[flaw-res-uh
ns, floh-, fluh-] 
| the act, state, or period of flowering; bloom. |
| flo·res·cence (flô-rěs'əns, flə-) n. A condition, time, or period of flowering. See Synonyms at bloom1. [New Latin flōrēscentia, from Latin flōrēscēns, flōrēscent-, present participle of flōrēscere, inchoative of flōrēre, to flower, bloom; see flourish.] flo·res'cent adj. |