laurel

¹

[ lawr-uhl, lor- ]

noun

1. Also called bay, sweet bay. a small European evergreen tree, Laurus nobilis, of the laurel family, having dark, glossy green leaves. Compare laurel family.
2. any tree of the genus Laurus.
3. any of various similar trees or shrubs, as the mountain laurel or the great rhododendron.
4. the foliage of the laurel as an emblem of victory or distinction.
5. a branch or wreath of laurel foliage.
6. Usually laurels. honor won, as for achievement in a field or activity.

   Synonyms: praise, renown, fame, glory

verb (used with object)

, lau·reled, lau·rel·ing or (especially British) lau·relled, lau·rel·ling.

1. to adorn or wreathe with laurel.
2. to honor with marks of distinction.

Laurel

²

[ lawr-uhl, lor- ]

noun

1. Stan Arthur Stanley Jefferson, 1890–1965, U.S. motion-picture actor and comedian, born in England.
2. a city in SE Mississippi.
3. a town in central Maryland.
4. a female given name.

laurel

/ ˈlɒrəl /

noun

1. Also calledbaytrue laurel any lauraceous tree of the genus Laurus , such as the bay tree (see bay4 ) and L. canariensis , of the Canary Islands and Azores
2. any lauraceous plant
3. short for cherry laurel mountain laurel
4. spurge laurel
   a European thymelaeaceous evergreen shrub, Daphne laureola, with glossy leaves and small green flowers
5. spotted laurel or Japan laurel
   an evergreen cornaceous shrub, Aucuba japonica, of S and SE Asia, the female of which has yellow-spotted leaves
6. plural a wreath of true laurel, worn on the head as an emblem of victory or honour in classical times
7. plural honour, distinction, or fame
8. look to one's laurels
   to be on guard against one's rivals
9. rest on one's laurels
   to be satisfied with distinction won by past achievements and cease to strive for further achievements

verb

1. tr to crown with laurels

Other Words From

• un·laureled adjective
• un·laurelled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of laurel¹

1250–1300; dissimilated variant of Middle English laurer, earlier lorer < Anglo-French; Old French lorier bay tree, equivalent to lor bay, laurel (< Latin laurus ) + -ier -ier ²; -er ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of laurel¹

C13 lorer, from Old French lorier laurel tree, ultimately from Latin laurus

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. 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.

2. 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.

More idioms and phrases containing laurel

see look to one's laurels ; rest on one's laurels .

Example Sentences

The first time Laurel Ollstein used a Dorothy Parker short story for a theatrical monologue in college, everyone was impressed.

From Los Angeles Times

She is currently filming “Happy Gilmore 2” in New Jersey, but when she’s home she prefers to spend time outdoors with her kids near Laurel Canyon.

From Los Angeles Times

Forum panelist Laurel Rosenhall, The Times’ California politics editor, asked the candidates what homelessness policy they would support that Newsom has not already tried.

From Los Angeles Times

The image of what Laurel Canyon had been was taken over.

From Los Angeles Times

The candidates will answer questions from Laurel Rosenhall, the California politics editor for The Times; Lisa Matthews, national planning editor at the Associated Press; and Melanie Mason, a senior reporter at Politico.

From Los Angeles Times