释义 |
broom I. \ˈbrüm, -u̇m\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English brōm; akin to Old High German brāmo bramble, Middle High German brem edge — more at brim 1. a. : any of various leguminous shrubs chiefly of the genera Cytisus and Genista with long slender branches, upright growth, small leaves, and usually showy yellow flowers b. : broom tree 1 c. : heather 1a 2. : a bundle of firm stiff plant shoots or twigs (as of the tops of broomcorn or of birch spray) or of natural or artificial fibers bound tightly together usually on a long handle and used for sweeping and brushing — compare brush I 3. : the tops of a common broom (Cytisus scoparius) formerly used in medicine as a diuretic 4. : witches'-broom 5. : woodwaxen II. transitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) 1. : to sweep with or as if with a broom: a. : to cleanse by sweeping < broom off the hearth > b. : to gather by sweeping < she broomed up the pieces of the broken jar > c. : to finish (as a surface) by means of a broom < brooming the fresh concrete surface gives a pleasing finish > d. : to apply (as roofing cement or filler in a brick or block pavement) with a broom < carefully broom the asphalt into the felt > 2. : to fray or splinter (as a log) at the end by mechanical means < a broomed stick makes a handy stirrer > |