trefoil

tre·foil

noun \ˈtrē-ˌfȯi(-ə)l, ˈtre-\

Definition of TREFOIL

1

a : clover 1; broadly : any of several leguminous herbs (as bird's-foot trefoil) with leaves that have or appear to have three leaflets b : a trifoliolate leaf

2

: an ornament or symbol in the form of a stylized trifoliolate leaf

Illustration of TREFOIL

Origin of TREFOIL

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin trifolium, from tri- + folium leaf — more at blade

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse

Rhymes with TREFOIL

coal oil, corn oil, fish oil, fixed oil, free-soil, fuel oil, gas oil, night soil, palm oil, red soil, rose oil, shale oil, snake oil, sperm oil, subsoil, tung oil, white oil