/wɪf; [US] hwɪf; hwɪf/ n ~ (of sth)
(a) faint smell or puff of air or smoke 些微的气味、空气或烟
*catch a whiff of perfume, of cigar smoke 闻到一股香水味、雪茄烟味
* have a whiff of fresh air 吸一点儿新鲜空气
* (fig 比喻) a whiff (ie a trace or hint) of danger, scandal, suspicion 有点危险、丑事、怀疑.
(b) small amount breathed in （呼吸时）吸入少量的某物
*a whiff of anaesthetic 吸入一点麻醉剂
* He took a few whiffs, ie of a cigar, pipe, etc. 他吸了几口（雪茄、烟斗等）.
(c) (infml euph 口, 婉) bad smell 难闻的气味
*There is an awful whiff coming from the dustbin. 垃圾箱里冒出很臭的味.

n[C]
[Date: 1500-1600; Origin: From the sound of a light movement of air carrying a smell]
a very slight smell of something
whiff of
　a whiff of tobacco
get/catch a whiff of sth
　As she walked past, I caught a whiff of her perfume.
a whiff of danger/adventure/freedom etc
a slight sign that something dangerous, exciting etc might happen
　The whiff of danger filled her with excitement.