flourish

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.

verb

1. (intransitive) To thrive or grow well.
   The barley flourished in the warm weather.
   'Twas early June, the new grass was flourishing everywheres, the posies in the yard—peonies and such—in full bloom, the sun was shining, and the water of the bay was blue, with light green streaks where the shoal showed. 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, chapter 1, in Mr. Pratt's Patients, page 1
2. (intransitive) To prosper or fare well.
   The town flourished with the coming of the railway.
   The cooperation flourished as the customers rushed in the business.
   Bad men as frequently prosper and flourish, and that by the means of their wickedness. 1795, Robert Nelson, A Companion for the Festivals and Fasts of the Church of England
   One hall called Civil Law Hall or School, flouriſhed about this time (though in its buildings decayed) by the care of the learned and judicious Dr. Will. Warham Principal or Moderator thereof […] 1792, Anthony à Wood, The History and Antiquities of the University of Oxford: In Two Books, volume 1, Oxford: John Gutch, →OCLC, page 661
3. (intransitive) To be in a period of greatest influence.
   His writing flourished before the war.
4. (transitive) To develop; to make thrive; to expand.
5. (transitive) To make bold, sweeping movements with.
   They flourished the banner as they stormed the palace.
   The squirrel flourished its fluffy tail about as an alarm signal after its narrow escape from the cat.
6. (intransitive) To make bold and sweeping, fanciful, or wanton movements, by way of ornament, parade, bravado, etc.; to play with fantastic and irregular motion.
7. (intransitive) To use florid language; to indulge in rhetorical figures and lofty expressions.
8. (intransitive) To make ornamental strokes with the pen; to write graceful, decorative figures.
9. (transitive) To adorn with beautiful figures or rhetoric; to ornament with anything showy; to embellish.
   With shadowy verdure flourish'd high, A sudden youth the groves enjoy. 1716, Elijah Fenton, an ode to John Gower
10. (intransitive) To execute an irregular or fanciful strain of music, by way of ornament or prelude.
11. (intransitive, obsolete) To boast; to vaunt; to brag.

noun

1. A dramatic gesture such as the waving of a flag.
   With many flourishes of the captured banner, they marched down the avenue.
2. An ornamentation.
   His signature ended with a flourish.
3. (music) A ceremonious passage such as a fanfare.
   [I]f he is a soldier in command, successes will be amplified, and the results of his campaigns announced with a flourish of trumpets. 1872, Publius Cornelius Tacitus, Percival Frost, The Annals of Tacitus with a Commentary by the Rev. Percival Frost, M.A, London: Whittaker & Co.; George Bell, Life of Tacitus
   The trumpets blew a flourish as they entered the church.
4. (architecture) A decorative embellishment on a building.