California laurel

California laurel
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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  • California laurel — ☆ California laurel n. a Pacific coast shrub or tree (Umbellularia californica) of the laurel family, having aromatic evergreen leaves and hard wood; Oregon myrtle: a source of bay leaves …   English World dictionary

  • California laurel — noun Pacific coast tree having aromatic foliage and small umbellate flowers followed by olivelike fruit; yields a hard tough wood • Syn: ↑California bay tree, ↑Oregon myrtle, ↑pepperwood, ↑spice tree, ↑sassafras laurel, ↑California olive,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • California-laurel — kaliforninė skėtva statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Lauramedinių dekoratyvinis, medieninis, vaistinis augalas (Umbellularia californica), paplitęs Šiaurės Amerikoje. atitikmenys: lot. Umbellularia californica angl. California bay; California …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • California laurel — 1. Also called bay tree. a tree, Umbellularia californica, of the laurel family, native to the western coast of the U.S., having aromatic leaves and umbels of yellowish green flowers. 2. the hard, golden brown wood of this tree, used for making… …   Universalium

  • California laurel — noun A tree native to the coastal forests of western North America. Syn: Oregon myrtle, California Bay laurel, pepperwood …   Wiktionary

  • California laurel — noun Date: 1868 an evergreen Pacific coast tree (Umbellularia californica) of the laurel family with small umbellate flowers …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • California laurel — Cal′ifor′nia lau′rel n. pln a tree, Umbellularia californica, of the laurel family, native to the W coast of the U.S., having aromatic leaves, umbels of yellowish green flowers, and hard wood • Etymology: 1870–75, amer …   From formal English to slang

  • Laurel — may refer to:BotanyLauraceae, the botanical laurel family, including: *Azores laurel (Laurus azorica) *Bay Laurel ( Laurus nobilis ), the original true laurel that is the source of bay leaves used as a food flavouring. *California Laurel (… …   Wikipedia

  • Laurel, California — is a ghost town in the Santa Cruz Mountains, located in Santa Cruz County. The exact location of Laurel is latitude 370700N, longitude 1215755W; the decimal degrees are latitude 37.11667, longitude 121.96528. It is in a valley at an elevation of… …   Wikipedia

  • 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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