trefoil
/ˈtrefɔɪl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtrefɔɪl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtrē-ˌfȯi(-ə)l ˈtre-/ (ame, mw)
trefoil — noun
1. a type of small, wild plant whose leaves grow in three separate parts, belonging
a type of small, wild plant whose leaves grow in three separate parts, belonging to the same plant family as clover
Rachel found a patch of wild trefoil growing beside the old stone wall.
patch of wild trefoil — common habitat description
The gardener showed the students how to identify trefoil by its three-part leaves.
identify [plant] by [feature]
Trefoil spreads quickly across open fields if the soil stays dry enough.
During the nature walk, Diya collected several trefoil leaves for her plant journal.
用法筆記
In everyday conversation, most speakers use 'clover' rather than 'trefoil' for the plant. 'Trefoil' is more common in botanical writing or formal descriptions of wild plants.
常見錯誤
2. a decorative shape or pattern made from three sweeping curves that meet around a
a decorative shape or pattern made from three sweeping curves that meet around a central point, based on the look of a trefoil leaf
The old church has a trefoil carved into each stone arch above the windows.
trefoil carved into [stonework] — architectural use
Stefan painted a small trefoil symbol on the cover of his nature journal.
Trefoil decorations run along the edges of the wooden gate at the medieval market hall.
Quinn noticed a trefoil pattern repeated in the iron railings outside the museum.
- three-lobed design
descriptive term used in architecture and design when 'trefoil' feels too technical
- cloverleaf
refers to the same three-lobed shape, especially in road interchanges or decorative patterns
用法筆記
This sense is most common in descriptions of Gothic architecture, stained glass, heraldry, and decorative metalwork. 'Trefoil' here names the shape itself, not a plant.