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There were 1149 hits for cho

--blank--: ipv.:gabh e [òran]!; vbl nn: cha robh mi ‘ gabhail sian orm air an òran;'s i ' ~ail oirre, mas fhìor; tha mi ‘ dol a ghabhail orm [‘pretend’] gur e Gypsy a th’ ionnam; [‘is possible’]: rinn mi chuile sian a ghabhadh dèanamh innte; tha siud cho ceart 's a ghabhadh e; chaidh duine a mharbhadh a ghabhadh sàbhaladh muram biodh Latha nan Car ann;
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
--blank--: chuir e air ~ a chuile sian [DAG]; b’ fheàrr leam gu robh ~ againn air a dhol a-mach [DAG]; e a’ cur air ~ gunna; a’ cur an eagail air cnapach sa ~ ud; gu dè ‘n ~ a ghearras tu e? [MM]; cha d’fhuair e an cuireadh ‘s cha robh e air a dh. idir; well, tha i seo air a ~, Màiri Bhàn; tha nigheanan beag’ air an ~, na truaghain; chaidh mise a choimhead air an ~ anns an d’fhuair mi e; ‘n ~ ‘s gum biodh i sàbhailte; an ~ a fhuair iad clìor; an ~ a tha an lagh; an ~ anns an robh an duine ‘ bh’ ann ag actadh;dòigh: an ~ sa chuala mise e; anns an ~ a their iad e (?) [MAE]; ‘s e an aon Ghàidhlig a th’ aca ach an ~a bhruidhneas iad [MAE]; a chuile trip a bhiodh e ‘ dol sìos ‘~ ‘s gum faigheadh e na voteichean
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
acaire n.: ‘anchor’: acaire [ɑʰkər ́]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, North Shore, Wreck Cove
Category: Wreck Cove, North Shore wordlist
cas n.: ’foot’: cùl mo choiseadh [khu:ʁ̫ mə xɔʃəɣ]; dat. sg. cois na h-aibhneadh [kʰɔʃ nə h˻ãĩ˼ɲəɣ]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona, Barra Glen
Category: Barra Glen, Iona wordlist
coire n.: ‘kettle’: gen. sg. màs a’ choire [ə xɔr ́ə].
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness County, Broad Cove Chapel
Category: Seosamh Watson collection notebook date: Jan-May 1991
càl n.: ‘cabbage’:‘ siud mar chaidh an càl a dholaidh/ stick a’ mhin ri màs a’ choire/ aig na bodaich sgallte [ʃit mər xɑi̯ əŋ khɑ:ʁ̫ ə ɣɔʁ̫iç stik ́ ə vin ri mɑ:s ə xɔr ́ə ɛk ́ nə pɔtiç skɑʁ̫t ́ə]; cf. Creighton, H. and MacLeod, C. ‘Gaelic songs in Nova Scotia’, Ottawa (1964), 248-250.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness County, Broad Cove Chapel
Category: Seosamh Watson collection notebook date: Jan-May 1991
cùl n.: ‘back’: cùl mo choiseadh [khu:ʁ̫ mə xɔʃəɣ]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona, Barra Glen
Category: Barra Glen, Iona wordlist
doras n.: ‘door’: gen. sg. nan deaghadh tu chon an dorais [nɑ ɲt ́˻eə˼ tu xɔn ə tɔriʃ]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Victoria Co., North Shore, Tarbot
Category: Tarbot, North Shore wordlist
màs n.: ‘bottom, base’: màs [mɑ:s] a’ choire.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness County, Broad Cove Chapel
Category: Seosamh Watson collection notebook date: Jan-May 1991
stick vb.: ‘stick’: past indep. stick [stik ́] a’ mhin ri màs a’ choire.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness County, Broad Cove Chapel
Category: Seosamh Watson collection notebook date: Jan-May 1991
thèid vb.: ‘go’: a b’ e cà’n tèid thu [ə̥ pə kʰɑ: ɲe:t ́ u]; nan deaghadh tu chon an dorais [nɑ ɲt ́˻eə˼ tu xɔn ə tɔriʃ]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Victoria Co., North Shore, Tarbot
Category: Tarbot, North Shore wordlist
(4) Tàbh beag: Ni bun slait chreagaich cas do’n tabh so. Chan fhaca mi ann an àite e ach ann an Uig an Ungaisiadar. Tha e air oibreachadh mar poca chudaig – a’ crathadh a’ phronnabhiadhaidh ’na bhroinn. Tha e cho aotram is nach leig thu leas fear sgròbaidh, dòirtidh tu fhein na bheir thu gu tir de chudaig do pheile no do chliabh.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
(5) Tàbh mór: ’Se ‘tigh-thàbhaidh’ a chanas na Nisich ris an tàbh so agus faodaidh mi a radh gur e Nis dachaidh an taibh so oir tha iad ann ’nan dusain. Chan fhaca mise gin ach aon dhuibh [sic] anns an Rudha, ’se ‘am poca’ bhiodh againne is bha am poca againn cho pailt is a tha an tigh thàbhaidh aig na Nisich. Tha e cho mór is cho trom is gum bi buarach air a cur mu mheadhon an fhir a bhios ag obair leis, is fear air a chùlaibh ga cumail, oir na’n tigeadh muir tarsainn gun fhiosd is an tàbh a muigh bhiodh e dualtach car a chur do’n tàbh is an t-iasgair a tharraing a mach. Ag iasgach le tàbh mór tha iad a’ biadhadh na creige, is nuair a chruinnicheas na cudaigean chun a phronnabhaidh-so, tha an t-iasgair a’ sàthadh sios an tàbh air an taobh a muigh is gan crodhadh ann eadar an tàbh ’sa chreag. Tha e a’ doirteadh na ghlacas e air a’ chreig is togaidh na bhios timchioll do na peileachan iad. ’Se duine làidir a dh’fheumas tu airson tigh thàbhaidh oibreachadh, ach is e daoine làidir a tha anns na Nisich.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
(b) sgrogan (also referred to as sgonnan): far am bi am fear-buana a’ cur a choise.
Origin: Borraraig [Skye, Boreraig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
10. Different services during the week, feast days, sacraments, Sunday school etc.: Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
10. Different services during the week, feast days, sacraments, Sunday school etc.: Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
10. Different services during the week, feast days, sacraments, Sunday school etc.: Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
10. Different services during the week, feast days, sacraments, Sunday school etc.: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
10. Different services during the week, feast days, sacraments, Sunday school etc.: Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
10. Different services during the week, feast days, sacraments, Sunday school etc.: Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
10. Different services during the week, feast days, sacraments, Sunday school etc.: Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
10. Different services during the week, feast days, sacraments, Sunday school etc.: Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
10. Different services during the week, feast days, sacraments, Sunday school etc.: Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
10. Different services during the week, feast days, sacraments, Sunday school etc.: Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
10. Different services during the week, feast days, sacraments, Sunday school etc.: Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
10. Different services during the week, feast days, sacraments, Sunday school etc.: Origin: [in the card index: Islay, Ballygrant] [the questionnaire gives Earraghaidhiell but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
10. Different services during the week, feast days, sacraments, Sunday school etc.: Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
3. Sioman gualainn: Rope going round chimney and weighted down at both ends by extra large anchor stones. [NOTES: see the illustrations under ‘Some ropework terms’ and ‘Ropework at hip with chimney’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
5. Na buadhan: This is always the word used in Tiree for anchor stones. Never ‘acraichean’ as is the usual in most places. [NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
6.4. A choppy sea: Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.4. A choppy sea: Category: Sìde / Weather
6.4. A choppy sea: Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.4. A choppy sea: Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.4. A choppy sea: Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.4. A choppy sea: Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
A Chealla: “An a sgaoil a’ Chealla?” A’ Chealla b’e seo againne eaglais Bhaile na Cille ann an Uig. Bha e aig na seann daoine mar a th’agam an seo shuas. “A’ Chealla” agus “An a sgaoil a’ Chealla”. Ach cha robh e againne ach mar ainm do’m biodh sinn a’ toirt an aire, chluinneadh sinn e an dràsda ’s a rithist. Nuair a bha Calum MacLeòid am ministeir (Calum MacLeòid a chaochail ann am Both-chuidir agus a bha ’na Cheann-suidhe air a’ Chomunn Ghàidhealach airson greis), nuair a bha e dol troimh an fhòghlum an Dunéideann, thuit a mach bhuaithe uaireigin “A Chealla” agus mar sin. Thug an t-Ollamh Mac Fhionghuin an aire do an seo anns an spot agus chòrd an rud a bh’ann ris anabarrach math.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
A dol chon a tairbh: Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
Airleis: So airgiod a bhiodh gach te ann an criudha ri faighinn bhon chùireir nuair a cheangaladh iad fhein ris mus toisicheadh an t-iasgach. Tha cuid beò fhathast a thoisich air tasdan de àirleis, ach bha e cho àrd ri deich tasdain an te nuair a sguir iad a dhol ’nan treudan chun an iasgaich so.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
An Eaglais Stéidhichte: B’e seo an Established Church. Agus mar a th’agam air an taobh eile, ’s ann riutha seo a chanadh sinn Na Moderats. Ach bho 1929 chan eil an t-ainm tric ’ga chleachdadh. Ach cho fad’s is aithne dhomh, tha e beò fhathast.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
An t-Abhaisteir: “Cho dubh ris an Abhaisteir”
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
An t-arcach: So, tha mi a’ smaoineachadh an te a b’fheàrr aig muir is bu shàbhailte. Bha a toiseach is a deireadh a’ tighinn cruinn a steach chun an droma, is bha i fada na b’fharsaing eadar a dà ghualainn na bha i eadar an da shliasaid. Dh’eireadh i so gu bòidheach air gach tonn, a’ ruith na mara no dol ’na aghaidh, agus bha i cho easgaidh air an stiùir is gur e fìor dhroch sgiobair a leigeadh do mhuir tarsainn a thighinn air gun a ghlacadh air a sliasaid no air a gualainn.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
An t-earball: Dean an nis earball an lin bhig leis na tha agad sios fo’n taraig, le lùbadh air a fhein agus toinneamh da dhual a chur air ga ghlasadh le ‘splice’. Teannaich an nis pios den druim bhon tarag so sios cho fada ’sa leigeas cliathaich an tighe dhuit agus ceangail e ri tarag eile gus am bi pios math den druim agad teann eadar an dà tharaig. Nuair a chuir thu na calpan air an druim dh’fhag thu cas fhada agus cas bheag mu thri oirlich no beagan na’s fhaide sios fon charcair. Tha a chas bheag so air a toinneamh ris a’ chalp fhada is air a glasadh le snaim. Nuair a ni thu so air a chula calp a tha eadar an da tharaig tha thu ga fosgladh bho na tairgean agus a’ slaodadh uiread eile don druim le na calpan troimh’n ulaig is gan ceangal a rithist. Lean air adhairt mar so gus an cuir thu an toinneamh air a chula calp.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Ard Choill: Ardchyl. [NOTES: slipped under Ard Choill’. Definition: Ardchyl (near Killin).]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
A’ Choinneal: Candle.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
A’ Choinneal Mhor: Paschal candle.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
A’ Choisir: The Choir.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
A’ Chomain: Communion (Part of Mass or Sacred Species).
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
A’ Chomhairle: College of Consultors.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
A’ Chonair Mhoire: Rosary.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
A’ dol air a’ chois-chaoil: A’ dol sìos gu math (a’ teireachduinn ’s a’ caitheamh). Mar a thuirt am bodach mu an fhodair nuair a bha e ruith sìos gu math: “Tha e dol air a’ chois-chaoil.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Bha e na chor-shuidhe: squatting.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Calum sgoileir: Malcolm the scholar; personal name and the adjective word indicating the person’s occupation, etc.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Cho fiachaill ri anam an fhuathaire: as precious as a giant’s soul. [NOTES: ‘fiachaill’ corrected to ‘fiachail’.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Cho sean ri ceò nam beann: Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Cho seòlta ri Iamhar!: Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Chomhlaich mi e: I met him. [NOTES: ‘Chomhlaich’ corrected to ‘Chòmhlaich’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Chuir mi i air a’ bhuaraich: an expression heard in times past when a fisherman had anchored his boat.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Criudha chutairean: Tha triùir anns gach criudha – da chutair agus pacair. Ann an Leódhas co dhiu, ’se boireannaich a bhiodh anns gach criudha, ach bhiodh criudhaichean fhireannach a Eirinn an sud ’san so am puirt a’ chost a sear as t-samhradh air am biodh na caileagan a’ faighinn dibhersion gu leor.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Cul mo chois: Origin: Barra
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Da leth-chois: Da mhogul ri taobh a cheile is snàilean briste anns gach fear. ’Sann air leth-choisean a dh’ionnsuich balaich is clannighean toiseach càraidh.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Di-haoine: Cha bu chor toiseachadh air rud sam bith. Bhitheadh droch rath an cois buain neo gearradh agus cha bu chor dad a cheannach.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Dorgh-dhragh: Faigh ceirsle de dhorgh-dhragh laidir nach bi cho caol ri dragh slait chreagaich.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Druim an lin: An t-sreang air fad ris a bheil na snotaichean ceangailte. Tha trì eatheannan eadar gach snòta no dubhan. Chan eil sreang na snòta cho garbh ris an druim ach tha i air a dual dùbailte.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Earrann (dhen Chonair Mhoire): Third (section of the Rosary).
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Fionn: Quotation: Tha e cho fada ’s a cheann ’s a bha Fionn ’s na casan.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Fionnladh: Quotation: an òrdag, a’ cholbhag, Fionnladh fada, Mac an Aba, [u̜i:dʒʹɑɡ].
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Latha Cois-cheum Coillich: Christmas Day. Extra time from 22nd-25th December. Difference in time amounts to the cockerel taken [sic] the hens an extra step to feed. [Cf. Latha Ghille Chonnaidh.]
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
Latha Ghille Chonnaidh: New Year’s Day. Time taken for a lad to go to the hills for a bag of peats. Extra time on to the shortest day. Cf. Latha Cois-cheum Coillich.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
Lion-leóbag: Tha e mu thri cheud troigh a dh’fhad is mu cheud troigh a leud ach gheibh thu cuid na’s motha is na’s lugha na sin. Tha ceithir cluasan air is coig òirlich anns gach mogul. Tha àrcaichean caola mar arcaichean botuil a’ ruith an druim àrd mu shia òirleach dheug bho cheile, agus mu choinneamh gach àrca sin air an druim iochdair tha piosan de luaidhe chaol. Tha poca air fhighe anns an lion fhein is tha na leóbagan is na sòrnain ga suaineadh fhein anns a’ phoca so. Bidh barrachd air an sin ga suaineadh fhein ann – eoin mhara – an sgarbh, an t-eun dubh is bughaidean, is chunna mi aon uair burbhailleach bhòidheach air a bathadh ann am fear is chuir e an aghaidh an lin so mi.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Lobhtaichean: Ann an cuid de phuirt air a chost a sear bhiodh cùirearan a’ togail tighean móra fiodha le móran rumanan do chlannighean an iasgaich. Bhiodh da chriudha dol gu gach rum. ’Se lobhtaichean a chainte ri na tighean so – Lobhta Edie Gòrdon, Lobhta nam Brusach, Lobhta Mhic an Thearlaich, etc. Lobhtaichean an t-sugraidh, an fheala dha ’sa chiùil. Tha mi cinnteach gu bheil ‘Skyscrapers’ air fàs air an laraich an diugh. Is iomadh iasgair a thug bean a eilean eile asda.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Loch-Abar: Inbhir Allt Coire an Lochain, Drochaid Lòchaidh, Beinn Nibheis, Sgor Choinnich, Meall Lochan nan Dubh Lochan, Allt a’ Ghiùbhais Chruinn, Loch Airceig, Loch Garadh, Gleann Cinngidh.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Mac an Aba: Quotation: An òrdag, a’ cholbhag, Fionnladh fada, Mac an Aba, [u̜i:dʹʒɑɡ].
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Mhic a’ choin!: Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Mo chorp a’ rubail: movement of air in stomach when hungry.
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
Mogul: Tha da oirleach anns gach mogul anns gach lion ùr. Leis a’ chartadh agus leis cho tric is a bhios iad anns an fhairge tha gach mogul a’ fas na’s cuinge gach season, gus mu dheireadh cha bhith na lin so gu feum ann an iasgach an t-samhraidh. Bidh iad gan cur gu feum anns a’ gheamhradh agus as t-earrach gu glacadh sgadan beag na lochan. Tha cuid de na lochan cho salach le sgeirean is le bóghaichean is nach fhaigh na bàtaichean air ‘druftadh’ annta. Bidh iad mar sin a cur badan lion air acraichean annta aig tuiteam na h-oidhche is gan togail aig tighinn an la.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Morbhearn, Suaineart, Aird-Ghobhar: Allt Samhairigh, Creag an Fhithich, Achadh Forsa, Clagan, Uladal, Meall Achadh a’ Chuirn, Cnoc Carrach, Achadh Gabhail, Coire nan Gobhar, Loch Suaineairt, Loch a’ Chothruim, Gleann na Tairbeirt, Corran.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Na Dubhain: ’Se Meud ceithir a tha iad a’ cleachdadh an diugh air lin mhóra. ’Se Meud trì a chleachd a bhith aca an so gu am a’ Chogaidh Mhóir 1939/45. ’Se iarrunn a bha ann am Meud Tri, ach ’se ‘alloy’ a tha ann am Meud Ceithir is tha e na’s làidire is cha mheirg e. Suas gu Cogadh 1939/45 ’se (A) Meud Tri a bhiodh iasgairean Nis is Phortnagùran a’ gnathachadh. Bho’n am sin ’se (B) Meud Ceithir a tha iad a’ gnathachadh anns gach àite.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Na h-Orduighean Beaga: Cho fada ’s is aithne dhomh ’s ann an Leòdhas a thòisich seo. Orduighean beaga aca eadar na h-òrduighean suidhichte, aon uair, no smaite barrachd air aon uair, anns a’ bhliadhna. Cha chreid mi gu bheil comanachadh aca aig na h-Orduighean Beaga idir. Chan eil mi cinnteach am bheil Là Ceist fhein aca. Cha chanainn gu bheil.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Oidhche Choinnle: New Year’s night. Oidhche Choinnle, oidhche shonais, oidhche air am bi … is … / So an tigh ’s a bheil mo gnothuch / ’S chan eil romham dol na’s fhaide. Duan, one of many which could be recited in order to gain admittance on New Year’s Eve.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Oidhche Choinnle: the eve of a certain church feast day. I forget which. Duan: Oidhche choinnle, oidhche shonais, / Oidhch air am bi… / So an tigh ’s a bheil mo gnothuch / ’S chan eil romham dol ’n as fhaide. (Possibly you can find someone to fill in the blanks.)
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Raineach: Quotation: sgoil [rɛ̜ˈṉəx]. Notes: Rannoch (school).
Origin: Loch Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Roinn a’ chosnaidh: Tha an ‘Gross’ – sin na choisneas am bàta fada an t-séasoin anns a’ bhanca. Aig deireadh an t-séasoin tha an toiseach cosgais a’ bhàta ga phàidheadh – am biadh a dh’ith iad, an gual no an ola, tuarasdal nan daoine dubha – so an draibhear (engineer), a ‘fireman’ is an còcaire, is bhiodh beagan ga thoirt mar thiodhlac don sgiobair. Bha sin a’ fagail an ‘Net’.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Seine nets: An diugh ’se ‘seine-netters’ a tha anns a’ chuid as motha de iasgairean Leódhais ag iasgach an eisg ghil is na musgain caol. Chan eil an obair so cho cruaidh oir tha iad anns a’ chidhe a chula h-oidhche. Cha t-fhuair mi eòlas ’sam bith air an obair so.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Sgoil Shàbaid: Sunday school.
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Sgol Shabaint: Sunday school.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Sgoth Niseach: Bha toiseach is deireadh na sgoth Nisich a’ dol cho cas a steach chun an droma is gu robh moran throighean a dh’eadar dhealachadh eadar a druim agus fad a h-uachdair. Bha iad so math da rireabh gu ruith na mara agus gu dol ’na aghaidh. Dh’eireadh iad air an t-suala ach cha robh iad èasgaidh air an stiùir ann am muir tarsainn, is chaidh iomadh te dhuibh [sic] a chall a’ deanamh air Port Nis is muir tarsainn a’ tighinn orra bho thìr.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Siaplaich: Slaodadh na ‘flies’ air do shocair troimh’n uisge le do shlait air a’ chreig. Bidh cuideam beag luaidhe air an driamlach os cionn na ‘flies’. Tha thu a’ tilgeil a chuideam so a mach cho fada ’sa leigeas an dragh leat is ga shiaplaich a steach air do shocair gu bun na creige.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Sibealag: Sybal [sic] [Sybil?], a female personal name, as Sibealag Dhòmhnaill Choinnich.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Slaopadh: Ga chur gu feum cha teid ach slaopadh a dheanamh air a’ mhaorach. Nuair a bhlathaicheas e anns an t-slige air an teine cho luath as urrainn dhuit am biadh a chur as an t-slige le bruthadh bho t-òrdaig mhóir, tha e slaoipte is deas gus a chur air an dubhan anns an sguil no a thoirt leat chun a’ chreagaich. Ma leigeas tu goil leis tha am biadh a’ dol cruaidh is gun fheum airson iasgach leis.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Soitheach an Uisge Choisrigte: Holy Water dish.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Tabh: ocean (still used) very seldom – an Atlantic. Mar a theirear an diugh ’s docha is fheàrr a chòrdas riutha – cha ’eil e cho old fashioned. [SLIP: Ocean. Occasionally used for ‘Atlantic’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Tha e ri choileanadh: still to be confirmed, decided.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Tha i cho caol ri clobha.: Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
Tha i cho reamhar ri ròn.: Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
Tobar an Uisge Choisrigte: Holy water stoup.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Tying outdoors: Ceangal. ’Se ‘ceangal’ a chanas sinn (‘ceangal an uain’). Air a’ cheangal an cumantas bhiodh dà ‘choirbhtheann’, tè bha an amhaich aig a’ bheathach agus an tè eile air meadhon a’ cheangail.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Urnaigh an Aingil Choimhdich: Prayer to Guardian Angel.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Urnaigh a’ Choisrigidh: The Eucharistic Prayer.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[An Ceasnachadh]: Ni eile a bhiodh aca (aig na Moderats), b’e sin An Ceasnachadh – ceasnachadh mu ghnothaichean a’ Bhìobuill ’s a’ chreideimh. Cho fad’s is aithne dhomh cha robh An Ceasnachadh aig an eaglais againne idir (An Eaglais Shaor Aonaichte).
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[Là Taingealachd an Fhoghair]: La eile a bhiodh aca agus a bha iad a’ cumail glé mhath: Là Taingealachd an Fhoghair. Bha iad a’ cumail an fhir-sa cho cùramach ri Là na Sàbaid.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[Norse mill]: Sectional drawings to show mechanical parts of Norse mill by L.J.B. Johnson, technical teacher, Leurbost School
Location: [Lewis], Leurbost
Category: Muileann Lochlannach / Norse Mill
[Seanfhacal 17]: Cha teid an còta glas cho math dh’an h-uile fear.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 23]: Dì-choimhead sìor choimhead Mhuc-càrna. (Dì-choimhead monadh ann an Gleann Lonain.)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 25]: Cha sheas a’ choinneal fada gabhail as an dà cheann.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 46]: Cho fad’s gun tàr am meirleach as, glacar e.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 48]: Ged a gheibhte duine air chor cha bu chòr a shàrachadh.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 60]: ’S math nach eil iuchraichean an domhain fo chois na h-aon mnatha.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 6]: Searrach a bu chor a bhith ’sa làire ’s ann a dh’fhàs e ’sa ghearan.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 83]: Innis dhomsa cò do chompanach ’s innsidh mise cò thu fhein.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 86]: Comhairle caraid gun iarraidh, comhairle nach d’fhuair riabh a meas bu chor dhith.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 87]: Gille luideagach ’s loth phealagach, dithis air nach bu chor dimeas a bhi.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 8]: Cho fad’s a mhaireas, maireadh; ’nuair bhios sinn falamh, bithidh sinn ann.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[aghaidh]: Chanadh iad againne, a maoidhean òirnn nuair a bhiodh sinn crosd nuair a bha sinn òg: “Cuiridh mi ìomhaigh na h-agh’ dhiot.” Cho fada agus a thuig mise, có dhiu, ’se “cuiridh mi ìomhaigh na h-aghaidh dhiot” a bha iad a’ ciallachadh.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[airgiod]: Tha airgiod agam mu choinneamh a mhail. Tha [sic] have the money to meet the rent.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[alaid]: An latha roimhe ’s mi ’fuine thainig am facal “alaid” a steach orm – a’ mhin thioram a bhios sinn ag cumail eadar an taois is an clàr. Cha chuala mi e bho dh’fhàg mi dachaidh m’òige – ’s dòcha gu e is aobhar gu bheil an fhuine air dol a mach a cleachdadh gu ire mhóir – ach chan ’eil mi ’ga lorg ’s na faclair. An alaid a bha chòrr an deidh na fuine, ’sann a shaitheach nan cearc a chuirt i ’s chan ann air ais do’n chiste – bha a’ mhin ’na ni cho glan ’s luachmhor ’san dachaidh ’s nach fhaoidte a truailleadh gu na h-ìre ud fhéin.
Location: Lewis, Stornoway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[am balla]: Bha am balla ’muigh sam balla staigh de chloich – feadhainn dhiubh gu math mor – agus a reir coltais cha do chosgadh cus uine ’gan snaidheadh (no time was wasted on dressing the stones). Bha am balla mu shia troighean a dh’airde – fad an taighe mu dha fhichead troigh – leud an taigh mu choig troighean deug.
Origin: [Harris? – cf. ‘Taigh Croitear anns na Hearadh – an taigh anns an do rugadh mi.’]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[amadan]: Mar thionndaidheas a’ chomhla air a bannaibh, pillidh an t-amadan a ghòraich.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[an sobhal ’s a’ bhathach]: Bha an sobhal sa bhathach ceangailte ris an taigh: aig ceann shios an taighe bha balla cloiche eadar is iad. Cha robh crodh no beathach sam bith eile air an cumail san taigh chomhnaidh. Air do laimh dheas anns a bhathaich bha an crodh, agus an t-each – bha esan aig ceann shuas sa bathchadh [sic], agus aig an fhior cheann shuas bha an sobhal – cha robh e gle mhor ach bha duine comasach air an t-suisde oibreachadh ann.
