pouf

Noun

pouf (plural poufs)

1. (historical) A headdress for women popular in 18th century France.
2. A high hair style for women consisting of a roll or pad of hair, worn up.
   • Hosaka, nearly everyone agrees, is a master of detail, an artist who tends his poodles’ poufs as if they were bonsai trees from his native Japan.2009 February 10, Katie Thomas, “The Poodle Can’t Talk Now; She’s in With Her Stylist”, in New York Times
3. Part of an item of clothing consisting of gathered fabric in a bunch.
4. A low cushioned seat with no back; a padded footstool.
   • The voice came from the end of the divan but Hermione, seated square before the fire on a low pouffe did not turn to face its suave producer.1922, H.D., Asphodel
   • Raeburn's handsome head was resting against the back of his chair; Eve sat on a pouf in front of the fire.1948, John Creasey, The Case Against Paul Raeburn

   Synonyms:

   tumpty, footstool, hassock, ottoman

5. A short skirt gathered into a rounded puffy shape; a puffball.
6. A ball of fabric (such as nylon monofilament netting) used for washing (as an alternative to a flannel, washcloth, sponge, etc.).
7. (dated) A small saddle cushion worn atop the buttocks (as a fashion trend – similar to a bustle).

Verb

pouf (third-person singular simple present poufs, present participle poufing, simple past and past participle poufed)

1. (transitive) To make poufy or bouffant.
   • to pouf the hair

Interjection

1. Onomatopoeia indicating a cloud of smoke or wind; caused by a deflating object, or a magical disappearance.
   • Pouf, he was gone.