-
tè n.f.
-
‘woman, girl; animal, object of fem. ref.: [t ́he:] in Mabou [t ́hɛ:].
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness County, Broad Cove Chapel
Category: Seosamh Watson collection notebook date: Jan-May 1991
-
Cairistiona
-
Name: Christina. Equivalents: Christian, Kirsty, Teenie, and for an old woman Kirstin (Zetland); Chirstina and Chirsty (Lewis); Christian, Chirsty and Chrissy (Skye).
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
-
Sileas
-
Name: Cecilia. Equivalents: Celie, Osla and Ursula (Zetland). (See Julia). Note: In Zetland a woman may begin life as “Ursula” and end as “Cecilia”. In the old days Ursula was Osla and these two became Cecilia. Osla was the old Norse name Aslaug: the Scots ministers did not know Osla and changed it to Ursula.
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
-
Sine
-
Name: Jane. Equivalents: Jean; Janie and Janet or Jessie (Zetland); Sheena (Lewis and Skye). Note: In Zetland Janie may mean Jane, Jean, Janet or Jessie. An old woman “Janie” may have been either Jane or Janet at birth.
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
-
[beart]
-
“Tha duine anns a’ bheart.” – There’s a child in the womb. A woman pregnant.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[blank]
-
a good woman.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
[blank]
-
foolish woman.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
[blank]
-
She’s like a lassie (of a woman).
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
[firionn]
-
Masculine (used of a woman). “Tha i cho firionn.”
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
[gabhte]
-
Cha chuala mi nach robh Jessag beò fhathast. Tha mi an dòchas gu bheil i air sealltainn gu math as a deidh. “Tha a facal glé ghabhte aig na leddies an Dunéideann” chanadh na bodaich. ’Se “Am Bible Woman” a chanadh iad ri leithid Seònaid.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[galad]
-
Thig a seo a ghalad. – a term of affection applied on [sic] woman.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[iuchair]
-
“Feuch nach caill thu iuchraichean do chloinne.” – said to a woman if she endangered or put herself at risk by lifting a heavy object.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[mionaig]
-
“Slainte na mionaig nach tig / ’S tric is mionaig a thàinig / Ach nach truagh nach e mionaig nach tig / A bha an àite a’ mhionaig a thàinig.” A toast with a pun on the word ‘mionaig’ meaning ‘often’ and also being used of a woman who is preferred to the wife of the person making the toast. So ‘mionaig’ means someone who he preferred to his own spouse.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
-
[rannsachadh]
-
Co th’ann is urrain [sic] boirionnach a rannsachadh? Who can read a woman?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[sgug]
-
Sgug bhorunaich! – A fool of a woman!
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[slaodach]
-
Boirionnach slaodach – a slack woman.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[toimhseachan]
-
Duine ag aire ann an taigh. Chaidh e mach as an taigh. Chunnaic e an t-sianar a bha seo a’ dol seachad agus an ceann greis chunnaic e an ath shianar, agus an uairsin chunnaic e an treas sianar agus bha boireannach agus fireannach a’ tighinn comhla as an deidh, agus bhruidhinn am boireannach agus dh’fhaighneachd i dha dè a chunnaic e bho’n a bha e a muigh, agus dh’innis e dhi mar a chunnaic e sianar a’ dol seachad agus an ceann greis chaidh sianar eile agus an uairsin an t-sianar eile chaidh seachad bha i fhein a’ tighinn comhla agus an deidh. Ars ise: A’ chiad shianar, sin sia bràithrean athair [sic] dhomh, agus an ath shianar, sia bràithrean mathair [sic] dhomh agus an t-sianar a chaidh seachad ’s mi fhein comhla riubha ’sin mo shia mhic fhìn, ’s an duine a tha seo na athair dh’an h-uile duin’ aca. ’S dean thusa a mach an toimhseachan. This riddle is taken in the context of this man coming out from a wake. The man appearing with the woman has been married three times. His first wife had a daughter prior to their marriage. When she died he married his second wife who had had a boy prior to this marriage. Thereafter the boy and girl previously mentioned married. Subsequently the man who had been married twice married the daughter of the boy and girl thereby becoming his third wife.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
aigeannach
-
a termagant woman.
