trefoil

/ˈtrefɔɪl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtrefɔɪl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtrē-ˌfȯi(-ə)l ˈtre-/ (ame, mw)

trefoil — 名詞

1. a type of small, wild plant whose leaves grow in three separate parts, belonging

1.名詞C1
釋義

三葉草

葉分三瓣的野生植物

a type of small, wild plant whose leaves grow in three separate parts, belonging to the same plant family as clover

例句

Rachel found a patch of wild trefoil growing beside the old stone wall.

Rachel 在古老的石牆旁發現了一片野生三葉草。

patch of wild trefoil — common habitat description

The gardener showed the students how to identify trefoil by its three-part leaves.

園藝師向學生示範如何透過三片一組的葉子來辨識三葉草。

identify [plant] by [feature]

同義詞
  • clover

    broader term used in everyday speech; trefoil is more formal and botanical

  • shamrock

    a particular type of clover, traditionally used as a symbol of Ireland

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

❌A four-leaf clover is a rare kind of trefoil.
✅A four-leaf clover is a rare variation of clover, while trefoil always has exactly three leaves.
💡Trefoil refers to three-part leaves; a four-leaf clover is an anomaly within the clover family.

2. a decorative shape or pattern made from three sweeping curves that meet around a

2.名詞C1
釋義

三葉形

三弧線構成的圓形裝飾圖案

a decorative shape or pattern made from three sweeping curves that meet around a central point, based on the look of a trefoil leaf

例句

The old church has a trefoil carved into each stone arch above the windows.

這座老教堂的每座石拱窗上方都刻有三葉形裝飾。

trefoil carved into [stonework] — architectural use

Stefan painted a small trefoil symbol on the cover of his nature journal.

Stefan 在他的自然筆記本封面畫了一個小三葉形圖案。

同義詞
  • 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.

常見錯誤

❌The Olympic rings form a trefoil.
✅The Olympic symbol has five separate rings. A trefoil is a three-lobed design based on a leaf shape.
💡Learners sometimes confuse any circular symbol arrangement with trefoil.