Broom
[bruːm] or [brum]
Definition
(noun.) a cleaning implement for sweeping; bundle of straws or twigs attached to a long handle.
(noun.) any of various shrubs of the genera Cytisus or Genista or Spartium having long slender branches and racemes of yellow flowers.
(verb.) finish with a broom.
Edited by Antony--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A plant having twigs suitable for making brooms to sweep with when bound together; esp., the Cytisus scoparius of Western Europe, which is a low shrub with long, straight, green, angular branches, minute leaves, and large yellow flowers.
(n.) An implement for sweeping floors, etc., commonly made of the panicles or tops of broom corn, bound together or attached to a long wooden handle; -- so called because originally made of the twigs of the broom.
(v. t.) See Bream.
Editor: Vanessa
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Besom.
Checker: Nellie
Definition
n. a name given to a number of species of shrubs of the closely allied genera Cytisus Genista and Spartium: a besom made of its twigs.—v.t. to sweep with a broom.—ns. Broom′-corn a species of plant resembling maize cultivated for its seed and its spikes of which brooms are made; Broom′-rape a parasitic plant found adhering to the root of broom clover &c.; Broom′staff Broom′stick the staff or handle of a broom.—adj. Broom′y abounding in or consisting of broom.—To marry over the broomstick or To jump the besom to go through an irregular form of marriage in which both jump over a broomstick.
Checked by Clifton
Unserious Contents or Definition
To dream of brooms, denotes thrift and rapid improvement in your fortune, if the brooms are new. If they are seen in use, you will lose in speculation. For a woman to lose a broom, foretells that she will prove a disagreeable and slovenly wife and housekeeper.
Editor: Olaf
Examples
- Father told me it was called broom. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- Useful and extensive as is its use, the broom does not compare in variety and wide application to the _brush_. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- I took away the broom as gently and as kindly as I could. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Jo thrusts the handle of his broom between the bars of the gate, and with his utmost power of elaboration, points it out. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Then a shuttle, also carrying a stout thread, was thrown over the cord, the needle receded and was then forced through the broom again _under_ the binding cord. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- Ever touched the broom, or spread the mats, or rolled them up, or found the draughts, or collected the dominoes, or put my hand to any kind of work? Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Possibly they were somewhat disillusioned about the present instruments of the taboo; perhaps they imagined that a new broom would sweep clean. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- In the present instance this broom was manufactured out of the tough fibres of Moore's own stubborn purpose, bound tight with his will. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- And anxious thoughts may be swept away, As we bravely wield a broom. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Then followed different forms of broom-sewing machines. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- There are sixteen starving babies from one to six years old in the party, and their legs are no larger than broom handles. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- Then when the broom-sewing machines and other inventions got fairly to work, nine men would turn out twelve hundred dozen brooms per week. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- As each stitch was formed the machine fed the broom along laterally and intermittently. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- Jo nodded and laughed, and flourished her broom as she called out. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- I could unkiver it for you with my broom if the gate was open. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- At one time seventeen skilled workmen would manufacture five hundred dozen brooms per week. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- Then when the broom-sewing machines and other inventions got fairly to work, nine men would turn out twelve hundred dozen brooms per week. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- It is only by such machines which treat the entire article from the first to the last step, that the immense number of brooms now necessary to supply the market are made. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- The fronds are wrought into baskets, brooms, mats, sacks and many other useful articles; and the trunks are made into boats, and furnish timber for the construction of houses. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- The men standing on both sides of the rollers have only to wipe off the plates with brooms and occasionally turn the plates. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- We don't mean to say much about them yet, because we are such very new brooms, but we don't intend to be idle. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- All members to appear in uniform and shoulder their brooms at nine precisely. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
Inputed by Leslie