Broomstick: meaning, definitions and examples
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broomstick
[ ˈbruːm.stɪk ]
witchcraft, flying
A broomstick is a traditional tool associated with witches, often depicted as being used for flying in folklore and popular culture. This representation has been popularized through various stories and movies. The term combines 'broom', which is a cleaning implement, and 'stick', referring to a long, thin piece of wood. Broomsticks are commonly featured in Halloween imagery and are symbols of witchcraft. They are also sometimes used in a humorous context relating to magic and fantasy.
Synonyms
broom, flying broom
Examples of usage
- The witch took to the skies on her broomstick.
- Children dressed in costumes and rode their broomsticks.
- In fairy tales, broomsticks are often magical.
- The old woman swept the floor with her broomstick.
Translations
Translations of the word "broomstick" in other languages:
🇵🇹 vassoura
🇮🇳 झाड़ू का डंडा
🇩🇪 Besenstiel
🇮🇩 tongkat sapu
🇺🇦 мітла
🇵🇱 miotła
🇯🇵 箒の柄
🇫🇷 bâton à balai
🇪🇸 mango de escoba
🇹🇷 süpürge sapı
🇰🇷 빗자루 손잡이
🇸🇦 مقبض المكنسة
🇨🇿 hůl od koštěte
🇸🇰 rukoväť metly
🇨🇳 扫把杆
🇸🇮 ročaj metle
🇮🇸 kottur
🇰🇿 сүрткіш таяқ
🇬🇪 ბრახუნის ხელური
🇦🇿 təmizləmə çubuğu
🇲🇽 mango de escoba
Etymology
The word 'broomstick' dates back to the 15th century and is a compound of two Old English words: 'broom', which refers to a type of shrub used for making brooms, and 'stick', which denotes a rod or branch. In historical contexts, broomsticks were practical tools for cleaning, but as folklore developed, they gained an association with witches, particularly in Europe. The lore surrounding witches flying on broomsticks likely arose from the use of hallucinogenic substances and the rituals performed by those accused of witchcraft during the Middle Ages. Over time, this imagery was cemented in literature and art, contributing to the contemporary understanding of witches as flying on broomsticks. The portrayal of broomsticks in media, especially in children's literature and films, has romanticized and added a playful element to this historical association.