Bloom

Bloom (blo͞om), n. [OE. blome, fr. Icel. blōm, blōmi; akin to Sw. blom, Goth. blōma, OS. blōmo, D. bloem, OHG. bluomo, bluoma, G. blume; fr. the same root as AS. blōwan to blow, blossom. See Blow to bloom, and cf. Blossom.] 1. A blossom; the flower of a plant; an expanded bud; flowers, collectively.

The rich blooms of the tropics. Prescott.

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.

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.

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

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.

A new, fresh, brilliant world, with all the bloom upon it. Thackeray.

5. The clouded appearance which varnish sometimes takes upon the surface of a picture.

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

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

Bloom, 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.

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

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.

A better country blooms to view,

Beneath a brighter sky. Logan.

Bloom, v. t. 1. To cause to blossom; to make flourish. [R.]

Charitable affection bloomed them. Hooker.

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

While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day. Keats.

Bloom, n. [AS. blōma a mass or lump, īsenes blōma a lump or wedge of iron.] (Metal.) (a) A mass of wrought iron from the Catalan forge or from the puddling furnace, deprived of its dross, and shaped usually in the form of an oblong block by shingling. (b) A large bar of steel formed directly from an ingot by hammering or rolling, being a preliminary shape for further working.