Origin: [Harris? – cf. ‘Taigh Croitear anns na Hearadh – an taigh anns an do rugadh mi.’]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[an-amharusach]: “Tha e cho an-amharusach.” – duine suspicious.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[aodach]: “Cha be daoine an t-aodach, ’s cha be a cholunn bhreugach.” – a proverb which refers to the outward artificial appearance of someone. It is his inner personality which counts.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[aois]: “’S minig a chaill do cho aoise bliadhna an earraich dhuibh.” – refers to the working capacity of people despite their old age.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[at]: abscess, infestation (at). Fuar-lit choirce, fuar-lit loaf, ’s ’n uair a thig an t-at gu àirde ’n uair sin a’ leigeal (as termed) air le snàthaid.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[ath-leasaich]: Athleasaich do chomhradh is bheusan. Amend your speech and manners.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ath-leasaich]: Athleasaich do chomhradh is do bheusan. Amend your speech and manners.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[a’ tional maorach]: A reir de cho pailte s’ atha iad than giomach ri bhith air iasgach le cliabh ’s a chum fharlainn pailte a leabag mar bhiadh. Tha an crùban gaolach air iasg ùr, mar is bitheanta sòrnan is fhearr, air neo cudainn. A reir a pailteas air a’ ghrunnd b’e doigh(ch) a b’fhearr far a biodh faochaig pailte gach clach is feamann air neo roc a ghlanadh air fala as do rathad air thaobhs gu faodach leisinn [?] air an togail le’d dha làmh ’s gan cur anns a phail an triseach, sin do’m phoca. Fagaig an sin a fhaochaig, fiasgain ’s fhearr am fasgann dar a bhios i eadar an da luinn dluth air uisge fresh s mur a s bitheanta far am bith iad pailte mar sin gheobh thu pearls annta chionn tha iad nas mutha. ’S doich air a bhairneach darna cuid clach ma dha phùing le oir car giar agus a bualadh a sios a rathad le oir na cloicheadh [?], a bualladh [?] le cabhag. Bu [?] sput fish daonnan a miosg geineich gheal agus far a feic thu i spùtadh tha thu gan grapadh as a gheinich gus a bith do bos agad am breallach air an aon (àn) doigh[.] Tha esan a sputadh cuideach le cabhag a dheanadh tha ga fhaotain[.] Far am bith na cockles pailte tha iad air barr a ghrunnd le muir traigh (Càn a mach). Slige chreachain fheamadh tu a togail far a ghrunnd far a feicedh tu a ach gu math bitheanta tha i ’sa làthaich a bharrachd air a bhith ’s a gheinich[.] Lungaich chi thu uraball air barr na criadh, tha thu ga glaochach [?] mar gum bith [?] buain buntata ’s am piocadh a mach. Se buain lungaich a chanas iad. Feama tu an fheamainn dhubh a ghearradh far na creigeadh le corran. ’S an fhior aire a thuibhairt (a thoirbhairt) gum bith toll taomaich anns a bhata bhios ’ga giùlan[.] An doigh a bh’aig na seanna Ghàidheal b’e basgaid sgadain bhi shios mu dheireadh air urlar a bhàta ma biodh i luchdaichte chionns nach phlod (plod) an fheamainn dhubh[.] Phlodaich gach roc is gach feamann eile gad a bhiodh bata a stealladh dorlach uisge. Fear a bheil faiche ghiomaich na pairce beag de ghaineach air beulaibh an tuil agus dar a dh’itheas e am biadh tha e ’g ithe beagan de’n ghaineach. (tiomalaich [?])
Location: [Mull], Tobermory
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
[bacach]: Bacach air aon choise. Lame of a leg.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bacach]: Bacach air aon chois. Lame of a leg.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bainne-air-bhinid]: Na h-uibhir de mhin, de bhainne, agus na h-uibhir de shalainn, air a chur ann am binid (stamag) an laoigh agus ’ga chrochadh an àirde gu’m biodh feum air airson bainne-air-bhinid. Agus dheanadh e sin a cheart cho math ri stuth ’sam bith airson an aobhair a gheibh sibh as a’ bhùth. Cha robh na bodaich gun tùr!
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[balg]: Tha mi’ a choir a chorran cum balg a rathaid mhoir. [NOTES: originally ‘balgarathaid’, corrected to ‘balg a rathaid’.]
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[beag]: Chan fheairrd duine bhi cho beag sud. It ill becomes a man to be so niggardly as that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[beannachadh]: A Chonair Mhoire agus Beannachadh na Sacramaid.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[beartach]: Cho beartach ri Iùdhach.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[beurr]: Anns na Baigh anns an sgìre againn (Uig an Iar), ’se ‘beurr’ a chanas iad mar a chanas sinne ‘geur’ [q.v.]: “Tha e cho beurr.” [SLIP: Said in ‘na Baigh’ (Sgìre Uig) for ‘geur’ – ‘witty’.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[beus]: Milidh droch chomhludair deagh bheus.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[biorach]: Tha i cho biorach thuige. – Cha leig i facal as a bheul gun a bhith aige.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[blank]: chops, mince, stew.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
[bochd]: Cho bochd ri luchag eaglais.
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bodhar]: “Tha e cho bodhar ris an talamh.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[boirionn]: Feminine (used of a man). “Tha e cho boirionn.”
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[bothag chearc]: Bha bothag chearc mu leth mhile bho’n taigh. An uair ’s gun robh an siol air chur ’san Earrach bha na cearcan ’gan cur chon na bothaig.
Origin: [Harris? – cf. ‘Taigh Croitear anns na Hearadh – an taigh anns an do rugadh mi.’]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[brath]: Bha mi brath do choinneachadh. I proposed meeting you.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[brath]: Chuir e brath a-stigh chon a righ. – sent a message, etc.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[breitheamh]: Cho suidhichte ri breitheamh. As sober as a judge.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[breun]: Tha e cho breun ris a’ bhroc. – Cha tugadh e dhuit fiù chow.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[briathrach]: Cho briathrach ris a’ charran-mac-fithill. – As blithe as an oyster catcher. (Chan eil mi cinnteach mu’n charran-mac-fithill, co a bh’ann. Faodaidh sinn comhradh mu an chuis uaireigin.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bréid na bròige]: Cho dubh ri bréid na bròige. – Soiled black. Bhiodh bréid aodaich anns na brògan, uaireigin. Tha cuimhne agam fhin a fhaicinn.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bròg]: Na pàirtean aig bròig. An dà phàirt mhór aig bròig: An t-uachdar. Am bonn. Beul na bròige. An strap-sàileach. Na sùilean. Sàil na bròige ’s Sròn na bròige aig a’ cheann eile. An cnap. An seangadh – ’S ann mar ‘faigheadh’ (fuaim caol) a chanas sinne seo. Ach ’se seangadh a th’ann cho fad’s is aithne dhomh. Far am bheil a’ bhròg a’ fàs seang. An dearcadh. Am balt. An teanga. Am fraochan. Bròg-built – Bròg air a’ fuaigheal le sreangan. (Sreangan – shoemaker’s thread.) Bròg built tonnidh [?] sibh i le gréim air sròn agus sàil. Bròg air a fuaigheal leis an iarunn, tha i cruaidh. Pàirt eile de an bhròig: Am bonn linigidh – tha seo a stigh fo an bhonn mhór. Cho dubh ri bréid na bròige, chanadh na bodaich. Bhiodh bréid aodaich anns na brògan, uaireigin.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bualadh]: Anns a’ bhaile againn fhìn chan fhaca mi duine ri bualadh duine eile a riamh. Cha [sic] fhaca mi fhìn duine ann an greim. No a’ tarruing na làimhe air dhòigh sam bith. Chunnaic agus chuala mi trodan ’s mar sin ach sin uile e. Chan fhaca duine daoine a riamh cho ciallach agus cho cliùiteach riutha mar sin. Ged a bha nithean anns na gnàthasan-cainnte a chuir mi steach thugaibh, a shaoileadh sibh gu robh iad crosd is ann a bha sin a nuas bho làithean na b’aosda na chunnaic sinne. No bho àiteachan eile, ’s bho thighean-change, bho shabaidean aig òl, ’s bho shabaidean gun òl idir. ’S mar sin.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
[buan]: ’S e maireach Diluain is bidh an t-seachduinn cho buan ’s a bha i riamh. Aodach or stùth buan – long-lasting cloth.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[buidheach]: Bu choir dhuit bhi buidheach. You ought to be thankful.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bùrn]: Cho saor ri burn. As cheap as water.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cachd]: Nach eil thu cho briagach ri cù cèaird agus cachd air a thon!!
Origin: Muile (ceann a tuath) [Mull (the north side)]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
[cam]: “Cho cam ri cù a’ mùn ann an sneachd.” (Cho cam ri cam.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[caora-uain]: a breeding sheep – chan eil ainm àrraid ’s am bith againn ach dìreadh caora-uain, cho fada ’s a chuimhnicheas mise.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[carach]: “Tha e cho carach.” – duine cunning.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[cas]: Tha mhòine air a cas bheag = ’sa choilleig. (H)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cas]: Cuir air chois. Set on foot.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cas]: Bheir e sanas le chois. He will give a beat with his foot.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cas]: Cha robh a chas fada ’s an aona bhad. – A siubhal gu h-aithghearr ’ga chois. A’ cur slighe mhór as a dhéidh ann an ùine ghoirid.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cat]: Miann a’ chait a choinnebhaineadh.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ceann]: “An rud a chuireas e ’n a cheann cuiridh e ’n a chasan e.” – Tha e cho deamhnuidh.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cearc]: Bidh cearc an aon eoin a cheart cho trang a’ sgrìobadh le cearc aig am biodh a dhà dheug. Applied to a greedy person who wanted more than he needed.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ceart]: Bu cheart cho math leam. I would just as soon.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ceò]: Tha è cho sean ris a cheò.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cianalas]: A’ cur dhinn an cianalas. Banishing melancholy. [NOTE in second hand: an cianalas corrected to a’ chianalas.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cliù]: Choisinn e droch chliu (iomradh). He gained a bad reputation.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cnatan]: Cha robh smèach aige le cnatan. – He was full of cold. He was choked with cold.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[coguis]: Tha a’ choguis aige fosgailte. – He has a cleft palate.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[coibhneas]: Còm a choibhneis. (Kind man!)
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[coimpire]: Fear a bu cho-impire dhomh fhein. A man who was my equal.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[coinneamh-cheist]: Còmhla ris an fheadhainn eile faodaidh sibh toirt an aire do ‘choinneamh-cheist’. Bhiodh seo ann uaireannan ged nach robh e suidhichte mar na coinneamhan eile.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[coirce]: Bha e anns a’ choirce leatha. – Wenching with her in a barn (no math dh’fhaoidte “among the rigs of barley”).
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[coire]: Chan’eil a h-aon gun choire. None is perfect.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[coisinn]: Cha mhor a choisinn thu air. You have not gained much by it.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[coisinn]: Choisinn e na chaill e. He recovered what he lost.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[coisinn]: Chuir e mach g’a choisinn e. He put him out to service. [NOTE in second hand: choisinn corrected to chosnadh.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[comain]: Tha mi nad chomain mar a gabh thu ri na thubhairt mi. I am obliged by your attention to my remarks.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[comain]: Tha sinn fada ’n ad chomain. – We are much obliged to you.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[comain]: Tha mi fada ’nad chomain. – I am much obliged.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[comas]: Air falbh gun chomas. Absent without leave. [NOTE in second hand: Eng id.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[comas]: Fhad sa bha e ’nam chomas. As much as lay in me.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[comhairle]: “’S fhearr aon chomhairle bho Dhia na dhà dheug bho dhaoine.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[copag]: Seachd siùil chopaig dha! Good riddance to him! Seven sails of docken leaves to him!
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[copag]: Chan fhaic e a’ chopag. – Cha bhith e beò nuair a thig a’ chopag as t-earrach.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cor]: Cha dean mi air chor sam bith e. I will not do it on any account.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cor]: Air chor air bith. Anywise. By no means.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cor]: Air chor is gun d’thig thu. On condition that you came. [NOTE in second hand: So thay you may come.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cornfield]: In the cornfield: sguab, adag, gearr-choc, coit, sgrù(th)an, mulan, cruach.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[corra-chòsag]: A chorra, chorra chòsag an innis thusa dhomhsa am bith latha math a màireach ann ’s bheir mi paidhir bhròg dhut.” Animal in question was a slater found under rocks. Also called ‘cailleach-òsag’ or ‘cailleach-chòsag’.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[corra-cnàmh]: Shuidh e air a chorra-cnàmh. – a sitting position for a dog.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[corra-mhàg]: ‘A chorra-mhàg, a chorra-mhàg, Bheil e tràth diathad? Ma tha, mùin air mo bhois.’ The corra-mhàg was placed in the palm of the left hand, the right palm was closed loosely over it and the above rhyme repeated with the mouth close to a small aperture left between the top and bottom thumbs, breathing softly on the corra-mhàg at the same time. It was thought that the insect often responded but any moisture there was probably condensation from the breath!
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[corraibh-ochanaich]: “Gheibh sinne e air do chorraibh-ochanaich.” – Gheibh sinne e ge b’e ’s bith dé cho mór ’s a bhios do dhorran no do dhuilgheadas. Agus bidh e coltach gur h-e sin a bhiodh ann. (Tuigidh sibh fhéin.) (Chan fhaca mi riamh ‘corraibh-ochanaich’ sgrìobhte.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[corruich]: Mach do chorruich. Stifle your resentment. [NOTE in second hand: Mach corrected to Much.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cothrom]: fa chothrom – equally.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[craicionn]: Craicionn glan air. “Duine mór àrd” arsa Tarmod, “agus craicionn glan air”. Dìreach sin, craicionn glan air. Craicionn brèagha, gun làraichean sam bith, làraichean bana-chogaich no làraichean eile, no briseadh, no nì ach glaine.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cuileag]: Cho lag ris a’ chuileig. – As weak as a fly.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cuims’]: ’Se cuims’! – The cheek! ’Se cuims’ loibht! – The bloody cheek! (Cha bhiodh an tè-sa cho tric ris an tè eile.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cuisil]: artery or vein. Cho fada ’s a tha cuimhne agam-sa, ’se an aon rud a th’againn airson na dhà: cuisil. (Chan e ‘cuisle’ a th’againne idir.) (Cuisil, fuaimnich e: cuisill.)
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[curra]: Athais na curra air a’ churra eile ’s i-fhéin tòn-dubh. – Sean-fhacal. Duine a’ cur air duine eile ’s e-fhéin a cheart cho dona ris, no a’ deanamh an dearbh rud ’s a bha am fear eile a’ deanamh.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[càch]: Theid mi ann cho math ri cach. I shall go as well as the others.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[còir]: Rinn thu choir. You have acted properly.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[còir]: Cha d’fhuair e oibreachadh air choir. He did not get a proper chance of working.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[còir]: Air choir. Right or well.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[còir]: Tha i cho còir ri na h-eòin. (An ceart-aghaidh tè a’ bhruic [see breun].) Aig na Lochan thall, ’s e “cho còir ris an fhaoileig” a th’aca.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[còta]: “An crochadh tu do chota orra [sic].” In reference to the moon. If you could hang your coat on the moon according to its shape then a good day was in prospect. If you could not then the opposite applied.
Category: Sìde / Weather
[còta]: Cha tig an còta glas cho math do na h-uile fear.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cù]: Ruith coin an da fheidh. Divided aims. [NOTE in second hand: Ruith a’ choin air an da fhiadh.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cù]: Tha latha a choin dubh gu tighinn fhathast.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cùl]: Cuir cuil ri (treig) do chompanaich. Renounce your companions.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[daga mhuirteir]: Man daga ’mhuirteir, e.g. ‘Na dh ith thu gu leòr?’ ‘Dh ith. Tha mi cho teann ri daga mhuirteir.’
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[daga-phort]: [Kenneth MacDonald in the letter of 9 January 1967:] Seachdain no dhà air ais, fhuair sinn pasgan eile de dh’fhaclan Uigeach bho dh’fhear an aon ainm ruibh fhéin – Murchadh MacLeòid, a tha ’na mhaighstir-sgoile ann an Cinntire. (…) B’e facal eile a bh’aige “an daga-phot” air a chleachdadh mar seo: “Tha an t-aran seo cho cruaidh ris an daga-phot.” A bheil fhios agaibh dé idir as ciall dha’n an fhacal seo? [Mr MacLeod’s reply:] Murchadh MacLeòid Chinntire, Murchadh a’ Ghobha a tha mi an dùil a th’ann. Mo dheagh charaid, uaireigin. Cha’n fhaca mi e bho shamhradh 1948. Tha mi tuigsinn gur h-ann ann an Southend an Cinntire a tha e. Mord, no Murdo, a’ Ghobha a chanas sinne ris. Duine dòigheil a tha ’n sin. Duine snog. (…) Ach am fear-sa, “an daga-phot”. Is e an daga-phort a bh’againne air. (Tha mi fhìn agus Mord a’ Ghobha 3½ mile bho chèile.) Mìneachadh air an fhacal, no dé mar a dh’éirich e? Chan eil nì cinnteach sam bith agam. Dh’fhaodadh gu robh comhcheangal aige ri daga, agus dh’fhaodadh nach robh. Chuala mi aig bodach ’sa bhaile uaireigin (agus bhiodh am facal sin aca): “Cho cruaidh ris an deilg na bhìotaidh.” (vee’tee) Agus b’e seo saoilidh mi, an tignum-vitae, am fiodh air leth cruaidh. ’Se am fiodh-sa a bhitheadh a’ dol ann an roithleinean nan ulagan (block sheaves) séibhichean nam blocaichean, mar a chanadh na bodaich. Agus abair a bhith cruaidh de an fhiodh sin! (Faic mu’n fhiodh-sa ’s na leabhraichean fiosrachaidh.) Nise mu’n daga-phort, tha facal Laidinn eile ag éirigh rium, agus dh’fhaodadh gu robh comhcheangal air choireigin aige ris an daga (am facal): aqua-fortis. Dh’fhaodadh gu robh, agus dh’fhaodadh nach robh. Sin na th’agam mu an daga-phort, mur a tionndaidh nì sam bith an àirde.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[daga-phot]: ‘Tha an t-aran so cho cruaidh ris an daga-phot.’ (Surely this is a most peculiar expression. Can any light be thrown on it?) ‘Tha e cho cruaidh is a’ bhuthaid’ is a common expression.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[daor]: Cho daor ris an aran mhilis. – Very, very dear in price.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[deamhnuidh]: Tha e cho deamhnuidh. – Cho fada ’n a cheann.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dubhan]: Tha an dubhan aige ann. – Tha e an còmhnuidh fo chomhair a inntinn airson a bhith cur sìos air, agus a bhith bruidhinn air gu taobh nach eil càirdeil.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[duine dòigheil]: Easy-going, self-control, patience. “Tha e cho dòigheil.” “’Se duine dòigheil a tha an Calum.” “Dòmhnull, ’s e cho dòigheil.” – happy, easy-going, patient. [NOTES: slipped under ‘dòigheil’. Definition: Easy-going.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[duine faisg ort]: “Tha e cho faisg (ort).” (Faic ‘duine amhaidh’ [q.v.] air an duilleig eile.) [SLIP: Friendly.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[duslach]: Mar an duslach (cho pailt). Canaidh iad seo an ceann-shuas Uige an Iar againne. Cha chuala mi riamh ’s a’ chòrr de an sgìre e.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dust]: Chan eil mi cur breug air a dust. – Chan eil mi cur breug oirre agus i anns an talamh (marbh agus air a tiodhlacadh). Canaidh sinn ‘an dust’ ris a’ chorp mharbh (aig duine). Ann am Beàrnaraidh, tha mi smaoineachadh, gu’n can iad e mu ainmhidhean cuideachd. “Chuir iad an dust do an chairt aig an fhadhail.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dèidh]: “Cho dèidh ri dà cheann eich.” “Am bheil Iain agus Tormod dèidh?” “Thà, cho dèidh ri dà cheann eich.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dúc]: Bha am buntàta air a chruinneachadh ann an dúc agus a chomhdachadh le fodar agus an déigh sin le úir los nach fhaigheadh an t-uisge no ’n rèothadh ’na charaibh.
Origin: Bràigh-Lochabar [Brae Lochaber]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
[facain]: “Thoir orm-sa a dhol as do dhéidh agus bidh facain aig do chorp air”, arsa a’ mhàthair ris a’ bhalach agus e ri crosdachd.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[falamh]: Cho falamh ri radan eaglaise. – Cha bhiodh móran ri a làimh airson feuma dha aig radan eaglaise.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[falamh]: Bhe e cho falamh ri eòin an adhair. – Cho gòrach (insane).
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fallain]: Cho fallain ris a’ bhreac.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[faoileag]: Cho fiadhlaidh ris an fhaoileig.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[feannag]: Mar thuirt an fheannag ri da chois, ’s dubh sibh le cheile.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fiodh]: Machu mach [?] ’s a n fiodh air a charn chollach.
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[firichean]: Air d’ fhirichean. “Feumaidh tu a bhith air d’ fhirichean mus dean thu còcaireachd do Dhòmhnull.” – Feumaidh tu bhith cho math ’s a théid agad air mus dean thu còcaireachd do Dhòmhnull.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[firionn]: Masculine (used of a woman). “Tha i cho firionn.”
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[foretelling bad weather 4]: Fìor chomharradh na h-an-shìd’ – eòin na mara tighinn gu tìr.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[freagairt]: Am bi thu cho math agus mo fhreagairt? Will you kindly answer me?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fritheilteach]: Tha i cho fritheilteach air. – She attends to him so well.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fàd]: Tuilleadh ’sa choir de fhàd air a’ chrann – too much soil on the plough.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fùdar]: “Tha e cho brais ris an fhùdar.” – Cho aithghearr ’n a nàdur.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gaoth]: Cuideachd, Cho aotrom ris a’ ghaoith. – Nì sam bith aotrom.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gaoth]: Cho luath ris a’ ghaoith. – Mu dhuine a bhiodh air leth luath.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gasda]: Thuirt mi roimhe gu bheil againn mu dhuine diadhaidh – duine stòlda diadhaidh, ged nach bitheadh e air leth soilleir mar an fheadhainn chomharraichte – gasda. “’Se gille gasd a th’ann.” ’Se ‘gille’ a chanadh iad ged a bhiodh an duine pòsda agus ’na sheanair. [SLIP: A religious man – irrespective of age.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[gealladh]: Gealladh gun cho-ghealladh. Promise without performance.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[geilidh]: Bha geilidh air a’ choire (kettle) air an teine. – Bha e a’ goil gu sunndach.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[geimeannan]: A’ h-uile gin de na geimeannan (no cluicheannan) a thog mi an seo shuas, cho fada agus a tha lorg agam, tha iad air an aon stéidh. Cha mhath tha cuimhne agam an diugh, gu mionaideach dé mar a bha iad a’ dol. Geimeannan am measg nan curracagan, abair sin. Gu leòir, agus feadhainn a bhiodh sinn fhìn a’ deanamh, a thuilleadh air feadhainn shuidhichte bho shean, mar falach-fead (bìog falach fead a bh’againne air.) Cha b’ann a’ fàs ’s a’ fàs na b’àirde chun an adhair a bhiodh na curracagan idir mar a bhiodh na làithean agus na h-oidhcheannan a’ dol seachad. Agus abair nach b’ann!
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
[general sayings or proverbs 4]: Faileas (reflection) sam bi anns a’ loch bhiodh sin ’na chomharradh droch-shìd’.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[gorm]: Cha robh e cho gorm. – He wasn’t so green.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[greannach]: cho greannach ri biast-dhubh ann an càrn – as irritable as an otter in a ‘cairn’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
[grinn]: Well-mannered. “Tha e cho grinn ’s cho modhail.” “Tha e cho grinn.”
