Elements of Gaelic Place-names: a selection NH,
v.3, 010410
Key
|
g |
genitive
case |
(e.g.
in ‘of the green hill’, green is in the genitive case) |
|
n |
nominative
case |
(e.g. in
‘the green hill’, green is in the nominative case) |
|
f |
feminine
|
(all
nouns in Gaelic are either feminine or masculine and adjectives change to
match this) |
|
m |
masculine
|
|
|
s |
singular |
|
|
p |
plural |
|
1. Natural
features
a.
Water courses (rivers, burns)
Gaelic Say Meaning Comments
|
|
abhainn |
owEn |
river |
|
|
na h- |
aibhne |
n∂ haEn∂ |
of the river |
|
|
(an t-) |
allt |
(∂n t)owlt |
(the) burn |
‘alt’ unstressed |
|
nan |
allt |
n∂n owlt |
of the burns |
|
|
|
alltan |
owltan |
wee burn |
‘altan’ unstressed |
|
|
àth |
a: |
ford |
‘a’ unstressed |
|
|
caochan |
kaochan |
wee burn |
|
|
an |
steall |
∂ styowl |
the spout (of water) |
|
|
na |
still |
n∂ shtEl |
of the spout (of water) |
|
|
|
ùidh |
oo:E |
channel (between lochs) |
|
|
na h- |
ùidhe |
n∂ haoE |
of the channel |
|
|
|
uisg’ |
aoshk |
water |
|
|
an |
uillt |
∂n ooltj |
of the burn |
|
a.
Lochs, pools
Gaelic Say Meaning Comments
|
an |
loch |
∂ loch |
the loch |
|
|
|
lochaidh |
lochE |
wee loch |
|
|
|
lochain |
lochan |
wee lochs or of a wee loch |
|
|
an |
lochain |
∂ lochan |
of the wee loch |
|
|
|
lochan |
lochan |
wee loch |
|
|
an |
lochan |
∂ lochan |
the wee loch |
|
|
|
poll |
pOool |
pool |
|
|
am |
pollan |
∂m pOlan |
the wee pool |
|
|
a’ |
phuill |
∂ fooEl |
of the pool |
|
|
|
sùil |
soo:l |
‘sùil’ (i.e. lying water in a
bog) (eye) |
|
b.
Boggy, mossy and peaty places
Gaelic Say Meaning Comment
|
am |
blàr |
bla:r |
the peat moss |
|
|
|
fèith |
fe: |
bog |
‘fe’ unstressed |
|
na |
fèithe |
n∂ fe:h∂ |
of the bog |
‘n∂ fe’ unstressed |
|
nam |
fèithean |
n∂ fe:h∂n |
of the bogs |
|
|
an |
lòin |
∂ lO:n |
of the moist flat |
|
|
|
lòn |
lO:n |
moist flat |
|
|
a’ |
mhòine |
∂ vo:ny |
the peaty ground |
‘vony’ unstressed |
|
|
mòine |
mo:ny |
peatland |
|
|
na |
mòine |
n∂ mo:ny |
of the peaty ground |
‘mony’ unstressed |
|
|
mointeach |
montjoch |
peaty ground |
|
c.
