Illustrated Architecture Dictionary

Foil
Pronounced: FOYL

A lobe or leaf-shaped curve formed between cusps inside an arch or circle

In French, "foil" means "leaf"

The number of foils is indicated by a prefix, e.g. trefoil, quatrefoil, cinquefoil, sexfoil, multifoil

Found in Gothic and Gothic Revival styles

See also: Vocabulary - Churches

Examples from Buffalo architecture

• Illustration above: Thomas Crane Monument (trefoil)
  
  
• Hotel Touraine (trefoil)
  
  
• St. Mary of Sorrows / King Urban Life Center (quatrefoil)
  
  
• Central Presbyterian Church

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Photos and their arrangement © 2002 Chuck LaChiusa
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