I. ˈgəsh verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English guschen, gosshen, perhaps of imitative origin
intransitive verb
1. : to pour, issue, flow, or spout copiously or violently
the blood gushed from the wound
the spectacular fountains of lava that gush for hundreds of feet into the air — Howel Williams
— often used with forth or out
the water gushed forth from the hole in the tank
words and yet more words gushed out of him in an endless meaningless stream
2. : to give free rein to a sudden copious flow or issuing forth (as of blood or tears) — often used with forth or out
the cut gushed forth with blood
always gushing out in tears
gush forth with a wondrous flow of eloquence
3. : to make an unrestrained and excessively sentimental usually prolonged and often habitual display of affection or enthusiasm
a woman who tended to gush at the very mention of babies
she would rush to him with all the girlish excitement … and gush about everybody having a good time — E.A.Peeples
transitive verb
1. : to emit or pour in a copious free flow
the broken main gushed a stream of water over the road
— often used with forth or out
the old man's eyes gushed sudden tears — L.C.Douglas
2. : to say or utter in gushing
“I'm dying to get to Europe,” he gushed. “It's positively the only, only place for those who wish to live the cultured life” — Rex Ingamells
the woman gushed maudlin greetings to everybody at the party
Synonyms: see pour
II. noun
( -es )
1.
a. : a gushing forth (as of a liquid)
a sudden gush of water from the hose nozzle
b. : the fluid emitted in such a gushing forth
the gush of oil spread out in a thin slippery film over the road
c. : a free usually sudden outpouring : gust , burst
a gush of sound from the horns
a gush of feeling from the heart
a gush of flame
a gush of cheerful light — Charles Dickens
a mighty gush of energy — Science Year Book
2. : an unrestrained often prolonged display of sentiment
a poem marked chiefly by gush
a city which provides unusual opportunities for gush , for it has abundant superficial charm — Robertson Davies
the insight of a cultivated mind and the gush of the immature enthusiast — John Dewey