from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
[1913 Webster]
Her yellow hair was braided in a tress. --Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]
Fair tresses man's imperial race insnare. --Pope.
[1913 Webster]
2. Fig.: A knot or festoon, as of flowers. --Keats.
[1913 Webster]