wreath

Everyday

1. A wreath is a ring of flowers, leaves or branches, used as a decoration or to remember someone who has died. tree →
2. A wreath of smoke or mist is a ring or curl of it. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, people hang a holly wreath on the door at Christmas; wreaths of flowers are laid at funerals and on remembrance days for soldiers (poppy wreaths). In history, winners in ancient games wore laurel wreaths. Phrases: a Christmas wreath, lay a wreath, a laurel wreath, a poppy wreath.

Examples

• We hung a holly wreath on our front door. tree →
• The children laid a poppy wreath at the memorial. tree →
• The winner wore a wreath of laurel leaves. tree →
• Mum made a wreath of autumn leaves. tree →
• A wreath of smoke curled above the chimney. tree →
• They sent a wreath of white lilies to the funeral. tree →
• The head is frequently encircled with a wreath of oak-leaves. tree →

Note

Plural: wreaths. The noun «wreath» ends with the «th» in «think»; the verb «wreathe» ends with the «th» in «this» and has an e. Do not mix up with «wrath» (great anger) or «breath».

In Jewish tradition

In the Temple furnishings it means a carved or twisted ornament in metal, not flowers.

Interpretation. The wreaths belonged to Solomon's Temple and show the beauty and care that went into God's house.

Examples

• And on the plates of the stays thereof, and on the borders thereof, he graved cherubim, lions, and palm-trees, according to the space of each, with wreaths round about. (Prophets 1KI.7.36, JPS 1917) tree →
• He also made nets of checker-work, and wreaths of chain-work, for the capitals which were upon the top of the pillars: seven for the one capital, and seven for the other capital. (Prophets 1KI.7.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• And every base had four brazen wheels, and axles of brass; and the four feet thereof had undersetters; beneath the laver were the undersetters molten, with wreaths at the side of each. (Prophets 1KI.7.30, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Plural: wreaths. The noun «wreath» ends with the «th» in «think»; the verb «wreathe» ends with the «th» in «this» and has an e. Do not mix up with «wrath» (great anger) or «breath».