Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Surface-fishing with a hand-line.
  • noun A kind of hand-line used for taking mackerel, pollack, and the like.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun The act of one who, or that which, whiffs.
  • noun A mode of fishing with a hand line for pollack, mackerel, and the like.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb Present participle of whiff.
  • noun The act of one who, or that which, whiffs.
  • noun A mode of fishing with a hand line for pollock, mackerel, etc.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • According to Le Whif's website, people have been "whiffing" around the world since May 2009.

    The Age News Headlines 2010

  • Harvard professor David Edwards wrote a graphic novel envisioning a future world where people ingested their food by smelling, or "whiffing," it.

    Gizmodo 2009

  • Investors are finding pockets of opportunity across the continent, and as banks shed their non-performing property portfolios and liquidity becomes more freely available, many are whiffing the rich scent of good value.

    Heavy Weather Darren Lazarus 2011

  • As for the Knicks, their fans have reason to be excited, especially after whiffing on LeBron James last summer.

    Carmelo Anthony traded to New York Knicks, finally 2011

  • Curtis Granderson has struck out 17 times against them—whiffing in half his official at-bats.

    Why Boston's a Bad Matchup Daniel Barbarisi 2011

  • It was the second real fight of Green's NHL career, and it sort of showed, with the two men whiffing initially -- "pawing at long distance," as Joe Beninati put it -- then finally linking up and engaging in a high-speed super-spin tango that must have left them more dizzy than anything else.

    Mike Green fights Kovalchuk Dan Steinberg 2010

  • After whiffing shortstop Orlando Cabrera, Loaiza issued another free pass to Manny Ramirez.

    One Season William Fredrick Cooper 2011

  • Key acquisition: CF Vernon Wells (1.8) Key losses: C Mike Napoli (2.7), LF/DH Hideki Matsui (1.8) Outlook: After whiffing on some free-agents, the Angels struck a deal with the Blue Jays for Wells, whose $23-million salary scared most clubs.

    Who Won Baseball's Offseason? Scott Cacciola 2011

  • By taking themselves out of the game, Republican members of congress are whiffing on a chance to influence what happens.

    Matthew Yglesias » Opposition Strategy 2010

  • Worst 2008 Draft Class Impact: Moments later, Moore was victimized on the 71-yard Brandon Jackson run, whiffing on an attempted tackle near the line of scrimmage.

    Redskins-Packers, Best and Worst Dan Steinberg 2010

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