a. [f. TRI- + L. foliātus leaved: cf. trifolium TREFOIL.] Three-leaved; esp. in Bot. consisting of three leaflets, as a compound leaf; also of a plant, having such leaves; transf. having the form of such a leaf.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v. Leaf.
1756. Ellis, in Phil. Trans., XLIX. 867. The pinnated one called by the gardeners the poison ash, did not strike so deep a black as the other two trifoliate ones.
1845. Lindley, Sch. Bot., v. (1858), 56. Leaves stalked, trifoliate; leaflets toothed.
1897. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., III. 148. The pelvic brim [in some cases of osteomalacia] assumes a trifoliate form.
Also Trifoliated a., a. Bot. = prec.; b. Arch. Having or consisting of trefoils: see TREFOIL sb. 3.
1698. J. Petiver, in Phil. Trans., XX. 315. The Leaves of this are many times only trifoliated.
1733. Miller, Gard. Dict. (ed. 2), s.v. Leaves, A Trifoliated Leaf, is a digitated Leaf, consisting of three Fingers, as the Trefoil.
1850. Inkersley, Styles Archit. France, 309. The Clerestory window-archway … is divided into three pointed trifoliated lights.
1863. Walbran, Mem. Fountains Abbey (Surtees), 147. A trifoliated canopy.
