Also called bay, sweet bay. a small European evergreen tree, Laurus nobilis, of the laurel family, having dark, glossy green leaves.Compare laurel family.
any tree of the genus Laurus.
any of various similar trees or shrubs, as the mountain laurel or the great rhododendron.
the foliage of the laurel as an emblem of victory or distinction.
a branch or wreath of laurel foliage.
Usually laurels.honor won, as for achievement in a field or activity.
verb (used with object),lau·reled,lau·rel·ing or (especially British)lau·relled,lau·rel·ling.
to adorn or wreathe with laurel.
to honor with marks of distinction.
Idioms
look to one's laurels, to be alert to the possibility of being excelled or surpassed: New developments in the industry are forcing long-established firms to look to their laurels.
rest on one's laurels, to be content with one's past or present honors, achievements, etc.: He retired at the peak of his career and is resting on his laurels.
Origin of laurel
1250–1300; dissimilated variant of Middle Englishlaurer, earlier lorer < Anglo-French;Old Frenchlorier bay tree, equivalent to lor bay, laurel (< Latinlaurus) + -ier-ier2; see -er2
Related formsun·lau·reled, adjectiveun·lau·relled, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for look to one's laurels
laurel
noun
Also called: bay, true laurelany lauraceous tree of the genus Laurus, such as the bay tree (see bay 4) and L. canariensis, of the Canary Islands and Azores
c.1300, lorrer, from Old French laurier (12c.), from Latin laurus "laurel tree," probably related to Greek daphne "laurel" (for change of d- to l- see lachrymose), probably from a pre-IE Mediterranean language. The change of second -r- to -l- after mid-14c. is by dissimilation. An emblem of victory or of distinction, hence the phrase to rest (originally repose) on one's laurels, first attested 1831.
Protect one's preeminent reputation or position, especially against a threat of being surpassed. For example, Your opponent's done very well in the practice, so you'd better look to your laurels in the actual game. This idiom alludes to laurels as the traditional material for making a victor's crown. [Late 1800s]
