Brandish
/ˈbræn.dɪʃ/noun
To wave or flourish something, especially a weapon, in a dramatic or threatening way.
Did you know?Brandish comes through Old French from a Germanic source related to words for a burning or flashing movement, which is why it feels less like simple waving and more like a sudden blaze of force.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*brandaz
“burning piece; firebrand, torch”
Old French
OF
brandir
“to wave, brandish”
Middle English
ME
brandisshen
“to wave or flourish a weapon”
15th Century
English
brandish
“to wave or flourish menacingly”
Modern English
English
brandish
“to wave or flourish something, especially a weapon, in a dramatic or threatening way”