To blow air forcefully in short bursts, or to breathe heavily. Also means to swell up or inflate, or to promote something with exaggerated praise.
From Middle English 'puffen', imitative of the sound of forceful breathing or wind. The word's onomatopoetic origin has led to various metaphorical uses, from physical inflation to inflated praise or promotion.
The word 'puff' is a perfect example of onomatopoeia - it literally sounds like what it describes! From 'puff pastry' that inflates while baking to 'puff pieces' in journalism that inflate reputations, the word has expanded while maintaining its core idea of expansion or forceful air movement.
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