| flower (ˈflaʊə) |
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| —n |
| 1. | a. a bloom or blossom on a plant |
| | b. a plant that bears blooms or blossoms |
| 2. | the reproductive structure of angiosperm plants, consisting normally of stamens and carpels surrounded by petals and sepals all borne on the receptacle (one or more of these structures may be absent). In some plants it is conspicuous and brightly coloured and attracts insects or other animals for pollinationRelated: floral, antho- |
| 3. | any similar reproductive structure in other plants |
| 4. | the prime; peak: in the flower of his youth |
| 5. | the choice or finest product, part, or representative: the flower of the young men |
| 6. | a decoration or embellishment |
| 7. | printing a type ornament, used with others in borders, chapter headings, etc |
| 8. | Also called: fleuron an embellishment or ornamental symbol depicting a flower |
| 9. | (plural) fine powder, usually produced by sublimation: flowers of sulphur |
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| —vb |
| 10. | (intr) to produce flowers; bloom |
| 11. | (intr) to reach full growth or maturity |
| 12. | (tr) to deck or decorate with flowers or floral designs |
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| Related: floral, antho- |
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| [C13: from Old French flor, from Latin flōs; see blow³] |
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| 'flower-like |
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| —adj |