Other water features and features in water
Gaelic Say Meaning Comments
|
am |
bàgh |
∂m ba:gh |
the bay |
|
|
a’ |
bhàigh |
∂ va:E |
of the bay |
|
|
an |
camas |
∂n kamas |
the
bay |
|
|
|
creag |
krAk |
crag (on land) or rock (in water) |
|
|
an |
eas |
∂ nyes |
of the waterfall |
|
|
(an t-) |
eas |
(∂n tj)es |
(the) waterfall |
|
|
an |
easain |
∂ nyesan |
of the wee waterfalls |
|
|
(an t-) |
eilean |
(∂n tj)Alan |
(the) island |
|
|
nan |
eilean |
n∂ nyAlan |
of the islands |
|
|
an |
eilein |
∂ nAl∂n |
of the island |
|
|
|
geo |
|
gyo |
narrow inlet |
|
|
inbhir |
EnEoor |
bay or confluence |
|
|
|
lùb |
loo:p |
bend (in river) or bay (in sea) |
|
|
na |
lùib |
n∂ loo:∂p |
of the bend or bay |
|
|
|
òb |
o:p |
bay |
‘op’ unstressed |
|
|
port |
porsht |
landing |
|
|
a’ |
phuirt |
∂ foorsht |
of the landing |
|
|
an |
sgeir |
∂ skAr |
the skerry |
|
|
|
stac |
stahk |
(steep hill or)
stack |
|
|
|
staca |
stahk |
(of) (steep hill or)
stack |
|
|
|
ùmh |
oo: |
cave |
|
d.
Mountains, hills
Gaelic Say Meaning Comments
|
|
beinn |
bEn |
mountain |
English ‘ben’ |
|
na |
beinne |
n∂ bEny |
of the mountain |
|
|
|
bheinn |
vEn |
mountain |
‘v∂n’ unstressed |
|
a’ |
bhinnein |
∂ vEny∂n |
of the pinnacle |
|
|
|
cathair |
kah∂r |
fairy knoll |
|
|
na |
cathrach |
n∂ karoch |
of the fairy knoll |
|
|
chnoc |
chrohk |
of knolls |
|
|
|
|
cnoc |
krohk |
knoll |
|
|
|
cnuic |
kraohk |
(of) knoll |
|
|
am |
meall |
∂ mEowl |
hill |
‘mEel’ unstressed |
|
am |
meallan |
∂ mEelan |
hillock |
|
|
an . . . |
mheall |
∂n . . . vEel |
the . . . hill |
unstressed |
|
|
mheallan |
vEelan |
hillock |
|
|
a’ |
mheallain |
∂ vEel∂n |
of the hillock |
|
|
a’ |
mhill |
∂ vEl |
of the hill |
|
|
na |
mill |
n∂ mEl |
the hills |
|
|
am |
mullach |
∂ mooloch |
the summit |
|
|
|
òrd |
o:rd |
(steep, round) hill |
|
|
am |
ploc |
∂m plohk |
the lump |
|
|
|
sàil |
sa:l |
heel |
|
|
an t- |
sàil |
∂n ta:l |
the heel |
‘∂n tal’ unstressed |
|
|
sgorr |
skor |
the peak |
|
|
an |
sgùman |
∂ skoo:m∂n |
peak |
|
|
an |
sgùrr |
∂ skoo:r |
the peak |
‘skoor’ unstressed |
|
an |
sìthean |
∂ shE:han |
the fairy hill |
‘shEhan’ unstressed |
|
|
spidean |
spEtjAn |
pinnacle |
(‘bidein’ not used in W. Ross) |
|
Gaelic |
Say |
Meaning |
Comments |
|
|
|
spiodan |
spEtan |
pinnacle |
(‘bidein’ not used in W. Ross) |
|
|
stac |
stahk |
steep hill or stack |
|
|
|
staca |
stahk |
(of) steep hill or stack |
|
|
|
stùc |
stoo:hk |
peak |
‘stoohk’ unstressed |
|
an |
tom |
∂n tOm |
hill |
|
|
an |
toman |
∂n toman |
the hillock |
|
|
|
tòrr |
to:r |
hill |
|
|
an |
torran |
∂n toran |
the hillock |
|
|
an |
torrain |
∂n toran |
of the hillock |
|
|
an |
tuim |
∂n taoEm |
of the hill |
‘toom’ unstressed |
e.
