laurel

¹lau·rel

noun \ˈlȯr-əl, ˈlär-\

: an evergreen tree or bush with shiny pointed leaves

laurels : honor or fame given for some achievement

Full Definition of LAUREL

1

:  an evergreen shrub or tree (Laurus nobilis of the family Lauraceae, the laurel family) of southern Europe with small yellow flowers, fruits that are ovoid blackish berries, and evergreen foliage once used by the ancient Greeks to crown victors in the Pythian games —called also bay, sweet bay

2

:  a tree or shrub that resembles the true laurel; especially :  mountain laurel

3

a :  a crown of laurel awarded as an honor

b :  a recognition of achievement :  honor —usually used in plural

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Examples of LAUREL

1. They enjoyed the laurels of their military victory.
2. The player earned his laurels from years of hard work.

Illustration of LAUREL

Origin of LAUREL

Middle English lorel, in part from Medieval Latin laureola spurge laurel (from Latin, laurel sprig), in part modification of Anglo-French lorer, from Old French lor laurel, from Latin laurus

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with LAUREL

aural, chloral, choral, coral, floral, moral, oral, quarrel, sorrel

²laurel

verb

laureled or laurelledlaurel·ing or laurel·ling

Definition of LAUREL

transitive verb

:  to deck or crown with laurel

First Known Use of LAUREL

1631

Lau·rel

biographical name \ˈlȯr-əl, ˈlär-\

Definition of LAUREL

Stan 1890–1965 born Arthur Stanley Jefferson British comic actor in United States

Rhymes with LAUREL

aural, chloral, choral, coral, floral, laurel, moral, oral, quarrel, sorrel