blossom

Everyday

1. Blossom is the flowers on a fruit tree or bush, such as apple, cherry or plum, in spring. tree →
2. A blossom is one of those flowers. tree →
3. To blossom is to produce flowers. tree →
4. (figurative) To blossom is to grow and develop well, becoming happier, more confident or more successful. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons blossom is the flower stage of a fruit tree's life cycle; after bees pollinate the blossom, fruit grows. In Japan, people celebrate cherry blossom (sakura) with picnics. In stories, a shy character «blossoms» into a confident one. Phrases: cherry blossom, apple blossom, in blossom, blossom into.

Examples

• The cherry tree is covered in pink blossom. tree →
• Bees buzzed among the apple blossoms. tree →
• The orange trees blossom in spring. tree →
• Without blossom, there would be no fruit. tree →
• The new girl was shy at first but blossomed in Year 5. tree →
• Their friendship blossomed during the school trip. tree →
• In Japan, families picnic under the cherry blossom. tree →
• "Here is a nice clover blossom." tree →

Note

Uncountable for many flowers on a tree (lots of blossom), countable for single flowers (a blossom, three blossoms). Similar: bloom. Verb forms blossomed, blossoming (single m).

In Jewish tradition

The Torah uses it for almond flowers, copied in the cups of the tabernacle lampstand, and for vine flowers in Joseph's cupbearer's dream.

Interpretation. Tradition sees the almond-blossom design on the menorah as a link between the lampstand and a living tree.

Examples

• And in the candlestick four cups made like almond-blossoms, the knops thereof, and the flowers thereof. (Torah EXO.25.34, JPS 1917) tree →
• And in the candlestick were four cups made like almond-blossoms, the knops thereof, and the flowers thereof; (Torah EXO.37.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• and in the vine were three branches; and as it was budding, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes, (Torah GEN.40.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• The fig-tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines in blossom give forth their fragrance. (Writings SNG.2.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• 'Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vineyards; for our vineyards are in blossom.' (Writings SNG.2.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• Behold the day; behold, it cometh; the turn is come forth; the rod hath blossomed, arrogancy hath budded. (Prophets EZK.7.10, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable for many flowers on a tree (lots of blossom), countable for single flowers (a blossom, three blossoms). Similar: bloom. Verb forms blossomed, blossoming (single m).