1. (n.) 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.

2. (n.) 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 enclosed 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 Corolla.

3. (n.) 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.

4. (n.) Grain pulverized; meal; flour.

5. (n.) A substance in the form of a powder, especially when condensed from sublimation; as, the flowers of sulfur.

6. (n.) A figure of speech; an ornament of style.

7. (n.) Ornamental type used chiefly for borders around pages, cards, etc.

8. (n.) Menstrual discharges.

9. (v. i.) To blossom; to bloom; to expand the petals, as a plant; to produce flowers; as, this plant flowers in June.

10. (v. i.) To come into the finest or fairest condition.

11. (v. i.) To froth; to ferment gently, as new beer.

12. (v. i.) To come off as flowers by sublimation.

13. (v. t.) To embellish with flowers; to adorn with imitated flowers; as, flowered silk.