Main Entry:

cinque·foil

Pronunciation:

\ˈsiŋk-ˌfȯi(-ə)l, ˈsaŋk-\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English sink foil, from Anglo-French cincfoille, from Latin quinquefolium, from quinque five + folium leaf — more at blade

Date:

14th century

1 : any of a genus (Potentilla) of herbs and shrubs of the rose family usually having 5-lobed leaves and 5-petaled flowers —called also potentilla 2 : a design enclosed by five joined foils

[cinquefoil illustration]