-
(also) cnàmharnach
-
well-built man, of strong proportions. ’S e cnàmharnach de dhuine tapaidh th’ann. (Scalpay) May have originated from cnàmh.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
4.6. Strong wind
-
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
-
4.6. Strong wind
-
Category: Sìde / Weather
-
4.6. Strong wind
-
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
-
4.6. Strong wind
-
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
-
4.6. Strong wind
-
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
-
4.6. Strong wind
-
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
-
Bealltuinn
-
Quotation: Rotach Bealltuinn. Notes: strong ground swell which drove the seaweed ashore.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[catrach]
-
catrach math gaoithe – strong wind (Arran, Bute, Cowal, Kintyre).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[làmh]
-
Cùl mo làimh ris – an attitude of strong disapproval.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[sadadh]
-
Bha a ghaoth gan sadadh. – A strong wing was beating down on them.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[sliochd]
-
“Fàsaidh sibh mar an luachair / Is crionaidh sibh mar an raineach, / Is thig sliochd eile ’nur n’àite / Is thig crioch air sliochd na mollachd.” I don’t know what place this refers to – I consider that ‘mollachd’ must be wrong: it is a very strong word.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
a’ phoit ghuirmein
-
An enormous three legged iron pot which always rested on the hearth behind the fire, and which contained the ‘guirmean’, a beautiful blue dye used for tweeds, etc. A lid of wood, or a thick, strong piece of canvas tied round it, kept the mouth well sealed.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
badag
-
number of strong feather [sic] or outer part of wing used to dust the griddle after each fill.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
biast
-
beast, finding a person saying anything of a strong report, or a strong word of swearing he is acknowledged or rebuked by Isd a bhiast! (Scalpay) [SLIP: A rebuke said to someone cursing.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bodachan
-
Quot.: “bodachan coirc”. Note: oatmeal mixed with sugar and a little cold water and rolled into a cylindrical shape. Taken with one if one was going to the hill or to the seashore. Very strong and sustaining. Also given to young sheep to bring them on.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
borran
-
strong grass on the moorland that is difficult to cut.
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
braidean
-
[bɾɑdʹɑṉ] Quotation: (1) Bheir mise ort, a’ bhraidean! (2) “Braidean, bheir mise air!” Notes: (1) “Bad boy!” Not so strong as rascal. (2) If a child came to his mother complaining that another child had done something hurtful she would say this to comfort the child.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bàthach
-
When the cows occupied one end of the “tigh dubh” that end had no stalls. A short post was driven into the wall and a cow was tied to it by a strong rope. Earlier still, instead of the wooden post, two stones in the shape of two horns meeting each other at their extremities and forming a sort of circle were built into the wall. The end of the rope which tied the cow was fixed to this circle. As many of these circles as were deemed necessary were built into the wall on each side of byre.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
bùrail
-
Quotation: Tha Sloc an Ime (local gully) a’ bùrail. Notes: a sign that the wind was going to come from the north and would be strong.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
caf
-
[kɑf] Quot.: “Abair caf!” Note: a strong smell that catches one’s breath.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cafan
-
Quot.: Tha cafan gaoith a steach air an dorus. Note: a strong current of air.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cafan
-
Note: a strong smell, usually bad, which catches one’s breath. “Tha cafan bhon an fheòil sin. Sad as i.”
