GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Flower , n. [OE. flour, OF. flour, flur, flor, F. fleur, fr. L. flos, floris. Cf. Blossom, Effloresce, Floret, Florid, Florin, Flour, Flourish.]
   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.
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   (Bot.) 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.
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   ☞ If we examine a common flower, such for instance as a geranium, we shall find that it consists of: First, an outer envelope or calyx, sometimes tubular, sometimes consisting of separate leaves called sepals; secondly, an inner envelope or corolla, which is generally more or less colored, and which, like the calyx, is sometimes tubular, sometimes composed of separate leaves called petals; thirdly, one or more stamens, consisting of a stalk or filament and a head or anther, in which the pollen is produced; and fourthly, a pistil, which is situated in the center of the flower, and consists generally of three principal parts; one or more compartments at the base, each containing one or more seeds; the stalk or style; and the stigma, which in many familiar instances forms a small head, at the top of the style or ovary, and to which the pollen must find its way in order to fertilize the flower.
   Sir J. Lubbock.
   
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   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.
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   The choice and flower of all things profitable the Psalms do more briefly contain.
   Hooker.
   
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   The flower of the chivalry of all Spain.
   Southey.
   
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   A simple maiden in her flower
   Is worth a hundred coats of arms.
   Tennyson.
   
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   Grain pulverized; meal; flour. [Obs.]
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   The flowers of grains, mixed with water, will make a sort of glue.
   Arbuthnot.
   
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   pl. (Old Chem.) A substance in the form of a powder, especially when condensed from sublimation; as, the flowers of sulphur.
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   A figure of speech; an ornament of style.
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   pl. (Print.) Ornamental type used chiefly for borders around pages, cards, etc.
   W. Savage.
   
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   pl. Menstrual discharges.
   Lev. xv. 24.
   
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   Animal flower (Zool.) 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 (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), 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 (Bot.), a compound flower in which all the florets are sessile on their receptacle, as in the case of the daisy. -- Flower pecker (Zool.), one of a family (Dicæidæ) of small Indian and Australian birds. They resemble humming birds in habits. -- Flower piece. (a) A table ornament made of cut flowers. (b) (Fine Arts) A picture of flowers. -- Flower stalk (Bot.), the peduncle of a plant, or the stem that supports the flower or fructification.
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2.       
   Flower , v. i. [imp. & p. p. Flowered ; p. pr. & vb. n. Flowering.] [From the noun. Cf. Flourish.]
   To blossom; to bloom; to expand the petals, as a plant; to produce flowers; as, this plant flowers in June.
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   To come into the finest or fairest condition.
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   Their lusty and flowering age.
   Robynson (More's Utopia).
   
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   When flowered my youthful spring.
   Spenser.
   
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   To froth; to ferment gently, as new beer.
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   That beer did flower a little.
   Bacon.
   
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   To come off as flowers by sublimation. [Obs.]
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   Observations which have flowered off.
   Milton.
   
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3.       
   Flower, v. t. To embellish with flowers; to adorn with imitated flowers; as, flowered silk.
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