wreath-likeadv.adj.
/ˈriːθlʌɪk/, U.S. /ˈriθˌlaɪk/ A. adv.
In the manner of, or so as to resemble, a wreath; in a twisted, coiled, or entwined manner.
ΘΠ
the world > space > shape > curvature > coil > [adverb] > coiling or twisting together
wreath-like1641
intertwiningly1823
1641 Wits Recreations (new ed.) sig. T6 Two firme Heartes in one ♡ meeting, Grasping hand in hand ne'r fleeting, Wreathlike like a maze entwineing.
1868 Daily Evening Bull. (Philadelphia) 1 June 3/2 The monument bears an inscription to the memory of the..soldiers who fell in the late war, with the battles..run wreathlike around the shaft.
2018 Jerusalem Post (Nexis) 19 Jan. 20 Three..works..show the artist with local flora arranged, wreath-like, around his head.
B. adj.
Resembling a wreath; twisted, coiled, entwined.In quot. a1770 in figurative context.
ΘΠ
the world > space > shape > curvature > coil > [adjective] > coiling or twisting together > coiled or twisted together
intricate1579
plait1583
interwreatheda1658
intervolved1667
intertwineda1680
convolved1713
braided1747
wreath-likea1770
woven1816
swirly1825
interwound1877
entrailing1885
a1770 M. Laird Mem. (1775) x. 110 I was impressed with the thoughts of a trial from several scriptures..: but some of them were very dark, and also wreath-like.
1863 Numismatic Chron. New Ser. 3 9 The piece is plain, but with a wreath-like border.
2007 K. A. Behrendt Art of Gandhara 30/1 The figure..can possibly be identified as Dionysus because of his wreathlike crown.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2021).
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adv.adj.1641