Other terms for high ground
Gaelic Say Meaning Comments
|
|
àird |
a:rt |
promontory |
|
|
an . . . |
bhràigh |
∂n . . . vraE |
the . . . upland |
but ∂ . . . before some letters |
|
a’ |
bhràghad |
∂ vra:∂t |
of the upland |
|
|
a’ |
bhràighe |
∂ vra:E |
of the upland |
|
|
am |
bràigh’ |
∂m bra:E |
the upland |
before a vowel |
|
am |
bràighe |
∂m bra:E |
the upland |
|
|
an |
càrn |
∂n ka:rn |
the cairn (natural or built) ‘karn’
unstressed |
|
|
an |
càrnan |
ka:rnan |
the wee cairn |
‘karnan’ unstressed |
|
|
drochaid |
drohEtj |
ridge (from bridge) |
W. Ross pronunciation without
‘ch’ sound |
|
na |
drochaide |
n∂ drohetj∂ |
of the ridge |
|
|
na |
droma |
n∂ drom∂ |
of the ridge |
|
|
|
druim |
drooEm |
ridge |
|
|
|
gob |
gOp |
point |
|
|
|
goban |
gOpan |
wee beak |
|
|
an |
rubha |
∂ roo,oo |
the headland or point |
‘roo’ unstressed |
|
|
sròin |
stro:n |
point |
|
|
|
sròn |
stro:n |
point |
‘stron’ unstressed |
|
an t- |
sròn |
∂n tro:n |
of the point |
‘tron’ unstressed |
|
|
teanga |
tjega |
tongue |
|
|
na |
teangaidh |
n∂ tjeghE |
of the tongue |
|
f.
Slopes
Gaelic Say Meaning Comments
|
an |
aghaidh |
∂n ∂ghE |
the face |
|
|
na h- |
aghaidh |
n∂ h∂ghE |
of the face |
|
|
|
bruthach |
broooch |
brae |
variation of ‘bruthaich’ |
|
|
bruthaich |
brooEch |
brae |
variation of ‘bruthach’ |
|
|
cnap |
krahp |
lump |
|
|
|
cnapach |
krahpoch |
lumpy |
|
|
an |
dìridh |
∂n jE:rE |
the ascent |
‘jErE’ unstressed |
|
an |
leathad |
∂ lye,at |
the slope |
‘le,at’ or ‘let’ unstressed |
|
an |
leitir |
∂ lyAhtj∂r |
the hillslope |
|
|
na . . . |
leitire |
n∂ . . . lAhtj∂r |
of the hillslope |
|
|
|
maol |
maol |
bare hillside |
|
|
a’ |
mhaoile |
∂ vaol∂ |
of the bare hillside |
|
g.
Rock words and features
Gaelic Say Meaning Comments
|
a’ |
chreag |
∂ chrAk |
the crag |
|
|
|
creag |
krAk |
crag (on land) or rock (in water) |
|
|
|
creagan |
krAkan |
little crag |
|
|
na |
creige |
n∂ krAk∂ |
of the crag |
|
|
a’ |
chùirn |
∂ choo:rn |
of the cairn |
|
|
|
clach |
klach |
stone |
|
|
nan |
clach |
n∂n klach |
of the stones |
|
|
na |
cloiche |
n∂ klohE |
of the stone |
W. Ross pronunciation |
|
leac |
lyehk |
slab |
|
|
|
na |
lice |
n∂ lyEhk∂ |
of the slab |
|
|
an |
sgeir |
∂ skAr |
the skerry |
|
h.
