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Entry 13 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Flower

/(flou"ẽr)/ · Flow·er · IPA /ˈflaʊ.ɚ/
01 n. In the popular sense, the bloom or blossom of a plant; the showy portion, usually of a different color, shape, and texture from the foliage.
  1. 1.
    In the popular sense, the bloom or blossom of a plant; the showy portion, usually of a different color, shape, and texture from the foliage.
  2. 2.
    That part of a plant destined to produce seed, and hence including one or both of the sexual organs; an organ or combination of the organs of reproduction, whether inclosed by a circle of foliar parts or not. A complete flower consists of two essential parts, the stamens and the pistil, and two floral envelopes, the corolla and callyx. In mosses the flowers consist of a few special leaves surrounding or subtending organs called archegonia. See Blossom, and Corolla.(Bot.) See: Blossom, Corolla
  3. 3.
    The fairest, freshest, and choicest part of anything; as, the flower of an army, or of a family; the state or time of freshness and bloom; as, the flower of life, that is, youth.
    “The choice and flower of all things profitable the Psalms do more briefly contain.” — Hooker.
    “The flower of the chivalry of all Spain.” — Southey.
    “A simple maiden in her flower Is worth a hundred coats of arms.” — Tennyson.
  4. 4.
    Grain pulverized; meal; flour.[Obs.]
    “The flowers of grains, mixed with water, will make a sort of glue.” — Arbuthnot.
  5. 5.
    A substance in the form of a powder, especially when condensed from sublimation; as, the flowers of sulphur.(Old Chem.)
  6. 6.
    A figure of speech; an ornament of style.
  7. 7.
    Ornamental type used chiefly for borders around pages, cards, etc.(Print.)
  8. 8.
    Menstrual discharges.
Phrases & compounds
Animal flower — See under Animal.
Cut flowers — flowers cut from the stalk, as for making a bouquet.
Flower bed — a plat in a garden for the cultivation of flowers.
Flower beetle — any beetle which feeds upon flowers, esp. any one of numerous small species of the genus Meligethes, family Nitidulidæ, some of which are injurious to crops.
Flower bird — an Australian bird of the genus Anthornis, allied to the honey eaters.
Flower bud — an unopened flower.
Flower clock — an assemblage of flowers which open and close at different hours of the day, thus indicating the time.
Flower head — a compound flower in which all the florets are sessile on their receptacle, as in the case of the daisy.
Flower pecker — one of a family (Dicæidæ) of small Indian and Australian birds. They resemble humming birds in habits.
Flower piece — A table ornament made of cut flowers.
Flower stalk — the peduncle of a plant, or the stem that supports the flower or fructification.
02 v. i. To blossom; to bloom; to expand the petals, as a plant; to produce flowers; as, this plant flowers in June.
imp. & p. p. Flowered; p. pr. & vb. n. Flowering
  1. 1.
    To blossom; to bloom; to expand the petals, as a plant; to produce flowers; as, this plant flowers in June.
  2. 2.
    To come into the finest or fairest condition.
    “Their lusty and flowering age.” — Robynson (More's Utopia).
    “When flowered my youthful spring.” — Spenser.
  3. 3.
    To froth; to ferment gently, as new beer.
    “That beer did flower a little.” — Bacon.
  4. 4.
    To come off as flowers by sublimation.[Obs.]
    “Observations which have flowered off.” — Milton.
03 v. t. To embellish with flowers; to adorn with imitated flowers; as, flowered silk.
  1. 1.
    To embellish with flowers; to adorn with imitated flowers; as, flowered silk.