multifoiln.adj.
/ˈmʌltɪfɔɪl/, U.S. /ˈməltiˌfɔɪl/; see also multi- comb. form. Architecture and Decorative Arts.
A. n.
An ornament consisting of many (usually more than five) foils (foil n.1 2b). Also in extended use.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > architectural ornament > [noun] > ornamentation by foils > specific number of foils
sexfoil1688
quatrefoil1805
cinquefoil1816
septfoil1819
trefoil head1825
multifoil1835
polyfoil1842
septemfoil1842
trefoil1842
sixfoil1849
four-foil1860
octofoil1867
1835 R. Willis Remarks Archit. Middle Ages 195 Multifoils, with the foils alternately round and angular.
1848 B. Webb Sketches Continental Ecclesiol. x. 419 There are multifoils with reliefs of angels singing.
1876 E. C. Stedman Victorian Poets 335 In his [poetic] architecture the tracery, scroll-work, and multifoil bewilder us and divert attention from the main design.
1966 Penguin Dict. Archit. (1972) 100/1 The number of foils involved is indicated by a prefix, e.g., trefoil, multifoil.
B. adj.
Composed of many foils. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > architectural ornament > [adjective] > foiled
cinquefoil1752
trefoil1752
quatrefoil1776
trefoiled1815
cinquefoiled1823
quatrefoiled1834
foiled1835
foliating1835
quatrefoliated1835
trefoliated1835
foliated1838
septfoil1844
sexfoil1846
sexfoiled1846
multifoil1849
trifoliated1850
multifoiled1851
trefoil-headed1861
1849 E. A. Freeman Hist. Archit. 278 The strange multifoil shape which is a peculiarity of the Arabian architecture of Spain.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adj.1835