n. & v.
--n.
1. a flower or a mass of flowers, esp. of a fruit-tree.
2 the stage or time of flowering (the cherry tree in blossom).
3 a promising stage (the blossom of youth).
--v.intr.
1. open into flower.
2 reach a promising stage; mature, thrive.
Derivatives:
blossomy adj.
Etymology: OE blostm(a) prob. formed as BLOOM(1)