- spreading adder
- 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.
[1913 Webster]
2. Anything light and filled with air. Specifically: (a) A puffball. (b) kind of light pastry. (c) A utensil of the toilet for dusting the skin or hair with powder. [1913 Webster]
3. An exaggerated or empty expression of praise, especially one in a public journal. [1913 Webster]
{Puff adder}. (Zo["o]l.) (a) 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. (b) 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) . [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
