laurel English · revision 1528

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1300}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈlɒɹ.əl/, /ˈlɔːɹ.əl/ ''(UK)''; /ˈlɔɹ.əl/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|lorel]], a variant by dissimilation of [[m|enm|lorer]], [[m|enm|laurer]],^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(Hoad 1986)^(RHWU) [[bor|fro|lorier]], [[m|fro|laurier|t=bay tree, laurel tree]],^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|fro|lor|t=laurel]],^(MW Collegiate)^(Klein 1966) from [[la|laurus|t=laurel tree, bay]].^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) The second ''r'' changed to ''l'' in late Middle English.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(Weekley 1921) The Middle English form was partly also from [[la-med|laureola]], from Latin ''laureola'' “small laurel branch”.^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate) The Latin word is probably from a Mediterranean language, perhaps the same source as [[grc|δάφνη|tr=dáphnē|t=laurel]].^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(Klein 1966)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The bay tree, ''Laurus nobilis'' (before 1300 in the OED, ''lorrer'' about 1300 and ''laurel'' mid-14th century in Etymonline, ''laureol'' 1373 in Barnhart).^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The leaves of the bay tree were used by the ancient Greeks to crown victors in the Pythian games,^(MW Collegiate)^(MWU 2024) and laurel foliage became an emblem of victory or of distinction in poetry (c. 1386).^(OED 1989) Chaucer writes of one “with laurer crowned as a conquerour”.^(Weekley 1921) A laurel branch or wreath is recorded from 1429,^(OED 1989) and the plural ''laurels'', honour won by achievement, as in ''to win one's laurels'', from 1585.^(OED 1989) The name was later extended to other plants with similar leaves, such as the [[mountain laurel]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD)^(RHWU) and in Australia to various native trees.^(Morris 1898) The verb, to crown with laurel, dates from 1631.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1300 – the bay tree.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1386 – the emblem of victory or distinction.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1429 – a laurel wreath.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1585 – ''laurels'', honours won.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1631 – verb, to crown with laurel.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A Mediterranean evergreen tree, ''Laurus nobilis'', with aromatic leaves and small blackish berries; the [[bay]] tree.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Any of various trees or shrubs with similar leaves or scent, such as the [[mountain laurel]].^(AHD)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A [[wreath]] of laurel given in ancient times as a mark of honour to poets, heroes and victors in athletic contests.^(AHD)^(RHWU)

+ # Honour and [[glory]] won for great achievement, usually as ''laurels''.^(AHD)^(RHWU)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To crown with laurel.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+ # To honour, especially with an award.^(AHD)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[cherry laurel]]

+ * [[laurel oak]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[Laurence]]

+ * [[Laura]]

+ * [[laureate]]

+ * [[Lauretta]]

+ * [[lauraceous]]

+ * [[Lauren]]

+ * [[laurustinus]]

+ * [[Daphne]]

+ * [[bay leaf]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}