wreathe, v.
(riːð)
Also 6–7 wreth(e, 6–9 wreath, 7 wreeth, wreith, 9 Sc. wraithe.
[Early mod.Eng. wrethe, partly a back-formation from wrethen (see wreathen ppl. a.), pa. pple. of writhe v.1, and partly f. wreath n. Senses 6–7 clearly show the influence of writhe v.]
I. 1. trans. To twist or coil (something); to form or fashion into a coil or coils. Occas. in fig. context. Also with about, up.
| 1535 Trevisa's Barth. De P.R. v. xii, These hooles bene wrethed and wounde as a spyndle of a presse. 1555 Eden Decades (Arb.) 327 Longe heare which they wreath on both sydes theyr eares. 1592 Shakes. Ven. & Ad. 879 An adder Wreathed up in fatal folds. 1617 Moryson Itin. i. 246 These parts yeeld sheepe, whereof the taile of one wreathed to the ground, doth [etc.]. 1667 Milton P.L. iv. 346 Th' unwieldy Elephant..us'd all his might, and wreathd His Lithe Proboscis. 1668 Culpepper & Cole Barthol. Anat. i. x. 22 The Guts are oblong, round, hollow bodies variously wreathed about. 1738 Thomson Agamemnon i. vii. 26 Troy..yet wreathing smoke to heaven. 1750 Gray Elegy 102 Yonder nodding beech That wreathes its old fantastic roots so high. 1810 Scott Lady of L. v. xviii, Fitz-James..wreath'd his left hand in the mane. 1818 Keats Endym. i. 6 Therefore..we are wreathing A flowery band to bind us to the earth. 1826 Sherer Notes & Refl. Ramble Germany 126 A large hollow spire of open stone-work, wreathed and twisted as fancifully as an elegant toy might be. 1835 I. Taylor Spir. Despot. vi. 246 The chain of spiritual despotism had been beaten and wreathed upon the anvil..of the..afflicted Church. |
| refl. 1603 G. Owen Pembrokeshire (1892) 68 To ymagine that the coale should wreth or turne it self in some place to the one [vein]. 1660 Boyle New Exp. Phys. Mech. Digress. 379 The Beards of wilde Oats..continually wreath and unwreath themselves according to..the temperature of the ambient Air. 1753 Adventurer No. 31 ¶10 Wreathing themselves in various contortions, a new brood of serpents hissed round her head. 1758 Phil. Trans. L. 585 Like the slugs, they wreath themselves up, and when touched make themselves quite round. a 1853 Robertson Lect. i. (1858) 20 The clouds wreathing themselves in that strange wild way. |
b. To wind or turn (some flexile object) about or over something; to form or adjust as a wreath or encircling coil. Freq. with
round or
about. Also
transf.| 1530 Palsgr. 785/1 He had a kercher wreathed about his heed. 1583 tr. Maison Neuve's Gerileon i. 80 b, [This] dismeasured Crocodile..wreathyng his Tayle..all aboute his [sc. a horse's] Feete afore. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. iv. xii. 125 They..weare on their heads a cloth wreathed. 1603 B. Jonson Sejanus v. K 4 b, A new Head being set vpon your Statue, A Rope is since found wreath'd about it. 1622 Peacham Compl. Gentl. v. 42 A Serpent wreathed about a Sword, placed vpright. 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. i. 30 Round that, they wreath a white or red Turban. 1777 Potter æschylus 11 Ye waves That o'er th' interminable ocean wreath Your crisped smiles. a 1814 Wordsw. Excurs. viii. 352 An ill-adjusted turban..wreathed around their sunburnt brows. 1845 J. C. Mangan German Anthol. II. 62 The white flowers wreathed Around my temples by thy whiter hand. 1877 Tennyson Achilles over the T. 5 Around his head The glorious goddess wreath'd a golden cloud. |
| refl. 1600 Shakes. A.Y.L. iv. iii. 109 About his necke A greene and guilded snake had wreath'd it selfe. 1631 R. Brathwait Eng. Gentlewoman 122 The Iuye windes and wreathes it selfe about the Plant. 1866 Bryce Holy Rom. Emp. v. 83 The gorgeous drapery of romance gradually wreathed itself round his name. |
c. Sc. To fasten or secure (a yoke) upon a draught-animal. Only in
fig. context.
