Category:Boom

Boom (boom), n. Etym: [D. boom tree, pole, beam, bar. See Beam.]

1. (Naut.)

Defn: A long pole or spar, run out for the purpose of extending the bottom of a particular sail; as, the jib boom, the studding-sail boom, etc.

2. (Mech.)

Defn: A long spar or beam, projecting from the mast of a derrick, from the outer end of which the body to be lifted is suspended.

3. A pole with a conspicuous top, set up to mark the channel in a river or harbor. [Obs.]

4. (Mil. & Naval)

Defn: A strong chain cable, or line of spars bound together, extended across a river or the mouth of a harbor, to obstruct navigation or passage.

5. (Lumbering)

Defn: A line of connected floating timbers stretched across a river, or inclosing an area of water, to keep saw logs, etc., from floating away. Boom iron, one of the iron rings on the yards through which the studding-sail booms traverse. -- The booms, that space on the upper deck of a ship between the foremast and mainmast, where the boats, spare spars, etc., are stowed. Totten.

Boom Boom (boom), v. t. (Naut.)

Defn: To extend, or push, with a boom or pole; as, to boom out a sail; to boom off a boat.

Boom Boom (boom), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Boomed, p. pr. & vb. n. Booming.] Etym: [Of imitative origin; cf. OE. bommen to hum, D. bommen to drum, sound as an empty barrel, also W. bwmp a hollow sound; aderyn y bwmp, the bird of the hollow sound, i. e., the bittern. Cf. Bum, Bump, v. i., Bomb, v. i.]

1. To cry with a hollow note; to make a hollow sound, as the bittern, and some insects. At eve the beetle boometh Athwart the thicket lone. Tennyson.

2. To make a hollow sound, as of waves or cannon. Alarm guns booming through the night air. W. Irving.

3. To rush with violence and noise, as a ship under a press of sail, before a free wind. She comes booming down before it. Totten.

4. To have a rapid growth in market value or in popular favor; to go on rushingly.

Boom Boom, n.

1. A hollow roar, as of waves or cannon; also, the hollow cry of the bittern; a booming.

2. A strong and extensive advance, with more or less noisy excitement; -- applied colloquially or humorously to market prices, the demand for stocks or commodities and to political chances of aspirants to office; as, a boom in the stock market; a boom in coffee. [Colloq. U. S.]

Boom Boom, v. t.

Defn: To cause to advance rapidly in price; as, to boom railroad or mining shares; to create a "boom" for; as to boom Mr. C. for senator. [Colloq. U. S.]