bloom

n. [ OE. blome, fr. Icel. bl&unr_;m, bl&unr_;mi; akin to Sw. blom, Goth. bl&unr_;ma, OS. bl&unr_;mo, D. bloem, OHG. bluomo, bluoma, G. blume; fr. the same root as AS. bl&unr_;wan to blow, blossom. See Blow to bloom, and cf. Blossom. ] 1. A blossom; the flower of a plant; an expanded bud; flowers, collectively. [ 1913 Webster ]

The rich blooms of the tropics. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The opening of flowers in general; the state of blossoming or of having the flowers open; as, the cherry trees are in bloom. “Sight of vernal bloom.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A state or time of beauty, freshness, and vigor; an opening to higher perfection, analogous to that of buds into blossoms; as, the bloom of youth. [ 1913 Webster ]

Every successive mother has transmitted a fainter bloom, a more delicate and briefer beauty. Hawthorne. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The delicate, powdery coating upon certain growing or newly-gathered fruits or leaves, as on grapes, plums, etc. Hence: Anything giving an appearance of attractive freshness; a flush; a glow. [ 1913 Webster ]

A new, fresh, brilliant world, with all the bloom upon it. Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. The clouded appearance which varnish sometimes takes upon the surface of a picture. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. A yellowish deposit or powdery coating which appears on well-tanned leather. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Min.) A popular term for a bright-hued variety of some minerals; as, the rose-red cobalt bloom. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Bloomed p. pr. & vb. n. Blooming. ] 1. To produce or yield blossoms; to blossom; to flower or be in flower. [ 1913 Webster ]

A flower which once
In Paradise, fast by the tree of life,
Began to bloom. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To be in a state of healthful, growing youth and vigor; to show beauty and freshness, as of flowers; to give promise, as by or with flowers. [ 1913 Webster ]

A better country blooms to view, Beneath a brighter sky. Logan. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To cause to blossom; to make flourish. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Charitable affection bloomed them. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To bestow a bloom upon; to make blooming or radiant. [ R. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day. Keats. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Bloomery. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From Mrs. Bloomer, an American, who sought to introduce this style of dress. ] 1. A costume for women, consisting of a short dress, with loose trousers gathered round ankles, and (commonly) a broad-brimmed hat. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A woman who wears a Bloomer costume. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Manuf.) A furnace and forge in which wrought iron in the form of blooms is made directly from the ore, or (more rarely) from cast iron. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Opening in blossoms; flowering. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Thriving in health, beauty, and vigor; indicating the freshness and beauties of youth or health. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Metal.) The process of making blooms from the ore or from cast iron. [ 1913 Webster ]