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. 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 ]

☞ 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 Novæ Zelandiæ. --
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 ]

a. Crowned with laurel, or with a laurel wreath; laureate. [ Written also laurelled. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. An honor or honors conferred for some notable achievement. [ PJC ]

to rest on one's laurels [ fig. ] to be content with one's past achievements and not strive to continue to excel; as, he didn't rest on his laurels after receiving the Nobel Prize, but went on to made even more significant discoveries. [ PJC ]

n. A small tree (Persea borbonia) of the Southern U. S. having dark red heartwood.
Syn. -- red bay, Persea borbonia. [ WordNet 1.5 ]