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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Puff bird

Puff \Puff\, 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:

    1. A puffball.

    2. kind of light pastry.

    3. 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.)

    1. 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 arietans, or Clotho arietans) is the largest species, becoming over four feet long. The plumed puff adder ( Clotho cornuta) has a plumelike appendage over each eye.

    2. 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) .