Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for BRAND'ISH
BRAND'-IR-ON, or BRAND'ING-IR-ONBRAND'ISH-ED
BRAND'ISH, v.t. [Fr. brandir; Port. brandir; Sp. blandir, r changed into l; It. brandire; probably allied to Fr. branler, to shake.]
- To move or wave, as a weapon; to raise, and move in various directions; to shake or flourish; as, to brandish a sword or a cane. It often indicates threatening.
- To play with; to flourish; as, to brandish syllogisms. – Locke.
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