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[iarunn]: “Tha iarunn ann.” – Iasg anns am biodh dubhan an sàs. Gheibheadh tu iad seo uaireannan. Bha iad an sàs uaireigin roimhe ach bha iad air faighinn as air dhòigh air choireigin. Bhiodh iad cho caol a bharrachd air an fheadhainn eile.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[is ann a chara]: Cho fada agus a tha cuimhne agam, chanadh Jessag “Is ann a chara…” airson “Is ann a chàidh…”.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[la buain na monach]: ’S e la mor a b’abhaist a bhith ann an la buain na monach, gu h-àraidh do’n chloinn. Bha a’ mhoine cho faisg air bailtean ceann shios an Rudha is gum biodh an sgiobadh a’ tighinn dhachaidh gu gach biadh. Dh’innseadh bratach dhaibh ’cuin a bhiodh am biadh deiseil. Bha searbhadair shoithichean, no pios aodaich air chor-eigin eile ga cheangal ri bàrr slait chreagaich fhada, agus rachadh duine leatha chun an tobhta, no eadhon suas gu mullach an tigh dhuibh ga cumail suas riu. ’S e urram mór a bhiodh ann do’n ghille a gheibheadh suas leis a’ bhrataich so, ach b’e a dhleasdanas airson na duais so an teine a fhrithealadh is gun a leigeil as, agus e bhith cinnteach gum biodh pailteas do uisge na tobrach ri laimh a’ chòcaire. Cuideachd, air an la so, bhiodh mìlsean ann, gu h-àraidh silidh, agus as docha lof, nithean a bha gle annasach roimh am a’ cheud chogaidh mhóir. Bhiodh cuid de thighean ann is cha bhiodh so aca, agus a chionn sin bhiodh e duilich dhaibhsan òigridh fhaighinn do’n sgiobadh aca. Bhiodh iad so aig amannan air an aoireadh ann an rabhd: ’An Dhomhnuill ’s cha bhi silidh ac’ / ’S cha bhith [sic] càil milis ac’, / ’S mise nach teid idir thuc’ / A dh’ithe bioraich shioman. Agus a ris: Bhuain dhan Donnach cha teid sinne, / So a bheir an Donnach dhuinn, / Buntàt’ athurrnach gus ithe, / Teatha gun shiùcar, ’s brochan lom; / Rionnaich ruadh’ thug bliadhn’ am piceil, / ’S bidh sinn seachdain le ar com. Nuair a rachadh la a shuidheachadh gu buain ’se la nan seachd sian a bheireadh orra an la sin a bhristeadh, agus bhiodh iad ’nam botunnan ’s nan oiliscin anns na puill. Cha chuireadh uisge stad idir orra, ach chuireadh sneachd. Bhiodh iad a’ buain na monach na bu tràithe aig an am ud is aig iasgairean agus aig clannighean an sgadain togail orra a Ghallaibh, a Shealtuinn is dhan a’ Bhruaich is bhiodh iad airson obair an fhearainn is na monach a bhith ullamh mas fhàgadh iad. An diugh chan eil a’ chabhaig cho mor, agus an diugh tha tentaichean an cois luchd na monach, eadhon ann an cridhe an t-samhraidh far an ruith iad ma thig fras. Faic ‘An Sireadh’ le Ciorstai NicLeòid as Paible an Rudha. T.D. 7-8 ‘Buain na Monadh’.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
[labhairt]: Tha deagh chomas labhairt aige. – He is a fluent speaker.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lag]: Bha e cho lag ris a’ cheothaidh. – As weak as the mist.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[latha]: “Diardaoin latha Cholum Chille Chaomh, Di Sathuirne là crathadh na balg.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[leisg]: Tha leisg cho mall agus gum bheil bochdain aig a sàil.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[liaghaig]: E cho geal ris an liaghaig leis an eagal. (Tuigidh sibh fhéin.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lion beag]: Tha an lion beag, a tha air a réiteach a cheana, air a dhòirteadh ’na chnap ri do chois chli. Suidh air stòl, no air an lar leis an sguil fhalamh eadar do dha chois. (Tha seir car àrd is trom air do dhruim.) Tarraing earball an lin bhig tarsainn air do shliasaid chli, is cuir a mach tarsainn air oisean màs na sguile e gus am bi e deiseil gus a cheangal ri lion beag eile aig am cura. Tha druim an lin-bhig a nise ga chuibhligeadh do bhroinn no mhionnach na sguile gus an tig thu chun a’ cheud snòta. Tha biadhadh ga chur air an dubhan, is tha an dubhan leis a bhiadhadh so ga chur ’na laighe ri cliathaich na sguile gu do laimh chli far am bheil broinn agus beul na sguile a’ coinneachadh, is tha thu gabhail air t-adhart a leigeil gach dubhan le biadhadh taobh ri taobh gus an ruig thu taobh eile na sguile is bidh sreath deiseil. Tha thu a’ tilleadh gu do laimh chli leis an dara sreath is leis gach sreath eile gus am bi an lion air a bhiadhadh gu h-iomlan. Nuair a theid an dubhan mu dheireadh a bhiadhadh tha thu ceangal earball (no cluas) an lin bhig ri cluais na sguile – ris a chluais dheis – oir ’se ise a bhios na’s fhaisge air an fhear cura anns an eathar. Cuiridh thu a nise an sgùil air a bhalla tarsainn no air an tobhta gus am bi thu deas gu falbh leatha, ach fiach gun cuir thu t-oiliscin no comhdach sam bith eile air a bhiadhadh anns an sguil air an neo ’se cait a’ bhaile a bhios tu a’ sgròbadh dheth mus fhaic e an fhairge.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
[lobhta]: Means of tying hay, corn, etc. for feeding: sreang crochte ris an lobhta no ris a’ bhalla agus clach fhreagarrach slaoda rithe ’ga cumail stòlda ’na h-àite. Lobhta – an t-sreang a’ deanamh snaim ann an seo. Am bad no a’ ghibeag fheòir am broinn na sreinge agus na creutaran a’ draghadh cho math ’s a dheadh aca air. Bhiodh a’ chlach dìreach aig bonn na lùibe de’n t-sreing, aig àirde fhreagarrach do na beathaichean.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[lorg]: Lorgan chorrag. Finger prints. [NOTE in second hand: not correct; lorg is mark of foot or hoof – only.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[luath]: Cho luath ’s a rugadh tu. – As fast as you were born.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[luath]: Cho luath ris an fhiadh.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[làmh]: Cùl mo laimhe ri fear cho olc!!! – an objection!
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[làmh]: Cho math ri do làimh. – As good as you can. Cha robh Niall ach òg. Cha robh e glé chleachte ri bhith deanamh gnothach bhoirionnach . Ach dheanadh e gnothaichean gu math. Dheanadh e brota, ’s rudan de’n t-seòrsa cho math ri duine mór no ri boirionnach. “Nì e brota cho math ri do làimh” chanadh a mhàthair ri duine sam bith.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[làn]: Lan chothrom. Ample opportunity.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[làr]: “Cha chomharraicheadh e an làr.” – Leòinte. Cha leigeadh e a chas fodha.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lìon-mhór agus lìon-bheag]: Cho fad’s is aithne dhomh ’se an aon seòrsa ainmeannan aca mu an lìon-mhór agus mu an lìon-bheag.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
[maide]: Cha chuireadh e maide ’n a phàirt. – Cha bheireadh e air cho math is ’g an dèanadh e e, a’ ruith as a dhéidh.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[manadh]: “Cha robh thu cho dona ’s a bha mi cur air do mhanadh.” – Not so bad as I thought you were.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[maorach]: Tha oir-thir Sgìre Nis cho fosgailte do thonnan móra a’ Chuain a’ Siar is na creagan cho cas, is nach fhaigh móran maoraich cothrom fàs orra; Suas an Taobh Siar, gu h-àraidh mu Bhorgh, ’se creagan iosal briste a tha ann, is bidh an tràigh a’ fagail lùin móra a measg nan sgeirean sin a bheir fasgadh do mhaorach cladaich.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
[miann]: Bha mhiann orm do choinnichadh [sic]. I proposed meeting you.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mios]: Mios roimh gach ràidh, a choltas.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[muileann-choifi]: “E cur dheth mar a’ mhuileann-choifi.” – E còmhradh, ’s a’ còmhradh ’s a’ còmhradh.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[muinichill]: Cho aithghearr ’s a chaidh i ’n a mhuinichill. – How sharp she got round him.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mór]: Bha e cho mor as fhein is ged a gheibheadh e mart air adhairc. He was as proud as a dog with two tails.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mór]: Cho mor as fhein ris a mhac mhollachd. As proud as Lucifer.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]: Many of the Equivalents appearing in these lists are doubtless already well-known, but I have endeavoured, from personal inquiries made mainly in Zetland and other insular parts of Northern Scotland, to furnish some fresh information on the matter. For facility of reference the English Christian names are set down in alphabetical order; and against them are shown (1) the Gaelic equivalents and (2) the English equivalents, including those which are in use in certain specified regions – together with occasional explanatory notes. In the list “Male Personal Names” the patronymics are also given – not that they may serve much useful, practical purpose, but because patronymics figure largely in our Scottish nomenclature and are interesting as derivatives from our common Christian names. From a close survey of the lists certain main inferences may be drawn: 1. The correctness of the Registrar-General’s surmise “that some names have no doubt a significance differing according to locality” is demonstrated by the following examples:– (a) Ewen and Hugh. In Lewis these two names are distinct and have separate Gaelic equivalents. (Ewen = G. Eòghann; Hugh = G. Uisdean). But in the South Isles of the Outer Hebrides the two names are interchangeable and have a common Gaelic equivalent, (both Ewen and Hugh = G. Eòghann). This fact was first brought to my notice in South Uist and I subsequently got verification of it elsewhere; one instance being that of a boy from Uist attending school at Dornie, who was known as “Hugh” at home and as “Ewen” in school. (b) Effie and Henrietta. So far as the mainland of Scotland is concerned there is, I think, no connection between these two names; yet I find in Lewis they are interchangeable, the common Gaelic equivalent being “Eighrig”. I have corroboration of this from two schoolmasters who are natives of Lewis; and I found a practical example in the case of a Lewis lady resident in Skye, whose husband calls her “Effie” but who signs her name as “Henrietta”. 2. Many of our Personal Names are merely Anglicised forms of Gaelic Names, for example: Gillespie = Archibald (from G. Gill-easbuig), Donachie = Duncan (from G. Donnchadh), Murachie = Murdoch (from G. Muireach), Ailie = Helen (from G. Eilidh), etc. etc. 3. Some of the other names are not what might be termed exact equivalents, but are distorted forms given to foreign names by Ministers who were unacquainted with the foreign language. In this class is the name “Haki” or “Hakon” which has been transformed into “Hercules”; just as “Osla” has been twisted into “Ursula” and thence into “Cecilia”. It should be understood that my inquiries have been comparatively limited and that consequently the information given here cannot be anything like exhaustive on the subject of name equivalents. But the examples given are sufficient to illustrate that many odd equivalents do exist, and that the identity of a person with whose name we are furnished may be found under an alternative name.
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
[note]: “I have heard nearly all of above. Some are still heard with older people who use such expressions as “evernow” – at the present time. “Slamp” – agile, is a word not heard much now as are “fludding the school” – truanting and “rooicking” [?] – staying out late without permission. These would lead to a “plooking”! “Scoolan” – a receptacle for potatoes, etc. “Bualla” was formerly heard for a shinty club – the game was not played much in the town but rather by boys in the surrounding parts.”
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]: Tha droch eagal orm gu bheil mi air an dà phàipear-sa mu dheireadh a dheanamh nas rapaiche agus nas ceàrra na a b’àbhaist dhomh a thaobh sgrìobhaidh. Ach tha sibh fhéin cho air leth seorp agus nach cuir sin maille sam bith oirbh.
Origin: Lewis, Uig an Iar
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
[note]: Chan fhaca mi dad de’n t-seòrsa a riamh cho fada ’s a tha cuimhne agam.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[note]: Tha an uine cho fada bho an bha mise ris an obair so, is nach ’eil cuimhne agam air far leth-dusan facal, agus is iad sin, tha mi cinnteach, bithidh agaibh mu thràth. Boyd. Bagh-a-Chaisteil.
Origin: [North Uist - according to the card index of Informants]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
[onarach]: “Cho onarach ri na glasan.” “Tha Tormod cho onarach ri na glasan.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[pailt]: Tha e pailt cho ard ruimsa [sic]. He is fully as tall as I.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[peighinn]: Is cho math peighinn a chaoimhnadh is peighinn a choisinn. A penny saved is a penny gained. [NOTE in second hand: choisinn corrected to chosnadh.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[piantaiche]: ’Se piantaiche a th’anns an t-sùlaire. – Cho cruaidh ’sa tha e ag obair.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[puinnsean]: Cho fuar ris a’ phuinnsean.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[reub]: Reubadh an luingeas bharr an aeraichean. The fleet was torn from its anchors.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[righinn]: Cho righinn ri na goid.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[righinn]: Cho righinn ri na goid.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[riobag chonais]: [See riobag shonais.]
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[rodaigeadh]: Chan eil cuimhne agam a riamh mi fhìn an obair-sa a dheanamh, ach ’s ann mar siod a bhà cho fad agus a tha lorg agam-sa. Nì àrraid eile, chan fhaca mi a riamh poll air a rodaigeadh. Agus mi air mo bhreith ’s air m’ àrach ann an saoghal na monach.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
[rogha]: Rogha is tagha. Pick and choice.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[roghnach]: Co is roghnaiche leat. Whenever you may choose.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sail]: 11. An taigh – lair, ionad an ROTH, nan AMAR, agus an uisge na thuil choprach thormach agus an ROTH ’na ghille-mirein a’ cur nan car cho luath s nach fhaicte ach lasadh loinnireach nan LIAGH. Bha an t-SAIL-BHUINN fodha. Chite an t-SAIL DHIREACH dol suas tre’n lar far an robh i an amal an t-SAIL AOTROMACHAIDH – the lightening beam. An t-SAIL BHUINN was the ledger-beam on which the propeller rotated.
Location: [Lewis], Leurbost
Category: Muileann Lochlannach / Norse Mill
[saillt]: Cho saillt ri muir an dà rudha.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sanas]: Thug ordag a choise sanas do bhun a chluaise. His toe gave a whisper (i.e. struck) the root of his ear. (i.e. violent fall)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seachnadh]: Chan eil sian air an t-saoghal cho saor ri rud a dh’fhaodar a sheachnadh.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sean]: Cho sean ris an iolaire riapaich. Cho sean ri na bruthaichean.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[searbh]: Cho searbh, mar sùgh nan sealbhag.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[searbh]: Cho searbh, mar sùgh nan sealbhag.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seas]: Sheas iad aige. Thug am ministear, bho an chùbaid, an latha-sa latha-dubh air aon de an choimhthional aige. Bha dithis mac móra aig an duine a làthair anns an eaglais. A cheart cho luath agus a thàinig an sluagh a mach, an dithis fhear a bha seo sheas iad aig a’ mhinistear.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seòl]: Is ann airson nach tigeadh orra a bhith toirt mu’n cuairt an t-sùil nuair a bhiodh iad a’ tacadh, a bhiodh iad ’g a chur an cùl an tobhta. Ach cha deadh an t-eathar cho cruaidh air a’ ghaoith idir leis an t-seòl an cùl na tobhta, ’s a dheadh i leis an t-seòl ’san dòigh àbhaistich. Agus cha shaoilinn gu’m biodh an crann glé riaraichte, a bharrachd. An seòl bac air a’ chrann, bha thu cur an eathair chun an taca eile gun an seòl a leagail ’s a thoirt mu’n cuairt. Cha robh seo fàbharach do an chrann idir, saoilidh mise, agus gun taca na hàilleard aige. Is ann nuair nach biodh a’ ghaoth glé làidir a bhithist a’ cleachdadh na dòigh-sa, agus airson tacannan goirid. An seòl an cul na tobhta: [see illustration]. An seòl ’s an dòigh àbhaistich: [see illustration]. An seòl bac air a’ chrann: [see illustration].
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seòlta]: “Tha e cho seòlta.” – duine cunning.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[seòlta]: Cho seòlta ris an t-sionnach.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgìth]: Tha mi cho sgith [sic] ri cú. – I am tired out.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgíth]: Tha mi cho sgíth ri cú. – I am dead tired.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[siol-ghainmheach / sìol-ghainmheach]: Chunnaic mi am prògram “A Boy in Harris” air an T.V. an oidhche roimhe, agus chòrd e rium. (…) Ach a nise gu aon nì anns a’ phrògram do’n d’thug mi an aire – marbhadh nan siol, no glacadh nan siol (an t-siol-ghainmheach mar a chanas sinn) leis a’ chorran anns an tràigh. Obh, obh is iomadh ceud a ghlac an làmh a tha sgrìobhadh na litreach-sa. Anns an Fhadhail Mhóir aig Crabhlastadh, an Sgìr Uige againn fhìn, ann an Leòdhas. Am boirionnach Hearach a’ sgrìobadh leis a’ chorran anns an tràigh (air an tràigh thioraim). Chuala mi iad a’ deanamh nì de’n t-seòrsa-sa a ghlacadh na sìl air Na Ceithir Peighinn Deug an ceann shìos na Sgìre againn fhìn (Uig Leòdhais) a’ sgrìobadh le croman, no le hoe, air an tràigh thioraim. Cha’n fhaca mi a leithid shuas againn fhìn a riamh. Nì ach an corran anns an fhadhail. Bha an corran shìol air a dheanamh de’n chorran mhór. Bha an gob far an robh e dol na bu doimhne na bhith réidh ris an làimh, air a ghearradh dheth, agus am faobhar air a mhadadh gus nach gearradh e na sìolan mar a ghlacaist iad. Bhiodh cuid a’ toirt seòrsa de dh’fhiaclan anns a’ chorran shìol. Chunnaic mi a dhà dhiubh seo (corrain shiol) nuair a bha mi shuas aig an tigh air an t-samhradh-sa fhéin. Bidh cuimhne agaibh gu robh corran eile aig na bodaich: corran-speal. Bha e mar seo: [see third illustration below]. Is e arm eagalach a bha seo. Bha cùl air an iarunn aige mar air iarunn na speala agus bhiodh sibh ga ghleusadh le cloich-speal. Bha e mór seach corran cumanta. Seo a nise mar a bhithist a’ glacadh nan sìol leis a’ chorran-shiol anns an Fhadhail Mhóir shuas aig Crabhlastadh, ann an Uig Leòdhais. A’ tòiseachadh ann an seo [i.e. àite tòiseachaidh in the illustration] agus a’ gabhail air aghaidh. Bha peile-mór ceangailte le sreing ri do mheadhon. Peile-mór a’ cheàird no peile suinc. No peile-caol a’ cheàird (chan eil easan a’ dol an diugh idir). Bha thu a’ tòiseachadh na sgrìoba mar bu trice thugad. An uair sin a’ tionndadh a’ chorrain agus a’ toirt na sgrìoba bhuat. Mar sin a’ gabhail air d’adhart gu’n tachradh sìol riut. No beathach beag neimheil eile. Biast na Fadhlach, mar a chanas fear Chrabhlastaidh rithe. Iasg beag airgiodach ann an dath ’s an sgeilm, agus gathan neimheil innte. An stangaran a tha mi an dùil a chanas an Hearach rithe. (Ri siol air leth mór canaidh sinne an Uig gobag rithe. Dé a chanas an Hearach chan eil fhios agam.) Ma bhios tu airson cuideachadh air glacadh nan siol a shealltuinn uair sam bith, cha dean e deifir foighneachd mu an chùis do Mhurchadh. Bha Murchadh ris an obair sin mu na siolan bho bha e òg ’s a’ dol do an sgoil gus an a dh’fhàs e ’na dhuine agus a’ dol leis an lìon-bheag. (Siol as fheàrr airson cnòdan, agus là grianach nach bi ro fhuar. Is e luga as fheàrr airson na h-adaige. Sin gliocas agus léirsinn nam bodach a bha sean nuair a bha Murchadh òg.) Cha chanainn gu bheil móran lìon-bhig ’ga dheanamh ri cladaichean na Hearadh an diugh. Is e glé bheag dheth a tha ri cladaichean Uige an diugh mar an ceudna. Tha sabhs air na siolan air leth math, cuideachd. Agus tha iad air leth blasda mar bhiadh, agus air leth tacmhor. Cha tig acras air duine air luathair [?] as déidh feed de na siolan. A thaobh sealladh air lìonmhorachd, cha chreid mi nach e sealladh air an t-sil-ghainmhich anns a’ bhàgh againn fhín (Camus Uige) a dhleasas a’ cheud àite. Cia mheud mìle, no cia mheud muillion dhiubh seo a bh’ann? Agus faoileag is biorach air am muin [?], as an déidh, gu’n robh iad a’ leum ’nan sgaothan as an uisge, airson teàrnaidh, ged nach bu mhór an ciall. Bha dùil ’am gu robh bleideagan an t-sneachda ann an lìonmhorachd gu leòir. Bha dùil agam sin, gus an siod. Is iomadh rud a chì am fear a bhios air an dùthaich nach fhaic fear a’ chabhsair luim! Dà nì a chunnaic mi-fhín le mo shùilean aig sìol ’ga dheanamh: Chunnaic mi siol (te mhath mhór) a’ snàmh cho neo-lochdach, ma b’fhior, am measg cliath de chudaigean òga (siol chudaig) agus an uair a b’fheàrr ’s a b’fheàrr a bhiodh na creutaran bochda, bheireadh i tè as agus dh’itheadh i i. A rithist, uair eile, chunnaic mi sìol a’ gabhail na h-ite a bhiodh againn ag iola (fly-fishing). Sin agad ma tha na rudan a chì duine nuair a bhios e muigh, agus a shùilean fosgailte.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[siorram]: Siorram sios, siorram suas / Cha robh ball de Ruaraidh agam / Siorram sios, siorram suas / Cha robh agam Ruaraidh, etc. Mouth-music for Highland Schottische.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[slachdadh]: Fhuair iad slachdadh aig an sgoil. – They got a beating at school.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[slat]: Fhad’s a bhios slàt ’sa choill bi an fhoill ’sa Chaimbeulach.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sleamhuinn]: Cho sleamhuinn ris an easgainn.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sleamhuinn]: Cho sleamhuinn ris an easgainn.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[snog]: Bha e air a chuir air a’ ghlò cho snòg. When a field had been scythed neatly and all the stubble was of even length. [NOTES: note added above ‘ghlò’ – dhlòth.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[socharach]: Carson a tha thu cho socharach? Why are you so compliant?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[solar]: Bu choir solair-itheannaich sa Ghaidhlig a bhi againn. We should have a Gaelic menu.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sona]: “Nach e tha sona dheth.” – bha e seo againn. Tha againn: “Cho sona ri bó ann an loch.” “Cho sona ’s a tha an là cho fada.” [SLIP: no definition.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[sona]: Cho sona ri bó ann an loch.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[song]: A song my mother used to sing: “Latha dhomhsa ’s mi na’m ònar / Dol troimh ’n choill ’s mi siubhal mòna / Thachair orms a ghruagach bhoidheach / Rinn mi comhradh rith ’s greis anail.” Refrain “Thug sibh air nighean donn nam meall-shuil / ’S trom mo cheum an deigh do gheallaidh / Thug sibh air nighean donn nam meall shuil.”
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[spìgeil]: “Tha sibh fhèin cho spìgeil.” – “Tha sibh cho math”.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[srann]: Srann aige a chuireadh na h-eich as a’ choirce. – Snoring like anything.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[stairs]: One word that comes to mind is quite vivid with a touch of Gaelic poetry in it – the word ‘stairs’ (plural) as applied to a school of porpoises in a flat calm, surfacing with their backs gleaming, black in the water and in line astern. In Ballantrae the fishermen used this word not knowing that their great great grandfathers saw these fish as like a line of stepping stones (stair). I am sure of this.
Location: Prestwick
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[stamag]: [Stamag caorach/bà] Uill, ma tha, fhuair mi air adhart math gu leòir a muigh aig an ospadal ’s a’ phàirce goirid as deidh dhomh bhur litrichean fhaighinn. Bha mi a muigh dà uair agus fhuair mi na daoine mar a sheòl sibh dhomh. Ach chaill mi an duine mór fhein, am profeasar, dìreach le a dhà-no-trì mhionaidean a’ cheud là bha mi a muigh. Bha sin a cheart cho math, gus nach cuirinn dragh air airson rud cho beag. Ach fhuair mi Murphy agus chunnaic mi mionach caorach fosgailte. Agus thug Murphy a mach leabhar mór as a’ chùl. Sin, ma tha, mar a bha ’s a’ phàirce. Ach a thuilleadh air a sin, chaidh mi sìos air mo cheann fhìn chun an tigh-mharbhaidh air a’ Ghallowgate agus chunnaic mi mionach bà fosgailte ann an sin. Agus rinn mi cinnteach mu an nì a bha mi a’ lorg – an ceap. (…) ’S iongantach mur am faod sinn an ceap a chur mar seo an “ceap”. ’Se am broilein a bhiodh ann, agus bha an ceap air airson e bhith coltach ri ceap (bhiodh e cruaidh, làn, – dìreach ’na cheap – an còmhnuidh). Rud eile: an psalterium. Cha robh psalterium ’s an leabhar mhór aig Mgr. Murphy idir. ’Se seo, tha mi a’ tuigsinn, ainm eile airson omasum. (Seallaibh an àirde ’s na faclairean, mar a nì sibh.) A h-uile càil a th’ann feuchaibh mar seo iad: A’ mhaodal-mhór – dorsal sac of rumen. A’ mhaodal-bheag – ventral sac of rumen. An luamha – reticulum. Am broilein – omasum (psalterium). ’S mar a tha mi a’ togail “an ceap”. Abomasum – chan eil ainm sam bith agam do an seo. Nach bochd nach robh an t-seann fheadhainn beò gus an deadh sinn far am bitheadh iad airson a bhith ceart da-rìribh! Currac-an-rìgh – mur a h-eil mi ceàrr, ’s ann anns an luamha a bha seo: pàirt de an luamha. Is e an aon stamag a th’anns a h-uile càil a th’ann ach gu bheil i ’na h-earrannan.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[steall]: Bhuail sinn pliu’ an acair air a bial, ’s chitheadh tu e a’ falbh na steall anns a cholbh-bianain. – the striking of anchor on boat’s rail, forward at the bow, to cause herring to ‘show’ in the phosphorescence.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
[steall]: Choinnich strùth ri steall. When a person met someone who was more than his match.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sàs]: Chaidh an t-snathad an sas ’nam chois. The needle pierced my foot.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sìoladh-fala]: “Tha sìoladh-fala ann cho brèagha ’s a chunna tu ann an duine a riamh.” – Dreach ’n a aodann cho brèagha – sìoladh fala. Agus craicionn brèagha còmhla ris a sin.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sùil]: “Chan eil sùil thuraidh ann.” – Tha an t-uisge dol gu math. Chan eil turadh idir, idir ann. No càil de a choltas. Turadh: Chan e ‘turadh’ a chanas sinn idir ach ‘turadh’ air a fhuaimneachadh mar ‘taoradh’ air a chantuinn aithghearr.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[teàrr]: Cho dubh ris an teàrr. – Oidhche dhorch. Tha e mar an teàrr (an oidhche).
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tioram]: Cho tioram ris a’ mhin (buntàta). – mealy potatoes.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tioram]: “Bha e cho tioram ri cruaidh-chonnlach na h-àthadh.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tioram]: Cho tioram ris an spìon.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[toinisg]: Cha neil mi air cho bheag toinisg. I am not so void of sense.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[trom]: Cho trom ris an talamh. Cho trom ri na clachan.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tròm]: Cha tròm leis an fhiadh a chabar / Cha tròm leis a’ choileach a chìrein / Nì mheasas aon neach mar leathrom / Chì neach eile mar thoil inntinn.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tòrradh-rodan]: I remember hearing the expression: Bu cheart cho math leam a dhol gu tòrradh-rodan, when a person was asked to go to a wedding or some entertainment. ‘Tòrradh-rodan’ – unless it was an invented phrase.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[àrd]: Cho àrd ’sa sheòlas an ceathdubhan ’s ann ’sa chachd a thùiteas e. Applied to a conceited person. [NOTES: note added above ‘th’ in ‘ceathdubhan’ – (r).]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[òrdag]: Bodach mór na ‘fanga’ a rithist [i.e. am bodach who is mentioned as the source of the word ‘fanga’ above (p. 1.)]. Nuair nach biodh tombaca aige agus a bheireadh duine dha pìos, theireadh e, “Piseach air an òrdaig ’s an còrr air a’ chorraig, ’s fheàrr seo na na fhuair sinn a riamh.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ùmhal]: Cho umhal ri luch fo spoig a’ chait. It’s submissive as a mouse beneath a cat’s paw.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ɡʹiˈhɤu̟]: Quot.: “Bu tu an [ɡʹiˈhɤu̟] (gi-how)”. “’S e fìor [ȷiˈhɤu̟] a th’ann.” Note: common in Lewis. Idiot, person with little sense. “Duine gun chonn.”
