flourish

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a short lively tune played on brass instruments

   I wanted to make a dramatic entrance, so I had a band play a flourish as I entered.

2. 2
   noun

   a showy gesture

   The magic act entered with a great flourish.

3. 3
   verb

   To thrive or grow well.

   The barley flourished in the warm weather.

4. 4
   verb

   To prosper or fare well.

   The town flourished with the coming of the railway.

5. 5
   verb

   To be in a period of greatest influence.

   His writing flourished before the war.

6. 6
   verb

   To develop; to make thrive; to expand.

   But all that I ſhall ſay in this vvhole Argument, vvill be but like Bottomes of Thred, cloſe vvound vp, vvhich vvith a good Needle (perhaps) may be flouriſhed into large VVorkes.

7. 7
   verb

   To make bold, sweeping movements with.

   They flourished the banner as they stormed the palace.

8. 8
   verb

   To make bold and sweeping, fanciful, or wanton movements, by way of ornament, parade, bravado, etc.; to play with fantastic and irregular motion.

   Impetuous spread the stream, and smoking flourished o'er his head.

Etymology

From Middle English floryschen, from Old French florir (via the arrhizotonic stem floriss-), from Late Latin flōrīre, from Latin flōrēre, from Latin flōrem (“flower”, noun). Corresponds to flower + -ish.