flourishn.

Brit.

/ˈflʌrɪʃ/, U.S.

/ˈflərɪʃ/

Forms: 1500s florishe, (Scottish flureise, flureiss, fleureis, flurish), 1500s–1600s florish, 1600s floorish, 1600s–1700s flowrish, 1500s– flourish.

Etymology: < flourish v.

a. The blossom or mass of flowers on a fruit tree. Also occasionally in plural. Only Scottish and northern dialect.

ΘΚΠ

the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > flower or part containing reproductive organs > [noun] > blossom or flower(s)

blossom971

bledec975

blooma1400

flourishinga1400

floweringa1400

flourisha1500

blowing1578

blooming1622

pip1753

floriage1782

florescence1793

blow1797

flowerage1831

bloom-flinder1840

gosling1847–78

snow1859

fleuret1868

bloomagea1876

blossomry1901

a1500 Cokelbie Sow Proem. 42 A fair flureiss fadit in a falty tre.

c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) vi. 30 The borial blastis..hed chaissit the fragrant flureise of euyrie frute tree, far athourt the feildis.

a1600 A. Montgomerie Misc. Poems xvii. 58 Beuties freshest florish.

1635 S. Rutherford Let. 22 Apr. There shall be fair white flourishes again, with most pleasant fruits.

1868 J. C. Atkinson Gloss. Cleveland Dial. Flourish, the blossom on fruit-trees.

1892 A. K. H. Boyd Twenty-five Years St. Andrews II. xxi. 139 Finding some very fine ‘flourish’ in a dirty back-court.

†b. plural = flowers (see flower n. 2b).

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > the body > organs of excretion > excretions > menses > [noun]

monthlyeOE

menstruuma1398

flowerc1400

menstrue?a1425

women's evilc1450

menstruosity1503

courses1563

monthly time1564

reds1568

month courses1574

purgation1577

women's courses1577

month1578

menses1597

menstruals1598

flourish1606

nature1607

fluors1621

mois1662

period1690

catamenia1764

turn1819

visitor1980

1606 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iii. 85 Childe-great Women, or greene Maydes (that misse Their Termes appointed for their flourishes).

†2.

a. The state or condition of being in blossom, blossoming. Of vegetation: Luxuriant growth, luxuriance, greenness. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by good growth > [noun] > flourishing state or greenness

verdour1447

flourish1594

luxuritya1636

vernancy1669

luxuriancy1712

luxuriance1728

floridity1831

rankness1873

vernality1896

lushness1900

the world > matter > colour > named colours > green or greenness > [noun]

greennessOE

green?c1225

greenheada1325

greenshipc1390

verdurec1400

viridityc1430

sinople1489

flourish1594

deep green1601

verdour1610

verdancy1631

verdue1641

zinnober green1879

vernality1896

virescence1904

verd1915

the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > flower or part containing reproductive organs > flower or flowering plant > [noun] > flowering or blossoming

flourishing1303

blowingc1380

blossomingc1440

blooming1495

flourish1594

blowth1602

efflorescence1626

flowering1629

blow1744

florification1796

inflorescence1801

flowerage1841

florescence1853

floriferousness1882

1594 J. Dickenson Arisbas sig. G 2 The roote whose moisture fed their flourish.

1628 Z. Boyd Last Battell Soule 1101 The tree is first seene in the budde and then in the flourish, and after in the frute.

1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 117 A constant Verdure, or Flourish of Spring.

1801 R. Southey Thalaba II. viii. 123 In the vain flourish of its [vine's] outwardness Wasting the sap and strength.

1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian vi, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. III. 149 Fruit-trees, so many of which were at this time in flourish.

b. figurative. Prosperity, vigour; the ‘bloom’ (of youth). Also, the highest degree of prosperity; perfection, prime. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > prosperity > [noun] > flourishing condition

statea1387

verdour1447

virtuec1450

thrivingc1460

provinga1529

prospering?1567

verdurec1595

flourish1597

efflorescency1649

efflorescence1672

flourishing1717

flourishment1724

booming1881

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > perfection > [noun]

fullfremednesseOE

perfectionc1350

perfectnessa1387

meurte1474

thummim1539

flourish1597

finishing1757

reproachlessness1803

perfectibility1809

sublimification1868

the world > life > source or principle of life > age > prime > [noun]

flowering agec1400

pridec1475

blooming-time1495

flower?1507

season?1507

day1546

flourishing years?1555

golden years1559

vigour1563

consistent age1574

prime1574

May moon1576

acme1579

Maya1586

flourish1597

May month1600

consistencea1613

May morna1616

constant age1620

high daya1625

blouth1643

flourishing age1737

heyday1751

floruit1843

bloom-hour1850

blossom-time1860

1597 J. Payne Royall Exchange 38 To be howld..wycked men to have the fayrest shew and greatest florishe.

a1613 E. Brerewood Enq. Langs. & Relig. (1614) iii. 17 The Romans had generally (at least..in the flourish of the Empire) great care to inlarge their tongue.

1646 R. Codrington Life & Death Illustrious Earle of Essex 5 The Earl of Essex was then in the flourish of his youth.

1709 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. 27 Aug. The Foundation & Increase & Flourish of [the University].

1826 W. Scott Woodstock I. xi. 269 The flourish of his powerful relative's fortunes, had burst forth in the finery of his dress.

1848 W. M. Thackeray Bk. Snobs iv. 18 The Court Circular remains in full flourish.

†3. Ostentatious embellishment; gloss, varnish.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > [noun] > (an) ostentatious display > more ostentatious display

flourish1598

ornament1600

braverya1627

pageantrya1646

flash1674

overbloom1880

top-dressing1884

1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iv. iii. 236 Lend me the florish of all gentle tongues.

1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets lx. sig. E^v Time doth transfixe the florish set on youth.

1646 R. Crashaw Steps to Temple 38 The flourish of his sober Youth, Was the Pride of Naked Truth.

†4.

a. A florid decoration; a piece of scroll-work, tracery, or the like. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > architectural ornament > [noun]

flourisha1674

1695 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 19 154 An Octagonal Tower..beautified on the out-side with Florishes.

1721 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. (at cited word) A flourish [in Architecture] is a Flower Work.

1764 T. Harmer Observ. Passages Script. iii. iv. 134 Cracknells are full of holes, being formed into a kind of flourish of lattice-work.

figurative.a1674 T. Traherne Christian Ethicks (1675) 443 Mistake not these things for arbitrary flourishes of Luxuriant fancy.

b. In Penmanship, a decoration about a letter or writing, consisting of flowing curves executed with a sweep of the pen.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > writing > written text > decoration > [noun] > flourish

dash1607

flourish1653

knota1680

purlicue1808

quirk1840

squirl1843

curlicue1844

line-filling1895

line-finishing1906

line-ending1928

1653 H. More Antidote against Atheisme ii. vi. 68 They were intended onley for ludicrous ornaments of Nature, like the flourishes about a great letter that signify nothing.

1758 J. Blake Plan Marine Syst. 8 In the middle of this sheet..let a flourish be printed, so that the sheet may be cut in two, indentwise.

1831 C. Lamb Let. 22 Feb. (1935) III. 305 By your flourishes, I should think you never learn'd to..flourish the governors' names in the writing school.

1861 G. A. Sala Dutch Pict. 2 An original Rembrandt (with a flourish to the R).

a. Literary or rhetorical embellishment; ambitious copiousness or amplification; parade of fine words or phrases; a florid expression.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > ornateness > [noun] > embellishment > an) ornament(s)

coloursc1405

rhetoricc1425

gaudc1430

flower1508

flourish1603

embellishment1632

flosculation1651

floscule1669

gayness1670

floresa1734

taga1734

1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 74 By a flourish of fine words, they devise shifts [and] evasions.

1673 True Notion Worship of God 56 Those pleasing Varieties and Flourishes in Pulpit Harangues.

1708 G. Berkeley Commonplace Bk. in Wks. (1871) IV. 492 I abstain from all flourish and powers of words and figures.

1823 W. Scott Peveril IV. x. 239 He commenced with a flourish about his sufferings for the Plot.

1867 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest I. App. 603 This [use of the word] is evidently a mere flourish.

†b. A boast, brag. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pride > boasting or boastfulness > [noun] > a boast

roosec1175

avauntc1380

advancement?a1400

vauntise1477

vousta1500

puff1567

rodomontade1591

flourish1592

rodomontado1598

vauntc1600

vauntery1603

vapour1631

fanfaronade1652

gasconado1658

blow1684

gab1737

vaunting1793

windy1933

line-shoot1941

1592 A. Day 2nd Pt. Eng. Secretorie sig. G4, in Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) All your..flourish made of your company, their reputation, your ciuilitie.

1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Flourish..a Vaunt, Boast, or Brag.

a. An ostentatious waving about of a weapon or anything else held in the hand; a showy movement of the body or limbs.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in specific manner > [noun] > flourishing or brandishing > an instance of

flourish1600

swing1635

society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > [noun] > brandishing of weapon

brandishingc1440

flourish1600

brandish1601

brandishment1640

the world > movement > bodily movement > [noun] > a bodily movement > showy

flourish1740

1600 W. Cornwallis Ess. I. xii. sig. G7 Like seeming Fencers, we are meeter for a flourish, then defence.

1713 R. Steele in Guardian 8 May 1/2 Before he applied his Weapon to my Chin, he gave me a flourish with it.

1740 H. Bracken Farriery Improv'd (ed. 2) II. vi. 167 It would splint him..if the Rider were to make his Flourishes upon his Back like a Rope-Dancer.

1840 F. D. Bennett Narr. Whaling Voy. I. 142 A few..musicians embellish their performance with a flourish of the fingers.

