sweet bay

sweet bay
Laurel Lau"rel, n. [OE. lorel, laurer, lorer, OF. lorier, laurier, F. laurier, (assumed) LL. Laurarius, fr. L. laurus.] 1. (Bot.) An evergreen shrub, of the genus {Laurus} ({Laurus nobilis}), having aromatic leaves of a lanceolate shape, with clusters of small, yellowish white flowers in their axils; -- called also {sweet bay}.

Note: 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. [1913 Webster]

Note: The name is extended to other plants which in some respect resemble the true laurel. See Phrases, below. [1913 Webster]

2. A crown of laurel; hence, honor; distinction; fame; -- especially in the plural; as, to win laurels. [1913 Webster]

3. An English gold coin made in 1619, and so called because the king's head on it was crowned with laurel. [1913 Webster]

{Laurel water}, water distilled from the fresh leaves of the cherry laurel, and containing prussic acid and other products carried over in the process. [1913 Webster]

{American laurel}, or {Mountain laurel}, {Kalmia latifolia}; called also {calico bush}. 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}, the {Laurelia Nov[ae] Zelandi[ae]}.

{Portugal laurel}, the {Prunus Lusitanica}.

{Rose laurel}, the oleander. See {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}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Sweet bay — Sweet Sweet, a. [Compar. {Sweeter}; superl. {Sweetest}.] [OE. swete, swote, sote, AS. sw[=e]te; akin to OFries. sw[=e]te, OS. sw[=o]ti, D. zoet, G. s[ u]ss, OHG. suozi, Icel. s[ae]tr, s[oe]tr, Sw. s[ o]t, Dan. s[ o]d, Goth. suts, L. suavis, for… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sweet bay — sweet′ bay′ n. 1) pln laurel 1) 2) pln a North American magnolia, Magnolia virginiana, of the Atlantic coast, having large, fragrant, white flowers • Etymology: 1710–20 …   From formal English to slang

  • sweet bay — n. 1. LAUREL (n. 1) ☆ 2. a North American magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) with fragrant, white flowers, common along the coast from Maine to Texas …   English World dictionary

  • sweet bay — virgininė magnolija statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Magnolijinių šeimos dekoratyvinis, medieninis, vaistinis augalas (Magnolia virginiana), paplitęs Šiaurės Amerikoje. atitikmenys: lot. Magnolia virginiana angl. laurel magnolia; swamp bay;… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • sweet bay — kilnusis lauramedis statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Lauramedinių šeimos dekoratyvinis, prieskoninis, vaistinis augalas (Laurus nobilis), paplitęs pietvakarių Azijoje, šiaurės Afrikoje ir pietų Europoje. Iš jo gaminami maisto priedai… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • sweet bay — /swit ˈbeɪ/ (say sweet bay) noun → laurel (def. 1). Also, bay …  

  • sweet bay — Swamp Swamp, n. [Cf. AS. swam a fungus, OD. swam a sponge, D. zwam a fungus, G. schwamm a sponge, Icel. sv[ o]ppr, Dan. & Sw. swamp, Goth. swamms, Gr. somfo s porous, spongy.] Wet, spongy land; soft, low ground saturated with water, but not… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sweet-bay — n. 1. Laurel, sweet wood (Laurus nobilis). 2. Swamp sassafras (Magnolia glauca) …   New dictionary of synonyms

  • sweet bay — noun shrub or small tree having rather small fragrant white flowers; abundant in southeastern United States • Syn: ↑swamp bay, ↑swamp laurel, ↑Magnolia virginiana • Hypernyms: ↑magnolia …   Useful english dictionary

  • sweet bay — noun Date: 1716 1. laurel 1 2. a magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) of the eastern United States that has fragrant white flowers and leaves with glaucous undersides …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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