bosom
bosom Lexical Profile
bosom Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person's chest or breast, especially that of a woman.
"She clutched the handwritten letter tightly to her bosom."
A loving, protective, or supportive center or enclosure, such as the midst of a family.
"After years of traveling abroad, he returned to the warm bosom of his family."
The seat of secret thoughts, emotions, and desires (chiefly literary).
"Compassion and forgiveness dwelt deep within her bosom."
• adjective
Intimate, beloved, or closely trusted (used attributively before nouns referring to friends or companions).
"The two authors remained bosom friends throughout their long literary careers."
• verb
To embrace, hold closely to the chest, or cherish deeply (chiefly literary).
"The quiet valley was bosomed in lush green hills."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used as an adjective, 'bosom' is restricted to attributive positions before nouns denoting friends or companions (e.g., 'bosom buddy' or 'bosom friend') to indicate deep intimacy.
• Rhymes for bosom
Word Origin & Etymology
Inherited from Old English 'bosm' (breast, womb, surface, or ship's hold), from Proto-Germanic '*busmaz', with direct cognates in Dutch 'boezem' and German 'Busen'.