Origin of "full blown?"

Posted by R. Berg on June 21, 2004

In Reply to: Origin of "full blown?" posted by timdawg on June 21, 2004

:
: Can anybody help me understand the origin of the phrase "full blown?" I read it most often in conjuction with HIV/full-blown AIDS. Just curious as to where the phrase originated.

It's from blooming. One meaning of "blow" is "to blossom." A full-blown flower is one whose petals have opened as far as they'll go.

• Origin of "full blown?" Henry 22/June/04