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There were 896 hits for rain

--blank--: I’m clearing drains.
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
--blank--: drain.
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
'a': [= nuair] conj.’when’: tha cuimhne agamas 'a' bhiomaid a' tarraing sìos
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
(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
(a) Land drainage: Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(a) Land drainage: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(a) Land drainage: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(a) Land drainage: Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(a) Land drainage: Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(d) Grain winnowing: Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(d) Grain winnowing: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(d) Grain winnowing: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(d) Grain winnowing: Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(d) Grain winnowing: Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Drains, ditches etc.: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Drains, ditches etc.: Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Drains, ditches etc.: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Drains, ditches etc.: Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Drains, ditches etc.: Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
12. Ainmean a chleachdar ri earrainn fearainn: Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
12. Ainmean a chleachdar ri earrainn fearainn: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
12. Ainmean a chleachdar ri earrainn fearainn: Origin: Bràigh-Lochabar [Brae Lochaber]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
12. Ainmean a chleachdar ri earrainn fearainn: Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
12. Ainmean a chleachdar ri earrainn fearainn: Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
12. Ainmean a chleachdar ri earrainn fearainn: Origin: [Barra]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3.4. Rainbow: Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
3.4. Rainbow: Category: Sìde / Weather
3.4. Rainbow: Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
3.4. Rainbow: Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
3.4. Rainbow: Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
3.4. Rainbow: Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
7. Bùna-baca: (‘Bonnacha-bac’ in Dwelly’s.) If draughts were entering the house or rain was getting in at this low part of the roof then sacks of sand were sometimes placed at the ‘bùna-baca’. [NOTES: see the illustrations under ‘Some ropework terms’, ‘Ropework at hip with chimney’ and ‘Ropework at hip without chimney’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
7. Rain: Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
7. Rain: Category: Sìde / Weather
7. Rain: Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
7. Rain: Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
7. Rain: Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
7. Rain: Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
7.4. Prolonged rain: Category: Sìde / Weather
7.4. Prolonged rain: Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
7.4. Prolonged rain: Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
7.4. Prolonged rain: Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
7.4. Prolonged rain: Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
7.4. Prolonged rain: Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
7.5. Driving rain: Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
7.5. Driving rain: Category: Sìde / Weather
7.5. Driving rain: Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
7.5. Driving rain: Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
7.5. Driving rain: Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
7.5. Driving rain: Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
? innidh: [ĩɲĩ] ? inne [ĩɲə] drain.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
A’ tarraing nan lion: ’Se ‘Tarraing’ a chanas iad ri toirt air bòrd na lin so, ach ’se togail a chanas iad ri toirt air bòrd lin bheaga is lin mhóra.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Ceangal nan calpan: Tha na calpan a ghearr thu mach aig do chasan. Tomhais an nis an t-sreang as an tug thu an toinneamh a mach ’na h-aitheannan [?]. Ni thu sin le cur tarsainn do bhroilleach a’ tarraing do ghàirdeanan pios gu do chulthaobh. Aig ceann gach aitheamh ceangail calpa snòta le snaim carcair (Clove Hitch) ga theannachadh gus nach ruith e sios an druim. Gheibh thu da fhichead calp ’sa h-ochd deug air tha an t-sreang le na calpan ’na cnap aig do chasan.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Chaidh e bhair an adhbrainn.: He sprained his ankle.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
Colbhansai, Colasa: Carn an Eòin, Sgorr Hurlaidh, Bealach na h-Airde, Bealach na Gaoithe, Cnoc Ormadail, Traigh Chill Orain, Cnoc Mhic ’Ille Mhinniche, Port an Òbain, na Dùintean, Bealach an Leóghainn, Port na Cuilc, Carraig a’ Chait, Meall na Suiridh.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Dia: nn ‘God’: gen.:‘s e an fhìrinne Dhia ‘ tha seo; bhiodh na comharsanaich, cha robh fhios aca ach ~ nan Gràsan dè bha ceàrr air an cuid cruidh fhèin; càit an ainm a [sic] Dhia an do chuala thusa sin? [DAG]; ar son ~ nan Gràst! [DAG]; och, air son ~, tha iad __ beathaichean cunnartach ‘ th’ ionnta; òch, airson ~ ! rinn e do dh’òrain!; à, Dhia nan diabhal! fàsaidh e sin, co-dhiù
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
Modarach: ’S ann an Nis a tha an t-ainm so. Tha e mu leth meud murtair is air an aon chumadh le sia dubhanan lin mhóra. Tha e so freagarrach gu bhith glacadh na leth bhodach ruadha as t-earrach. Chan eil biadhadh ga chur air modarach no air murtair. Tha iad air an tarraing as deidh an eathair, no air an oibreachadh sios as suas a mach air cliathaich an eathair. Tha an glensa a tha as an luaidhe a’ tarraing an éisg thuca is tha na dubhain a’ dol an sàs.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Na trì nithean as iasgailte a tha ann:: “Dubhan bradach, beairt ribeach, slat cham chaorainn air a buain ann an aodainn creige.” Bho Uilleam Mac Illeathain (78) am Poll-Dùbh. Mhìnich e dhomh e mar seo: Bha am fiodh cruaidh (fàs mall) leis nach robh móran torraidh aice (a’ chraobh) an aodainn creige. An uair a bha an t-slat cam bha i nas nàdurraiche os cionn an uisge, an dubhan meirgeach agus geur agus mar sin bradach, am beairt ribeach (a’ ghaoisid uirlach [?]) (a’ mealladh an éisg). ’S ann gu h-àraidh air creagach a bha e tighinn.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Peart, Earra-Gaidheal, suas gu Linne Sheilich: Loch Fìne, Inbhir-Aora, Dun Chuaich, Meall Réidh, Tom Breac, Leac nam Ban, Sonnachan, Loch Obha, Loch Éite, Beinn Laoigh, Beinn Dobhrain, Raineach, Loch Triochatan, Lairig-Gartain.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Raineach: Quotation: sgoil [rɛ̜ˈṉəx]. Notes: Rannoch (school).
Origin: Loch Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Reul Iùil: Notes: Polar Star, air a comharrachadh a-mach le bàrr corragan a’ chruinn-arain.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Roinn: Nuair a thig an dubhan mu dheireadh a steach air bòrd tha iad a’ deanamh air a’ chladach. Nuair a ruigeas iad, tha an t-iasg ga thoirt aisde agus air a roinn ’na earrannan cothromach air a’ mhol, is fear a’ dol air a shùilean gus eubhachd a mach co gheibh iad. Bidh earrain air leth ann airson an eathair.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Sia sreangan chun an lin no chun na bascaid: ’S ann am bascaid sgadanach a bhios an lion mor air a’ reiteach gus a chur. Tha piosan àrca air an leigeil am beul na bascaid gus an càirear da dubhain annta. Tha an lion ga bhiadhadh mar a bhios iad ga chur a mach as an eathar. ’Se leth sgadain no sgadan beag slan am biadhadh mar as trice, ach tha gibnich anabarrach tarraingeach air an iasg, gu h-àraidh an langainn.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
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
Spring-rope: An ròpa tiugh trom a tha cumail na lin comhnard anns a’ mhuir. Anns an tarraing tha an càbull so a’ dol mu cheapsun is tha an còcaire ga chuibhligeadh gu cothromach do tholl anns an dec faisg air an toiseach. Is e so as coireach gur e cuibhleir a theirte ris a’ chòcaire. Tha na stopairean air am fosgladh bhon spring-rope anns an tarraing ach chan eil na buidhe-ropan air am fosgladh bho na lin.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Tarraing: Away you go.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
Tarraing breac: Sgadan an sud ’san so air feadh nan lion.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Tarraing dubh: Sin tarraing nan lion mar a chaidh iad a mach gun lann annta.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Tarraing geal: Shota math.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Teanga gun Urrainn: in Glenroy.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Togail nan lion: Tha na lin air an tarraing dhan an toll. Ma bhios sgadan annta tha na h-iasgairean air an t-slighe gu port dhan togail as an toll gu dec is a’ crathadh an sgadain nach do chrath iad asda dhan tarraing dhan na tuill fo’n dec agus fo àrd ùrlar an tuill. Mar a bi sgadan aca cha tog iad na lin gu ruig iad port. Bidh na lin air an dec gus an teid an sgadan a chur a mach.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Toinneamh nan calp: Faodaidh tu so a dheanamh a muigh ach tha e na’s goireasaiche a dheanamh a stigh, gu h-àraidh ma tha ulag an lin sgadanaich fhathast crochaid. Cuir ceann an droma troimh’n ulag is tarraing còrr is leth aitheamh troimphe, is ceangail ri tarag e dluth don ulaig a’ fagail a’ chinn slaoidte sios fo’n taraig.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
[Clann ’ic Leòid]: “Clann ’ic Leòid a’ bhrochain thana ’s an droch arain eòrna.” – Bhithinn a’ cluinntinn seo mu Chlann ’ic Leòid.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 1]: Dà thràth ri solus coinnle. (Air a ràdh mu sgalagan is eile air baile fearainn nach robh a’ faotainn ach dà thràth – bidhe ’s a’ gheamhradh.)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 2]: Leisgeul arain gu ith ìme.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 31]: Chan urrainn duine mhin ithe ’san teine shéideadh.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 81]: Teine chaorain ’s gaol seòladair.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[aithghearran]: “Thàinig na h-aithghearran air.” – Ruith a fhoigidinn a mach. Cha b’ urrainn e fuireach na b’fhaide. Agus sheall e sin.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[aodach]: “Nuair a gheibh thu brògan neo aodach ùr gabh greim arain nuair a chuireas tu umad e.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[beul]: Cha burrain dhomh beul a thoirt dha. I couldn’t mouth the food.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[biadh sgiobadh]: A’ deanamh a chruinneachaidh so thàinig bruidhinn againn air mar a bha facail a’ dol an ceann a cheile mar ‘afoin’ is ‘aflar’, agus thuirt aon gu robh aige fhein mun tairsgeir aon bhliadhna Douilian Dhomhnuill Alasdair Dhoiligean agus Iain Beag ’An Iain ’An Anaigean, agus gum b’e Iachaoil a bha leagail nan rùsg. B’e sin Domhnull Iain Dhomhnuill Alasdair Dhomhnuill Mhic Iain agus Iain Beag Iain Iain Iain Iain Mhic Iain, agus Iain Caol ri leagail. Thàinig tarraing againn cuideachd air biadh sgiobadh. An diugh ’se an ‘Duff’ a tha ri riaghladh. Thuirt fear – Lewis Moireach – gu robh ‘An Uallach a Cros aon bhliadhna is nach ruigeadh e air ceannachd ach aon lof airson sgiobadh ghillean. Bha pailteas buntàta aige dhaibh, ach bha e air a chur thuige ciamar a gheibheadh e air aon lof a roinn eadar na bha sud. Mu dheireadh thuirt e riu, “Suidibh, a bhalachaibh, ithibh; Am fear as motha a dh’itheas do bhuntàta, ’se as motha a gheibh dhan an lof.”
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
[blank]: brains.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
[boc]: Aon air buicean / Dhà air buicean / Maide sùirn / Cul an duirn / Cearc bheag / Bhiorach bhàn / Rug an t-ubh / Air a’ spàr / Bhrist’ e mus an ruig e làr / Cunnt romhaid s ’as do dheigh / Cia mheud adharc th’ air a Bhoc. A game played by two: ‘tormentor’ sits in a chair, ‘tormented’ sits on the floor between the tormentor’s knees. Tormentor, while repeating the refrain, sustains a constant knocking with his knuckles on the tormented’s head. Whenever the refrain is finished, the tormentor’s hand is placed on the tormented’s head. The tormented has to guess how many horns the Buck may have. A clenched fist – maol am boc. One finger – one horn, aon arc. Two fingers – two horns, da. Three fingers – three horns, trì. Four fingers – four horns, ceithir. Five fingers – five horns, coig arcan. The game continues until the tormented guesses the number of horns correctly. The players then change places. Tormentor v tormented or king v subject or officer v soldier or uachdran v iochdran.
Location: Leodhas [Lewis], an taobh siar
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
[boinne]: Tha boinne air a ghaoith. – The herald of a rain storm.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bonnach]: Rinn mi bonnach arain. – I made a large griddle scone.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bàirneach]: An leigheas a bh’aig seann mhuinntir Uig an Iar againne air bòcadh an éisg. Naoi naoidheannan de bhàirnich mhóra nan Eileanan Flannach ithe. Bha bodach anns a’ bhaile againne – chaochail e ann an earrach 1934 – agus cha b’urrainn e iasg á fairge ithe ach a’ bhiorach (dogfish). Bha iad ’ga bhòcadh. Chan aithne dhomh gu’n d’fheuch e an seann leigheas a riamh. Có dhiù bha miann a chridhe aige air na h-éisg, agus nach b’urrainn dha blasad orra. Gnothach duilich.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[calg]: An aghaidh a’ chuilg. Against the grain.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[caora]: Cha robh caoraich aig croitearan Chamaschros, anns an Eilean Sgiathanach. Chuala mi cuid dhe na faclan timcheall air caoraich, ach cha b’ urrainn domh an cur an òrdugh.
