Wreathe

v. 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 sb. 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 beare which they wreath on both sydes theyr eares.

1592.  Shaks., 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 … are we 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.  trans. 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, trans. 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, trans. 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.

1877.  Tennyson, Achilles over the T., 5. Around his head The glorious goddess wreath’d a golden cloud.

  refl.  1600.  Shaks., A. Y. L., IV. iii. 109. About his necke A greene and guilded snake had wreath’d it selfe.

1631.  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, 2 nd 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.

  6.  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.  Shaks., Two Gent., II. i. 19. You haue learn’d … to wreath your Armes like a Male-content.

1596.  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, 12 Serm. (1727), I. 444 (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 Sewerws Comm. (L.C.C., 1909), 34. That he stake wreth & lande vppe so mutche earth as neade ys. Ibid. (1572), 120. To stake walle or wreath his banke against the riuer of thames. Ibid. (1576), 252. To scale watle and wretche [sic] the outer side of the said 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.  Stapleton, 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. agst. 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. Peirce, 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.  Miss A. B. Edwards, Up Nile, x. 286. [They] wreathed their countenances in ghastly smiles.

  refl.  1868.  Miss Braddon, Dead-Sea Fruit, 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 … doo 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.

  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.  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 pine-wood … 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.

1891.  Cent. Dict., s.v.