I. ˈflau̇(-ə)r noun
Etymology: Middle English flour flower, best of anything, flour, from Anglo-French flur, flour, flaur, from Latin flor-, flos — more at blow
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : the part of a seed plant that normally bears reproductive organs : blossom , inflorescence
b. : a shoot of the sporophyte of a higher plant that is modified for reproduction and consists of a shortened axis bearing modified leaves ; especially : one of a seed plant differentiated into a calyx, corolla, stamens, and carpels
c. : a plant cultivated for its blossoms
2.
a. : the best part or example
the flower of our youth
b. : the finest most vigorous period
c. : a state of blooming or flourishing
in full flower
3. plural : a finely divided powder produced especially by condensation or sublimation
flower s of sulfur
• flow·ered ˈflau̇(-ə)rd adjective
• flow·er·ful ˈflau̇(-ə)r-fəl adjective
• flow·er·less -ləs adjective
• flow·er·like -ˌlīk adjective
[
cross section of flower 1b: 1 filament, 2 anther, 3 stigma, 4 style, 5 petal, 6 ovary, 7 sepal, 8 pedicel, 9 stamen, 10 pistil, 11 perianth
]
II. verb
Date: 13th century
intransitive verb
1.
a. : develop
flower ed into young womanhood
b. : flourish 2
2. : to produce flowers : blossom
transitive verb
1. : to cause to bear flowers
2. : to decorate with flowers or floral designs
• flow·er·er ˈflau̇(-ə)r-ər noun