[bloom] n [ME blome lump of metal, fr. OE bloma] (bef. 12c) 1: a mass of wrought iron from the forge or puddling furnace
2: a bar of iron or steel hammered or rolled from an ingot
[2]bloom n [ME blome, fr. ON blom; akin to OE blowan to blossom--more at blow] (13c) 1 a: flower b: the flowering state "the roses in ~" c: a period of flowering "the spring ~" d: an excessive growth of plankton
2. a: a state or time of beauty, freshness, and vigor b: a state or time of high development or achievement "a career in full ~"
3: a surface coating or appearance: as a: a delicate powdery coating on some fruits and leaves b: a rosy appearance of the cheeks; broadly: an outward evidence of freshness or healthy vigor c: a cloudiness on a film of varnish or lacquer d: a grayish discoloration on chocolate e: glare caused by an object reflecting too much light into a television camera [3]bloom vi (13c) 1 a: to produce or yield flowers b: to support abundant plant life "make the desert ~"
2. a (1): to mature into achievement of one's potential (2): to flourish in youthful beauty, freshness or excellence b: to shine out: glow
3: to appear or occur unexpectedly or in remarkable quantity or degree
4: to become densely populated with microorganisms and esp. plankton--used of bodies of water ~ vt 1 obs: to cause to bloom
2: to give bloom to