wreath

wreath
wreathlike, adj.
/reeth/, n., pl. wreaths /reedhz, reeths/, v.
n.
1. a circular band of flowers, foliage, or any ornamental work, for adorning the head or for any decorative purpose; a garland or chaplet.
2. any ringlike, curving, or curling mass or formation: a wreath of clouds.
3. (in stair building)
a. a curved section of a handrail.
b. Also called wreathpiece. a curved section of a string.
v.t., v.i.
4. to wreathe.
[bef. 1000; ME wrethe, OE writha something wound or coiled; akin to WRITHE]

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 circular garland, usually woven of flowers, leaves, and foliage, that traditionally indicates honour or celebration. The wreath in ancient Egypt was most popular in the form of a chaplet made by sewing flowers to linen bands and tying them around the head. In ancient Greece, wreaths, usually made of olive, pine, laurel, celery, or palm, were awarded to athletes victorious in the Olympic Games and as prizes to poets and orators. Young lovers in ancient Greece hung wreaths on their lovers' doorways as a sign of affection. In Rome also, laurel crowns were bestowed as a mark of honour, especially on civil officials and returning warriors. During the Italian Renaissance (c. 15th–16th centuries), the custom of wearing wreaths on festive occasions was revived. Later, in Victorian England, a floral wreath sometimes surrounded the chair of the guest of honour at a banquet.

      Wreaths have traditionally had a religious significance: the writings of Greek and Roman mythology contain references to wreaths as symbols of honour; during the Middle Ages (c. 5th–15th centuries) they were often fashioned in the shape of the rosary; in 18th-century Mexico, nuns wore wreaths on their heads to signify joy on the day they professed their religious vows; the advent wreath with four candles is a Christian symbol of the four Sundays preceding Christmas.

      The displaying of a decorative Christmas wreath, usually of holly leaves and berries, is a custom found in northern Europe, the United States, and Canada. It is also customary to hang a funeral wreath on a family's door to indicate sorrow or to place a wreath of flowers at the grave site, where its circular shape signifies continuing life. See also garland.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Wreath — (?; 277), n.; pl. {Wreaths}. [OE. wrethe, AS. wr[=ae][eth] a twisted band, fr. wr[=i][eth]an to twist. See {Writhe}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Something twisted, intertwined, or curled; as, a wreath of smoke; a wreath of flowers. A wrethe of gold.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • wreath — [ riθ ] noun count 1. ) a circle of flowers or leaves that you put on a GRAVE to show you are remembering the dead person: lay a wreath: The president laid a wreath at the war memorial. a ) a circle of flowers or leaves that you hang up for… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • wreath — [ri:θ] n [: Old English; Origin: writha] 1.) a circle made from leaves or flowers that you put on the place where a person is buried ▪ The prime minister laid a wreath at the war memorial. 2.) a circle of leaves or flowers that people use to… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • wreath — has the plural form wreaths, pronounced reedhz or reeths. The verb, meaning ‘to encircle with a wreath’, is spelt wreathe and is pronounced reedh …   Modern English usage

  • wreath|y — «REE thee», adjective. of the form of a wreath: »wreathy clouds, a wreathy vine …   Useful english dictionary

  • wreath — (n.) O.E. wriða fillet, bandage, band (lit. that which is wound around ), from P.Gmc. *writhon (Cf. O.N. riða, Dan. vride, O.H.G. ridan to turn, twist, O.S., O.Fris. wreth angry, Du. wreed rough, harsh, cruel, O.H.G. reid twisted …   Etymology dictionary

  • wreath — [n] circular decoration band, bay, bouquet, chaplet, circlet, coronal, coronet, crown, festoon, garland, laurel, lei, loop, ring, ringlet; concepts 259,260,429 …   New thesaurus

  • wreath — ► NOUN (pl. wreaths) 1) an arrangement of flowers, leaves, or stems fastened in a ring and used for decoration or for laying on a grave. 2) a curl or ring of smoke or cloud. ORIGIN Old English, related to WRITHE(Cf. ↑writhe) …   English terms dictionary

  • wreath — [rēth] n. pl. wreaths [rēthz, rēths] [ME wrethe < OE writha, a ring, a twisted band < writhan, to twist: see WRITHE] 1. a twisted band or ring of leaves, flowers, etc.; esp., a) a chaplet worn as a mark of honor or victory b) a garland laid …   English World dictionary

  • Wreath — A wreath is a ring made of flowers, leaves and sometimes fruits that can be used as an ornament, hanging on a wall or door, or resting on a table. A small wreath can be also worn on the head as a form of headdress.ymbolismWreaths are commonly… …   Wikipedia

  • wreath — n. 1) to make, weave a wreath 2) to lay, place a wreath (they laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) 3) a bridal; Christmas; floral wreath * * * [riːθ] Christmas Christmas floral wreath weave a wreath place a wreath (they laid a wreath …   Combinatory dictionary

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