Wreath

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɹiːθ/
• Rhymes: -iːθ

Origin

See writhe.

Noun

1. Something twisted, intertwined, or curled.
   a wreath of smoke;  a wreath of clouds
• 1892, James Yoxall, The Lonely Pyramid Chapter 5, The desert storm was riding in its strength; the travellers lay beneath the mastery of the fell simoom. Whirling wreaths and columns of burning wind, rushed around and over them.
2. An ornamental circular band made e.g. of plaited flowers and leaves, and used as decoration; a garland; a chaplet, especially one given to a victor.
• 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, Mr. Pratt's Patients Chapter 12, So, after a spell, he decided to make the best of it and shoved us into the front parlor. 'Twas a dismal sort of place, with hair wreaths, and wax fruit, and tin lambrekins, and land knows what all.
3. (heraldry) An appendage to the shield, placed above it, and supporting the 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 coat of arms.

Full definition of wreath

Verb

1. To place an entwined circle of flowers upon or around something.
2. To wrap around something in a circle.At the funeral, a circle of comrades wreath the grave of the honored deceased.

Anagrams

• rethaw, what're