1859 C. Dickens Tale of Two Cities i. v. 22 The three customers pulled off their hats to Madame Defarge, with three flourishes.

figurative.1777 A. Hamilton Let. 6 July in Papers (1961) I. 282 Their flourishes in the Jerseys, I believe, cannot have cost them less than 6 or 700 men.

b. esp. A graceful brandishing of the weapon by way of salute or display at the beginning of a fencing match. †Hence figurative a prolusion, ornamental preamble; a piece of compliment or display preliminary to serious business or discussion. (Cf. 7c.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > [noun] > a) preparation(s) > a preliminary action or step

introductionc1386

deductiona1535

induction?1544

preamble1548

flourish1552

preludium1563

primordium1577

preparativec1580

exordium1581

introit1583

foregoinga1586

prologuea1586

preface1589

prelusion1597

proem1598

prolusion1601

introductory1646

preliminary1656

prelimination1667

flourishing1687

little go1842

preluding1858

foreword1888

prelim1891

prelimen1898

run-in1900

opening gambit1911

prolegomenon1926

lead-in1928

pipe-openera1936

lead-up1953

intro1964

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > [noun] > actions

buttc1330

overheadc1400

stopc1450

quarter-strokea1456

rabbeta1500

rakea1500

traverse1547

flourish1552

quarter-blow1555

veny1578

alarm1579

venue1591

cut1593

time1594

caricado1595

fincture1595

imbroccata1595

mandritta1595

punta riversa1595

remove1595

stramazon1595

traversa1595

imbrocado1597

passado1597

counter-time1598

foinery1598

canvasado1601

montant1601

punto1601

stock1602

embrocadoc1604

pass1604

stuck1604

stramazo1606

home thrust1622

longee1625

falsify?1635

false1637

traversion1637

canvassa1641

parade1652

flanconade1664

parry1673

fore-stroke1674

allonge1675

contretemps1684

counter1684

disengaging1684

feint1684

passing1687

under-counter1687

stringere1688

stringering1688

tempo1688

volte1688

overlapping1692

repost1692

volt-coupe1692

volting1692

disarm?1700

stamp1705

passade1706

riposte1707

swoop1711

retreat1734

lunge1748

beat1753

disengage1771

disengagement1771

opposition1771

time thrust1771

timing1771

whip1771

shifting1793

one-two1809

one-two-three1809

salute1809

estramazone1820

remise1823

engage1833

engaging1833

risposta1838

lunging1847

moulinet1861

reprise1861

stop-thrust1861

engagement1881

coupé1889

scrape1889

time attack1889

traverse1892

cut-over1897

tac-au-tac riposte1907

flèche1928

replacement1933

punta dritta1961

1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Florysh, proludium.

1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Psalmes of Dauid with Comm. (xviii. 44) That was but a florish of the sovereintie promised to Christ.

1593 R. Harvey Philadelphus 2 This is your florish, to no purpose, then to shew reading.

a1626 F. Bacon Ess. (1798) 268 This is a flourish: There follow excellent Parables.

1826 W. Scott Woodstock III. iv. 98 Ere they had done more than salute each other, with the usual courteous flourish of their weapons.

7. Music.

a. A fanfare (of horns, trumpets, etc.), esp. to announce the approach of a person of distinction.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > music on specific instrument > [noun] > wind music > fanfare

tantara1584

flourish1597

fanfare1769

fanfaronade1812

fanfarrado1824

fanfaron1848

fanfarade1883

1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III iv. iv. 149 A flourish trumpets, strike alarum drummes.

1608 T. Heywood Rape of Lucrece sig. H3^v A flourish with drums and Trumpets.

1712 A. Philips Distrest Mother iv. i A flourish of trumpets.

1788 C. Reeve Exiles II. 127 Two trumpeters..blew a flourish, and the herald gave his challenge.

1813 Ann. Reg. 52 The Duke of York gave the toast; it was announced from the head of the table by a flourish of trumpets.

1814 W. Scott Waverley II. xxii. 333 When Waverley reached that part of the column which was filled by the clan of Mac-Ivor, they..received him with a triumphant flourish upon the bagpipes.

1868 Queen's Regulations & Orders Army ⁋58 In corps not having a band, the bugles or trumpets will sound the flourish.

figurative.1884 J. A. H. Murray 13th Presid. Addr. in Trans. Philol. Soc. 516 Friends, who..send..with a flourish of trumpets to Notes and Queries.

b. A florid passage; a florid style of composition; a decorative addition introduced by player or singer. Also, ‘the execution of profuse but unmeaning ornamentation in music’ (Stainer and Barrett).

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > section of piece of music > ornament > [noun] > flourish

passagec1570

division1590

flourish1646

variation1730

fioritura1841

floriation1895

1646 R. Crashaw Musicks Duell in Steps to Temple 107 The Lutes light Genius now does proudly rise, Heav'd on the surges of swolne Rapsodyes. Whose flourish (Meteor-like) doth curle the aire With flash of high-borne fancyes.

1724 A. Ramsay Tea-table Misc. (1733) I. p. v Such are not judges of the fine flowrishes of new musick imported from Italy.

1823 G. Crabb Universal Technol. Dict. Flourish..the decorative notes which a singer, or instrumental performer, adds sometimes to a passage.

c. A short extemporized sequence of notes sounded as a prelude at the beginning of a piece of music. Cf. 6b.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > section of piece of music > [noun] > introduction or opening

overtc1450

preamble1611

intrada1664

flourish1706

entry1728

alap1834

introduction1880

intro1923

pickup1928

1706 A. Bedford Temple Musick ix. 191 Each Side might begin with a different Flourish.

1876 J. Stainer & W. A. Barrett Dict. Musical Terms 171/2 Flourish..The preparatory cadenza for ‘tuning the voice’, in which singers formerly indulged just before commencing their song.

in extended use.1848 W. Irving Hist. N.Y. (rev. ed.) iv. ii. 117 He preluded his address by a sonorous blast of the nose; a preliminary flourish much in vogue among public orators.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

flourishv.

Brit.

/ˈflʌrɪʃ/, U.S.

/ˈflərɪʃ/

Forms: past tense and participle flourished. Forms: Middle English floris(e, (Middle English floryse, fluris), Middle English florisse, Middle English florysse, floresshe, florische, (Middle English flurshe, fluri(s)che, flors(c)he, Middle English floresche, florche), Middle English–1500s florisshe, floryssh(e, Middle English–1600s florish(e, (1500s floorish), Middle English–1500s florys(c)h(e, 1500s Scottish flures, flureis, fluris, flwreis, Middle English–1500s flourishe, (Middle English flouresshe), Middle English–1500s flourysshe, (Middle English flowrysche, 1500s flourys(c)h, 1600s flowrish), Middle English– flourish.

Etymology: < Old French floriss- lengthened stem of florir (modern French fleurir) = Provençal florir, Italian fiorire < vulgar Latin type *flōrīre, < flōr-, flōs, flower. The intransitive senses represent those of Latin flōrēre, which like many other verbs in -ēre passed into the -īre conjugation in Romanic.

I. intransitive. To blossom, thrive.

†1.

a. Of a plant or tree: To blossom, flower. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > flower or part containing reproductive organs > flower or flowering plant > be a flowering plant [verb (intransitive)] > flower or blossom

blossomc890

blowc1000

flower13..

blooma1325

breakc1325

lancec1330

flourishc1386

to break up?a1500

knopa1584

effloresce1775

outbreak1870

c1386 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale ⁋43 To smelle the sote savour of the vyne whanne it florissheth.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 21701 Þar florist ane [wand] als ȝe haue herd.

1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. bvj^v/2 The crowne began to florysshe & a meruayllous swete odour yssued out of the floures.

1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball ii. xx. 170 It beginneth to floure at the toppe of the stalke, and so goeth florishing downewarde.

b. To throw out leaves and shoots; to shoot forth; to grow vigorously and luxuriantly. Now only with mixture of sense 4.

ΘΚΠ

the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by good growth > grow well or flourish [verb (intransitive)] > grow well or flourish

growc725

thrivec1175

flourish1303

provec1330

encrec1420

delighta1475

prosper1535

addle1570

fortify1605

ramp1607

luxuriate1621

succeed1812

1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 905 Here vynys florshede feyre and weyl.

1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Ezek. xvii. 24 Y made the drye tree for to florisshe.

1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 25^v In hotte Countreys later, least they shoulde florishe before the Winter, and be..blasted.

1727 Broome Seat of War in Flanders 157 Poems 76 Pallas with her Javelin smote the Ground, And peaceful Olives flourish'd from the Wound.

1785 W. Cowper Task iii. 571 The spiry myrtle with unwithering leaf Shines there and flourishes.

1877 T. H. Huxley Physiography xiii. 212 As these trees do not grow in water, it is evident that the land on which they flourished has been depressed.

c. figurative.

ΚΠ

1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 725 Arely a man passes als þe gres, He floresshe and passes away.

1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xviii. xxv Euery lusty herte that is in ony maner a louer spryngeth and floryssheth in lusty dedes.

1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. AAiii Florisshe the forenoon neuer so fresshe, at the last commeth the euentyde.

a1586 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xxxvii. 68 Bakbyttaris..flwreis sone, but forder fructe þai faill.

1611 Bible (King James) Isa. lxvi. 14 Your bones shall flourish like an herbe.

2. gen. To thrive.

a. Of persons: To prosper, do well.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > prosperity > prosper or flourish [verb (intransitive)]

theec888

i-thee971

bloomc1175

flower?c1225

soundfula1300

fructifya1325

timea1325

to bear the bloom1330

flourisha1340

prosperc1350

thrive?a1366

blossom1377

cheve1377

burgeona1382

likec1400

upthrivec1440

avail1523

fadge1573

to bear a great, high or lofty sail1587

blow1610

to be (also stand) in state1638

fatten1638

sagaciate1832

to be going strong1855

a1340 R. Rolle Psalter Cant. 518 Whare ere þai now all bicumyn þat florysst in þis warlde?

c1572 W. Forrest Theophilus 697 in Anglia (1884) 7 98 Florishinge more then anye queene heere!

1670 R. Coke Disc. Trade 60 We flourish in the French Trade.

1704 R. Nelson Compan. Festivals & Fasts i. xxiv. 255 Bad Men as frequently prosper and flourish.

1833 H. Martineau Brooke & Brooke Farm (ed. 3) iii. 31 Men who were starving on land of their own, are now flourishing on the wages I give them.

