brood

³brood

verb

Definition of BROOD

transitive verb

1

a : to sit on or incubate (eggs) b : to produce by or as if by incubation : hatch

2

of a bird : to cover (young) with the wings

3

: to think anxiously or gloomily about : ponder

intransitive verb

1

a of a bird : to brood eggs or young b : to sit quietly and thoughtfully : meditate

2

: hover, loom

3

a : to dwell gloomily on a subject b : to be in a state of depression

— brood·ing·ly \ˈbrü-diŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of BROOD

1. He brooded over his mistake.
2. After the argument, she sat in her bedroom, brooding.

First Known Use of BROOD

15th century

Related to BROOD

Synonyms: set, hatch, incubate, sit

Related Words: lay, spawn

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