trifoliate

[ trahy-foh-lee-it, -eyt ]

adjective

1. having three leaflets, lobes, or foils; trefoil.
2. Botany. trifoliolate.

trifoliate

/ traɪˈfəʊlɪɪt; -ˌeɪt /

adjective

1. having three leaves, leaflike parts, or (of a compound leaf) leaflets

Word History and Origins

Origin of trifoliate¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; tri- + foliate

Example Sentences

The researchers posit that true Citrus species, such as mandarins and trifoliate oranges, first evolved in south-central China around eight million years ago.

From Scientific American

The stem of the plant is bushy and branched; the leaves are trifoliate.

From Project Gutenberg

Latin prefixes denote the number of leaves, as bifoliate, trifoliate, &c.

From Project Gutenberg

From the base are pushed up long wand-like arching shoots to a height of 6 feet, clothed with trifoliate leaves, and bearing large terminal panicles of pea-shaped blossoms.

From Project Gutenberg

Shrubs with opposite trifoliate leaves and small axillary clusters of white flowers in spring; sepals, petals, and stamens each 5; ovary 3-celled, ripening into a large inflated 3-celled pod.

From Project Gutenberg