Location: Barra, Glen
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
aiseid
-
Quotation: Chaidh a (woman) h-aiseid. Notes: delivery of a child. Pron. [ɑsɛdʹ] by WMcD.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
amaid
-
Notes: young, foolish girl. Seann amaid: older, foolish woman.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
apag
-
Quotation: apag gun mhath. Notes: useless woman.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bagaid
-
small fat woman.
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
-
bainndidh
-
a modest woman.
Origin: Barra
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
ball searaist
-
a quarrelsome, scolding woman.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ballag
-
a neat, tidy woman.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bana-cheannaiche
-
woman having a shop, a female in business, grocery business, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bana-cheird
-
[bɑ˖nəçɛ̣ʂt̪] Notes: a tinker woman.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
banabhuisd
-
Notes: witch; woman reputed to practice witchcraft.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bean fhuine
-
a baking woman.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bean-nighean
-
washer woman.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bean-nighean
-
(also) ghost woman, of legendary existence.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
biodagan
-
applied to a mischievous child. Have heard a woman in my own village refer to her two sons as ‘biodagan beag’ is ‘biodagan mór’; not just as youngsters but in the rowdier teenage years.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
biorag
-
spiteful woman.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
biorag
-
[an acid-tongued woman.]
Origin: Skye
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
biorag (f)
-
Notes: sharp-tongued woman/girl. Also gen. pejorative.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
blas-dubh
-
A person have referred to a large species of lythe (liùth) as having this taste. I cannot say was it of his own invention or was it a description term of his day. I have heard another woman referring to the same fish: blas a bhùirn dhuibh.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bochdag
-
Quotation: a’ bhochdaig. Notes: used as a form of address to a woman. Also a’ bhochdan [sic] to a man.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
boireannach luideach
-
untidy woman.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
-
boireannach-trom
-
pregnant woman. If it happened that someone threw an object and hit a pregnant woman the results could be a birthmark being on the child when born.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bonn
-
Quot.: “Cha thog i bonn ’s cha dhùin i bonn.” Note: referring to a woman who had no aptitude or inclination for knitting socks.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
braclach
-
Quotation: braclach bhoireannach. Notes: an untidy woman.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bracluig
-
a very dirty woman.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bramalaid
-
lazy woman.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
brannag
-
a fat woman.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bronnag
-
a large, fat woman.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bràmalaid
-
[bɾɑ̃:məɫɑdʹ] Notes: a large woman.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
buaiseach
-
foolish woman. (Harris)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
buathsach
-
silly woman.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
budhta
-
a fat woman.
Origin: Skye
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
bun na h-asaid
-
a term used in childbirth to mean that the woman is near delivery.
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bungaid
-
big, fat, lazy woman.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bungaid
-
wicked woman, a headstrong girl.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
buraid
-
silly woman.
Location: Glasgow
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
cabrach
-
tall woman. Tha cabrach ann dhi.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cafan
-
Quot.: “Dùin an dorus agus mi direach ann an cafan na deathaich!” Note: cafan – the thick of the smoke. What an old woman, sitting on the side of the fire opposite to “dorus a’ stuill”, used to say.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
caileach-truisg
-
a heavy cod (fish), with a swollen belly, of a greyish dull colour, perhaps compared to an old woman. (Scalpay) [NOTES: slipped under ‘cailleach-truisg’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
caille
-
old women were said to have this power known as the ‘caille’ by which she [sic] could control the fates of whoever she chose as victim. Should be stressed that not all women had this power although there are many husbands who would disagree with this. If something went against you, you would say that such a woman had put you under a spell: “Chuir i a’ chaille orm.”