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[corn]: Note: seed on corn in autumn was tested by putting a grain in your mouth between the teeth and pressing it as to its resistance. If resisting under the pressure of the tooth as [sic] hard enough by the sensitivity of the testing. Then the corn was ready for cutting.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[crioman]: Gabhaidh mi crioman arain, ma ’s e ur toil e. – I’ll have a little bread, please.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[crioman]: Crioman arain – a little bit of bread.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cuir]: Cuir ort. Restrain yourself.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cuir]: Bidh i a’ cuir ann neo a’ cuir as a màireach. – expression which meant that you could expect wind or rain the next day. Not sure as regards the weather conditions of the previous night from which this judgement was made.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cure for backache]: Note 6: Another cure for backache if the ache showed the symptoms of a strain was the patient sleeping on a (hard) wooden bed, that is without a soft mattress, as the movement of the mattress did not help but seemingly the back of the patient responded better to the non-movement of the underpart of the bed, wooden or boards, thus believed to ease the ache on to the patient’s recovery.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cusg]: [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 am [sic] rud a chuir e thugainn an t-ainm a th’aig muinntir Chàirisiadar air fear an “Artificial Insemination” – “Bodach na cusg”. An cuala sibh fhéin riamh am facal “cusg”, no an urrainn dhuibh mineachadh ’sam bith a thoirt air? [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. Mor, no Murdo, a’ Ghobha a chanas sinne ris. Duine dòigheil a tha ’n sin. Duine snog. (…) Mu ghnothach an A.I. Tha na facail “cusp” agus “cusag” ann. Tha iad sìos anns na faclairean. Cha chanainn nach e aon dhiubh seo a tha ann an “cusg”. (…) Agus am facal sin a nuas, agus air mhaiseann [?] ann an Càirisiadair. Anns na Bàigh. Chan eil fhios ’am an cuala sibh a riamh mu Sgoil Dhubh nam Bàgh. Bidh Ruaridh am profeasar air cluinntinn mu a dheidhinn, chanainn. Chan eil am facal “cusg” againne idir. [Letter dated 04/05/1967:] Bho phiuthar eile thall an Crabhlastadh againn fhìn, fhuair mi mu dheidhinn “cusg” (Bodach na Cusg). Is ann air pìob-stillidh a bha cusg aca anns na Bàigh (seòrsa de rudeigin mar pìob-stillidh, có dhiù). Is iomadh uair a rinn sinn mallachadh agus blaigeardachd air bodaich leis a’ phìob-stillidh (eileamaid airson bùrn a thilgeadh). Tha mi cinnteach gu’m biodh balaich shuas taobh na Comraich ris an aon seòrsa oibreach. (Na Bàigh: ’se sin Càirisiadar, Géisiadair, Ungisiadair, agus Éineacleit.)
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dà chleachdadh a bha air an casg]: (Da chleachdadh a bha air an casg dhuinne anns an eathar aig muir: feadalaich – tharraingeadh so gaoth nuair nach bitear ga h-iarraidh, agus a’ cunntadh an éisg mar a bhiodh e a’ tighinn fear bho fhear air an lion – chuireadh so a mach a iasg thu.)
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
[dìle]: Tha ’n dìle bhàithte ann. – Raining heavily. Raining in floods.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dìoladh]: Chan urrain [sic] mi do lan dhioladh. I cannot recompense you fully.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dìreach]: Dheannain a càm dìreach, ’s dheannain dìreach càm, ach fad a chuir air giorrad chan urrainn mi ann.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dìughaidh]: “Dìughaidh uisge, fliuch sneachda.” ‘Dìughaidh’ means a different or variant type of rain in this case sleet. According to Mrs MacIsaac. “Dìughaidh teine fàrneadh fliuch” ‘Fàrneadh’ means boggy, marshy moorland. “Dìughaidh an t-saoghail gu leir, droch bhean.” The latter two instances suggest a different meaning for the word ‘dìughaidh’ – downfall? Merits further scrutiny.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[feith diach]: I once came across a note by my father “feith diach – ditch for drainage”, without any explanation. Some days ago I was going through A. B. MacLennan’s “The Petty Seer” and found the term there applied to the drainage ditch dug near Castle Stuart and Petty Church about the beginning of last century.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fodar]: Fodar + raineach – straw and bracken for bedding.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[foretelling bad weather 7]: The larger the ‘buaile’ round the moon the closer rain is.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[gas]: Chan eil gas siucair air fhagail. – There isn’t a grain of sugar left.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[giùlan]: Chan urrain [sic] dhomh ga ghiulain. I cannot endure it any longer.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[glic]: Bu ghlic a’ bheart dha sin. – A wise thing for him to do that. Tormod: “Chaidh speach anns an lìon aig an fhigheadair ’s cha deadh am figheadair air a h-àrainn.” Coinneach: “Bu ghlic a’ bheart dha sin.” (Wasp agus spider.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[greim]: Greim arain. A crumb of bread.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[griodhan]: Chan eil griodhan siùcair anns an tigh. – Not a grain of sugar in the house.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
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
[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
[note]: Sin na fhuair mi fhathast bho sgoileirean sgoil Lionail is bho bhodaich is boireannaich ann an Nis. ’So maorach gainmhich is laghaich air an robh mi eòlach nuair a bha mi an Uig is air na Lochan (Rainis) air mo thigheadas.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
[pronnadh]: A pronnadh an arain – breaking up bread into crumbs.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[raineach]: Tha an raineach uaine air teachd thairis oirre. Green ferns have grown over her.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[raineach]: An raineach ri turrain ’sa ghaoith. The fern rustling in the wind.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[rannsachadh]: Co th’ann is urrain [sic] boirionnach a rannsachadh? Who can read a woman?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ruadh]: Gaoth ruadh. Tuil ruadh. Devastating wind and rain.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ruigheachd]: Chan urrain [sic] mi ruigheachd air. Tha e mar fhad ruigheachd orm. It is out of my reach.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seachrain]: Co a thuigeas uile sheachrain fhein. Who understands all his own errors. [NOTE in second hand: Psalm.]
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
[slide feòir]: rig lifter (flat wooden slide). Mu naoi traighean (troighean) a dh’fhad agus sia traighean (troighean) a liad. Bha “trims” ann mar gum biodh air cairt, agus dà roth bheag. Air a tarraing le each.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
[sliochd]: Fàsaidh sibh mar an luachair is crionaidh sibh mar an raineach / Thig sliochd eile ’nar n’àite s thig crioch air sliochd na mollachd.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sliochd]: “Fàsaidh sibh mar an luachair / Is crionaidh sibh mar an raineach, / Is thig sliochd eile ’nur n’àite / Is thig crioch air sliochd na mollachd.” I don’t know what place this refers to – I consider that ‘mollachd’ must be wrong: it is a very strong word.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[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
[sìoladh]: A’ sioladh a bhainne. Straining the milk.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tarraing]: Cuir tarruing air. Put an extracting plaster on it.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tarraing]: Tha an t-am agam bhi tarruing. Time to be moving.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[teanga]: Teanga gun urrainn – a piece of land about opposite Cranachan in Glenroy. Meaning?
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[teirig]: Na teirig ’n a ghaoth. – Don’t go near it. Na teirig air a àrainn. – Don’t meddle with it. Na teirig faisg air ’s na cuir do làmh air.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tiodhlaig]: Tha la so coltach ris an là a thiodhlaig iad an Càirsealach Mór. (a day of high wind and rain from S.W.)
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[traoighte]: Tha a bhotul traoighte. The bottle is drained to the last drop.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tèarnadh]: Cha b’urrain [sic] dhuit tearnadh. You couldn’t escape.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uisge]: Ri uisge is ri gaoth. Exposed to wind and rain.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uisge]: Tha ’n t-uisge ann. – It is raining.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uisge]: Tha’n t-uisge mór ann. – Raining.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[urpull]: Tha a’ mhòine air a dhol ’na h-urpuill (leis an uisge). When peat is swollen with rain. Geàrr ’na h-urpuill i – cut it big. (Cf. urpull de bhalach – a big lump of a boy.)
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a mhacraich-shìn: a shower of rain and wind. Would pass quickly. [NOTES: corrected to ‘macraich-shìn’.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a tarraing na feamann: Transporting seaweed.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
abartach: Quotation: duine abartach. Notes: Duine nach b’urrainn rud a chumail aige fhéin.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
abhsadh: to cease as in a lull after a period of wind, rain.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
adag chruaidh: part of a rainbow. If seen in the west this meant it would rain from the east.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
adag-chruaidh: a fragment of a rainbow seen in the morning. Indicative of bad weather. [NOTES: note added – (= fadadh-cruaidh).]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
adag-chruaidh: part of a rainbow.
Location: ? [Eriskay – see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aiceachd (f): training, guidance; each-aice – a led horse.
Origin: [Strathglass]
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
aite: [aht´ə] adj. ‘comical’. ’: poidhle do dh’òrain ~e; b’ ~ lium ’ bhith ’g èisteach ris
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
alt: a net, fishing net hung with the meshes in an appropriate setting for mending, grain set; could be applied to cloth.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
am braiceas: Am braiceas: an lit is bainne fuar, an tí de bainne is siucar, píos de’n bhonnach arain le ím is jam is ma dh’fhaoidhte crioman de’n mulchag chaise; lit is bainne, sgon no aran coirce is ím.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an dile bhaite: very heavy rain.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
an dorus am muigh: Bha aon dorus air an taigh – sin air an taobh am muigh, ris an canamaid an dorus a [sic] muigh. Bha da ludagan iarainn air. 1. [refers to the illustration] toll airson na srang.
Origin: [Harris? – cf. ‘Taigh Croitear anns na Hearadh – an taigh anns an do rugadh mi.’]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
an duin’-iarainn: line-hauler.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an t-suirsde (f), suirsdeanan (pl): (An ‘r’ is often sounded in Tiree.) An iall (f) (de chraiceann caorach – the ‘iall’ was made of ‘sùgan’ in the distant past). Am buailtean (caltainn). An lacharan (m), lacharain (pl).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an tarraing: a chain that tied the harrow to the swingle trees.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an tarraing (tarraing a’ chruinn): the part to which main swingle tree is attached.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an tuaindeal: sturdy. Affected the brain of cattle and sheep. Cyst on the brain.
Location: North Uist, Scolpaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anail: nn f. ‘breath’: ‘s e a’ tarraing ‘ analach
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
aoineadh: downpouring of continous rain. “Di-haoine ghlac an t-aoineadh na bheul e.” Means that if heavy rain begins on Friday morning it will continue all day.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aonagrain: [w̃:ṉəɡɾɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: Tha an t-each dha aonagrain fhéin.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aotroman: a screw which could be tightened or loosened depending on whether you wanted coarse or fine grain.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
athaisg ’s tiaraineach – dianag: 2 yr old ewe.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ chruaidh: ’S e ‘a’ chruaidh’ a chanas na Nisich ris a’ bhunait, agus ‘a’ chruadhlach’ anns an Rudha ’s air na Lochan. (Rainis) “Rainig sinn a’ chruaidh (a’ chruadhlach) a’ buain.”
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ cruachadh: making medium-sized stacks on the banks and ‘slating’ the peats to throw off the rain, if the peats are being left on the banks for some time. Such stacks may sometimes be ‘thatched’ (air an tughadh) with turf (‘sgrathan’).
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ cuir a mach arain: rolling out dough.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ càthadh: [grain winnowing.]
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a’ furrain: as in someone being related to you. [NOTES: corrected to ‘a furain’ and a note added – “Chan eil mi furain riu idir.”]
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ gabhail a cotach: means that the sea will absorb all rain water. [NOTES: ‘cotach’ corrected to ‘codach’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ gearradh phuirt: process of making drains at the roadside so as to drain excess water off the road.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ taomadh: turning over soil for drainage of lazybed.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a’ taomadh a’ phuill: draining a bank.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ tarraing: hauling.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ tarraing feamainn: Transporting seaweed.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a’ tarraing na mòna: Origin: Camaschros an sgìre Shléite san Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ tarruing (tarrainn) na mònadh: getting the peat home (by lorry etc.).
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ togail nan claisean: Opening / clearing drains.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bacharainn: s shepherd or rustic type person.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bachrain: cows dung used as fuel e.g. in Tiree. Is it from Scots word ‘bachram’?
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bacstoc: informant not sure of meaning but quotes from a song – “Tha do bhàt air a’ bhacstoc, air a tarraing ’s an t-sìoban.”
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
badag chruaidh: small section of rainbow suspended in sky. Includes all rainbow colours. Generally seen in showery weather.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
bailc: [bɑlc] Quot.: bailc uisge. Note: a heavy plump of rain.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bailc (fem.): Notes: squally shower of rain.
