flourish

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To thrive or grow well.

   • The barley flourished in the warm weather.
   • 'Twas early June, the new grass was flourishing everywheres, the posies in the yard—peonies and such—in full bloom, the sun was shining, and the water of the bay was blue, with light green streaks where the shoal showed.
2. 2

   To prosper or fare well.

   • The town flourished with the coming of the railway.
   • The cooperation flourished as the customers rushed in the business.
   • Bad men as frequently prosper and flourish, and that by the means of their wickedness.
3. 3

   To be in a period of greatest influence.

   • His writing flourished before the war.
4. ›+ 14 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To develop

      To develop; to make thrive; to expand.

      • But all that I ſhall ſay in this vvhole Argument, vvill be but like Bottomes of Thred, cloſe vvound vp, vvhich vvith a good Needle (perhaps) may be flouriſhed into large VVorkes.
   2. 5

      To make bold, sweeping movements with.

      • They flourished the banner as they stormed the palace.
      • The squirrel flourished its fluffy tail about as an alarm signal after its narrow escape from the cat.
   3. 6

      To make bold and sweeping, fanciful, or wanton movements, by way of ornament, parade,…

      To make bold and sweeping, fanciful, or wanton movements, by way of ornament, parade, bravado, etc.; to play with fantastic and irregular motion.

      • Impetuous spread the stream, and smoking flourished o'er his head.
   4. 7

      To use florid language

      To use florid language; to indulge in rhetorical figures and lofty expressions.

      • They dilate […] and flourish long upon little incidents.
   5. 8

      To make ornamental strokes with the pen

      To make ornamental strokes with the pen; to write graceful, decorative figures.

   6. 9

      To adorn with beautiful figures or rhetoric

      To adorn with beautiful figures or rhetoric; to ornament with anything showy; to embellish.

      • With shadowy verdure flourish'd high, A sudden youth the groves enjoy.
      • To bring you thus together, 'tis no sin, Sith that the justice of your title to him Doth flourish the deceit.
   7. 10

      To execute an irregular or fanciful strain of music, by way of ornament or prelude.

      • Why do the emperor's trumpets flourish thus?
   8. 11

      To boast

      To boast; to vaunt; to brag.

   9. 12

      To brandish (a weapon).

   10. 13

       To be known to have been alive at a particular time or in a particular period, where…

       To be known to have been alive at a particular time or in a particular period, where one's birth and death dates are not known; to have been active during a specified period; floruit.

       • John Smith (flourished 1425-1432) was...
   11. 14

       A dramatic gesture such as the waving of a flag.

       • With many flourishes of the captured banner, they marched down the avenue.
       • This is my substitute for pistol and ball. With a philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his sword; I quietly take to the ship.
       • Gabriel Jesus' solo goal - as a stunned United pushed for an equaliser - was a flourish that eased any late nerves.
   12. 15

       An ornamentation.

       • His signature ended with a flourish.
       • [B]revity is the soul of wit, And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes[.]
   13. 16

       A ceremonious passage such as a fanfare.

       • The trumpets blew a flourish as they entered the church.
       • [I]f he is a soldier in command, successes will be amplified, and the results of his campaigns announced with a flourish of trumpets.
   14. 17

       A decorative embellishment on a building.

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