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a buain a choirce: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a ceangal a’ choirce: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a choille chnò: the nut wood.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a choille chnò: the hazel wood.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a choille dharaich: the oak wood.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a choille dharaich: the oak wood.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a choingeal: the candle.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a choingeal: the candle.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a choinneal: the candle. A choinneal choisrigte – the blessed, consecrated, candle.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a choinneal: the candle.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a choire-ghriothach: the heron.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a cholas le fallais: sweating freely.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
a chomhnard: [?] level ground.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a deanamh chocan: Making hay cocks.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a draoghadh bheathaichean: if animals were suffering from cholic [sic] they had to be kept on the move until the swelling subsided – ‘draoghadh’. Needed to be well fed after the swelling had retreated.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a pake: same meaning [as a pandy]. (school)
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a-staigh: advb motn ‘in[side]’: ~ dhan choillidh [-iç]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
abachadh (m): Quotation: Na bodaich: “tha ’n t-abachadh anns a’ bhun (aig a’ chorca)”. Sin nuair a dh’fhaodadh a spealadh.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
abidil: Quot.: “Tha thu leis an abidil.” Note: said to people who wouldn’t stand still. (“Abidil” said by D.M. to be cholic. With this illness a cow would be restless and try to climb up the wall with its front legs.)
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
acair: Quotation: acair choirc. Notes: “hut” of corn on the field.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
acair: Quotation: Bha i cosmhail ri acair an aranach. Notes: He was so careful that he always kept his anchor ashore even when he put to sea. When the storm came, he had none to save him.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
acaraichean: anchors, weights; flat stones put in loops of rope.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
acarsaid: anchorage, from O.N. ‘akkeris-saeti’.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
acarsaid: anchorage.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
acrachadh: anchoring.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
acuinn mheadhon: Notes: part of the spinning wheel. It was tied by a thin piece of wood to the “siol-choiseadh”.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
adharc: 1. Adharc airson a séideadh. Bho chionn ceud bliadhna air ais bha adharc de’n t-seòrsa-sa ann am baile mo bhreith agus m’ àrach, airson a bha ag gairm a mach nan daoine airson a dhol do an choinneimh sheachduineil anns a’ bhaile. Bhiodh a’ choinneamh-sa aig a’ mhinistear no aig an luchd-dreuchd. Mar bu trice ’se coinneamh-urnuigh a bhiodh ann. 2. Adharc airson ballan a chur. Is e adhaircean chruidh a bhiodh anns na h-adhaircean-sa (adharc bà no adharc daimh). (Gibne.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
agaphort: Quotation: Tha e cho righinn (stubborn) ris an agaphort. [NOTES: a note in second hand – ‘See agafors.’]
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aghachoimheach: false face (spelt colloquially), what children use as marauders at Halloween, in Scotland. [SLIP: Mask (as said in Scalpay).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aghaidh: nn f. ‘face’: blàrag a’ dol dhan choillidh [iç] ‘s a h-~ [-iç] air an taigh [ən døi̯]? Tuagh. [= riddle]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
aghaidh-choimheach: [See aghachoimheach.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ailbhinn-dubh: Quotation: Cho dorcha ris an ailbhinn-dubh. Notes: ? the dark abyss. [NOTES: in second hand – as dark as the pit.]
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air: prep. ‘on’: bha e ~ a dhinneir; bha m’ athair math ~ òrain; bha e glè mhath air an tuaigh gu gearradh sa choillidh ud; chan eil fhios aig duine aire sin; 1, 2sg: ‘an robh an t-eagal ort, John R, sa chladh?’ ‘Dè a chuireadh orm?’; 3m: saoil thu ' bheil e nis an-nochd air an Èirinn?
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
air: Quotation: Chaidh an t-each air a cholainn. Notes: the horse overturned.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air a chorra chnamh: on his haunches.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air a chorra-bid: tip-toe.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
air son: prep. ‘for’: ~ [əʂən] gearradh coilleadh; 3m: chan eil iad ro phailt, air a sh. sin ‘however’; tha mi beò fhathast air a sh. ‘anyway’; ’s e duine able a bha ann, air a shon sin; air a shon: tha mise air fàs cho dìchuimhneach, air ‘ shon
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
air son: prep. ‘for’: ’ toir’ taing ~ cho math ’s a fhuair iad air n-adhart; bha iad glè mhath ~ a chèile a chuideachadh; ach bha -- ai’son airgead a fhaighinn sa gheamhradh cha robh e furasta; ach cha robh iad nan tàmh air a shon sin ‘despite that’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
aire: nn f. ‘care’: ach ‘n ~ nach fheuch iad [ət] ri tighinn a-nall ‘ro na bushan; cha tug e an ~ dè bha ann; corra uair feumaidh duine an ~ ‘ thoirt bho [fɔ] chorra dhuine; gu bheil agad an ~ ‘ thoirt; aire: thug e an ~ dhan ghill’ òg seo; thug i an aire nach do chuir i an t-uisge coisreactha air a’ bhòrd idir
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
aisling chonain: Notes: an erotic dream. Date: 1972.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
alchag: cnap fiodha air am biodh tu a’ gearradh bhioranan – ‘chopping block’.
Location: [various]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
alchag: [ɑɫɑxɑɡ] Notes: a chopping block.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
allaibh: [?] [ɑɫu̜] Quotation: Thiormaich e cho [ɑɫu̜]. Notes: “It dried so quickly.” [NOTES: slipped under ‘ealamh’.]
Origin: Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
am brod: the best of something, choicest part.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
am bàrr dearg: barr a ruic. Leasachadh cho math ’s ghabhas, cur air grunnd [?] gu sonraichte dar tha e lethghrod.
Location: [Mull], Tobermory
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
am fàilean: nùr fail cho fada ris an uaigh rachadh a chur air a h-uachdar. An rud mu dheireadh. “Dh’fhurich sinn gus an do chuir iad am fàilean air.”
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
am/ an: 1 prep. ‘in’: bha i math an Gàidhlig 's am Beurla;am bi iad a’ dèanamh maragan an Èirinn am fuil; 1sg:: chaidh e ionnam cho mòr sin; 3m: cha robh pioc do dh’eagal ann; chaidh e ann a’ chuile sian [̼ | ʃɛn] a bha ann; cha robh ann nach tachdadh e duine; gu dè am beòthach a bhiodh ann; 3pl.: sguir iad a dhol ionnta (dha na h-eaglaisean aca fhèin); rel.: dhèanainn rud sam bith anns an cuirinn mo làmh; + ur: bha sibh nur daoine cearta
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
an sgoil fhuaghail: in my mother’s day it was customary for girls to go to a sewing school in Fort William.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an soran: opening in wall to allow wind to enter when winnowing. 2½' high x 2' wide. Ma choinneamh an doruis fhéin.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an t-aodach (E): The cloth. A’ tòiseachadh clò (E) ùr, nuair a thig a’ cheud choltas aodaich air, canaidh sinn “Thug mi/e/thu aodach air.”
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
an tràsg: “Cho aotrom ris an tràsg”, chanadh am bodach mór. Bha e latha a’ bruidhinn mu cheusadh Chrìosda, agus thuirt e, “Chuir iad an crann air a mhuin agus dh’fhalbh e leis cho aotrom ris an tràsg”. Dé a bh’ann an tràsg? Bho dh’fhalbh am bodach, bha mi iomadh uair a’ smaoineachadh air. C’arson nach d’ fhoighnich mi dheth fhad’s a bha am bodach beo? Cha robh guth air a leithid an uair sin. An diugh tha mi tighinn uair is uair thuige gu’m faod gur h-e a’ chonnlach a bhiodh iad a’ cur air an àth nuair a bhiodh iad a’ tìoradh a bh’ann. Faic sràbhag. An t-sràbhag. Dh’fhaodadh aig cuid gur h-e ‘sràbhasg’ a bhiodh airson ‘sràbhag’, agus gun d’thàinig e gu sràsg, srà(bh)sg. Tha mi deanamh a mach a’ chonnlach a bha seo gu’m biodh i air leth aotrom mu’s biodh an tìoradh seachad. (Dh’fhaodadh gur h-e dìreach an tràsg a bh’ann. (Faic tràsgadh.))
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anachothrom: would be applied to a family who are not well-off.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ancheard: Quotation: Bha e cho làn dh’an an ancheard. Ancheardach (adj). Notes: (Keose) jape/japing. Dw. has aincheard (marked obsolete), ‘buffoon etc.; buffoonery, low jesting’. Also aincheardach (not marked obsolete), ‘like a buffoon etc. (Armstrong); ingenious’. Note the quality of n in the Lewis words, and the different nuances of meaning.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anns an tràigh mhaoraich an gainmhich ’sa’ làghach: Croman is spaid. Tha breallaich, coilleagan, dearbhallaich, agus am maorach nach bi dol ro dhomhain air an cladhach le croman. Nuair a bhios a’ ghrian a’ deàrrsadh air a’ ghainmhich no air an làghaich chi thu srùpan a’ mhaoraich mar gum biodh iad ag gabhail na gréine. Mar a faic thu so cuir do chorraig do’n toll shéididh aca agus ma dh’fhairicheas tu i ga sùghadh sios bidh maorach anns an toll sin. Theid an t-eachan is gu h-àraidh am muirsgean anabarrach domhain nuair a theid dragh a chur orra. Ma shaoileas tu gum bi maorach anns an toll sàth an spaid sios air siobhadh gus am brùth thu am maorach ri cliathaich a thuill fhein is chan fhaigh e air ruith. Cladhaich le do laimh no le croman e.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
anns an tràigh shiol: Gràpa is corran. Bidh na siolan fodha anns a’ ghainmhich, agus gu faighinn biadhadh lion beag theid a’ ghainmheach a tionndadh le gràpa. Ruithidh a’ ghainmheach troimh spàgan a’ ghràpa a’ fàgail na siolan a’ placail air an uachdair. Nuair a bhios a ghainmheach cho fliuch, no nuair a bhios muir tana a’ ruith oirre, le bhith ruith troimh ’n ghainmhich le corran, fairichidh tu an t-siol ris a’ chorran is cladhaichidh tu an àirde le do laimh i. Gheibheadh tu air an dòigh so na dh’fhóghnadh airson a’ chreagaich.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
anàthach: careless. Would be used of post office – “Tha am post cho anàthach leis na pasgainn a tha mi a’ cuir air falbh.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
astar-chas-an: (pronounced asterchassan, the ‘an’ at the end is open like sgadan, herring) a path trampled down by feet, usually where this was not welcome. ‘Tha a chlann air astarchasan a dheanamh troimh ’n choirc.’
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-cholmadh: re-mixing the wools when many different colours were required.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
ath-chorrain: a ford with a sandspit on it. [NOTES: corrected to ‘àth-chorrain’.]
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-rughadh: Is e so an dara sùil a bheirear air a mhòine. Nithear rùmhain na’s motha leis na fòid a’s tiorma ’nam broin agus an fheadhain nach ’eil cho tioram air an taobh a muigh agus air am mullach . Le sìde thioram nithear ath-rumhain mhòra, ach ma tha an aimsir bog cha deanar ach ath-rumhain bheaga.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
athchorc: permission; comhairc (v) – to ask; iomchomharc – salutaion, compliments; dithchomharc – minus permission.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ bhana-chogach bhreac: Smallpox. (Faic banachrach.) Tha dà bhràthair-seanar agam air an tiodhlacadh ann am Pultneytown an Inbhir-Uige ann an Gallaibh. Chanadh na bodaich gu’n a bhàsaich iad leis a’ bhana-chogaich agus iad aig an iasgach.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ buain a’ choirce: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a’ buain choilleagan: Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
a’ choich: scab.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
a’ chomh rath: dusk.
Location: South Uist, Frobost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ chomhachag, comhachag na sabhuil also conachag: Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ chomhaireachd: the opposition in Parliament.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ chomhla: [fem.] the actual door.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
a’ chomhlach: a group of people gathered round and having a chat.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ chopag: Docken. Disease: burns. Parts used: leaves. How prepared: leaf put against burn with bandage.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
a’ coiseachd air a chorra-bid: walking tip-toed.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
a’ coiseachd cho stopach: straight and perpendicular (army fashion).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
a’ cur gu rathad: Nuair a bhios a’ mhoine tioram tha i air a cur gu rathad far am faigh làraidh no tractar thuice gus a toirt dhachaidh. Tha a’ mhoine cho fada bho chuid ann an Nis is gu feum iad tri dòirtidh a dheanamh orra. (a) Ga dòirteadh aig rathad far am faigh tractar thuice. (b) Aig rathad far am faigh làraidh thuice. (c) Aig an tigh á làraidh. Tha a’ mhoine ga cur gu rathad (1) Ann am poca air do dhruim. (2) Ann an cliabh air do dhruim. (3) Ann am barra-cuibhle. (4) Ann am ‘Float’. (5) Le each is cairt. (’Se aon each a tha a’ deanamh sin an so an diugh - 1967) (6) Le tractar. (7) Agus chunnaic mi air cùl Steòrnabhaigh cuid ga cur gu rathad ann am ‘Prams’.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ tarruing a choirce: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a’ togail a’ choirce: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a’ togail shrùpanan: Cho fada ’s a tha cuimhne agam, ’se seo a chanadh sinn mu thional na maoraich-sa. (Tha ‘maorach’ boirionn againn, ’s an àite-sa có dhiu, mar a thuit a mach bhuam an so shuas. Cha chanainn nach eil ‘maorach’ boirionn agus firionn againn mar a thionndaidheas a mach.) Tha ‘coilleag’ againn mar ainm annasach, no mar ainm litireil. Tearc air na bilean.
Origin: Lewis, Uig an Iar
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
a’ trusadh choilleagan: gathering cockles.
Location: Eilean Thiriodh, Cornaig Mhór [Tiree, Cornaigmore]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
a’ trusadh chonnichag: gathering cockles.
Location: Eilean Thiriodh, Cornaig Mhór [Tiree, Cornaigmore]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
babhstlair: Quotation: Geda [sic] bha Gàidhlig aig na [b[ɑu]stɫirən], cha robh iad ’ga teagasg idir. Notes: speaking of Gaelic at school.
Origin: Arisaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
badadh: Quot.: a’ badadh a’ choirc. Note: tying corn.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baga-sgoile: school bag.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne-teth: cure for cholera (used in Hellisay, according to old man who lived in Bruernish).
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
balbh: adj. ‘still’: ach gum biodh i [an t-sìde] cho ~, gun pioc soirbheis ann
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
ball: Quot.: ball dha do chorp. Note: a limb.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balla: dòigh air nam fadan a chur air muin an cheile air bruaich a phuill air chor sgun tiormaich iad na’s fhearr. Cuideachd far eil am poll domhain ’se gun móran sgaoiltich a mach uaithe.
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ban-chomharsanach: nn ‘female neighbour’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
ban-sgoileir: nn ‘female schoolteacher’ : ~-ean Catlaigeach a chur [DAG]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
bana-chogach: “An deach a’ bhana-chogach ort?” – Were you vaccinated?
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bana-choileach: Notes: bird which isn’t either a hen or a cockerel properly.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
banais: Quotation: “’S fheàrr aon bhanais na dà chomanachadh dheug.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bancas: played by school-boys on lazy-beds. One boy on the middle lazy-bed and a team of boys on another trying to get across to the 3rd lazy-bed without the boy on the middle one touching them. If he happened to touch one, he was dismissed. Again the former word used for the same pastime was dad-oighridh. Perhaps meaning ‘to your estate’. Thus do d’ oighreadh or oighridh – to your estate. This was the way I take it to be pronounced. The word has died colloquially. [SLIP: A game played by boys on lazy-beds. One boy would stand on the middle lazy-bed while a team of boys starting from another lazy-bed tried to cross the middle one to a third one without the boy in the middle touching them. If someone was ‘tagged’, he was out of the game. Used to be called ‘dad-oighridh’ – ‘to your estate’?]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bas na cas: stick thrown in the air for choosing which way to play, or who had the first choice in picking sides. If the head (bas) came down first the man who shouted that word “won the toss”. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
beag: Quotation: Gheibh mi a’ bheag no mhór air choireigin. Notes: implies ‘beag’ is more likely.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bean chomhfhailteach: Bridesmaid.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bean-chomhailteach: Notes: bridesmaid.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bean-chomhailtich: Note: bridesmaid.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bearnan-brìde: flower, dandelion, at the point of the flower giving way to withering, the seed is left which parachute off by the wind. Children used to blow off the seed themselves and counting how many times they had to blow before the final seed was blown, which indicated what time of day it was. The flower itself does the re-seeding. The seed is disposed likewise from its down, ‘choimhiteach’ [sic].
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beulachas: Flattery. “Leis a’ bheulachas.” “E cho beulach.”
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
beò: : gun toireadh e duine beò leis cho math ‘s a bha e; nn.: ‘bidh mo bh. ‘s mo mharbhadh ri Cloinn ‘Ill-Eathain’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
bheir: vb ‘give, take’ : past: às a dheoghaidh a thug am fear seo [‘made off after him’];cond.: 's e the an doctair Siseil a ~eadh iad air; a’ smaoineachdainn gun toireadh e duine beò leis cho math ‘s a bha e ; cha bhiodh e math muran toireadh iad toll air an talamh ‘ dannsadh; vbl nn.: bha thu sin a’ toir’ sin dheth gu strain; bha e ' toirt bhuam a' mhairt
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
biathadh na h-aona chorraig: tarred with the same brush.
Origin: [Harris]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bidean-gun-chonn: Note: senseless, giddy person.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bideanach: Quotation: Tha e cho bideanach. Notes: fidgety, unsettled. Source: Mrs Catherine MacLeod, Ness, Lewis. Date: 1982.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biota: Bha na biotaichean dèanta de fhiodh, le clàir agus cearcaill mar am baraille. Bha an lonaid [q.v.] de fhiodh mar an ceudna. Is e an tè bheag dhiubh ris an canaist ‘crannachan’. Anns a’ gheamhradh nuair nach biodh am bainne cho pailt, is e an crannachan bu trice a bhatar a’ cur an sàs airson ìm a thoirt a mach. Biota: [see illustration]. Biota: [see illustration]. Crannachan: [see illustration].
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
blasagraich: Quotation: cat a’ blasagraich mu bheul. Notes: licking his chops.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blàrag: nn f. ‘cow with blaze on forehead’: ~ a’ dol dhan choillidh [iç] ‘s a h-aghaidh [-iç] air an taigh? tuagh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
bocsa choinnein: matchbox.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bog: adj. ‘wet’: thiginn a-staigh cho tioram … ’s a chuile duine eile ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
bolla-min-chorca: a bowl of oatmeal.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnan-cnàmh: [bon̪əṉkṉɑ̃:v] Quot.: “Bha e na sheasamh air a’ bhonnan-cnàmh.” Note: he was standing on his heels as opposed to “air a’ chorra-biod” – on tiptoe.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bot (E): Cho fada agus is aithne dhomsa, chan ann mar anns na faclairean a tha sealladh air ‘bot’ againne idir. Ach àite bog, toll, fèith, no mar sin (cruinn no mar sin) anns an deadh caora an sàs, no anns an deadh i anns an rathad.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
brag: Quotation: (1) Leig e brag. (2) Leigidh e brag là air choir-eigin. Notes: (1) a loud bang, blow or explosion. (2) used e.g. when speaking of a person who is always on the go, perhaps doing too much. Things will come to an abrupt halt one day. Used generally in this sense.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bramalaid: Cho coltach ri facal a bhiodh aca ’s na Hearadh. Dìreach mar facal a thigeadh bho bheul “A’ Bhonnaich” as an Scarp. [NOTES: one of the words suggested in the questionnaire – ‘a lazy, useless woman’.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
brath: 1 vb ‘permit’: tha mi’ creidsinn gun tig iomdha concert mum bi iad air an choncert, Dia ‘ tha ‘ ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
bridean: Quotation: Bha e cho eòlach ’s a bha ’m bridean ’s an tràigh.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brochan: Quotation: Tha e cho math dhuit càl na brochan a dheanamh dheth. Notes: You might as well make anything you can out of it.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
broth: nn ‘rash’: thàinig ~ ‘ro na làmhan aice; agus a dhol a choimhead oirre aig Doctor MacLean airson a’ bh. seo ‘ bhith na làmhan aice
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
bréidean-lìmidh: [bɾe:dʹənlʹĩ:mi] Quot.: “Nach e balaich Chiribhig a th’air a dhol chon na bréidean-lìmidh.” Note: air a dhol air deireadh glé mhór. Retrogression.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buail: Quot.: “Buaileam ort!” Note: when two people were to pick opposing teams, one would call “Buaileam ort!” The second would then say “Leigeam leat!” and the first would pick his first choice. (Two shinty teams.)
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buaile: Notes: a fold for stock. In the old Highlands, a fold for stock was always circular in form so that the beasts would keep on walking: a scientific fact of animal Psychology, with which stockmen are now catching up as a new discovery. These folds had no roof; and in times of heavy snow-fall, the continuous movement of stock was necessary for their survival. Fanks were also circular.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buain: Toisichear a’ buain a’ phuill aig a’ cheann no aig earball – a reir ’s gu de an àirde gam bi aodann a’ phuill ag amharc. Co dhiù feumaidh smeachan an tairsgeir a bhith gu do chois dheis.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
buidhe Chonaill: the yellow plague.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buigneag (partan no crùbag): Crùbag no partan a tha air tilgeil na slige. Gheibh thu iad so ann an sgoran cho fada stigh ’sa gheibh iad. Chan fhiach iad an itheadh.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
buille choilleag: ‘hail’ in shinty.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buillean fuaimneach: echoing sounds.
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
bulaidh-mhuc: Quotation: Cho fliuch ris a’ b(m?)hulaidh-mhuc. Notes: wild hyacinth. Above phrase used of wet potatoes.
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-bac: lying at anchor. Na raimh ri bun-bac. They had this saying in Scalpay in former days. Perhaps you have another meaning yourself for this term?
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-sgòth: A muigh aig bun-sgòth. – A muigh cho fada ’s a chì an t-sùil, far am bheil am muir ’s an t-adhar a’ coinneachadh a chèile, mar a shaoilear. Cha chuala mi “bun-sgòth” a riamh air a chleachdadh ris an tìr.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr: nn ‘top, end’ : ~ a dhà choise sna stioraipean; pl. bha e fhèin ga chumail [= ceap] air ~an nam meòirean
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
bàrr-a-chorragan: on his fingertips.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàthadair: Poll monach – mar as tric poll ùr anns an deacha beathach a bhàthadh. Leanaidh na h-ainmeannan ris na puill sin ged a bhiodh an dà aodann air a dhol cho fada bho cheile is gun togadh tu caisteal eatorra. Cluinnidh tu, “Chunna mi caora leat air breith aig Bàthadair tuath (no deas, no’n ear, no’n iar) Uilleam Iain” no “aig Bàsadair an iar Dhomhnuill Bhàin.” Tha tuath, deas, etc. a’ ciallachadh an àirde a ghabh na puill anns a’ bhuain.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bìdeach: adj. ‘tiny’ : ‘s bha e fhèin cho [o] bìdeach
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
bòrd: Quotation: Bòrd a cho-thional. Notes: Congregation board.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ca(dha): road, way: Glengarry – An Cà’ Ruadh, Black Isle – Craigiehow = Creag a’ Chodha.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caille: old women were said to have this power known as the ‘caille’ by which she [sic] could control the fates of whoever she chose as victim. Should be stressed that not all women had this power although there are many husbands who would disagree with this. If something went against you, you would say that such a woman had put you under a spell: “Chuir i a’ chaille orm.”
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairt chopaigeadh: Notes: coup-cart.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairt chopaigidh: Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairt chòpaidh: Couping cart. [NOTES: spelled ‘cairt chopaidh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cairt-chopaich, cairtean-copaich (pl): couping cart.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cairt-chopaig: Couping cart.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cairt-chopaig: Airson cairt-chopaigidh – coup cart.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calp an acaire: the hemp rope between the boat and anchor.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cannas: friendliness, kind approach, warmth. Cha’n ’eil de channas ann na théid a choimhead air a bhràthair.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caoilte: Note: tana, goidhleach. Cho caol ’s gu faodadh e dol ri fasgadh buatharlan.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caolanan-gorma: Tha againn ‘caolanan-gorma’. ’Se seo na caolanan beaga mar a tha ‘an t-snàil’ airson a’ chaolain mhóir. Anns a’ bhoin, ’se na caolanan-gorma de’m bheilear a’ deanamh nan lùban-dubha. Agus de an chaolan mhór thatar a’ deanamh nan ìsbeanan. Cho fada ’s a tha cuimhne agam-sa, cha chan sinn caolanan-gorma uair sam bith mu chaolanan na bà.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caora chonadail: stray sheep.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
carach: Quotation: “Cho carach ris a mhadadh ruadh.” Notes: cunning as a fox.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas: n. ‘foot’: bhiodh Niall air a chois aig sia uairean
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
cas: [kɑ˖s] Quotation: Thàinig i cho cas an deidh sinach. Notes: rough, of a storm.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas: [kɑ˖s] Quotation: Thàinig e cho cas. Notes: rough, of a fight or brawl.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas bheag: refers to a peat which when thrown out lands on its side or on a corner. “Tha fear ud air a dhol air a chois bhig.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
catapurca: “Cho ruighinn ris a chatapurca.”
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cath-choileach: cockfighting (sport).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cath-choileach: cock-fight.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathag dhearg chasach: chough.
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann: Quotation: Tha e cho fada ’s a cheann ’s a bha Fionn ’s na casan. Notes: Islay – in the sense of being cunning. Lewis (Barvas) “fada ’na cheann” means stubborn.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-clò: Quot.: Cho beag purp ri uirsgeul ceann-clò. Note: fear nach cuir tù ri tàth.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-maradh: Notes: the rope between the buoy and the anchor (cruaidh).
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannag: [kɛn̪ɑ̟ɡ̊] Quotation: ceannag de choimhlich.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap: na pìosan a rachadh a thogail agus cuid dhiubh air an cur a feum an déidh laimhe a chomhdach nan cruachan.
Origin: Camaschros an sgìre Shléite san Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cearc-chomain: like a snipe but has a larger beak and is generally bigger than a snipe. Usually seen on moorland but during snow they will come to machair land. Moorhen?
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearc-chomunn: [sic] [xɔmən] partridge.
