shamrock

Where does the word "shamrock" come from? It comes from Irish seamróg, and was adopted directly into English (1500s-1600s).

Shamrock’s story begins in Irish: seamróg meant “little clover.” A diminutive of "seamair" (clover), meaning "little clover". It reached English by 1500s-1600s as shamrock. Irish 'little clover'; legend says St Patrick used it to explain the Trinity. Today, shamrock means a three-leaved clover, traditionally used as a symbol of Ireland.

1. Stage 1 · Irish · medieval seamróg "little clover", a diminutive of "seamair" (clover), meaning "little clover".
2. Stage 2 · English · 1500s-1600s shamrock "a three-leaved clover, a symbol of Ireland", Irish 'little clover'; legend says St Patrick used it to explain the Trinity.