Valleys, hollows and passes
Gaelic Say Meaning Comments
|
|
achlais |
achlash |
hollow |
(armpit) |
|
na h- |
achlaise |
n∂ hachlash |
of the hollow |
|
|
am |
bealach |
∂m byaloch |
the pass |
|
|
a’ |
bhealaich |
∂ vyalEch |
of the pass |
|
|
an |
cadha |
∂n ka,a |
the pass |
|
|
na |
cadhachan |
n∂ ka,och∂n |
the passes |
|
|
nan |
cadhaichean |
n∂n kaEch∂n |
of the passes |
|
|
an . . . |
choire |
∂n chor∂ |
of the . . . corrie |
e.g. an garbh choire |
|
a’ |
choire |
∂ chor∂ |
of the corrie |
|
|
a’ |
choireag |
∂ choryak |
of the wee corrie |
|
|
|
clais |
klash |
gully |
|
|
na |
claise |
n∂ klash∂ |
of the gully |
|
|
an |
coire |
∂n kor∂ |
the corrie (hollow) |
|
|
|
coireag |
koryak |
wee corrie |
|
|
|
coir’ |
kor |
corrie |
(before a vowel) |
|
|
cùil |
koo:l |
neuk (nook) |
|
|
nan |
cùileagan |
n∂n koo:lak∂n |
of the neuks (nooks) |
|
|
a’ |
ghlac |
∂ ghlahk |
the hollow |
|
|
a’ |
ghlinne |
∂ ghlEny |
of the glen (valley) |
|
|
glac |
glahk |
hollow |
|
|
|
na |
glaice |
n∂ glahk |
of the hollow |
|
|
|
gleann |
glown |
glen (valley) |
‘glen’ unstressed |
|
innis |
EnEsh |
haugh (hollow) |
|
|
|
na h- |
innse |
n∂ hEnsh∂ |
of the haugh (hollow) |
|
|
lag |
lak |
hollow |
|
|
|
|
nead |
nyet |
nest |
|
|
|
nid |
nyEtj |
(of) nest |
|
|
an . . . |
tholl |
∂n haol |
the . . . hollow |
|
|
a’ . . . |
thuill |
∂ . . . hooEl |
of the hollow |
‘haol’ unstressed |
|
an |
toll |
∂n tOool |
the hollow |
‘tOl’ unstressed |
|
a’ . . . |
tuill |
∂ . . . taol |
of the . . . hollow |
|
|
an |
tuill |
∂n tooEl |
of the hollow |
‘taol’ unstressed |
|
|
srath |
stra |
strath (broad valley) |
|
i.
Woods, trees, plants, natural elements
Gaelic Say Meaning Comments
|
|
bad |
bat |
clump |
|
|
|
badan |
batan |
wee clump |
|
|
|
beithe |
bAh∂ |
(of) birch |
|
|
a’ |
bhainne |
∂ vany |
of the milk |
|
|
a’ |
chaorainn |
∂ chaor∂n |
of the rowan |
|
|
an . . . |
choille |
∂n . . . chaoly |
the . . . wood |
e.g. an dubh choille |
|
na . . . |
choille |
n∂ chaoly |
of the . . . wood |
e.g. na gearra choille |
|
a’ |
chòineach |
∂ chO:nyoch |
the moss |
|
|
a’ |
chòinteach |
∂ chO:ntjoch |
the moss |
‘chOntjoch’ unstressed |
|
|
chuilinn |
choolEn |
of holly |
|
|
|
coille |
kaoly |
wood |
|
|
na |
coille |
n∂ kaoly |
of the wood |
|
|
|
còinnich |
ko:nyEch |
mossy or of moss |
|
|
|
cuileann |
kool∂n |
holly |
|
|
|
doir’ |
daor |
grove |
before a vowel |
|
an |
doire |
∂n daor∂ |
the grove |
e.g. An Doire Beithe |
|
an |
doire |
∂n daor∂ |
of the grove |
e.g. Allt an Doire Dharaich |
|
|
doireachan |
daoroch∂n |
groves |
|
|
nan |
doireachan |
n∂n daoroch∂n |
of the groves |
|
|
|
darach |
daroch |
oak |
|
|
an |
daraich |
∂n darEch |
of the oak |
|
|
|
dharaich |
gharEch |
(of) oak |
|
|
|
feàrna |
fya:rn∂ |
alder |
|
|
am |
feur |
∂ fEar |
the grass |
|
|
|
fheàrna |
ya:rn∂ |
of alder |
|
|
an |
fhiodha |
∂ nigh∂ |
of the wood (timber) |
|
|
a’ |
ghiuthais |
∂ yoo,oosh |
of the fir |
|
|
|
giubhais |
goo,oosh |
fir |
|
|
|
iù |
Eoo: |
?yew |
‘oo:’ in speech |
|
|
rainich |
ranyEch |
of the rushes |
|
|
|
raineach |
ranyoch |
rushes |
|
|
|
rointeach |
rontjoch |
rushes |
|
|
|
seileach |
shAloch |
willow |
|
|
|
seilich |
shAlEch |
of willow |
|
j.
