I. ˈbu̇zəm also ˈbüz- noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English bōsm; akin to Old High German buosam bosom, Sanskrit bhūri abundant — more at boast
1.
a. : the fore part of the chest of a human being : breast
b. : either or both of the breasts ; usually : the female breasts
slipping a quilted housecoat over her broad erect shoulders, pinning it across her ample bosom — Viola G. Liddell
2.
a. archaic : the breast considered as the center of cherished and secret thoughts
b. : the breast considered as the center of emotions : heart
she has the ability to melt and chill your bosom — Stanley Kauffmann
c. obsolete : desire , wish
you shall have your bosom on this wretch — Shakespeare
d. : a close or intimate relationship usually marked by affection and protectiveness : embrace
for years she lived in the bosom of her family
: inner circle
he was accepted into the bosom of the organization
3.
a. : a broad expansive surface
the heaving bosom of the sea — Tom Marvel
b. : any supporting surface
resting on the bosom of the earth
c. : an inmost recess : intimate center : interior
hiding in the very bosom of the cave
4.
a. : the part of a garment covering the breast ; especially : a distinctive or decorative part of a garment
the pleated bosom of a man's dress shirt
b. : the space between the breast and the undersurface of whatever garment covers the breast
she seized the letter and thrust it into her bosom
5.
a. : the inside of an angle bar
b. : a depression round the eye of a millstone
•
- in abraham's bosom
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English bosomen, from bosom, n.
intransitive verb
: to swell out : belly
her profuse skirt bosomed out with the gusts — Adrian Bell
transitive verb
1. : to put into the bosom
she bosomed her letter — E.P.O'Donnell
2. archaic
a. : to take to the bosom : embrace
b. : to keep (as a secret) to oneself
c. : to take to heart : mull over
3. : to enclose in or as if in an embrace : embosom
a Gothic, moss-grown structure, half bosomed in trees — T.L.Peacock
III. adjective
Etymology: bosom (I)
: very intimate or dear
a bosom friend