Wiktionary
n. A wreath worn on the head as a symbol of victory.
WordNet
n. an award for winning a championship or commemorating some other event [syn: decoration, medal, medallion, palm, ribbon]
(antiquity) wreath of laurel foliage worn on the head as an emblem of victory [syn: laurels, bay wreath]
Wikipedia
A laurel wreath is a circular wreath made of interlocking branches and leaves of the bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), an aromatic broadleaf evergreen, or later from spineless butcher's broom ( Ruscus hypoglossum) or cherry laurel ( Prunus laurocerasus). In Greek mythology, Apollo is represented wearing a laurel wreath on his head. In ancient Greece wreaths were awarded to victors, both in athletic competitions, including the ancient Olympics made of wild olive-tree known as " kotinos" (κότινος), (sc. at Olympia) and in poetic meets; in Rome they were symbols of martial victory, crowning a successful commander during his triumph. Whereas ancient laurel wreaths are most often depicted as a horseshoe shape, modern versions are usually complete rings.
In common modern idiomatic usage it refers to a victory. The expression "resting on one's laurels" refers to someone relying entirely on long-past successes for continued fame or recognition, where to "look to one's laurels" means to be careful of losing rank to competition.
Usage examples of "laurel wreath".
Sharpe reached up to take the laurel wreath from his black hair, but the Goddess of Victory snatched his hand and held it.
She stepped closer to me, crossing the small chamber in two steps and readjusted the laurel wreath on my head.
For Caesar to put on this particular laurel wreath was tantamount to claiming the position of king.
The king of Rheged made some sort of speech, which Stirling couldn't hear, then Thaney laid an honest-to-god laurel wreath on the winner's head.
Zeb gave the circle a closer look and decided that it was fashioned like a laurel wreath, too large for any man's head, but with leaves all of shining gold.
You know, if you tell me he's wearing a plastic laurel wreath, I'll vomit, if you'll pardon the vulgarity.
He even had the statue taken from the church, hung with fading narcissi and crowned with a laurel wreath, and then carried about the village boundary to show the saint the precise extent of the lands needing his guardianship.