Billow: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from Old English 'bylgian', meaning 'to swell' and is related to words like 'bulge'.
• It shares roots with words in other languages, such as the Dutch 'bulgen', which means 'to swell' or 'to bulge'.
• Over time, ‘billow’ has evolved in its usage, often associated with water and air movements.

Nature

• In meteorology, billowing clouds are often associated with stormy weather, indicating instability in the atmosphere.
• Ocean waves billow when they rise and fall, creating a rhythmic, rolling motion that can be quite mesmerizing.
• Smoke can also billow from a fire, creating beautiful, changing shapes that float into the air.

Literature

• Billowing imagery is often used in poetry to evoke feelings of movement and fluidity, depicting both chaos and beauty.
• In classic literature, characters might billow their cloaks dramatically to convey strong emotions or authority.
• Many authors use billowing fabric as a metaphor for change, allowing characters to appear more dynamic.

Cultural References

• The term is used in films to describe dramatic scenes, such as the billowing of smoke in a suspenseful moment.
• In fashion, billowing garments are popular for creating an elegant silhouette, often seen in evening wear.
• In music, singers may use billowing gestures during performances to emphasize powerful lyrics or emotions.

Science

• Billowing is a phenomenon observed in fluid dynamics, where fluids (like air or water) move and create waves.
• The science of explosions often describes billowing flames, which can indicate how rapidly materials are combusting.
• Buoyancy and atmospheric pressure contribute to the process of billowing in both natural and artificial systems.

At rank #29,217, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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• 29214 riper
• 29215 heralding
• 29216 repossessed
• 29217 billow
• 29218 commissar
• 29219 vibrato
• 29220 haptic
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