Bom″bast (bŏm″bȧst or bŭm″bȧst; 277), n. [OF. bombace cotton, LL. bombax cotton, bombasium a doublet of cotton; hence, padding, wadding, fustian. See Bombazine.] 1. Originally, cotton, or cotton wool.
A candle with a wick of bombast.
Lupton.
2. Cotton, or any soft, fibrous material, used as stuffing for garments; stuffing; padding.
How now, my sweet creature of bombast!
Shak.
Doublets, stuffed with four, five, or six pounds of bombast at least.
Stubbes.
3. Fig.: High-sounding words; an inflated style; language above the dignity of the occasion; fustian.
Yet noisy bombast carefully avoid.
Dryden.