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
ceart: Quotation: Tha mi ceart choma. Notes: ceart for emphasis.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceart: adj. ‘correct, true’: bha siud dìreach cho ~ ‘s a ghabhadh e; pl.:tha sibh nur daoine cearta
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
ceart, a ch.: adv. ‘just’: bha iad an seo a ch. cho tràth ris an fheadhain; mu choinneimh sin, a’ ch. urad do dh’fhiodh cruaidh; sguir sin ’s bha e cearta [sic] cho math
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
ceileag: [celɑɡ] Notes: rope made of birch – long strips taken off with the drawknife and twisted. Yellow birch the toughest. One of uses to attach to anchor.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceileag: [celɑɡ] Notes: home-made wooden anchor. Stone weight in centre.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
celtadh: the ‘c’ makes a ‘k’ sound. The word means to give someone some strict disciplining. Heard this in the context of a mischievous boy prior to school age being transformed in later years due to strict disciplining. “Nach e a fhuair a’ cheltadh.” [NOTES: note added – ?spelling.]
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceum-coilich: a rooster’s step, length of a rooster’s step (lit.). Fad ceum coilich is e sin an fhaid th’ann am feasgar bliadhn’ ùire (Harris). Is e sin an latha air tighinn cho fada ri fad ceum coilich, ann am facail eile.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceò: Quotation: cho lag ris a’ cheò.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cho: Quotation: Cho righinn ri cac á plangaid. Notes: Ness (also known in Lochs).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cho: advb ‘so’: gum beil i ‘o [o] fad’ ‘s gun e ‘ fairghinn ‘o math
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cho amaideach ri na h-eòin: as ‘foolish’ as the birds.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
cho balbh ris an uaigh: as quiet as the grave.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
cho bodhar ris an talamh: Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
cho bodhar ris cloich: Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
cho buan ris an darach: as lasting as the oak.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
cho caol ri minidh: as thin as an augaur [sic] [auger?].
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
cho carach ris a’ mhadadh ruadh: as cunning as a fox.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
cho coir ris an fhaoileig: Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
cho fada ri gu siorruidh: as long as ‘for ever’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
cho fada ris an t-siorruidheachd: as long as eternity.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
cho fallain ri fiadh: healthy as a deer.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
cho fliuch ri lach: Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
cho fuar ris a’ bhàs: as cold as death.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
cho grànnda ris a’ pheacadh: as ugly as sin.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
cho lag ris a’ chuileig: as weak as a fly.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
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
cho reamhar ri ròin: as fat as a seal.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
cho ruighinn ris an teàrr: as tough as tar.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
cho soilleir ris a’ ghréin: Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
cho sona ris an rìgh: as happy as the king.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
cho-ri-eigin: of some sort.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
chon: prep. ‘to, till’: chùm iad … greim air a’ Ghàidhlig ~ an latha an-diugh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
choran: 2nd day soup.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
chorra-ghlas: bird (corn-crake). Co-dhiù tha t-ean fhathasd r’a fhaicinn againne air a bheil a chorra-ghlas; ged nach cluinn mi an t-ainm aig ginealach an la ’n diugh. [SLIP: Corncrake.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
chorra-ghlas: corn-crake or of the corn-crake species. It may not be in the list of bird-names. I take it as we in Scalpay term it: the bird.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
chown: [accent above w] head.
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
ciad fichead: (like ciad mìle), e.g. ‘Tiud a bhodaich! Tiud a choin! / Cà’ na dh’fhàg thu t-eidhleadh? / Dh’fhàg ann an Inbhirnis. / Is ciad-fichead toll air.’ (We used to say this to one another as children.)
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciadhear: choir yarn.
Origin: [Harris? – cf. ‘Taigh Croitear anns na Hearadh – an taigh anns an do rugadh mi.’]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
ciadhàir: quire (choir?) yarn brought from mainland. Also called sioman Thearlaich.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
cipean: Notes: a chopping-block.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cireasail (-aich): sniggering, giggling. Also in sense of rising waves in choppy sea.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciste-mhin: Quotation: ‘Ma thig ceò an earraich sìos cho fada ris a’ chiste-mhin, thig an sneachd ceart cho fada sin.’
Location: Spean Bridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clabag: Quotation: (1) Tha clabag mhath oirre. (2) Phàigh e clabag mhath air. Dh’fhàg e clabag mhath. Notes: (1) Of wind causing a choppy sea. Cf. Applecross clabach. (2) Of sum of money.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-choireal: I have heard the reference to a stone coral. Is this right? [SLIP: Referring to a stone – ?]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clann chomhlan: twins.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliabh cleibh: [pl.] creel. Is ann le cleibh bha a’ mhoine air a’ to’airt dhachaigh anns an t-sheann aimsir. Is e sealladh gle chumanta bh’ann gach fear-tigh fhaicinn a’ dol gach la dhiarraidh cliabh moine do an cruach, a’ dhaodadh bhi suas ri mile air falbh o’n tigh. Ach cha-neil aon chliabh ri fhaicinn anns a’ chearn so o chionn iomadh bliadhna air ais. Tha a’ mhoine nis air a giulan dhachaidh le carbaidean ola de gach seorsa. Tha rathaidean nis anns gach aite, agus mar sin tha a’ mhoine air a buain cho faisg air an rathad ’s a ghabhas deanamh.
Origin: Cataobh [Sutherland – probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cluich-bhall: [kɫu̜iv[ɑu]ɫ] Quotation: A’ bheil thu dol a’ choimhead air a’ chluich-bhall an diugh.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluiche air na putanan: Cho fada agus a tha cuimhne agam is ann faisg air an aon seòrsa a bha na trì cluicheannan-sa [i.e. cluiche air na putanan, cluiche air na clacha beaga and cluiche air na sgilligean]. Gun mhóran eadar-dhealachaidh, ma bha eadar-dhealachadh sam bith, ach anns na h-ainmeannan. Bhiodh sinn cuideachd ’g an dèanamh a muigh air a’ chùl le buachar tioram nan caorach as t-samhradh. (Airson ‘cùl’ agam-sa tha mi deanamh a mach gur h-e ‘cùl-cinn’ a th’aig Dòmhnall Iain (fear na Hearadh.) Feuchaibh e!)
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
cluiche-chaorain: a row of players sat with their hands cupped in their laps. A ‘caoran’ (fragment of peat) was passed surreptitiously from one to the other. One player was chosen to find where the caoran was. He went round, pointing to each in turn and was asked ‘Co aige tha e?’ If his guess was right, his place was taken by the player whom he had guessed. The caoran was secretly passed around again and the game restarted.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
clupad-choinnleach: [kɫu̜pəd̪xɤ̃ĩlʹɑx] Quot.: a’ chlupad-choinnleach. Note: swayback in sheep.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàimhean: Notes: (Raasay) sliding wooden bolt. Source: D. R. MacDonald, Portree High School.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cléith-luaidh (I): Chan e ‘cliath-luaidh’ a chanas sinn idir. Bha a’ chlèith-luaidh mar seo. Deànta le bùird agus crotaichean oirre fòidhe. Bhiodh i cho mór (cho fada) agus gu’n suidheadh ceathrar (no barrachd) air gach taobh dhith.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
clìbheir: cleaver, chopper.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnagag-choille: grosbeak. [NOTES: question mark added in second hand.]
Category: Eòin / Birds
cnagag-choille: grosbeak.
Category: Eòin / Birds
cnoc: Quotation: Bidh cnoc ann. Cho glic ri cnoc. Notes: There will be a parliament, gathering.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnàmh: Quotation: air do chorra-chnàmh. Notes: on all fours.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
co chosnaich: fellow worker.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
co-long: Quotation: Bidh gu leòr a cho-long timcheall orra. Notes: seems to convey both bustle and companionship. Sometimes used of a noisy gathering of people. Source: Mrs I. MacLeod, 16 Dundasvale Court, Glasgow (Berneray?). Date: 1979.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
co-oidhirp: [khɔ̃ĩ-jərp] vbl. n. ‘co-operate’: bha iad a’ ~ mu dheidhinn rud a’ choreigin
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
cochlaich: Quot.: “Chaneil aige ach an t-aon chochlaich cainnt.” Note: frothy, prattling talk.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coidseach: his fill, fill, his amount. Nach gabh e choidseach dhe. (Harris).
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coigreach: Quotation: iomhaigh a’ choigrich. Notes: false face.
Origin: Tiree?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coille: nn f. ‘wood’ : a’ ch. ‘na àit’ fhèin e, ‘s e ~ dhubh e; dat.: na fèidhean, tha fhios ‘ad, sa choillidh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
coilleag: three or four peats on end, leaning against each other, with another placed flat on the top to form a small stack – in the initial lifting. (Tha i fhathast anns a’ choilleig.)
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
coimeas: Quotation: mar choimeas. Notes: example.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coimhead: Quotation: Bha e ris a’ choimhead. Notes: He was attending the cattle (on the common grazings). Tolsta.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coimhead: Quotation: Bha mi ga choimhead [xɛ̃əd̪] an raoir.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinneal: [kɤnʹɑɫ] Quot.: “Cuir an clò air a’ choinneal!” Note: after the waulking of the cloth was over it was made into a roll.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinneal: Quotation: Cha robh e soirbh da marsainn agus a’ choinneal a’ gabhail aig an dà cheann.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinneal: [kɤnʹɑɫ] Quotation: coinneal clò. A’ cur a chlò air choinneal. Notes: roll of cloth.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinneamh: Notes: Against – “Bha e m’a’n coinneamh.” He was over against them. Forward – “Chaidh e na choinneamh.” He went to meet him. Meeting. – “Chum iad coinneamh.” They held a meeting.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinnleag: scum of thick fat on broth. Nach ann air a tha choinnleag. (Scalpay) [NOTES: the quotation on the slip has ‘…a tha a’ choinnleag.’]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinnspeach: nn ‘wasp’ : ~; gen.:chuir seann duine a bha ann teine ris an nead-choinnspich; gen. pl.: bha nead mhòr choinnspeach
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
coir’-iarrain: [sic] iron kettle once popular in homes which was kept as a more or less reserve kettle, as in the washing process etc. in household chores. [NOTES: slipped under ‘coir’-iarainn’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coisinn: vb ‘earn’: cond.: an dolar a choisinneadh sibh, gum feumadh sibh an aire a thoirt dha
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
coitseach: coating. [?] [NOTES: the word is unclear. It looks like ‘coatch’ corrected to ‘coating’ but maybe coaching was meant.] Gabh do choitseach. [SLIP: Coaching (travelling?).]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coitsireachd: coaching. Dé a choitsireach [sic] th’air – in other word travelling. [NOTES: the quotation on the slip reads ‘Dé a’ choitsireachd a th’air? Definition: Travelling.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colaidh: [koɫi] Quotation: Tha a’ mhart ann an deagh cholaidh. Notes: for culaidh. She is in fine condition, of good appearance.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colainn: [kɔɫĩnʹ] Quotation: Chaidh an t-each air a cholainn. Notes: The horse overturned.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colaiste: nn ‘college’: bha e ‘ dol dhan cholaiste
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
colamadh: Quotation: Bhiodh deise cholamaidh air na fir.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colbhag: Quotation: an òrdag, a’ cholbhag, Fionnladh fada, Mac an Aba, [u̜i:dʹʒɑɡ].
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colg: Quotation: Nach ann air a bha a’ cholg. Notes: rage.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
collastraich: J.M.A. assures me these were training schools run by monasteries and nunneries for the training of young boys and girls in various skills and crafts. Set up prior to the Reformation by John, Lord of the Isles. He was obliged to fund these since the Pope had given him permission to divorce his wife Anna and marry Margaret Stewart, daughter of Robert II.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comach: Quotation: Thuit mar chomach ris an deibh. Notes: ‘on account of’.
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comain: Quotation: Chan ann gun dùil comain a nì an croman fead. Notes: croman – chough.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comanachadh: Quotation: “’S fheàrr aon bhanais na dà chomanachadh dheug.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comha-thràth: [kõərɑ:] Quot.: “am beul a’ chomha-thràth”. Note: at nightfall.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhach: Air chomhach – hiding. (Aird)
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhachag: Quotation: a’ chomhachag [əxɔ̃:xɑɡ]. Notes: the owl.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhludair: advisor or someone who set an example to others. In this case ‘droch chomhludair’ is someone who teaches his companions alls the vices in the world.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhlìon: vb ‘fulfil’: vbl nn: ach gus an lagh a chomhlìonadh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
conablach: a broken down person. Could be as a result of age or illness. Also self inflicted illness – “Tha mi nam chonablach an diugh as deidh deoch.”
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conablach: [kɔ̃ṉɑbɫɑx] Quot.: “Bha e ’na chonablach as deidh sud tachairt dha.” Note: e.g. a person who was maimed badly.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conadal: Quotation: or caora chonadail. Notes: a sheep which has strayed from its own township pasture to another.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conamhaireachd: [kɔṉɑvɑðɑxk] Quot.: “Dé a’ chonamhaireachd a th’ort a’ sin?” Note: said to someone who was making a mess of what he was doing, either by design or because he didn’t know how to do it properly.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
confadach: Quotation: Na tha sin a chon(a)fadaich bhuidhe ’s gun ith a h-uile h-aon uimhir ri beathach. Notes: Not in Dw., who has confhadh ‘rage, fury’ etc.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conn: the string or thread round a hank of yarn, ‘stability’. Duine gun chonn.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conochgag: oyster shell? You can hear the echo of the sea if you put it close to your ear.
Location: Milngavie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cop: Quotation: cairt-choip [kɑʴsṯxop]. Notes: couping cart. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
copach: Quotation: móine chopach. Notes: spongy peat.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
copach: Quotation: móine chopach. Notes: spongy peat.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
copaigeadh: Quotation: cairt chopaigidh. Notes: coup-cart.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cor-eathainn: a simple character of a female, when living beyond her means and reference is made to her extravancy [sic] [extravagancy?] in the home, someone will reply ‘a chor-eathain’ [sic] meaning silly. The term is still current.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cor-mhagaill: Quotation: Tha a’ lion air a’ chor-mhagaill. Notes: term used when net is pulled so that each mesh closes easily. If pulled the opposite way would not do this. 2" mesh etc. measured “air a’ chor-mhagaill”.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corcar: purple colour, or crimson. Dath a’ chorcair.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corp: Quotation: a’ chorp [əxɔ̣̈rp]. Notes: the body in general, also the stomach and intestines.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-biod: Quotation: air a’ chorra-biod. Notes: on tiptoes.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-biod: Quotation: Sheas mi air mo chorra-biod. Notes: on tiptoes.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-chnàmh: Quotation: air do chorra-chnàmh. Notes: on all fours.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-daonn: [kɔɾəd̪w̃:n̪] Quot.: “Tha thu ann a sin na do chorra-daonn.” Note: said by my grandmother to anyone who [was] sitting or standing doing nothing.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-mheur: Quotation: Na cuir do chorra-mheur air.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-sgritheach: Quotation: a’ chorra-sgritheach [kɔrəsɡɾiɔx]. Notes: heron.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-spogan: Quotation: Bha e air a chorra-spogan air a’ làr. Notes: on all fours.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corrag: Quotation: An òrdag, ’S a chorrag, ’S a mheur-fhada, ’S nic-an-t-sraididh, ’S lughdag bheag an airgid! Notes: the fingers. Probably the lughdag had the rings of silver before Marriage. Nic-an-t-sraididh – fireworks (!) looking for a ring?
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corran: Quotation: (Keose) Corran math gealaich am beul a’ chomhar-thràth. Notes: Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corran-shìol: Bha corran-shìol airson a bhith a’ glacadh shìolan (sìol ghainmheach) air na tràghannan. ’Se corran-buain a bhiodh ann agus e air a ghearradh beag mar a chì sibh shuas agus fiaclan maola air an toirt ann airson gréim. Bha faobhar a’ chorrain air a mhaoladh – nam biodh e geur, ghearradh e na sìolan.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
corrasbacan: [kɔrəsbɑkɑṉ] Quot.: “Bu tu ’n corrasbacan!” “Tha thu ann a sin na do chorrasbacan.” Note: a hindrance.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cosmhail: [kɔsɑl] Quotation: Bha i cosmhail ri acair an aranach. Notes: He was so careful that he kept his anchor ashore even when he went out in his boat. When he was caught in a storm, he had none to save him.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cost: vb ‘cost’: ‘ gearan na bha i ‘ ~adh a chonnadh; cota-mòr nn ‘overcoat’: bha mi ‘ dol a chur mo ch. orm.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cota-ruadh: great coat, soldier’s great coat. “Cha mhor nach do rinn mi gluasad le mo chota-ruadh dh’an arm”. Perhaps also fishermen in the past have worn such a coat. The above couplet by a fisherman may refer to his own coat, or the coat received at the outfit, ‘soldier’s enlistment depot’. [NOTES: slipped under ‘còta-ruadh’. Quotation has ‘...mhór...’ and ‘…chòta-ruadh…’]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cothaich: Quotation: Tha a’ bhó a muigh ’ga cothachadh fhéin. Tha i math air i fhéin a chothachadh. Notes: feed, graze.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cothrom: Quotation: Fear a bha gu math air a chothrom. Notes: well to do.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cothrom: Quotation: “’S ann aige tha’n cothrom.” – It is he that has the wealth. “Chuir e air a chothrom e.” – He put it on the scales. “A reic air a chothrom” – selling by weight or measure, e.g. fish. “A bhinn chothromach” – the just (proper) judgment. “Dh’fhiarr e cothrom.” – He asked permission. “’S ann a ghabh e cothrom air – … took advantage of … “Chan eil cothrom air.” – It cannot be helped. “Chaill e ’n cothrom.” – an invalid who is helpless. “’S math an cothrom.” – We are well, in good condition. e.g. “Ciamar a tha sibh?” (Reply:) “’S math an cothrom.”
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cothromach: Quotation: gaoth chothromach. Notes: a favourable wind.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cragan-tràghad: Sea urchin. Chan eil iad an Nis idir is cha mhotha thachras slige dhuibh [sic] ri duine air an tràigh. Tha iad pailt ri cladaichean Rudha an Tiumpain. Is ann le tràigh reodhart a chithear iad an crochadh ri na sgeirean. Is ann ainneamh a chi thu fear beò os cionn uachdair na mara – bidh iad ris an sgeir mu oirleach no dha fo’n uachdair. Mus tàinig na h-‘ornaments’ gu bhith cho pailt bhiodh cuid a’ toirt dhachaidh feadhainn aca, gan glanadh a mach, a’ suathadh dhuibh [sic] nan gathan is gam peantadh. Rachadh lus a chur annta, gu h-àraidh lus mar seamrag a dh’fhàsadh sios ceithir thimchioll orra agus is minig a chunna mi tri dhuibh [sic] troimh uinneig crochaid mar tri ballaichean ‘pawn-shop’. Chleachd fear mór dhuibh [sic] air a ghlanadh a bhith aig Fuaran Cladach a’ Bhàta, far an togadh tu deoch leis nuair nach ruigeadh tu le do bhus air an uisge.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
craingeal: Notes: (noun) used of a person with a tendency to hypochondria. Source: Mrs M. Morrison, 1020 Argyle St., Glasgow (Màraig, Harris). Date: 12/1977.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann: Quot.: “Nam biodh mo dhà chrann na mo làmh…” Note: If I had the choice…
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crathadh: double echo. This is the correct term.
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
creachan: Clam. ’S e maorach muir domhain a tha so, agus gheibhear cor fhear dhuibh [sic] air an lion-bheag ceithir thimchioll an eilein, ach bidh muinntir Uig agus muinntir nan Loch gan togail le sgumairean ’nan dusain do na h-eathraichean aca aig top reodhart is gan còcaireachd an aon doigh ris a’ mhadadh. Bidh muinntir Uig ga fàgail ann an luin anns a’ chladach agus a’ dol air an tòir as a sin mar a bhios feum orra. As deidh a’ chogaidh mu dheireadh bha campa R.A.F. ann an Ard Uig is bhiodh balaich a’ champa so a’ togail nan creachan na’n ceudan comhdaichte ann an ‘aqua-lungs’ agus ga reic an Steòrnabhagh. Cha robh so a’ còrdadh ri muinntir Uig idir. Bha eagal orra gu gun glanadh iad an grunnd buileach glan, agus mar sin bha iad taingeil gun tug na balaich so an casan leotha nuair a chaidh an campa a dhùnadh bho chionn da bhliadhna. Anns an Rudha na’n togte creachan air lion beag bha an duine leis an robh an lion ga dhleasadh ga fhein. Co dhiù, anns an Rudha bha an creachan ga ithe amh cho luath ’sa thigeadh e air bòrd. Chan fhaca mise iad a’ bruiche chreachan a riamh gus an deacha mi chun na Lochan. Tha e fada na’s blasda amh. ’S e slige a’ chreachain an t-inneal as fheàrr a fhuaireadh fhathast gus an t-uachdair a thogail bho bhainne togalaich.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
creag: Quotation: Cho sean ris na creagan.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creag: Quotation: Cho cruaidh ris na creagan. Notes: hard-hearted.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creim: vb ‘gnaw’: cond.: na fèithean, tha fhios ‘ad, sa choillidh, nuair a chreimeadh iad àrd suas; nuair a bhiodh na beathaichean, nuair a … chreimeadh iad an talamh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
creiseim (E): [Changing the arrangement of the threads in the eyes for a new pattern.] Cho fad agus is aithne dhomhsa ’s ann tha seo air a dhèanamh leis a’ chreiseim (faic ‘creiseim’ Dwelly t-d 317). Is ann a’ cur an t-snàth ann an dòigh àraidh air na bacain ud a bha an t-allt (E) a bha gu a bhith air an aodach air a shuidheachadh. ’Se an creiseim a chuala mise air an seo. (Fuaimnich: criseim. Seo mar a tha e againne.)
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
crogais: Chan eil e idir againn. Ach tha ‘croga’ againn (mar ‘crog’ air t-d 275: ‘aged and effete ewe, sheep past bearing’. (Cho fada agus a tha cuimhne agam, ’se seo an seadh anns am bheil e againn.)
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
crois-iarna (I): Device for making hanks of yarn. Bha i mar seo shìos. Deànta de fhiodh. Glé choltach ann an cumadh ri acair eathair.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
cromadh: Quotation: ’Se man a thug thu orm cromadh chon na h-ùireach.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croman: Quotation: Tha mi mar eun a thuit o’n chroman. Notes: feeling washed out, useless. “Croman” is probably the chough, a type of hawk.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croman: Quotation: Chan ann gun dùil comain a ni an croman fead. Notes: croman – chough.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruaidh: Quotation: Cho cruaidh ris na creagan. Notes: hard-hearted.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruaidh: stone anchor.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruaidh (f): Notes: anchor.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cràgaisge: [kɾɑ:ɡiʃɡʹə] Note: two of these, one at each end of the ridge of the blackhouse roof. Protruded so that the “sioman” could be anchored round them. Two protruding sticks.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròiseanta: sound of singing through the nose. Tha guth aige cho cròiseanta – nasal. [SLIP: Nasal (singing through nose).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cródhadh: Quotation: Bha mi a’ cródhadh a choirce. Notes: taking in the corn to the stackyard.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuach: Quotation: Tha e cho math a dhol dhan a’ chuaich. Notes: bed. (cuach – nest)
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuibhle-iteachan: n.yellow'> ‘spinning wheel’’: cho luath ri ~ cuibhle [ˈku͜i:l´ə ˈiçt´əxan]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
cuimhneach: Quotation: Cho fad’s is cuimhneach leam. Notes: As far as I can remember.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir: vb. ‘put’: VBL. N.: bha iad a’ cur a-mach pàipearan ai’son daoine; car a’ cur [khur] sìos air -- feadhain a’ choreigin; cha robh thu ’ dol a chur ann am feirg mhòir idir air; ; PAST: ch. [xur´] mi pìos ris an taigh-danns’ aca; COND.:: cha chuireadh e sian orm ceathramh a dhèanamh, cha chuireadh e dad sam bith orm sin a dhèanamh; chuireadh e air anteine
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
cuir-leis: Quot.: “Tha e cho beag cuir-leis.” Note: same as above [i.e. sgrìd].
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cul mo chois: come to heel.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross and Cromarty but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
curachd: n. ‘cultivation’: a’ choille mhòr a leagail agus ~ a dhèanamh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
curs: adj. ‘unmannerly’: bha an gnothach a’ falbh cho ~ ri seo aca
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cuspaireachd: “Ma chunnaic tusa a riamh cuspaireachd, ’se breith air na siarsagan.” Bha iad cho duilich breith orra.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuspar: Bha grunn bhràithrean air an aon fhearann. Thòisicheadh a’ briseadh sìos nan tacannan ’s a toirt seachad fearainn. Thuirt am bràthair bu sheana, leis an robh am fearann air an robh na bràithrean, “Tha sibh ceart gu leòir fhad’s a bhios mise beò ach as mo dhéidh-sa chan eil fhios dé a dh’fhaodas tachairt. Mar sin chomhairlichinn dhuibh sealltainn a mach air bhur son fhéin fhad’s a bhios an cothrom ann.” Thuirt bodach mu an nì a bha seo: “Ma thà, ’s ann a bha an duine glic ann Iain MacDhòmhnuill, an cuspar a thug e do an fheadhainn eile.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càirdeil: adj. ‘friendly’: tha iad cho ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
càl: Quotation: Tha e cho math dhuit càl na brochan a dheanamh dheth. Notes: You might as well make anything you can out of it.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càra: [kɑ:ɾə] Quot.: “Bu chàra dhuit fuireach a stigh ’s an oidhche cho fuar.” Note: “It would be better for you…”
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càradh an fhoid: Tha cuid ann a tha cho ealanta air tilgeil is gun cuir iad gach fàd air a shliomas ri oir fir eile fada muigh air an sgaoilteach, mar bun a’ ghàrraidh. Tha cuid de phuill ann as an tig tri fòid is caoran, is gus nach bi a’ mhoine air muin a cheile air an sgaoilteach cha bhi an cargur ga thoirt cho leathann.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
càrn: Quotation: càrn choire. Notes: a “hut” made up of perhaps 12-14 adagan secured by a rope.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrn: Notes: In Lewis a cart that wouldn’t cope. The “cairt chopaigeadh” came later.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrsan: a choking disease affecting poultry. Also applied for wheezing in humans. Sometimes this word is heard as ‘càsan’ without the ‘r’.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
céileas: chooses, weds.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còir: Notes: traditional statement of Gaelic Preacher – “M’as sguir Dia nan Gràs, bi cùpan do chor cho làn ri cùpan do chòire.” Còir – also used in the sense of kindness – duine còir.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còir: Quot.: “Cho còir ris an fhaoileig.” (Put also under faoileag).