Animals, birds, fish
Gaelic Say Meaning Comments
|
na |
bèiste |
n∂ bAshtj∂ |
of the beast |
|
|
a’ |
bhric |
∂ vrEhk |
of the trout |
|
|
nam |
biast |
n∂m bE∂st |
of the beasts |
|
|
nan |
caorach |
n∂n kaoroch |
of the sheep |
|
|
a’ |
chruidh |
∂ chraoE |
of the cattle |
|
|
a’ |
choin |
∂ chon |
of the dog |
‘a’ choin uidhre’ is of the otter |
|
nan |
con |
n∂n kon |
of the dogs |
|
|
|
cuileag |
koolak |
fly |
|
|
an |
daimh |
∂n day |
of the stag |
|
|
nan |
damh |
n∂n dav |
of the stags |
|
|
|
each |
e∂ch |
horse |
|
|
nan |
each |
n∂ nye∂ch |
of the horses |
|
|
an |
eich |
∂ nyAch |
of the horse |
|
|
an |
eòin |
∂ nyo:n |
of the bird |
|
|
|
eun |
Ean |
bird |
|
|
nan |
eun |
n∂ nEan |
of the birds |
|
|
an |
fhithich |
∂ nE,Ech |
of the raven |
|
|
nan |
gobhar |
n∂n gOoor |
of the goats |
|
|
na |
goibhre |
n∂ gaoEr∂ |
of the goat |
|
|
na h- |
iolaire |
n∂ hElar∂ |
of the eagle |
|
|
|
laogh |
laogh |
calf |
|
|
nan |
laogh |
n∂ laogh |
of the calves |
usually, deer calves |
|
an |
laoigh |
∂ looE |
of the calf |
|
|
nam |
madadh |
n∂ matE |
of the foxes |
|
|
a’ |
mhadaidh |
∂ vatE |
of the fox |
|
|
nam |
muc |
n∂ moohk |
of the pigs |
|
|
na |
muice |
n∂ maohk |
of the pig |
|
|
an |
tairbh |
taray |
of the bull |
|
|
an |
uain |
∂n ooan |
of the lamb |
|
|
|
uan |
ooan |
lamb |
|
|
nan |
uan |
n∂n ooan |
of the lambs |
|
k.