1874 L. Stephen Hours in Libr. 1st Ser. 345 Tartufe..flourishes and thrives.

b. Of things (e.g. art, science, an institution): To attain full development; to be prosperous or successful, be in vogue; to have many followers or patrons.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > succeed or be a success [verb (intransitive)]

speedc1175

fayc1300

provec1300

flourishc1400

passc1425

prosper1434

succeedc1450

to take placea1464

to come well to (our) pass1481

shift?1533

hitc1540

walka1556

fadge1573

thrive1587

work1599

to come (good) speedc1600

to go off1608

sort1613

go1699

answer1721

to get along1768

to turn up trumps1785

to come off1854

pan1865

scour1871

arrive1889

to work out1899

to ring the bell1900

to go over1907

click1916

happen1949

the world > action or operation > prosperity > prosper or flourish [verb (intransitive)] > specifically of things

prosper1434

flourish1571

thrive1613

boom1871

to catch on1885

c1400 Rom. Rose 6233 Men may in secular clothes see Florisshen holy religioun.

?1504 W. Atkinson tr. Thomas à Kempis Ful Treat. Imytacyon Cryste (Pynson) i. xviii. 166 The holy sayntes..in whom florysshed the perfeccyon of all relygyon.

1571 T. Digges in L. Digges's Geom. Pract.: Pantometria Pref. sig. T j Where such sciences firste tooke their originall, and in what languages and countreys they chieflye florished.

1649 E. Reynolds Israels Prayer (new ed.) v. 47 The way for the church to prosper and florish.

1754 Bp. T. Sherlock Disc. (1759) I. iv. 144 When Science flourished in the East.

1885 Law Times 79 130/1 The poor law system..has flourished for over three centuries.

†3. To thrive, display vigour in, of, with (something specified); also, to abound in, overflow with.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > prosperity > prosper or flourish [verb (intransitive)] > in some respect

flower1340

flourishc1380

reign?c1500

riot1743

the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > abundance > make abundant [verb (transitive)] > abound in or with

flourishc1380

to flow with (in, of)1382

redound1483

fleeta1500

swim1526

rebound1535

abound1591

c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. I. 96 Men þat shulden florishe in vertues.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 21222 Barnabas..In vertuz florisand sa fele.

1559 D. Lindsay Test. Papyngo l. 795 in Wks. (1931) I Those dayis quhen so thay [the Prelatis] flurisit in fame.

1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 175 Cambridge, a Universitie florishing with al kind of good letters.

1628 T. Hobbes tr. Thucydides Peloponnesian War (1822) 1 They flourished..in all manner of provision.

1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc World Surveyed Ded. sig. A ij An age that flourishes with Pens, and Criticks.

1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Architecture II. 4/1 Greece..flourishing in excellent geniusses.

4. To be at the height of fame or excellence; to be in one's bloom or prime. Also in weaker sense, used in past tense of a person to indicate that his life and activity belong to a specified period (cf. floruit n.).

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > prosperity > prosper or flourish [verb (intransitive)] > at highest stage

flourisha1387

the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > fame or renown > famous or eminent person > be or become eminent [verb (intransitive)]

shinec900

to get (also make) oneself a nameOE

blazea1387

flourisha1387

resound1562

to fame ita1625

to make a noise in the world1662

to make (familiarly to cut) a figure1691

to set the Thames on fire1720

star1815

lionize1834

to make a name for oneself1997

the world > action or operation > prosperity > prosper or flourish [verb (intransitive)] > at a certain time

reigna1450

flowera1513

flourish1654

fl1879

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1872) IV. 173 In his tyme Plautus Latinus..florischeþ at Rome.

1550 J. Veron Godly Saiyngs A ij Origene..did florysshe in the yere of our lorde cc.lxi.

1654 J. Bramhall Just Vindic. Church of Eng. i. 3 His most renowned Ancestours..flourished whilest Popery was in its Zenith.

1700 J. Dryden Fables Pref. sig. *A Spenser and Fairfax both flourish'd in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth.

1820 W. Irving Sketch Bk. I. 189 James flourished nearly about the time of Chaucer and Gower.

1855 Ld. Tennyson Brook in Maud & Other Poems 101 In our schoolbooks we say, Of those that held their heads above the crowd, They flourish'd then or then.

II. To adorn.

†5.

a. transitive. To adorn with flowers or verdure; to cause to bloom or thrive.

ΘΚΠ

the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by good growth > flourish [verb (transitive)] > cover with good growth

flourisha1400

overflourisha1616

the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > ornament [verb (transitive)] > ornament with flowers

flourisha1400

beflower1594

enflowerc1602

emblossom1821

floralize1890

petal1907

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16860 Þe rode it was wit leif and barc florist ful selcuthli.

c1430 J. Lydgate Minor Poems (Percy Soc.) 78 God..Hath florisshed the erthe on every side..Withe grete habundaunce of vyridite.

1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xvi. 69 Feldis florist ar with flowris.

a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 101 Fresche Flora hes flurest every spray.

1717 E. Fenton Poems 219 With shadowy verdure flourish'd high, A sudden youth the Groves enjoy.

figurative.1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xviii. xxv Lete euery man of worship florysshe his herte in this world.c1614 J. Davies Scourge Folly in Wks. (Grosart) 52/1 But when the sonne of fauor shines on mee My May may then haue Might to flourish thee.

†b. Cookery. To ornament, garnish (a dish).

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation for table or cooking > garnishing > garnish [verb (transitive)]

stick1381

flourish?c1390

arma1425

stick1530

begarnish1647

garnish1693

flambé1951

?c1390 Form of Cury in Warner Antiq. Culin. 13 Take brede..Florish it with white coliandre in confyt.

c1430 Two Cookery-bks. i. 30 Florche it a-bouyn with Pome~garned.

c1503 R. Arnold Chron. f. lxxxxi^v/2 Storke roosted Pecoke florisshed Carpe in soppis.

†6.

a. gen. To adorn, decorate, embellish, ornament. Also with out, over, up. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautify [verb (transitive)] > ornament

dightc1200

begoa1225

fay?c1225

rustc1275

duba1300

shrouda1300

adorna1325

flourishc1325

apparel1366

depaintc1374

dressa1375

raila1375

anorna1382

orna1382

honourc1390

paintc1390

pare1393

garnisha1400

mensk?a1400

apykec1400

hightlec1400

overfretc1440

exornc1450

embroider1460

repair1484

empare1490

ornate1490

bedo?a1500

purfle?a1500

glorify?1504

betrap1509

broider1509

deck?1521

likelya1522

to set forth1530

exornate1539

grace1548

adornate1550

fardc1550

gaud1554

pink1558

bedeck1559

tight1572

begaud1579

embellish1579

bepounce1582

parela1586

flower1587

ornify1590

illustrate1592

tinsel1594

formalize1595

adore1596

suborn1596

trapper1597

condecorate1599

diamondize1600

furnish1600

enrich1601

mense1602

prank1605

overgreen1609

crown1611

enjewel1611

broocha1616

varnish1641

ornament1650

array1652

bedub1657

bespangle1675

irradiate1717

gem1747

begem1749

redeck1771

blazon1813

aggrace1825

diamond1839

panoply1851

c1325 Coer de L. 1842 Six stages ful of towrelles, Wel flourished with cornelles.

?a1400 Morte Arth. 771 Hys feete ware floreschede alle in fyne sabylle.

c1500 Inscription on Porch, St. Mary Magdalen Chapel, Widcombe in A. Wood Life & Times (1892) II. 409 Thys chapill floryschyd with formosyte spectabyll..prior Cantlow had edyfyd.

1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (1586) iii. 125 Those which florish up themselves by arte.

1590 R. Greene Neuer too Late ii. sig. H2 Her face full of chast colours: such as florish out the fronts of Dianas virgins.

1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 205 Their skin seemeth to be flourished with certaine pictures.

1611 T. Coryate Crudities sig. N2 Sixe very precious sockets..flowrished ouer with a triple gilting.

a1716 R. South Serm. Several Occasions (1744) X. 56 This would make him begin to..try the foundation before he flourished the superstructure.

figurative.1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xiv. 294 Þe fierthe [pouerte] is a fortune þat florissheth þe soule Wyth sobrete fram al synne.1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. Contin. 1323/1 Deceipt [sheweth] finest when he is cunninglie florished.a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iv. i. 73 The Iustice of your title to him Doth flourish the deceit.

b. To embellish or ornament (a book, writing, etc.) with ‘flourishes’ (see flourish n. 4b). †In early use also: To illuminate; to adorn with colour or decorative designs of any kind. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > writing > written text > decoration > decorate [verb (transitive)] > illuminate

enluminec1366

lumine1387

limn14..

flourishc1440

enlimn1453

miniate1670

illuminate1706

miniature1716

illumine1717

alluminate1726

society > communication > writing > written text > decoration > decorate [verb (transitive)] > decorate with flourishes

flourishc1440

c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 167/2 Floryschen bokys, floro.

1573 Treat. Arte of Limming 5 With this [turnesoll] you may flourishe redde letters, or vestures.

c1689 in J. Y. Akerman Moneys Secret Services Charles II & James II (1851) 55 Gideon Roger, for writing and flourishing, partly in gold, a letter to the Emperor of Fez.

absolute.1660 G. Tomlyn Brit. Patent 128 (1857) 1 A..way to text and flourish velomes and parchment.

†7.

a. To embellish (a narration, etc.) with flowers of speech; to ornament or set off with fine words or phrases; to express in flowery language. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > ornateness > embellish [verb (transitive)]

flourish13..

coloura1393

embellish1447

pounce1576

thrum1590

foil1611

embroider1614

figurate1652

trick1759

13.. Minor P. fr. Vernon MS. lii. 496 Þeiȝ þis tale beo florisshed with faire flour.

a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. Prol. f. ii So haue I nowe sette out this rude werke..That the lerned and the studyed clerke May..Flowrysshe it with Eloquence.

1541 T. Elyot Image of Gouernance Pref. sig. aii^v Desiringe more to make it playne to all readers, than to flourishe it with ouer moch eloquence.

1632 J. Shirley Changes iii. 41 You have..Wanted no Art to flourish your warme passion.

1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. ii. 63 Which Argument is further flourisht and descanted upon in this manner.