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còir: Mu ainmhidh a bhios solt agus coibhneil mar gu’n canadh sibh mu chat: “Tha e cho còir.” Tha e cho solt, ’s cho déidheil air a bhith ’ga shlìobadh ’s mar sin. Cha tionndaidh e oirbh, ach fada, fada an aghaidh sin. Tha e cho còir.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còmhla: a door not yet in position (usually). Gabh an taobh is boidche de’n chomhlaidh. – Get out.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
còrr: Quotation: “Na bha chòrr air an dìthead.” – What was left over from dinner. “Cha ghabhadh e’n còrr.” – He would not accept any more. “Cha robh ’n còrr aig’ air.” – He had no more sense. “Agus c’ait an robh ’n còrr?” – Where were the others? “Bi biadh air a bhòrd as còrr mu choinneamh gach tràth.” – plenty.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còsalach: An siol anns a’ chosalaich [sic] – the seed in the material which could be attributed to the flower, dandelion as one version.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cù: Quotation: Bha a’ lion làn choin. Notes: sometimes applied to “dogfish”. “Biorach” also used.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cù leth choilair: when half the dog’s collar is white. Supposed to be an indication of a good working dog.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cù-fuadaich: Cha deanadh an cù-fuadaich càil ach am fuadach fhéin. Chan eil cù-fuadaich aca againne an àite sam bith an diugh cho fada ’s is aithne dhomh. [NOTES: slip not found.]
Origin: Leòdhas, [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Stuigeadh Coin / Encouraging a Dog
cùbach: niggardly. Tha i sen cho cùbach. (Harris)
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùnadh: sparing. Tha i cho math air cùnadh. (Scalpay) [SLIP: Sparing (sic.).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dala: adj. ‘one of two’: dh’fhalbh an ~ leth dheth; air an ~ taobh dhìot an àite a’ choreigin; tharraing e na h-eich an ~ taobh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
dala: ord. num. ‘second, other’: an ~ fear a’ cur a’ choire air an fhear eile gur e droch dhriver a bha ann;: an ~ party __ an tè eile; nach robh an dala taobh a’ dèanamh ‘ rud
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
david: for lifting anchors.
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
deagh-chonaltair: Notes: good-company.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dealg: Notes: 6" long pointed wooden pin, put into “sgrathan” under the thatch to anchor them.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dealgan (I) agus (E): Spindle. Mu dhealgan chanadh sinn: “’Se dealgan math tha seo.” “Chan eil i cho math ris an t’éile a bh’agam.”
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
deallag: [dʹɑɫɑɡ] Notes: a wooden chopping-block.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dean: Quotation: a’ deanamh ri gorm. Rinn mi ri gorm cho luath ’s a b’urrainn mi. Notes: seeking a safe place.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deidhinn, mu dh.: prep. [mə ˈjeˑn] ‘concerning’: mu dh rud a’ choreigin
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
deise: Quotation: Bhiodh deise cholamaidh air na fir.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deiseal: when a child is like [sic] to choke with anything the mother slaps him on the back and cries ‘deiseal’.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deisginn choineineach: rabbit’s entrails used for the same purpose as above [i.e. as rennet, cf. goille sgairbh].
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deoch mhineadh: min chorca is uisge.
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
dhà-no-trì: nn [< card. num.] ‘a few’ : fear aig an robh ~ do choin bheag’ ann
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
diom-buan: [dʹw̃mɑ̃ṉ] Quot.: “Tha sin cho diom-buan.” Note: (note pronunciation) fleeting, lasting only for a short time.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diubhar: nn ‘difference’: [t´uu̯ər] [ADM], [t´ɛu̯ər] [FMM]; chaidh e ionnam cho mòr sin nach robh e gu ~ leam; chan eil e gu ~ cò an srainnseirtha ~ [ʧefər] sa Ghàidhlig; tha ~ anns a' ghobhlachan; tha beagan do dh. anns an dòigh a their iad e (?) [MAE]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
dlùthadh: Quotation: Cha leiginn a leas dlùthadh a dheanamh as a dheidh leis cho math ’s a bha e air treabhadh. Notes: turning the small bits left by the plough.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
do choir fhein: your own share. [NOTES: ‘choir’ corrected to ‘chòir’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
doicheallan: Note: duine gruamach, mi-aoidheil. “Cho doicheallach ri dorsan a phrìosain.”
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dollag: [d̪ɔɫɑɡ] Quotation: Cho ruighinn ris an dollaig. Notes: perhaps from “dallag” – type of dogfish.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dom: [d̪[ɤu̟]m] Quotation: Cho searbh ris an dom. Notes: gall-bladder.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
donnag: Young ling. ’S ann le traigh mhor a gheibh thu donnagan as fhiach an toirt dhachaidh, ged a chi thu feadhainn bheaga dhuibh [sic] ann an lointean a’ chontraigh. Bidh feadhainn aca anns am bi suas ri da throigh fo chlachan agus ann an sgoran anns am bi sàl. Tha an fheadhainn mhóra so pailt fada muigh air cladaichean Dhail.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
dorsach: Quotation: Tha ’n àite cho dorsach. Notes: open, full of eddying winds.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dragh: lowest horizontal rope on a thatched house. ‘Anchors’ tied to this. This would be the equivalent of ‘màthair shìamain’ in other islands.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dragh: [d̪ɾɤi] Notes: the base rope going round the thatch just above the wall and to which the anchoring stones are suspended.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dragh: [d̪ɾɤɣ] Note: rope round the thatch about two feet above the top of the wall. The weights were hung on this rope and also the rope going over the top was looped round this anchor rope.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
draghaman: [d̪ɾɤɣəmɑ̃ṉ] Notes: rope, much thicker than ordinary “sioman” along the bottom of the thatch. Anchor stones hung from it.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drannadh: [d̪ɾɑ̃n̪əɣ] Quotation: Chaneil drannadh de sgoil aige. Cha ghabh drannadh a chuir ann. Notes: He doesn’t have a whit of education or schooling. (Seems to be confined to knowledge or education.)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreach: Quotation: Chosg e dreach a shaoghail. Notes: He spent (or wasted) the best part of his life.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
droch chomhlaiche: meeting a certain person(s) on the road was considered as bad luck.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
droch chomhlaiche: an envious person.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druim a’ choltair: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
druinne: mutton chops.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druis a’ choltair: some ploughs did not have the aforementioned hole [i.e. toll a’ choltair (q.v.)]. Instead a small vice-like instrument was used to hold the iron pin. Made of two small iron plates through which a screw was tightened to secure the pin – druis.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
du(bh)chonadh (‘bh’ not pronounced): soil that was neither peat nor mud.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duainidh: [d̪ũ̟ɑ̃nʹi] Quot.: “Tha e cho beag ’s cho duainidh.” Note: pale, anaemic-looking.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duaithnidh: Quotation: “Cha do thachair ni a riamh anns a bhaile seo cho duaithnidh.” – so disgraceful. Notes: Probably the same word as duaichnidh (horrible). In Wester Ross, the ch sound tends to be softened into th. Source: Wester Ross.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dub: Cha d’thàinig dub air bho dh’fhàg e an sgoil. – He never grew an inch since he left school.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh-pheacadh: black sin, real sin. Cho dubh ris a pheacadh.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhach: dubhach (a’ choire) – the black soot on the bottom of a kettle.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhcholl: to describe severe loss of cattle stock.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhchonnadh: surface peat which is dry and which can be used immediately on a fire.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhchonnadh: where the unused peat bog has cracked and you pull off lumps of it by hand. As the lumps are nearly dry they may be used soon after.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
duine lom: hard-hearted. “Cho lòm [sic] ris an deargan.”
Origin: Barra
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
dunaidh: Quot.: “Chaidh e chon na dunaidh.” Note: He went to the dogs. Also: “A’ mhic na dunaidh!”
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dusd: dust. Tha dusd air choireiginn oirre – weather appearance.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dà: card. num. ‘two’: ‘s dhà na trì de bhùird aige; nam biodh comas mo dhà choise [sic] agam
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
dà-bhliadhnach reithe: (‘Dò-bhliadhnach’ againne.) Dò-bhliadhnach rùid. Bho théid e seachad air bliadhna ’se ‘rùd’ a th’ againne airson ‘reithe’. Aig na Lochan thall, ’se ‘rùda’ a chanas iad. Agus rud glé arraid, ann an Uig an Iar air fad, cho fada agus a tha lorg agam-sa, ’se ‘rùd’ a th’aca. Ach Bréidhnish, Islibhig agus Mangarstadh, ’se ‘reithe’ a th’ aca. Chan eil fhios agam dé mar a dh’éirich seo.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
déisdeanach: [dʹe:ʃdʹɑṉɑx] Quot.: “Tha e cho déisdeanach.” Note: small, puny.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìchuimhneach: adj. ‘forgetful’: tha mise air fàs cho ~, air ‘ shon
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
dìobartan: [dı:bərd̪ɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: “Bha e cho luath ris an dìobartan.” Notes: thought to be the sunlight dancing on rippled water. George Moss (N. Kessock) says “air tremble or whirling, over boggy ground on a hot day”.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìonach: adj. ‘watertight’: bha i cho ~ ri poit do’l [nuair] a chaidh i air sàile
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
dòigh-sholais: nn. ‘means of light’: bha lampa no ~ a choreigin
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
dòlaiste: adj. ‘damnably’: ‘s e daoine ~ math ‘ tha sna Frangaich ‘ tha seo; ‘s e Ruisia àite cho ~ ‘s chaidh e ‘-staigh riamh ann; bha e ~ math
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
dòrrlach: Quotation: dòrrlach choirce; dòrrlach eòrna. Notes: sometimes for “a sheaf”.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùil: Quotation: Chan ann gun dùil comain a ni an croman fead. Notes: hope of reward. Croman – chough.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùn: nn ‘heap’: dh’fhàg e ~ mòr do chonnadh mòr garbh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
eachan: Spout fish eile. Gheibhear e anns an làghaich is theid e cho domhain aig amannan ’s gun caill thu e.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
eaglais choimhthional: Congregational Ch[urch].
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
ealachag chogaidh: someone who took the blame for anything that happened.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ealag-seoltaidh: Notes: chopping block. (Gigha)
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eallach chonnaidh: a load of firewood.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eallach chonnaidh: a load of firewood.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eallag: [ɛɫɑɡ] Notes: chopping block, shoeing stool (orig. made from a tree-stump).
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easbhuidh-céille: [ɛsvice:lʹə] Quot.: “Nach ann ort a tha ’n easbhuidh-céille.” Note: lacking in sense. Could also be “easbhuidh” by itself, e.g. “O, chreutair, ’s ann ort a tha ’n easbhuidh!” or “Tha e cho easbhuidheach!”
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eathlag: chopping block.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eisir oir: Inedible oyster. Tha pailteas dhuibh-san [sic] air cladaichean Uig. Tha iad na’n doigh gle choltach ri na breamagan [q.v.], cha ghluais iad.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
eucoireach: adj. ‘deceitful’: bha e cho [o] ~, spaid sinn sa mionaid [sic] e; nn. ‘culprit’: agus bha an t-~ [ʤe:krəx] a bha seo … bha seann bhoireannach ann ‘s i na sìneadh air lounge
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
eun: Quotation: “Tha mi mar eun a thuit o’n chroman.” Notes: feeling useless, washed out. Croman probably meaning the “chough”, a type of hawk.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eòlach: adj. ‘knowledgeable’: ‘s mi fhèin nas eòlaiche sa choillidh seo na Saint Anthony
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
eòlach: Quotation: Bha e cho eòlach ’s a bha ’m brìdean ’s an tràigh.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fada: Quotation: Tha e cho fada ’s a cheann ’s a bha Fionn ’s na casan. Notes: Islay – in the sense of being cunning. Lewis (Barvas) – stubborn.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fadag chruaidh eireag: nn f. ‘dog’s tooth [weather phenomenon]’: ~, tha e car coltach ri bogha-froisg [sic] ach chan eil e cho fada
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
failleigidh: [fɑlʹɛɡʹi] Quot.: (a) “Dé cho failleigidh ’s a tha thu a dol timchioll air a sin?” “Tha e cho failleigidh.” Note: (a) tackling a thing in a slow, ineffective way.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fainne-a’-cholair: the rounded part of a horse’s collar.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fairichte: [fɑɾıtʹə] Quotation: fairichte man a’ choire. Notes: on the alert, watching. Watching for the kettle to boil.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Kilillan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faochag smeòraich: Faochag iomadh dhathach mu mheud faochag dhubh mhor, ach nach eil i cho cruinn ri faochag dhubh – dealrach mar ‘mother of pearl’. Cha chuala mi an t-ainm air na Lochan no an Uig, ach chuala mi anns an Rudha e, agus thug na Nisich dhomh e. Tha iad fearasda am briseadh is bidh na smeòraich gan togail ’s gam briseadh le’n guib is gan itheadh.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
faoileag: Quot.: faoileag a’ chinn duibh. Note: black-headed gull. “Cho gòrach ri faoileag a chinn duibh” – often said.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feadan: Ann an sobhal – fosgladh anns a’ bhalla aig a’ cheann mu choinneamh an doruis; mu ochd òirlich dheug gach taobh gu sruth gaoithe a dhèanamh; seo airson càthadh.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feallag: [fjɑɫɑɡ] Notes: a chopping-block.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feann: Quotation: “Tha e cho fuar ’s gu feannadh e leóghann [lʹɔ:ɡənʹ].” “Tha feannadh fuachd ann a tha garbh.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feannag (f) (chorc): (general) “Lazy-bed”. A long, narrow ribbon-like strip of ground for growing potatoes and occasionally corn, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with the earth taken out of the trenches along both sides. See ‘taomadh’.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
fear chobhair nan ceas: a person who lent you money without telling others about it.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fear-coimhead ionmhais an t-seasoin na ionmhasair a choimh-thionail: Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
feirmige: chan eil. Ach uaireannan, mu rùd nach biodh ’na rùd, chanadh iad rudeigin mar ‘feirmige’. ‘Seilmige’, cho fada ’s a tha cuimhne agam-sa a chanadh iad “Seilmige de rùd”.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
fiaite: quietly. Chaidh e stigh cho fiaite (spelt colloquially) ’s a b’ urrain dha. I doubt if it’s the same as fiata?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fidean: sea plantain [?], choice pasture for cattle and sheep.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fionnadh: hair. Ach cho fad ’s is aithne dhomh cha chan sinn fionnadh uair sam bith ri nì timchioll air caora.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
fiosaiche: nn ‘seer(?)’: fiosaich’ ai’ choreigin
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
fochann: Quotation: “Bha fochann a’ bhàis ’na aodann.” (Catriona Mhór) Notes: cf. Silva Gad. 234 “bad fochonn báis doib” – it would be an occasion of death to them. Any connection between these usages? Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foghainneach: adj. : bha e cho ~ 's a bha ann; cho gàbhaidh ~ 's a bha e mura biodh tu ~ mharbhadh e thu [FMM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
foill: Quotation: Cho fad’s a bhios sùghadh am bun càil, bi foill air Macphàil.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foill: Quotation: Cho fad’s a bhios slat ’s a’ choill, bi foill ’s a Chaimbeulach.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fonagnadh: [fɔ̃ṉɑɡṉəɣ] Quot.: “Rinn na h-eich fonagnadh as a’ choirc.” Note: they spoilt it by trampling it and putting it generally in disorder. Made a mess of it.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
forc: Quotation: Tha forc (sic) ’nam chois. Notes: cramp.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fròghaidh: [fɾɔ:i] Quotation: (1) guth fròghaidh. (2) Tha a’ wireless cho fròghaidh an dràsda. Notes: (1) a hoarse voice (with a cold). (2) lack of clarity in the sound – full of interference, haziness.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuar: Quotation: Tha e cho fuar ’s gu feannadh e leòghann.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuar: Quot.: “Cho fuar ri biadh gobha.”
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuarag: n. ‘traditional dessert’: min chorca agus uachdar
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
furaradh: doing the household chores.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàd: an doimhne ruigeas an tairisgeir le aon phutadh dhan chois a chuireas an “ceum” air cothrom ris “a’ charcaire”. Tha doimhne phuill air a thoimhis a reir ’ona th’ann a dh’fhoid os cionn a cheil.
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
fàd a choimheadaidh: this refers to the thinnest peat that was cut at the end of each row. Quickest to dry and was used by the grass keeper in his shieling.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàinne: Quot.: a’ deanamh fàinne a’ cholair. Note: straw part collar made by winding “sioman” round a core of straw, [kɑ̃ũ̜ɫɑx]. When it was long enough, the two ends were brought together so that it formed the shape of the collar. It was judged to be of the right size if the arm fitted into it with fingers outstretched, the elbow resting inside the base and the tips of the fingers touching the top where the two ends met. Probably the core of the collar.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàlchor [?]: adrift.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàs: adj. ‘empty; deserted’: mar bu trice bhiodh baile ~ ri taobh no air an dala taobh dhìot an àite a’ choreigin
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
fìogais: Quotation: a’ deanamh fìogais air duine. Notes: same as “magadh”. Used in Portree school.
Location: BBC
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìrinneach: adj. ‘true': naidheachd a tha cho ~ 's a ghabhas I; duine ~ a bha san fhear seo; tha fhios agamsa air duine ~ ‘s bha e na thaibhseir
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
fóid: [fo:dʹ] Notes: a square divot of grassy turf such as used in creel-making to anchor the ribs.
Location: Sutherland, Golspie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fùlg: the course set by a sailing boat. “Dh’fheumadh iad cumail ri fùlg cho math ’sa b’urrainn dhaibh.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabh: Quot.: “Tha e cho math gabhail ris.” Note: e.g. if one heard unpleasant or unwelcome news or if something unpleasant happened. “Might as well accept it.”
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gad chosg: willy nilly. “Theid thu ann gad chosg.” (Skye)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gadag choirce / eorna: Bundle of corn – as much as could be carried in a certain length of rope.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
gaiseadh na laimhe: refers to being careful as to how many seeds you planted in spring, being tight fisted about it. If you did not plant sufficient seeds what kind of harvest did you expect? Gaiseadh na laimhne agus mùthadh a’ chorrain [q.v.] – a saying associated with farming pointing to two things which would leave you bare.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth: Quotation: gaoth chothromach. Notes: a favourable wind.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gean: Quotation: ’S misde do ghean a bhi gun bhiadh. Notes: good humour. Also greed, rapacity – Cho geanach ris a chù.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geard: pocket watch-chain, watch chain, from the breast pocket, worn by the male folk. Cha [sic] fhac thu duine riamh cho eireachdail ris, le geard òir. (old phrase) [NOTES: the slip has ‘Chan fhaca thu…’. Definition: Watch-chain, worn from the breast pocket. Word no longer used.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geimhlich: anchor chain (boat).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geoc: Quotation: Ma tha an t-easbuig cho dona sin ri leum nam feansan, carson a Dia, nach cuir thu geoc air? Notes: yoke – put round the necks of horses guilty of jumping fences, etc. (Above example from story told on tape.)
Location: Cape Breton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gilabhram: [ɡıl[ɤu̟]ɾəm] Note: “duine gun chonn”. Also fairly common. Emphasis on the second syllable.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gingealadh: Quotation: a’ gingealadh. Notes: keeping the coulter of the plough clean from any choking straw, grass, etc.
Location: Stornoway, Melbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glacaich-bhràghaid: Quotation: an glacaich-bhràghaid. Notes: choking disease, croup.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glagan: Clach, no cudthrom air choireigin, a bhiodh iad a’ ceangal ri aodann bó chrosd – te a bhiodh a leum air cach ’s ’gan tolladh. Mar a dh’fheuchadh i ri ruith bha an cudthrom a’ tòiseachadh a’ bualadh air a h-aodann. Chuireadh seo ’n a tàmh i. Fhad’s a dh’fhuireadh i sùmhail bha fois aice.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glas chomhartaich chon: howling.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glocadaich: Quotation: Bha e [ɡɫɔkəd̪iç]. Notes: chortling loudly.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gnothach: n. ‘business; treatment’: rinn na Sasannaich an ~ cho dona dhaibh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
gnothach: nn ‘matter, business’ : shound an ~ cho [o] aite; rinn mise an ~ orm fhèin [‘killed myself’]; 's e sin a rinn an ~ aire-san; bha e ' dol a dhèanamh a' ghnothaich air Giant MacAskill;
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
gob-a’-choillich: salted butter which is heated and used for the same purpose as a poultice.
Origin: Uibhist a’ Deas [South Uist]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
gobach: nosey, sharp. Tha i cho gobach.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhlag: The confusion over “gobhlag” seems to have arisen through a wrong spelling. Did I really have “goblag” in the paper? It is in fact the “graip” of every Highland croft. I was surprised to find it included among the implements used locally because farther north it would be considered “sloppy” work to have to resort to this. (‘o’ as in ‘bó’) [NOTES: the paper Mr MacLeod refers to is most probably the peat questionnaire of Sgoil Achadh a’ Chairn (Auchtercairn School).]
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch, Achtercairn School
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhlfhad: large unbroken peat, chosen for masonry or ‘gniomhadh’ of the stack. The same terms apply in ‘cruachadh’ as in ‘tiormachadh’, i.e. gniomhadh, sadail [q.v.].
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
goibhneal (E): Boirionnach caol – chan ann cho caol ri ‘raod’ [q.v.] agus ‘sgriot’ [q.v.] ach dìreach caol gun a bhith cruinn mar boirionnach an cumantas. Agus gun a bhith ro ìosal ’na pearsa. Fuaimnich mar seo: aoi, raoir, coibhneal, goibhneal. [SLIP: A slender woman, though not as thin as ‘raod’ or ‘sgriot’ qv.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
goirid: adj. ‘near’ : chaidh duine foghainneach a thogail ~ dhuinn an seo; phòs fear shuas air __ ~ dhuinn do chomharsanach
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
gorm: Quotation: Rinn mi ri gorm cho luath ’s a b’urrainn mi.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greannan: Note: duine greannach. “Cho greannach ri clach-mheallainn an fhaoiltich.”
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greim: cholic [sic]. Characterised by much swelling.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grinn: Canaidh sinn ‘grinn’ cuideachd mu dhuine a bhios ’n a aodach ’s mar sin. Snog, glan, sgiobalta. “Tha Calum cho grinn.” “Tha e cho grinn a h-uile turus a théid e a mach.” “Tha e ’ga chumail fhéin cho grinn.” Canaidh sinn ‘grinn’ cuideachd mu ghrinn ann an giùlan. [SLIP: Tidy; also ‘fine’ of behaviour.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
grunnd glan: Grunnd iasgaich gun bhoghannan no a leithid sin ann. An cumantas airson lìon-beag a chur ann. Dh’fhoighnich bodaich á Leòdhas do bhodaich mhór-thìreach aig Bad-a-chrò, “Am bheil an grunnd-sa glan?” Fhreagair bodaich Bhad-a-chrò, “Cho glan ri bonn leth-chrùin”.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gràn-as-a-chochull: grain from the husk.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
gréim an t-seòldair: First-aid carry, no ambulance carry, no rudeigin de’n t-seòrsa sin a th’air. Tha breith air caol do dhùirn leis an dàrna làimh agus an duine eile mu do choinneamh a’ deanamh an aon rud. Sibh an uair sin a breith air a chèile ’s an dòigh cheart. Leis an sin, tha suidheachan agad leis am falbhadh tu le duine air.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grùgach: person set aside for a special work, person doing certain work in preparatory work. In St Kildian chores such person was known as grugach [sic], in each case a female. I think myself it’s simply another pronunciation of gruagach, it derived I think from the word or words of a gruagach [q.v.].
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guanag: Note: te aotrom òg aighearrach. Cho guanach ’s nach eil a h-uallach na eallach.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàbhaidh: adj. ‘awful, terrible’: cho ~ foghainneach 's a bha e; tha sìde ~ aca; chan eil i cho ~ fuar ri seo; dh’atharraich an saoghal ~; ‘s e bòcan ~ a tha sna skidoos seo
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
gàd: length of iron. Cho cruaidh ri gàd.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàireachdaich: Bheireadh e sgaoileadh air do chorp. Shileadh tu uisge do chinn. Bheireadh e gàire ort ged a bhiodh do leth slaodadh riut. Bheireadh e gàire air gamhainn. Bheireadh e ort sracadh. Dheanadh tu gàire ged nach biodh agad ach aonan.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàradh: dòigh air nam fadan a chur air muin an cheile air bruaich a phuill air chor sgun tiormaich iad na’s fhearr. Cuideachd far eil am poll domhain ‘se gun móran sgaoiltich a mach uaithe.
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
heile: adj. [= eile] ‘other’: agus uair ~ a theireadh iad air toiseach an earraich,’ uair a’ ghille chonnaidh’ [FMM]; heile: am-miosg nàiseinean heile [FMM]; bha am fear ~[FMM]; còmhla ri duine heile [FMM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
hobail (E agus I mar a fhreagradh): Tha mi deanamh a mach gur h-ann airson cho coltach ’s a bha an seorsa similear-sa ri sgiortaichean nam boirionnach a chaidh an t-ainm ‘hobail’ a thogail. Agus lean e ris.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
imlich-a-chorragan: best part, an interesting portion, etc.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
innsireachd: tale bearing, e.g. grassing on your mates at school.
Location: Lewis, Back
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomain: “Buail am port.” “Leigeam leat.” “Iain.” … “Calum.” A button was usually used instead of a penny to decide who was to get first choice.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
iomchoir: malice, droch rùn. (Scalpay) (I think it’s a dying word.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomhaigh: Quotation: iomhaigh a’ choigrich. Notes: false face. (Tiree)
Origin: Tiree?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ionnsachadh: vbl. n. ‘learning; training’ : ’s e sin bu choireach nach d’fhuair mise barrachd ~; duine … ai’son m’ ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
ionnsaich: vb ‘teach’ : vbl adj.: bhiodh dà chu aige … iad cho ~te, dhèanadh iad rud sam bith; bi cinnteach gu robh e ~te
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
iosgaid do chois: this is directly behind the knee at the back of the leg. Exactly where the knee is bent.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iriosal: Humble. “Tha Domhnull cho iriosal ri duine an àite sam bith”. “Tha e cho beag uaill [q.v.]”
