Flower
/ˈflaʊ.ər/noun
The blossom of a plant, or the plant's reproductive structure; also used figuratively for the best or finest part of something.
Did you know?English flower comes through Old French from Latin flōs, flōrem, and its deeper Indo-European root is tied to blossoming and flourishing, which is why words like “flourish” and “flour” are secretly kin.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰleh₃-
“to bloom, blossom, flourish”
Latin
Latin
flōs, flōrem
“flower, blossom”
Old French
Old French
flur, flor
“flower, blossom”
Middle English
English
flour, flour, flouren
“flower, blossom”
Modern English
English
flower
“a blossom; the reproductive structure of a plant”
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