flower

noun flowers · flowre · flow'r

1. countable, uncountable A colorful, conspicuous structure associated with angiosperms, frequently scented and attracting various insects, and which may or may not be used for sexual reproduction. O Laurinella! little doſt thou wot / How fraile a flower thou doſt ſo highly prize: / Beauty's the flower, but love the flower-pot / That muſt preſerve it, els it quickly dyes.
2. countable, uncountable A reproductive structure in angiosperms (flowering plants), often conspicuously colourful and typically including sepals, petals, and either or both stamens and/or a pistil. You know, Darwin studied their fertilisation, and showed that the whole structure of an ordinary orchid flower was contrived in order that moths might carry the pollen from plant to plant.
3. countable, uncountable A plant that bears flowers, especially a plant that is small and lacks wood. We transplanted the flowers to a larger pot.
4. countable, uncountable The stem of a flowering plant with the blossom or blossoms attached, used for decoration, as a gift, etc. He always keeps a vase full of flowers in his office.
5. uncountable, usually, with in Of plants, a state of bearing blooms. The dogwoods are in flower this week.
6. countable, euphemistic, familiar, uncountable The vulva, especially the labia majora. [F]or ſtill, that my virgin-flower was yet uncrop'd never once enter'd into his head, and he would have thought it idling with time and words to have queſtion'd me upon it.
7. countable, uncountable The best examples or representatives of a group. At Floddon hyllys, / Our bowys, our byllys / Slew all the floure / Of theyr honoure.

   Similar: cream

8. countable, uncountable The best state of things; the prime. She was in the flower of her life.

   Similar: prime

9. countable, obsolete, uncountable Flour. The Flovvers of Grains mix'd vvith VVater vvill make a ſort of Glue.
10. countable, in plural, obsolete, uncountable A substance in the form of a powder, especially when condensed from sublimation. the flowers of sulphur
11. countable, poetic, uncountable A figure of speech; an ornament of style. flowers of rhetoric
12. countable, uncountable Ornamental type used chiefly for borders around pages, cards, etc. I pointed out to the late Mr. Catherwood, of the firm of Caslon and Catherwood, the inconvenience of both these modes of cutting flowers,
13. countable, in plural, obsolete, uncountable Menstrual discharges. And if any man lye with her at all, and her flowers be vpon him, hee shall be vncleane seuen dayes: and all the bed whereon he lyeth, shall be vncleane.
14. countable, uncountable A delicate, fragile, or oversensitive person. […] she whispered leaning over and kissing her forehead; and then added, 'Mummy loves you, precious flower.'
15. countable, figuratively, in plural, uncountable Credit, recognition. to give someone his flowers; to get one's flowers
16. slang, uncountable Cannabis.

Similar: head, pseudanthium, bloom, blossom, flower

verb flowers · flowering · flowered · flowre · flow'r

1. intransitive To put forth blooms. This plant flowers in June.

   Similar: bloom, blossom

2. transitive To decorate with pictures of flowers.
3. intransitive To reach a state of full development or achievement. when flowr'd my youthful spring

   Similar: flourish

4. archaic, intransitive To froth; to ferment gently, as new beer. That beer did flower a little.
5. intransitive To come off as flowers by sublimation. observations which have flowered off

noun flowers · flow-er · flowre · flow'r

1. rare Something that flows, such as a river. Leaving the weavers’ village behind you, and crossing the sandy bed of the Vengavati or ‘Swift-flower,’ which, however, contained not a drop of water, you reach the ancient Jain temple.

Similar: bloom, blossom, flower

proper noun Flowers

1. countable, uncountable A surname.
2. countable, uncountable An unincorporated community in Braxton County, West Virginia, United States.