[flour.ish] vb [ME florisshen, fr. MF floriss-, stem of florir, fr. (assumed) VL florire, alter. of L florere, fr. flor-, flos flower] vi (14c) 1: to grow luxuriantly: thrive
2. a: to achieve success: prosper b: to be in a state of activity or production "~ed around 1850" c: to reach a height of development or influence
3: to make bold and sweeping gestures ~ vt: to wield with dramatic gestures: brandish syn see swing -- flour.ish.er n -- flour.ish.ing.ly adv
[2]flourish n (1597) 1 a: a period of thriving b: a luxuriant growth or profusion "a ~ of white hair" "a springtime ~ of color"
2. a: a florid bit of speech or writing "rhetorical ~es" b: an ornamental stroke in writing or printing c: a decorative or finishing detail "a house with clever little ~es"
3: fanfare
4: an act or instance of brandishing or waving
5: showiness in the doing of something "opened the door with a ~"
6: a sudden burst (as of activity) "the week ends with a ~ of tests"