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.