/ ˈflʌrɪʃ; NAmE ˈflɜːrɪʃ/ verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[ v ] to develop quickly and be successful or common
SYN thrive :
Few businesses are flourishing in the present economic climate.
2.
[ v ] to grow well; to be healthy and happy
SYN thrive :
These plants flourish in a damp climate.
( especially BrE )
I'm glad to hear you're all flourishing.
3.
[ vn ] to wave sth around in a way that makes people look at it
■ noun
1.
[ usually sing. ] an exaggerated movement that you make when you want sb to notice you :
He opened the door for her with a flourish.
2.
[ usually sing. ] an impressive act or way of doing sth :
The season ended with a flourish for Owen, when he scored in the final minute of the match.
3.
details and decoration that are used in speech or writing :
a speech full of rhetorical flourishes
4.
a curved line, that is used as decoration, especially in writing
5.
[ usually sing. ] a loud short piece of music, that is usually played to announce an important person or event :
a flourish of trumpets
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French floriss- , lengthened stem of florir , based on Latin florere , from flos , flor- a flower. The noun senses ornamental curve and florid expression come from an obsolete sense of the verb, adorn (originally with flowers).