Word Study
shamrock
CIDE DICTIONARY
shamrock, n. [L. seamrog, seamar, trefoil, white clover, white honeysuckle; akin to Gael. seamrag.].
A trifoliate plant used as a national emblem by the Irish. The legend is that St. Patrick once plucked a leaf of it for use in illustrating the doctrine of the trinity. [1913 Webster]
" The original plant was probably a kind of wood sorrel (Oxalis Acetocella ); but now the name is given to the white clover (Trifolium repens ), and the black medic (Medicago lupulina )." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
shamrock, n. any of various plants with trifoliate leaves, esp. Trifolium repens or Medicago lupulina, used as the national emblem of Ireland.
Etymology
Ir. seamr{oacute}g trefoil, dimin. of seamar clover + og young
THESAURUS
shamrock
armory, badge, badge of office, badges, baton, blazonry, brassard, button, cap and gown, chain, chain of office, class ring, clover, cockade, collar, cross, decoration, deuce-ace, dress, eagle, emblems, ensigns, fasces, figurehead, fleur-de-lis, hammer and sickle, heraldry, insignia, lapel pin, leash, livery, mace, mantle, markings, medal, mortarboard, old school tie, pin, regalia, ring, rose, school ring, set of three, sigillography, skull and crossbones, sphragistics, staff, swastika, tartan, tercet, ternary, ternion, terzetto, thistle, three, threesome, tie, tierce, trefoil, trey, triad, trialogue, triangle, tricorn, trident, triennium, trihedron, trilogy, trimester, trine, trinity, trinomial, trio, triphthong, triple crown, triple threat, triplet, triplopy, tripod, triptych, trireme, triseme, triskelion, trisul, triumvirate, triunity, trivet, troika, uniform, verge, wandROGET THESAURUS
shamrock
Triality
N triality, trinity, triunity, three, triad, triplet, trey, trio, ternion, leash, shamrock, tierce, spike-team, trefoil, triangle, trident, triennium, trigon, trinomial, trionym, triplopia, tripod, trireme, triseme, triskele, triskelion, trisula, third power, cube, cube root, three, triform, trinal, trinomial, tertiary, ternary, triune, triarch, triadie, triple, tri-, tris-, tria juncta in uno.For further exploring for "shamrock" in Webster Dictionary Online