Location: Lewis, Borve
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ball dobhrain: mole.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
ball-dobhrain: a wart like resemblance of a wart, but a birthmark.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
ball-dobhrain: freckles [sic]. [SLIP: ‘Freckle’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ball-dorain: mole.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
ball-dòbhrainn: [bɑɫd̪o:ɾɑ̃nʹ] Notes: mole on the face.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ball-dòrain: mole.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
ball-dóbhrain: spot, comharra air a chraiceann (beauty spot).
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ball-dóbhrainn: [bɑɫd̪o:ɾĩnʹ] Note: mole (on the skin).
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ball-seirc: beauty spot. “More associated with a beautify expression than ball-dobhrain” mark on the skin.
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ballt air a bheinn: rain cloud hovering above a hill.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balt: [bɑɫt̪] Quot.: balt uisge. Note: a heavy plump of rain.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baltag: Quot.: “baltag uisge”. Note: a heavy plump of rain.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barainneach (adj): [See bairneach.]
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
basadair: Deep drain with bad flow.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bealbh: sending word of warning. “Chan urrainn dhuinn a dhol sios gun bhealbh a thoirt do’n bhean taighe.”
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beart: Quotation: beart rainnich, fheòir, fhraoich, arbhair. Notes: a bundle tied with rope and carried on one’s back.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beithir: fork lightning, combined with rain. Could this be used also of an electric shower?
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beul furain: to welcome by word.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
bil(e): term associated with constructing cornstacks. As you prepare to taper off towards the top, a special layer of sheaves are laid right round the stack so that they protrude about six inches out from the stack. This allows the rain to run off. “Bil(e) a’ mhullain.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bla-laoghan: [bɫɑɫɤɣ:ɑṉ] Note: a small fish, rainbow coloured, about 6"-9" long, found inshore. Reddish overall with black stripes near tail. Term also applied to a person without refinement, a boor.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blaigheachais: a smattering of a foreign language. “Chan eil agam ach blaigheachas [sic] de Fhraingeis.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bliadhnach mult: (‘Bliadhnach muilt’ againne.) (Tiaraineach mult, chan eil.) (Cóig raitheach, sia raitheach, chan eil.)
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
bloineig-circe: rubbed on strained muscles.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
bloinig circe: hen’s fat also used to relieve strains. Also used for cuts, especially hacks on your hands (gàgan).
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bloiseag: [bɫ[ɤı]ʃəɡ] Quotation: Thàinig [bɫ[ɤı]ʃəɡ] dhan a’ ghrian. Notes: a short sunny interval between dull or rainy spells. Prob.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach sgilidh: an instrument used for shelling grain.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bogha frois: rainbow.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bogha-braon: rainbow.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bogha-frais: [boəfɾɑʃ] Notes: rainbow.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bogha-fras: Notes: rainbow.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bogha-froisg / -sig, -seadh: nn ‘rainbow’: ‘s e rud neònach a th’ ionnta cuideachd, bogha-froisig [sic] sa mhadainn ach ‘s e soighne stoirm a th’ ann agus am bogha-froiseadh feasgar __ {FMM] __ tha an t-sìde ‘ dol a bhith math [MAE]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
boinealaich: drops of rain in the wind. Tha boinealaich ann.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boinne taig: Notes: persistent drop of rain. Also used in an erotic sense of fluid appearing from penis in state of sexual arousal.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boinne taige: pitter patter, e.g. of drops of rain.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boinne-taige: Quot.: “Tha boinne-taig’ aice.” Note: said if one felt a few drops of rain. Also used for sweat. “Tha boinne-taige dheth le fallus.” or “Tha boinne-taige fon an t-sròin aige gun abhsadh” – drip at the end of his nose.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boinneagraich: [bonʹɑɡɾiç] Quot.: boinneagraich uisge. Note: light drops of rain.
Origin: Harris, Leverburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boinnealaich: [bonʹɑɫiç] Notes: drops of rain.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonn spuaichd: trifle of a coin. Cha torain bonn spuaichde air.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach arain: large scone divided into four and baked on a griddle or oven.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach-boise: Bonnach a bhiodh na cailleachan a’ deanamh air am bois agus ’g a bhruiche ri lic. (Leac, ’se sin leac-arain.) Bha bonnach aca ’s an Eilean Sgitheanach agus ’se ‘bonnach-luathadh’ a bh’aca air.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach-eanchainn: [bɔ̃n̪ɑxw̃ṉəxĩnʹ] Note: heard of this but not in memory as having been seen – brains of a sheep must have been used in it along with meal – oats or barley.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
borisgeach: (Uist) A man who is unable to conceal a thing. Duine nach urrain sìon a chleith.
Origin: [Skye]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brabhda arain: Pìos mór, mór de dh’aran.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brabht: [bɾ[ɤu̟]t̪] Quotation: Brabht arain. Notes: a large hunk of bread.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brachadh: drying in the wind and rain.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brad: Quotation: Tha ’m brad fearainn an sin. Notes: That is a good field there.
Location: Sutherland, Golspie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bragaire: Red-seaweed. Used for kelp making. Also for grain crops.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
braonan: Quotation: Tha braonan beag uisge ann. Notes: light rainfall.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breacadh a’ runnaich: scaly appearance of the clouds indicating rain. Usually seen in the evening. Like a mackerel’s back.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breacag: e.g. Dèan breacag arain. Make a bannock of bread.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breacag: breacag arain.
Origin: [Lewis]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
breacag arain: Origin: Uibhist a’ Deas [South Uist]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
breide murain: a collar for horses made of sea bent. Lighter and used during ploughing season.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bricein-caorainn: ring-ouzel. [NOTES: originally ‘bricean-caorain’. The original definition crossed out and replaced with ‘mountain finch’.]
Category: Eòin / Birds
brochan: Quotation: brochan càith. Notes: the husks were boiled and strained. Like pease broth and considered an excellent dish.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bràt: a measure of grain put on the wooden ‘ciullan’ in a kiln. Also used for a bedspread. [NOTES: corrected to ‘brat’.]
Location: South Uist, Frobost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bréid: “A’ cur bréid oirre” – air tearainneach, gus nach fhaigheadh an rùd air a reitheachd. Bréid mar an ceudna air uan-reith no rùd òg gus nach fhaigheadh e air reitheachd a dheanamh. Caora bho a cùlaobh. Bréid oirre (de phoca no de oighlisgean). Bréid air rùd (fo an mhionach).
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
buaile (f): fiughair ri uisge. The larger the halo is, the sooner rain can be expected.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
buailtean: used for beating the grain, to break off the husks.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buailtean: Quotation: am buailtean. Notes: the wooden part of the flail striking the grain.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buana, pl. buanachan: uaireiginn bha seann-daoine air a’ treòrachadh o thig [sic] gu tigh le cloinn gu bhi faodainn ‘deirig’ [?] neo greim bidhidh ’n uair nach robh e na comas dhaibh fhèin fhaodainn ’n uair nach robh duin ann a bhuineadh dhaibh gu sin a dheanamh. (2) Nuair a bha leithid seo de sheann daoine ’s nach b’ urrain dhaibh ach a dhol an eisimpleir chàich gu biodh sligh as fhosgladh dhaibh mar a bha ‘tighean air son na bochd neo tigh na bochd’. Bha ’m facal seo air a chleachdadh uaireiginn – ’s docha gu bheil e agaibh a cheana. [SLIP: Unclear, but connected with the time when old people, unable to fend for themselves and with no relatives of their own, would come to a house with children to get a bite to eat.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buirseach: Notes: (Uist word) regular downpour of incessant rain.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàthach: Quotation: claise na bàthcha. Notes: byre drain.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàthasdair: dangerous bog. It is to be avoided for stock safety. It is dangerous because it is situated in a place where the water cannot be drained off it.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bùtarras: a change in weather conditions bringing storm and rain. “Tha bùtarras orra a nochd.”
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cagailt: Quotation: corracha-cagailt [kɔrɑxəkɑɡilʹtʹ]. Notes: in the morning, when the mixture of ash and embers in the fireplace is raked with a poker one can see rainbow colours in the path of the poker.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caibe: Quotation: caibe-mór. Notes: drainage shovel.
Origin: Carradale area
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach-fiunndrain: [kɑlʹɑx fjũ̜n̪d̪ɾɑ̃nʹ] Notes: shellfish like the winkle but white.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
camhraich: after winnowing some of the grain was kept to be soaked in water for about two or three days. Thereafter it was sifted and boiled and left to form a jelly like substance. Eaten as a jelly, slightly bitter in taste.
Location: North Uist, Hoghagearraidh [Hougharry]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
can: vb ‘say’: vbl nn: chan urrainn dhomh a chanaint [xanit´]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
caol: Quotation: Ged a dheidhinn air mo cheann caol cha deanadh e a’ rud a dh’iarainn air. Notes: No matter what I did he wouldn’t carry out my request.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caorain: broken peat.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
caorain: mòine bhriste.
Origin: Borraraig [Skye, Boreraig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
caorain: small broken peats.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
caoran, caorain: small fragments of peat much sought after for heating purposes.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
caorann: broken peat (singular). Caorainn mhònadh (plural). [NOTES: the slip has ‘caoran’ – pl. caorainn mhònadh.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caraibhiag: rowanberry, perhaps a form of caorainn-mhiath. Pronounced likewise on Scalpay or may have been abbreviated likewise.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carbad: Quotation: casan-coirpte. Notes: shafts of light under the sun – indicates rain – usually at sunrise.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carcair: [kɑɾkəɾ] Notes: byre drain.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carcair: Notes: byre drain.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carcar: Notes: byre-drain. [NOTES: slipped under ‘carcair’.]
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cargair (an Nis): Leud an rùisg bho oir a’ phuill chun an riochaidh – an cumantas coig oirlich dheug. Cargur (anns an Rudha). Cargoir (na Lochan – Rainis).
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cargoir (na Lochan – Rainis): [See cargair.]
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
casan cainnaba: an indication of bad weather. Took the form of rays descending from the rain clouds and going past through the sun.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casan cainnbe: if the rays pointed down from the sun this indicated rain. If on the other hand they pointed upwards, strong winds would follow.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casan-cailbean: [kɑsəṉkɛlɛbɑ̃ṉ] Quot.: Tha casan-cailbean fon a ghréin. Note: spokes like cartwheel spokes radiating from the sun. Rain to come.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casan-coirpte: Notes: shafts of light under the sun – indicates rain – usually at sunrise.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathair-murrain: a wooden chair with a seat woven of morran grass.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cealla: [cɑɫə] Note: vent from the fire in the kiln to the “surrag” – the opening over which the grain was dried. [NOTE: a note added later – (I think this should be “tealla”.).]
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceallach: Quot.: a’ cheallach. Note: the fireplace in a grain kiln.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann: n. ‘head, start’.: bhiodh tu ’g obair fos do ch. mar seo; na seann òrain, tha iad a’ gabhail bho ch. gu ch.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
ceann dearg: a fragment of rainbow seen in the evening and taken as a sign of good weather to follow.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann deargain: part of a rainbow which was an indication of poor weather. Same as ‘adag chruaidh’ previously described.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann uachdair: (of barn) Upper end for preparing the corn and storing the grain.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ceann-caol: Quotation: Ged a dheidhinn air mo cheann caol cha deanadh e a’ rud a dh’iarainn air. Notes: No matter what I did he wouldn’t carry out my request.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-cuilg: Notes: a temporary top of hay put on a haystack in a hurry – if rain comes. Also applies to corn.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-snaidhm: Note: a cloud formation usually above the horizon. Strips of cloud coming together at one focal point. Could expect rain from this direction.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-teine: part of a rainbow.
Location: ? [Eriskay – see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceanna-caol: [cɛ̃n̪ɑkw:ɫ] Quotation: (1) “A’ seasamh air do cheanna-caol.” (2) Ged a sheasainn air mo cheanna-caol cha deanadh e nì a dh’iarrainn air. Notes: (1) Standing on one’s head. (2) Expression used when met by stubbornness in another person. [NOTES: slipped under ‘ceann-caol’.]
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceanna-cruaidh: Notes: short shaft of rainbow often seen in the morning. Could expect bad weather from that quarter.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannach-ruilleadh: Quotation: Chaneil air fhàgail ach am moll agus an ceannach-ruilleadh. Notes: only the chaff and small grains are left, i.e. the weaklings, etc. Ceannach-ruilleadh – in threshing, the mixture which went through the riddle into the second bag. Was put again through the riddles and the best part was put to the mill for meal. [NOTES: slipped under ‘ceannach’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap-iarainn: cobbler’s last.
