zephyr

Meaning

Noun

1. A light wind from the west.
2. Any light refreshing wind; a gentle breeze.
3. Anything of fine, soft, or light quality, especially fabric.
4. A type of soft confectionery made by whipping fruit and berry purée (mostly apple purée) with sugar and egg whites with subsequent addition of a gelling agent like pectin, carrageenan, agar, or gelatine.

Verb

1. To blow or move like a zephyr, or light breeze.
2. To blow or blow on gently like a zephyr; to cool or refresh with a gentle breeze.

Synonyms

breeze

gentle breeze

gentle wind

air

soft breeze

soft wind

moderate wind

balmy breeze

breath of air

moderate breeze

Pronounced as (IPA)

/zɛfə(ɹ)/

Etymology

From Latin zephyrus (“west wind”), from Ancient Greek Ζέφυρος (Zéphuros). Doublet of zefir, zéphire, Zephyr, and Zephyrus. The confectionery sense is a semantic loan from Russian зефи́р (zefír).