shamrock
English edit
Etymology edit
From Irish seamróg, from Old Irish semróc, diminutive of semar, semair (“clover”), from Proto-Celtic *semarā, *semaris (compare Gaulish uisumaris (“clover”)), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *semh₁r-, *smeh₁r-. Related to Old Norse smári (“clover”) and possibly Georgian სამყურა (samq̇ura, “clover”).
Pronunciation edit
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈʃæm.ɹɒk/
- (US) IPA(key): /ˈʃæm.ɹɑk/
Audio (US) (file) Audio (AU) (file) - Rhymes: (US) -æmɹɑk
Noun edit
shamrock (plural shamrocks)
- The trefoil leaf of any small clover, especially Trifolium repens, or such a leaf from a clover-like plant, commonly used as a symbol of Ireland.
- She wore a shamrock in honor of her Irish ancestry.
- Any of several species of small clover-like plant species, with trefoil leaves, especially Trifolium repens.
- The fields were covered with shamrocks.
Synonyms edit
Derived terms edit
Descendants edit
Translations edit
trefoil leaf of any clover
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any of several small plants, forms of clover — see clover