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ceapan: [kʹiʼp̊ɑ̣˖n] Quotation: “Cumaidh a’ bhean sin ceapan air.” Notes: restraint, or a tether for small animals.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearc fearainn: extracted on tenant by proprietor of each ursainn, caora chàraidh, etc.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceilidh ceardaich: a saying for spending a rainy day indoors. [NOTES: corrected to ‘cèilidh ceàrdaich’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceòban: Notes: fine rain, drizzle.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cha ’eil eanchainn circe aige: void of ‘brains’, intelligence.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
chiad-tarrain: first draft [sic]. [See ciad-tarrain.] A term used in Harris in connection with the distilling of whisky, in particular on the Island of Pabbay off the west coast of Harris. [NOTES: slipped under ‘ceud-tarraing’. Definition: ‘First draught’ in whisky distilling.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciad-bhainne: the first milked ‘quantity’, flow ‘amount’ from the udder of the cow after calving, being of thicker form until the ordinary flow comes into a more liquid strain than the first setting.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciad-tarrain: first draft [sic].
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cidean: a grain.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cifeir: Quotation: cifeir uisge. Notes: drizzly rain.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cinn-dhearga: Notes: dogtooth rainbows.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciobhrainn: [cıvɾĩnʹ] Notes: bedcover.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciorrach min: fine rain.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cirain: a call to attract a ram’s attention. This word is repeated a number of times.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciste: Quotation: an ciste shiol. Notes: for storing grain.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciubharan: Quotation: a’ togail a ciubharain ris. Notes: phrase used of a woman ‘setting her cap’ at a man. Source: Catriona MacKay, Harris. Date: 1988.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciubhrach: [cu̟rɔx] Quotation: ciubhrach uisge. Notes: fine drizzly rain.
Origin: Tiree?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciuchar: Quotation: ciuchar uisge. Notes: fine rain.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciuchar: Quotation: ciuchar uisge. Notes: fine rain, drizzle.
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciurachan: light misty rain. Ciurachan uisge.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciurrach: a light shower of rain.
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciutharan: light rain. (Same word [as ciurachan above? not clear], spelling corruption.) Of a more heavier nature but ciùin [sic] – it may have developed from ciùin.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciutharanaich: [cu̟həɾɑ̃ṉiç] Notes: fine rain.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciutharanaich: [ˈcu̟həɾɑṉiç] Note: very fine, drizzly rain.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach eorna: this was a large rock found on croft land in which a large hole would be cut. This hole could accommodate a bucketful of grain which would be ground into flour or the husks taken off.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-bhoinne: Notes: lingering drops of rain at close of heavy shower.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clacharan (m), clacharain (pl): stonechat.
Origin: [Tiree]
Category: Eòin Thiriodh / Birds of Tiree
cladhan: Notes: byre drain.
Location: Ross-shire, Achnahaird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cladhan: [kɫɤɣɑṉ] Notes: byre drain.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clais: Quotation: clais na bathach. Notes: byre drain.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clais: nn f. [khʁ̫̻aʃ] ‘drain’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
clais: Notes: a drain.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clais: drainage.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clais: Ditch or drain.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
clais: Quotation: a’ chlais. Notes: the byre drain.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clais: drain between the two feannags.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
clais: Notes: byre drain.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claise: [kɫɑʃə] Notes: byre drain.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claiseag: wee trench, drainage, wee drainage. (dim.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliamh: riddle for grain.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath iarainn: Iron harrow – 6-7 sq. feet – required a pony to pull it. See dia [NOTES: probably refers to a diagram provided by the informant.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
clubht arain: a large piece of scone.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
clàr: nn ‘board, stretcher’: gen. pl.: tàilleir nan ~, theireadh iad leis: cha b’ urrainn dha coiseachd no sian
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cnotag: a sort of bra for spilling oats (a flat stone with a hold [sic] in it where the grain was put for spilling).
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnàimh bod an dòbhrain: dried otter’s penis-bone – chewed to relieve toothache.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
cnàmhanaich: Notes: complaining, like gearain.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Sydney Forks
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cochullan: a hairy outgrowth on head of grain.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coilair mùrain: a collar for horses made of sea bent. Lighter than a normal collar and used for ploughing. [NOTES: ‘mùrain’ corrected to ‘murain’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coilleag: Quot.: “coilleagan murain”. Note: Bernera, Harris. Sand dunes with sea-bent growing on them.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coirbte: Quotation: casan-coirpte. Notes: shafts of light under the sun, usually at sunrise – indicates rain.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
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
coltach: Quotation: Tha e coltach ris an uisg. Notes: “It looks as if it is going to rain.”
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhlach: Land last planted with grain.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
conortachd: the training of dogs.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
copan-cinn (m): brain-pan.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corracha-cagailt: [kɔrɑxəkɑɡılʹtʹ] Notes: in the morning, when the mixture of ash and embers in the fireplace is raked with a poker, one can see rainbow colours in the path of the poker.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corran (m), corrain (pl): sickle.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
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
cosg: vb. ‘cost; spend’ vbl. n. ~: bha e ’ ~ cus; an àm an t-samhraidh cha b’ urrainn do dhuine sam bith sin a ch.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
cot’-uachair: raincoat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
craingeal: a forever complainer, as ‘craingeal balach’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crainnseag: the thick, rubbery fat left at the bottom of a pan after melting.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann: Quotation: an crann. Notes: implement used to plough the grain on the malt flour. Rulled [sic] along behind.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann iarainn: Iron plough.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
crann tarrain: trenail.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann-arain: Quotation: an crann-arain. Notes: ‘The Plough.’
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann-tarrain: wooden nails for boat.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
craobh: Quot.: “Tha a chraobh aice.” Note: cloud formation like a tree seen in the southern sky in the early morning. Strong south wind with rain following.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creileag: Basket – used for carrying grain.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
criathar: [kriəhər] Notes: an instrument for separate [sic] grain and chaff, a sieve.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
criathar: Notes: riddle. An criathar mìn – for riddling the meal after coming from the mill. An criathar garbh – for riddling the grain.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
criathar: sieve. Circular wooden frame. Skin – perforated to allow grain to fall through. [NOTES: spelled ‘criothar’ in the illustration.]
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
criathar-tomhais: Notes: a “criathar” without holes used as a measure for grain or meal. A bushel.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crimeagan arain, buntata bruich: scraps [fed to cattle].
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
critheanach: Quotation: a’ chritheanach. Notes: in both cattle and sheep. Water on the brain. The animal went blind and went round in circles. (Cf. an critheanach – AMI, Islay.)
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croit an fhearainn: a sort of dance. See Caraid nan Gaidheal p. 398.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crom: adj. ‘bent’: bha e ~: cha b’ urrainn dhaibh a lùbadh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cromag tarraing: hooks on harness. [NOTES: originally ‘tarruing’.]
Location: [Lewis], Stornoway
Category: Uidheamachd Eich / Horse Harness
cruach stéidhidh: a very big heap of peats with the outside layer carefully built, one peat overlapping another like slates of a house, to ward off the rain. When a year’s supply is carted home, it is finished off in this manner, although some people favour the ‘side on’ method of ‘stéidheadh’, e.g.
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cruadhlach: terrain.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuibhteachadh: “Cha robh sinn air cuibhteachadh ris an tigh nuair a thàinig an t-uisge.” – Hadn’t got clear of the house when the rain came on.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuimhne: n. ‘recollection’: chan eil gin do rhymes agam air ch.; tha òrain agam air ch.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
cuineal: [kũ̟nʹɑɫ] Quot.: Tha e an còmhnaidh a’ cuineal. Note: a’ gearain.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuip: Quotation: cuip mór. Notes: draining spade.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir-bhiodag: [ku̜ɾvid̪ɑɡ] Quotation: Chaneil mi dol a mach tuilleadh ged a bhiodh cuir-bhiodag ann. Notes: weather – talking about taking the calves in from the cold wind and rain.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuirich: light rain, usually with mist.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
cuitear: [sic] [ku̜ʰtʹər] drain.
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
curainn de’n t-sioda: plaits of silk. [NOTES: ‘curainn’ corrected to ‘cùrainn’.]
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
currain: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
currain nan each: a carrot-shaped weed given to horses as food. Found on the machair.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
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
càbhail: sound caused by a person with his breath; shortness of breath. Tiredness, influence on the breath, strain. Chluinneadh tu e cabhail [sic].
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càirainn: gum. [NOTES: note added above ‘càirainn’ – ‘càirean’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càraich: vb. ‘set off, move’: past: ch. e rithe leatha ‘he made off with her’ [the train]; ch. [h̥a:ŕiç] mi rithe a-null
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
càrain: [kɑ:ɾɑnʹ] Notes: gums. [NOTES: slipped under ‘càirean’.]
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cìpich: confine, constrain.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cò: interr. pron. ‘who, what?’: fear a thàinig às na States' 'm bith cò àite; ~ an srainnseir a thigeadh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
còpar uisge: flooding of a bit of land with which a drain cannot cope.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùlainn doireann: the equivalent of ‘adag chruaidh’. Part of a rainbow. Indicated bad weather. [NOTES: note added above ‘cùlainn’ – cuilean.]
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùpa an strainnsair: literally the stranger’s cup. Teapot instead of containing 3 cups for a family of 3 would instead contain 4 cups.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
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
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
dean: plump of rain. “Nach i rinn an dean uisge.” [NOTES: corrected to ‘deann’.]
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deann: Quotation: Tha e a’ tighinn na dheannan. Notes: sheets of rain sweeping before the wind.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deann: a large plump of rain.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deargan-donna: [dʹʒɛɾɑɡɑ̃ṉd̪on̪ə] Notes: small rainbow, usually a sign of change of weather. (donna < doinneann?)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dearsach: associated was [sic] [with?] vast quantities of rain. “Bha an dìle ’s an dearsach ann.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deig: usually a “leader” into which other drains ran.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
deàrrsach: [dʹɑ:ʴsɑx] Quotation: deàrrsach uisge. Notes: a heavy downpour of rain. Deàrrsadh na gréine. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deàrrsach (f): Quotation: Tha ’n deàrrsach ann an dràsda. (uisge) Notes: very heavy rain.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dil: [dʹil] Note: a covered drain under the floor of the blackhouse.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dileadh: [dʹıləɣ] Note: a drain dug down the centre of the house floor and covered with flat stones. The outlet was at the end of the byre.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dileadh: a drain leading out from the byre (I think).
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
dileadh a’ phuill: the bank drain. After the ‘ceap’ [q.v.] has been turned over along the whole length of the poll, the ‘ceap’ is transferred to the ‘dileadh’.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
diocla: an exceptional [sic] heavy downfall of rain.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
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
dlòth: Quotation: air a dhlòth. Notes: e.g. grain laid in an orderly swathe after the mower.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dobhrainn: Notes: pain. Used preferably to “pian” (q.v.) in Islay for ordinary physical pain.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dobhrainn: Quotation: ’S ann agam a tha ’n dobhrainn unnad [?]. Notes: You’re a trial to me.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorainn: Quotation: Nach tu tha ’nad dhorainn. Notes: panic.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorsaireachd: literally walking between doors. Not going further than your house. Would be used on a rainy day when outdoor work was cancelled. “Cha robh mi ach a dorsaireachd mun taigh fad an latha.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drabhcail: [d̪ɾɑu̜kəl] Quot.: “drabhcail beag uisge”. Note: fine, drizzly rain. Drabhcraich also used. A’ drabhcail (verb).
Origin: Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drabhcair: Quotation: drabhcair beag uisge. Notes: a little drizzly rain.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreanaichean (f): drains.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
drein: (f) Drain between crofts.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
dreine: Drain.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
drena: an open drain.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
drena douit: closed drain – stone channels. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
drena vootach: not common. Constructed in peaty soil. They dug until the peat was reached – about 18" wide and a peat was then lifted out of the centre about 9" wide, using a double bladed “tusker”. This was then covered with a heather sod and filled up. These drains lasted many years. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
dreolann: [drewɫɑṇ] tir na dreolainn, gleann a’ mhurain.
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drèan: Drain. [NOTES: spelled ‘drean’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
drèin: drain.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drèin: Drain. [NOTES: spelled ‘dreine’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
drèin: Drain.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
drèine: Notes: drain.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drùidh: Notes: drain.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drùim ruadh: a ridge, slope with reddish soil. Trace of moraine, clay.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Ardivachar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duin-iarainn: Notes: capstan.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duine crainntidh: a temperamental man likely to snap at the slightest intimidation.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàn: Quotation: “Ciamar a tha sibh an diugh?” “O, ’s dàn a bhi a’ gearain.”
