trefoil

views updated May 18 2018

tre·foil / ˈtrēˌfoil; ˈtrefˌoil/ • n. a small plant (genera Trifolium and Lotus) of the pea family with yellow flowers and three-lobed cloverlike leaves. ∎  a similar or related plant with three-lobed leaves. ∎  an ornamental design of three rounded lobes like a clover leaf, used typically in architectural tracery. ∎  a thing having three parts; a set of three: a trefoil of parachutes. ∎  [as adj.] denoting something shaped in the form of a trefoil leaf: trefoil windows.DERIVATIVES: tre·foiled adj.

trefoil

views updated May 11 2018

trefoil plant of the genus Trifolium, having triple leaves. XIV. ME. treyfoyle, trifoile — AN. trifoil- L. trifolium, f. TRI- + folium leaf, FOIL2.

trefoil

views updated May 17 2018

trefoil Any of numerous plants, such as clover, with leaves divided into three parts. Bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) is used as hay and forage. Family Fabaceae/Leguminosae.

trefoil

views updated May 23 2018

trefoil. See foil.

trefoil

views updated May 14 2018

trefoil an ornamental design of three rounded lobes like a clover leaf, used typically in architectural tracery.