[f. BLOW v.2: of recent origin.]
1. A state of blossoming; bloom; chiefly in phrases in blow, in full blow, etc.
1759. B. Stillingfl., in Misc. Tracts (1762), 149. The wood-anemone was in blow.
1799. J. Robertson, Agric. Perth, 216. When the plants are in full blow, and before their flowers begin to fade.
a. 1845. Hood, Two Peacocks of B., viii. I were sorely vext To … cut short the blow Of the last lily I may live to grow.
b. fig.
1753. Richardson, Grandison (1781), I. ii. 4. Her beauty hardly yet in its full blow.
1770. Langhorne, Plutarch (1879), II. 1031/1. This amour was in full blow about the time.
1834. Mar. Edgeworth, Helen, 236. She is not out of blow yet, only too full blown rather for some tastes.
2. A display of blossoms; fig. a display of anything brilliant.
1710. Addison, Tatler, No. 218, ¶ 4. Such a blow of tulips, as was not to be matched.
1857. H. Miller, Test. Rocks, i. 49. It exhibits no rich blow of colour.
3. Manner, style or time of blossoming. Also fig.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa (1811), V. 285. I have … added to it all the flowers of the same blow.
1857. H. Miller, Test. Rocks, xi. 500. Flowers of richer colour and blow.
4. Blossom.
1797. Downing, Disord. Horned Cattle, 21. Take Fox-glove blows.
1866. Morn. Star, 2 Oct. The blow of the cottonwood borne by the winds of spring.
