wɑ:ft v. & n. --v.tr. & intr.
convey or
travel easily as
through air or
over water;
sweep smoothly
and lightly along. --n. 1 (usu. foll. by of) a
whiff or
scent. 2 a
transient sensation of
peace,
joy, etc. 3 (also weft) Naut. a
distress signal, e.g. an
ensign rolled or knotted or a
garment flown in
the rigging. [orig. 'convoy (ship etc.)', back-form. f. obs. waughter, wafter armed convoy-ship, f. Du. or LG wachter f. wachten to guard]