Cinquefoil vs. Trefoil — What's the Difference?

Any of various herbs or shrubs chiefly of the genus Potentilla of the rose family, native to northern temperate regions and having yellow or sometimes white or red flowers and compound leaves that in some species bear five leaflets. Also called potentilla.

A trefoil (from Latin trifolium 'three-leaved plant') is a graphic form composed of the outline of three overlapping rings, used in architecture and Christian symbolism, among other areas. The term is also applied to other symbols with a threefold shape.

(Architecture) A design having five sides composed of converging arcs, usually used as a frame for glass or a panel.

Any of various plants of the pea family, chiefly of the genera Trifolium and Lotus, having compound trifoliolate leaves.

A potentilla flower.

An ornament, symbol, or architectural form having the appearance of a trifoliolate leaf.

(heraldry) A stylized flower or leaf with five lobes.

Any of several plants of the pea family, having compound, trifoliate leaves; especially one of the genus Trifolium.

(topology) A particular knot of five crossings.

A symbol having the shape of such leaves, especially when used as an architectural ornament.

The name of several different species of the genus Potentilla; - also called five-finger, because of the resemblance of its leaves to the fingers of the hand.

(topology) trefoil knot

An ornamental foliation having five points or cups, used in windows, panels, etc.

Any plant of the genus Trifolium, which includes the white clover, red clover, etc.; - less properly, applied also to the nonesuch, or black medic. See Clover, and Medic.

Any of a numerous plants grown for their 5-petal flowers; abundant in temperate regions; alleged to have medicinal properties

An ornamental foliation consisting of three divisions, or foils.

An ornamental carving consisting of five arcs arranged in a circle

A charge representing the clover leaf.

Any of several Old World herbs of the genus Medicago having small flowers and trifoliate compound leaves

A plant of the genus Trifolium

An architectural ornament in the form of three arcs arranged in a circle