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
caithte
-
strong to wear. Aodach caithte. And ‘aodach caitheamh’, suitable for wearing, generally.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
calm(a)
-
strong.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
-
carcair
-
width of cut. It was never more than an average person’s throw. This was a strong tradition as it was communal work.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
casan cainnbe
-
if the rays pointed down from the sun this indicated rain. If on the other hand they pointed upwards, strong winds would follow.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceanghal cleibh
-
a new creel before use was tightened or bound over with strong twine laced back and fore on the outside along the line of ribs.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
ceannachran
-
a strong support pole running from the top of the wall to the highest point of the gables. At both ends of a house.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceap
-
Quot.: “ceap na h-àirigh”. Note: square of turf with strong grass growing on it used as table and seat in shieling.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cho làidir ri Samson
-
as strong as Samson.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
-
cho làidir ris an leomhainn
-
as strong as a lion.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
-
cleitric
-
(also) a fair attempt, a fair workable motion, strong endeavour.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
clàtair
-
A strong hoe-like implement with concave blade called bas. [NOTES: spelled ‘clatair’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
cnagag
-
strong, sturdy female.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
craobh
-
Quot.: “Tha a chraobh aice.” Note: cloud formation like a tree seen in the southern sky in the early morning. Strong south wind with rain following.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
crosgagan
-
strong winds from the north east in spring and autumn.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cuir is cathabh
-
mist and snow supported by a strong wind.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cuireag
-
[ku̟ɾɑɡ] Notes: eddy in a strong tide.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cuirm
-
a feast. MacCodrum has ‘cuilm’. Dioscorides says that the ancestors of the Britons drank a strong liquor made of barley which they call ‘curmi’. So the word has come down to our time and whisky now so called is an ancient beverage.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cùil bhuntata
-
Big box-like wooden structure usually in barn – for strong potatoes. [NOTES: spelled ‘cùil a’ bhuntàta’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
damh
-
[d̪ɑ̃f] Quotation: pl. daimh [d̪ɛf]. Notes: (pl.) the four strong main beams in harrows.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
deoch
-
nn ‘drink’: pl.: ~annan do bheer; '[strong] drink: gu robh ~ ... na bhroinn
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
-
diascain
-
dregs left after making whisky – very strong coarse stuff.
Location: Harris, Leverburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
dibh
-
Notes: confined to strong drink, e.g. “An deigh na dibh-làidir a dhòl iad.” Never heard the word applied to ordinary drink.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
dioghmhoir
-
[dʹw:ɣɔɾ] Notes: stubborn, obstinate strong-headed.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Kilillan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
duine foghaineach
-
a strong, well-built man.
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
-
duine foghainneach
-
can also mean crafty as well as strong.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
duine greimeil
-
a strong man.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
-
dìaulum
-
an old word which referred to strong liquer [sic] [liquor?] of any kind. Informant has a song on this. [NOTES: note added above – Di-abhlam.]
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
eireachdail
-
Notes: magnificent. Of man – well-built, usually ruddy features, healthy and strong. Sometimes suitor of girls.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
eirtheartach
-
strong.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fannadh
-
[fɑ̃n̪ɑɣ] Note: rowing a boat so that it just moves and no more, e.g. when fishing for cod inshore. Also when going against a strong wind. “Cha robh iad càil ach ’ga fannadh.”
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fianntachd
-
[fĩɤ̃n̪t̪ɑxk] Quot.: “a’ fianntachd air bó, etc.” Note: used when a person has his eye on something he likes very much. Not as strong as coveting. “Sùil a bhi aig duine ann a’ rud.”
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
firsginn
-
a strong body of soldiers.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fuar-shlatan
-
Quotation: Dh’fhalbh e ’na fhuar-shlatan leis a’ ghaoith. Notes: something blown to pieces by a strong wind.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fuaradh froise
-
strong gusts of wind prior to heavy shower of rain. Usually experienced from mid January to mid February.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fìdhleirean
-
Quotation: Fìdhleirean Srath-Éirinn. Notes: term for strong, piercing east wind.