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìg: A ditch constructed to drain a loch or marsh. E.g. an dig [sic] mhór – to drain Loch Hastin.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
dìle-bhàite: unusual heavy shower. [SLIP: Unusually heavy shower of rain.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìobradh: Quotation: uisge gun (d)ìobradh. Notes: unceasing rain.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìobradh: Quotation: Chaneil dìobradh air. Notes: used of incessant rain.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìocladh: Notes: cessation in heavy rain – short break; a short, dry interval between showers.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dínneir: Dínneir, Tràth meadhoin latha: brot air a dheanamh de sùgh mhuilt-fheòil, rabaid no maigheach is eòrna, cúrain is càil as a gharadh is neaban as an achadh; feall phronn na bhonnaichean beaga; pudding air a dheanamh le sìl mar “rice” agus bainne. Nuair a bhiodh feoil gann, bhiodh buntàta is bainne, slaman is uachdar. Cha robh a chlann déidheil air a bharaille sgadain sailte. Corro uair thigeadh each is cairt an rathad le sgadan úr agus cairt eile le feòil. As a Ghearasdan thigeadh cairtean le gach seàrsa de bhiadh aran as na búithean.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòdaman (m): Quotation: “Dìodaman, dòdaman, cota beag dubh, trì chasan iarainn (?) is ceann beag fiodh.” Notes: top.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrlach: handful of oatmeal, grain etc.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
dùdan: Note: dust coming off kiln-dried grain (barley). (After the barley grain was dried it was flailed on the floor to take off the “calg” [q.v.].)
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùraig: Quotation: Mo thruaighe bean a leanabh bhig, / Nach urrainn ruith ’s nach dùraig fhàgail. – dare not risk leaving him. Cha b’u dùraig dha dhol a steach. – He would not dare risk going in.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
each iarainn: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
each-iaruinn: symbolical name for a train.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eachtrainn: old tales, history (Kintyre).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadhon: advb ‘even’ : ~ [jɔwin] nam biodh fhios agaibh air faclan an òrain; ~ sa [jo.sə] latha an-diugh; tha feadhain ~ [i̯u-ɪn] a’ driveadh às a seo gu Sydney
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
eallacol: bits of peat – akin to ‘caorain’ – which dry on the face of the bank, or in gashes and holes in the bank, and used to be gathered, of old, when stocks of peat were running low.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
easach: Notes: gruel. Oatmeal and water or milk – left to set and then drained. Put in a pan, boiled, then sugar and butter put on it.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eideag: sore, sprained wrist.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eirinn fhraing: wooden nail, perhaps.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eisreadh: Quotation: Leac an eisridh. Notes: the stone flags in the stalls beside the drain. Water ran down between these stones and into the drain.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eòrna: Quotation: tigh an eòrna. Notes: the grain loft in distilleries.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fad: n. ‘length’: bha e ceithir cheud is dà fhichead troigh a dh’fhad; ’s ann aire sin ’ bha mise ’g obair fh. ’s a bha mi shìos; mholadh e thu ~ an òrain
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
fail: Quotation: a’ faileadh muic. Notes: a pig was killed by knifing it below the neck and allowing it to run round until the blood drained from it. It was then covered with straw and boiling water poured over it, then shaved.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falbh: Quotation: Fhalbh’s tarraing! [hɑɫɑst̪ɑriɡʹ]. Notes: e.g. when someone asks one to do something and one is not going to entertain the request. “Fhalbh’s tarraing! Dean fhéin e!” Or when someone tries to put something across that one doesn’t believe. More or less the equivalent of “You’re joking!”
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farainneach: remote, distant. Similar to ‘faraileach’ given by Mr A. MacLellan, Tigharry.
Location: North Uist, Scolpaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fasgan: Grain sieve; fan.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feadan: Quotation: am feadan. Notes: hole in the byre wall to let out the water from the drain.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fealg: obstructions such as those that clog up drains or streams.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamainn chirain: short, stubby seaweed taken from rocks. Boiled and mixed with flour. Given to animals as a vitamin. [NOTES: ‘chirain’ corrected to ‘chìrein’.]
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamainn dhearg: Red seaweed. Types: (a) smotan – red seaweed (used for potatoes). (b) langadal – long seaweed growing on far-out rocks. Used for grain crops (barley and oats). (c) bragaire – used for kelp making. Also for grain crops.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
fearann: nn ‘land’: mar gun canadh tu cùl na fearainn [FMM]; gen. pl.: bràigheannan nam ~;
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
fearann: Quotation: “Cuir barrachd fearainn air” or “Thoir dheth fearann”. Notes: term used when adjusting the width of the furrow by means of the “smuiseal”.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feur-tarraing: Notes: teazed hay, used for roofing the sìg. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feurainn: [See feòrainn.]
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feòirinn: [See feòrainn.]
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feòrainn: a smooth grassy shore.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiacail: [fıɤxkılʹ] Quotation: Tha fiacail anns an àirde tuath. Notes: a short length of rainbow said to indicate an imminent storm. (Usually seen to the north – DMM.)
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiacaill-mhara: Notes: short rainbow supposed to portend stormy weather. ‘Dog’s tooth.’
Location: Spean Bridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiaghan: dish into which curds are put to drain.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
fiasag nan gobhar: a weather indicator similar to ‘breacadh an runnaich’ previously described. Followed by rainy weather.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fidheadh-ball-is-corain: a weaver’s pattern, tweed pattern.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiodh-trasda: Notes: cross-grain wood.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fionn-raineach: Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fir chlisne: northern lights. When seen bad weather was expected – wind, rain or snow.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiteagan murain: patches of sea bent. [NOTES: note added above ‘t’ in ‘fiteagan’ – d.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fliona: Notes: what you see coming from the sky. Mixture of snow and rain.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fo: prep. 'under’: nuair a dh’èirich e fon bhòrd; 3m.: fo: chan urrainn dha ‘ chasan idir a chur fodha; [= bho]prep. 'from’: nuair a dh’èirich e fon bhòrd;
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
fodrainn: footering about.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fothairidh: a revolution or rebellion. “Dìreach mar a bha fothairidh thall ’s an Fhraing.”
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frachd: [fɾɑk] Note: says this was grain given in part payment for rent long ago.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frainneach: [fɾɑ̃nʹɑx]
Origin: Camusluanie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fras-uisge: shower of rain.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
freagair: vb ‘answer’ : vbl nn.:cha b’ urrainn do dhuine an ùirne a fhreagairt ‘s càch a’ gàireachdainn [FMM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
freumh: nn root’: pl.: agus na ~aichean a tharraing aiste
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
fuaradh froise: strong gusts of wind prior to heavy shower of rain. Usually experienced from mid January to mid February.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaraich: drops of rain dripping through the thatch.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
furrain: to relate, get on with people.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàd a’ chaorain: [See an caoran]
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
fàs: adj. ‘empty, deserted’: air bailtean ~, srainnseirean
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
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: Quotation: Feumaidh sinn gabhail man a’ chruaich mas tig an uisge or Feumaidh sinn gabhail uimpe. Notes: We’ll have to get the stack properly completed and secured before the rain comes.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gad: Quotation: gad iarainn. Notes: an iron rod.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
gamhrain: young mischievous children.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garralach: rough ground, terrain.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garran: [ɡɑrɑṉ] Quot.: “Dean suidhe, a’ gharrain ghràinnde air do chasan!” Note: brat.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gealbhan: Notes: the fire in the kiln for drying the grain.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gibeag murain: six or eight of these bundles needed to make a horse’s collar.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gidhir: [ˈɡiəɾ] Notes: a sprain in the wrist.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gille-millain: spinning top. Variant on ‘gille mirain’. [NOTES: ‘millain’ corrected to ‘millein’ and ‘mirain’ to ‘mirein’.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gilleacha fionndrainn: periwinkle.
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giobagan murain: Bent-grass used for covering the tops of stacks.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
giùbhrainnean: [ɡʹu̟:ɾɑ̃nʹəṉ] Notes: barnacles usually found attached to the hulls of boats. Also on planks washed ashore.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giùrain: barnacles. [NOTES: slipped under ‘giùrain (pl)’.]
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrìgh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
giùrain: gills.
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
giùran: Wood barnacle. Nuair a bhios pios fiodha fada a’ seoladh anns a’ chuan bidh giùrain a’ fàs air. Sin an t-ainm a th’aca orra an Nis. Bha daoine a’ smaoineachadh gum biodh iad a’ fàs na’n geòidh, a chionn gu bheil an t-slige aca air chumadh gob geòidh agus is e ‘na geòidh’ a bhiodh againn orra an ceann shios an Rudha. Chanadh fear shios an sin, “Cha tug mi dhachaidh am maide a thàinig air tir oir bha e air itheadh aig na geòidh.”
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
glutach: [ɡɫu̜t̪ɑx] Notes: describing a sky full of threatening rain-clouds.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glutadh: Note: sediment in a drain.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gnòmhan: (Staffin, Skye) In Skye this word has the extra meaning of humming, gnòmhan òrain.
Origin: [Skye]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goireadhasach: used for a windy, rainy day.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gorm: Quotation: Rinn mi ri gorm cho luath ’s a b’urrainn mi.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grain-cuirp: [sic] [hatred] of a milder form [than gràin an aman [sic] q.v.]. [NOTES: slipped under ‘gràin-cuirp’. Definition: Extreme hate – but milder than ‘gràin an anma [sic]’ qv.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
graine dubh: a black stalk of corn in a field of growing oats.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
graingealach: complainer, ‘especially in the way of sickness’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
grainneach: [ɡɾɑ̃nʹɑx] Notes: crabbit. Lewis: [ɡrɑ̃n̪ɑx].
Origin: Kinlochourn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
granc (adj): sour, bitter (as person); graince (f).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grimire: fear a bhios a grimeadh air falbh rudan, a criomadh piosan arain. From greim. [NOTES: the last piece of information added on one of the following pages, see below.]
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
griomhadh: covering the top of the stack with turf and having all the sides sloping so that the rain wouldn’t penetrate so much into the middle of the stack.
Location: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gràin: [ɡɾɑ̃:nʹ] Notes: grain in wood.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gràinean: Quotation: an gràinean. Notes: the grain in wood. Gràinean dlùth/teann – close (trees in cool climate). Gràinean fosgailte – open (trees in hot climate).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gràinnseachadh: making oats into grain.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gràn: [ɡɾɑ̃:ṉ] Note: grain after being dried in the kiln.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gràn-as-a-chochull: grain from the husk.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
gràn-innseanach: maize (meal) grain. They used to give such to hens (Scalpay).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
guitair: a drain around the house to drain off excess water.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guitear: Notes: byre drain.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guitear: Note: byre drain.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guitear: Notes: the channel by which the water from the byre drain was let out through the wall.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guitear: [ɡu̜tʹɑð] Note: a drain dug just inside the wall in a blackhouse, covered with flat stones, to collect any seepage through the wall.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guitear: [ɡu̟tʹɑɾ] Notes: exit of byre drain through the wall.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gun: prep. ‘without; not’: bha na h-òrain air an dèanamh airson sin, gun ai’son sian eile
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
gurrain: [ɡurɑ̣˖nʹ] Notes: a pimple.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guth: nn ‘voice’ : cha b’ urrainn dhomh ~ a ghràdhainn ri gin diubh; chaidh gearradh a dhèanamh air mo cheann an latha seo ach cha robh ~ agam ‘no harm’; chan eil guth sgoileadh agam; thuiginn a chuile ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
gàd-iarainn: iron length.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gòrach: adj. ‘foolish’ : bha sin ga tharraing a-nuas agus bha chuile duine ~; tha mis’ ‘ dol ‘ ghràdhainn gur ann ~ ‘ tha thusa
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
gùirain: sligean cruaidh a gheibhear air fiodh air an tràigh.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
hug is oireann: refrain. Thug e hug is oireann air. – giving a good backing, an energetic approach to anything. In another form: Cha b’fhiach e óró gheallaidh…
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iacladh: Quotation: Cha do rinn e iacladh turaidh an diugh. Notes: a short break in a rainy day.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarainn shiubhalan: Also iaruinn tharruing. Travellers. [NOTES: spelled ‘iaruinn shiubhalan’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ineachin: [ɪṉəxiṉ] Notes: the brain.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
inne: [ĩnʹə] Notes: byre drain.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
inneal-tarraing: Quotation: Chan eil an t-inneal-tarraing aice. Notes: She has no sex-appeal. Dw. has inneal-tarruing, but only in the sense of ‘capstan’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iobradh: Quotation: iobradh beag turaidh. Notes: short dry spell on a rainy day.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iol-shìtheadh: a grain of peace. Cha tàinig iol-shìtheadh oirre o chaidh iad a stigh.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
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
jemmadh: means a fragment. “Chan eil agam ach jemmadh de Fhraingeis.”
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lamaisteachadh: being weather, influenced not weather-beaten or being under the weather but being out in bad weather, soaked and fighting against the wind and rain, perhaps you could say in a sense weather-beaten. Weather-beaten ‘dreach nan sion’, a mariner or a sea-farer is always referred to as when having very fresh complexion as being weather-beaten.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
langadal: Long seaweed growing on far-out rocks. Used for grain crops (barley and oats).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
laomadh: Quotation: Tha ’m buntàta air laomadh. Notes: used of any crop that has fallen with wind and/or rain.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
latha eadar ath thighinn: describes a day which could be sunny in the morning, but would be blowing a gale or raining by the afternoon.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
latha milleteach fuar: a cold wintry day characterised by sleet and rain. [NOTES: note added above ‘milleteach’ – meilideach.]
