English

An assortment of shillelaghs

Alternative forms

• shillala, shillalah, shillelah
• shillalagh
• shillaly, shillely

Noun

shillelagh ‎(plural shillelaghs)

1. (Ireland) A wooden (especially oaken) club ending with a large knob.
   • 1958, Terence Hanbury White, The Once and Future King, London: William Collins, Sons, OCLC 300030275:

     "My sorrow!" cried Toirdealbhach. "What do I want to be a saint for at all, is my puzzle! If I could fetch one crack at somebody with me ould shillelagh"—here he produced a frightful-looking weapon from under his gown—"wouldn't it be better than all the saints in Ireland?"

2. Any cudgel, whether or not of Irish origin.

See also

• blackthorn

References

• shillelagh in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913