Location: Spean Bridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gaoth
-
Quotation: gaoth peithireach [peðəx]. Notes: a very strong wind, a gale. See “peithir”. (Dw. peithir 5‡‡ a thunderbolt.)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
garbh-ghucag
-
[ɡɑɾɑɣu̜xkɑɡ] Notes: the first distilling of the whisky. “Foreshot”. Very strong (?). See Dw.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
giamanach
-
a big, strong man. Also used of a large fish.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
goileach-gaoith (beag)
-
made with a small potato and strong feathers. The feathers were stuck in at all angles and it was thrown in a fairly strong wind.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
-
gonnathalan
-
a strong, valorous person renowned for heroic feats. This word comes from ‘Duan Na Ceardaich’.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gralag, na greallagan
-
a strong piece of wood with a strong iron band at each end to which the traces are linked. Another of the same in the centre facing backwards and to which the plough or harrow is fixed.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
gramail (-e)
-
strong, resolute.
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
grobhail
-
Quotation: “Dhia, nach iad tha grànda grobhail” – Catriona Mhór, on hearing Murdag Mhór’s description of the airmen at Broad Bay. Notes: Dw. has grabhail ‘horrible, causing horror, aversion or strong dislike’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gàdruisg
-
Quotation: (South Lochs) gàdruisg chloinne (a hubbub of children). Notes: Dw. has gàdraisg ‘tumult, confusion; drunken riots’. (The above usage less strong than Dwelly’s.)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
leth-bhuinn
-
Notes: half-soles (cf. Sutherland gearra-bhuinn). Presumably an old compound – strong initial stress, and bh > f. In Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
liquor
-
nn [likʹɛr]: ~‘strong drink’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
-
lusan-garbha
-
a collection of strong plants of various species like nettles and thistles growing on a neglected patch of land. Tha e air a dhol fo lusan garbha.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
mairsteannach
-
used to mean strong, sturdy, especially when talking about children.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
mathan
-
exceptional[ly] strong person. ’S e mathan ann. Tha e mar am mathan. – signifying strength.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
màrsach (I)
-
Boirionnach a tha a’ sealltuinn gu bheil i làidir a thaobh nam fear – ag iarraidh thuca ’s mar sin. Tuigidh sibh fhein! Mar tha ‘màrsach’ againne tha e gu math duilich còmhradh a chur air. [SLIP: A woman who shows she is strong vis-à-vis men.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
neart
-
strong.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
peithir
-
[pehəð] Notes: a very strong wind, a gale. Also gaoth-peithreach [ɡw:peðəx]. (Dw. 5‡‡ ‘a thunderbolt’) (< beithir?) [NOTES: the last note in brackets in second hand.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
peithireach
-
[peðəx] Quotation: gaoth peithireach. Notes: a very strong wind, a gale. See “peithir” on slip. (Dw. 5‡‡ ‘a thunderbolt’)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
piunndadh
-
to confiscate, or to steal. I think ‘steal’ is a bit strong. Perhaps the word ‘pound’ might be more accurate?
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
roill
-
Notes: used of strong-smelling ooze from fish which has been lying for a time (even a few hours). Also of thick spittle at cow’s mouth. Hence roilleach. Dw. has ròil ‘slaver’ (from DMy, Lewis). Also roille-chraos ‘slavering mouth’. Source: heard in conversation with Murdo Ferguson of Portvoller, Lewis. Date: 10/05/1969. (Also John MacArthur, Bayble – October 1970)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
rotach
-
Quotation: Rotach Bealltainn. Notes: strong ground swell which drove the seaweed ashore.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ruagairneach
-
Quotation: ruagairneach or ruagairneach ghille. Notes: young, strong, lively lad.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ràs-gaoithe
-
strong breeze of wind. The description more inclined to the east wind, as in this instance: Bha ràs de ghaoith-an-ear ann le turadh. Turadh na mòine – a peat drying remark. The east wind is a very effective agent in drying peats on Harris.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgairt
-
Quot.: “sgairt gaoith”. Note: a strong cold wind.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgairteil
-
strong, valiant as in ‘sgioba sgairteil air a’ bhàta’.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgal
-
Quotation: Ghabh e sgal mu ’n obair. Notes: He had a craze, strong liking for …
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgal
-
strong breeze blowing. Here the term: tha sgal oirre (breeze), strong breeze.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgal
-
Quot.: sgal gaoith. Note: a very strong wind – about Force 8.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgal
-
A good slap. Thug iad fichead sgal mus do stad iad. – Rùid (rams) a’ sabaid. Bha sgal air a’ ghaoith. – The wind was strong.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgrioban
-
Strong wooden rake used to cover hole made by dibble. [NOTES: spelled ‘sgrìoban’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
sgrioban
-
Strong wooden rake used to cover hole made by dibble. [NOTES: spelled ‘sgrìoban’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
smearach
-
strapping, strong. “’S tu a bheireadh an deagh smearach gille.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
smearail
-
strong.
