brandish
English
WOTD – 25 January 2007
Etymology
From Middle English braundishen, from Old French brandiss-, stem of brandir (“to flourish a sword”), from Frankish *brandijan, from Frankish *brand (“firebrand; sword”), from Proto-Germanic *brandaz (“fire; flame; sword”). Cognate with Old English brand (“firebrand; torch”). See brand.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈbɹændɪʃ/
Audio (US) (file) Audio (AU) (file) - Rhymes: -ændɪʃ
Verb
brandish (third-person singular simple present brandishes, present participle brandishing, simple past and past participle brandished)
- (transitive) To move or swing (a weapon) back and forth, particularly if demonstrating anger, threat or skill.
- He brandished his sword at the pirates.
- Drake
- the quivering lance which he brandished bright
- (transitive) To bear something with ostentatious show.
- to brandish syllogisms
- 2011, Jejomar C. Binay, Binay: Blame corruption on modern consumerism, Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation, :
- It sets the stage for cutting corners in our principles just so we can brandish a perceived badge of stature.
- 1749, [John Cleland], Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure [Fanny Hill], London: Printed [by Thomas Parker] for G. Fenton [i.e., Fenton and Ralph Griffiths] […], OCLC 731622352:
- Long, however, the young spark did not remain before giving it two or three shakes, by way of brandishing it
Translations
to move a weapon
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to bear something with ostentatious show
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Synonyms
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