[f. prec. sb.]
† 1. intr. To form a bosom; to belly. ? Obs.
1375. Barbour, Troy-bk., II. 1699. Thai … halit wp þare salis hie That bowsummit with þe wyndis blast.
2. trans. To put into the bosom.
1598. Sylvester, Du Bartas, I. vii. (1641), 60/2. Bosoming his hand.
1819. B. W. Proctor (B. Cornwall), Dram. Sc., A. Wentworth, i. I like to see you bosom them [violets].
3. trans. To take to the bosom, embrace; fig. to receive into intimate companionship.
1605. Shaks., Lear, V. i. 13. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct, And bosom’d with her.
1633. Ford, Broken H., IV. i. (1811), 296. Ixion, aiming To embrace Juno, bosomed but a cloud.
1634. Heywood, Maidenh. Lost, I. Wks. 1874, IV. 106. A Prince hath bin repulst, and meanest persons Bosom’d.
1840. E. Elliott, Vill. Patriarch, Poet. Wks. 55. He has long been bosomed with me.
† b. intr. To have familiar intercourse. Obs. rare.
1633. Ford, Love’s Sacr., IV. i. You were wont To bosom in his counsels.
1637. Heywood, Dialogues, II. 121. She … Doth with this Monster bosome, drinke, and eat.
4. transf. and fig. To carry or enclose in the bosom; to embosom.
1632. Milton, Allegro, 73. Towers and battlements … Bosom’d high in tufted trees. Ibid. (1634), Comus, 368. The sweet peace that goodness bosoms ever.
1792. Wordsw., Descript. Sk., Poet. Wks. I. 72. Como, bosomed deep in chestnut groves.
1817. Byron, Manfred, I. i. 115. Space bosom’d not a lovelier star.
5. fig. To hide (a secret) in the bosom; to take to heart, keep in mind. Also with up.
1606. Day, Ile of Gulls, B iv b. Ile bosome what I thinke.
1613. Shaks., Hen. VIII., I. i. 112. Bosome vp my counsell.
1839. Bailey, Festus, xiv. Be mine, dear maid, the loves, and thou Shalt ever bosom them as now.
† 6. To wound or hit in the bosom. nonce use.
1631. Heywood, Maid of West, III. Wks. 1874, II. 295. I bosom’d him at every second thrust.
