[lau.rel] n [ME lorel, fr. OF lorier, fr. lor laurel, fr. L laurus] (14c) 1: any of a genus (Laurus of the family Lauraceae, the laurel family) of evergreen trees that have alternate entire leaves, small tetramerous flowers surrounded by bracts, and fruits that are ovoid berries; specif: a tree (L. nobilis) of southern Europe with foliage used by the ancient Greeks to crown victors in the Pythian games
2: a tree or shrub that resembles the true laurel; esp: mountain laurel
3: a crown of laurel: honor--usu. used in pl.
[2]laurel vt -reled or -relled ; -rel.ing or -rel.ling (1631): to deck or crown with laurel