bloom

1. A blossom; the flower of a plant; an expanded bud.
2. Flowers, collectively.
3. The opening of flowers in general; the state of blossoming or of having the flowers open.

   The cherry trees are in bloom.

4. A state or time of beauty, freshness, and vigor; an opening to higher perfection, analogous to that of buds into blossoms.

   the bloom of youth

5. Rosy colour; the flush or glow on a person's cheek.
6. The delicate, powdery coating upon certain growing or newly-gathered fruits or leaves, as on grapes, plums, etc.
7. Anything giving an appearance of attractive freshness.
8. The clouded appearance which varnish sometimes takes upon the surface of a picture.
9. A yellowish deposit or powdery coating which appears on well-tanned leather.
10. A bright-hued variety of some minerals.

    the rose-red cobalt bloom

11. A white area of cocoa butter that forms on the surface of chocolate when warmed and cooled.
12. An undesirable halo effect that may occur when a very bright region is displayed next to a very dark region of the screen.

1. To cause to blossom; to make flourish.
2. To bestow a bloom upon; to make blooming or radiant.
3. Of a plant, to produce blooms; to open its blooms.
4. Of a person, business, etc, to flourish; to be in a state of healthful, growing youth and vigour; to show beauty and freshness.
5. (Cooking) To bring out the flavor of a spice by cooking it in oil.

noun

The spongy mass of metal formed in a furnace by the smelting process.