Trefoil vs. Clover — What's the Difference?

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.

Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus Trifolium (Latin, tres "three" + folium "leaf"), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution with highest diversity in the temperate Northern Hemisphere, but many species also occur in South America and Africa, including at high altitudes on mountains in the tropics.

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

Any of various herbs of the genus Trifolium in the pea family, having trifoliolate leaves and dense heads of small flowers and including species grown for forage, for erosion control, and as a source of nectar for honeybees.

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

Any of several other plants in the pea family, such as bush clover and sweet clover.

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

Any of several nonleguminous plants, such as water clover.

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

A plant of the genus Trifolium with leaves usually divided into three (rarely four) leaflets and with white or red flowers.

(topology) trefoil knot

(cartomancy) The second Lenormand card, representing hope, optimism and short-term luck.

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.

A plant of different species of the genus Trifolium; as the common red clover, Trifolium pratense, the white, Trifolium repens, and the hare's foot, Trifolium arvense.

An ornamental foliation consisting of three divisions, or foils.

A plant of the genus Trifolium

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