wreathe

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to surround, cover, or encircle something in a ring or curling mass

   Morning mist began to wreathe the mountain peak.

2. 2
   verb

   to decorate something with a wreath or garland

   Villagers wreathe the memorial with flowers each spring.

3. 3
   verb

   to twist or form material into a wreath or interlaced shape

   The artisan will wreathe the willow stems into a circular frame.

From Middle English wrethen 'to twist,' related to the older verb writhe and to the noun wreath. The family goes back to Old English writhan 'to twist, bind, or wrap,' from a Germanic root referring to twisting and weaving.

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