bɔm n. & v. --n. 1 a a
container with explosive,
incendiary material,
smoke, or
gas etc., designed to
explode on
impact or by
means of a time-mechanism or remote-control
device. b an
ordinary object fitted with an explosive device (letter-bomb). 2 (prec. by the)
the atomic or
hydrogen bomb considered as a
weapon with
supreme destructive power. 3
Brit. sl. a
large sum of
money (cost a bomb). 4 a mass of solidified
lava thrown
from a
volcano. 5 US colloq. a
bad failure (esp. a
theatrical one). 6 sl. a drugged
cigarette. 7
Med. =
radium bomb. --v. 1 tr.
attack with bombs;
drop bombs
on. 2 tr. (foll. by out)
drive (a
person etc.)
out of a
building or
refuge by using bombs. 3 intr.
throw or drop bombs. 4 intr.
esp. US sl.
fail badly. 5 intr. colloq. (usu. foll. by
along, off)
move or go
very quickly. 6 tr. US sl.
criticize fiercely. øbomb-bay a
compartment in an
aircraft used to hold bombs. bomb-disposal the defusing or
removal and detonation of an unexploded bomb. bomb-sight a device in an aircraft
for aiming bombs. bomb-site an
area where buildings
have been destroyed by bombs. go down a bomb colloq.,
often iron. be very well received. like a bomb Brit. colloq. 1 often iron. very successfully. 2 very fast. [F
bombe f.
It. bomba f. L bombus f. Gk bombos hum]