n. [ AS. bōsm; akin to D. bozem, Fries. bōsm, OHG. puosum, G. busen, and prob. E. bough. ] 1. The breast of a human being; the part, between the arms, to which anything is pressed when embraced by them. [ 1913 Webster ] You must prepare your bosom for his knife. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Specifically: The breasts of a woman; as, an ample bosom. [ PJC ] 3. The breast, considered as the seat of the passions, affections, and operations of the mind; consciousness; secret thoughts. [ 1913 Webster ] Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I know Wherefore they do it. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom. Job xxxi. 33. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Embrace; loving or affectionate inclosure; fold. [ 1913 Webster ] Within the bosom of that church. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. Any thing or place resembling the breast; a supporting surface; an inner recess; the interior; as, the bosom of the earth. “The bosom of the ocean.” Addison. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. The part of the dress worn upon the breast; an article, or a portion of an article, of dress to be worn upon the breast; as, the bosom of a shirt; a linen bosom. [ 1913 Webster ] He put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow. Ex. iv. 6. [ 1913 Webster ] 7. Inclination; desire. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 8. A depression round the eye of a millstone. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ] |