Perhaps partly by influence of
Lam. i. 14 (see 3 b.
fig.).
| 1650 J. Nicoll Diary (Bann. Cl.) 17 These men..labour to wreith the yok of thair oppressiounes upon thair bodyes and soules. a 1732 T. Boston Crook in Lot (1805) 46 A yoke, which the wretched sufferers can neither bear, nor yet shake off, is wreathed about their necks. 1759 Robertson Hist. Scot. ii. (1817) I. 399 Troops..employed as instruments for subduing the Scots, and wreathing the yoke about their neck. 1777 Watson Philip II, I. 92 Till, the yoke being wreathed about their necks, the most secret murmurings became..fatal to those who uttered them. 1827 Pollok Course T. vii. 509 Not those who..sailed To purchase human flesh, or wreath the yoke Of vassalage on savage liberty. |
| transf. 1852 J. Jarvie Disc. 108 The burden of man's guilt is wreathed to the neck of the Only Begotten. |
2. To surround or invest with or as with something twisted or turned; to enwreathe. Also with
advs., as
about,
in.
| 1558 in Feuillerat Revels Q. Eliz. (1908) 41, vj Corled hed Sculles..wrethen abowte with redd golde sarsnett and sylver Lawne. 1631 T. Heywood 2nd Pt. Fair Maid of West i. B j b, I for this Will wreathe thee in a glorious arch of gold, stuck full of Indian gemmes. 1671 Milton P.R. iv. 76 Dusk faces with white silken Turbants wreath'd. 1769 Sir W. Jones Palace Fortune Poems (1777) 7 With stings of asps the leafless plants were wreath'd. 1832 Scott Betrothed Note D, Three hundred of the British, who fell there, had their necks wreathed with the Eudorchawg. 1833 Wordsw. In Frith of Clyde 4 Ne'er did morn..more gracefully..wreathe with mist his [sc. a crag's] forehead high. 1854 F. W. Mant Midshipman 90 Like some huge baronial castle wreathed in with smoke. 1879 S. C. Bartlett Egypt to Pal. i. 18 Wreathed with fresh Sculpturings of forgotten warfare. |
| fig. 1842 J. Wilson Chr. North (1857) I. 243 Contentment wreathes with silk and velvet the prisoner's chains. |
b. To encircle or surround with a wreath or garland; to bedeck or adorn with or as with a wreath; to garland.
| 1634 Milton Comus 55 This Nymph..gaz'd upon his clustring locks, With Ivy berries wreath'd. 1678 Dryden All for Love i. 5 With Laurels wreath your posts, And strow with Flow'rs the Pavement. 1702 Pope Sappho 25 Would you with ivy wreath your flowing hair. 1796 Coleridge To a beautiful Spring 6 With one fresh garland of Pierian flowers..My languid hand shall wreath thy mossy urn. 1810 Scott Lady of L. ii. xxi, To wreathe a victor's brow. 1848 Lytton Harold i. i, Doors and windows were..wreathed with garlands. 1887 Bowen æneid v. 73 Then with the myrtle of Venus the chieftain wreathes him. |
c. Of flowers, etc.: To encompass or enclose (an object) as or after the manner of a wreath; to form a wreath about (something).
| 1718 Prior Solomon ii. 140 In the Flow'rs that wreath the sparkling Bowl, Fell Adders hiss. 1796 Coleridge On Autumnal Evening 10 Each flower that wreath'd the dewy locks of Spring. 1908 Westm. Gaz. 10 Dec. 2/3 Flowers of heaven!..wreathing The God-centred vision of all coming years! |
3. To unite (two or more things) by twining or twisting together; to entwine, intertwine; also, to fold (the arms).
| 1553 Brende Q. Curtius 13 A rope folded and knit with many knots, one so wrethed within an othir, that [etc.]. 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. ii. 61 You shall wynde and wreathe the greene blades [of the garlic] togeather, and treade them to the grounde. 1591 Shakes. Two Gent. ii. i. 19 You haue learn'd..to wreath your Armes like a Male-content. 1596 L. Mascall Cattle 275 To ring hogges.., some put a red paste wyar vnder the skinne of his snout,..then wreath it altogether. 1602 Marston Ant. & Mel. iv. Wks. 1856 I. 53 Enter Andrugio and Antonio wreathed together. 1808 Wordsw. White Doe 1724 If she too passionately wreathed Her arms. 1817 Shelley Rev. Islam i. viii, I behold..An Eagle and a Serpent wreathed in fight. 1847 Madden Laȝamon III. 31 Twelve swine, tied together, with withies exceeding great wreathed altogether. |
b. To combine (several things into one structure) by interweaving; to twine together; to form or make by intertwining.
