\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} ({L.
   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.
Note: The name is extended to other plants which in some
      respect resemble the true laurel. See Phrases, below.
2. A crown of laurel; hence, honor; distinction; fame; --
   especially in the plural; as, to win laurels.
3. An English gold coin made in 1619, and so called because
   the king's head on it was crowned with laurel.
{Laurel water}, water distilled from the fresh leaves of the
   cherry laurel, and containing prussic acid and other
   products carried over in the process.
{American laurel}, or {Mountain laurel}, {Kalmia latifolia}.
   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}, {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}.