1691 A. Gavin Frauds Romish Monks 177 The Catechizer flourish'd his Discourse with Circumstances so extravagant [etc.].

b. intransitive. ‘To use florid language; to speak with ambitious copiousness and elegance’ (Johnson); to descant floridly on or upon. Also with away.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > ornateness > use ornate language [verb (intransitive)]

to speak holidaya1616

flourish1700

picturesque1809

elocutionizea1849

1700 T. Baker Refl. Learning (ed. 2) iv. 32/2 Whilst he [Cicero] acts the part of the Rhetorician, he dilates and flourishes, and gives Example instead of Rule.

1725 I. Watts Logick iv. i. 518 They dilate sometimes, and flourish long upon little Incidents, and they skip over and but lightly touch the drier Part of their Theme.

1795 L. Murray Eng. Gram. 183 They are often misled by a desire of flourishing on the several properties of a metaphor.

1858 T. P. Thompson Audi Alteram Partem (1859) II. lxxxi. 41 Another flourishes away upon the assertion that the French Emperor was chosen by the Ballot.

†8. transitive.

a. To lay (one tint) upon (another) by way of ornament.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > colour > colouring > colour [verb (transitive)] > lay one colour on another

flourisha1592

a1592 R. Greene Orpharion (1599) 42 Touching the faultles mixture of vermillion flourisht vpon Iuory.

b. to work up ornamentally.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautify [verb (transitive)] > ornament > make ornamental > work up ornamentally

flourisha1626

a1626 F. Bacon Considerations War with Spain (1629) 3 Bottomes of threed close wound vp, which with a good needle..may be flourished into large workes.

III. To display ostentatiously.

a. To brandish (a weapon, etc.); to wave about by way of show or triumph. Also, to move (the limbs) vigorously.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in specific manner > move in specific manner [verb (transitive)] > flourish or brandish

shakec1000

stirc1275

wagc1300

brandisha1340

flourishc1384

swinga1400

swinglec1450

ruffle?1562

sweak1567

vambrash1577

sway1590

swinge1605

to fetch about1609

wave1609

wheel1617

evibrate1654

society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > use or wield (a weapon) [verb (transitive)] > brandish

shakec1000

wevec1325

brandisha1340

flourishc1384

toss1590

wave1609

the world > movement > bodily movement > move (the body or a member) [verb (transitive)] > move (a member) > move (the limbs) vigorously

brandish?a1400

flourish1819

c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 2 Macc. xi. 8 An horsman apeeride goynge byfore hem..florishynge a shaft.

1388 J. Wyclif Psalms vii. 13 If ȝe ben not conuertid, he schal florische his swerd.

1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet i. i. 75 Old Mountague..florishes his blade in spight of me.

1646 R. Crashaw Sospetto d'Herode xxxiii, in Steps to Temple 62 All the Powers of Hell in full applause Flourisht their Snakes.

1819 W. Scott Ivanhoe II. iii. 45 Anon, balancing his expanded palms, he gently flourished them in time to the music.

1831 T. L. Peacock Crotchet Castle viii. 144 He began mechanically to flourish his bamboo.

1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. xxi. 210 Richard Swiveller..looking at the dwarf..as he flourished his arms and legs about.

†b. absol. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in specific manner > move in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > move with a flourish > make flourishing or brandishing movement

flourish1594

to fetch about1609

swipe1825

wheel1893

1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus i. i. 307 Goe giue that changing piece, To him that florisht for her with his sword.

1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. xxxviii. sig. P2^v Whosoeuer will iest, should be like him that flourishes at a Show: he may turne his Weapon any way.

1690 W. Walker Idiomatologia Anglo-Lat. To flourish is one thing, to fight another.

c. intransitive. Of a weapon (or the like): To be brandished or waved about.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in specific manner > move in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > move with a flourish > be flourished or brandished

flourisha1425

wave1605

a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Job xxxix. 23 A spere and scheeld schal florische.

1773 H. Luson in Duncombe's Lett. II. App. xlviii All this while the cane kept flourishing over Jerry's head.

10.

a. transitive. To display, make a display or parade of.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > make ostentatious display of [verb (transitive)]

flourishc1380

show1509

ostent1531

ostentatec1540

to ruffle it1551

to brave out1581

vaunt1590

boasta1592

venditate1600

to make the most ofa1627

display1628

to make (a) parade of1656

pride1667

sport1684

to show off1750

flash1785

afficher1814

affiche1817

parade1818

flaunt1822

air1867

showboat1937

ponce1953

rock1987

c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 341 Summe florishen oþer names & seien þat he [the pope] is moost blissed fader.

1592 R. Greene Disput. Conny-catcher sig. B2^v Your..sugred words, that you florish rethorically like nettes to catch fooles.

1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 93 He..florisht his colours in signe of victory, and as a call to Abdulchan to second him.

1755 W. Scott Dict. To Flourish Colours [in military affairs] is to display them.

b. intransitive. ‘To boast, brag’ (Johnson); to talk big; to ‘swagger’, ‘show off’; also with about, off.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pride > boasting or boastfulness > boast [verb (intransitive)]

yelpc888

kebc1315

glorify1340

to make avauntc1340

boast1377

brag1377

to shake boastc1380

glorya1382

to make (one's) boastc1385

crackc1470

avaunt1471

glaster1513

voust1513

to make (one's or a) vauntc1515

jet?1521

vaunt?1521

crowa1529

rail1530

devauntc1540

brave1549

vaunt1611

thrasonize1619

vapour1629

ostentate1670

goster1673

flourish1674

rodomontade1681

taper1683

gasconade1717

stump1721

rift1794

mang1819

snigger1823

gab1825

cackle1847

to talk horse1855

skite1857

to blow (also U.S. toot) one's own horn1859

to shoot off one's mouth1864

spreadeagle1866

swank1874

bum1877

to sound off1918

woof1934

to shoot a line1941

to honk off1952

to mouth off1958

blow-

1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 159 If any man think to come flourishing off with this.

1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) Introd. 22 The Examiner, after he has cited this Scholiast on Aristophanes, thus flourishes.

1730 J. Swift To Doctor Delany 14 To flourish o'er a Cup of Ginn.

1816 J. Gilchrist Philos. Etymol. p. xvii Mr. Horne Tooke has flourished rather too much about Gothic and Saxon.

1866 T. Carlyle Inaug. Addr. Edinb. 9 He goes flourishing about with them.

†c. To exhibit oneself conspicuously, make a flourish or parade. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > make ostentatious display or show off [verb (intransitive)]

brandishc1340

ruffle1484

braga1556

swash1556

flourish1563

flaunt1566

prank1567

prink1573

to shake, wag the feather1581

peacockize1598

air1605

display1608

to launch it out1608

flasha1616

to cut it out1619

flare1633

vapour1652

peacock1654

spark1676

to gallantrize it1693

bosh1709

glare1712

to cut a bosh1726

to show away1728

to figure away, off1749

parade1749

to cut a dashc1771

dash1786

to cut up1787

to cut a flash1795

to make, or cut, a splash1804

swank1809

to come out strong1825

to cut a spludge1831

to cut it (too) fat1836

pavonize1838

splurge1844

to do the grand1847

to cut a swath1848

to cut a splurge1860

to fan out1860

spread1860

skyre1871

fluster1876

to strut one's stuff1926

showboat1937

floss1938

style1968

1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments 1710/1 All the other Ladies of the court florished in their brauerye.

1611 Bible (King James) Song of Sol. ii. 9 He looked forth at the window, shewing himself [margin. flourishing] through the lattice.

1750 W. Warburton Julian in Wks. (1811) VIII. 192 A reverend Stole..came..into the possession of a notorious prostitute, who flourished with it on the public stage.

†11.

a. transitive. Of the sun: To shoot out (beams). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > light > naturally occurring light > emit beams (of a luminary) [verb (transitive)] > of the sun

fastc1330

flourish?c1600

?c1600 (c1515) Sc. Field (Lyme) l. 310 in I. F. Baird Poems Stanley Family (D.Phil. thesis, Univ. of Birm.) (1990) 243 Phebus full faire florished out his beames.

b. intransitive. Of light. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > light > shine [verb (intransitive)]

shinec725

brighteOE

blika1000

lightOE

shimmera1100

starec1225

lightena1382

blikena1400

glowa1400

sheenc1420

flourish1587

to stick off1604

lamp1609

skyre1677

gloze1820

moon1885

1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. vi. 73 From thence there florished a certeine holy brightnesse.

†12. intransitive. To move with a flourish; to make sweeping movements; ‘to play in wanton and irregular motions’ (Johnson). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in specific manner > move in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > move with a flourish

flourish1728

1728 A. Pope Dunciad ii. 160 Impetuous spread The stream, and smoaking, flourish'd o'er his head.

1735 W. Somervile Chace ii. 256 They're check'd—hold back with speed—on either Hand They flourish round.

†13.

a. Music and Fencing. To give a short fanciful exhibition by way of exercise before the real performance. To play, with a flourish. Also quasi-transitive. to flourish out (notes). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > perform music [verb (intransitive)] > preludize briefly

flourish1552

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > fence [verb (intransitive)] > actions

traversea1470

to hold one's handa1500

flourish1552

lock1579

to come in1594

retire1594

pass1595

recover1600

redouble1640

allonge1652

caveat1652

parry1671

disengage1684

overlap1692

volt1692

tierce1765

whip1771

wrench1771

lunge1809

salute1809

riposte1823

cut1833

quart1833

repost1848

remise1889

society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > perform music [verb (intransitive)] > specific style or technique

descanta1450

to stay on1579

to run division1590

divide1609

shake1611

flourish1766

tweedle-dee1837

slide1864

Wagnerize1866

to break a chord1879

magadize1904

scoop1927

segue1958

rap1979

rhyme1979

scratch1982

1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Florysh, as a maister of fence doth w^t weapon, or a musitian in syngyng, proludo.

1718 Free-thinker No. 15. 1 Musicians, before they begin to play, always flourish out some loose Notes.

1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. x. 90 Instead..of finishing George's shirts, we now had them..flourishing upon catgut.

1810 C. James New Mil. Dict. To flourish..is to play some prelude or preparatory air without any settled rule.

b. Of trumpets: To sound a flourish or fanfare.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > sound of instruments > sound [verb (intransitive)] > wind instruments > trumpet

brag1382

flourish1594

fanfare1860

blare1863

1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus iv. ii. 49 Why do the Emperours trumpets flourish thus.

