Besom

Note: [1] A besom is a long handled broom with the head made out of pieces of twig lashed together. ❋ Smith, Mark E., 1957 Mar. 5- (1980)

The conjecture is confirmed by the name thunder-besom which is applied to mistletoe in the Swiss canton of Aargau, for the epithet clearly implies a close connexion between the parasite and the thunder; indeed “thunder-besom” is a popular name in Germany for any bushy nest-like excrescence growing on a branch, because such a parasitic growth is actually believed by the ignorant to be a product of lightning. ❋ Unknown (1922)

The conjecture is confirmed by the name thunder-besom which is applied to mistletoe in the Swiss canton of Aargau, for the epithet clearly implies a close connexion between the parasite and the thunder; indeed "thunder-besom" is a popular name in Germany for any bushy nest-like excrescence growing on a branch, because such a parasitic growth is actually believed by the ignorant to be a product of lightning. ❋ Unknown (1922)

The conjecture is confirmed by the name thunder-besom which is applied to mistletoe in the Swiss canton of Aargau, for the epithet clearly implies a close connexion between the parasite and the thunder; indeed ❋ James George Frazer (1897)

Theobald replaced the meaningless epithet 'besom' by ❋ Sidney Lee (1892)

The conjecture is confirmed by the name thunder-besom which is applied to mistletoe in the Swiss canton of Aargau, for the epithet clearly implies a close connexion between the parasite and the thunder; indeed “thunder-besom” is a popular name in Germany for any bushy nest-like excrescence growing on a branch, because such a parasitic growth is actually believed by the ignorant to be a product of lightning. ❋ Unknown (1583)

All good suits have "besom" pockets - that is, a narrow edge sewn in two lines around the slit. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Yon's twa weavers and a mason cursing the laird, and the man wi 'the besom is the Master of Crumnathie. " ❋ Unknown (1898)

"besom" and there were two thousand recorded deaths beside multitudes unnoted. ❋ Unknown (1770)

The spa offers a traditional Russian banya experience, involving a ritual of hot saunas, cold baths and an invigorating banya besom treatment—a stimulating massage using birch or oak twigs. ❋ Jemima Sissons (2011)

Higgs-boson, I thought, though I like the idea of something in Physics being a besom (for all I know, there is one). ❋ Jean (2009)

Professor Higgs (of “Higgs besom” fame) used to live in Drummond Place. ❋ Jean (2009)

And in early America, African slaves invented a form of marriage, "besom wedding" or jumping the broom, in which a couple jumped over a broomstick stuck aslant in a doorway and declared themselves married. ❋ Arlene M. Roberts (2010)

They would wait till our men came very near them, four or five kenii only, and just at the moment when we proposed to shout a triumphant Banzai, this dreadful machine would begin to sweep over us with the besom of destruction, the results being hills and mounds of dead.17 ❋ C. J. Chivers (2010)

Ye little besom! the giant bellowed, snatching his arm back only to grab her neck with a hamlike hand and use it to lift her clear up off her feet, shaking her like an enraged bull mastiff with an especially annoying rat. ❋ KAREN ROBARDS (2010)

"Christ, she's drunk as an auld besom in a bothy," said a voice in my ear. ❋ Unknown (2010)

And it would have fallen out like that, too, but for the infernal ingenuity of that kitten-tickling besom - Kutebar was right: Ko Dali should have whaled the wickedness out of her years ago. ❋ Geoff Barbanell (2010)

"I'M not going without you, you damned foolish old besom," Cormo rumbled, in what was-for him-a quiet undertone. ❋ Michael J. Solender (2010)