bloom
UK[bluːm]US[bluːm]
n
a flower, especially one cultivated for its beauty.
n
the state or period of flowering.
n
a state or period of great beauty, freshness, vigor, or flourishing.
v
to produce flowers; to come into flower.
v
to mature or flourish in a promising way.
Etymology
the word 'bloom' traces its lineage back to the old norse word 'blóm', meaning 'flower' or 'blossom'. this term was adopted into middle english, gradually displacing the native old english word 'blóstm', which is the ancestor of modern 'blossom'. both words share a common proto-germanic root, blōmô, which itself is derived from the proto-indo-european root bʰleh₃-, meaning 'to thrive, flower, or blossom'. the semantic journey is direct and vivid, moving from the concrete act of a plant flowering to metaphorical applications describing the peak condition or flourishing of anything, such as a person's health or a period of cultural achievement.
Analysis
the word 'bloom' is a simplex word of germanic origin. it does not contain separable morphemes in modern english that are both direct substrings and carry distinct, analyzable meanings.
Examples
the tulips are in full bloom in the garden.
her talent for painting began to bloom during her years at university.
the bloom of youth had faded from his cheeks.