wisp

noun7

1. •
   A small bundle, as of straw or other like substance; a twisted handful of something; any slender, flexible structure or group.

   • A wisp of hair escaped her barrette and whipped wildly in the wind.
2. •
   A small, thin line of cloud, smoke, or steam.

   • A wisp of smoke rose from the candle for a few moments after he blew it out.
3. •
   A will o' the wisp, or ignis fatuus.

   • the wisp that flickers where no foot can tread — 1847
4. •
   An immeasurable, indefinable essence of life; soul.

   • “She would get nothing from him, she saw, resentfully. Then some angel of grace lent her a few wisps, which she grasped. — 1982
5. •
   A whisk, or small broom.
6. •
   A disease affecting the feet of cattle.
7. •
   (no longer used) A flock of snipe.

   • They shift their quarters in the early part of the season very suddenly, and if a man hears of a wisp of snipe in any particular place, he must be off at once. — 1861

verb4

1. •
   To produce a wisp, as of smoke.
2. •
   To emit in wisps.

   • It looked warm and rosy-bright inside, with a little chimney wisping smoke, little windows glowing. — 2011
3. •
   To brush or dress, as with a wisp.

   • The very same head of hair, wisp'd, and matted together, would make the most disagreeable figure. — 1753
4. •
   (dialect, no longer used) To rumple.

noun1

1. •
   Acronym of wireless internet service provider.