| a 1547 Surrey Par. Eccl. iv. 34 Cables brayded thre fould.., to gether wrethed swer [= sure]. 1579 E. K. Gloss. to Spenser's Sheph. Cal. Dec. 81 A kind of woodde..fit to wreath and bynde in leapes to catch fish withall. 1604 E. G[rimstone] D'Acosta's Hist. Indies v. xxix. 420 A great cord wreathed of chaines of roasted mays. 1767 Gray Death of Hoel 15 Chains..Wreath'd in many a golden link. 1788 Cowper Gratitude 7 She gave..me beside, Wreath'd into an elegant bow, The ribbon. 1811 T. Davis Agric. Wilts 263 Hurdles..made of hazel rods closely wreathed. 1844 W. Barnes Poems Rural Life 289 Bliake, a bar of wood..with holes to take the soles of a hurdle while the maker wreaths it. |
| refl. 1555 Eden Decades (Arb.) 225 The leaues of this Cocus..wreathynge them selues one within an other. |
| fig. 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. lxxvi. §8 When..heauenly and earthly happines are wreathed in one crowne. 1611 Bible Lam. i. 14 The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, and come vp vpon my necke. a 1716 South Serm. (J.), In such base noisome hearts you shall ever see pride and ingratitude indivisibly wreathed and twisted together. |
† c. local. To support, maintain, or hold up (a bank, etc.) by or as by wattled work.
Obs.| 1569 Surrey & Kent Sewers Comm. (L.C.C., 1909) 34 That he stake wreth & lande vppe so mutche earth as neade ys. 1572 Ibid. 120 To stake walle or wreath his banke against the riuer of thames. 1576 Ibid. 252 To scale watle and wretche [sic] the outer side of the saied shewer. |
4. To arrange or dispose flowers, etc., as (a wreath); in later use
esp. to adjust or fashion (flowers, etc.) into a garland or chaplet.
| 1595 Locrine ii. vi. 14 A flowring garland wreath'd of bay. 1667 Milton P.L. ix. 892 From his slack hand the Garland wreath'd for Eve Down drop'd. 1828 Lady's Mag. Aug. 446/1 A very beautiful chintz, with flowers, delicately wreathed..on a striped ground of yellow muslin. 1849 Ruskin Sev. Lamps iv. §2 His next step was to gather the flowers themselves, and wreathe them in his capitals. 1892 Tennyson Akbar's Dream 23 Gathering..From each fair plant the blossom choicest-grown To wreathe a crown..for the king. |
† 5. To make (a bow) by a supple bending of the body.
Obs. rare—1.
| 1730 Thomson Autumn 1197 Let..those of fairer front..Wreathe the deep bow, diffuse the lying smile. |
II. † 6. To strain or turn forcibly round or to a side; to wring, wrench, or wrest.
Obs.| 1590 Spenser F.Q. ii. i. 56 Sir Guyon..from so heauie sight his head did wreath. 1592 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. (1595) 23 Statelie trees (some tops wherof the wind seemeth to wreath and turne at one side). 1606 Holland Sueton. 25 By wreathing their [sc. fugitives] throats he turned them againe vpon the enemies. 1617 Purchas Pilgrimage (ed. 3) 139 They killed a man which was a first-borne, wreathing his head from his body. 1662 Evelyn Chalcogr. ii. (1906) 15 To wreath, rub, slap and smooth them [sc. blankets] till you have rendred them very soft and gentle. 1674 Hooke Animadv. 52 This Plate..must be wrenched or wreithed, so that the Plain thereof must stand parallel to the Plain of the Index-Frame. 1712–4 Pope Rape Lock iv. 100 Was it for this you..your locks..with tort'ring irons wreath'd around? 1737 Whiston Josephus, Antiq. ii. ix. §7 Moses threw it [sc. a diadem] down to the ground, and..wreathed it round, and trod upon it. |
| fig. 1580 Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 344 To wrest the will of man, or to wreath his heart to our humours. |
† b. fig. To extend unduly the application or meaning of (a writer or writing); to ‘wrest’, stretch, strain.