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
iteachan: n. ‘reel’: an t-~ [əɲ ʧhiçt´əxan]; cho luath ri ~ cuibhle [içt´əxan ku͜il´ə]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
lacha choilaireach: a duck with a white ring round its neck.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lacha-cholasach, lachaich-cholasach (pl): eider.
Origin: [Tiree]
Category: Eòin Thiriodh / Birds of Tiree
ladarnach: Note: dàna, an-uasal gun mhodh. “Cho ladarna [sic] ri madadh coin gun mhaighstir [?].”
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lag-a-ghéilein: sinews of the mouth, etc. A thanga [sic] a muigh cho fada ’s a leigeadh lagannan a ghéilean [sic]. [NOTES: originally the headword was spelled ‘lag-a’-ghéilean’ like the word in the example. Then it was corrected to ‘lag-a-ghéilein’ but the word in the example was left unchanged, possibly through an oversight.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laghach: adj. ‘nice, pleasant’ : àite cho ~ ‘s a bha e; chan eil tuillidh ‘s a’ chòir de rud sam bith, chan eil e ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
laghail: Tha againn ‘laghail’ agus ‘laghalachd’ [for ‘laghanta’ – one of the words suggested in the questionnaire – ‘always laying down the law (?).]. “Tha e cho laghail.” – litigious. “Thusa agus do laghalachd.”
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
lann: Quotation: tairnean is lannan chopair. Notes: washers.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lannsaid (fhada): bha cùl rithe, agus mar bu trice brat air chor-eigin.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
laoigh-choisidh: suckling calves.
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
le: prep. ‘during [of weather]’’ : 's e àite uamhasach a tha ann an Chéticamp ~ stoirm; ri marbhadh le sìde thioram; ‘possession’: dhan duine ‘m bu leis am beathach; ‘with’: 2sg.: gu bheil thu air falbh leat dhan taigh mhòr, dhan asylum; 3sg.: bha muinntir na town a’ smaoineachdainn gun toireadh e duine beò leis cho math ‘s a bha e [ADM]; 3m.: thuirt e leis [liʃ] [FMM];Rover a theireadh iad leis;+ mo: lem linnse, nuair a chaidh mise ag obair an toiseach; + a ‘his’: chanadh e le ' phiuthar
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
leabhar-phaipeirean: a ‘catalogue’, a collection of wallpaper cut patterns inserted between hardback covers, in book form, displaying in wise the individual paper wished to be chosen.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac-griasach: fire-slab of stone. A complete flat stone on which a fire was set in the middle of the floor in the old thatched houses, a thin slab of stone chosen (a more modern version from a former endeavour), that is the stone slab a one piece form of improvement.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
learach: Agus ‘learach’ airson boirionnach a bhiodh comasach (glé chomasach) air obair ’s mar sin a dheanamh, ach a bha leisg agus nach robh ’ga dhèanamh. Chan eil fhios agam an ann bho ‘leireach’ a thàinig ‘learach’.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
leas: nn ‘need’ : nach rigeadh e leas a bhith ann; nach ruigeadh tu ~ uiread do chonnadh a bhith agad
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
leth chois, sinnteag ’s leum: [hop step and jump.]
Location: Leodhas [Lewis], an taobh siar
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
leth-chois: Quotation: leth-chois, sinnteag, leum. Notes: hop, step and jump.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth-chois: Quot.: “leth-chois, sinnteag is leum”. Note: hop, step and jump.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth-chois: hop.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
leth-chois is sìnteag is leum: hop step and jump; hop skip and jump; hop stride and jump.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
leth-fhacal: Quotation: Tuigidh fear-leughaidh leth-fhacal. Notes: a scholar can understand part of a statement. Applied to cryptic sayings [?]. Source: West Lewis.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum: Quotation: leth-chois, sinnteag, leum. Notes: hop, step and jump.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liac: Nuair a chitheadh na bodaich liac de ola air uachdar na mara ann am bàgh no a muigh air muir-mór, chanadh iad ‘liac an sgadan’. Agus dh’aithnicheadh iad nuair a bhiodh an sgadan ann, cho math.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liana-na-sgoile: school playground.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lideadh: Quotation: (1) Chaneil lideadh de sgoil aige. (2) Chuala mi a h-uile lideadh dheth. Notes: He doesn’t have a whit of schooling. Same meaning as “drannadh” q.v. (confined to knowledge, education).
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liunn: pool of water, melancholia, humours.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
log: n. ‘log’ [lɔk]: bheireadh tu ~aichean a-mach às a’ choillidh; gheibheadh tu ceithir ~aichean mòra, fada aiste
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
luath 1: adj. ‘fast’: ’s a’ bualadh cho ~, dìreach, ris an dealanach
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
luchd: nn ‘crew, company’: agus chòrd seo cho math le ~ ud an soitheach
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
luchruban: Notes: pigmy. (< lu + corpan) Ir. luchorpan. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luin: [ɫũ̜nʹ] Quotation: “Mial-chu féidh ’s a (e?) leum air buinnig ’s a’ luin cha chumadh i fàir air.” Cho luath ris a’ luin. Notes: shimmering heat haze as seen on the horizon.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luirgeadh an acair: the anchor’s stem, foot.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lurg: Quotation: Bha mi as a’ choille a’ gearradh luirg. Notes: straight hazel wands used for making walking sticks with a horn handle. (Lurg bat: the straight part of a walking stick.)
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lus a’ chorracha-mille: Notes: not in Dw. A fern-like plant with long roots, and globules or nodules on the ends of the roots. Those were dug up, scraped and eaten – or stored and eaten later, like nuts. Found, e.g. at the Ard Fhalasgair, Keose. Cf. MacBain, sub carra-meille (in Dwelly).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lusgainn: [ɫu̜sɡĩnʹ] Quot.: “Cho geur ris a’ lusgainn.” Note: could be said of a knife. Doesn’t know what “lusgainn” is or was.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làghan: Notes: “Pronn agus min-choirc air fhàgail airson dhà na tri a laithean ann am piceil.”
Origin: Culkein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làn: adj. ‘full’ : bha e cho ~ le na breugan 's gu robh e ' faighinn air adhart leatha
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
làn: Quotation: Bha e cho làn ri muc. Notes: drunk.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làn: Quotation: Bha làn a chota mhóir orm. Notes: drunk.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làr: Quotation: Chaneil cho fad o chaidh sin mu làr. Notes: It is not so long since that came to an end.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lìon-beag (E): Dubhan anns a h-uile h-aitheamh. Ach lìn a bhiodh a’ tighinn bho an choast an ear bhiodh dà dhubhan orra anns a h-uile h-aitheamh. Cha chreid mi gu robh seo càil na b’ fheàrr gu iasg a ghlacadh [no] gu iasgach a dhèanamh. (Seo mar a chanas sinn an cumantas: “an lìon-bhig” agus chan è “an lìn-bhig”.)
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
lùrach: Quotation: Tha i cho lùrach. Notes: lazy, not doing anything in the house.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mac-mallachd: Quot.: “Tha thu cho briagach/deamhnaidh/cuilbheartach ris a’ mhac-mhallachd.”
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mach: Quotation: “Tha e cho glic mach o nach eil e a’ bruidhinn.” Notes: “He is so wise he almost talks.” Said of an animal.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-feannaig: Note: the stick protruding from the end of the thatched roof of a blackhouse. Thatching rope anchored round it.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-prop: Quotation: Tha e cho righinn ris a’ mhaide-prop.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-ruibh: a game played among the corn stacks. Two sides chosen, one trying to capture the other. A challenge was given: “Maide-ruibh, / As a ghaoith / seotha sinn.” Sometimes ‘sinn’ was emphasised, sometimes ‘seotha’.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
maighdean-chomhailteachd: Note: bridesmaid.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maoidh: vb ‘threaten [with]’ : vbl nn: rachadh ‘bodach an tin’ a mhaoidheadh ormsa, ’o [o] [= cho] cunnartach is a bha e, nam binn dona gun tigeadh e
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
maolan: [mw̃:ɫɑṉ] Note: (1) duine gun fhalt. (2) duine beag tuigse – cho maol ’s gun tugadh tu thaobh e le briob.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
marag choirce: mealy pudding, oat meal and onions.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
math: adj. ‘good’ SUPLTV.:fheàrr: bha iad a’ fuireach anns a’ choillidh, mar s b’ ~ a b’ urra dhaibh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
math: adj. ‘good’ : ma bhios tusa cho ~ ‘s gun coimhead thu, gheibh thu an tuagh; ‘like’: muran dèanadh iad an rud bu mhath leotha ‘ dhèanamh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
mathachadh: when someone was maintaining that he was always right, even though he might be wrong. “Tha an duine sin cho math air mathachadh.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ma’-sgoile: school master. (Perhaps short for maighstir-sgoile.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meabhair: n. ‘memory’: ach ma chaill e a radhrac fhuair e ~: bha ~ aige ’ bha uamhasach; thòisich a’ mh. agam air m’ fhàgail; tha a’ mh. agamsa air a dhol air ais cho dona
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
meanachaladh: gravelly, peebley [sic] [pebbly?] ground. An t-àit’ a’s fhèarr airson am faotainn. Dh’fhaodadh grunnd creagach a bhi a cheart cho math.
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree] (Rugadh Daibhidh ann an Glaschu ach chaidh a thogail ann an Tiriodh bho’n a bha e trì bliadhn’ a dh’aois.)
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
mearal: Notes: “sàl is uisge ’n ceann a chéile”. Applecross: “Cho saillt ris a’ mheireal”.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mearal: Cho saillte ris a mhearal.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
measair: (Seo ri a chrìochnachadh.) Tha an dealbh-sa glé choltach ri tha [sic].
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
meighe (m.): leud na sgrath. Ma tha ‘meighe’ mór agad tha barrachd fhòid ann agus tha iad na’s duilighe ’n tilgeil chun an uachdar. Bha ‘meighe mór’ ’na chomharra air neart an luchd buana.
Origin: Uibhist-a-Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mial-bhangaid: going into a house and coming out – a person meeting a school-boy and knowing such would refer to the boy of having the mial-bhangaid as a teasing gesture I think. [SLIP: A teasing expression used of a schoolboy who goes in and out of a house when a party is going on.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
milis: Quotation: Cho daor ris an aran mhilis.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
min choirce is burn: oatmeal mixed with water as a soft drink (in former days, Harris).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miosa: Quotation: Chaneil i cho miosa ris a’ ghaoth eile. Notes: It isn’t as bad as the other wind.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mo chomatadh: my equivalent.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mo chompraich: my belief, fate. Not sure of this. On tape. Could mean protection.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mobhsgaideach: [mɤu̜sɡɑdʹ] Quot.: “duine mobhsgaideach”. Note: duine coma-co-dhiùbh. Also: “’S e do mhobhsgaid a bu choireach ris!” “Tha mobhsgaid ann.”
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
moine chalcas: So moine chòsach anns nach eil moran feuma, a dh’fhàs as a’ choinnich, gu h-àraidh ann an àiteachan far am biodh badan de ‘Sphagnum Moss’. (Co dhiù, ’s e sin a chaidh innse dhomh-sa.) Aig amannan tachraidh stiallan do’n chalcas so riut ann am poll monach réisg dubh.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine chosach: porous type [of peat]; not durable in fire bur easier to dry.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine chosach: faic roinn 2.
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mu: Quotation: Chaneil cho fad o chaidh sin mu làr. Notes: It is not so long since that went out of existence, came to an end.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muc: Quotation: Bha e cho làn ri muc. Notes: drunk.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muidhe: nn ‘churn’: [mu-i]; bha i seo ri ~, ag èirigh air a mh., ach bha esan a’ fairghinn fuaim cho damainte neònach aig a’ mh. Thug e sùil sa mh.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
muileann-bleith: nn ‘flour mill’: min choirce a bha ga cur dhan __ ~ [FMM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
muir-chas: steep choppy waves of a lighter sort of motion, from the deep ocean roll, say of the Atlantic.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màigean: Note: duine beag, reamhar, gobhalach ’na choiseachd.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màs na cruaiche: So an ceann duinte – ceart dhìreach mu choinneamh an doruis. Canar ‘ceann na cruaiche’ ris a’ cheann so cuideachd.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mì-chuis: Quot.: Nam bhiodh duine ann le droch stamag ’s docha gum biodh mì-chuis aige ri biadh air chor-eigin. Note: notion, fancy for something, in particular to eat. A certain food.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòine-bhàn: Bha thu ’ga gearradh tana. Bha i na bu duilghe a tiormachadh. Ach bha i aotrom ri a tarruing. Sgamhan bàn, chanadh na bodaich. Sgamhan de mhòine bhàin. Cha sheasadh a’ mhòine bhàn cho fada ’s an teine idir ris a’ mhòine dhuibh.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòl: mole. Cho dall ri mòl.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
móine: Quotation: móine chopach. Notes: spongy peat.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
móine: Quotation: móine chopach. Notes: spongy peat.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùigean: Quot.: “Cho muigeach [sic] ri cù le cnaimh.” Note: nuaranta, gruamach, mi-mhodhail.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùla: Tha an t-ainm-sa an dà àite againn, cuideachd, am Beannaibh Uige. Mùla Chaolartan, agus Mùla Thamnaiseal. Anns na mapaichean, cho fada agus is aithne dhomh, ’se ‘maola’ a th’aca. Ach air bilean an t-sluaigh ’s e ‘mùla’, m-ù-l-a. Agus ann an còmhradh canaidh iad ‘mùla eagalach’ ’s mar sin far am biodh cruach mhònach no mar sin garbh-beartach mór. “’Se mùla eagalach a th’innte.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
mùthadh a’ chorrainn [sic]: refers to the stubble which would be left if the crop was not cut properly. Even if a few inches were left throughout a field it could still accumulate to a lot when added together. Therefore these two things (i.e. gaiseadh na laimhne [q.v.] agus mùthadh a chorrain) could leave you empty come harvest time. Gaiseadh na laimhne [q.v.] agus mùthadh a chorrain – a saying associated with farming pointing to two things which would leave you bare.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nam chomhail: towards me.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nead-choinnspeach: nn f. ‘wasps’ nest’ SEE coinnspeach
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
neo-mathach: Quotation: Chan fhaca mi duine ’riamh cho neo-mathach ris. Notes: so ruthless.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
no cromadh a’ bhrochain: Bhiodh am brochan (chan è lite, ach brochan na feòla) aca a muigh aig buain na mòna. Dithis mu’n toirbhsgear bhiodh iad ag atharrachadh as déidh a’ h-uile biadh – na’m biodh tu a’ leagail, as déidh a’ bhidh dheadh tu a thilgeil. Bhiodh strì am measg nam bodach airson faighinn a thilgeil an toiseach airson faighinn a leagail as déidh a’ bhrochain. Bhiodh iad cho làn agus cho dùmhail as déidh a’ bhrochain agus gu robh e mòran na bu chomhfhurtail a bhith a’ leagail na a bhith a’ tilgeil.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
nàisneach: strange, shy, uncomfortable. “Nàisneach a measg choigrich.”
Location: Barra, Earsharry [Earsary]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nì: Quot.: “Theirig a dh’iarrraidh a’ nì.” Note: used formerly of cattle. Says that the form [nʹıç] was also used in certain instances. Not too clear about it but he thinks one would say “aig a’ nich”, “chon a’ nich”.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oglaich: crabbit. “Bha i cho oglaich.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oraid-fhocal: refrain, chorus.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
os-cionn-nam-bòrd: deck cargo. This was a term in connection with sailors of the schooner days at sea, which became obsolete, yes, the term. Na bha os cionn nam bòrd – the hull.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pac: crowd of people. ’S iad pac cho suaimheanta ’s chunna mi riamh. (Harris)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pannt?: Tha e cho math dhuit chuir dh’an phannt, pawn (pawn shop).
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peiceall: Cha chuala mi am facal a riamh ’s chan fhaca sgrìobhte e, a bharrachd. Ach chan eil càil a dh’fhios nach ann bho an t-soitheach peic (an tómhas) a thàinig e. Smaite gur h-e eathar air bheag cumaidh, no rudeigin ann an riochd eathair, a bh’aig a’ bhàrd leis an tug e a chasan as. Chan eil fhios againn mur a tionndaidh rudeigin an àirde a chuireas soilleireachadh air a’ chùis. Cho fada ’s a tha m’ eòlas-sa a’ dol bha an soitheach peic rudeigin mar seo ann an cumadh. Fiodh agus cearcaill. Clàir ann.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peitealan (E): Duine gun chonn. A bhios a’ leum bho rud gu rud ’s mu shròn dhaoine. ’S a’ miodal ’s a’ brosgul ’s mar sin mar a shaoileadh sibh. [SLIP: A senseless man who jumps from one thing to the other, annoying people. Also ingratiating.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
piadhtaidh: [pıɤt̪i] Quot.: Tha e cho dubh ri piadhtaidh.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piob a’ choinnethal: communal pipe. [NOTES: note added – (bagpipe).]
Location: South Uist, Frobost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pleatha: playtime for schoolkids.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pliuchcan: the pronged (flukes) parts of an anchor which grip in the sand. [NOTES: note added above ‘pliuchcan’ – (pl.).]
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pliudhain: the flutes on an anchor.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Ceannaraigh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pliusgan: the flukes of an anchor. [NOTES: corrected to ‘pliùsgan’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pliùsgach: lifeless. “Cho pliùsgach ’s tha i coimhead.”
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pluban: [pɫu̜bɑṉ] Quotation: “An robh e ciuin a muigh?” “Cha robh, bha pluban beag oirre.” Notes: presence of slight choppiness.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plìuchcan: flukes on an anchor.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plòtan (m and f), plòtain (pl): chocks (separating trams from axle).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
pot-tì: nn f. ‘teapot’ : bhiodh ~ aige fhèin a’ falbh na chois, air uachdar na ~ aig an fhear eile [FMM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
prìs: nn f. ‘price, cost’ : bha e na iasg cho àrd ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
rablach: untidy. Tha e neo i cho rablach – so untidy.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raingis: [rɑ̃ĩɡʹiʃ] Note: a fish, resembling an oopah [opah?], caught inshore. P. Chisholm, Gravir, says it has a red spot on its shoulder. In Barvas – “Cho ruighinn ri craicionn raingis.”
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathad: nn ‘road’ : a’ dol suas ~ Mhabou no àit’ a’ choreigin
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
reiliseadh: a good attendance. “Bha reiliseadh math de dhaoine aig a’ choinneamh.”
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riabhach: Quotation: Tha iad cho riabhach. Notes: ‘at daggers drawn’.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rian-tighe: house chores ‘curriculum’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rige: tha seo againn. Ach cho fada ’s a lorg agam-sa ’s ann airson ‘partly castrated male’ a tha ‘rige’ againn. Againne air fhuaimneachadh mar a chanadh Leòdhasach no a leithid sin, ‘rig’ ann an ‘rig-out’, rig + e, rige.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
righinn: [ˈrĩəṉ] Quot.: “Cho righinn ris a’ bhìth amh.” Note: also “duine righinn” – a tough, inflexible man.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riobag shonais: refers to the hair growing on a woman’s chin. Alternately it may be called ‘riobag chonais’ – hair of temperament.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roichgeil: demanding good quality food. “Tha na cait againne cho roichgeil.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruig: Quotation: Tha ’n duine ud ga mo ruighinn mar a bhios e cho bragail. Tha mi air mo ruighinn aig… Notes: anger, irritate.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruighinn: Quotation: Cho ruighinn ri gad seilich.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruighinn: Quotation: Cho ruighinn ris an dollaig. Notes: “dollag” – probably “dallag”, type of dogfish.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruiseadh: e.g. quickly going over a topic, subject. “Thug e ruiseadh bruidhne air a’ cheud chogadh.”
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rèidh: adj.’finished’: chan eil e ~ fhathast, tha sin aige ri dhèanamh fhathast da’ [nuair] ’bhiodh tu ~ dheth; feasgar da’ bha thu ~ a dh’obair; ga dhèanamh ~ gus an coisich iad a-staigh; spliotadh e cho ~ ri -- ghlaine
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
rèidh riobaineach: this would be said for example after a tempestuous meeting which you had expected – “Bha fios nach biodh gnothaichean cho reidh riobaineach sin.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rèipeag: a child with a mark of his eating excess on his lips; or [?] rather the sign of an untidy eating process on his lips, such [as] in the case of eating chocolate etc. [SLIP: A mark left on a child’s mouth after eating eg. a bar of chocolate; pos. the child himself.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
réir (sic): Quotation: (1) Fhuair an t-each ma réir. [mɑ̃:ɾe:ɾ] (2) Tha a’ chonnlach ma réir. Notes: (1) The horse broke free. (2) The straw is loose, untied.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròp acair: anchor rope.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùchd na do chorp: stomach sound.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
rùghan: B’e a’ cheud nì a’ mhòine a chur air a casan as an sgaoiltich – a’ deanamh ’n a rùghanan. Dà fhad an taca a chèile, fàd aig gach ceann, agus fàd air a’ mhullach, b’e sin rùghan. Ach ’s ann tearc a bhiodh an rùghan cho beag an sin. Bhiodh fòid ’ga chur ris airson a dheanamh na bu bhonncharaiche.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sabh-mór: Sàbh-mór – Two-handed saw for use in a saw pit. (Dwelly) Sàbh-mór – Whip-saw. (MacLennan) Whip-saw – A narrow saw for dividing timber lengthwise, usually set in a frame and often worked by two persons. (Chamber’s Twentieth Century Dictionary, 1960) [NOTES: the following comment copied from Mr MacLeod’s letter of 29/04/1968] Chan eil fhios agam am biodh sàbh-mór aca ’ga oibreachadh anns a’ Chomraich. Có dhiù bhios cuimhne leibhse. Bha cuimhne aig m’athair a bhith toirt fiodh ciste-laighe as a’ logainn nuair a bhàsaicheadh duine. Agus sin leis an t-sàbh-mhór. Làithean cruaidhe bha siod. (As a’ logainn, mar a chanadh na bodaich. ’Se a chanas sinne an diugh as a’ loga. ’Se còmhradh nam bodach bu chearta. Loga (I).)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saighdear siteig: “Chocolate Soldier”.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sanntaich: vb ‘desire’: ipv.: na ~ dhut fhèin cuid do chomharsanach! -- nam faicinn each brèagha aig duine; vbl nn: sanntachadh [n̪d] na craoibhe (?) [khr̻ɯ:i̯ə]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
saoghal-bràth (m): Quotation: Tha a’ saoghal-bràgh [sic] de chofaidh am Brazil.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saoirsinneachd: nn f. ‘carpentry’: ò, Ìosa, cho daor ‘s tha an t-~ an-dràsta
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
sean: Quotation: cho sean ris na creagan.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seang mo choise: instep.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seans: nn ‘chance; perhaps’ : chaidh esan suas, seans, ag ìnnse seo; tha ~ ann gun do bhuail e; tha ~ gu robh e uamhasach foghainneach, car do sheanfhacal, tha ~, a bh’ ann [FMM]; tha ~ sin bu choireach mi ga fhaighinn
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
searbh: Quotation: Cho searbh ris an dunialas [?].
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
searbh: Quotation: Cho searbh ris an dom. Notes: dom – gall-bladder.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seathamh: [ˈʃɛhu̟] Quot.: “Tha mi a falbh chon a’ mhóintich.” “Chaneil sin seathamh dhuit là dhan t-seòrsa-sa.” Note: refers to the advisability of doing something or going somewhere on a day of very bad weather, when one would be exposed to it.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seorp: Tha sibh cho seorp thall aig na tighean móra sin, thall air a’ chnoc. Chan eil fhios agam a bheil am facal-sa anns a h-uile h-àite. Tha fhios aig Ruairidh uime, co dhiù.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seòcail: plumage effect. Boineid àrd le itean cho seòcail air a ceann – old time headgear. [SLIP: Plumage effect on old-fashioned headgear.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seòlta: Quotation: Tha e cho seòlta ri sionnach.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seòltaiche: Note: fear carach, cealgach. Cho seòlta cealgach ’s nach earbadh tu ’m bonna-sia ris.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgal-chreige: echo.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgal-creig: Note: echo.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgalla-creig: Note: echo.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgalpan: Quot.: sgalpan air a’ choirc. Note: corn chaff (oats).
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeamhair: Quot.: sgeamhaire cho faobharach ri gaoth a’ reothaidh. Note: greannach, mi-chneasda na chainnt.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeòcan: [sɡʹɔ:kɑṉ] Note: amhaich cho fada ’s gu sealladh e air fhéin an clàr an aodainn.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiath: Quotation: Sgaoil e a’ sgiathan cho fada gus an sgàinn [sɡɛ̃:nʹ] e. Notes: He tried to take on too much at the one time.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiobadh: Nuair a bhiodh grunn mór thoirbhsgearan de mhuinntir eile a bhaile agad a buain na mona. Bhuaineadh iad i ’s an aon latha. Bhitheadh tu fhéin a rithist aca-san air là an sgiobaidh aca. Chan eil fhios agam dé cho tràth ’s a thòisich an obair-sa, an sgiobadh. Iomadach uair do dhuine leth-làmhach a rinn sinn a bhuain dha ’s an aon latha. Cha chanadh sinn sgiobadh ris an seo idir.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgitheal: Notes: used of demountable units at Portree High School. Cf. sgritheal. (Heard in Broadford.)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglèat: n. ‘slate’: bha e cho beag gum biodh dìreach ~ ann
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
sgoil: nn f. ‘education’, schooling’ : cha robh cus ~ eadh aice; chan eil guth ~eadh agam; cha robh aon fhacal ~eadh aige; cha robh greim ~eadh aige
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
sgoil Shabaid: Sunday School. (Protestant)
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
sgoil Shàbaid: Sunday school. (‘Sàboinn’ no ‘Sàboinnd’ a chanas sinn airson Sàbaid. ’Se ‘Sàbon’ a chanas an ceàrd.)
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
sgoil-Shabaid: Sunday school.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
sgoil-bhocsaididh: [?] school for the instruction of boxing sport. [NOTES: originally ‘sgoil-bhocsaigidh’ corrected to ‘sgoil-bhocsaididh’ or the other way round – not clear.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoil-bhocsaigeadh: school for boxing instructions.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoil-fhonn: school for teaching musical refrains.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoil-sheinn: school for teaching tunes.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoil-shàbaid: Sunday school.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoilleadh: schooling.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgol Shabuin: Sunday school.
