Waving or flourishing a weapon or object in a threatening or aggressive way, or displaying something proudly and prominently.
From Old French 'brandir' (to wave about), possibly from Germanic roots. The term has been used since the 14th century, originally describing the dramatic movements of swordplay.
While brandishing a gun is illegal in most places, Renaissance fencers actually developed 'brandishing' into a beautiful athletic art—the sweeping movements we see in sword fights today come directly from those dangerous displays.
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