shamrock
[sham-rok]
- 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for shamrock
Contemporary Examples
Eventually Congress learned the NSA was also snooping on U.S. citizens through programs code named Minaret and Shamrock.
Historical Examples
Yes, here is the shamrock—the rose, the ever blowing rose—and the thistle.
Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
Then he puts the shamrock along with the rose—How would that do?
Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
Then he said nothing—but just put the rose and shamrock into my hand.
Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
Also introduced the brogue and the shamrock into the Emerald Isle.
Who Was Who: 5000 B. C. to DateAnonymous
They are connected with the palisading by rose, shamrock and thistle.
shamrock
- 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
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Word Origin
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
Word Origin and History for shamrock
n.
1570s, from Irish seamrog, diminutive of seamar "clover." Cf. Gaelic seamrag "trefoil."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper