broom

1. any of various yellow-flowered Eurasian leguminous shrubs of the genera Cytisus, Genista, and Spartium, esp C. scoparius

2. any of various similar Eurasian plants of the related genera Genista and Spartium

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

broom

Pretty shrub 8-11 ft (3.5m) with massive amounts of yellow flowers and seed pods that turn black later in year. When they burst open to release the legume-like seeds, they make a loud cracking sound. A very hardy plant that can withstand temperatures up to -25°C! A very invasive plant overtaking hillsides. Seeds can be ground and used as coffee substitute. Used for urinary tract problems, increase urine flow and regulate heart. Do not take if you have renal (kidney) problems. Contains toxic alkaloids that depress the heart and nervous system.

broom

1. To press a layer of roofing material against bitumen which has just been applied, in order to achieve proper and complete bond between the roofing plies.

2. To brush the scratch coat of plaster with a broom to improve the mechanical adhesion of the brown coat, thus producing a broom finish.

3. To spread the head of a timber pile by impact.

broom

traditional representation of humility. [Plant Symbolism: Flora Symbolica, 167]

See: Humility

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References in periodicals archive

Flowering periods of most brooms is three to to four weeks, but the closely related genista genus has a much longer season.

Sweeping broom; top tips WITH RICHARD EVANS OF SNOWDONIA NURSERIES

There is no softening the horror of Broom's crimes.

U.S. editorial excerpts -4-

Butcher's broom is clearly an underestimated herb--one that has the backing of an impressive array of clinical trials--for the management of chronic venous insufficiency.

Butcher's broom, varicose veins, and lymphedema

In the Pelican P model, a separate Sauer-Danfoss gear pump (1.04 cu.in, displacement) is used for the main broom rotation, broom right and left side movement (1.04 cu.in displacement), conveyor (1.55 cu.in, displacement), and brake accumulator and cooling fan (1.25 cu.in, displacement).

A sweeping addition from Elgin: redesigned Pelican three-wheel broom sweeper; available in mechanical, hydraulic, waterless dust control configurations

Broom, who lived next door to the Queen's Balmoral estate, stole nearly pounds 1million from Aberdeen firm Sub-Sea Offshore.

pounds 1million swindler loses her NHS job

/ Casabella's Ergo Broom is a top seller at The Container Store.

RETAILERS SHOWCASE A SWEEPING MIX OF CLEANING GOODS

Men with Brooms, the Paul Gross fiesta, and Red Green's Duct Tape Forever, Steve Smith's Red Green extravaganza, are slated to hit the theatres within weeks of each other this spring.

Canadian comedy, eh?: Paul Gross's Men with Brooms and Steve Smith's Red Green's Duct Tape forever

When equipped with hydraulic couplers, which allow for quick attachment changes, Case's Shaefer points out that wheel loaders can be equipped with forks, scrap grapple buckets and brooms, increasing their versatility and utilization.

Beyond heavy lifting: loaders perform a variety of tasks from material handling to primary demolition

The book is narrated from the perspective of Chief Broom, a patient in a psychiatric ward.

Lee Wilson--professor of chemistry, University of Saskatchewan

Vikan have developed an innovative food industry specific Combi Broom, combining hard and soft bristles.

Combi Broom created

Then in 1994, Essences former lifestyle editor Harriette Cole wrote her groundbreaking Jumping the Broom: The African-American Wedding Planner.

The Wedding Planner: books for the twenty first century bride of African descent illustrate a range of stylish options for a unique ceremony that reflects her heritage