a collection of small, flexible, or soft things in a knot or bunch; a waving or bending and spreading cluster; as, a tuft of flowers or feathers.-a cluster; a clump; as, a tuft of plants.-a nobleman, or person of quality, especially in the english universities; -- so called from the tuft, or gold tassel, on the cap worn by them.-to separate into tufts.-to adorn with tufts or with a tuft.-to grow in, or form, a tuft or tufts.