Science Fair Project Dictionary

Science Fair Project Dictionary Index Page

Laurel

Table of contents

1 Etymology

Old English lorel , laurer, lorer , Old French lorier , laurier , French laurier, (assumed) Late Latin Laurarius , from Latin laurus

Lau"rel

laurel

An evergreen shrub, of the genus Laurus (L. nobilis), having aromatic leaves of a lanceolate shape, with clusters of small, yellowish white flowers in their axils ; -- called also sweet bay. The fruit is a purple berry. It is found about the Mediterranean, and was early used by the ancient Greeks to crown the victor in the games of Apollo. At a later period, academic honors were indicated by a crown of laurel, with the fruit. The leaves and tree yield an aromatic oil, used to flavor the bay water of commerce.
Note: The name is extended to other plants which in some respect resemble the true laurel.
Translations
- Bulgarian: лавър m
- Català: llorer m
- Dutch: laurier m
- Finnish: laakeri
- French: laurier m
- Greek: δάφνη (dafni)
- Italian: alloro m
- Spanish: laurel
- Swedish: lager
- Romanian: laur , dafin
A crown of laurel; hence, honor; distinction; fame; -- especially in the plural; as, to win laurels.
Translations
- Català: corona
- Dutch: lauweren pl
- Finnish: laakerikruunu (crown) laakeri (honor)
- Spanish: laureles , corona de laurel
- Swedish: lagerkrans
- Romanian: lauri , coroană de lauri
An English gold coin made in 1619, and so called because the king's head on it was crowned with laurel

Laurel water, water distilled from the fresh leaves of the cherry laurel , and containing prussic acid and other products carried over in the process
American laurel, Mountain laurel, Kalmia latifolia . See under mountain
California laurel, Umbellularia californica
Cherry laurel (in England called laurel). See under cherry
Great laurel, the rosebay (Rhododendron maximum)
Ground laurel, trailing arbutus
New Zealand laurel, formerly referred to Laurelia novae-zelandiae in the family Monimiaceae, now refers to Corynocarpus laevigata in family Corynocarpaceae (different plants or different names?)
Portugal laurel, the Prunus Lusitanica
Rose laurel, the oleander
Sheep laurel, a poisonous shrub, Kalmia angustifolia, smaller than the mountain laurel, and with smaller and redder flowers
Spurge laurel, Daphne Laureola
West Indian laurel, Prunus occidentalis
To rest on one's laurels: To rely on a past success instead of trying to improve oneself further
Translations
- Spanish: dormirse sobre los laureles
- Català: adormir -se sobre els llorers