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brandish

[ bran-dish ]
/ ˈbræn dɪʃ /
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See synonyms for: brandish / brandishing on Thesaurus.com

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

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 FROM brandish

bran·dish·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use brandish in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for brandish

brandish
/ (ˈbrændɪʃ) /

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

Derived forms of brandish

brandisher, noun

Word Origin for brandish

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