shamrock

noun

Etymology: 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”).

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.

   “She wore a shamrock in honor of her Irish ancestry.”

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

   “The fields were covered with shamrocks.”