Locational terms and parts of the body
Gaelic Say Meaning Comments
|
|
achlais |
achlash |
hollow |
(armpit) |
|
na h- |
achlaise |
n∂ hachlash |
of the hollow |
|
|
an |
aghaidh |
∂n ∂ghE |
the face |
|
|
na h- |
aghaidh |
n∂ h∂ghE |
of the face |
|
|
an |
ceann |
∂n kyown |
the end or the head |
‘kyan’ or ‘kyow’ unstressed |
|
nan |
ceann |
n∂n kyown |
of the heads |
|
|
|
cheann |
chyown |
head |
|
|
a’ |
chinn |
∂ chEn |
of the end or head |
|
|
a’ |
chùl |
∂ choo:l |
the back |
‘chool’ unstressed |
|
na |
crìche |
n∂ krEch∂ |
of the boundary |
|
|
a’ |
chìoch |
∂ chE∂ch |
the breast |
|
|
|
crìoch |
krEoch |
boundary |
|
|
|
cùl |
koo:l |
back |
|
|
na |
droma |
n∂ drom∂ |
of the ridge |
|
|
|
druim |
drooEm |
ridge |
(back) |
|
|
gob |
gOp |
point |
|
|
|
sàil |
sa:l |
heel |
|
|
an t- |
sàil |
∂n ta:l |
the heel |
‘∂n tal’ unstressed |
1. Colour terms
Gaelic Say Meaning Comments
|
|
bàn |
ba:n |
fair (nms) |
|
|
|
bàine |
ba:n∂ |
fair (gfs) |
|
|
|
bhàin |
va:n |
fair (gms) |
|
|
|
bhreac |
vrehk |
speckled (nfs) |
‘vrEhk’ locally |
|
|
bhuidhe |
vooE |
yellow (nfs) |
|
|
|
breac |
brAhk |
speckled (nms) |
|
|
|
brice |
brEhk∂ |
speckled (gfs) |
|
|
|
buidhe |
booE |
yellow (nms) |
|
|
|
dearg |
jerek |
red (nms) |
|
|
|
dearga |
jerek∂ |
red (p) |
|
|
|
deirg |
jArAk |
red (gfs) |
|
|
|
dhearg |
yerek |
red (nfs) |
|
|
|
dheirg |
yArAk |
red (gms) |
|
|
|
dhubh |
ghoo |
black (nfs) |
|
|
|
dhuibh |
ghooE |
black (gms) |
|
|
|
donn |
dOoon |
brown (nms) |
|
|
|
dubh |
doo |
black (nms) |
|
|
|
dùbh |
doo: |
black |
(strongly) stressed |
|
|
duibhe |
dooE |
black (gfs) |
|
|
|
dubha |
doooo |
black (p) |
|
|
|
fionn |
fyoon |
white (nms) |
|
|
|
geala |
gyal∂ |
white (p) |
|
|
|
ghlais |
ghlash |
grey or green (gms) |
|
|
|
ghlas |
ghlas |
grey or green (nfs) |
|
|
|
ghorm |
ghorom |
green or blue (nfs) |
|
|
|
glas |
glas |
grey or green (nms) |
|
|
|
glasa |
glas∂ |
grey or green (p) |
|
|
|
glaise |
glash∂ |
grey (gfs) |
|
|
|
gorm |
gorom |
green or blue (nms) |
|
|
|
guirm |
gooroom |
green or blue (gfs) |
|
|
|
lèith |
le: / lye: |
grey or hoary (gm/fs) |
depends on gender |
|
|
liath |
lyE∂ / lE∂ |
grey or hoary (nf/ms) |
depends on gender |
|
|
odhar |
Ooor |
light brown (ns) |
|
|
|
riabhach |
rE∂och |
brindled (ns or p) |
|
|
|
riabhaich |
rE∂,Ech |
brindled (gs) |
|
|
|
ruadh |
roo∂gh |
reddish-brown (ns) |
|
|
|
ruaidhe |
roo∂E |
reddish-brown (gfs) |
|
|
|
uaine |
ooany |
green |
|
|
|
uidhir |
aoEr |
light brown (gs) |
variation of ‘uidhre’ |
2. Artificial
features
a. Areas of
land
Gaelic Say Meaning Comments
|
|
acha’ |
ach∂ |
hill-field |