Location: Glasgow
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
smoids
-
said when one had consumed a fair amount of strong drink. “Nach tu a ghabh a smoids deoch a raoir.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sonn-chathair
-
strong city.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
spadag
-
Notes: a nasty aspersion; not quite as strong as defamation, alladh. Can also pass for innuendo.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
spallp
-
a strong man.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
spannadh
-
a strong pull or wrench. “Bheir sinn dha aon spannadh eile.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
spianagan
-
when pulling wool or material which when pulled apart shows fragmentary bits from the effect blown in the wind thus from the ‘spianagan’ due to the ‘wee pulling’. 2. (also) whirlwind effect in the wind, sudden gusts, from ‘spianadh’ – giving a strong jerk.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
strapail (-e)
-
in the sense of a strong striding action. “Chan fhaca mi riamh te bha cho strapail gu coiseachd.”
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
suabag
-
Notes: a strong gust of wind.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
suil-dhìleas
-
Quotation: ... suil-dhìleas (strong accent on 2nd element) a bh’aca, an tè a bhiodh a’ bleoghan dhaibh... (of a couple who were ill, and needed someone to look after their day-to-day affairs). Notes: Used in sense of ‘housekeeper’ by Rev. Norman MacDonald (Skye) – Gairm 52. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sìban gaoithe
-
a strong wind.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sùiste
-
In addition to the crops of hay, oats, barley, etc. the barn held many crofting or farming implements such as the ‘sùiste’ or flail with its long, thick, wooden handle, to the end of which a ‘buailtean’ or beater was attached with strong leather thongs. The ‘buailtean’ was a shorter club and when the flail was swung over the sheaves, the ‘buailtean’ threshed them. ‘Cliath-chliata’, harrow; ‘amull’, the first swingle-tree in a plough and ‘dreallag’, a swingle-tree, were also kept there. In addition to these, one could see ‘plocan’ [q.v.].
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
taistealach
-
a strong stout fellow. In Ossian parlance, a champion. It appears in “Cath Fionntraigh”.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tamar (m)
-
Notes: a strong blow or kick (at a football). (hammer?)
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
teatha chartaidh
-
Notes: very strong tea.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tobhaiceadh
-
earthing to prevent the grown shaws from being broken by strong winds.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
treun
-
strong.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
-
tunnagan a’ falbh air iteag
-
followed by strong winds.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
uchdag
-
strong push.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ultach
-
Quot.: ultach gaoith. Note: very strong gusts of wind.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
uspag
-
Notes: a strong gust of wind.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
òrd maoraich
-
the short strong knife used for the above [knocking limpets off the rocks] – usually a worn down shortened kitchen knife.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
-
“Ma thà tha mi!”
-
(Do an chluais mar: ma hà hammy (faisg air có dhiu).) Bidh lorg gu math aig Ruairidh, am profeasar, mu an tè-sa. Bha i dol strong ann an Leòdhas bho bha Ruairidh ’na ruaganach balaich. Bidh fhios agaibh fhéin, chanainn, agus sibh cho seorp, dé mar a tha i air a cleachdadh. “Yes indeed.” “I would think so.” “To be sure.” ’S mar sin, ’s mar sin.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
