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wreath

Translation
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 — 1> венок Ex: wreath of roses венок из роз Ex: funeral wreath (похоронный) венок Ex: laurel wreath лавровый венок 2> венец, венчик (из золота и т. п.) 3> кольцо (дыма и т. п.); завиток (раковины); виток (спирали) 4> шотл. сугроб …   Новый большой англо-русский словарь

  • wreath — noun 1) венок, гирлянда 2) завиток, кольцо (дыма) …   Англо-русский словарь Мюллера

  • wreath — n 1.   закруглённый [криволинейный] участок поручня (на повороте лестницы) 2.   венец (декоративное украшение) 3.   виток спирали Англо русский строительный словарь. М.: Русский Язык. С.Н.Корчемкина, С.К.Кашкина, С.В.Курбатова. 1995 …   Англо-русский словарь строительных терминов

  • 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 — noun (plural wreaths) Etymology: Middle English wrethe, from Old English writha; akin to Old English wrīthan to twist more at writhe Date: before 12th century 1. something intertwined or arranged in a circular shape: as a. a band of intertwined… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • wreath — 1. noun /riːθ/ a) Something twisted, intertwined, or curled. a wreath of smoke b) An ornamental circular band made e.g. of plaited flowers and leaves, and used as decoration; a garland; a chaplet, especially one given to a victor. a wreath of… …   Wiktionary

  • wreath — Wreathe Wreathe, v. t. [imp. {Wreathed}; p. p. {Wreathed}; Archaic {Wreathen}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Wreathing}.] [See {Wreath}, n.] [Written also {wreath}.] [1913 Webster] 1. To cause to revolve or writhe; to twist about; to turn. [Obs.] [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • wreath — ri:θ сущ. 1) венок, гирлянда Syn : garland 2) завиток, кольцо (дыма) венок * of roses венок из роз funeral * (похоронный) венок laurel * лавровый венок венец …   Большой англо-русский и русско-английский словарь

  • wreath — A structure resembling a twisted or entwined band or a garland. [A.S. wraeth, a bandage] ciliary w. SYN: corona ciliaris …   Medical dictionary

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