I. ˈblō verb
( blew ˈblü ; blown ˈblōn ; blow·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English blāwan; akin to Old High German blāen to blow, Latin flare, Greek phallos penis
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1.
a. of air
(1) : to be in motion
a breeze blew gently
(2) : to move with speed or force
the wind was blow ing
b. : to move or run quickly
the linebacker blew past the tackle
2. : to send forth a current of air or other gas
don't blow on your soup
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.
a. : erupt , explode
b. of an electric fuse : to melt when overloaded — often used with out
c. of a tire : to release the contained air through a spontaneous rupture — usually used with out
transitive verb
1.
a. : to set (gas or vapor) in motion
the fan blew hot air on us
b. : to act on with a current of gas or vapor
the breeze blew my hair dry
2.
a. : to play or sound on (a wind instrument)
b. : to play (as a note) on a wind instrument
3.
a. : to spread by report
b. past participle blowed ˈblōd : damn
blow the expense
4.
a. : to drive with a current of gas or vapor
the storm blew the boat off course
b. : to clear of contents by forcible passage of a current of air
blow your nose
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
blow ing bubbles
6. of insects : to deposit eggs or larvae on or in
7. : to shatter, burst, or destroy by explosion
blow the safe open
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
b. : to treat with unusual expenditure
I'll blow you to a steak
10. : to cause (a fuse) to blow
11. : to rupture by too much pressure
blow a seal
12.
a. : botch 1
blew her lines
b. : to fail to keep or hold
they blew a big lead
13. : to leave hurriedly
blew town
14. : to propel with great force or speed
blew a fastball by the batter
•
- blow a gasket
- blow hot and cold
- blow off steam
- blow one's cool
- blow one's cover
- blow one's mind
- blow one's top
- blow smoke
- blow the whistle
II. noun
Date: 1651
1. : a blowing of wind especially 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
III. intransitive verb
( blew ˈblü ; blown ˈblōn ; blow·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English blōwan; akin to Old High German bluoen to bloom, Latin florēre to bloom, flor-, flos flower
Date: before 12th century
: flower , bloom
IV. noun
Date: 1710
1. : blossoms
2. : bloom II,1b
lilacs in full blow
V. noun
Etymology: Middle English (northern dialect) blaw; probably akin to Old High German bliuwan to beat
Date: 15th century
1. : a forcible stroke delivered with a part of the body or with an instrument
2. : a hostile act or state : combat
come to blow s
3. : a forcible or sudden act or effort : assault
4. : an unfortunate or calamitous happening
failure to land the job came as a blow