shamrock

Meaning

1. 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.
2. Any of several species of small clover-like plant species, with trefoil leaves, especially Trifolium repens.

Synonyms

clover

trefoil

dutch clover

white clover

hop clover

Trifolium repens

Oxalis acetosella

Trifolium dubium

cuckoo bread

common wood sorrel

lesser yellow trefoil

lucerne

alfalfa

Translations

trifoglio

trèfle

trevo

trébol

klaver

Kleeblatt

trifolium

yonca

Klee

τριφύλλι

نبات النفل

trèfle douteux

trifolium dubium

petit trèfle jaune

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈʃæm.ɹɒk/

Etymology

Cognate with Old Norse: smári

Cognate with Georgian: სამყურა

In summary

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”).