brandish

Meanings

Verb

• To move or swing a weapon back and forth, particularly if demonstrating anger, threat or skill.
• To bear something with ostentatious show.

Noun

• The act of flourishing or waving.

Related

Similar words

• flourish, wave
• flourish

Origin

• From Middle English braundischen, from Old French, stem of brandir, from Frankish *brandijan, from Frankish *brand, from Proto-Germanic *brandaz, whence Old English brand; equivalent to brand + --ish. More at brand.