trefoil
[ tree-foil, tref-oil ]
/ ˈtri fɔɪl, ˈtrɛf ɔɪl /
noun
any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Trifolium, of the legume family, having usually digitate leaves of three leaflets and reddish, purple, yellow, or white flower heads, comprising the common clovers.
any of various similar plants.
Architecture.
an ornament composed of three lobes, divided by cusps, radiating from a common center.
such an ornamental figure used by the Girl Scouts as its official emblem.
adjective
of, relating to, or shaped like a trefoil.
Origin of trefoil
1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French
trifoil < Latin
trifolium triple leaf, the three-leaved plant, clover, equivalent to
tri-
tri- +
folium leaf
Words nearby trefoil
treenware,
treetop,
treeware,
tref,
treflé,
trefoil,
trefoil arch,
trefoil knot,
trehala,
trehalose,
treillage
Example sentences from the Web for trefoil
British Dictionary definitions for trefoil
trefoil
/ (ˈtrɛfɔɪl) /
noun
any of numerous leguminous plants of the temperate genus Trifolium, having leaves divided into three leaflets and dense heads of small white, yellow, red, or purple flowers
any of various related plants having leaves divided into three leaflets, such as bird's-foot trefoil
a leaf having three leaflets
architect
an ornament in the form of three arcs arranged in a circle
Derived forms of trefoil
trefoiled, adjectiveWord Origin for trefoil
C14: from Anglo-French
trifoil, from Latin
trifolium three-leaved herb, from
tri- +
folium leaf