sainfoin

[ seyn-foin ]

noun

1. a Eurasian plant, Onobrychis viciifolia, of the legume family, having pinnate leaves and clusters of pink flowers, used for forage.

sainfoin

/ ˈsænfɔɪn /

noun

1. a Eurasian perennial leguminous plant, Onobrychis viciifolia, widely grown as a forage crop, having pale pink flowers and curved pods

Word History and Origins

Origin of sainfoin¹

1620–30; < French, equivalent to Middle French sain (< Latin sānus healthy) + foin (< Latin fēnum, faenum hay)

Word History and Origins

Origin of sainfoin¹

C17: from French, from Medieval Latin sānum faenum wholesome hay, referring to its former use as a medicine

Example Sentences

Fiver and Acorn followed him out and fell to nibbling at a patch of sainfoin.

From Literature

The natural pastures are supplemented chiefly by crops of sainfoin and clover; horses, cattle, sheep and swine are reared in considerable numbers; turkeys, geese and other poultry are abundant.

From Project Gutenberg

Clover, lucerne and sainfoin make up the bulk of artificial pasturage, while vetches, crimson clover and cabbage are the other chief forage crops.

From Project Gutenberg

It feeds on the wild heartsease, also on sainfoin and borage.

From Project Gutenberg

But the poorest land of the hill country affords excellent pasturage for sheep, the staple commodity of the district; and the sainfoin, which grows wild, yields abundantly under cultivation.

From Project Gutenberg