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See writhe.

A Christmas wreath.
The coat of arms of Lech Wałęsa, President of Poland from 1990 to 1995. A wreath, or torse, in argent (silver) and gules (red) lies between the top of the helmet and the eagle crest.



wreath (plural wreaths)

  1. Something twisted, intertwined, or curled.
    a wreath of smoke;  a wreath of clouds
      The desert storm was riding in its strength; the travellers lay beneath the mastery of the fell simoom. Whirling wreaths and columns of burning wind, rushed around and over them.
  2. An ornamental circular band made, for example, of plaited flowers and leaves, and used as decoration; a garland or chaplet, especially one given to a victor.
    • 1913, Joseph Crosby Lincoln, chapter 12, in Mr. Pratt's Patients, New York, N.Y.: A. L. Burt, OCLC 2412914:
  3. (heraldry) An appendage to the shield, placed above it, and supporting the crest; an orle, a torse. It generally represents a twist of two cords of silk, one tinctured like the principal metal, the other like the principal color in the coat of arms.





  1. To place an entwined circle of flowers upon or around something.
    • 1958, The Greek Anthology, p. 349:
      Old Nico wreathed the tomb of maiden Melitê.
  2. (transitive) To wrap around something in a circle.
    At the funeral, a circle of comrades wreathed the grave of the honored deceased.
    • 1816, Lord Byron, “Stanzas for Music,” 4,[1]
      ’Tis but as ivy-leaves around the ruined turret wreath

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