pompom

or pom-pom

[ pom-pom ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Also . an ornamental tuft or ball of feathers, wool, or the like, used on hats, slippers, etc.
pompon ( def 3 ).

pompom

or pom-pom

[ pom-pom ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

pompom

/ ˈpɒmpɒm /

a ball of tufted silk, wool, feathers, etc, worn on a hat for decoration
1. the small globelike flower head of certain cultivated varieties of dahlia and chrysanthemum
2. ( as modifier )
  pompom dahlia

Origin of pompom¹

First recorded in 1740–50; variant of pompon, with assimilation of final n

Origin of pompom²

First recorded in 1895–1900; imitative

Origin of pompom¹

C18: from French, from Old French pompe knot of ribbons, of uncertain origin

Towards evening the voice of the pompom was heard in the land; but he bagged nothing—never does.

In the afternoon one of our guns on Cæsar's Camp smashed a pompom.

As the extended lines of the infantry moved through the town they were greeted by pompom fire, which, however, did no damage.

Boers began attack at daybreak with two or three guns and a pompom, shelling the position hard.

A deputation of ladies had, meanwhile, presented the Duchess with a table-gong made of pompom shells mounted on a rhinoceros horn.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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