flourish

1. (intransitive) To thrive or grow well.Examples: "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."intransitive

2. (intransitive) To prosper or fare well.Examples: "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."intransitive

3. (intransitive) To be in a period of greatest influence.Examples: "His writing flourished before the war."intransitive

4. (transitive) To develop; to make thrive; to expand.Examples: "But all that I ſhall ſay in this vvhole Argument, vvill be but like Bottomes of Thred, cloſe vvound vp, vvhich vvith a good Needle (perhaps) may be flouriſhed into large VVorkes."transitive

5. (transitive) To make bold, sweeping movements with.Examples: "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."transitive

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.Examples: "Impetuous spread the stream, and smoking flourished o'er his head."intransitive