Definition

1. Noun:

   • The chest or breast of a human, especially a woman's: "bosom" can refer to the front part of the human chest, particularly the female breasts.
   • The seat of intimate feelings or thoughts; the heart: "bosom" is used figuratively to mean the center of one's emotions, affections, or private thoughts.
   • A close, protective, and affectionate relationship or environment: "bosom" describes a state of being cherished, accepted, or enveloped in a close-knit group, like a family.
   • The part of a garment that covers the chest: "bosom" can refer to the front section of a shirt, dress, or coat.

2. Verb:

   • To embrace or hug closely: "bosom" means to hold someone tightly in one's arms with affection.
   • To cherish or keep something close and secret in one's heart or mind: "bosom" means to hide or conceal something intimately.

Examples

• Noun:

  • She held the child close to her bosom. (She held the child close to her chest.)
  • He kept his fears locked in his bosom. (He kept his fears hidden in his heart.)
  • She found comfort in the bosom of her family. (She found comfort within her close family circle.)
  • There was a stain on the bosom of his white shirt. (There was a stain on the chest part of his white shirt.)

• Verb:

  • The mother bosomed her crying infant. (The mother hugged her crying infant closely.)
  • He bosomed the painful secret for many years. (He cherished/kept the painful secret hidden for many years.)

Advanced Usage

• "In the bosom of": within the protective and intimate circle of a group.
  • After years abroad, he was happy to be back in the bosom of his old friends.
• "To take to one's bosom": to adopt or accept someone with great affection.
  • The community took the orphaned child to its bosom.

Variants and Related Words

• Bosomy (adj): having a large or prominent bosom.
  • The actress was known for her bosomy figure.
• Bosom friend/buddy (n, compound): a very close and trusted friend.
  • They have been bosom friends since childhood.

Synonyms

• Noun (chest): breast, bust, chest.
• Noun (heart): heart, soul, core, inner self.
• Noun (embrace): embrace, fold.
• Verb (hug): embrace, hug, clasp, hold.
• Verb (cherish): harbor, cherish, nurse, hide.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: "Bosom" is not commonly used to form standard phrasal verbs. Its verbal use is more literary.)

Related Idioms

• "A bosom serpent": a secret trouble or guilt that preys on one's mind (archaic/literary).
  • His regret was a bosom serpent, gnawing at him daily.

Noun

1. either of two soft fleshy milk-secreting glandular organs on the chest of a woman
2. the locus of feelings and intuitions
   • in your heart you know it is true
   • her story would melt your bosom
3. a close affectionate and protective acceptance
   • his willing embrace of new ideas
   • in the bosom of the family
4. cloth that covers the chest or breasts
5. a person's breast or chest
6. the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept
   • his bosom was bursting with the secret

Verb

1. squeeze (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness
   • Hug me, please
   • They embraced
   • He hugged her close to him
2. hide in one's bosom
   • She bosomed his letters