1706 J. Addison Rosamond i. iv Trumpets flourish.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	flourish
释义	flourishn. Brit. /ˈflʌrɪʃ/, U.S. /ˈflərɪʃ/ Forms: 1500s florishe, (Scottish flureise, flureiss, fleureis, flurish), 1500s–1600s florish, 1600s floorish, 1600s–1700s flowrish, 1500s– flourish. Etymology: < flourish v. 1. a. The blossom or mass of flowers on a fruit tree. Also occasionally in plural. Only Scottish and northern dialect. ΘΚΠ the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > flower or part containing reproductive organs > [noun] > blossom or flower(s) blossom971 bledec975 blooma1400 flourishinga1400 floweringa1400 flourisha1500 blowing1578 blooming1622 pip1753 floriage1782 florescence1793 blow1797 flowerage1831 bloom-flinder1840 gosling1847–78 snow1859 fleuret1868 bloomagea1876 blossomry1901 a1500 Cokelbie Sow Proem. 42 A fair flureiss fadit in a falty tre. c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) vi. 30 The borial blastis..hed chaissit the fragrant flureise of euyrie frute tree, far athourt the feildis. a1600 A. Montgomerie Misc. Poems xvii. 58 Beuties freshest florish. 1635 S. Rutherford Let. 22 Apr. There shall be fair white flourishes again, with most pleasant fruits. 1868 J. C. Atkinson Gloss. Cleveland Dial. Flourish, the blossom on fruit-trees. 1892 A. K. H. Boyd Twenty-five Years St. Andrews II. xxi. 139 Finding some very fine ‘flourish’ in a dirty back-court. †b. plural = flowers (see flower n. 2b). ΘΚΠ the world > life > the body > organs of excretion > excretions > menses > [noun] monthlyeOE menstruuma1398 flowerc1400 menstrue?a1425 women's evilc1450 menstruosity1503 courses1563 monthly time1564 reds1568 month courses1574 purgation1577 women's courses1577 month1578 menses1597 menstruals1598 flourish1606 nature1607 fluors1621 mois1662 period1690 catamenia1764 turn1819 visitor1980 1606 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iii. 85 Childe-great Women, or greene Maydes (that misse Their Termes appointed for their flourishes). †2. a. The state or condition of being in blossom, blossoming. Of vegetation: Luxuriant growth, luxuriance, greenness. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by good growth > [noun] > flourishing state or greenness verdour1447 flourish1594 luxuritya1636 vernancy1669 luxuriancy1712 luxuriance1728 floridity1831 rankness1873 vernality1896 lushness1900 the world > matter > colour > named colours > green or greenness > [noun] greennessOE green?c1225 greenheada1325 greenshipc1390 verdurec1400 viridityc1430 sinople1489 flourish1594 deep green1601 verdour1610 verdancy1631 verdue1641 zinnober green1879 vernality1896 virescence1904 verd1915 the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > flower or part containing reproductive organs > flower or flowering plant > [noun] > flowering or blossoming flourishing1303 blowingc1380 blossomingc1440 blooming1495 flourish1594 blowth1602 efflorescence1626 flowering1629 blow1744 florification1796 inflorescence1801 flowerage1841 florescence1853 floriferousness1882 1594 J. Dickenson Arisbas sig. G 2 The roote whose moisture fed their flourish. 1628 Z. Boyd Last Battell Soule 1101 The tree is first seene in the budde and then in the flourish, and after in the frute. 1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 117 A constant Verdure, or Flourish of Spring. 1801 R. Southey Thalaba II. viii. 123 In the vain flourish of its [vine's] outwardness Wasting the sap and strength. 1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian vi, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. III. 149 Fruit-trees, so many of which were at this time in flourish. b. figurative. Prosperity, vigour; the ‘bloom’ (of youth). Also, the highest degree of prosperity; perfection, prime. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > prosperity > [noun] > flourishing condition statea1387 verdour1447 virtuec1450 thrivingc1460 provinga1529 prospering?1567 verdurec1595 flourish1597 efflorescency1649 efflorescence1672 flourishing1717 flourishment1724 booming1881 the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > perfection > [noun] fullfremednesseOE perfectionc1350 perfectnessa1387 meurte1474 thummim1539 flourish1597 finishing1757 reproachlessness1803 perfectibility1809 sublimification1868 the world > life > source or principle of life > age > prime > [noun] flowering agec1400 pridec1475 blooming-time1495 flower?1507 season?1507 day1546 flourishing years?1555 golden years1559 vigour1563 consistent age1574 prime1574 May moon1576 acme1579 Maya1586 flourish1597 May month1600 consistencea1613 May morna1616 constant age1620 high daya1625 blouth1643 flourishing age1737 heyday1751 floruit1843 bloom-hour1850 blossom-time1860 1597 J. Payne Royall Exchange 38 To be howld..wycked men to have the fayrest shew and greatest florishe. a1613 E. Brerewood Enq. Langs. & Relig. (1614) iii. 17 The Romans had generally (at least..in the flourish of the Empire) great care to inlarge their tongue. 1646 R. Codrington Life & Death Illustrious Earle of Essex 5 The Earl of Essex was then in the flourish of his youth. 1709 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. 27 Aug. The Foundation & Increase & Flourish of [the University]. 1826 W. Scott Woodstock I. xi. 269 The flourish of his powerful relative's fortunes, had burst forth in the finery of his dress. 1848 W. M. Thackeray Bk. Snobs iv. 18 The Court Circular remains in full flourish. †3. Ostentatious embellishment; gloss, varnish. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > [noun] > (an) ostentatious display > more ostentatious display flourish1598 ornament1600 braverya1627 pageantrya1646 flash1674 overbloom1880 top-dressing1884 1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iv. iii. 236 Lend me the florish of all gentle tongues. View more context for this quotation 1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets lx. sig. E^v Time doth transfixe the florish set on youth. View more context for this quotation 1646 R. Crashaw Steps to Temple 38 The flourish of his sober Youth, Was the Pride of Naked Truth. †4. a. A florid decoration; a piece of scroll-work, tracery, or the like. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > architectural ornament > [noun] flourisha1674 1695 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 19 154 An Octagonal Tower..beautified on the out-side with Florishes. 1721 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. (at cited word) A flourish [in Architecture] is a Flower Work. 1764 T. Harmer Observ. Passages Script. iii. iv. 134 Cracknells are full of holes, being formed into a kind of flourish of lattice-work. figurative.a1674 T. Traherne Christian Ethicks (1675) 443 Mistake not these things for arbitrary flourishes of Luxuriant fancy. b. In Penmanship, a decoration about a letter or writing, consisting of flowing curves executed with a sweep of the pen. ΘΚΠ society > communication > writing > written text > decoration > [noun] > flourish dash1607 flourish1653 knota1680 purlicue1808 quirk1840 squirl1843 curlicue1844 line-filling1895 line-finishing1906 line-ending1928 1653 H. More Antidote against Atheisme ii. vi. 68 They were intended onley for ludicrous ornaments of Nature, like the flourishes about a great letter that signify nothing. 1758 J. Blake Plan Marine Syst. 8 In the middle of this sheet..let a flourish be printed, so that the sheet may be cut in two, indentwise. 1831 C. Lamb Let. 22 Feb. (1935) III. 305 By your flourishes, I should think you never learn'd to..flourish the governors' names in the writing school. 1861 G. A. Sala Dutch Pict. 2 An original Rembrandt (with a flourish to the R). 5. a. Literary or rhetorical embellishment; ambitious copiousness or amplification; parade of fine words or phrases; a florid expression. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > ornateness > [noun] > embellishment > an) ornament(s) coloursc1405 rhetoricc1425 gaudc1430 flower1508 flourish1603 embellishment1632 flosculation1651 floscule1669 gayness1670 floresa1734 taga1734 1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 74 By a flourish of fine words, they devise shifts [and] evasions. 1673 True Notion Worship of God 56 Those pleasing Varieties and Flourishes in Pulpit Harangues. 1708 G. Berkeley Commonplace Bk. in Wks. (1871) IV. 492 I abstain from all flourish and powers of words and figures. 1823 W. Scott Peveril IV. x. 239 He commenced with a flourish about his sufferings for the Plot. 1867 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest I. App. 603 This [use of the word] is evidently a mere flourish. †b. A boast, brag. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pride > boasting or boastfulness > [noun] > a boast roosec1175 avauntc1380 advancement?a1400 vauntise1477 vousta1500 puff1567 rodomontade1591 flourish1592 rodomontado1598 vauntc1600 vauntery1603 vapour1631 fanfaronade1652 gasconado1658 blow1684 gab1737 vaunting1793 windy1933 line-shoot1941 1592 A. Day 2nd Pt. Eng. Secretorie sig. G4, in Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) All your..flourish made of your company, their reputation, your ciuilitie. 1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Flourish..a Vaunt, Boast, or Brag. 6. a. An ostentatious waving about of a weapon or anything else held in the hand; a showy movement of the body or limbs. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in specific manner > [noun] > flourishing or brandishing > an instance of flourish1600 swing1635 society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > [noun] > brandishing of weapon brandishingc1440 flourish1600 brandish1601 brandishment1640 the world > movement > bodily movement > [noun] > a bodily movement > showy flourish1740 1600 W. Cornwallis Ess. I. xii. sig. G7 Like seeming Fencers, we are meeter for a flourish, then defence. 1713 R. Steele in Guardian 8 May 1/2 Before he applied his Weapon to my Chin, he gave me a flourish with it. 1740 H. Bracken Farriery Improv'd (ed. 2) II. vi. 167 It would splint him..if the Rider were to make his Flourishes upon his Back like a Rope-Dancer. 1840 F. D. Bennett Narr. Whaling Voy. I. 142 A few..musicians embellish their performance with a flourish of the fingers. 1859 C. Dickens Tale of Two Cities i. v. 22 The three customers pulled off their hats to Madame Defarge, with three flourishes. figurative.1777 A. Hamilton Let. 6 July in Papers (1961) I. 282 Their flourishes in the Jerseys, I believe, cannot have cost them less than 6 or 700 men. b. esp. A graceful brandishing of the weapon by way of salute or display at the beginning of a fencing match. †Hence figurative a prolusion, ornamental preamble; a piece of compliment or display preliminary to serious business or discussion. (Cf. 7c.) ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > [noun] > a) preparation(s) > a preliminary action or step introductionc1386 deductiona1535 induction?1544 preamble1548 flourish1552 preludium1563 primordium1577 preparativec1580 exordium1581 introit1583 foregoinga1586 prologuea1586 preface1589 prelusion1597 proem1598 prolusion1601 introductory1646 preliminary1656 prelimination1667 flourishing1687 little go1842 preluding1858 foreword1888 prelim1891 prelimen1898 run-in1900 opening gambit1911 prolegomenon1926 lead-in1928 pipe-openera1936 lead-up1953 intro1964 society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > [noun] > actions buttc1330 overheadc1400 stopc1450 quarter-strokea1456 rabbeta1500 rakea1500 traverse1547 flourish1552 quarter-blow1555 veny1578 alarm1579 venue1591 cut1593 time1594 caricado1595 fincture1595 imbroccata1595 mandritta1595 punta riversa1595 remove1595 stramazon1595 traversa1595 imbrocado1597 passado1597 counter-time1598 foinery1598 canvasado1601 montant1601 punto1601 stock1602 embrocadoc1604 pass1604 stuck1604 stramazo1606 home thrust1622 longee1625 falsify?1635 false1637 traversion1637 canvassa1641 parade1652 flanconade1664 parry1673 fore-stroke1674 allonge1675 contretemps1684 counter1684 disengaging1684 feint1684 passing1687 under-counter1687 stringere1688 stringering1688 tempo1688 volte1688 overlapping1692 repost1692 volt-coupe1692 volting1692 disarm?1700 stamp1705 passade1706 riposte1707 swoop1711 retreat1734 lunge1748 beat1753 disengage1771 disengagement1771 opposition1771 time thrust1771 timing1771 whip1771 shifting1793 one-two1809 one-two-three1809 salute1809 estramazone1820 remise1823 engage1833 engaging1833 risposta1838 lunging1847 moulinet1861 reprise1861 stop-thrust1861 engagement1881 coupé1889 scrape1889 time attack1889 traverse1892 cut-over1897 tac-au-tac riposte1907 flèche1928 replacement1933 punta dritta1961 1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Florysh, proludium. 1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Psalmes of Dauid with Comm. (xviii. 44) That was but a florish of the sovereintie promised to Christ. 1593 R. Harvey Philadelphus 2 This is your florish, to no purpose, then to shew reading. a1626 F. Bacon Ess. (1798) 268 This is a flourish: There follow excellent Parables. 1826 W. Scott Woodstock III. iv. 98 Ere they had done more than salute each other, with the usual courteous flourish of their weapons. 7. Music. a. A fanfare (of horns, trumpets, etc.), esp. to announce the approach of a person of distinction. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > music on specific instrument > [noun] > wind music > fanfare tantara1584 flourish1597 fanfare1769 fanfaronade1812 fanfarrado1824 fanfaron1848 fanfarade1883 1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III iv. iv. 149 A flourish trumpets, strike alarum drummes. View more context for this quotation 1608 T. Heywood Rape of Lucrece sig. H3^v A flourish with drums and Trumpets. 1712 A. Philips Distrest Mother iv. i A flourish of trumpets. 1788 C. Reeve Exiles II. 127 Two trumpeters..blew a flourish, and the herald gave his challenge. 1813 Ann. Reg. 52 The Duke of York gave the toast; it was announced from the head of the table by a flourish of trumpets. 1814 W. Scott Waverley II. xxii. 333 When Waverley reached that part of the column which was filled by the clan of Mac-Ivor, they..received him with a triumphant flourish upon the bagpipes. View more context for this quotation 1868 Queen's Regulations & Orders Army ⁋58 In corps not having a band, the bugles or trumpets will sound the flourish. figurative.1884 J. A. H. Murray 13th Presid. Addr. in Trans. Philol. Soc. 516 Friends, who..send..with a flourish of trumpets to Notes and Queries. b. A florid passage; a florid style of composition; a decorative addition introduced by player or singer. Also, ‘the execution of profuse but unmeaning ornamentation in music’ (Stainer and Barrett). ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > section of piece of music > ornament > [noun] > flourish passagec1570 division1590 flourish1646 variation1730 fioritura1841 floriation1895 1646 R. Crashaw Musicks Duell in Steps to Temple 107 The Lutes light Genius now does proudly rise, Heav'd on the surges of swolne Rapsodyes. Whose flourish (Meteor-like) doth curle the aire With flash of high-borne fancyes. 1724 A. Ramsay Tea-table Misc. (1733) I. p. v Such are not judges of the fine flowrishes of new musick imported from Italy. 1823 G. Crabb Universal Technol. Dict. Flourish..the decorative notes which a singer, or instrumental performer, adds sometimes to a passage. c. A short extemporized sequence of notes sounded as a prelude at the beginning of a piece of music. Cf. 6b. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > section of piece of music > [noun] > introduction or opening overtc1450 preamble1611 intrada1664 flourish1706 entry1728 alap1834 introduction1880 intro1923 pickup1928 1706 A. Bedford Temple Musick ix. 191 Each Side might begin with a different Flourish. 1876 J. Stainer & W. A. Barrett Dict. Musical Terms 171/2 Flourish..The preparatory cadenza for ‘tuning the voice’, in which singers formerly indulged just before commencing their song. in extended use.1848 W. Irving Hist. N.Y. (rev. ed.) iv. ii. 117 He preluded his address by a sonorous blast of the nose; a preliminary flourish much in vogue among public orators. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022). flourishv. Brit. /ˈflʌrɪʃ/, U.S. /ˈflərɪʃ/ Forms: past tense and participle flourished. Forms: Middle English floris(e, (Middle English floryse, fluris), Middle English florisse, Middle English florysse, floresshe, florische, (Middle English flurshe, fluri(s)che, flors(c)he, Middle English floresche, florche), Middle English–1500s florisshe, floryssh(e, Middle English–1600s florish(e, (1500s floorish), Middle English–1500s florys(c)h(e, 1500s Scottish flures, flureis, fluris, flwreis, Middle English–1500s flourishe, (Middle English flouresshe), Middle English–1500s flourysshe, (Middle English flowrysche, 1500s flourys(c)h, 1600s flowrish), Middle English– flourish. Etymology: < Old French floriss- lengthened stem of florir (modern French fleurir) = Provençal florir, Italian fiorire < vulgar Latin type flōrīre, < flōr-, flōs, flower. The intransitive senses represent those of Latin flōrēre, which like many other verbs in -ēre* passed into the -īre conjugation in Romanic. I. intransitive. To blossom, thrive. †1. a. Of a plant or tree: To blossom, flower. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > flower or part containing reproductive organs > flower or flowering plant > be a flowering plant [verb (intransitive)] > flower or blossom blossomc890 blowc1000 flower13.. blooma1325 breakc1325 lancec1330 flourishc1386 to break up?a1500 knopa1584 effloresce1775 outbreak1870 c1386 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale ⁋43 To smelle the sote savour of the vyne whanne it florissheth. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 21701 Þar florist ane [wand] als ȝe haue herd. 1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. bvj^v/2 The crowne began to florysshe & a meruayllous swete odour yssued out of the floures. 1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball ii. xx. 170 It beginneth to floure at the toppe of the stalke, and so goeth florishing downewarde. b. To throw out leaves and shoots; to shoot forth; to grow vigorously and luxuriantly. Now only with mixture of sense 4. ΘΚΠ the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by good growth > grow well or flourish [verb (intransitive)] > grow well or flourish growc725 thrivec1175 flourish1303 provec1330 encrec1420 delighta1475 prosper1535 addle1570 fortify1605 ramp1607 luxuriate1621 succeed1812 1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 905 Here vynys florshede feyre and weyl. 1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Ezek. xvii. 24 Y made the drye tree for to florisshe. 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 25^v In hotte Countreys later, least they shoulde florishe before the Winter, and be..blasted. 1727 Broome Seat of War in Flanders 157 Poems 76 Pallas with her Javelin smote the Ground, And peaceful Olives flourish'd from the Wound. 1785 W. Cowper Task iii. 571 The spiry myrtle with unwithering leaf Shines there and flourishes. 1877 T. H. Huxley Physiography xiii. 212 As these trees do not grow in water, it is evident that the land on which they flourished has been depressed. c. figurative. ΚΠ 1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 725 Arely a man passes als þe gres, He floresshe and passes away. 1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xviii. xxv Euery lusty herte that is in ony maner a louer spryngeth and floryssheth in lusty dedes. 1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. AAiii Florisshe the forenoon neuer so fresshe, at the last commeth the euentyde. a1586 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xxxvii. 68 Bakbyttaris..flwreis sone, but forder fructe þai faill. 1611 Bible (King James) Isa. lxvi. 14 Your bones shall flourish like an herbe. View more context for this quotation 2. gen. To thrive. a. Of persons: To prosper, do well. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > prosperity > prosper or flourish [verb (intransitive)] theec888 i-thee971 bloomc1175 flower?c1225 soundfula1300 fructifya1325 timea1325 to bear the bloom1330 flourisha1340 prosperc1350 thrive?a1366 blossom1377 cheve1377 burgeona1382 likec1400 upthrivec1440 avail1523 fadge1573 to bear a great, high or lofty sail1587 blow1610 to be (also stand) in state1638 fatten1638 sagaciate1832 to be going strong1855 a1340 R. Rolle Psalter Cant. 518 Whare ere þai now all bicumyn þat florysst in þis warlde? c1572 W. Forrest Theophilus 697 in Anglia (1884) 7 98 Florishinge more then anye queene heere! 1670 R. Coke Disc. Trade 60 We flourish in the French Trade. 1704 R. Nelson Compan. Festivals & Fasts i. xxiv. 255 Bad Men as frequently prosper and flourish. 1833 H. Martineau Brooke & Brooke Farm (ed. 3) iii. 31 Men who were starving on land of their own, are now flourishing on the wages I give them. 1874 L. Stephen Hours in Libr. 1st Ser. 345 Tartufe..flourishes and thrives. b. Of things (e.g. art, science, an institution): To attain full development; to be prosperous or successful, be in vogue; to have many followers or patrons. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > succeed or be a success [verb (intransitive)] speedc1175 fayc1300 provec1300 flourishc1400 passc1425 prosper1434 succeedc1450 to take placea1464 to come well to (our) pass1481 shift?1533 hitc1540 walka1556 fadge1573 thrive1587 work1599 to come (good) speedc1600 to go off1608 sort1613 go1699 answer1721 to get along1768 to turn up trumps1785 to come off1854 pan1865 scour1871 arrive1889 to work out1899 to ring the bell1900 to go over1907 click1916 happen1949 the world > action or operation > prosperity > prosper or flourish [verb (intransitive)] > specifically of things prosper1434 flourish1571 thrive1613 boom1871 to catch on1885 c1400 Rom. Rose 6233 Men may in secular clothes see Florisshen holy religioun. ?1504 W. Atkinson tr. Thomas à Kempis Ful Treat. Imytacyon Cryste (Pynson) i. xviii. 