1. laurel(n = noun.plant) - any of various aromatic trees of the laurel family;
is a kind of angiospermous tree, flowering tree
is a member of family lauraceae, lauraceae, laurel family
has particulars: bay, bay laurel, bay tree, laurus nobilis, true laurel, camphor tree, cinnamomum camphora, ceylon cinnamon, ceylon cinnamon tree, cinnamomum zeylanicum, cinnamon, cassia, cassia-bark tree, cinnamomum cassia, cinnamomum loureirii, saigon cinnamon, laurel-tree, persea borbonia, red bay, sassafras, sassafras albidum, sassafras tree, california bay tree, california laurel, california olive, mountain laurel, oregon myrtle, pepperwood, sassafras laurel, spice tree, umbellularia californica
2. laurel(n = noun.person) arthur stanley jefferson laurel, stan laurel - United States slapstick comedian (born in England) who played the scatterbrained and often tearful member of the Laurel and Hardy duo who made many films (1890-1965);
is a kind of comedian, comic
is a member of laurel and hardy
3. laurel(n = noun.artifact) bay wreath, laurel wreath - (antiquity) a wreath of laurel foliage worn on the head as an emblem of victory;
is a kind of chaplet, coronal, garland, lei, wreath
1. An evergreen shrub, of the genus
"The fruit is a purple berry. It is found about the Mediterranean, and was early used by the ancient Greeks to crown the victor in the games of Apollo. At a later period, academic honors were indicated by a crown of laurel, with the fruit. The leaves and tree yield an aromatic oil, used to flavor the bay water of commerce." [1913 Webster]
" The name is extended to other plants which in some respect resemble the true laurel. See Phrases, below." [1913 Webster]
2. A crown of laurel; hence, honor; distinction; fame; -- especially in the plural; as, to win laurels. [1913 Webster]
3. An English gold coin made in 1619, and so called because the king's head on it was crowned with laurel. [1913 Webster]
laurel, n. & v.
--n.
1 = BAY(2).
2 a (in sing. or pl.) the foliage of the bay-tree used as an emblem of victory or distinction in poetry usu. formed into a wreath or crown. b (in pl.) honour or distinction.
3 any plant with dark-green glossy leaves like a bay-tree, e.g. cherry-laurel, mountain laurel, spurge laurel.
--v.tr. (laurelled, laurelling; US laureled, laureling) wreathe with laurel.
Idiom:
look to one's laurels beware of losing one's pre-eminence. rest on one's laurels be satisfied with what one has done and not seek further success.
Etymology:
ME lorer f. OF lorier f. Prov. laurier f. laur f. L laurus
N trophy, medal, prize, palm, award, laurel, laurels, bays, crown, chaplet, wreath, civic crown, insignia, feather in one's cap, decoration, garland, triumphal arch, Victoria Cross, Iron Cross, triumph, flying colors, monumentum aere perennius, for valor.
N title, honor, knighthood, highness, excellency, grace, lordship, worship, reverence, reverend, esquire, sir, master, Mr, signor, senor, Mein Herr, mynheer, your honor, his honor, serene highness, handle to one's name, decoration, laurel, palm, wreath, garland, bays, medal, ribbon, riband, blue ribbon, cordon, cross, crown, coronet, star, garter, feather, feather in one's cap, epaulet, epaulette, colors, cockade, livery, order, arms, shield, scutcheon, reward.
alexandrian laurel, american laurel, arthur stanley jefferson laurel, bay laurel, bog laurel, california laurel, cherry laurel, dog laurel, equador laurel, laurel and hardy, laurel cherry, laurel family, laurel oak, laurel sumac, laurel willow, laurel wreath, mountain laurel, pig laurel, sassafras laurel, sheep laurel, spurge laurel, stan laurel, swamp laurel, true laurel, wood laurel