Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FLOUR-ISH, v.i. [flur'ish; L. floresco, from floreo; Fr. fleurir, fleurissant; Sp. florear; It. fiorire. The primary sense is to open, expand, enlarge, or to shoot out, as in glory, L. ploro, or in other words in Lr.]

1. To thrive; to grow luxuriantly; to increase and enlarge, as a healthy growing plant. The beech and the maple flourish best in a deep, rich and moist loam.
2. To be prosperous; to increase in wealth or honor. Bad men as frequently prosper and flourish, and that by the means of their wickedness. Nelson. When all the workers of iniquity do flourish. Ps. xcii.
3. To grow in grace and in good works; to abound in the consolations of religion. The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree. Ps. xcii.
4. To be in a prosperous state; to grow or be augmented. We say agriculture flourishes, commerce flourishes, manufactures flourish.
5. To use florid language; to make a display of figures and lofty expressions; to be copious and flowery. They dilate and flourish long on little incidents. Watts.
6. To make bold strokes in writing; to make large and irregular lines; as, to flourish with the pen.
7. To move or play in bold and irregular figures. Impetuous spread The stream, and smoking, flourish'd o'er his head. Pope.
8. In music, to play with bold and irregular notes, or without settled form; as, to flourish on an organ or violin.
9. To boast; to vaunt; to brag.