Definition

A type of plant that belongs to the genus Potentilla, which typically has five leaflets and produces flowers that can be yellow, white, or red. It is commonly found in temperate and cold regions.

Example

The garden was filled with beautiful cinquefoils blooming in various colors.

Conversation

Have you ever seen a cinquefoil plant in the garden?

Yeah, those yellow flowers are really pretty!

I love how they look; they add such a nice touch to the landscape.

Absolutely! They’re also pretty resilient in different climates.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Cinquefoil is formed from "cinque" (from Old French *cinq*, meaning five) and "foil" (from Latin *folium*, meaning leaf). The word refers to a plant with five leaves or leaflets, reflecting its botanical structure.

Memory Tip

Think of 'five' ('cinque') leaves ('foil') when you picture a cinquefoil plant.

Visually Confused Words