01 n. A plant having twigs suitable for making brooms to sweep with when bound together; esp., the Cytisus scoparius of Western Europe, which is …
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1.
A plant having twigs suitable for making brooms to sweep with when bound together; esp., the Cytisus scoparius of Western Europe, which is a low shrub with long, straight, green, angular branches, minute leaves, and large yellow flowers.(Bot.)“No gypsy cowered o'er fires of furze and broom.” — Wordsworth.
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2.
An implement for sweeping floors, etc., commonly made of the panicles or tops of broom corn, bound together or attached to a long wooden handle; -- so called because originally made of the twigs of the broom.
Phrases & compounds
Butcher's broom —
a plant (Ruscus aculeatus) of the Smilax family, used by butchers for brooms to sweep their blocks; -- called also knee holly. See Cladophyll.
Dyer's broom —
a species of mignonette (Reseda luteola), used for dyeing yellow; dyer's weed; dyer's rocket.
Spanish broom —
See under Spanish.