wreathe

 
Pronunciation: /riːð/

verb

[with object]
  • 1cover, surround, or encircle: he sits wreathed in smoke
  • [with object and adverbial of direction] literary twist or entwine (something flexible) round or over something: shall I once more wreathe my arms about Antonio’s neck?
  • [no object, with adverbial of direction] (especially of smoke) move with a curling motion: he watched the smoke wreathe into the night air
  • 2form (flowers, leaves, or stems) into a wreath.

Phrases

be wreathed in smiles

be smiling broadly: his tanned face was wreathed in smiles

Origin:

mid 16th century: partly a back-formation from archaic wrethen, past participle of writhe, reinforced by wreath