Obs. rare.
| 1566 Stapylton Ret. Untr. Jewel iv. 62 b, To wreste and wrethe Scriptures at his pleasure. 1583 Foxe A. & M. (ed. 4) II. 1820 It is shame for you to wrast and wreath the Doctors as you do. 1656 J. Hammond Leah & R. (1844) 23 They were resolved to wreth and stretch their commission to the prejudice of Mary-land. |
† c. refl. To worm (oneself)
in; to insinuate.
| a 1571 Jewel On 2 Thess. ii. 1, 2 [Antichrist] shall shew forth himself at the first with countenance of deuotion and holinesse, that hee may..secretly wreath in himselfe. |
d. To twist, turn, or contort (the body, limbs, etc.); to writhe.
| 1642 Milton Apol. Smect. Wks. (1697) 334 When in the Colleges..young Divines..have been seen so oft upon the Stage wreething and unboning their Clergy-limbs. 1695 Blackmore Pr. Arth. viii. 171 Octa his wounded Body wreaths in Pain. 1697 R. Pierce Bath. Mem. ii. v. 318 He was suddenly seized with a violent Convulsion Fit, which wreathed him every way. 1711 Gay Rural Sports i. 236 Impatient of the wound, He rolls and wreaths his shining body round. 1787 Minor iii. ix. 187 My mother..wreathed her body,..and cried. 1817 Shelley Rev. Islam xi. xi, Even in death their lips are wreathed with fear. 1855 Mrs. Gaskell North & S. ix, Margaret wreathed her throat in a scornful curve. |
e. To alter (the features, etc.)
in,
into, or
to a smile, etc. (
Cf. wreathed ppl. a. 1 c.)
| 1813 Scott Rokeby i. xxiii, Contempt kept Bertram's anger down, And wreathed to savage smile his frown. 1865 Kingsley Herew. xvi, Gilbert..walked up to the pair, his weather-beaten countenance wreathed into..paternal smiles. 1877 A. B. Edwards Up Nile x. 286 [They] wreathed their countenances in ghastly smiles. |
| refl. 1868 M. E. Braddon Dead Sea Fr. i, The mobile mouth..will wreathe itself into such a smile that [etc.]. |
† 7. a. To take (something) by force; to wrest or seize.
Obs. rare.
| 1590 C. S. Right Relig. 11 To wreath from Princes their crownes is more impossible. Ibid. 15 Authoritie to wreath from kinges their crownes. |
† b. To rend or tear.
Obs.| 1598 Hakluyt Voy. II. i. 104 If it should happen to haue lighted on any part of the shippe,..it would rent and wreth sayles, mast, shroudes and shippe and all in manner like a wyth. 1606 N. B[axter] Sydney's Ourania E j, The stemme of an Oke in peeces they wreath. 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts 487 Lyons..doe not onely bite, but also wreath and teare the wounds. |
III. intr. 8. To undergo writhing, twisting, or deviation; to diverge or swerve; to bend, turn, or coil. Also with
round.
| 1584 R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. xii. vii. 225 From their course the starres doo wreath, And soules she coniure can. 1599 T. Cutwode Caltha Poet. (Roxb.) xxxi, The Bay tree..seems to sigh..And with the wanton wind to wrig & wreath, against the god. 1603 G. Owen Pembrokeshire (1892) 64 Sometymes the same [vein of limestone] is found to wreath to the northe and southe. c 1611 Chapman Iliad vii. 236 Aiax a farre greater stone lift up, and, wreathing round, With all his body layd to it, he sent it forth. 1821 Clare Vill. Minstr. II. 190 Downy bents, that to the air did wreathe. 1878 Susan Phillips On Seaboard 60 Where..the lithe brown sea-flowers wreathe and sway. |
| fig. 1849 C. Brontë Shirley III. 151 Beauty is never so beautiful as when, if I teaze it, it wreathes back on me with spirit. 1850 Tennyson In Mem. xlix, The lightest wave of thought shall lisp, The fancy's tenderest eddy wreathe. |
† b. To become involved or intertwined.
Obs.| 1631 R. Brathwait Eng. Gentlew. Table † 2, The Iuie while it is winding, decayes the plant, with which it is wreathing. |
9. To assume the form of, circle in the manner of, a wreath. Also
fig.| 1776 J. Barclay Par. Psalms 88 The flames of fire shall round him wreathe. 1814 Byron To Belshazzar ii, Go! dash the roses from thy brow—Gray hairs but poorly wreathe with them. 1853 Kane Grinnell Exp. (1856) 444 A strange, palpable obscurity, wreathing up in long strata to the northward. 1867 Morris Jason vii. 395 Real fire of pinewood..Wreathing around my body greedily. 1875 Stedman Vict. Poets iii. (1887) 81 The weary penman who could send a smile wreathing from Land's End to John o' Groats. |
b. Sc. To form into, assume the shape of, a snowdrift or snow-wreath.
| 1861 R. Quinn Heather Lintie (1863) 43 We'd na be rad o' scath fra wather, Though snaw was wreathin'. 1887 Suppl. Jamieson 280/1 The snaw was wraithin' in the glen. |
10. Of flour or meal, in milling: To hug the eye of the millstone so closely as to hinder its descent.