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Dictionary

bloom

Pronunciation: (blOOm), [key]
—n.
1. the flower of a plant.
2. flowers collectively: the bloom of the cherry tree.
3. state of having the buds opened: The gardens are all in bloom.
4. a flourishing, healthy condition; the time or period of greatest beauty, artistry, etc.: the bloom of youth; the bloom of Romanticism.
5. a glow or flush on the cheek indicative of youth and health: a serious illness that destroyed her bloom.
6. the glossy, healthy appearance of the coat of an animal.
7. a moist, lustrous appearance indicating freshness in fish.
8. redness or a fresh appearance on the surface of meat.
9. Bot.a whitish powdery deposit or coating, as on the surface of certain fruits and leaves: the bloom of the grape.
10. any similar surface coating or appearance: the bloom of newly minted coins.
11. any of certain minerals occurring as powdery coatings on rocks or other minerals.
12. Also called chill. a clouded or dull area on a varnished or lacquered surface.
13. the sudden development of conspicuous masses of organisms, as algae on the surface of a lake.
14. Television.image spread produced by excessive exposure of highlights in a television image.
15. take the bloom off, to remove the enjoyment or ultimate satisfaction from; dampen the enthusiasm over: The coach's illness took the bloom off the team's victory.

—v.i.
1. to produce or yield blossoms.
2. to flourish or thrive: a recurrent fad that blooms from time to time.
3. to be in or achieve a state of healthful beauty and vigor: a sickly child who suddenly bloomed; a small talent that somehow bloomed into major artistry.
4. to glow with warmth or with a warm color.

—v.t.
1. to cause to yield blossoms.
2. to make bloom or cause to flourish: a happiness that blooms the cheek.
3. to invest with luster or beauty: an industry that blooms one's talents.
4. to cause a cloudy area on (something shiny); dampen; chill: Their breath bloomed the frosty pane.
5. Optics.to coat (a lens) with an antireflection material.

bloom

Pronunciation: (blOOm), [key] Metalworking.

—n.
1. a piece of steel, square or slightly oblong in section, reduced from an ingot to dimensions suitable for further rolling.
2. a large lump of iron and slag, of pasty consistency when hot, produced in a puddling furnace or bloomery and hammered into wrought iron.

—v.t.
to make (an ingot) into a bloom.

blooey

bloomer

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