v. & n.
--v.
1. intr. a grow vigorously; thrive. b prosper; be successful. c be in one's prime. d be in good health.
2 intr. (usu. foll. by in, at, about) spend one's life; be active (at a specified time) (flourished in the Middle Ages) (cf. FLORUIT). 3 tr. show ostentatiously (flourished his cheque-book).
4 tr. wave (a weapon, one's limbs, etc.) vigorously.
--n.
1. an ostentatious gesture with a weapon, a hand, etc. (removed his hat with a flourish).
2 an ornamental curving decoration of handwriting.
3 a florid verbal expression; a rhetorical embellishment.
4 Mus. a a fanfare played by brass instruments. b an ornate musical passage. c an extemporized addition played esp. at the beginning or end of a composition.
5 archaic an instance of prosperity; a flourishing.
Derivatives:
flourisher n. flourishy adj.
Etymology: ME f. OF florir ult. f. L florere f. flos floris flower