[blow] vb blew ; blown ; blow.ing [ME, fr. OE blawan; akin to OHG blaen to blow, L flare, Gk phallos penis] vi (bef. 12c) 1 of air: to move with speed or force
2: to send forth a current of air or other gas 3 a: to make a sound by or as if by blowing b of a wind instrument: sound
4. a: boast b: to talk windily
5. a: pant, gasp "the horse blew heavily" b of a cetacean: to eject moisture-laden air from the lungs through the blowhole
6: to move or be carried by or as if by wind "just blew into town"
7. of an electric fuse: to melt when overloaded--often used with out
8. of a tire: to release the contained air through a spontaneous rupture--usu. used with out ~ vt 1 a: to set (gas or vapor) in motion b: to act on with a current of gas or vapor
2: to play or sound on (a wind instrument) 3 a: to spread by report b past participle blowed : damn "~ the expense" "I'm ~ed if I know"
4. a: to drive with a current of gas or vapor b: to clear of contents by forcible passage of a current of air c: to project (a gesture or sound made with the mouth) by blowing "blew him a kiss"
5. a: to distend with or as if with gas b: to produce or shape by the action of blown or injected air "~ing bubbles" "~ing glass"
6. of insects: to deposit eggs or larvae on or in 7: to shatter, burst, or destroy by explosion
8. a: to put out of breath with exertion b: to let (as a horse) pause to catch the breath
9. a: to expend (as money) extravagantly "blew $50 on lunch" b: to treat with unusual expenditure "I'll ~ you to a steak" 10: to cause (a fuse) to blow 11: to rupture by too much pressure "blew a gasket" 12: to foul up hopelessly "blew her lines" "blew his chance" 13: to leave hurriedly "blew town" 14: to propel with great force or speed "blew a fastball by the batter" -- blow hot and cold : to be favorable at one moment and adverse the next -- blow off steam : to release pent-up emotions -- blow one's cool : to lose one's composure -- blow one's cover : to reveal one's real identity -- blow one's mind : to overwhelm one with wonder or bafflement -- blow one's top or blow one's stack 1: to become violently angry
2: to go crazy -- blow smoke : to speak idly, misleadingly, or boastfully -- blow the whistle : to call public or official attention to something (as a wrongdoing) kept secret--usu. used with on
[2]blow n (1660) 1: a blowing of wind esp. when strong or violent
2: brag, boasting
3: an act or instance of blowing
4. a: the time during which air is forced through molten metal to refine it b: the quantity of metal refined during that time
5. slang: cocaine [3]blow vi blew ; blown ; blow.ing [ME, fr. OE blowan; akin to OHG bluoen to bloom, L florere to bloom, flor-, flos flower] (bef. 12c): flower, bloom [4]blow n (1710) 1: blossoms
2:
[2]bloom 1b "lilacs in full ~" [5]blow n [ME (northern dial.) blaw; prob. akin to OHG bliuwan to beat] (15c) 1: a forcible stroke delivered with a part of the body or with an instrument
2: a hostile act or state: combat "come to ~s"
3: a forcible or sudden act or effort: assault
4: an unfortunate or calamitous happening "failure to land the job came as a ~"