wreathe

Verb

Verb Forms: wreathed, wreathen, wreathing, wreathes

To form into a wreath or to encircle something.
move with slow, sinuous movements
decorate or deck with wreaths
- "wreathe the grave site"
form into a wreath
Senses relating to intertwining or twisting.
To coil, curl, or twist (something); to shape (something) into circles or coils.
Senses relating to intertwining or twisting.
To adorn (someone or something) with a garland or wreath.
Senses relating to intertwining or twisting.
Of flowers, leaves, etc.: to form the shape of a wreath around (something).
Senses relating to intertwining or twisting.
Often followed by in and the thing encircling: to coil or spiral around, or encircle, (someone or something); (by extension) to cover or envelop (someone or something).
Senses relating to intertwining or twisting.
Followed by about, around, or round: to coil, twist, or wind (oneself or something) around a person or thing; (by extension) to cause (oneself or something) to cover or encircle a person or thing.
Senses relating to intertwining or twisting.
Often followed by together: to entwine or twist (two or more people or things) together; to intertwine, to interweave.
Senses relating to intertwining or twisting.
To form (a crown, garland, wreath, etc.) by entwining or twisting flowers, leaves, etc., together; also, to entwine or twist (flowers, leaves, etc.) together to form a crown, garland, wreath, etc.
Senses relating to intertwining or twisting.
To strengthen (an earthen embankment) with hurdles of wattle.
Senses relating to intertwining or twisting.
To form (something) by entwining or twisting two or more things together; also, to entwine or twist (something) with another thing.
Senses relating to intertwining or twisting.
Followed by on: to place (a yoke, symbolizing a burden) on someone's neck.
Senses relating to intertwining or twisting.
Followed by about, around, or round: to coil, twist, or wind around a person or thing.
Senses relating to intertwining or twisting.
Of mist, smoke, etc.: to move with a coiling, spiralling, or twisting motion.
Senses relating to intertwining or twisting.
Followed by with: to become intertwined with something.
Senses relating to intertwining or twisting.
Of snow: to form drifts.
Senses relating to vigorous movement.
To arrange (one's expression, face, etc.) into a smile; also (reflexive), of the lips, mouth, etc.: to arrange (itself or themselves) into a smile.
Senses relating to vigorous movement.
To bend or turn (oneself), often continuously; to twist and turn, to writhe.
Senses relating to vigorous movement.
To artfully introduce (oneself) into a situation, a person's thoughts, etc.; to insinuate.
Senses relating to vigorous movement.
To cause (the body, limbs, etc.) to twist violently; to contort, to writhe.
Senses relating to vigorous movement.
To rip or tear (something); to rend.
Senses relating to vigorous movement.
To turn (something) violently around or aside; to wrench, to wring.
Senses relating to vigorous movement.
Followed by from: to take (something) by force; to wrest.
Senses relating to vigorous movement.
To make (a bow) by bending forward.
Senses relating to vigorous movement.
To give (spoken or written words) a false or strained meaning; to twist.
Senses relating to vigorous movement.
To bend or turn, often continuously; to twist and turn, to writhe.

Examples

At the funeral, a circle of comrades wreathed the grave of the honoured deceased.
She planned to wreathe the triple word score with her best word, securing the win.
wreathed in mystery

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English wrethen (“to twist”), partly:
* from wrethen (“twisted, wreathed”) (whence modern English wreathen (“(obsolete) made into a wreath; twisted”, adjective)), the past participle of writhen, wrythen (“to twist into a braid, coil, or wreath; to twist out of position or shape, deform; to twist together, intertwine; to twist about, writhe; to bend; to swathe, wrap; etc.”), from Old English wrīþan (“to twist; to bind; to wrap”), from Proto-West Germanic *wrīþan (“to twist; to weave”), from Proto-Germanic *wrīþaną (“to twist; to weave”), from Proto-Indo-European *wreyt- (“to twist”); and
* from wreth, wrethe (“coiled or rounded shape; decorative garland, wreath; chaplet, crown; ring”, noun), from Old English wrǣd, wrǣþ, wriþa (“bandage”), from Proto-West Germanic *wrīþan (“to twist; to weave”) (see further above).

Synonyms

wind, enshroud, enwreathe, interwreathe, inwreathe, surround

Antonyms

uncoil, uncurl, untwist, unwreathe

Scrabble Score: 13

wreathe: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
wreathe: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
wreathe: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 12

wreathe: valid Words With Friends Word