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billow
To billow is to swell outward or to move or rise up as if caused by waves.
(verb)- An example of billow is when fabric blows outward in the wind.
- An example of billow is when smoke wafts upward in gentle waves.
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See billow in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- a large wave; great swell of water
- any large swelling mass or surge, as of smoke, sound, etc.
Origin: ON bylgja: see belly
intransitive verb
to surge, swell, or rise like or in a billow
transitive verb
to make billow or surge
See billow in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- A large wave or swell of water.
- A great swell, surge, or undulating mass, as of smoke or sound.
- To surge or roll in billows.
- To swell out or bulge: sheets billowing in the breeze.
To cause to billow: wind that billowed the sails.
Origin:
Origin: From Old Norse bylgja, a wave; see bhelgh- in Indo-European roots
.Related Forms:
- bilˈlow·i·ness noun
- bilˈlow·y adjective
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