Bulbous Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Botany

• Plants like tulips and onions are described as bulbous because they store nutrients in their bulb-shaped roots.
• Certain cacti also have bulbous shapes that help them store water, adapting them to dry environments.
• Bulbous plants often bloom in spring, offering vibrant flowers that emerge from their rounded bases.

Art & Design

• In sculpture and architecture, bulbous forms are often used to convey a sense of fullness and organic flow.
• Artists like Henry Moore utilized bulbous shapes in their works to create softness and a sense of natural form.
• In fashion, designers sometimes create bulbous silhouettes that play with volume and shape to add drama to clothing.

Psychology

• Bulbous shapes can evoke feelings of comfort and warmth, making them appealing in design and art.
• Research suggests that round shapes, including bulbous forms, are often associated with positive emotions and safety.
• Children may gravitate toward bulbous toys, as these shapes often appear friendly and inviting.

Culinary

• Certain fruits and vegetables, like bulbous garlic and squash, have distinctive rounded shapes that make them easily recognizable.
• Chefs might describe dishes as having bulbous components if they present elements that are round and plentiful.
• In cooking, bulbous bulbs of spices can be aromatic and add depth to flavors in various cuisines.

Main points about word origin

• The word comes from the Latin 'bulbus', meaning 'bulb', reflecting its round, swollen shape.
• In Middle English, it referred to anything that resembled a bulb, especially in terms of shape and size.
• The usage of 'bulbous' in English became prevalent in the 17th century to describe certain plant forms.

The word 'bulbous' is derived from the Latin 'bulbus', meaning 'bulb', which itself comes from the Greek word 'bolbos'. The term has evolved over time to describe not only the physical shape of objects but also to connote a sense of swelling or roundness. Its usage in English dates back to the early 18th century, reflecting the botanical terminology prevalent during that era, especially as gardening and plant care became popular among the middle classes. The adjective 'bulbous' has consistently been linked to both natural forms in botany, where many flowers and plants have bulbous bases, and in everyday language where it describes anything that is notably round or swollen.

Positioned at #20,825, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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