flourish

Flourish is defined as to grow well, to succeed, to make big wave-like movements.

(verb)

The definition of a flourish is a waving movement, or an extra decoration.

(noun)

See flourish in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb

Obsolete to blossom
to grow vigorously; succeed; thrive; prosper
to be at the peak of development, activity, influence, production, etc.; be in one's prime
to make showy, wavy motions, as of the arms
Now Rare
1. to write in an ornamental style
2. to perform a fanfare, as of trumpets

Origin: ME florishen < extended stem of OFr florir, to blossom < LL *florire < L florere < flos, flower

transitive verb

to ornament with something flowery or fanciful
Origin: first so used by John Wycliffe
to wave (a sword, arm, hat, etc.) in the air; brandish

noun

Related Forms:

See flourish in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb flour·ished, flour·ish·ing, flour·ish·es

verb, intransitive

To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive: The crops flourished in the rich soil.
To do or fare well; prosper: “No village on the railroad failed to flourish” (John Kenneth Galbraith).
To be in a period of highest productivity, excellence, or influence: a poet who flourished in the tenth century.
To make bold, sweeping movements: The banner flourished in the wind.

verb, transitive

To wield, wave, or exhibit dramatically.

noun

A dramatic or stylish movement, as of waving or brandishing: “A few … musicians embellish their performance with a flourish of the fingers” (Frederick D. Bennett).
An embellishment or ornamentation: a signature with a distinctive flourish.
An ostentatious act or gesture: a flourish of generosity.
Music A showy or ceremonious passage, such as a fanfare.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English florishen

Origin: , from Old French florir, floriss-

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *flōrīre

Origin: , from Latin flōrēre, to bloom

Origin: , from flōs, flōr-, flower; see bhel-³ in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: