I. ˈflər.]ish, ˈflə.r], ]ēsh, chiefly in pres part ]əsh verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English florisshen, from Middle French floriss-, stem of florir, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin florire, alteration of Latin florēre, from flor-, flos flower — more at blow (to bloom)
intransitive verb
1. chiefly Scotland : to bear flowers : blossom
2. : to grow luxuriantly : increase and enlarge : thrive — used chiefly of plants and animals
blueberries flourish best on an acid soil
3.
a. : to be prosperous : increase in wealth, honor, comfort, happiness, or whatever is desirable : prosper
b. : to be in a state of activity or production — used chiefly of creative workers (as painters or writers)
c. : to reach a height of development or influence — used chiefly of technical, artistic, or philosophic schools of thought
4.
a. : to play a fanciful or improvised bit of music by way of ornament or prelude
b. : to play a fanfare on trumpets
c. : to play with a flourish
5. : boast , brag
spent the evening flourishing over a bottle or two
6. : to use florid language : be flowery in speech or writing
7. : to make bold and sweeping movements or gestures especially by way of show or in bravado
flourishing about the streets
transitive verb
1. : to adorn or decorate especially with flowers or figures : ornament
the corners flourished with little silver cherubs
2. : to move about in bold and sweeping figures
flourished his cane angrily at the children
3. obsolete
a. : to embellish with rhetorical figures or ostentatious eloquence
b. : to illuminate (a manuscript) with color or decorative figures
Synonyms: see succeed , swing
II. noun
( -es )
1. chiefly Scotland : bloom or blossom especially on a fruit tree
the flourish of the apple trees
2. obsolete : blooming state or luxuriant growth usually of plants or vegetation
3.
a. obsolete : showy decoration or embellishment
b. : a florid bit of writing or speech (as a complicated figure or an ornate metaphor)
c. : a purely ornamental stroke usually attached to or enveloping a letter or meaningful figure in a writing or engraving
4.
a. : fanfare
b. : a florid musical passage
5. : the waving of a weapon or other thing
with a last flourish of her handkerchief
gave his cloak a flourish as he stepped from the coach
: a brandishing especially in salute or signal
greeted him with a flourish of his cane
caught the auctioneer's eye with a flourish of his catalog
6. : a showiness or ostentation in the performance of something often intended to call forth or fix attention or admiration
introduced his guest with a flourish
if I've got to give her a debut I'll do it with a flourish