I. ˈlȯrəl, ˈlär- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English lorel, lorer, laurer, from Old French lorier, from lor laurel, from Latin laurus — more at daphne
1.
a. : a tree or shrub of the genus Laurus ; specifically : a tree ( Laurus nobilis ) bearing foliage used by the ancient Greeks to crown victors in the Pythian games — called also bay, bay laurel, bay tree
b. : the leaves of the laurel that yield a fragrant oil — compare bay leaf
2.
a. : a branch or wreath of laurel awarded as a token of victory or preeminence
b.
(1) : a recognition of superior achievement : mark of public esteem : honor
added one more laurel to his growing collection today when he was voted the … most valuable player — Springfield (Massachusetts) Union
— usually used in plural
his technique … sufficed to win him such laurels as few architects have enjoyed — C.H.Whitaker
(2) laurels plural but singular or plural in construction : championship , reputation
won the regional laurels and went on to the finals
after winning the title he decided to rest on his laurels and retire from the ring
enthusiastic critical acclaim for the newcomer is forcing older actors to look to their laurels
3.
a. : a British gold coin bearing a laureate head of a monarch : unite
b. : a unit of value corresponding to one of these coins
a half- laurel
4. : a tree or shrub that resembles the laurel: as
a. : cherry laurel
b. : spurge laurel
c. : any of several plants of the heath family: as
(1) : mountain laurel
(2) : big laurel
d. : madrona
e. : california laurel
f. : any of several tropical American trees of the genera Cordia, Sebesten, and Magnolia
g. : oleander
h. : any of several New Zealand and Australian evergreen trees of the genera Cryptocarya, Pittosporum, Corynocarpus, and Likea
5. : a variable color averaging a dark grayish green that is bluer than average ivy, bluer and duller than Persian green, and yellower and paler than hemlock green — compare laurel green
[s]laurel.jpg[/s] [
laurel 1a
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II. transitive verb
( laureled or laurelled ; laureled or laurelled ; laureling or laurelling ; laurels )
: to deck or crown with or as if with laurel