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
sgonn: Note: duine gun chiall gun chonn.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgonnan: Quotation: Cho luath ri sgonnan. Cho crosda ri sgonnan.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgorag: “a’ phutag” air cas-chrom, an rud air an robh thu a’ cur do choise. (Ach tha corra chiall eile aig Dwelly.)
Location: [various]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrìd: [sɡɾı:dʹ] Quot.: “Tha e cho beag sgrìd.” Note: lacking in push, initiative.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrìob: “Chuir e air falbh air sgrìob e.” “Bheir an cù agam-sa sgrìob cho math ’sa thug cù a riamh.” Sgrìob:
Origin: Leòdhas, [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Stuigeadh Coin / Encouraging a Dog
sgrìob a’ chobair: a term applied to the Campbells referring to their eviction policies. This depicts the gables being tied to the carts and pulled along leaving a distinct mark.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguir: vb. ‘stop; give up’: PAST.: sin is coireach gu na ~ mise a ghabhail òran, VBL. N.: sin bu choireach mi sguir
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
sgùil: Bha an sgùil deanta mar seo: cearcall iaruinn agus lìon, agus am biadhadh air sreing ann am meadhon na sgùile. Bha àrc bìdeag an àirde bho an sgùil air sreang a’ bhiadhaidh airson am biadhadh a dheanamh faicsinneach do an ghiomach. Nuair a bhatar a’ tarruing na sgùilean, bha thu ’g a tarruing cho luath agus a dheanadh do làmhan agus do bhodhaig dhuit. Nuair a bha an giomach am broinn na sgùile, agus a bha i air a gluasad bho’n ghrunnd agus air a’ tarruing troimh an fhairge gu cabhagach, bha an giomach ag greimeachadh ris an nì a bh’aige agus cha charaicheadh e, gu’m beireadh am fear-tarruing air. Nam biodh an sgùil air a tarruing slaodach, bha e toirt cothrom do an ghiomach smaoineachadh de bha tachairt, agus an sgùil fhàgail. Chanadh iad na ‘cearcaill’ ann an àiteachan ris an t-seòrsa uidheam-iasgaich-sa. Tha eachdraidh nam ball-sa gu mionaideach aig Niall M’Dhòmhnaill, fear raoin Chùil-fhodair. Cumadh na sgùile: [see illustration]. An sgùil air a’ ghrunnd: [see illustration].
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
sgùnair: schooner.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
shotar: jotter, school jotting book.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sil: vb ‘drip’ : vbl nn: bhiodh an t-sròn agamsa ‘ ~eadh cho gàbhaidh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
sinnteag: Quotation: leth-chois, sinnteag, leum. Notes: hop, step and jump.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siol-choiseadh: Notes: presumably the part of the spinning wheel moved by the foot.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolcair: [ˈʃu̜ɫkɑð] Note: truthair. Gàirdean an t-siolcair cho strìtheil ri sìneadh gu eucoir.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sionnach: Quotation: Cho seòlta ri sionnach.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sithean cachd-a-choin: dandelion.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siuga-seapain: chopin.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
slaod: Quotation: Bha a chota slaodadh [slw:d̪ə] ris. Notes: trailing.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat: Quotation: Ma chi thu slat ’s a choill bheir leat e. Notes: seize the opportunity when presented.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sleamhnuinn: [sic] slippery. Bha e cho sleamhuinn, ’s chaidh e na shlèitich air a ‘dhruma’ dìreach.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slàn: adj. ‘hail, healthy’: ‘~ dhut! tha mi ’n dòchas gum bi thu ~, fallain’, no nuair a tha duine a’ fàgail; feadhain aca fhèin tàire mhòr a’ togail an teaghlaich, feadhain nach robh ~ cha robh chuile duine cho ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
smior-cailleach: Notes: spinal chord.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snadhle: marag chorca, inside sheep just after killing.
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
snaidhm-an-acaire: Note: fisherman’s bend – used on anchors, also on driftnets when “beartachadh a lìn”.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snathad choilear: the needle for sowing a horse’s collar.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sniogastaireachd: Aig tigh Choinnich an còmhnuidh bhiodh gliogadaich le òrd no le rudeigin de’n t-seòrsa. Bhiodh Coinneach a’ dèanamh rudeigin no ri càradh rudeigin. Bhiodh Coinneach an còmhnuidh a’ sniogastaireachd.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snodha: Quotation: Rinn e snodha [sn̪ɔ̃ə] gaire. Notes: a chortle.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snoigeasan: Note: gearanach, do-riaraichte, dranndanach. Cho beag caomhalachd ri aog is ainneart.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snèagladh: Crawling. Bodach a’ cantuinn mu chaoraich bodaich eile: “Chan eil càil ach gu bheil iad a’ snèagladh.” (Iad cho bochd.) Cuideachd, snèagalan.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snìomh: Quotation: “Chuir e snìomh ’na chois.” or “Shnìomh e a chois.” Notes: He twisted his leg or foot.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snòta (I): An dà sheorsa aca: lìon-beag le snòtaichean gaoisde agus lìon-beag le snòtaichean sreinge. Cho fada agus is aithne dhomh ’se na snòtaichean gaoisde a b’fheàrr a dheanadh iasgach. Ach bha iad na b’fhasa do an bhioraich (I) an gearradh.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
so-bhiadhta: Quot.: “Chan fhaca mi beathach a riamh cho so-bhiadhta ris.” Note: easy to feed, would eat anything.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
so-chothach: well-fed; opp. do-chothach.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sodalan: Note: cealgach, dà-bhialach, leam-leat. “Cho caochlaideach, seachranach ri beachdan sodalan.”
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soirbheas: Quot.: “Tha leannan soirbheis ann.” Note: chanadh iad seo nuair a bhiodh soirbheas chothromach ann.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soisdeir: Seo facal a bhiodh aig na bodaich thall againne mu dhuine a bhiodh an còmhnuidh aig gnothaichean soisgeil gu h-àraid a’ teagaisg. A’ teagaisg a h-uile cothrom a gheibheadh e. Soisdeir siod, ’s soisdeir seo, chanadh iad. Is ann aig na bodaich nach biodh cho cràbhach a bhiodh am facal ‘soisdeir’ ’ga chleachdadh.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
soitheach-chuairt, soitheach-thimchill (I): Soitheach agus broinn innte – dìreach mar eathar ceart, agus timchill oirre. Dèanta de fhiodh tana a ghabhadh lùbadh. A h-uile càil oirre dìreach mar eathar mór. Ach ’s e corra dhuine de na balaich a bhiodh cho làmhcharach agus gun dèanadh e tè.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
solus-a-chombaist: compass light, a light inside a compass aboard a ship.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spaoiligean (?): [spwlıɡʹɑṉ] Quotation: Bha [spwlıɡʹɑṉ] dubh air a’ choirce dhubh. Notes: grain?
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spearrach: fetters. Bha seo (chan eil e dol an diugh idir cho fada ’s is aithne dhomh) air a chur eadar cas-chinn agus cas-dheiridh, mar seo:
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
speilean: [spelɑ̃ṉ] Quot.: “a’ cluich speilean”. Note: A game somewhat akin to rounders. A small hollow was made in the ground and a line drawn about 15 yards from it. The apparatus consisted of a ball or cork float (usually the latter), a stick about 9" long (speilean) and a bat like a putter bat (caman) – a flat board about 1 ft long and about 5" wide with a handle attached. Two opposing teams were chosen by two captains. The first side to “bat” was chosen by drawing lots (a’ cur crann). The other team was spread out behind the line, as “fielders”. The “speilean” was put into the hollow at an angle with one end sticking up and the cork float lying on the end in the hollow. The first to bat would shout “Ready?” The other team would say “Tha” and the batter would strike down the protruding end of the “speilean”, causing the cork to be ejected into the air. The batter would then hit it as far as he could. If the cork was caught by a member of the opposing team before it hit the ground, he was out and the next member of the team batted until all were out. If it is not caught the first fielder to reach it gives the batter a “fair” [fɛ:əɾ], throwing it to him so that he can strike it again. If it is caught, he is out. If not, the first fielder to get it rolls it from that spot trying to get it into the hole or as near as possible. This is called “a’ spìocadh” [spi:kəɣ]. If it is holed or comes to rest within a bat’s length of the hole, the batter is out. If it is outside this range, the distance from the hole is measured in bat lengths, the number of lengths being the number of points scored by that player. He carries on until he’s out, then the rest of the team bat in turn until all are out. The other team then bat and all the points totted up, the winner being the side with the highest points.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spian: [spĩɤ̃ṉ] Quotation: Tha e cho tioram ris a spian. Notes: completely dry.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiolc: gameness, sportiveness, fun. “Cho beag spiolc ’s a bha ’s na daoine sin.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiorad: nn ‘spirit’ : ‘s e ~ marbh __ ‘ bha san duine sin; gu robh i cho [o] cunnartach agus an ~ aice; pl.: bha ise ‘ creidsinn sna spioraid;
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
spiuthair: [spȷu̟həð] Note: fear le làmh fhada. “Do ghàirdean ro fhada gun cheannsail, dha sìneadh ’s chan ann cho na còir.”
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiùnn: [spiũ̜:n̪] Quotation: Cho tioram ris a’ spiùnn. Notes: a tinderbox for catching sparks.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spliot: vb. ‘split’: COND.: ~adh e cho rèidh ri -- glaine
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
srad: Quotation: Cho tioram ris an t-srad.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sron-chòra: [sic] [sɾɔ̃:ṉxɔ:ɾə] Notes: waterspout caused by a whirlwind at sea. (sròn-chobhaire?)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
srulaichean: Bha Dòmhnull (balach) ag obair leis an sgithinn (agus i cho geur). Cha robh mi ann nuair a chaidh i chun na h-òrdaige aige, agus thàinig na srulaichean de an fhuil.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
staorag: Staoragan de bhuntàta. – Buntàta nach biodh mór, no air nach biodh móran de choltas buntàta, ach a ghabhadh ithe. Bhiodh iad bho’n taobh a muigh preaslach, lachdunn. (Fuaimnich ‘staorag’ mar ‘aoradh’.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stapag: min choirce is uachdar.
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
stapag choirce: Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
staranach: (adj. of staran [q.v.]) place abounding with stepping stones, as an islet on a loch with the shallow channel in between almost filled with stones as in the case of schoolboys etc. constructing ‘stone causeways’ to get across to discover bird’s nests.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
statha: [st̪ɑə] Quotation: statha choirc. Notes: a swathe.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiorap: nn ‘stirrup’ : pl.: barr a dhà choise sna ~ean
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
stiuir a’ choilich: the large feather at a cockerel’s rear.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiùir: a rudder. Stiùir a choilich – the tail of a cockerel. ‘An it a bh’ann a’ stiùir a choilich / Bha i ’m boineid Hyder Ali. / An it a bh’ann a stiùir a choilich / Bha i ’m boineid Thearlaich.’
Origin: Lewis, Uig
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
stretch: vb ‘stretch’ : vbl adj.: làmh an duine cho ~-te [o striʧt́ə] brèagha ‘s a ghabhadh e
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
streòlaidh: in old thatched houses this instrument hung above the fire. Fixed in the wall and made of wood or metal with a number of holes in it. The pot could be raised or lowered by shifting it between the holes. Mr D. MacAulay in Paible School tells me this was not fixed in the wall above the fire but extended up to the roof. [Cf. trolla.]
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Trianaid House
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stràic: One of the cane or strap at school.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stròn chochdte: a cocked nose. [NOTES: ‘chochdte’ corrected to ‘chochte’.]
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stuig: Quotation: a’ stuigeadh a’ choin. Notes: egg on the dog, e.g. after sheep.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stuth: nn ‘stuff’ : b’ fhìor thoigh le Lachainn seo … deochannan dhan ~ làidir; dh’fhaodte gur e ~ a’ choreigin …, no rudeigin a bha i ‘ gabhail, thug e seo dhi; ach an ~ seo a bh’ aige, ~ a leithid seo a dhuine, nan gabhadh e … a’ ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
stìdeag: Notes: The name of Crawford’s cat, which he usually had in school with him. Crawford was the Keose (Cnoc Ian Duibh?) schoolmaster in the time of Rev. Reid – married Reid’s niece. He came from about Forres, and was a Gaelic speaker. Dwelly has stidean ‘cat; call for a cat (Badenoch)’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stìod: Quotation: Air Latha Féill Brìghde théid na stìodan do’n choille chonnaidh. Notes: Latha Féill Bhrìghde [sic] supposed to change the weather. Noticeably milder. So mild that a creature as fond of fireside as cat is not afraid to go to wood. (stìod: cat)
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stòc: the crown of the anchor between the two flukes. [NOTES: corrected to ‘stoc’.]
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stòc an acair: a metal rod forming part of an anchor which props up the anchor so as not to fall flat, e.g.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stòc an acaire: the bit of iron on an anchor which prevented it from falling over. [NOTES: ‘stòc’ corrected to ‘stoc’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suagaraid: Quotation: “Rinn e suagaraid a choreigin dheth.” Notes: He made some kind of mess or mixture of it.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suarach: adj. ‘despicable’ : agus ‘s e am mèirleach rud cho ~ ‘s tha air an t-saoghal
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
swamp: nn ‘swamp’ : fhuair e ann an ~ [suamp h ] a' choreigin i; car de sh. bog; land e san t-~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
sìobhalta: adj. ‘civil, mannerly’ : dh’fhaighneachd iad cho brèagha ~, spry, càit an robh __ na remains; tha iad uamhasach ~ [FMM]; bha triùir chloinneadh ann ‘s iad modhail, ~ [DAG]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
sìol, cabhag sìl: [kafa̟ɡʃi:lʹ] 26 [Anchovy].
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìoladh: Chan eil fhios ’am am bheil agaibh sìoladh, air a chleachdadh mar seo: “Tha sìoladh de ghoirteas ’n am amhaich” dìreach mar a bha mi-fhìn air an t-seachdain a chaidh. Sìoladh de ghoirteas (an goirteas a bhith ann ach gun e bhith mór). ’S ann mu amhaich, cho fad ’s a tha cuimhne agam, a bhiodh sinn a’ cleachdadh sìoladh.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìthean: Quot.: “sìthean cac a’ choin”. Note: dandelion.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùbailte: [su̜:bilʹtʹə] Quotation: Tha e cho sùbailte ri easgann. Notes: supple.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùghadh: Quotation: Cho fad ’s a bhios sùghadh am bun càil, bi foill air Macphàil.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùisde: gus an siol agus an calg a thearbadh bho’n chomhlaich.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
tachdadh: chocked [sic] [choked?]. [NOTES: slipped under ‘tachd’ with ‘a’ tachdadh’ as the quotation. Definition: To choke.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tafoinneach: [t̪ɑfɔ̃nʹɑx] Quot.: “Gabh an rathad; tha e cho tafoinneach dhuit a dhol an taobh sin.” “Àite tafoinneach.” Note: difficult to traverse because of the nature of the ground.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taghadh: choosing which potatoes to eat and those to be used for seed potatoes next year. Potato needs 2 eyes to be used for seed purposes. Some of larger potatoes cut up and given to sheep. No name provided for this process.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
taibhseir: nn ‘one able to see visions’ : agus bha ~ a’ choreigin a-staigh san taigh sin [FMMaclellan]; duine fìrinneach ‘s bha e na th.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
taigh-sgoile: nn ‘school-house’ : bha an seann ~ làmh ris an àite
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
taobh, a th.: prep. ‘on account of’: bha iad a’ faighinn beagan airgid a th. seo teaghlaichean cho mhòr agus cha bhiodh ~ air fhàgail
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
tapaidh: adj. : tha i cho ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
tathainte: inquisitive, nosey, e.g. talking about tailors – “Bha iad sinn riabh cho tathainte a’ feitheamh a h-ùile facal.” [NOTES: ‘sinn riabh’ corrected to ‘sin riamh’.]
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teagnadh: [tʹɤɡṉəɣ] Quot.: “Tha a’ bhó a teagnadh.” “Tha teagnadh air chor-eigin air a bhoin. – tha rudeigin ceàrr oirr’.” Note: cow grinding its teeth when something is wrong with it.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teann: [ʧhɛ͜un] adj. ‘close’: ma thig agad air a dhèanamh cho math ’s as urrainndhut, cho ~ air ’s as urrainn dhut; ~ air a chliathaich
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
teann, ~ air: prep. ‘near to’ : chaidh mi gu math ~ air; cho ~ ‘s ‘ bha esan a bhith air a mharbhadh; tha e ~ air àit’ ris an canadh iad Ceap Cùbraich [MM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
tearrachail: a h-iomaghain tearrchail [sic] – of a dun colour (female), not the same as earachol already noted. I do not think it’s the very same although there may be slight connections.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teas (m): Quotation: a’ gabhail teas gu rud (gu obair air choireigin, gu seòrsa biadh). Notes: craze; passion for.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teine-biorrach: glow worm. “Cho luath ris an teine bhiorrach.”
Location: Harris, Horgabost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thachdaisd: chocked [sic] [choked?]. Thachdaisd e. – he was chocked [sic] [choked?].
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tilgeil: Tha am barr-fhad air a thilgeil bho’n tairsgeir fad do laimhe a mach air sgaoilteach druim no uachdair a’ phuill, agus tha cuid dhiubh air an tilgeil fada mach air an ath-bhlar am broinn a’ phuill. Tha a’ chuid as motha de’n dara fàd – fàd a’ ghàrraidh – ga chur air sliomas ri deanamh gàrradh ri oir a’ phuill air uachdair. Tha, mar as tric, tri fòid a dh’àirde dol do’n ghàrradh so. Tha an caoran ga chur ri do chois, no faisg, am broinn a’ phuill.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tilgeil an ùird: throwing the hammer. Cha robh seo againne idir, no aig an fheadhainn romhainn, cho fada ’s is aithne dhomh. Ach bha lorg aca air glé mhath. ‘Tilgeil an ùird’ a chanadh iad. (Chì sibh ’s e ‘tilgeil’ a chanas sinne airson ‘tilgeadh’ ann an àiteachan eile.)
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
till: vb ‘return’ : past: nuair a th. e às a’ chogadh; vbl nn.: bha e ‘ feitheamh ris a’ bhòcan a thillinn
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
tioram: Quotation: Tha e cho tioram ris a spian. Notes: completely dry.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tioram: Quotation: Cho tioram ris a’ spiùnn. Notes: spiùnn – tinderbox for catching sparks.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tioram: Quotation: Cho tioram ris an t-srad.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiorraghais: I am not sure of this one. Cho fada ris an tiorraghais. Unless it means t-shiorruidhachd fàis – a matter of guess? Perhaps some other place may have the definition.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toit: Quotation: toit choirc. Notes: a “hut” of corn.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll a’ choltair: located directly above the coulter. Iron pin put through this connecting with the coulter itself.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll a’ choltair: The rectangular hole in the ‘druim’ in which the ‘share’ was firmly fixed.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
toll a’ choultair: Notes: the tunnel on a plough.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tollach: [t̪ɔɫɑx] Quot.: “Tha e tollach air cho beag ’s a fhuair e.” Note: said of a person who is covetous. Say two people were given a portion each of something and one got more than the other. If the person who got less was jealous of what the other got he would be “tollach”.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tollach: [t̪ɔɫɑx] Quotation: ’S ann tollach a bha e nuair a chunnaic e cho beag ’s a thug mi dhà. Notes: showing dissatisfaction.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tomadan choin: little hummocks found in fields and against which dogs frequently relieve themselves.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tomhadh: Quotation: Airson rud a thomhadh dhut; na bi tomhadh do chorraig ris (pointing your finger at him). Notes: a’ tomhadh rud air duine – pressing something on someone.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
triallabhaid: [t̪ɾıɤɫəvɑdʹ] Quot.: “Tha i ’na triallabhaid aig a h-uile rud a th’ann.” Note: could be said of a housewife with a hundred-and-one household chores to attend to at the one time. “In a ‘trachle’.”
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trioblaid: nn f. ‘trouble, anxiety’: bha e ’ cur ~ air an duine bhocht; cha d’fhuair mi an ùine seo a thoirt seachad agus tha e ‘ cur ~ orm; bha ~ a’ choreigin aice [DAG]; gheibh thu ann an ~ [DAG]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
trom: Quotation: Cha robh an obair cho trom [trom].
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràsg: ? Cho tioram ris an tràsg. (Scalpay)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràsg: I am not sure of this one: is it turf? This expression is very common on Scalpay or Harris if you wish: Cho tioram ris an tràsg. I have noted it on a previous page, or formerly.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràsg: [t̪ɾɑ:sɡ] Quot.: “Cho tioram ris an tràsg.” Note: the straw in the kiln on which seed was put for drying.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràthach: Quotation: Cho tioram ris an tràthach. Notes: Hay?
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuaim-thàmh: cho marbh anns an tuaim: neo thainig tuaim-thàmh – death sleep, rest.
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàth: Quotation: Bha mi cho beag tàth… Notes: ‘lacking in energy’.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tèim: [t̪ɛ̃:m] Quotation: Chaneil [t̪ɛ̃:m] aca gu bheil an rathad cho caol. Chaneil [t̪ɛ̃:m] aca air an obair. Notes: sense, skill.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uair: nn f. ‘time, occasion’ : agus uair heile [sic] a theireadh iad air toiseach an earraich, ‘uair a’ ghille chonnaidh’ [FMM]; Ailein …, uair a bhiodh e air a ghlùinean, ’s uair nach biodh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
uair a’ ghille chonnaich: this refers to ‘latha nan trì righean’ when the day began to get longer. This phrase meant that the peat boy (gille conna [sic]) could take longer to get the peats.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uasal: adj ‘generous, considerate’ . : cho ~ ‘s a bha iad ri-san (? < ris-san) [DAG]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
uileachan: cape, poncho.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uireasach: being restricted or limited to do anything due to an irritating pain for example. “Chan urrainn dhomh sin a dheanamh an diugh oir tha mi uireasach le’m chois.”
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uiseag choille: Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
urad: nn ‘as/ so much’ : ‘s i cho [o] cheart ~; a’ cur __ ~ [ɤrət] do shuim __ sa sgoil
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
urra: adj. ‘able’ : bha iad a’ fuireach anns a’ choillidh, mar s b’ fheàrr a b’ ~ dhaibh; cha b’ urra dhomh ‘ chuideachadh gun an ionnsachadh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
à, às: prep. ‘out of’: taingeil às a’ chobhair; tha deathach ’ tighinn às [ɛs]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
àird: Quotation: ’Se cion àird a bu choireach. Notes: lack of attention.
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àirigh (I): Tha móran dhiubh seo ’s na h-ainmeannan, mar Àirigh na Cloiche, Àirigh Bànaig, Àirigh an Druim Móir, ’s mar sin. Agus gun choltas gu robh àirigh (am bothan) ann a riamh. Faic Dwelly 2, 3. M’Ghillfh. 2.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
àit’-acrachaidh: anchorage.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àraid: Quotation: Tha Iain cho àraid – so funny: humorous. ’S àraid a rud a tha sibh ag iarraidh. – queer: unusual: exceptional: strange. Nach b’àraid a rud a rinn e. – unexpected.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àrd-labhrach: loud voiced. ‘Cha leigeadh e leas bhi cho àrd-labhrach.’
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
èibhinn: adj. ‘comical’: bha e cho ~ ‘s a ghabhadh e
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
èirich: vb ‘happen; set to; start, start out’ : past: chan eil fhios agam dè dh’èirich dha mu dheireadh [FMM]; cond.: bha iad cho [o] dona gu sabaid an uair sin, dh’èireadh iad air a chèile leis na dùirn [MAE]; vbl nn.: tha a’ cheart rud ‘ dol a dh’ èirigh dhuinn uile latha eigin; tha mise ag èirigh a-nunn; ‘s iad ag èirigh air bruidhinn Gàidhlig; ‘s e ‘g èirigh air imilich mo làmhan; bha e ag èirigh air goid nan caorach
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
éididh: Quot.: “Nach eagallach cho éididh ’s a tha ’n t-aodach a th’air.” Note: poor in quantity and quality.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ìochdrachadh: Quotation: Gar do chasan s cuir ort do bhrogan is seall a mach aig cul an taighe fiach bheil an carraidh g’ iochdrachadh. Notes: heard originally from grandmother as nonsense rhyme: “Cuirt [sic] ort do chasan is gar do bhrogan is seall a mach aig cul na carraidh fiach bheil an tigh ag iochdrachadh.” Similarly: Mi fhein tarsuinn air an t-sioman ’s mo chota mor muigh ga fhliuchadh.”
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrdag: Quotation: an òrdag, a’ cholbhag, Fionnladh fada, Mac an Aba, [u̜i:dʹʒɑɡ].
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùine: nn f. ‘time’ : cuiridh e seachad ~ cho math air duine; dè an ~ a dh’fheumadh am buntàta bhith na phòca; tha mi ‘ dol a phòsadh an ~ ghoirid; gen.: mun àm a bha iad air a __ a’ dol ‘ ghabhail an ~ aig a’ bhoireannach
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
‘Flies’: Bidh bho choig gu seachd gaisneanan wid air an ceangal r’a cheile le snaim an iasgair is dafuns mu oirleach gu leth a dh’fhad air a fagail aig a chula ceangal. Bidh dubhan air gach dafun so le ite faoileig no stiall chaol de chloimh gheal uain.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
‘Go mu chois’: ‘heel’. [command given to a sheep-dog]
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
’Se deagh mharaiche a bha ’sa chorca bheag: rain would not delay the crop’s progress.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
“A mach á sin”, “Mach á sin.”: A’ cur a’ choin air falbh.
Origin: Leòdhas, [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Stuigeadh Coin / Encouraging a Dog
“A’ choileum”: was perhaps a ford on the River Roy which enabled people in Clianaig to cross the river to church which in my time was directly opposite.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
“Leigeam leat”… Iain, etc.: until the sides were picked – turn about for choosing.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
“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
“Thig gu mo chois”, “Gu mo chois.”: A’ toirt a’ choin thugad. Come ahint. “Come(r) ahint” (mar a bhiodh aig fear Port a’ Chuilinn [?]) Anns na Hearadh, an àiteachan có dhiù, ’se “cùl nan cas” a chanas iad ri “Gu mo chois” againne. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cas’.]
Origin: Leòdhas, [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Stuigeadh Coin / Encouraging a Dog
“chaidh e cho geal ris an anart”: his face turned white as a sheet.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
“cho bodhar ri creag”: Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
“cho bodhar ris an talamh”: Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous

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