But as Heypresto pointed out, a definition of 'broom' wouldn't be much use if it included the word 'broom', would it? Nobody actually calls the business end of a broom a brush, but referring to it as a 'brush' in a dictionary definition is a useful workaround, faute de mieux. This part of the broom is not a brush in itself - it's a broom head. So, when we want to define 'broom' for learners, the simplest way to describe the 'brush-like end bit with the bristles on' is 'brush'. Unfortunately, there is no hypernym to help you explain what brushes and brooms are. For example, if you want to define a gooseberry or a polecat, you have handy superordinate terms like 'fruit' or 'animal' to get you started. In some cases, there is a convenient hypernym. ![]() The challenge for writers of dictionary definitions is you have to use words to define other words. A broom has a bundle of straw or a brush attached to the end of a long handle. Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English :īroom | meaning of broom in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English | LDOCEĪ large brush with a long handle, used for sweeping floorsĪ brush with a long handle, used for cleaning the floorĪ brush with a long handle, used for sweeping dirt from floorsīroom | Free On-Line English Dictionary | Thesaurus | Children's, Intermediate Dictionary | WordsmythĪ device for sweeping. If you still think that your personal opinion prevails over the English dictionaries, then I don't know what to say.īroom - Dictionary of EnglishĪ tool for sweeping, made up of a brush on a long handleīroom - Definition for English-Language Learners from Merriam-Webster's Learner's DictionaryĪ brush that has a long handle and that is used for sweeping floors I am willing to add below URLs of some online English dictionaries. I did include in my previous posts some URLs of English websites, where it is apparent that the word "broom" is synomous with the word "floor sweeping brush". If you can back up your personal opinion with some references, that'd be of great value for us learners of English. However, I must say that a personal opinion is irrelevant in this discussion because we are interested in a common language usage. Broom making tradition more than 40 years ![]() (*)Note the original form of broom (still popular in non-western countries) is never called a brush: Supply HQ Extended Handle Hard Bristle Floor Brush Toilet Toilet Cleaning Cement Floor Brush Floor Wall Tile Floor Brush. Long Handle Dustpan and Brush Set Floor Sweeping Brush Kitchen Bathroom Tidy Set - OMS Home Store Soft Bristles Deluxe Floor Sweeping Brush | Konga Online Shopping Below just a few examples for your reference: It is called a broom, yes, but you can't take away the fact that it is a brush with a long handle and that other English speakers call it so. Regarding the modern(*) floor sweeping brush with a long handle: ![]() If you need a brush for your hair, you'd better ask for "hair brush", if you need a brush to clean a toilet, you'd better ask for "toilet brush", if you need a brush for washing the dishes, you'd better ask for "dish brush", if you need a brush for your nails, you'd better ask for "nail brush", if you need a brush for your eyebrows, you'd better ask for "eyebrow brush", if you need a soft brush with a long handle to sweep the floor, you'd better ask for "broom", etc. Without clarifying the context, if you would walk into a store and ask just for a "brush", the sales person will not guess exactly what type of brush you want. ![]() There are many types of brushes depending on the usage. Click to expand.In case you overlooked my first post (#23), I invite you to read it again for complete understanding.Ī brush is a generic word for an object which has a large number of bristles or hairs fixed to it that you use for cleaning, painting or tidying things.
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