n.
Pronunciation: ' fl ə r-ish, ' fl ə -rish
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English florisshen, from Anglo-French fluriss-, stem of flurir, florir, from Vulgar Latin *florire, alteration of Latin flor ē re, from flor-, flos flower
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1 : to grow luxuriantly : THRIVE
2 a : to achieve success : PROSPER <a flourish ing business> b : to be in a state of activity or production < flourish ed around 1850> c : to reach a height of development or influence
3 : to make bold and sweeping gestures
transitive verb : to wield with dramatic gestures : BRANDISH
synonyms see SWING
– flour · ish · er noun
– flour · ish · ing · ly \ -i-shi ŋ -l ē \ adverb