broomstick
UK[ˈbruːmstɪk]US[ˈbruːmstɪk]
n
the long, thin handle of a broom.
n
a brush with twigs at one end and a long handle, used for sweeping.
Morpheme Breakdown
broom
stick
broom
sweeping tool
stick
long, thin piece of wood
Etymology
the word 'broomstick' is a transparent english compound. its first element, 'broom', originates from the old english 'brōm', which named a thorny shrub. bundles of its twigs were tied to handles to create sweeping implements, transferring the plant's name to the tool itself. the second element, 'stick', from old english 'sticca', simply denotes the long, wooden handle. the compound logically and literally describes the complete object: a stick that serves as the handle for a broom. over time, while the materials changed, the core concept of a long handle attached to a sweeping end remained, also gaining cultural associations with folklore and witchcraft.
Analysis
Structure: broom (sweeping tool) + stick (long, thin piece of wood)
- broom: from old english 'brōm', referring to a type of shrub or a brush made from its twigs. functional role: base noun denoting the tool.
- stick: from old english 'sticca', meaning a rod or slender piece of wood. functional role: noun, specifying the handle component.
Examples
she grabbed the broomstick and began sweeping the porch.
the old witch in the story was depicted flying on a broomstick.
he fashioned a new broomstick from a sturdy branch.