quatrefoil |
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American Heritage Dictionary (2 definitions)
- A representation of a flower with four petals or a leaf with four leaflets, especially in heraldry.
- Architecture Tracery or an ornament with four foils or lobes.
–noun
Century Dictionary (3 definitions)
- A leaf with four leaflets, as sometimes that of clover.
- In architecture, an opening or a panel divided by cusps or foliations into four foils, or, more correctly, the figure formed by the cusps. This ornament resembles the four petals of a cruciform flower, but is certainly not derived from imitation of such a flower. Bands of small quatrefoils are much used as ornaments in the English Perpendicnlar style, and sometimes in the Decorated. The same name is given also to flowers and leaves of similar form carved in relief as ornaments on moldings, etc. See also cut under gallery.
- In heraldry, a four-leaved grass, or leaf divided into four leaflets, used as a bearing.
–noun
Wiktionary (2 definitions)
GNU Webster's 1913
WordNet
Elsewhere on the web
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Above the quatrefoil is another representing the Redeemer seated on a cushioned throne with the Virgin, and below another representing St. Michael overcoming Satan.
Each quatrefoil is filled with scenes from the life of Christ, the Virgin, and figures of St. Michael and of the Apostles.
A large blank quatrefoil is inserted in the space between the lights and the outer arch moulding.
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Pronunciations
/(kătˈər-foilˌ, kătˈrə-)/
ahd pronounces "quatrefoil"
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Etymology
American Heritage Dictionary (1)
-
Middle English quaterfoile : Old French quatre, four; see quatrain + Old French foil, leaf; see foil2.
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