wreath

[reeth]

noun

plural

wreaths 

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)

   1. a curved section of a handrail.

   2. Also called wreathpiece. a curved section of a string.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to wreathe.

wreath

/ riːθ /

noun

1. a band of flowers or foliage intertwined into a ring, usually placed on a grave as a memorial or worn on the head as a garland or a mark of honour

2. any circular or spiral band or formation

3. a spiral or circular defect appearing in porcelain and glassware

Other Word Forms

• wreathlike adjective
• wreathless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wreath¹

before 1000; Middle English wrethe, Old English writha something wound or coiled; akin to writhe

Word History and Origins

Origin of wreath¹

Old English wrǣth, wrǣd; related to Middle Low German wrēden to twist. See _writhe

Example Sentences

After having laid a wreath in memory of the dead, he described the conflict as "all so unnecessary."

From BBC

Following lunch, the president will visit St George's Chapel in Windsor to lay a wreath on the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II.

From BBC

On Monday, Prince Harry had laid a wreath at the grave of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, on the third anniversary of her death.

From BBC

Prince Harry arrived in the UK on Monday - and went to lay a wreath on the grave of Queen Elizabeth II in Windsor, on the third anniversary of her death.

From BBC

Elsewhere, Prince Harry - who has arrived back in the UK for the first time in five months - privately laid a wreath and paid his respects to the late Queen in Windsor, where she is buried.

From BBC

Related Words

• bouquet 
• garland