Waft

Waft

Wafte is a term meaning to carry along gently as through the air. The term is commonly used to describe scents that have diffused in to other parts of a room, or to describe smoke as being seen moving through the air.

In chemistry and other sciences the term is used to describe a method that a person may safely determine what a particular substance smells like. In "wafting" a person takes an open hand with the palm towards the body and moves their arm in a rapid circular manner over the substance so as to lift vapors of the substance towards the nose. This method allows for a lower concentration of vapors to be inhaled and is particularly useful in safely smelling Ammonia, hydrochloric acid and other unpleasant or dangerous chemicals.


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Synonyms:
(through a buoyant medium), , , , , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • waft — [wa:ft, wɔft US wa:ft, wæft] v [Date: 1600 1700; Origin: waft to guard a group of ships as they sail along (16 17 centuries), from Middle Dutch wachten to watch, guard ] 1.) [I,T always + adverb/preposition] if a smell, smoke, or a light wind… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Waft — Waft, n. 1. A wave or current of wind. Everywaft of the air. Longfellow. [1913 Webster] In this dire season, oft the whirlwind s wing Sweeps up the burden of whole wintry plains In one wide waft. Thomson. [1913 Webster] 2. A signal made by waving …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Waft — Waft, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wafted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Wafting}.] [Prob. originally imp. & p. p. of wave, v. t. See {Wave} to waver.] 1. To give notice to by waving something; to wave the hand to; to beckon. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] But soft: who… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Waft — Waft, v. i. To be moved, or to pass, on a buoyant medium; to float. [1913 Webster] And now the shouts waft near the citadel. Dryden. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • waft — [ waft ] verb intransitive if a smell or noise wafts, it floats through the air in a gentle way: The aroma of freshly made pancakes wafted through the air. ╾ waft noun count …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • waft — waft·age; waft·er; waft; …   English syllables

  • waft — [wäft, waft] vt. [back form. < obs. wafter, convoy < LME waughter < Du wachter, lit., a watcher < wachten, to watch: for IE base see WAKE1] 1. a) to carry or propel (objects, sounds, odors, etc.) lightly through the air or over water… …   English World dictionary

  • waft — (v.) 1510s, to carry over water, back formation from obsolete wafter convoy ship (late 15c.), from M.Du. or M.L.G. wachter a guard, from wachten to guard, related to waken rouse from sleep (see WAKE (Cf. wake) (1)). The meaning pass through air… …   Etymology dictionary

  • waft — [v] carry bear, be carried, blow, convey, drift, float, ride, transmit, transport; concepts 147,217 …   New thesaurus

  • waft — ► VERB ▪ pass easily or gently through the air. ► NOUN 1) a gentle movement of air. 2) a scent carried in the air. ORIGIN originally in the sense «escort (a ship)», later «convey by water»: from Low German, Dutch wachten to guard …   English terms dictionary

  • waft|er — «WAF tuhr, WAHF », noun. 1. a person or thing that wafts. 2. a revolving fan or disk in a type of blower. ╂[< waft1 + er1] …   Useful english dictionary

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