Wreaths

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Wreath \Wreath\ (?; 277), n.; pl. {Wreaths}. [OE. wrethe, AS.
     wr[=ae][eth] a twisted band, fr. wr[imac][eth]an to twist.
     See {Writhe}.]
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     1. Something twisted, intertwined, or curled; as, a wreath of
        smoke; a wreath of flowers. "A wrethe of gold." --Chaucer.


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              [He] of his tortuous train
              Curled many a wanton wreath.          --Milton.
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     2. A garland; a chaplet, esp. one given to a victor.
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              Conquest doth grant
              He dear wreath to the Grecian combatant. --Chapman.
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              Far back in the ages,
              The plow with wreaths was crowned.    --Bryant.
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     3. (Her.) An appendage to the shield, placed above it, and
        supporting the crest (see Illust. of {Crest}). It
        generally represents a twist of two cords of silk, one
        tinctured like the principal metal, the other like the
        principal color in the arms.
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