Definition of bosom

The word "bosom" has a rich etymology! It comes from the Old French word "bosme", which is derived from the Latin "bosum", meaning "breast" or "chest". The Latin word itself is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "gheu-", meaning "to swell" or "to inflate", likely referring to the swelling of the chest during respiration or the liveliness of the breast area. The Old French "bosme" was used to describe the bust or chest of both men and women, and the word was inherited into Middle English as "bosom". Over time, the meaning of the word evolved to be more closely associated with femininity, particularly in poetic and literary contexts, where it often referred to a woman's breasts or the source of maternal nurturing. Today, the word "bosom" is often used in a more figurative sense to describe a person's heart or innermost circle.