brandish

[ bran-dish ]
See synonyms for: brandishbrandishing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to shake or wave, as a weapon; flourish: Brandishing his sword, he rode into battle.

noun
  1. a flourish or waving, as of a weapon.

Origin of brandish

1
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English bra(u)ndisshen, from Anglo-French, Middle French brandiss- (long stem of brandir, derivative of brand “sword,” from Germanic ); see origin at brand, -ish2

Other words for brandish

Other words from brandish

  • bran·dish·er, noun

Words Nearby brandish

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use brandish in a sentence

  • Suddenly he was startled by seeing his mother snatch a stump of a fire-shovel from the hearth and brandish it over his head.

    All He Knew | John Habberton
  • Who are we, the Wolves, to brandish empty firearms, to shrink from letting a little blood!

    Mr. Grex of Monte Carlo | E. Phillips Oppenheim
  • They brandish their torches and swiftly spin on one leg, and snap their fingers to chase away the aggressive spirits.

    From the Caves and Jungles of Hindostan | Helena Pretrovna Blavatsky
  • Thou didst also worship the bountiful immortals, and wast the first to brandish the veresma and to sing the Gathas.

British Dictionary definitions for brandish

brandish

/ (ˈbrændɪʃ) /


verb(tr)
  1. to wave or flourish (a weapon) in a triumphant, threatening, or ostentatious way

noun
  1. a threatening or defiant flourish

Origin of brandish

1
C14: from Old French brandir, from brand sword, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German brant weapon

Derived forms of brandish

  • brandisher, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012