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brandish

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Brandish means to shake or wave something in a menacing way, particularly a weapon.

(verb)

An example of to brandish is to twirl a sword around in the air.

The definition of a brandish is a menacing wave of something, particularly a weapon.

(noun)

An example of a brandish is the waving of a gun in the air.

See brandish in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to wave, shake, or exhibit in a menacing, challenging, or exultant way; flourish

Origin: ME brandischen < extended stem of OFr brandir < Gmc *brand: see brand

noun

the act of brandishing something

See brandish in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb bran·dished, bran·dish·ing, bran·dish·es

To wave or flourish (a weapon, for example) menacingly.
To display ostentatiously. See Synonyms at flourish.

noun

A menacing or defiant wave or flourish.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English brandissen

Origin: , from Old French brandir, brandiss-

Origin: , from brand, sword

Origin: , of Germanic origin; see g^wher- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

branˈdish·er noun

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