Dictionary entry

Waft

Webster's Dictionary 1913

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.

But soft: who wafts us yonder? Shak.

2. To cause to move or go in a wavy manner, or by the impulse of waves, as of water or air; to bear along on a buoyant medium; as, a balloon was wafted over the channel.

A gentle wafting to immortal life. Milton.

Speed the soft intercourse from soul to soul,

And waft a sigh from Indus to the pole. Pope.

3. To cause to float; to keep from sinking; to buoy. Sir T. Browne.

☞ This verb is regular; but waft was formerly som�times used, as by Shakespeare, instead of wafted.