Wiktionary

trefoil

English edit

 
Trifolium repens
 
Architectural trefoil

Etymology edit

From Middle English trefoil, from Old French trifoil, trefeul, from Latin trifolium, from tri- (“three”) + folium (“leaf”).

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈtɹɛ.fɔɪl/, /ˈtɹiː.fɔɪl/

Noun edit

trefoil (plural trefoils)

  1. Any of several plants of the pea family, having compound, trifoliate leaves; especially one of the genus Trifolium.
  2. A symbol having the shape of such leaves, especially when used as an architectural ornament.
    Synonym: threefoil
    • 2015 June 16, David DeMar, “Ancient Pitcher Discovered in Historic Danish City”, in New Historian:
      "The pristine, unbroken condition of the vessel – sometimes called a trefoil jug – caused the entire dig to 'come to a halt,' Søvsø remarked."
  3. (topology) Ellipsis of trefoil knot.

Coordinate terms edit

Derived terms edit

terms derived from trefoil

Related terms edit

Translations edit

Anagrams edit

Retrieved from "https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=trefoil&oldid=79027769"