A tree thrives and flourishes in a kindly . . .
soil. --Bp. Horne.
2. To be prosperous; to increase in wealth, honor, comfort,
happiness, or whatever is desirable; to thrive; to be
prominent and influental; specifically, of authors,
painters, etc., to be in a state of activity or
production.
When all the workers of iniquity do flourish. --Ps.
xcii 7
Bad men as frequently prosper and flourish, and that
by the means of their wickedness. --Nelson.
We say Of those that held their heads above the
crowd, They flourished then or then. --Tennyson.
3. To use florid language; to indulge in rhetorical figures
and lofty expressions; to be flowery.
They dilate . . . and flourish long on little
incidents. --J. Watts.
4. To make bold and sweeping, fanciful, or wanton movements,
by way of ornament, parade, bravado, etc.; to play with
fantastic and irregular motion.
Impetuous spread The stream, and smoking flourished
o'er his head. --Pope.
5. To make ornamental strokes with the pen; to write
graceful, decorative figures.
6. To execute an irregular or fanciful strain of music, by
way of ornament or prelude.
Why do the emperor's trumpets flourish thus? --Shak.
7. To boast; to vaunt; to brag. --Pope.