Billowed Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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billowed
[ˈbɪloʊd ]
Definition
movement of fabric
To billow means to swell or rise in a wave-like motion, often applied to fabric, smoke, or other materials that can change shape with movement. It is commonly used to describe the way curtains move in a breeze or how a flag waves in the wind. The action of billowing conveys a sense of freedom, lightness, or expansion, often creating a visual effect of elegance. This term can also describe clouds that puff and form shapes in the sky.
Synonyms
puffed, surged, swelled, wafted.
Examples of usage
- The curtains billowed in the warm summer breeze.
- Smoke billowed from the chimney into the sky.
- The flag billowed proudly during the ceremony.
Translations
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Origin of 'billowed'
The word 'billow' originates from the Middle English term 'bilwe,' which meant to roll or swell. This term is derived further from Old English 'bylgian,' which means to swell or loom, particularly in reference to waves. The connotation of the word has evolved over time, retaining its association with motion and expansion. The imagery associated with 'billow' often evokes natural elements like waves in the ocean or serene movements of fabric, contributing to its poetic and descriptive richness in the English language. The word has been used metaphorically in literature and speech, encapsulating both physical movement and emotional surges.