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cailleach
-
Quotation: cailleach ghriasaich. Notes: old woman who stays by the fire all the time.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cailleach bhearnach
-
gap toothed woman. (Morag MacKay, Scalpay)
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cailleach-iaruinn
-
Notes: a cowl on a chimney-pot. But also applied to a hard-natured old woman who is always “on the gallavant”.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
caora tinn air uan
-
confinement. When in the case of a sheep giving, on the point of giving birth to
a lamb, it was discovered that the discharge didn’t give the elasticity necessary (uterus,
etc.), thus while under this complication tea mixed with whisky and thin gruel of oatmeal
also mixed with whisky, a glassful of whisky, this given successively proved successful, and
the mother gave birth to a fine healthy baby lamb. In some other instances an operation was
necessary, the side of the animal, or rather the appropriate place considered was cut open
by a knife, an ordinary (pocket) knife, and the baby lamb was received, and of course the
wound stitched. The baby lamb normal – and the operation successful, just, perhaps, like a
ceserea [sic] [Caesarean?] female operation, or again as ceserea [sic] [Caesarean?]
operation on a woman. This as above noted instances was observed on the island of Scalpay in
Harris. F.S. [?] [P.S.?] Bha na màthraichean beò – cha do rinn e càil oirre
[sic].
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
-
cas
-
Quotation: cas circ ann an criathar. Notes: thin-legged woman with big boots.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cearchaill (I)
-
Boirionnach tiugh, cruinn, trom ’n a pearsa. [SLIP: A rotund, heavily-built woman.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
ceàrnag
-
Notes: a small plump woman.
Location: Lewis, Bragar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cias
-
Quot.: ’S ann oirre tha ’n cias. Note: said of a fat woman.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cionacraich
-
Notes: (Ness) fondling, handling (esp. of a woman). (< cion?) Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
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
-
clach-nigheach
-
stone on which the washer woman put her washing on.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
claob
-
a big ungainly woman, characterised by a big open mouth.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
clap sgàin
-
a loud woman.
Location: Glasgow
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
cleitreach
-
Quotation: cleitreach (Tong), cleidreach (Keose). Notes: Clumsy woman (also used in Tong in sense of an old horse). Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
comhaltach
-
[ˈkõɑɫt̪ɑx] Note: a child reared on the milk of a woman other than his mother. (Foster brother or sister.)
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
corra-chriostag
-
Chuala mi am facal uair no dhà uaireigin ach chan eil bladh sam bith agam mu a dheidhinn. [NOTES: one of the words suggested in the questionnaire – ‘a woman who is always working’.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
corrachriostag (f)
-
Notes: a woman who is always busy, or always alert and on the move. A bird name orig.?
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
craghn
-
[kɾɤ:ṉ] Quot.: “seann chraghn”. Note: a haggard old woman, crone.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
craslach
-
undesirable old woman. When a youth is concerned in the phase of romance, someone refers to a lady or woman with the remark ‘abair craslach’, unsuitable, old female in this constitution.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
creunan
-
[kðe:ṉɑṉ] Note: continuous moaning or complaining as an ill person or person feigning illness. Also used of subdued sobbing, as old woman or child.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
creòbhag
-
a small puny person, a woman.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
criathar
-
Quotation: cas circ ann an criathar. Notes: thin-legged woman with big boots.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
crotag
-
wee bent woman. (perhaps already noted)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cruchail (f)
-
Notes: large clumsy person (usually [?] woman).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cruchaill
-
[kɾu̟xilʹ] Quot.: cruchaill de boirionnach. Note: a big hulking woman.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cruidhneach
-
an old woman.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cruimseach
-
[kɾw̃miʃɑx] Quot.: “cruimseach mór de bhoirionnach”. Note: large, stout woman. Word can also be used of a beast.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cruimseach
-
[kɾũ̟miʃɑx] Quot.: “Chaneil innt ach cruimseach mhosach.” Note: an unsociable type of woman.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cruinneag
-
Note: a stout woman.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
crumach
-
bent old woman.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cràiteag
-
niggardly woman.
