boom

boom

boom¹ [bo͞om]

vi.

[ME bummen, to hum; like Du bommen, Ger bummen, orig. echoic]

to make a deep, hollow, resonant sound

vt.

to speak or indicate with such a sound: usually with out [the clock boomed out the hour]

n.

1. a booming sound, as of thunder, heavy guns, etc.

2. the resonant cry of certain animals, as the bullfrog

boomer

n.

boom² [bo͞om]

n.

[Du, a tree, beam, pole; same word ult. as BEAM]

1. a spar extending from a mast to hold the bottom of a sail outstretched

2. [from use of ship's boom for this purpose] a long beam extending as from an upright to lift or carry something and guide it as needed [the boom of a derrick, a microphone boom]

3. a barrier of chains or poles to obstruct navigation

☆ 4. Lumbering

a) a barrier across a river or around an area of water to prevent floating logs from dispersing

b) the area in which logs are thus confined

5. Aeron. a retractable metal tube for transferring fuel from a tanker to another plane in flight

vt.

to stretch out (sails) as with a boom so as to take maximum advantage of a wind abaft the beam and hence make speed

vi.

☆ to go rapidly along; move with speed or vigor: usually with along

——————

☆ lower the boom

Informal to act suddenly and forcefully in dealing out punishment or criticism, in defeating, etc.

boom³ [bo͞om]

vi.

[< ? BOOM² vi.; later assoc. with BOOM¹]

to increase suddenly in size, importance, activity, etc.; undergo swift, vigorous growth; flourish [business boomed]

vt.

to promote vigorously; popularize [they boomed him for mayor]

n.

1. swift, vigorous growth or development

2. a period of business prosperity, industrial expansion, etc.

3. a sudden favorable turn in business or political prospects

adj.

of, characteristic of, or resulting from a boom in business, etc.