166 The holy sayntes..in whom florysshed the perfeccyon of all relygyon. 1571 T. Digges in L. Digges's Geom. Pract.: Pantometria Pref. sig. T j Where such sciences firste tooke their originall, and in what languages and countreys they chieflye florished. 1649 E. Reynolds Israels Prayer (new ed.) v. 47 The way for the church to prosper and florish. 1754 Bp. T. Sherlock Disc. (1759) I. iv. 144 When Science flourished in the East. 1885 Law Times 79 130/1 The poor law system..has flourished for over three centuries. †3. To thrive, display vigour in, of, with (something specified); also, to abound in, overflow with. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > prosperity > prosper or flourish [verb (intransitive)] > in some respect flower1340 flourishc1380 reign?c1500 riot1743 the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > abundance > make abundant [verb (transitive)] > abound in or with flourishc1380 to flow with (in, of)1382 redound1483 fleeta1500 swim1526 rebound1535 abound1591 c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. I. 96 Men þat shulden florishe in vertues. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 21222 Barnabas..In vertuz florisand sa fele. 1559 D. Lindsay Test. Papyngo l. 795 in Wks. (1931) I Those dayis quhen so thay [the Prelatis] flurisit in fame. 1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 175 Cambridge, a Universitie florishing with al kind of good letters. 1628 T. Hobbes tr. Thucydides Peloponnesian War (1822) 1 They flourished..in all manner of provision. 1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc World Surveyed Ded. sig. A ij An age that flourishes with Pens, and Criticks. 1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Architecture II. 4/1 Greece..flourishing in excellent geniusses. 4. To be at the height of fame or excellence; to be in one's bloom or prime. Also in weaker sense, used in past tense of a person to indicate that his life and activity belong to a specified period (cf. floruit n.). ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > prosperity > prosper or flourish [verb (intransitive)] > at highest stage flourisha1387 the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > fame or renown > famous or eminent person > be or become eminent [verb (intransitive)] shinec900 to get (also make) oneself a nameOE blazea1387 flourisha1387 resound1562 to fame ita1625 to make a noise in the world1662 to make (familiarly to cut) a figure1691 to set the Thames on fire1720 star1815 lionize1834 to make a name for oneself1997 the world > action or operation > prosperity > prosper or flourish [verb (intransitive)] > at a certain time reigna1450 flowera1513 flourish1654 fl1879 a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1872) IV. 173 In his tyme Plautus Latinus..florischeþ at Rome. 1550 J. Veron Godly Saiyngs A ij Origene..did florysshe in the yere of our lorde cc.lxi. 1654 J. Bramhall Just Vindic. Church of Eng. i. 3 His most renowned Ancestours..flourished whilest Popery was in its Zenith. 1700 J. Dryden Fables Pref. sig. A Spenser and Fairfax both flourish'd in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1820 W. Irving Sketch Bk.* I. 189 James flourished nearly about the time of Chaucer and Gower. 1855 Ld. Tennyson Brook in Maud & Other Poems 101 In our schoolbooks we say, Of those that held their heads above the crowd, They flourish'd then or then. II. To adorn. †5. a. transitive. To adorn with flowers or verdure; to cause to bloom or thrive. ΘΚΠ the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by good growth > flourish [verb (transitive)] > cover with good growth flourisha1400 overflourisha1616 the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > ornament [verb (transitive)] > ornament with flowers flourisha1400 beflower1594 enflowerc1602 emblossom1821 floralize1890 petal1907 a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16860 Þe rode it was wit leif and barc florist ful selcuthli. c1430 J. Lydgate Minor Poems (Percy Soc.) 78 God..Hath florisshed the erthe on every side..Withe grete habundaunce of vyridite. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xvi. 69 Feldis florist ar with flowris. a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 101 Fresche Flora hes flurest every spray. 1717 E. Fenton Poems 219 With shadowy verdure flourish'd high, A sudden youth the Groves enjoy. figurative.1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xviii. xxv Lete euery man of worship florysshe his herte in this world.c1614 J. Davies Scourge Folly in Wks. (Grosart) 52/1 But when the sonne of fauor shines on mee My May may then haue Might to flourish thee. †b. Cookery. To ornament, garnish (a dish). ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation for table or cooking > garnishing > garnish [verb (transitive)] stick1381 flourish?c1390 arma1425 stick1530 begarnish1647 garnish1693 flambé1951 ?c1390 Form of Cury in Warner Antiq. Culin. 13 Take brede..Florish it with white coliandre in confyt. c1430 Two Cookery-bks. i. 30 Florche it a-bouyn with Pome~garned. c1503 R. Arnold Chron. f. lxxxxi^v/2 Storke roosted Pecoke florisshed Carpe in soppis. †6. a. gen. To adorn, decorate, embellish, ornament. Also with out, over, up. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautify [verb (transitive)] > ornament dightc1200 begoa1225 fay?c1225 rustc1275 duba1300 shrouda1300 adorna1325 flourishc1325 apparel1366 depaintc1374 dressa1375 raila1375 anorna1382 orna1382 honourc1390 paintc1390 pare1393 garnisha1400 mensk?a1400 apykec1400 hightlec1400 overfretc1440 exornc1450 embroider1460 repair1484 empare1490 ornate1490 bedo?a1500 purfle?a1500 glorify?1504 betrap1509 broider1509 deck?1521 likelya1522 to set forth1530 exornate1539 grace1548 adornate1550 fardc1550 gaud1554 pink1558 bedeck1559 tight1572 begaud1579 embellish1579 bepounce1582 parela1586 flower1587 ornify1590 illustrate1592 tinsel1594 formalize1595 adore1596 suborn1596 trapper1597 condecorate1599 diamondize1600 furnish1600 enrich1601 mense1602 prank1605 overgreen1609 crown1611 enjewel1611 broocha1616 varnish1641 ornament1650 array1652 bedub1657 bespangle1675 irradiate1717 gem1747 begem1749 redeck1771 blazon1813 aggrace1825 diamond1839 panoply1851 c1325 Coer de L. 1842 Six stages ful of towrelles, Wel flourished with cornelles. ?a1400 Morte Arth. 771 Hys feete ware floreschede alle in fyne sabylle. c1500 Inscription on Porch, St. Mary Magdalen Chapel, Widcombe in A. Wood Life & Times (1892) II. 409 Thys chapill floryschyd with formosyte spectabyll..prior Cantlow had edyfyd. 1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (1586) iii. 125 Those which florish up themselves by arte. 1590 R. Greene Neuer too Late ii. sig. H2 Her face full of chast colours: such as florish out the fronts of Dianas virgins. 1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 205 Their skin seemeth to be flourished with certaine pictures. 1611 T. Coryate Crudities sig. N2 Sixe very precious sockets..flowrished ouer with a triple gilting. a1716 R. South Serm. Several Occasions (1744) X. 56 This would make him begin to..try the foundation before he flourished the superstructure. figurative.1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xiv. 294 Þe fierthe [pouerte] is a fortune þat florissheth þe soule Wyth sobrete fram al synne.1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. Contin. 1323/1 Deceipt [sheweth] finest when he is cunninglie florished.a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iv. i. 73 The Iustice of your title to him Doth flourish the deceit. View more context for this quotation b. To embellish or ornament (a book, writing, etc.) with ‘flourishes’ (see flourish n. 4b). †In early use also: To illuminate; to adorn with colour or decorative designs of any kind. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > communication > writing > written text > decoration > decorate [verb (transitive)] > illuminate enluminec1366 lumine1387 limn14.. flourishc1440 enlimn1453 miniate1670 illuminate1706 miniature1716 illumine1717 alluminate1726 society > communication > writing > written text > decoration > decorate [verb (transitive)] > decorate with flourishes flourishc1440 c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 167/2 Floryschen bokys, floro. 1573 Treat. Arte of Limming 5 With this [turnesoll] you may flourishe redde letters, or vestures. c1689 in J. Y. Akerman Moneys Secret Services Charles II & James II (1851) 55 Gideon Roger, for writing and flourishing, partly in gold, a letter to the Emperor of Fez. absolute.1660 G. Tomlyn Brit. Patent 128 (1857) 1 A..way to text and flourish velomes and parchment. †7. a. To embellish (a narration, etc.) with flowers of speech; to ornament or set off with fine words or phrases; to express in flowery language. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > ornateness > embellish [verb (transitive)] flourish13.. coloura1393 embellish1447 pounce1576 thrum1590 foil1611 embroider1614 figurate1652 trick1759 13.. Minor P. fr. Vernon MS. lii. 496 Þeiȝ þis tale beo florisshed with faire flour. a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. Prol. f. ii So haue I nowe sette out this rude werke..That the lerned and the studyed clerke May..Flowrysshe it with Eloquence. 1541 T. Elyot Image of Gouernance Pref. sig. aii^v Desiringe more to make it playne to all readers, than to flourishe it with ouer moch eloquence. 1632 J. Shirley Changes iii. 41 You have..Wanted no Art to flourish your warme passion. 1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. ii. 63 Which Argument is further flourisht and descanted upon in this manner. 1691 A. Gavin Frauds Romish Monks 177 The Catechizer flourish'd his Discourse with Circumstances so extravagant [etc.]. b. intransitive. ‘To use florid language; to speak with ambitious copiousness and elegance’ (Johnson); to descant floridly on or upon. Also with away. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > ornateness > use ornate language [verb (intransitive)] to speak holidaya1616 flourish1700 picturesque1809 elocutionizea1849 1700 T. Baker Refl. Learning (ed. 2) iv. 32/2 Whilst he [Cicero] acts the part of the Rhetorician, he dilates and flourishes, and gives Example instead of Rule. 1725 I. Watts Logick iv. i. 518 They dilate sometimes, and flourish long upon little Incidents, and they skip over and but lightly touch the drier Part of their Theme. 