What does "zephyr" mean?

Zephyr: The west wind; poetically, any soft, gentle breeze. "Soft the zephyr blows." Gray. As gentle As zephyrs blowing below the violet. Shak. Zephyr cloth, a thin kind of cassimere made in Belgium; also, a waterproof fabric of wool. -- Zephyr shawl, a kind of thin, light, embroidered shawl made of worsted and cotton. -- Zephyr yarn, or worsted, a fine, soft kind of yarn or worsted, -- used for knitting and embroidery.