BRANDISH

flourish, brandish

(noun) the act of waving

brandish, flourish, wave

(verb) move or swing back and forth; “She waved her gun”

brandish

(verb) exhibit aggressively; “brandish a sword”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Verb

brandish (third-person singular simple present brandishes, present participle brandishing, simple past and past participle brandished)

(transitive) To move or swing a weapon back and forth, particularly if demonstrating anger, threat or skill.

(transitive) To bear something with ostentatious show.

Synonyms

• flourish, wave

Noun

brandish (plural brandishes)

The act of flourishing or waving.

Synonyms

• flourish

Source: Wiktionary


Bran"dish, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Brandished; p. pr. & vb. n. Brandishing.] Etym: [OE. braundisen, F. brandir, fr. brand a sword, fr. OHG. brant brand. See Brand, n.]

1. To move or wave, as a weapon; to raise and move in various directions; to shake or flourish. The quivering lance which he brandished bright. Drake.

2. To play with; to flourish; as, to brandish syllogisms.

Bran"dish, n.

Definition: A flourish, as with a weapon, whip, etc. "Brandishes of the fan." Tailer.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

14 June 2025

FELLOW

(noun) a member of a learned society; “he was elected a fellow of the American Physiological Association”


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