bloom

I

[[t]blum[/t]]

n.

1) bot the flower of a plant

2) flowers collectively, as of a plant or tree

3) the state of flowering:

lilacs in bloom[/ex]

4) a flourishing, healthy condition; the time of greatest beauty, vigor, or freshness:

the bloom of youth[/ex]

5) a glowing or glossiness indicative of health, vigor, or youth, esp. a flush on the cheek

6) bot a whitish, powdery coating on the surface of certain fruits, as the grape, or some leaves

7) any similar surface coating or appearance, as on newly minted coins or on rocks or minerals

8) fur a clouded or dull area on a varnished or lacquered surface

9) mcr the sudden development of conspicuous masses of organisms, as algae on the surface of a lake

10) bot to produce or yield blossoms

11) to thrive

12) to be in or achieve a state of healthful beauty and vigor

13) to glow with warmth or with a warm color

14) bot to cause to yield blossoms

15) to make bloom or give bloom to

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Etymology: 1150–1200; ME blom, blome < ON blōm(i) bloom′less, adj. II

bloom

[[t]blum[/t]] n.

1) mel a piece of steel, square or slightly oblong in section, reduced from an ingot to dimensions suitable for further rolling

2) mel a large lump of iron and slag, of pasty consistency when hot, hammered into wrought iron

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Etymology: bef. 1000; repr. AL, AF blomes (pl.), OE blōma mass of iron; perh. akin to bloom I