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabaidh-rainich: fern bed. As far as I understand, fern (‘raineach’) was in this case, as above mentioned, a factor in collecting insects or fleas. The ‘raineach’ generally, which accounts for all species.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabhainn: grain loft inside a mill.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabhar-òrain: songbook.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac: Quotation: leac an eisridh. Notes: the stone flags in the stalls beside the drain. Water ran down between these stones and into the drain.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac-arain: contraption made by wire, etc. with a flat iron or tin [sic] on which in particular oatcakes are held to the fire for ‘cooking’.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac-arain: for holding the bannocks to the fire for cooking in the open fireplaces of the black-houses.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac-arain: flat stone for supporting the bread being baked.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leigeil an uisge a poll: draining a peat-bank.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
leigeil na feamainn: (le corain) Cutting seaweed from rocks.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
leine-chubhrainn: shroud.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leubhainn: a grain loft in a mill. Children not encouraged to play here in case they fell.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lig air: let it out, drain it.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lion an daiman allaidh: usually seen in the late afternoon. A pattern of light lines is visible on the grass. Indicative of rain to follow.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lipinn: [lʹiçpĩnʹ] Notes: a small box 8"-10" sq. at the top tapered to 6" sq. at the base. It was used as a measure for grain when feeding horses.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luachran (m), luachrain (pl): ringed plover.
Origin: [Tiree]
Category: Eòin Thiriodh / Birds of Tiree
ludair: [ɫu̜d̪əɾ] Notes: stir up, mix up liquid. Also “Fhuair e ludradh” – he got a severe shaking or said of a person who came home very wet, caught in a very heavy shower of rain.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lunnan: cur fo’n an eathar ’na tarraing.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lus na Frainge: tansy. Boiled and according to tradition used by the Vikings to keep their skins white.
Location: North Uist, Blàsheabhal [Blashaval]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lus na Frainge: a fragrant green plant often found in stackyards.
Location: South Uist, Frobost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lus na Frainge: tansy.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lus-na-Fraing: Notes: tansy.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lus-na-Fraing: Note: tansy.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lus-na-Frainge: mint, used to flavour tea.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lus-na-Frainge: French weed. Were hung in a place where flies congregated, thus potentially deterrent.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
làir-cheaba: Notes: a draining spade.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làn dùrna: handful of oatmeal, grain etc.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
làn-spars: boastful ‘refrain’, antics.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lìopain: a dry measure of flour and grain.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lìopain: dry measure used for flour and grain. Not sure of exact measurement.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lìpidh: [lʹı:pi] Note: a measure used in measuring quantity of grain. (Dw.: lìpinn – quarter peck, “lippy”.)
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lòdachadh: Quotation: a’ lòdachadh an àth. Notes: loading the kiln with grain.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-raing: Notes: slat running along the length of the sides of the boat. Seats rest on it.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-raingis: [mɑ̃dʹər[ɑ̃ĩ]ɡɑʃ] Notes: wooden slat running along sides of a boat. Seats rest on it.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-starrain: a plank used as a bridge to cross a stream.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maoidhteach: mean, stingy. In reference to landlords. “B’e sud na h-uachdrain mhaoidhteach.”
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mart trì foil: Bog bean. Cattle – constipation. Boiled and then strained. Known as ‘tribhealach’ (also taken as tonic by people when mixed with lucozade and/or shandy, etc.)
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
mathair uisge: a large ditch which carried the water of other drains/ditches towards the sea.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meabain: urchin or a wet untidy fellow. Tha thu air do mheabaineachadh – like somebody who has been out in the rain.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meall: for a shower of rain.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mileadh: [mĩləɣ] Quot.: “a’ mileadh a’ ghràin”. Note: milling the grain.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
milisteach: applied to a day in which you had rain, wind and sleet.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
min: n. ‘dust; powder’: bha sin a’ tarraing suas fiodh mineadh, fad a’ gheamhraidh; ~ sàibh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
moine chruaidh dhubh: heavy type of peat; very good for heat, but inclined to crumble during dry [sic] process if exposed to sun and rain.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moll: Quotation: Chaneil air fhàgail ach am moll agus an ceannach-ruilleadh. Notes: only the chaff and small grains are left, i.e. the weaklings, etc.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muileann: Quotation: A h-uile duine a tarraing uisge dha mhuileann fhéin. Notes: every man for himself.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muir-dhorcha: dark coloured sea, of a dark brownish colour due to rainwater by the shore, only showing by the shore where the sea is shallow.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
murrainneach: Quot.: “tìde mhurrainneach”. Note: close, oppressive weather. (Same as ‘bruthainneach’.)
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muthachd: grass or corn that had absorbed too much rain water thereby rendering it of inferior quality. Would not be eaten by cows.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màm: a palm-full of grain more customary as màm sil. Also mam [sic] for a squat hill.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
na h-iarain stiurach: gutchets [?] and pintons [?]. [gudgeons and pintles?]
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
nuarranda: used for a windy, rainy day.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
obair: nn f. ‘work’ : chan urrainn dhomhsa ìnnse dè ‘n ~ anns a robh e; vbl nn : ‘s e ag ~ ‘s a’ cur a-mach a theanga; bha ‘ phìob ag~ ; bha cèilidh ann, ceòl is pìobaireachd is dannsadh, dh’fhàg sinn ag ~ e; nuair a chaidh iad a dh’~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
opar: possibly hopper – in the mill where the grain is poured to be ground by the bra (the grinding stone).
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oraid-fhocal: refrain, chorus.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
paileirìn: cleòca boireannaich; bhon Bheurla ‘pelerine’, bhon Fhraingis ‘pèlerine’.
Location: [various]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pallagan: mortar used for pounding grain into meal.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peice: a bucketful of grain. This was the pay given to the mill keeper.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peighinn: pennyland. Peighinn-na-h-Aoire – place-name, perhaps comes into this definition of the pennyland system of the tacksmen [see peighinn-fearainn]. The island of Scalpay, Harris, was recognised as coming into the category of a pennyland, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peighinn-fearainn: pennyland. The old term way of approaching rent and land system of measurements and tacksmen way of thing as we say.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pill fhasgnaidh: The ‘sheet’ kept under the grain during the winnowing process. [NOTES: spelled ‘pill-fhasgnaidh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
pillean: a discarded item of clothing left to rot outside in the rain.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plom: Quotation: plom uisge. Notes: a plump of rain.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plàta: Notes: home-made bag made of sea-bent for taking grain to the mill.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plàtaichean murain: grain carried in these home-made sacks to the mill.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Trianaid House
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
port a rathaid: drain on the roadside to allow water to run off.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pràbladh: Quot.: “An urrainn dhuit a’ Ghàidhlig a leughadh?” “Ni mi pràbladh math oirre co-dhiùbh.” Note: a fairly good attempt.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
put’-iarrain: trawl galvanized float for nets. [SLIP: ‘Galvanized float’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pùireadh: Quotation: Tha e a’ pùireadh uisge. Notes: it is pouring rain (local).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raineach: fern. Was used to contribute in a mattress form of packing for beds in sheilings, makeshift beds; fishermen of old used it, when their periodical residence was a sheiling (Harris). (The ‘raineach’ generally, which accounts for all species.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raineach: bracken.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raing: [rɛ̃ŋ] Quot.: na rangan [rɑ̃ɣəṉ]. Note: rib in a boat.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raing: Quot.: rangan stòbhaig [rɛ̃ɣəṉ sṯɔ:viɡ]. Note: ribs put in a boat by steaming them and pressing them down into the boat’s shell to take the shape of the boat.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raing: [rɛ̃ŋɡ] Note: rib of a boat. (Plural – [rɛ̃ɣəṉ].)
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raingeis: [rɛŋɡʹɑʃ] Note: a very small fish of triangular cross section, flat underside with a sucker on its underside which enables it to attach itself to rocks.
Origin: Uig
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
rainneach: [rɛ̃ṉɔx] Note: bracken. (Pronunciation.)
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raonabal: rain-bow.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raonabogh: rainbow.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raonapo: [rɤ̃:ṉəpo] Notes: rainbow.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reithe, bliadhnach reithe: Tha seo againn. Ach chan eil ‘aona bhliadhnach reithe’. No ‘tiaraineach’, ‘tiarainneach [sic] rùid’. Ach tha ‘tiaraineach’ aca ann an Càrlabhagh, mur a h-eil anns na h-àiteachan eile sìos an shòs sin. Tiaraineach rùid. Chan eil ‘tiaraineach’ againne ach air creutar boirionn.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
ri: prep.[‘engaged in; acquiring’]: tha iad ~ fortan an-diugh ‘s gun iad a’ dèanamh na h-obrach; cha do dh’fhalbh duine ri acras riamh; 3f.: well, an ath election ' bhios mise rithe [train]; agus bha tè eile rithe, fhios agaibh, dìreach; 3pl.:cha robh sian a’ tighinn riutha;
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
ri mir an uisge: at the height of the rain.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ri mir an uisge: in the height of the rain.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riag: a copy. “Am b’urrainn dhomh riag dhe sin fhaighinn.”
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riof fhìarain: a reef which lessened the sail in high winds.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ro-shùraineach: very skilled.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rolair tarrain: hauling roller (on large, steam or motor drift-net boats only).
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
ruaig: a shower of rain.
Location: Ross-shire, Muir-of-Ord
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruaimleachadh: A ribald ‘oran basaidh’ recorded at a luadhadh in Uist in 1951: Hug hoireann ó, ’s e m’aighear i (ABA refrain) / ’S e Raghnall théid a laighe leat / ’S e … C. a fhuair thu / ’S e Iain Nill Mhoir a nì do ruaimleachadh (as far as I can make out). Have you instances of ‘ruaimleachadh’ in this sense?
Location: Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruisidhean: in the sense of giving someone a telling off. “Thug mi ruisidhean air.” Also in the sense of gathering loose peats. “Chaidh mi mach dhan bheinn ’s thug mi ruisidhean air na caorain a chruinneachadh.”
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rulladh: separating the barley grain from the chaff – an operation quite different from that of winnowing oats as barley chaff is heavier and does not so readily ‘go with the wind’.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
rulladh: Quotation: a’ rulladh [ru̜ɫəɣ]. Notes: riddling grain, etc. [ru̜lʹəɣ] also used.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rèileadh: whipping. ’G a rèileadh timchioll le straing.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròsaid: a resin obtained from trees and put on wool. Prevented lice and rain penetrating the skin.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùdhadh: setting the peats up on end in groups of five or six, with one peat flat over the top of the others, like a ‘crom-lech’ to ward off the rain, a kind of cap. Each group is a ‘rùdhan’. This is called ‘fittin’’ the peats in Kintyre. A lady from Shetland visiting recently used this term fittin’ – probably from ‘footing’.
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rùdhadh: ’S e a’ cheud togail an rùdhadh – ceithir fòid gan cur ’na seasamh an taca r’a cheile, ’san coigeamh fàd ’na bhonaid orra. Obair dhórainneach do dhruim an ana-cleachdaidh.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rùsgadh: A’ rùsgadh na talmhainn bharr uachdar a’ phuill gu’m faigheadh tu an riasg glan. An uair sin bha thu deiseil airson tòiseachadh a’ buain. Leud an rusgaidh: Airson poll dhà fhad, dà throigh (2'). Airson poll thrì fad, troigh gu leth (1½'). Ach airson poll ùr ann an lèana b’e leud fad spaide an leud bu lugha a dh’fheumadh a bhith ann. Bha seo airson na’n deadh ainmhidh do an pholl gu’m biodh rùm aige airson tionndadh. (lagh an fhearainn no lagh an uachdarain). Doimhne an rùsgaidh: Gu robh thu a’ faighinn an réisg glan.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sadruich: Quot.: “Tha sadruich uisge ann.” Note: short passing showers of fine rain blown by the wind.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
samhach: n. ‘handle’: cha b’ urrainn dhut ~ tuagh a dhèanamh dheth
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
scossig: a sprain. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
scraing: Nach ann ort a tha an ‘scraing’. – facial expression.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
scraing: frown.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
scraing: frowning expression.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
scrainnseal: a scolding. Thug mi scrainnseal air. (Harris)
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
scrainnsear: scroucher [sic] [scrounger?].
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sean-eachtrainn: history, old tales (Kintyre).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sean-eachtrainn: [See eachtrainn.]
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seannas: Like honeysuckle. For constipation in cattle and other stomach upsets. Leaves and roots boiled and then strained.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
seic: [ʃec] Note: a large bag, made of woven straw, used for taking grain to the kiln. Carried on the back with a rope round it and round the chest. Held about quantity of two ordinary bags.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgadan malcaidh: herring de-scaled through excessive contact with rain or seawater in hold.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
sgallachan a’ dearrsadh anns a’ ghrein: indicative of rainy weather. In this instance the rocks were called ‘sgàthain’ glistening in the sun. [NOTES: ‘dearrsadh’ corrected to ‘deàrrsadh’ and ‘ghrein’ to ‘ghrèin’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaomaire: a feather-brain?
