Also 4 floroun. [a. F. fleuron, OF. floron, f. fleur flower.]
1. A flower-shaped ornament, used esp. in architecture or printing, on coins, etc.
c. 1385. Chaucer, L. G. W., Prol. 220. So were the florouns of her coroun whyte.
c. 1660. Bp. Cosin, in C. Walker, Ritual ‘Reason Why,’ 43, note. In some MS. ‘directions to the printer’ in his [Bishop Cosin’s] handwriting, he inserted after the Absolution: ‘Here set a fleuron.’
1830. E. Hawkins, Anglo-Fr. Coinage, 73. The king’s bust a little turned to the right, hair long at the sides, crown of eight lilies and four fleurons.
1833. Ellis, Elgin Marb., II. 169. The front is enriched with a fleuron, and is also inscribed with the name of the maker Athenæus.
1882. Yule, in Encycl. Brit., XIV. 498/1. These latter [coins] bore (obverse) a Nepalese emblem surrounded by eight fleurons containing the eight sacred Buddhist jewels.
2. (See quot.)
1724–1800. Bailey, Fleurons [in Cookery], fine Tarts or Puffs of Pastry Work for Garnishing.
1823. Crabb, Techn. Dict., Fleurons (Cook.) fine puffs of pastry work for garnishing.
† 3. = FLORET. Obs. rare–1.
1727. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Butter-Burr, The Flower is of a purple Colour; it forms a Tuft with several Fleurons cut or divided into long Strings: It will stick to People’s Clothes as they pass by.
