Lau'rel, n.

(Synop., § 130), n. [O. Eng. laurer, lorer, Fr. laurier, Pr. laurel, laurier, laur, Sp. laurel, lauro, Pg. loureiro, louro, It. lauro, alloro, Lat. laurus.] (Bot.) An evergreen shrub, of the genus Laurus (L. nobilis), having aromatic leaves of a lanceolate shape, with clusters of small, yellowish-white flowers in their axils;—called also sweet-bay. The fruit is purple. It is found about the Mediterranean, and was early used 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.

☞ The American laurel is the Kalmia. See KALMIA. The cherry-laurel is the Cerasus (or Prunus) lauro-cerasus.—Rose-laurel, the Oleander. See OLEANDER.