shamrock

[ sham-rok ]

/ ˈʃæm rɒk /

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noun

any of several trifoliate plants, as the wood sorrel, Oxalis acetosella, or a small, pink-flowered clover, Trifolium repens minus, but especially Trifolium procumbens, a small, yellow-flowered clover: the national emblem of Ireland.

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Origin of shamrock

1565–75; <Irish seamróg, equivalent to seamair clover + -óg diminutive suffix

Words nearby shamrock

shammy, Shamo, Shamokin, shamoy, shampoo, shamrock, shamrock-pea, shamshir, shamus, Shan, Shandong

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use shamrock in a sentence

Kate wore a gold shamrock Cartier brooch pinned to her chest.
More Kids Planned Kate? No, One is Enough, At The Moment...|Tom Sykes|March 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Eventually Congress learned the NSA was also snooping on U.S. citizens through programs code named Minaret and Shamrock.
Spy Chief James Clapper: We Can’t Stop Another Snowden|Eli Lake|February 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One has the shamrock wreath, the other the thistles, each division having its own committee and officials.
Yachting Vol. 2|Various.
The 'London Shamrock,' light post-coach, five o'clock every evening; arrives in London at half-past seven next morning.
The King's Post|R. C. Tombs

It was of the safety-pin order, but made of gold and ornamented with small emeralds set as a four-leafed shamrock.
The Pillar of Light|Louis Tracy
Shamrock Jolnes concluded his convincing speech with the smile of a successful artist.
Sixes and Sevens|O. Henry
The lace around her white neck was fastened with a little gold brooch bearing a four-leafed shamrock in emeralds.
The Pillar of Light|Louis Tracy

British Dictionary definitions for shamrock

shamrock

/ (ˈʃæmˌrɒk) /

noun

a plant having leaves divided into three leaflets, variously identified as the wood sorrel, red clover, white clover, and black medick: the national emblem of Ireland

Word Origin for shamrock

C16: from Irish Gaelic seamrōg, diminutive of seamar clover

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012