I. ˈflər-ish, ˈflə-rish verb
Etymology: Middle English florisshen, from Anglo-French fluriss-, stem of flurir, florir, from Vulgar Latin * florire, alteration of Latin florēre, 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-shiŋ-lē adverb
II. noun
Date: circa 1552
1. : an act or instance of brandishing or waving
2.
a. : a florid bit of speech or writing
rhetorical flourish es
b. : an ornamental stroke in writing or printing
c. : a decorative or finishing detail
a house with clever little flourish es
3. : fanfare
4.
a. : a period of thriving
b. : a luxuriant growth or profusion
a flourish of white hair
a springtime flourish of color
5. : showiness in the doing of something
opened the door with a flourish
6. : a sudden burst
a flourish of activity