1795 L. Murray Eng. Gram. 183 They are often misled by a desire of flourishing on the several properties of a metaphor. 1858 T. P. Thompson Audi Alteram Partem (1859) II. lxxxi. 41 Another flourishes away upon the assertion that the French Emperor was chosen by the Ballot. †8. transitive. a. To lay (one tint) upon (another) by way of ornament. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > colour > colouring > colour [verb (transitive)] > lay one colour on another flourisha1592 a1592 R. Greene Orpharion (1599) 42 Touching the faultles mixture of vermillion flourisht vpon Iuory. b. to work up ornamentally. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautify [verb (transitive)] > ornament > make ornamental > work up ornamentally flourisha1626 a1626 F. Bacon Considerations War with Spain (1629) 3 Bottomes of threed close wound vp, which with a good needle..may be flourished into large workes. III. To display ostentatiously. 9. a. To brandish (a weapon, etc.); to wave about by way of show or triumph. Also, to move (the limbs) vigorously. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in specific manner > move in specific manner [verb (transitive)] > flourish or brandish shakec1000 stirc1275 wagc1300 brandisha1340 flourishc1384 swinga1400 swinglec1450 ruffle?1562 sweak1567 vambrash1577 sway1590 swinge1605 to fetch about1609 wave1609 wheel1617 evibrate1654 society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > use or wield (a weapon) [verb (transitive)] > brandish shakec1000 wevec1325 brandisha1340 flourishc1384 toss1590 wave1609 the world > movement > bodily movement > move (the body or a member) [verb (transitive)] > move (a member) > move (the limbs) vigorously brandish?a1400 flourish1819 c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 2 Macc. xi. 8 An horsman apeeride goynge byfore hem..florishynge a shaft. 1388 J. Wyclif Psalms vii. 13 If ȝe ben not conuertid, he schal florische his swerd. 1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet i. i. 75 Old Mountague..florishes his blade in spight of me. View more context for this quotation 1646 R. Crashaw Sospetto d'Herode xxxiii, in Steps to Temple 62 All the Powers of Hell in full applause Flourisht their Snakes. 1819 W. Scott Ivanhoe II. iii. 45 Anon, balancing his expanded palms, he gently flourished them in time to the music. 1831 T. L. Peacock Crotchet Castle viii. 144 He began mechanically to flourish his bamboo. 1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. xxi. 210 Richard Swiveller..looking at the dwarf..as he flourished his arms and legs about. †b. absol. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in specific manner > move in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > move with a flourish > make flourishing or brandishing movement flourish1594 to fetch about1609 swipe1825 wheel1893 1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus i. i. 307 Goe giue that changing piece, To him that florisht for her with his sword. View more context for this quotation 1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. xxxviii. sig. P2^v Whosoeuer will iest, should be like him that flourishes at a Show: he may turne his Weapon any way. 1690 W. Walker Idiomatologia Anglo-Lat. To flourish is one thing, to fight another. c. intransitive. Of a weapon (or the like): To be brandished or waved about. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in specific manner > move in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > move with a flourish > be flourished or brandished flourisha1425 wave1605 a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Job xxxix. 23 A spere and scheeld schal florische. 1773 H. Luson in Duncombe's Lett. II. App. xlviii All this while the cane kept flourishing over Jerry's head. 10. a. transitive. To display, make a display or parade of. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > make ostentatious display of [verb (transitive)] flourishc1380 show1509 ostent1531 ostentatec1540 to ruffle it1551 to brave out1581 vaunt1590 boasta1592 venditate1600 to make the most ofa1627 display1628 to make (a) parade of1656 pride1667 sport1684 to show off1750 flash1785 afficher1814 affiche1817 parade1818 flaunt1822 air1867 showboat1937 ponce1953 rock1987 c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 341 Summe florishen oþer names & seien þat he [the pope] is moost blissed fader. 1592 R. Greene Disput. Conny-catcher sig. B2^v Your..sugred words, that you florish rethorically like nettes to catch fooles. 1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 93 He..florisht his colours in signe of victory, and as a call to Abdulchan to second him. 1755 W. Scott Dict. To Flourish Colours [in military affairs] is to display them. b. intransitive. ‘To boast, brag’ (Johnson); to talk big; to ‘swagger’, ‘show off’; also with about, off. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pride > boasting or boastfulness > boast [verb (intransitive)] yelpc888 kebc1315 glorify1340 to make avauntc1340 boast1377 brag1377 to shake boastc1380 glorya1382 to make (one's) boastc1385 crackc1470 avaunt1471 glaster1513 voust1513 to make (one's or a) vauntc1515 jet?1521 vaunt?1521 crowa1529 rail1530 devauntc1540 brave1549 vaunt1611 thrasonize1619 vapour1629 ostentate1670 goster1673 flourish1674 rodomontade1681 taper1683 gasconade1717 stump1721 rift1794 mang1819 snigger1823 gab1825 cackle1847 to talk horse1855 skite1857 to blow (also U.S. toot) one's own horn1859 to shoot off one's mouth1864 spreadeagle1866 swank1874 bum1877 to sound off1918 woof1934 to shoot a line1941 to honk off1952 to mouth off1958 blow- 1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 159 If any man think to come flourishing off with this. 1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) Introd. 22 The Examiner, after he has cited this Scholiast on Aristophanes, thus flourishes. 1730 J. Swift To Doctor Delany 14 To flourish o'er a Cup of Ginn. 1816 J. Gilchrist Philos. Etymol. p. xvii Mr. Horne Tooke has flourished rather too much about Gothic and Saxon. 1866 T. Carlyle Inaug. Addr. Edinb. 9 He goes flourishing about with them. †c. To exhibit oneself conspicuously, make a flourish or parade. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > make ostentatious display or show off [verb (intransitive)] brandishc1340 ruffle1484 braga1556 swash1556 flourish1563 flaunt1566 prank1567 prink1573 to shake, wag the feather1581 peacockize1598 air1605 display1608 to launch it out1608 flasha1616 to cut it out1619 flare1633 vapour1652 peacock1654 spark1676 to gallantrize it1693 bosh1709 glare1712 to cut a bosh1726 to show away1728 to figure away, off1749 parade1749 to cut a dashc1771 dash1786 to cut up1787 to cut a flash1795 to make, or cut, a splash1804 swank1809 to come out strong1825 to cut a spludge1831 to cut it (too) fat1836 pavonize1838 splurge1844 to do the grand1847 to cut a swath1848 to cut a splurge1860 to fan out1860 spread1860 skyre1871 fluster1876 to strut one's stuff1926 showboat1937 floss1938 style1968 1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments 1710/1 All the other Ladies of the court florished in their brauerye. 1611 Bible (King James) Song of Sol. ii. 9 He looked forth at the window, shewing himself [margin. flourishing] through the lattice. 1750 W. Warburton Julian in Wks. (1811) VIII. 192 A reverend Stole..came..into the possession of a notorious prostitute, who flourished with it on the public stage. †11. a. transitive. Of the sun: To shoot out (beams). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > light > naturally occurring light > emit beams (of a luminary) [verb (transitive)] > of the sun fastc1330 flourish?c1600 ?c1600 (c1515) Sc. Field (Lyme) l. 310 in I. F. Baird Poems Stanley Family (D.Phil. thesis, Univ. of Birm.) (1990) 243 Phebus full faire florished out his beames. b. intransitive. Of light. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > light > shine [verb (intransitive)] shinec725 brighteOE blika1000 lightOE shimmera1100 starec1225 lightena1382 blikena1400 glowa1400 sheenc1420 flourish1587 to stick off1604 lamp1609 skyre1677 gloze1820 moon1885 1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. vi. 73 From thence there florished a certeine holy brightnesse. †12. intransitive. To move with a flourish; to make sweeping movements; ‘to play in wanton and irregular motions’ (Johnson). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in specific manner > move in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > move with a flourish flourish1728 1728 A. Pope Dunciad ii. 160 Impetuous spread The stream, and smoaking, flourish'd o'er his head. 1735 W. Somervile Chace ii. 256 They're check'd—hold back with speed—on either Hand They flourish round. †13. a. Music and Fencing. To give a short fanciful exhibition by way of exercise before the real performance. To play, with a flourish. Also quasi-transitive. to flourish out (notes). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > perform music [verb (intransitive)] > preludize briefly flourish1552 society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > fence [verb (intransitive)] > actions traversea1470 to hold one's handa1500 flourish1552 lock1579 to come in1594 retire1594 pass1595 recover1600 redouble1640 allonge1652 caveat1652 parry1671 disengage1684 overlap1692 volt1692 tierce1765 whip1771 wrench1771 lunge1809 salute1809 riposte1823 cut1833 quart1833 repost1848 remise1889 society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > perform music [verb (intransitive)] > specific style or technique descanta1450 to stay on1579 to run division1590 divide1609 shake1611 flourish1766 tweedle-dee1837 slide1864 Wagnerize1866 to break a chord1879 magadize1904 scoop1927 segue1958 rap1979 rhyme1979 scratch1982 1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Florysh, as a maister of fence doth w^t weapon, or a musitian in syngyng, proludo. 1718 Free-thinker No. 15. 1 Musicians, before they begin to play, always flourish out some loose Notes. 1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. x. 90 Instead..of finishing George's shirts, we now had them..flourishing upon catgut. 1810 C. James New Mil. Dict. To flourish..is to play some prelude or preparatory air without any settled rule. b. Of trumpets: To sound a flourish or fanfare. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > sound of instruments > sound [verb (intransitive)] > wind instruments > trumpet brag1382 flourish1594 fanfare1860 blare1863 1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus iv. ii. 49 Why do the Emperours trumpets flourish thus. View more context for this quotation 1706 J. Addison Rosamond i. iv Trumpets flourish. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < n.a1500v.13..
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