Laurence

Alternative forms

• Lawrence (usual US spelling)

Origin

From the name of a third century Roman martyr, Latin Laurentius, "a person from Laurentum", the place name possibly derived from laurus ("laurel") .

Full definition of Laurence

Proper noun

• ~1591 William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene IVRomeo: Bid her devise
  Some means to come to shrift this afternoon;
  And there she shall at Friar Laurence' cell
  Be shriv'd and married.
• 1835 Mary Shelley, Lodore, Wallis&Newell 1835, page 30:"I will do any thing, however impossible, if you will only not call me Mr Hervey. Why am I not Laurence to you - Miss Vivian calls me Laurence - I am Laurence to every one but you - let me hear you call me Laurence," in an earnest manner.

Related terms

• pet forms: Larry, Laurie, Lawrie
• variants: Lars, Loren, Lorenzo

Anagrams

• cerulean