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 verb 1 : to grow luxuriantly : thrive
2 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 influence
3 : 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