see ‘achadh’ |
|
|
achadh |
ach∂gh |
hill-field |
‘achk’ or ‘ach∂’ unstressed |
|
an |
achaidh |
∂ nachE |
of the hill-field |
|
|
|
achd |
achk |
hill-field |
see ‘achadh’ |
|
|
crait |
kratj |
croft |
variation of ‘croit’ |
|
|
lota |
lohta |
croft |
|
|
a’ |
phàirce |
∂ fa:rky∂ |
the park |
|
|
|
raon |
raon |
field |
|
|
an |
ruigh |
∂ rE |
the shieling ground |
|
|
an |
ruighe |
∂ rE |
of the shieling ground |
|
b. Dwellings and other structures
Gaelic Say Meaning Comments
|
|
àirigh |
a:rE |
shieling |
‘arE’ unstressed |
|
|
àthann |
a:han |
kiln |
|
|
|
baile |
bal∂ |
township |
|
|
an . . . |
bhaile |
∂n . . . val∂ |
of the . . . township |
but ∂ . . . before some letters |
|
a’ |
bhàthaich |
va:Ech |
of the byre |
|
|
|
buaile |
boo∂l∂ |
the (cattle) fold |
|
|
nam |
buailtean |
n∂m booaltj∂n |
of the (cattle) folds |
|
|
|
cachaileath |
kach∂la |
gateway |
|
|
an |
caisteal |
∂n kasht∂l |
the castle |
|
|
an |
càrn |
∂n ka:rn |
the cairn (natural or built) ‘karn’
unstressed |
|
|
|
cidhe |
kE,E |
jetty |
|
|
|
cladh |
klaogh |
graveyard |
|
|
|
dùn |
doo:n |
fort |
‘doon’ unstressed |
|
am |
fasadh |
∂ fas∂gh |
the dwelling-place |
|
|
am |
fuaran |
∂ foo∂ran |
the well |
|
|
|
fhuaran |
oo∂ran |
well |
|
|
na |
fùirneis |
n∂ foo:rnash |
of the furnace |
|
|
|
làrach |
la:roch |
remains (of building) |
‘laroch’ unstressed |
|
|
pasaid |
pasatj |
passage |
(access way through crofts) |
|
a’ |
phasaid |
∂ fasatj |
the passage |
|
|
|
rathad |
rahat |
road |
|
|
|
sràid |
stra:tj |
street |
|
|
|
taigh |
taE |
house |
|
|
an |
taighe |
∂n tahE |
of the house |
‘ta’ unstressed |
|
an |
teallach |
∂n tjaloch |
the forge |
|
|
an |
teallaich |
∂n tjalEch |
of the forge |
|
|
|
tobhta |
tOhta |
ruin |
|
|
|
tuathanas |
tooan∂s |
farm |
|
c. Occupations,
implements
Gaelic Say Meaning Comments
|
a’ |
ghobha |
∂ ghOoo |
of the smith |
|
|
a’ |
ghobhann |
∂ ghOoon |
of the smith |
|
|
|
gobha |
gOoo |
(black) smith |
|
|
a’ |
mhuidhe |
∂ vooE |
of the churn |
|
|
am |
poca |
∂m pohk∂ |
the bag |
|
|
nan |
ramh |
n∂ ra:v |
of the oars |
|
|
an |
rathain |
∂ rahan |
of the pulley |
|
|
na |
rathanan |
n∂ rahan∂n |
the pulleys |
|
|
nan |
sealg |
n∂ shalak |
of the hunts |
|
3. Types of
people and names
Gaelic Say Meaning Comments
|
a’ |
bhodaich |
∂ votEch |
of the old man |
|
|
am |
bodach |
botoch |
the old man |
|
|
na |
caillich |
n∂ kalyEch |
of the old woman |
|
|
a’ |
chailleach |
∂ chalyoch |
the old woman |
|
|
|
Dhomhnaill |
gho:ol |
Donald’s |
see also ‘Domhnaill’ |
|
|
Domhnaill |
do:ol |
Donald |
‘Donald’s’ after some letters (l, n, r) |
|
an |
duine |
doony |
