Bot. [L. trifolium (Pliny), f. tri-, TRI- + folium leaf. Cf. TREFOIL.] A large genus of leguminous plants, with trifoliate leaves, and flowers mostly in close heads; including many valuable fodder-plants, known as clovers or trefoils: spec. in recent agricultural use, applied to the species T. incarnatum.
[c. 1000. Ælfric, Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 133/22. Trifolium geaces sure, uel þrilefe.
c. 1625. Names of Plants, ibid., 556/33. Trifolium, [F.] trifoil, [Eng.] wite clouere.]
1541. R. Copland, Galyen’s Terap., 2 F iij. Verbascum soden, and leaues of trifolium.
1596. Lodge, Marg. Amer., 23. The fortunate husband, well trained to yoake and plough, learned of trifolium who lifteth up her leaves against tempest.
1885. Manch. Exam., 16 June, 5/1. A large quantity of trifolium … has grown with immense rapidity.
attrib. 1900. Westm. Gaz., 15 March, 10/1. Several varieties of the great trifolium family lay claim to the honour of being the true St. Patrick’s Cross.
