Definition of whiff

The word "whiff" has its origins in the Middle English language, where it was spelled "hwif" and meant "breath" or "exhalation." In Old English, this word was "hwīf." The origin of the word is uncertain, but some linguists believe it may have come from the Old Norse "hveifr," which also meant "breath" or "exhalation." This theory suggests that the word made its way into Middle English from the Norse colonies that inhabited northern England. In its original meaning, "whiff" referred to the breath that a living being exhaled. However, by the 15th century, the definition had started to expand to include the scent of something, as the breath of a person or animal could carry a strong odor. Eventually, in the 19th century, "whiff" came to mean a brief, quick scent or puff of something, such as tobacco smoke or perfume. This meaning has remained part of the word's modern definition. In summary, the origin of the word "whiff" can be traced back to the Old English word "hwīf" meaning "breath." This word evolved over time to include meanings related to scent and eventually came to refer to a brief, quick scent or puff of something.