Location: Lewis, Bragar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cur am fiadhachadh
-
starting a courtship between man and woman.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cursair
-
[ku̜ʴsɑð] Note: a brazen-faced woman. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
dalladh
-
Quotation: Bha e dha dhalladh ás a deaghaidh – he was mad-keen on her. Notes: I don’t recall hearing this expression used of a woman (*Bha i ga dalladh). This usage not in Dw. Source: Lewis usage recalled (D.S.T.) Date: March 1974.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
daoran
-
Quotation: “’S e beathach math a tha an sin agad.” “Och, tha daoran dheth ann.” Notes: DR heard an old woman say this in reply to someone who was complimenting her on a young beast which she had bought. She thought she had paid too much for it.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
deideag
-
neat, tidy woman.
Origin: Barra
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
diongalt
-
[dʹw̃ŋɑɫt̪] Quotation: Boireannach diongalt. Notes: a capable woman.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
draosdag (f)
-
Notes: surly girl/woman.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
dubhfhacal
-
this would be applied to a woman who was held to possess some kind of supernatural power. “Bha an dubhfhacal aice.”
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
durgh
-
[d̪u̜ru̜ɣ] Quot.: “’S ann durgh a tha cridhe fear dha m’ fheadhainn / mo leannan.” Note: dour. This was usually said by a girl or woman when the fire wasn’t taking properly.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
dìobair
-
Quotation: Tha i glé mhath mara dìobair i. Notes: Alleged to have been said by some woman to ‘MacCoinnich’ of Ioscaig when he had boasted of a bridge he had just made. Sense of ‘fail, give way’.
Location: Applecross, Ard Dhubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
earball
-
[wɾwbəɫ] Quotation: Chaneil [wɾwbəɫ] oir’. Notes: said of a woman with no family, no responsibility.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
emaid
-
foolish woman. [NOTES: note added above – amaid.]
Origin: Skye
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
eunstrathul
-
applied to a cumbersome looking woman, e.g. a woman wearing men’s shoes which were miles too big for her.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
faolagach
-
same as above [i.e. mualainte (q.v.)]. Have also heard this word used in the context of a flighty woman.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fearail
-
masculine looking woman.
Origin: Barra
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
fearail
-
Quot.: boirionnach fearail. Note: a woman who is good at men’s work.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
flagais
-
a layer of sand, maure [sic] [manure?], peat dust. This was left to rot and used for manure. A compost heap. Could also be used of a flirty woman.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fodhalag
-
a gossipy woman.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
follag
-
a lazy woman.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fursair
-
’Se ‘fursair’ a th’againne [for ‘cursair’ – one of the words suggested in the questionnaire – ‘a rough forward person (usually a woman)’]. “’Se fursair eagalach a th’innte.” Tha am facal ‘fursaireachd’ againn cuideachd agus ’ga chleachdadh.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
fursair (E)
-
Boirionnach rough. Og an cumantas. Teenager rough mar gu’n canadh tu. ’S ann eagalach tearc a chleachdas sinn ‘fursair’ ri balach. [SLIP: A young, tough woman. Seldom used of a boy.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
fàr
-
Fàr; e.g. a woman living alone shouts, “Fàr a nuas an gunna!” to frighten Mac-An t-Srònaich away.
Ness [Isle of Lewis]. [Note added to a paper slip on fair: Ach fair a nuas mo bhreacan guaill – Am Fear-Ciùil. An R. i (Niall Mac Gille Sheathanaich), 1917, p. 171] [Added by RÓM 25/1/2024.]
