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cinquefoil

noun
cinque·​foil | \ ˈsiŋk-ˌfȯi(-ə)l How to pronounce cinquefoil (audio) , ˈsaŋk- How to pronounce cinquefoil (audio) \

Definition of cinquefoil

1 : any of a genus (Potentilla) of herbs and shrubs of the rose family usually having 5-lobed leaves and 5-petaled flowers

— called also potentilla

2 : a design enclosed by five joined foils

Illustration of cinquefoil

Illustration of cinquefoil

cinquefoil 2

Examples of cinquefoil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 There are many different types of weeds that can spoil a lush, green lawn: crabgrass, dandelions, white clover, quack grass, wood sorrel, bindweed, broad-leaf plantain, cinquefoil and creeping charley to name a few. — Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "How to Get Rid of Lawn Weeds," 19 Apr. 2019 DeBolt recently drove through Stanley and found an array of meadow flowers in bloom, including wyethia (aka mule’s ears), elephant heads, penstemon, cinquefoil, buckwheat and scarlet gilia. — Anna Webb, idahostatesman, "It’s not too late. Higher elevations in Idaho still offer a wildflower show," 10 July 2017

First Known Use of cinquefoil

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for cinquefoil

Middle English sink foil, from Anglo-French cincfoille, from Latin quinquefolium, from quinque five + folium leaf — more at blade

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