fleuron

[ flur-on, floor- ]

noun

1. a floral motif, as one used as a terminal point or in a decorative series on an object.
2. Printing. flower ( def 6 ).

fleuron

/ ˈflʊərɒn; ˈflɜː-; -rən /

noun

1. another name for flower
2. cookery a decorative piece of pastry

Word History and Origins

Origin of fleuron¹

1350–1400; < French; Old French floron, equivalent to flor flower + -on noun suffix; replacing Middle English flouroun < Old French

Word History and Origins

Origin of fleuron¹

C14: from French, from Old French floron , from flor flower

Example Sentences

That suggests no big changes are looming at the firm, which is considered a fleuron, or ornament, of France’s corporate scene.

From Economist

All of these are currently in print in excellent, uniform English translation of the standard “Fleuron” edition of Colette’s complete works, from Farrar, Straus & Cudahy, of recent date.

From Project Gutenberg

Some stupid fellows, engaged afterwards in this work, took a decrepit old lantern down with them; the handle broke, the flame ignited the loose powder, and that was the end of the Fleuron; she burnt to the water's edge, and then went down, treasure and all; and the guns having been left loaded—it seems almost incredible, but we have the account of an eye-witness—kept going off at intervals, preventing the approach of boats, etc., which might have saved many of the crew.

From Project Gutenberg

The captain of the Boscawen, however, did not wait to see what they would do; directly he realised their force he crowded sail, and disappeared from the scene without even a parting greeting to his consort; and, seeing only one enemy left, and this a small one, the 64-gun ship—the Fleuron—was sent in chase of the Mars, rapidly gaining upon her.

From Project Gutenberg

And so he went on board the Fleuron to surrender his sword and his privateer commission.

From Project Gutenberg