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.
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.
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.
Grain pulverized; meal; flour.
A substance in the form of a powder, especially when condensed from sublimation; as, the flowers of sulphur.
A figure of speech; an ornament of style.
Ornamental type used chiefly for borders around pages, cards, etc.
Menstrual discharges.
To blossom; to bloom; to expand the petals, as a plant; to produce flowers; as, this plant flowers in June.
To come into the finest or fairest condition.
To froth; to ferment gently, as new beer.
To come off as flowers by sublimation.
To embellish with flowers; to adorn with imitated flowers; as, flowered silk.
The finely ground meal of wheat, or of any other grain; especially, the finer part of meal separated by bolting; hence, the fine and soft powder of any substance; as, flour of emery; flour of mustard.
To grind and bolt; to convert into flour; as, to flour wheat.
To sprinkle with flour.
