释义 |
flour·ish I. \ˈflər.]ish, ˈflə.r], ]ēsh, chiefly in pres part ]əsh\ verb (-ed/-ing/-es) Etymology: Middle English florisshen, from Middle French floriss-, stem of florir, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin florire, alteration of Latin florēre, from flor-, flos flower — more at blow (to bloom) intransitive verb 1. chiefly Scotland : to bear flowers : blossom 2. : to grow luxuriantly : increase and enlarge : thrive — used chiefly of plants and animals < blueberries flourish best on an acid soil > 3. a. : to be prosperous : increase in wealth, honor, comfort, happiness, or whatever is desirable : prosper b. : to be in a state of activity or production — used chiefly of creative workers (as painters or writers) c. : to reach a height of development or influence — used chiefly of technical, artistic, or philosophic schools of thought 4. a. : to play a fanciful or improvised bit of music by way of ornament or prelude b. : to play a fanfare on trumpets c. : to play with a flourish 5. : boast, brag < spent the evening flourishing over a bottle or two > 6. : to use florid language : be flowery in speech or writing 7. : to make bold and sweeping movements or gestures especially by way of show or in bravado < flourishing about the streets > transitive verb 1. : to adorn or decorate especially with flowers or figures : ornament < the corners flourished with little silver cherubs > 2. : to move about in bold and sweeping figures < flourished his cane angrily at the children > 3. obsolete a. : to embellish with rhetorical figures or ostentatious eloquence b. : to illuminate (a manuscript) with color or decorative figures Synonyms: see succeed, swing II. noun (-es) 1. chiefly Scotland : bloom or blossom especially on a fruit tree < the flourish of the apple trees > 2. obsolete : blooming state or luxuriant growth usually of plants or vegetation 3. a. obsolete : showy decoration or embellishment b. : a florid bit of writing or speech (as a complicated figure or an ornate metaphor) c. : a purely ornamental stroke usually attached to or enveloping a letter or meaningful figure in a writing or engraving 4. a. : fanfare b. : a florid musical passage 5. : the waving of a weapon or other thing < with a last flourish of her handkerchief > < gave his cloak a flourish as he stepped from the coach > : a brandishing especially in salute or signal < greeted him with a flourish of his cane > < caught the auctioneer's eye with a flourish of his catalog > 6. : a showiness or ostentation in the performance of something often intended to call forth or fix attention or admiration < introduced his guest with a flourish > < if I've got to give her a debut I'll do it with a flourish > |