/ ˈflaʊə(r); NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
the coloured part of a plant from which the seed or fruit develops. Flowers usually grow at the end of a stem and last only a short time :
The plant has a beautiful bright red flower.
The roses are in flower early this year.
The crocuses are late coming into flower .
2.
a plant grown for the beauty of its flowers :
a garden full of flowers
a flower garden / show
3.
a flower with its stem that has been picked as a decoration :
I picked some flowers .
a bunch of flowers
a flower arrangement
—see also bouquet
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IDIOMS
- the flower of sth
■ verb [ v ]
1.
( of a plant or tree ) to produce flowers
SYN bloom :
This particular variety flowers in July.
early-flowering spring bulbs
2.
( literary ) to develop and become successful
SYN blossom
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English flour , from Old French flour , flor , from Latin flos , flor- . The original spelling was no longer in use by the late 17th cent. except in its specialized sense ground grain (see flour ).