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v. flour·ished, flour·ish·ing, flour·ish·es v.intr. 1. To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive: The crops flourished in the rich soil. 2. To do or fare well; prosper: "No village on the railroad failed to flourish" (John Kenneth Galbraith). 3. To be in a period of highest productivity, excellence, or influence: a poet who flourished in the tenth century. 4. To make bold, sweeping movements: The banner flourished in the wind. v.tr. To wield, wave, or exhibit dramatically. n. 1. A dramatic or stylish movement, as of waving or brandishing: "A few ... musicians embellish their performance with a flourish of the fingers" (Frederick D. Bennett). 2. An embellishment or ornamentation: a signature with a distinctive flourish. 3. An ostentatious act or gesture: a flourish of generosity. 4. Music A showy or ceremonious passage, such as a fanfare. [Middle English florishen, from Old French florir, floriss-, from Vulgar Latin *flōrīre, from Latin flōrēre, to bloom, from flōs, flōr-, flower; see bhel-3 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] flourish·er n. Synonyms: flourish, brandish, wave These verbs mean to swing back and forth boldly and dramatically: flourished the newly signed contract; brandish a sword; waving a baton. |
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