Laurel Definition

lôrəl, lŏr-
laureled, laurel, laurelled, laurels
noun
laurels
Any of a genus (Laurus) of evergreen trees or shrubs of the laurel family, native to S Europe and widely cultivated in the U.S., with large, glossy, aromatic leaves, greenish-yellow flowers, and black berries.
Webster's New World
The foliage of this tree, esp. as woven into wreaths such as those used by the ancient Greeks to crown the victors in various contests or by the ancient Romans to signify military success.
Webster's New World
Fame; honor.
Webster's New World
Any of various trees and shrubs resembling the true laurel, as the mountain laurel, cherry laurel, or California laurel.
Webster's New World
Victory.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
pronoun
A female given name from the plant laurel.
Wiktionary

A town in Delaware.

Wiktionary
Wiktionary

A town in Indiana.

Wiktionary

A city in Iowa.

Wiktionary
verb
To crown with laurel.
Webster's New World
To honor.
Webster's New World
adjective
Designating a family (Lauraceae, order Laurales) of dicotyledonous shrubs and trees, including the sassafras, cinnamon, and camphor.
Webster's New World
idiom
rest on (one's) laurels
  • To rely on one's past achievements instead of working to maintain or advance one's status or reputation.
American Heritage
look to one's laurels
  • to beware of having one's achievements surpassed
Webster's New World
rest on one's laurels
  • to be satisfied with what one has already achieved
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Laurel

Noun

Singular:
laurel
Plural:
laurels

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Laurel

Origin of Laurel

  • From Middle English lorrer, Anglo-Norman lorer, from Old French lorier, from lor, from Latin laurus (“laurel").

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English from Old French laureole from Latin laureola diminutive of laurea laurel tree laureate

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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