(1648-1708) English composer. He taught English composer Henry Purcell and wrote church music, for example the anthem ‘I Was Glad when They Said unto Me’ 1697. His masque Venus and Adonis 1685 is sometimes called the first English opera.

ETYM Old Eng. blaw, blowe; cf. Old High Germ. bliuwan, pliuwan, to beat, German bläuen, Goth. bliggwan.
1. A powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon.
2. Forceful exhalation through the nose or mouth; SYN. puff.

(Irregular preterit, past participle: blew, blown).
1. To exhale hard.
2. To sound by having air expelled through a tube.
3. To cause to move by means of an air current.
4. To cause air to go in, on, or through.
5. (Weather) To be blowing or storming.
6. To free of obstruction by blowing air through.
7. To make a sound as if blown.
8. To play or sound a wind instrument.
9. To shape by blowing.
10. To lay eggs; of certain insects.
11. To cause to be revealed and jeopardized.
12. To burst suddenly.
13. To allow to regain its breath.
14. To spout moist air from the blowhole, as of some marine mammals.