brandish

CEFRC2

/ˈbɹændɪʃ/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To wave a weapon or object in a threatening way.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    The act of flourishing or waving.

Examples

  • You dare brandish your weapons in front of your king?

  • He brandished his sword at the pirates.

At a glance

Sits at C2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
4
Parts of speech
1
Citations
4
Synonyms
2

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To bear something with ostentatious show.

  2. To move or swing a weapon back and forth, particularly if demonstrating anger, threat or skill.

More examples

In context

  • It sets the stage for cutting corners in our principles just so we can brandish a perceived badge of stature.

  • to brandish syllogisms

  • the quivering lance which he brandished bright

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The angry protester began to blank a stick, threatening the security guards.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

From Middle English braundischen, 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”), whence Old English brand (“firebrand; torch”); equivalent to brand + -ish. More at brand.