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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Wreathe \Wreathe\, v. t. [imp. Wreathed; p. p. Wreathed; Archaic Wreathen; p. pr. & vb. n. Wreathing.]

[See Wreath, n.]

[Written also wreath.]

1. To cause to revolve or writhe; to twist about; to turn. [Obs.]

And from so heavy sight his head did wreathe. --Spenser.

2. To twist; to convolve; to wind one about another; to entwine.

The nods and smiles of recognition into which this singular physiognomy was wreathed. --Sir W. Scott.

From his slack hand the garland wreathed for Eve Down dropped. --Milton.

3. To surround with anything twisted or convolved; to encircle; to infold.

Each wreathed in the other's arms. --Shak.

Dusk faces with withe silken turbants wreathed. --Milton.

And with thy winding ivy wreathes her lance. --Dryden.

4. To twine or twist about; to surround; to encircle.

In the flowers that wreathe the sparkling bowl, Fell adders hiss. --Prior.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)