besom Meaning, Definition & Usage

Be"som noun

Etymology

OE. besme, besum, AS. besma; akin to D. bezem, OHG pesamo, G. besen; of uncertain origin.

Definitions

1. A brush of twigs for sweeping; a broom; anything which sweeps away or destroys. Archaic or Fig.

   I will sweep it with the besom of destruction. Isa. xiv. 23.

   The housemaid with her besom. W. Irving.

Be"som transitive verb

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Besomed

Definitions

1. To sweep, as with a besom. Archaic or Poetic Cowper.

   Rolls back all Greece, and besoms wide the plain. Barlow.