Category: ROM Slips
-
féist
-
[fɛ̜:ʃtʹ] Quotation: Thug mi a steach féist air. Notes: of skirt, “tuck”. (Heard a woman, probably from ‘An Rubha’, Lewis, say it.)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gadhar
-
similar word to ‘gaiseadh’ as in a weakness or failing affecting an old man/woman.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gaillseach
-
a Lowland woman.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gaoithseach
-
[ɡ[ɤı]ʃɑx] Quot.: “Fhalbh, a’ ghaoithsich!” Note: used more or less the same as “you bitch”. Can be used of a woman or a beast.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gasag
-
horrible wee man / woman.
Origin: Barra
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
giadach
-
a wife or female partner suspecting her partner of seeing another woman behind her back. [NOTES: note added in pencil: ’g eudach.]
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gibeag
-
a ragged woman.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
glagaid
-
a noisy woman.
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
gleurach na tobhtadh
-
virago, woman sitting on top of the wall laying forth.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
gobag (f)
-
Notes: of woman, shrew-featured, sharp-tongued and nosey, or gen. pejorative.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gobhaluisgeach
-
a waddling, bandy legged woman.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
goibhneal (E)
-
Boirionnach caol – chan ann cho caol ri ‘raod’ [q.v.] agus ‘sgriot’ [q.v.] ach dìreach caol gun a bhith cruinn mar boirionnach an cumantas. Agus gun a bhith ro ìosal ’na pearsa. Fuaimnich mar seo: aoi, raoir, coibhneal, goibhneal. [SLIP: A slender woman, though not as thin as ‘raod’ or ‘sgriot’ qv.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
goileam (f.n. )
-
[?] a gossipy woman.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
goirte-siùbhla
-
[ɡɔʴsṯəʃu̜:ɫə] Quot.: “Feumaidh tu rudeigin a ghabhail mas fhàg thu an goirte-siùbhla againn!” Note: if a woman went into a house for the first time after the birth of her child, she had to accept something before she went. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
goraisg
-
foolish woman.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
goraisg
-
foolish woman.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
goralag
-
foolish woman.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gorraisg
-
a silly woman.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
goruisg
-
a witless woman.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
grocach
-
[ɡɾɔxkɔx] Notes: heard a Staffin woman use it for thrifty; careful about money or possessions.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gràgain
-
[ɡɾɑ:ɡɑṉ] Quotation: Tha an té ud a’ gràgain. Notes: e.g. an old woman complaining and moaning.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
iarunn-tàillean
-
[iɤʴṉt̪ɑ:lʹɑṉ] Notes: heard an old woman say this for “goffering iron”. (?) [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
is
-
Quotation: ’S ann a’ sgrìobadh nam praisean a bha i siud. Notes: said of a woman who got a wet day for her wedding. Some people had a habit of (or preference for) eating porridge out of the pot. The Rev. Dugald Macfarlane of Kingussie preferred this. [NOTES: slipped under ‘is’.]
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
laighe siubhla
-
a woman in state of travail.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
laighe-siùbhla
-
[ɫɑiəʃu̜:ɫə] Quotation: Tha i air laighe-siùbhla. Notes: woman in labour.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
leabaidh siubhla
-
the bed on which such a woman [i.e. woman in state of travail] is placed. [Cf. laighe siubhla].
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
leac-nighe
-
washing stone. Horizontal slab on which the washer woman spread or put the clothes when washing beside a burn or loch (platform manner). [SLIP: Stones used as slabs for washing clothes by the burnside.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
leannan-òinsich
-
[lʹɑ̃n̪ɑṉɔ̃:ʃiç] Notes: applied to a man who would go with any woman who came his way. In general “an easily-led man”.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
leòcaid
-
Note: a fat, inactive woman.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
loireag
-
untidy woman.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
lubseach
-
an unpleasant, surly woman.
Location: North Uist, Blàsheabhal [Blashaval]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
luid
-
[ɫu̟tʃ] Notes: a woman who was bad at housework.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
luid
-
clumsy woman.