the man |
|
|
|
Eachainn |
ech∂n |
of Hector |
|
|
nam |
fear |
n∂ fer |
of the men |
|
|
|
Fhearchair |
erech∂r |
of Farquhar |
|
|
an |
fhomhair |
∂ noar |
of the giant |
|
|
|
mac |
mahk |
son |
|
|
|
màthair |
ma:h∂r |
mother |
|
|
a’ |
mhaighdean |
∂ vaoEtj∂n |
the maiden |
|
|
|
mhic |
vEhk |
of the son |
|
|
|
Mhic ’illeathain |
vEhkEly∂n |
of Maclean |
|
|
|
Mhurchaidh |
vooroochE |
of Murdo |
|
|
na |
nighinn |
n∂ nyE,En |
of the daughter |
variation of ‘inghe’ but ‘na h-inghinn’ (n∂ hEnE,En) in Gairloch |
4. Other
descriptive terms
Gaelic Say Meaning Comments
|
|
beag |
bAk |
wee (nms) |
|
|
|
beaga |
bAk∂ |
wee (p) |
|
|
|
bheag |
vAk |
wee (nfs) |
|
|
|
bhig |
vEk |
wee (gms) |
|
|
|
bhriste |
vrEshtj∂ |
broken (nfs) |
|
|
|
bige |
bEk∂ |
wee (gfs) |
|
|
|
biorach |
bEroch |
sharp (nms) |
|
|
|
briste |
brEshtj∂ |
broken (nms) |
|
|
|
caime |
kaEm |
crooked or hidden or one-eyed
(gfs) |
|
|
|
cam |
kowm |
crooked or hidden or one-eyed |
|
|
|
caol |
kaol |
narrow (nms) |
|
|
|
caolas |
kaol∂s |
narrows |
|
|
|
chaim |
chaEm |
crooked or hidden or one-eyed
(gms) |
|
|
|
chaol |
chaol |
narrow (nfs) |
|
|
|
cheud |
chE∂t |
hundred |
|
|
|
chrom |
chrOoom |
curved or crooked |
|
|
|
chrombuill |
chrowmbool |
winding |
|
|
|
clàir |
kla:r |
flat |
|
|
|
crom |
krOoom |
curved or crooked |
|
|
|
domhainn |
doEn |
deep (nms) |
|
|
|
doimhne |
daon∂ |
deep (gfs) |
|
|
|
fada |
fat∂ |
long (nms or p) |
|
|
|
fhiadhaich |
E∂Ech |
wild |
|
|
|
fhuar |
hoo∂r |
cold (nfs) |
|
|
|
frìth |
frE: |
small |
‘frE’ unstressed |
|
|
fuar |
foo∂r |
cold (nms) |
|
|
|
garbh |
garav |
rough (nms) |
also ‘gara’ |
|
|
geàrr |
gya:r |
short |
‘gyar’ unstressed |
|
|
gharbh |
gharav |
rough (nfs) |
|
|
|
ghrànda |
ghra:nt∂ |
ugly or nasty (nfs or p) |
|
|
|
gobhlach |
gO:loch |
forked |
|
|
|
gun |
g∂n |
without |
|
|
|
ìosal |
E: ∂s∂l |
low (ns or p) |
|
|
|
ìsle |
E:shl∂ |
low (gs) |
|
|
|
is |
is |
and |
n.b. say ‘is’, not ‘iz’ |
|
|
leathan |
lehen |
broad |
|
|
|
meadhanach |
mEanoch |
middle |
|
|
|
mheadhanach |
vEanoch |
middle |
|
|
|
mhòir |
vO:r |
big (gms) |
|
|
|
mhòr |
vO:r |
big (nfs) |
|
|
|
mòire |
mO:r∂ |
big (gfs) |
|
|
|
mòr |
mO:r |
big (nms) |
|
|
|
mòra |
mO:r∂ |
big (p) |
|
|
|
rèidh |
re: |
smooth (g/ns) |
|
|
|
seana |
shen∂ |
old |
|
|
|
seann |
shown |
old |
|
|
|
sgoilte |
skoltj∂ |
split |
|
|
|
tarsainn |
tars∂n |
transverse or sideways |
|
© Nevis Hulme, 2010
This document may be printed for personal study so long as
it is not redistributed or used for profit.
Nevis Hulme, 6 Allt Grìsean, Geàrrloch,
|
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