Standard Lemma guide

quatrefoil

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /kætɹəˌfɔɪl/
  • /kædə(ɹ)ˌfɔɪl/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A symmetrical shape that forms the overall outline of four partially-overlapping circles of the same diameter.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: architecture

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A stylized flower or leaf with four lobes.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: government, heraldry, hobbies, lifestyle, monarchy, nobility, politics

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Old French quatrefoil, from quatre (“four”) + foil (“leaf”).

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: четирилистник (četirilistnik) — shape
  • Finnish: nelilehti — shape
  • French: quatrefeuille — shape
  • German: Vierpass — shape
  • Italian: quattrofoglie — shape
  • Māori: pewawhā — shape
Real reading context

quatrefoil in complete knowledge articles