Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Wreath \Wreath\ (?; 277), n.; pl. {Wreaths}. [OE. wrethe, AS.
   wr[=ae][eth] a twisted band, fr. wr[=i][eth]an to twist. See
   {Writhe}.]
   1. Something twisted, intertwined, or curled; as, a wreath of
      smoke; a wreath of flowers. ``A wrethe of gold.''
      --Chaucer.

            [He] of his tortuous train Curled many a wanton
            wreath.                               --Milton.

   2. A garland; a chaplet, esp. one given to a victor.

            Conquest doth grant He dear wreath to the Grecian
            combatant.                            --Chapman.

            Far back in the ages, The plow with wreaths was
            crowned.                              --Bryant.

   3. (Her.) An appendage to the shield, placed above it, and
      supporting the crest (see Illust. of {Crest}). It
      generally represents a twist of two cords of silk, one
      tinctured like the principal metal, the other like the
      principal color in the arms.