flower

I. noun Etymology: Middle English flour flower, best of anything, flour, from Anglo-French flur, flour, flaur, from Latin flor-, flos — more at blow Date: 13th century 1. a. the part of a seed plant that normally bears reproductive organs ; blossom, inflorescence b. a shoot of the sporophyte of a higher plant that is modified for reproduction and consists of a shortened axis bearing modified leaves; especially one of a seed plant differentiated into a calyx, corolla, stamens, and carpels c. a plant cultivated for its blossoms 2. a. the best part or example <

the flower of our youth

> b. the finest most vigorous period c. a state of blooming or flourishing <

in full flower

> 3. plural a finely divided powder produced especially by condensation or sublimation <

flowers of sulfur

> • flowered adjective • flowerful adjective • flowerless adjective • flowerlike adjective II. verb Date: 13th century intransitive verb 1. a. develop <

flowered into young womanhood

> b. flourish 2 2. to produce flowers ; blossom transitive verb 1. to cause to bear flowers 2. to decorate with flowers or floral designs • flowerer noun