broom
UK[bruːm]US[bruːm]
n
a brush with a long handle, used for sweeping floors
n
a wild shrub with small yellow flowers and long, thin branches
Etymology
The word 'broom' has a straightforward journey from a concrete plant name to a household tool. It originates from the Old English 'brōm', which named a specific type of shrub characterized by its long, tough, and slender branches. In medieval Europe, these sturdy branches were commonly tied together to form a bundle and used as a sweeping implement. Over time, the name of the plant source was transferred to the tool itself, and even as brooms evolved to be made from other materials like straw or synthetic fibers, the original name persisted, solidifying its modern meaning.
Analysis
The word is a simplex. It originates from the Old English 'brōm', referring to the flowering shrub (Cytisus scoparius).
Examples
She used a broom to sweep the fallen leaves from the porch.
The hillside was covered in bright yellow broom in the spring.
A new broom sweeps clean, as the saying goes.