trefoil

[ tree-foil, tref-oil ]

noun

1. 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.
2. any of various similar plants.
3. Architecture. an ornament composed of three lobes, divided by cusps, radiating from a common center.
4. such an ornamental figure used by the Girl Scouts as its official emblem.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or shaped like a trefoil.

trefoil

/ ˈtrɛfɔɪl /

noun

1. 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
2. any of various related plants having leaves divided into three leaflets, such as bird's-foot trefoil
3. a leaf having three leaflets
4. architect an ornament in the form of three arcs arranged in a circle

Derived Forms

• ˈtrefoiled, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of trefoil¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French trifoil < Latin trifolium triple leaf, the three-leaved plant, clover, equivalent to tri- tri- + folium leaf

Word History and Origins

Origin of trefoil¹

C14: from Anglo-French trifoil , from Latin trifolium three-leaved herb, from tri- + folium leaf

Example Sentences

The windows on the south side of the clerestory are without the trefoil which ornaments the base of those on the north side.

From Project Gutenberg

A "trefoil arch" connects the 113six chief pillars, on each of which stands a statue of a Virtue.

From Project Gutenberg

The points of the omega are generally changed into small circles, leaves, or trefoil; and the disk itself is placed on a pedestal.

From Project Gutenberg

Hundreds of yards of canvas, with the Tokugawa trefoil, had been stretched along the road to Kurihma.

From Project Gutenberg

Treste, the trefoil leaf, or clover-grass (corruptly called Clubs) alludes to the husbandmen and peasants.

From Project Gutenberg