Main Entry:

¹flour·ish

Pronunciation:

\ˈflər-ish, ˈflə-rish\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Middle English florisshen, from Anglo-French fluriss-, stem of flurir, florir, from Vulgar Latin *florire, alteration of Latin florēre, from flor-, flos flower

Date:

14th century

intransitive verb1: to grow luxuriantly : thrive2 a: to achieve success : prosper <a flourishing business> b: to be in a state of activity or production <flourished around 1850> c: to reach a height of development or influence3: to make bold and sweeping gesturestransitive verb: to wield with dramatic gestures : brandish

synonyms see swing

— flour·ish·er noun

— flour·ish·ing·ly \-i-shiŋ-lē\ adverb