cinquefoil n 1: any of a numerous plants grown for their five-petaled flowers; abundant in temperate regions; alleged to have medicinal properties [syn: {cinquefoil}, {five-finger}] 2: an ornamental carving consisting of five arcs arranged in a circle
Cinquefoil \Cinque"foil`\, n. [Cinque five + foil, F. feuille leaf. See {Foil}.] 1. (Bot.) The name of several different species of the genus {Potentilla}; -- also called {five-finger}, because of the resemblance of its leaves to the fingers of the hand. [1913 Webster] 2. (Arch.) An ornamental foliation having five points or cups, used in windows, panels, etc. --Gwilt. [1913 Webster] {Marsh cinquefoil}, the {Potentilla palustris}, a plant with purple flowers which grows in fresh-water marshes. [1913 Webster]