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgarrach: [sɡɑrɑx] Notes: half snow, half rain.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgian: Quotation: sgian tharraing. Notes: the draw knife – predecessor of the spoke-shave.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgian-arain: bread-knife.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiansgaradh: threatening overhead conditions with rain clouds about to break.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiathachadh: Quot.: “Tha sgiathachadh turaidh ann.” Note: rain progressively lessening to no rain at all.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgil: Quotation: a’ sgileadh an t-sìl. Notes: “shelling” the grain in the mill.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgil: [sɡʹıl] Quot.: a’ sgileadh an t-sìl. Note: grain put in a bucket and beaten with a spade to get rid of the “calg”.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgileadh: [sɡiləɡ] Quotation: a’ sgileadh. Notes: shelling grain.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgileadh: [sɡʹiləɡ] Notes: the husk taken off the grain before grinding.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgioba buain mhònach: the working team consisting roughly of nine. This was considered capable of cutting fuel for one year for one household: ceithir iarainn agus duine rùsgadh.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgiuchadh (m): Notes: sprain.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgochadh: sprain.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
sgoid: Quot.: “a’ dol fo sgòid [sic] umbrella, na rud sam bith”. Note: sheltering from rain.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoil-fhonn: school for teaching musical refrains.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgraing: a scowl.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
sgraing: Quotation: Sin a’ rud a chuir sgraing air. Notes: loathing.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgraing: Quotation: Nach ann ort a tha an sgraing. Notes: facial expression.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgraing: frown.
Location: Harris, Cluer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgraing: Quotation: Nach seall thu a’ sgraing a th’air a’ bhoirionnach a tha sin. Notes: a bad-tempered frown.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgraing: Notes: expression of disgust, anger, surliness.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgraingeal: gloomy person, complainer.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgraingeal (n): a surly looking character.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgraingean: Note: fear gruamach doicheallach. “Sgraing a chuireadh bacadh air na h-earraidean.” (Also sgraingeag.)
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgramalair: Note: fear leisg. (Carson seasamh mas urrainn suidhe ’s carson suidhe mas urrainn sìneadh.)
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgriobadh nam preasan: phrase that was used if it rained on a wedding day.
Origin: [Harris]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgròbadh: taking fish off the hooks as from the hooks of great-lines. A club or a hook with a wooden handle is used; the fish is hooked on the surface of the sea from the boat, to avoid the strain, or a strain coming on the line thus endangering the loss of the fish. Being pulled by the ‘snid’, could perhaps be the means of a hook loosing its grip. The whole operation is termed ‘sgròbadh’. (Harris)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguab: Quot.: “sguab mhurain”. Note: broom made of sea-bent.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgug: a brainless, stupid woman.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguidseadh: swiping off the grain.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgur urrainn: the war cry of the MacRaes of Kintail. This phrase repeated to build up the battle tempo.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàth fhras: a brief shower of rain lasting for a few minutes only.
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàth-fhras: very mild form of a shower of rain.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgóthadh: sprain.
Location: Leodhas [Lewis], an taobh siar
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
siachadh: sprain.
Origin: [in the card index: Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
siacladh: [ʃıɑkɫəɣ] Quot.: “Tha e a’ deanamh siacladh an dràsda.” Note: a semi-dry interval in a period of rain.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sian: Quotation: siantan de dh’uisge. Notes: sheets of driving rain.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sian: [ʃĩɤ̃ṉ] Note: very fine, drizzly rain.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sian-gréinidh: Note: a very light warm shower of rain falling with the sun out at the same time.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sileadh: a platform or seat in the back of a boat. Had holes so that the water on your feet would drain off.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sin: advb [= ‘then’]: bha thu sin a’ toir’ sin dheth gu strain; ach bha ~ tàilleir ann
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
sineachan tarraing: parts on back sides. [NOTES: originally ‘tarruing’.]
Location: [Lewis], Stornoway
Category: Uidheamachd Eich / Horse Harness
siocadh: sprain.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., [Lochaber]) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.)
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
siol: Note: grain before being dried in the kiln.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siol-mholl: Notes: refuse of grain/chaff at first winnowing. Might be put through the riddle again to extract all the seed.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siol-nan-cearc: hen feeding grain. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sìol’ with ‘sìol nan cearc’ as the quotation. Definition: Grain for feeding hens.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolaich: Quotation: a’ siolachadh. Notes: straining.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolmhol: barley chaff which was not free of grain and could be used for cattle feeding.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
sioltag: strainer for milk.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
sioman: [masc.] the binding rope. The thatch was held down with ‘sioman fraoich’ no ‘sioman murain’ or latterly by coir rope still called in Lewis ‘sioman Thearlaich’ after the merchant who introduced it into the island.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
sitig: Notes: ’S dàna cù air a shitig fein. Sitig – in the sense of dunghill. Sitig – a ditch, or drain. “’S tric a bha thu cadal ann a sitigean na dùine [sic].” Sitig – in the sense of site. “Bithidh esan a siubhal na sitigean.” He goes from house to house – or from site to site (certainly did not mean from dunghill to dunghill).
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siuch: [ʃu̜x] Notes: small drain opened round the stack to keep the water from seeping underneath.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slinnteach: Note: very wet sleet tending to a mixture of sleet and rain.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slinnteach: Quot.: “slinnteach shneachd”. Note: mixture of snow and rain.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slip-slap: as of a person soaked in the rain. Bha slip-slap aig air an làr. – his boots full of water making sound immitable [sic]: slip-slap.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slipean: a drenched person. Tha e ’na shilpean [sic]. – he is drenched in the rain.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sloc bhuntata: Potato-pit. Made of leacan, rainneach, sgrathan, ùir. [NOTES: spelled ‘sloc-buntata’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sluasaid: Notes: long handled shovel, for cleaning bottom of drain.
Origin: Carradale area
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sluasaid: Quotation: an t-sluasaid bhrachaidh. Notes: long-handled wooden shovel used to shift the grain on the malt floors.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smodal: [smɔd̪əɫ] Quotation: smodal arain; smodal fhiodh. Notes: a collection of small pieces of anything, e.g. bits of wood, breadcrumbs, etc.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smugradh: fine rain.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smuiseal (m), smuisealan (pl): hooking device between “druim a’ chruinn” [q.v.] and “an tarraing” [q.v.].
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
smàglach: as much as could be lifted between the two hands – of potatoes, or herring, or grain etc.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
smùchan uisge: a drizzle of rain.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smùrach: Notes: ‘smirr, drizzle, small rain’. Tarbert Argyll and Islay usage. ‘Baile na Smùrach’ used as fisherman’s slang for Ardrossan (‘dross’).
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snidhe dudh: [sic] mix[ture] of soot and rain in roof.
Location: Harris, Leverburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sniug (v): drain to last drop (as milking).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàilean: Quotation: snàilean siochaidh. Notes: thread used in curing a sprain.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàithlein: nn ‘thread, cord’ : ~ an t-siachaidh ‘charm for sprain’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
snàmh: nn ‘swim’ : chan urrainn dha ... ~ a dhèanamh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
snìomh: sprain.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
soda-arain: Baking soda.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sodadh-arain: baking soda.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soireag: [sɔɾɑɡ] Notes: the hole in the kiln over which the grain was dried.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soireghas (-ach): windy and rainy weather. “Tha coltas soireghasach orra an diugh.”
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
solas a’ chaorain: firelight.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sopag mùrain: a clump of sea bent. [NOTES: ‘mùrain’ corrected to ‘murain’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sorn: The grain kiln. Also: soran. [NOTES: spelled ‘sòrn’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sorrag: The round space in barn where grain was dried and hardened. Sorac(hd)?
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sorrag: the grain was placed in this channel which stemmed from the centre of the ‘sorn’ [q.v.]. The fire was at one end of the ‘sorrag’. However there was a sufficient gap between the fire and the grain to ensure it did not burn.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soubhester: souvester [sic] [sou’wester?], headgear worn by fishermen in rainy and stormy weather.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spaoiligean (?): [spwlıɡʹɑṉ] Quotation: Bha [spwlıɡʹɑṉ] dubh air a’ choirce dhubh. Notes: grain?
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
speubhaidh: Notes: lameness in horses due to physical strain.
Origin: Kinlochourn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
speucaidhean: Easing-off of rain, and clearing up (airson greiseagan).
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spigealan: a grain. “Cha robh spigealan siùcair a staigh.”
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spliongag: pios leathair anns a bi clach air a cur s an leathar sin le da thraing as air a shuaibeadh gu bhi tilgeal na cloiche (sling).
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spoth: Taking any rubbish out of the grain by hand – before winnowing. See brodadh.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
spoth an t-sìl: shaking out from among the straw refuse any good grain that had become mixed up in it.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
spràidhe: a spray or hail of rain.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàrr-bhochd: beggar’s roost. Cha urrain dhomh a radha gu firinneachd an e bochduinn mar a theirte “poor house” seo mar a shaoileas mi e?
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spùt: Quotation: spùt uisge. Notes: torrential rain.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
srainnseir: nn [strɛˑnʃər] ‘stranger’; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; ~ a bha ann [stre.nʃɛŕ]; gu leòr do sh. [re]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
srian bheag: a shorter rein used to train a young horse. Prevented escape.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stac: [st̪ɑxk] Notes: made up of several “adagan” when rain was imminent.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stang: a small drain to carry water from land which was being ploughed. Prevented the seed being carried away in the water.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stang: a narrow, shallow ditch opened at the end of a field to drain of [sic] excess water.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stang: Small short drain/ditch.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
starsach: Notes: piece of wood sloping out under the door to keep out the rain.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiapan: Quotation: stiapan/stèapan a’ bhùirn. Notes: (Cnoc Ard, Ness) Streaks of foam on sea, presaging rain. Dw. has stèapan ‘candle-wick’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiureag [sic]: sore, sprained wrist.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
straing-tomhais: a measuring line.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
straingealan: Notes: in horses – galar srudhain [?].
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
straingear: stranger.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strainnsear: Notes: butterfly.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Blairmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strannd: Quotation: Tharraing e [st̪ɾɑ̃ũ̜n̪d̪]. Notes: He went into a deep sleep.
Location: Tiree (?)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stràcadh: [st̪ɾɑ:kəɣ] Quot.: “Cia mheud stràcadh a bh’agad?” Note: a vessel like a small tub used as a measure for grain. Held about three zinc pailfuls. (Thinks the miller got one in ten.)
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strèin: strain.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stròineachan: Note: a device put on tethered cows. The rope was attached to it and when the cow strained on the tethering pin this device put on the nose of the cow tightened and made it stop pulling.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stròinean: Note: piece of rope over the bridge of a cow’s nose, passing under the ears and attached to the rope round its neck. When the cow strained at the tethering pin, this tightened and hurt the cow, making it slacken the rope.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stuth a’ phutharain: serecen, a powder which was used as a preventive measure.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stìup: the train of a dress.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stùirdean: [st̪u̜:ʴdʹɛ̃ṉ] Notes: water on the brain, in sheep. Lost sense of direction. Could be operated on and water sac removed. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stùirtean: [st̪u̜:ʴstʹəṉ] Notes: water on the brain in sheep. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Kinlochourn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stùirtein: [st̪u̜:ʴstʹɛ̃ṉ] Notes: water on the brain, usually occurring in sheep and causing them to lose their sense of direction.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stùrdaidh: [st̪u̜:ʴḏi] Notes: water on the brain, in sheep.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stùrdaidh: [st̪u̜:ʴḏi] Notes: water on the brain in sheep, making them lose their sense of direction. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stùrt: [st̪u̜:rt̪] Quotation: a’ stùrt. Notes: blindness in sheep caused by eating grass which grew among dog droppings. The parasite was to be found in a small bag of fluid on the brain. If this bag was on the right side the animal turned right; on the left, turned left; on both sides, went forward. Attracted by water.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suas: advb loc. ‘up’ : nuair a bha sinn ~ nar cnapaich seo; tha e [sabhall] ~ fhathast; tha mise ~ ann am bliadhnachan; ~ ri dà mhìle duine oirre; ~ ri ‘able to’: bha e ~ ris an train seo a dhriveadh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
suath: Quot.: a’ suathadh an eòrna. Note: grain removed from barley by rolling the heat [?] of the sheaf (opened) under foot.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suathadh an eòrna: getting the barley grain off the stem by working the tops of the sheaves between the feet – wearing special boots the while.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
suibheag: [si:ɑɡ] Notes: a sign of bad weather. A column of reddish light, shaped like the lower half of a rainbow, over the water, ending in the water just as a rainbow would. Common to Barra, Golspie and Embo. Though each speaker varies the description slightly, all agree that it’s a column of coloured light ending in the water and that it marks bad weather to come. N.B. there is a homophonous word in Embo only, which means ‘very red cheeks’ – possibly an extension of meaning for same word? e.g. [de: nə si:ɑɡən ǯerəɡ] ‘what red cheeks!’ Source: John MacRae, 12 Moray Terrace, Brora.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suing: rope by which boat hung on to train of nets.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
suirsdean (m): disease of the head, pocket of fluid pressing on the brain.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
suraladh: a word which is used in the context of weather forecasting. Would be heard as “Chan eil suraladh orra an diugh ach uisge is gaoth.” Therefore the translation would be “Nothing can be expected today but wind and rain.”
