laurel
pronunciation
How to pronounce laurel in British English:
UK [ˈlɒrəl]
How to pronounce laurel in American English:
US [ˈlɔːrəl]
-
- Noun:
- any of various aromatic trees of the laurel family
Word Origin
- laurel (n.)
- c. 1300, lorrer, from Old French laurier (12c.), from Latin laurus "laurel tree," probably related to Greek daphne "laurel" (for change of d- to l- see lachrymose), probably from a pre-IE Mediterranean language. The change of second -r- to -l- after mid-14c. is by dissimilation. An emblem of victory or of distinction, hence the phrase to rest (originally repose) on one's laurels, first attested 1831.
Example
- 1. He has obtained the laurel of the best actor of oscar for the behavior in this film .
- 2. Reserve another laurel for edward o. wilson , the pellegrino university professor emeritus at harvard , serial pulitzer winner , and prominent intellectual : online celebrity .
- 3. Even though the objects of roosevelt 's scorn wore his opprobrium as a laurel wreath , proudly calling themselves " muckrakers , " the president had made a serious , lasting point .
- 4. The common denominator is the abundant use of vegetables , olive oil and typical spices of the provence , such as rosemary , thyme , basil , oregano , bay leaf ( laurel ) , marjoram and sariette ( summer savory ) .
- 5. Why did julius caesar wear a laurel wreath ?