clover

clover

clover any plant of the genus Trifolium, leguminous hay and forage plants of the family Leguminosae ( pulse family). Most of the species are native to north temperate or subtropical regions, and all the American cultivated forms have been introduced from Europe. Red clover ( T. pratense ), the state flower of Vermont, was the leading leguminous hay crop of the northeastern regions until it was surpassed by alfalfa. It is frequently seeded with timothy. Swedish, or alsike, clover ( T. hybridum ) is similarly used in the same area. The common white, or Dutch, clover ( T. repens ) is also cultivated at times but is considered a weed in fields and pastures, where it spreads rapidly. Its dried flower and seed heads were used for making bread during famines in Ireland and the leaves are eaten as salad in some parts of the United States. The clovers are excellent honey plants. Other plants are sometimes called clover, e.g., the related melilot, or sweet clover . Clover was used by the Greeks in garlands and other decorations. The druids held it sacred. It is said to have been the early emblem of Ireland from which the shamrock is derived, and it is an emblem of the Trinity. English and American poets have celebrated it. A four-leaved clover is thought to bring good luck. See also lespedeza ; trefoil . Clover is classified in the division Magnoliophyta , class Magnoliopsida, order Rosales, family Leguminosae.

Bibliography: See bulletins of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.

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"clover." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"clover." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-clover.html

"clover." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-clover.html

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clover

clover Low-growing annual, biennial, and perennial plants, native to temperate Europe, but now found throughout warmer regions of the n Hemisphere. The leaves have three leaflets, rarely four, and the dense flower clusters are white, red, purple, pink or yellow. Some species are grown for cattle, others by beekeepers as a source of nectar. Most species are good nitrogen-fixers, due to bacteria in their root nodules, which help to enrich soil. Family Fabaceae/Leguminosae; genus Trifolium. See also nitrogen cycle; nitrogen fixation

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"clover." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"clover." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-clover.html

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clover

clo·ver / ˈklōvər/ • n. a herbaceous plant (genus Trifolium) of the pea family that has dense, globular flowerheads and leaves that are typically three-lobed. It is an important and widely grown fodder. PHRASES: in clover in ease and luxury.

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"clover." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"clover." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-clover.html

"clover." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-clover.html

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clover

clover OE. clāfre = (M)LG., Du. klāver :- Gmc. *klaibrōn, the first syll. of which corr. to OS. klē, OHG. klēo (G. klee) :- WGmc. *klaiwa clover. The common XV–XVII var. claver may repr. OE. clǣfre, or may be of LG. or Du. orig.

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T. F. HOAD. "clover." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "clover." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-clover.html

T. F. HOAD. "clover." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-clover.html

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clover

clover a plant whose leaves which are typically three-lobed; a four-leaved clover is a traditional symbol of luck.
in clover in ease and luxury. This sense of the phrase, dating from the early 18th century, refers to clover's being particularly attractive to livestock.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "clover." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "clover." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-clover.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "clover." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-clover.html

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Clover

Clover ♀ Modern coinage taken from the word denoting the plant (Old English clāfre).

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PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Clover." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Clover." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Clover.html

PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Clover." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Clover.html

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clover

clover See TRIFOLIUM.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "clover." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "clover." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-clover.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "clover." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-clover.html

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clover

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"clover." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"clover." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-clover.html

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