cinquefoil

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   any of numerous plants of the genus Potentilla, typically bearing leaves with five leaflets and five-petaled flowers

   Yellow cinquefoil spread across the dry ground between the bean rows.

2. 2
   noun

   an ornamental or heraldic design composed of five rounded lobes or leaves

   A carved cinquefoil decorated the stone arch above the doorway.

From Old French cincfoille or cinquefoil, formed from cinc or cinq, 'five,' and foille, 'leaf,' ultimately from Latin quinque and folium. The plant was named for its commonly five-part leaves; architecture and heraldry then applied the same name to five-lobed ornamental forms.

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