Spurge laurel

spurge laurel
    n 1: bushy Eurasian shrub with glossy leathery oblong leaves and
         yellow-green flowers [syn: {spurge laurel}, {wood laurel},
         {Daphne laureola}]
    

Spurge \Spurge\, n. [OF. espurge, F. ['e]purge, from OF.
   espurgier to purge, L. expurgare. See {Expurgate}, {Purge}.]
   (Bot.)
   Any plant of the genus Euphorbia. See {Euphorbia}.
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   {Spurge flax}, an evergreen shrub ({Daphne Gnidium}) with
      crowded narrow leaves. It is a native of Southern Europe.
      

   {Spurge laurel}, a European shrub ({Daphne Laureola}) with
      oblong evergreen leaves.

   {Spurge nettle}. See under {Nettle}.

   {Spurge olive}, an evergreen shrub ({Daphne oleoides}) found
      in the Mediterranean region.
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Laurel \Lau"rel\, n. [OE. lorel, laurer, lorer, OF. lorier,
   laurier, F. laurier, (assumed) LL. Laurarius, fr. L. laurus.]
   1. (Bot.) An evergreen shrub, of the genus {Laurus} ({Laurus
      nobilis}), having aromatic leaves of a lanceolate shape,
      with clusters of small, yellowish white flowers in their
      axils; -- called also {sweet bay}.

   Note: The fruit is a purple berry. It is found about the
         Mediterranean, and was early used by the ancient Greeks
         to crown the victor in the games of Apollo. At a later
         period, academic honors were indicated by a crown of
         laurel, with the fruit. The leaves and tree yield an
         aromatic oil, used to flavor the bay water of commerce.
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   Note: The name is extended to other plants which in some
         respect resemble the true laurel. See Phrases, below.
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   2. A crown of laurel; hence, honor; distinction; fame; --
      especially in the plural; as, to win laurels.
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   3. An English gold coin made in 1619, and so called because
      the king's head on it was crowned with laurel.
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   {Laurel water}, water distilled from the fresh leaves of the
      cherry laurel, and containing prussic acid and other
      products carried over in the process.
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   {American laurel}, or {Mountain laurel}, {Kalmia latifolia};
      called also {calico bush}. See under {Mountain}.

   {California laurel}, {Umbellularia Californica}.

   {Cherry laurel} (in England called {laurel}). See under
      {Cherry}.

   {Great laurel}, the rosebay ({Rhododendron maximum}).

   {Ground laurel}, trailing arbutus.

   {New Zealand laurel}, the {Laurelia Nov[ae] Zelandi[ae]}.

   {Portugal laurel}, the {Prunus Lusitanica}.

   {Rose laurel}, the oleander. See {Oleander}.

   {Sheep laurel}, a poisonous shrub, {Kalmia angustifolia},
      smaller than the mountain laurel, and with smaller and
      redder flowers.

   {Spurge laurel}, {Daphne Laureola}.

   {West Indian laurel}, {Prunus occidentalis}.
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