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suraladh: Quotation: Chan e suraladh a th’oirre ach a’ bhùirseach. Notes: (Uist word) bright, sunny interval in bad showery weather – or permanent clearing of the rain.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sussadh: Cutting the edges of drain.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sìarain: skin covering worn from ankle up to the shin. Similar to gaiters. Made of animal skin.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìg: stacked oblong shaped and tapered in the top so as to throw off oncoming rains.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sìlainn: a grain. [NOTES: notes added above ‘ai’ in ‘sìlainn’ – i, ean.]
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìlinn: Notes: ‘grain’ (of sugar).
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùibheag: ‘dog tooth’ rainbow.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùil-na-leise: strained limb. Piece of woollen blanket with tar applied to feet, to the strained part, was the cure.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
sùirdean: [su̜:ʴsdʹɑṉ] Notes: water on the brain in sheep. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùl eisginn: fat of an eel was used for relieving strains in both humans and animals. Rubbed into the affected area.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tac (f): Quotation: tac fearainn. Notes: a tack, medium size farm.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taobh: vb ‘trust’ : cond.: cha thaobhainn fhèin ban-Èireannach na tè ’sam biodh droch nàdar [re. Walter Scott MacFarlane]; tharraing mi ‘n dala taobh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
taomadh: clearing drain of debris, which is spread on adjoining fields.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
tar na coise: leg sprain.
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
tarbh: Quotation: Cuir tarbh a dh’Éirinn agus thig e ’na tharbh as. Notes: a number of similar sayings, e.g. “Cuir cù a Shasainn,” “Cuir cat do’n Fhraing…” etc.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarrain: (also) surge. Bha tarrain uamhasach air a’ chladach. (Scalpay)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarrain: (also) recede. (Scalpay pronunciation) Nach anns a’ mhuir a th’an [sic] tarrain. [NOTES: slipped under ‘tarraing’. Quotation: Nach ann anns a’ mhuir a tha ’n tarraing. Definition: ‘Swell’ in the sea.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraing: vb. ‘draw’: VBL. N.: bha i ’ ~ na meirg’ a-staigh anns an fhiodh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
tarraing: [t̪ɔriɡʹ] Notes: pull.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraing: [t̪ɑrĩnʹ] Quotation: tarraing chudainnean; a’ cur a mach tarraing. Notes: a fine-meshed net that was put out when the tide was in, trapping young saithe when the tide ebbed.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraing: nn ‘drag, pull’ : vbl nn: ~ am fear a bha ‘ ~ an tàilleir air a mhuin;‘agree’: cha bhiodh iad ’ ~ còmhladh idir; iad fhèin ‘s an Sasannach a’ ~ còmhla idir [iʧəŕə] [+ epenth ə]; ‘draw, design’; ‘mention’: innsidh mise dhuibhse bhon thug sibh ~ air tha mi cinnteach gu bheil iad a’ ~ dhealbhannan
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
tarraing: Quotation: Fhalbh’s tarraing [hɑɫɑst̪ɑriɡʹ]. Notes: e.g. When someone asks one to do something and one is not going to entertain the request. “Fhalbh’s tarraing! Dean fhéin e!” Or when someone tries to put something across that one doesn’t believe. More or less the equivalent of “You’re joking!”
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraing: Quotation: an tarraing air éigin. Notes: root of tough grass or weed growing in the peat. Tough in April/May. Not so bad in March.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraing: hauling a creel.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
tarraing: Quotation: an tarraing. Notes: the chain from the main swingle tree to the plough.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraing: Quotation: Tha tarraing a tighinn a stigh as a chuan. Notes: ground swell at sea. A ground swell coming in indicated a change of weather.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraing: Quotation: a’ tarraing nan iomairean. Notes: making ridges. Originally done with a spade.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraing: Quotation: tarraing an uinneag. Notes: loop attached to bottom of window for lifting it.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraing: Quot.: “Tha i a’ tarraing oirre.” Note: The clouds are gathering – it’s going to rain.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraing: [t̪ɑriɡʹ] Quot.: Tha e a’ tòiseachadh a’ tarraing air. Note: referring to something beginning to go bad or to rot.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraing air a’ mhuir: the roaring of the sea with a white foamy surface. Signified wind after rain.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraing mhór air a’ làn: this refers to the tide rolling up the shore and rushing out again. The extent of the ‘tarraing’ is measured by how far the sea rolls up the shore.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraingean: [t̪ɑ:ʴnʹəṉ] Notes: (pl) horse’s shoulder chains. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Invermoriston
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraingean: [t̪ɑ:ʴnʹəṉ] Notes: draught chains. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarrainnean: [t̪ɑrĩnʹəṉ] Notes: drag-chains.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teanga gun urrainn: a tongue of land without ownership. (?)
Origin: Lochaber
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
tearrainneach: missed having a lamb for a year.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
teàrr-an-fhiodh: archangel tar was used as an ointment for strains, sprains relative to cattle.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
teòrainn (f): boundary.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thaiseadh: storm. Fhuair iad thaiseadh oirre. [sic] (storm and rain) (Perhaps from tais.) [SLIP: Rain-filled storm.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thiarainn mi: to visit, to take in an area. “Thiarainn mi lag an fhraoich uaine.”
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiaraineach: Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
tiaraineach: Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
tiaraineach: Chuala mi feadhainn ag ràdh gur h-e sia raidheach a bha seo a’ ciallachadh: gur h-ann bho an sin a thàinig e.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
tiarainneach: Notes: lamb over a year old. (from sia-ràitheach?)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiarainneach: [tʹıɑɾĩnʹɑx] Note: 1½ year old sheep.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiarainneach: [tʹiɑɾĩnʹɑx] Note: sheep 1-2 years old.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tigh: Quotation: tigh an eòrna. Notes: the grain loft in distilleries.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tighinn-fodha: Note: water coming up through the floor of a blackhouse due to very heavy rain running down the walls.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tionndaidh: Quotation: a’ tionndrain [tʹ[ɤ̃ũ̜]n̪d̪ɾɑ̃ṉ]. Notes: turning, ploughing.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tireadh: grinding. Drying of the grain in the barn.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
tlèim: [t̪ɫɛ̃:m] Notes: handful of hay or grain. (Dw. handful of wool.)
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobar: Quotation: Chan ionndrainnear an uisge gus an tiormaich an tobar.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhta-a-chrainn: a thick plank of wood from either side of a gunwale of a boat behind the mast.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhta-chrainn: seat near the bow specially strengthened for the mast. It was laid across the top of the gunwale and so was higher than the other seats.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll-dilidh: [t̪oɫdʹili] Note: opening at the end of the byre to allow water from the drain under the floor to pass out.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll-lodain: [t̪oɫɔd̪ɑ̃nʹ] Note: the outlet in the wall at the end of the byre from the “dileadh” [q.v.], the drain down through the house.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
torrain: Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
torrainn: Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
trainnsear: [t̪ɾɑ̃ĩʃɑɾ]
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treasadach: Notes: ground in which grain was sown the previous year.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trèin: train.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trèineadh: training.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trèineadh: training.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trùilleach: [t̪ɾu̟:lʹɑx] Quot.: “Nach bu sibh na trùillich.” Note: applied to a person engaged in dirty work, e.g. working on a messy job as in a drain, etc.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuaicheal: [t̪u̟ɤçɑɫ] Notes: water on the brain in sheep.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuaithealan: [t̪u̟ɤıhəɫɑṉ] Quot.: an tuaithealan air a’ chaora. Note: water on the brain in sheep.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuanal: [t̪ũ̜ɑ̃ṉɑɫ] Notes: “sturdy”. Water on the brain – a disease found in sheep.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuathalan: turning anticlockwise, brain disease.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
tuathallan: [t̪u̜ɤhəɫɑṉ] Quot.: an tuathallan. Note: disease in sheep caused by a fluid sac on the brain. Causes it to lose sense of direction.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuathallan: Quot.: an tuathallan. Note: illness in sheep caused by water sac on the brain.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuil: heavy downfall of rain. Thig tuil ort, terms [sic].
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
turadh: [t̪u̟ɾəɡ] Quotation: Tha turadh ann. Notes: It has stopped raining.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàthadh: Quotation: a tàthadh [ət̪ɑ:]. B’urrainn da trì iaruinn [əhɑ:] leis an t-aon theas. Notes: welding.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tìoradh: Quotation: a’ tìoradh an t-sìl. Notes: drying the grain.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tìreadh: Quotation: a tìreadh a’ ghràn. Notes: drying grain.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tìreadh: Quot.: “a’ tìreadh a’ ghràin”. Note: drying the grain in the kiln.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòit: [t̪ɔ:tʹ] Quot.: “tòit uisge”. Note: misty rain.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòit: Quot.: tòit uisge. Note: misty rain.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòrainn (v): mark out as for building. (same as preceding words? [i.e. teòr, teòrainn])
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòrann (vn): [See tòrainn.]
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tórainn: [t̪o:ɾĩnʹ] Notes: a heavy, thunderous sound, as of the sea breaking on the rocks.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tùghadh: thatch used to keep the rain off haystacks. [NOTES: corrected to ‘tughadh’.]
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
túmadh: cleaning of drains and spreading the cleanings over the arable, then ploughed in giving the soil renewed fertility.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
uamhasach: adj. ‘incomparable, outstandingly’ : bha e ~ [ũãfəsəx] uasal; bha e ~ air òrain; bha e ~ gus a bhith ‘ dol gu __ aireachan; bha e na mhechanic ~, style='background:yellow'>saighdeirean ~ a bha ionnta seo
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
uamhrag: rounded glacial stones in moraines.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uar: landslide; or torrent of rain causing it (Reay, Sutherland).
Origin: [Strathglass]
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
uisg: Quotation: Tha e coltach ris an uisg. Notes: “It looks as if it is going to rain.”
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge: Quotation: cifeir uisge. Notes: drizzly rain.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge: Quotation: ceòbanach uisge. Notes: drizzle rain.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge-mìn: light rain. (Both [ciurachan and uisge-mìn] more nearer the misty or vapour ‘character’.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge-trom: heavy rain.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisgeachan an fhoghair: autumn rains which can greatly vary within a small area, e.g. in a village – could be raining at one end and [be] dry, sunny at the other end.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ullanaich: Quot.: “Chan urrainn dha e fhéin ullanachadh.” Note: said of a person in bed who cannot make himself more comfortable in bed.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
urrainn: adj. ‘possible’ : chan ~ nach robh e interesting ‘must have been’ [MM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
urras breithneachaidh: brains trust [sic].
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àireamh: n. ‘number’: na h-òrain -- ~ dhiubh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
àite: n. ‘place; farm’: tha pìos math ~ againn … pìos math fearainn
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
àlaisd: a deluge of rain.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àrainn: [ɑ:ɾĩnʹ] Quotation: Cha deach e air àrainn an tighe. Cha deach e air àrainn. Notes: (1) He didn’t go near the house. (2) He didn’t go near him. (air àrainn + gen.)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àrainn: neighbouring area, community.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àth: Barn kiln – part of barn where grain was dried and hardened.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ìchrith: [i:xɾi] Quot.: “Mas deidheadh am mathan dhan an ìchrith.” “Bhiodh iad ag radh gu robh na clacharain a’ dol dhan an ìchrith.” Note: going into hibernation. (spelling?)
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrain-mhara: sea songs.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrain-pop: pop songs. [NOTES: slipped under ‘òran-pop’ with ‘plural: òrain-pop’ as the quotation.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
‘An Net’: Bha an ‘Net’ air a roinn ’na thrì earrainnean. Bha trian a’ dol chun a’ bhàta; is trian eile chun na lin. Bhiodh cuid de’n chriudha aig am biodh earrainnean lion innte, is bha an trian so ga roinn eatorra a reir meud an earrainn. Bha an tritheamh trian air a roinn gu cothromach eadar an criudha gu leir ach na daoine dubha. Mar sin chleachd fear tuarasdail aig nach biodh earrainn lion no ciubhroinn do’n bhàta a bhith faighinn ochdamh earrainn deug de’n ‘Net’.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
‘straingeir’: [See straingear.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
’Se deagh mharaiche a bha ’sa chorca bheag: rain would not delay the crop’s progress.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
’ga tharraing a-staigh: hauling a creel.
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
“gille piullagach is loth pheallagach”: if these two characters present in a household, taken as a sign of impending future prosperity. Both could be trained for gainful employment.
Location: North Uist, Knockintorran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
“tha i bagarrach”: threatening to rain.
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather

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