flourish: Meaning and Definition of

flour•ish

Pronunciation: (flûr'ish, flur'-), [key]
— v.i.
  1. to be in a vigorous state; thrive: a period in which art flourished.
  2. to be in its or in one's prime; be at the height of fame, excellence, influence, etc.
  3. to be successful; prosper.
  4. to grow luxuriantly, or thrive in growth, as a plant.
  5. to make dramatic, sweeping gestures: Flourish more when you act out the king's great death scene.
  6. to add embellishments and ornamental lines to writing, letters, etc.
  7. to sound a trumpet call or fanfare.
—v.t.
  1. to brandish dramatically; gesticulate with: a conductor flourishing his baton for the crescendo.
  2. to decorate or embellish (writing, a page of script, etc.) with sweeping or fanciful curves or lines.
—n.
  1. an act or instance of brandishing.
  2. an ostentatious display.
  3. a decoration or embellishment, esp. in writing: He added a few flourishes to his signature.
  4. a parade of fine language; an expression used merely for effect.
  5. a trumpet call or fanfare.
  6. a condition or period of thriving: in full flourish.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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