Blos"som (bl&obreve;s"sŭm), n. [OE.
blosme, blostme, AS. blōsma,
blōstma, blossom; akin to D. bloesem, L. fios,
and E. flower; from the root of E. blow to blossom. See
Blow to blossom, and cf. Bloom a blossom.] 1.
The flower of a plant, or the essential organs of reproduction, with
their appendages; florescence; bloom; the flowers of a plant, collectively;
as, the blossoms and fruit of a tree; an apple tree in
blossom.
&fist; The term has been applied by some botanists, and is also applied
in common usage, to the corolla. It is more commonly used than
flower or bloom, when we have reference to the fruit which is
to succeed. Thus we use flowers when we speak of plants cultivated
for ornament, and bloom in a more general sense, as of flowers in
general, or in reference to the beauty of flowers.
Blossoms flaunting in the eye of day.
Longfellow.
2. A blooming period or stage of development;
something lovely that gives rich promise.
In the blossom of my youth.
Massinger.
3. The color of a horse that has white hairs
intermixed with sorrel and bay hairs; -- otherwise called peach
color.
In blossom, having the blossoms open; in
bloom.
Blos"som, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Blossomed (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n.
Blossoming.] [AS. bl&?;stmian. See Blossom,
n.] 1. To put forth blossoms or
flowers; to bloom; to blow; to flower.
The moving whisper of huge trees that branched
And blossomed.
Tennyson.
2. To flourish and prosper.
Israel shall blossom and bud, and full the face of
the world with fruit.
Isa. xxvii. 6.
