Illustration of trefoil
- trefoil 2
trefoil
noun
tre·foil ˈtrē-ˌfȯi(-ə)l 
ˈtre-
ˈtre- 1
a
: clover sense 1
broadly : any of several leguminous herbs (such 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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The classic white sneak features a Gucci trefoil print, Adidas’ classic three stripes and the GG monogram for a hybrid, timeless design. 
Anna Tingley, Variety, 6 Sep. 2022 The collaboration included men's suits in track-worthy shades of royal blue and purple with the Adidas stripes down the sleeves and trousers and Gucci written under sports brand's trefoil. Colleen Barry, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2022 The shoe mixes a retro feel (with the old school Adidas trefoil logo and three stripes) with the high-end design of Gucci. Jane Hanson, Forbes, 28 June 2022 More complicated knots include the trefoil and the figure eight, in which the string crosses over and under itself some number of times before its ends join together. Quanta Magazine, 16 June 2022 On the formal side, leather bowling bags and suede loafers come down to earth with Adidas's three-stripe motif or its trefoil stamp. Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 7 June 2022 On luggage, the Trefoil was joined by the Gucci logo spelled backwards, while the horsebit crossbody and tote were decked out in an allover trefoil print. Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 10 May 2022 There’s the traditional track jacket and pant combo, as well an option made with matching shorts, cut from both ’70s style graphic prints and a version of Gucci’s monogram canvas styled to include the Adidas trefoil. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 10 May 2022 Both are squared off towers that rise in four sections, and both are decorated with similar elements, such as trefoil arches. Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2021 See More
Anna Tingley, Variety, 6 Sep. 2022 The collaboration included men's suits in track-worthy shades of royal blue and purple with the Adidas stripes down the sleeves and trousers and Gucci written under sports brand's trefoil. Colleen Barry, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2022 The shoe mixes a retro feel (with the old school Adidas trefoil logo and three stripes) with the high-end design of Gucci. Jane Hanson, Forbes, 28 June 2022 More complicated knots include the trefoil and the figure eight, in which the string crosses over and under itself some number of times before its ends join together. Quanta Magazine, 16 June 2022 On the formal side, leather bowling bags and suede loafers come down to earth with Adidas's three-stripe motif or its trefoil stamp. Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 7 June 2022 On luggage, the Trefoil was joined by the Gucci logo spelled backwards, while the horsebit crossbody and tote were decked out in an allover trefoil print. Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 10 May 2022 There’s the traditional track jacket and pant combo, as well an option made with matching shorts, cut from both ’70s style graphic prints and a version of Gucci’s monogram canvas styled to include the Adidas trefoil. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 10 May 2022 Both are squared off towers that rise in four sections, and both are decorated with similar elements, such as trefoil arches. Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin trifolium, from tri- + folium leaf — more at blade
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing trefoil
Kids Definition
trefoil
noun
tre·foil ˈtrē-ˌfȯil
1
: a clover or related plant having leaves with three leaflets
2
: a fancy design with three leaflike parts