blow

¹blow

verb \ˈblō\

blew \ˈblü\ blown \ˈblōn\ blow·ing

Definition of BLOW

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 blowing>

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 <blowing 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

: to become enraged

— blow hot and cold

: to be favorable at one moment and adverse the next

— blow off steam

: to release pent-up emotions

— blow one's cool

: to lose one's composure

— blow one's cover

: to reveal one's real identity

— blow one's mind

: to overwhelm one with wonder or bafflement

— blow one's top or blow one's stack

1

: to become violently angry

2

: to go crazy

— blow smoke

: to speak idly, misleadingly, or boastfully

— blow the whistle

: to call public or official attention to something (as a wrongdoing) kept secret —usually used with on

Origin of BLOW

Middle English, from Old English blāwan; akin to Old High German blāen to blow, Latin flare, Greek phallos penis

First Known Use: before 12th century

²blow

noun

Definition of BLOW

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

First Known Use of BLOW

1651

³blow

intransitive verb

blew \ˈblü\ blown \ˈblōn\ blow·ing

Definition of BLOW

: flower, bloom

Origin of BLOW

Middle English, from Old English blōwan; akin to Old High German bluoen to bloom, Latin florēre to bloom, flor-, flos flower

First Known Use: before 12th century

⁴blow

noun

Definition of BLOW

1

: blossoms

2

: ²bloom 1b <lilacs in full blow>

First Known Use of BLOW

1710

⁵blow

noun

Definition of BLOW

1

: a forcible stroke delivered with a part of the body or with an instrument

2

: a hostile act or state : combat <come to blows>

3

: a forcible or sudden act or effort : assault

4

: an unfortunate or calamitous happening <failure to land the job came as a blow>

Origin of BLOW

Middle English (northern dialect) blaw; probably akin to Old High German bliuwan to beat

First Known Use: 15th century