Tress \Tress\, n. [OE. tresse, OF. trece, F. tresse, LL. tricia, fr. Gr. tri`cha threefold, because a tress is usually formed by interlacing three pieces; akin to trei^s three. See Three.]

1. A braid, knot, or curl, of hair; a ringlet.

Her yellow hair was braided in a tress. --Chaucer.

Fair tresses man's imperial race insnare. --Pope.

2. Fig.: A knot or festoon, as of flowers. --Keats.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)