laurel
[ lawr-uhl, lor- ]
/ ˈlɔr əl, ˈlɒr- /
||
noun
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.
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Nearby words
lauraldehyde, laurasia, laurate, laureate, laureen, laurel, laurel and hardy, laurel cherry, laurel family, laurel oak, lauren
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
Related forms
un·lau·reled, adjectiveun·lau·relled, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for look to one's laurels
laurel
/ (ˈlɒrəl) /
noun
verb -rels, -relling or -relled or US -rels, -reling or -reled
(tr) to crown with laurels
Word Origin for laurel
C13 lorer, from Old French lorier laurel tree, ultimately from Latin laurus
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Idioms and Phrases with look to one's laurels (1 of 2)
look to one's laurels
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]
Idioms and Phrases with look to one's laurels (2 of 2)
laurel
see look to one's laurels; rest on one's laurels.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.