tick trefoil


noun
  1. any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Desmodium, of the legume family, having trifoliolate leaves and jointed pods with hooked hairs by which they adhere to objects.

Origin of tick trefoil

1
An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Words Nearby tick trefoil

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use tick trefoil in a sentence

  • Now he reaches the tick-trefoil, and nips out some stamens from its purple blossoms, which he eats with relish.

    Some Summer Days in Iowa | Frederick John Lazell
  • Over by the wire fence the tick-trefoil, desmodium, is in its glory.

    Some Summer Days in Iowa | Frederick John Lazell

British Dictionary definitions for tick trefoil

tick trefoil

noun
  1. any of various tropical and subtropical leguminous plants of the genus Desmodium, having trifoliate leaves, clusters of small purplish or white flowers, and sticky jointed seed pods, which separate into segments that cling to animals: Also called: beggar-ticks

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012