a sudden and single emission of breath from the mouth; hence, any sudden or short blast of wind; a slight gust; a whiff.-anything light and filled with air.-a puffball.-a kind of light pastry.-a utensil of the toilet for dusting the skin or hair with powder.-an exaggerated or empty expression of praise, especially one in a public journal.-to blow in puffs, or with short and sudden whiffs.-to blow, as an expression of scorn; -- with at.-to breathe quick and hard, or with puffs, as after violent exertion.-to swell with air; to be dilated or inflated.-to breathe in a swelling, inflated, or pompous manner; hence, to assume importance.-to drive with a puff, or with puffs.-to repel with words; to blow at contemptuously.-to cause to swell or dilate; to inflate; to ruffle with puffs; -- often with up; as, a bladder puffed with air.-to inflate with pride, flattery, self-esteem, or the like; -- often with up.-to praise with exaggeration; to flatter; to call public attention to by praises; to praise unduly.-puffed up; vain.