Billowing is a word that is often used to describe the movement of air, water, or fabric. It is a word that is commonly associated with the movement of clouds, waves, and sails. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of billowing, its origin, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences.
Definitions
The word billowing is defined as a large, rolling mass of something, such as smoke, water, or fabric. It is often used to describe the movement of something that is being blown by the wind, such as the billowing of a sail or the billowing of a flag.
Origin
The word billowing comes from the Middle English word “bili,” which means “bag.” The word was first used in the 14th century to describe the movement of a bag or sack that was being blown by the wind. Over time, the word came to be used to describe the movement of other objects that were being blown by the wind, such as sails and flags.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, billowing means “to rise or roll in waves or surges.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “to swell out, puff out, or be inflated by the wind.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “to move in a way that is similar to waves, especially when the wind is blowing.”
Associations
The word billowing is often associated with the movement of clouds, waves, and sails. It is also associated with smoke, steam, and other substances that are being blown by the wind. In addition, it is often used to describe the movement of fabric, such as curtains or flags.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of billowing include swelling, surging, heaving, rolling, and undulating. These words are often used to describe the movement of water, waves, or clouds.
Antonyms
Some antonyms of billowing include calm, still, stagnant, and motionless. These words are often used to describe the absence of movement or the lack of wind.
The same root words
The word billowing is derived from the Middle English word “bili,” which means “bag.” Other words that are derived from this root include billow, bilge, and bulge.
Example Sentences
- The smoke from the fire was billowing into the sky.
- The waves were billowing against the shore.
- The curtains were billowing in the wind.
- The sails were billowing in the breeze.
- The flag was billowing in the wind.