitive)]
whiff1602
smoke1617
to blow (raise obs.) a cloud1699
drawa1774
smook1805
blow1808
to have (or take) a smoke1835
tobacconize1876
shoch1898
inhale1933
fag1940
to have a burn1941
1602 T. Dekker Satiro-mastix sig. C4v Morrow Captaine Tucca, will you whiffe this morning?
1639 R. Younge Sinne Stigmatizd 269 They are bound..to be powring in at their mouths, or whiffing out at their noses.
1713 Tyldesley Diary (1873) 88 I found honest Tho. Barton very harty and ffree, but the 2 Wadsworths only whiffed.
1714 tr. H. Joutel Jrnl. Last Voy. M. de la Sale (1719) 148 Then they made us all smoke round, and every one of them whiff'd in his Turn.
1862 H. A. Kennedy Waifs & Strays 205 Luxuriously whiffing away at my after-breakfast cheroot.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > [verb (transitive)] > drink intoxicating liquor
pulla1450
to crush a cup of wine1592
to take one's rousea1593
crack1600
whiff1609
bezzle1617
bub1654
tift1722
bibulate1767
lush1838
do1853
lower1895
nip1897
sink1899
1609 T. Dekker Guls Horne-bk. sig. D1v Hee..that would striue to fashion his legges to his silke stockins, and his proud gate to his broad garters, let him whiffe downe these obseruations.
1650 J. Trapp Clavis to Bible (Num. vi. 20) 10 The most generous wine in Lovain and Paris, is known by the name of vinum theologicum: the Divines (those Sorbonists) do so whiffe it off.
1693 T. Urquhart & P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais 3rd Bk. Wks. xvii. 141 She whiffed off a..good Draught.
5.
a. To inhale, sniff; also intransitive to smell, sniff.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > [verb (intransitive)] > exercise sense of smell
smellc1200
smella1300
snokec1380
smell1526
snuff1530
snuffle1601
whiff1635
sniff1788
nose1794
nuzzle1806
snuft1820
snuzzle1861
the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > [verb (transitive)] > exercise the sense of smell
snevec1200
snokec1380
savoura1382
thevea1400
whiff1635
nesea1637
scent1638
venta1640
taste1656
snift1736
sniff1792
olfact1805
to run up1815
smell1831
sniffa1845
snuff1858
smellsip1922
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > inhalation > inhale [verb (intransitive)] > through nose
sniffc1340
snifterc1340
snavelc1480
snuff1530
snuffle1611
snufter1632
whiff1635
snot1662
snift1703
snotter1710
snuff1714
sniffle1819
snoach1844
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > inhalation > inhale [verb (transitive)] > through nose
snuvec1200
snuff1527
snuff1547
to breathe in1576
snuffle1599
whiff1635
snivel1668
sniff1796
1635 F. Quarles Emblemes iv. vii. 209 Let us both retire, And whiffe the dainties of the fragrant fields.
a1644 F. Quarles Shepheards Oracles (1646) 231/1 Which like a Sun in this our Orbe, Whiffes up the Belgick fumes.
1843 R. S. Surtees Handley Cross III. ii. 17 The pack..now whiffing with curious nose round the hollies, and now trying up the ride.
1923 N.E.D. at Whiff Mod. (slang), What a horrid smell! Can't you whiff it?
b. intransitive. To emit an unpleasant odour. slang.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > fetor > stink [verb (intransitive)]
stinkc725
stenchc950
to-stinka1382
smella1400
savour?1440
stew1563
reek1609
funk1694
pen-and-ink1892
whiff1899
niff1900
hum1902
pong1906
honk1959
1899 R. Kipling Stalky & Co. iii. 79 Then she'll whiff. Golly, how she'll whiff!
6. U.S. slang.
a. intransitive. Of a batter in Baseball or a golfer: to miss the ball. Cf. fan v. 8b.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > play at ball [verb (intransitive)] > miss
whiff1913
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > baseball > play baseball [verb (intransitive)] > types of hit > miss
fan1886
whiff1913
1913 Wells Fargo Messenger 1 93/2 When he has to line 'er out he does, but he doesn't whiff at random.
1926 Amer. Speech 1 369/2 He [sc. a baseball player] ‘whiffs’ when he fails to hit.
1942 L. V. Berrey & M. Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Slang §677/34 Miss the ball,..whiff.
b. transitive. = fan v. 8a.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > baseball > play baseball [verb (transitive)] > actions of pitcher
pitch1848
curve1877
to put over1891
scatter1892
save1899
to put across1903
walk1905
fan1909
plunk1909
southpaw1911
whiff1914
sidearm1921
sidearm1922
outpitch1928
blow1938
hang1967
wild pitch1970
1914 R. Lardner in Sat. Evening Post 7 Mar. 7/2 I whiffed eight men in five innings in Frisco yesterday.
1941 Nebraska State Jrnl. 20 June (heading) Hurler whiffs 20.
1951 in H. Wentworth & S. B. Flexner Dict. Amer. Slang (1960) 575/1 Vic Raschi whiffed twelve batters in gaining his 15th win of the year.
Derivatives
ˈwhiffing n.1 (also attributive) and adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > [adjective] > with whistling noise
whiffing1605
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > tobacco > smoking > [noun]
whiffing1605
tobacco-fuming1635
smoking1691
fumigation1800
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > tobacco > smoking > [adjective]
smoky1596
smoking1617
funking1699
whiffing1811
fumous1830
pipe-smoking1835
fumatory1847
nicotiant1877
secondary1975
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > continuous or protracted sound > [noun] > rushing sound > of wings
whiffing1867
1605 [see sense 1a]. 16081 [see sense 1a]. 16082 [see sense 1a].
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. x. 435 The Alehouse is their Church.., their singing of Psalmes the whiffing of Tobacco.
1645 [see sense 1a]. 1811 Sporting Mag. 38 191 Opening his tobacco-box, soon commenced his whiffing operation.
1851 [see sense 1a]. 1867 [see sense 1a]. ˈwhiffer n. one who whiffs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > tobacco > smoking > [noun] > smoker
tobacchian1597
tobacco-taker1599
tobacconist1600
puffer1615
tobacco-fellow1616
tobacconer1616
smoker1617
whiffler1617
fume-gallant1621
whiffera1627
funker1691
tobacco-smoker1848
tobacconalian1854
nicotian1872
tobaccophil1882
coffin dodger1891
tobaccoite1898
tobacco-whiffer-
a1627 W. Rowley & T. Middleton Wit at Severall Weapons iv. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Llllll2/1 Great Tobacco swivers.]
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
whiffv.2
/wɪf/, U.S. /(h)wɪf/ Angling.
intransitive. To angle for mackerel, etc. from a swiftly moving boat with a hand-line towing the bait near the surface.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > type or method of fishing > [verb (intransitive)] > fish with line > with towed line
troll1606
whiff1886
flatline1975
1886 Globe 22 July 3/1 When you ‘whiff’ at Scilly, you whiff for pollack.
Derivatives
ˈwhiffing n.2 (also attributive).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > type or method of fishing > [noun] > fishing with line > with towed line
harling1754
whiffing1836
1836 W. Yarrell Hist. Brit. Fishes II. 172 Hand-line fishing for Pollacks is called whiffing.
1863 C. A. Johns Home Walks 164 We generally threw out our whiffing lines as we cruised about.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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