wreath

[ reeth ]
/ riθ /

noun, plural wreaths [reeth z, reeths] /riðz, riθs/.

a circular band of flowers, foliage, or any ornamental work, for adorning the head or for any decorative purpose; a garland or chaplet.
any ringlike, curving, or curling mass or formation: a wreath of clouds.
(in stair building)
  1. a curved section of a handrail.
  2. Also called wreath·piece. a curved section of a string.

verb (used with or without object)

to wreathe.

Origin of wreath

before 1000; Middle English wrethe, Old English writha something wound or coiled; akin to writhe

OTHER WORDS FROM wreath

wreath·like, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH wreath

wraith wreath wreathe writhe

Example sentences from the Web for wreath

British Dictionary definitions for wreath

wreath
/ (riːθ) /

noun plural wreaths (riːðz, riːθs)

a band of flowers or foliage intertwined into a ring, usually placed on a grave as a memorial or worn on the head as a garland or a mark of honour
any circular or spiral band or formation
a spiral or circular defect appearing in porcelain and glassware

Derived forms of wreath

wreathless, adjective wreathlike, adjective

Word Origin for wreath

Old English wrǣth, wrǣd; related to Middle Low German wrēden to twist. See writhe