Origin: [Harris]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
luid
-
[ɫu̜dʹ] Note: big clumsy woman. “Phòs mi luid airson a cuid, Dh’fhalbh a’ chuid ’s dh’fhuirich a’ luid.”
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
luid
-
silly woman. “Fhuair mi luid / Fhuair mi cuid / Dh’fhan a’ luid / ’S dh’fhalbh mo chuid.”
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
-
lumachreach
-
Notes: a large, very stout woman. Not in Dw. Var. of loma-chreach (not in Dw. either).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
làbrach
-
an untidy, unkempt woman.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
magaid
-
Quotation: A’ bheil magaid aige dhith? Notes: Does he fancy her? (Heard this used by a Kintail woman.)
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
maganach
-
a very big heavy built man. I don’t think this word was applied to a woman. The first syllable had slightly more emphasis.
Origin: [Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
maolag
-
Notes: a woman with thinning hair. Dw. has maolag ‘a bald woman’ (MacEachen).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
mastaig
-
a brawling, unpleasant woman.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
mastaig
-
an objectionable woman.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
màilaid
-
used of a large fat woman.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
màrsach (I)
-
Boirionnach a tha a’ sealltuinn gu bheil i làidir a thaobh nam fear – ag iarraidh thuca ’s mar sin. Tuigidh sibh fhein! Mar tha ‘màrsach’ againne tha e gu math duilich còmhradh a chur air. [SLIP: A woman who shows she is strong vis-à-vis men.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
oinnid
-
a woman who is not quite the full shilling.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
oinseach
-
used of foolish woman. [NOTES: corrected to ‘òinseach’.]
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
-
otrag
-
a short, dumpy woman.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
placaid
-
[ˈpɫɑkɑdʹ] Note: could be “placaid de chailleach” – a large fat woman. “As deidh phlacaidean” – after butterflies, probably referring to their large wings. Also applied to large snowflakes: “placaidean móra sneachd”.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
préasant
-
Quotation: Nach i fhuair am préasant! Notes: said of woman who gets a worthless husband. Can also be used of man in similar situation.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
raipseach
-
a low, slovenly woman. Also ‘raipleach’.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ramailear (E)
-
Boirionnach a bhiodh a’ leum ’s a falbh bho àite gu àite gun mhóran stamhnaidh bho thigeadh rud sam bith ’n a ceann. “A ramaileireach an siod ’s an seo.” “Ramailear eagalach a th’innte.” [SLIP: An impetuous woman who would be up and off when it came into her head.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
ramaiseadh
-
[rɑ̃mɑʃəɣ] Quotation: Thug e [rɑ̃mɑʃəɣ] mhath dhi. Notes: improper handling of a woman.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
raod (E)
-
Boirionnach caol – glé chaol ’n a pearsa. “Raod eagalach a th’innte.” [SLIP: A very thin woman.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
reibseach
-
[rɛbʃɑx] Notes: a slovenly woman who didn’t care about what she did or said.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
rianach
-
clumsy woman.
Origin: [Harris]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
saidseach
-
ragged woman.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
saothair-chloinneadh
-
Quotation: Boirionnach ri saothair-chloinneadh. Notes: a woman in labour.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sconnsair
-
a big female or a hefty woman.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
scroid
-
(scryj) an untidy woman; a large flat button.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sean chrannaghal
-
of an old immobile woman.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sean chruilleasg
-
a very old woman or alternately an old instrument about to fall apart. [NOTES: ‘chruilleasg’ corrected to ‘chrùilleasg’.]
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgaorach
-
a loud woman, a bit crazy [?].
Location: Glasgow
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
sgiortaich de chaillich
-
[?] old woman.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
sgiuslaid
-
[sɡʹu̟sɫɑdʹ] Quot.: “Chruinnich i a sgiuslaidean ’s dh’fhalbh i.” Note: She collected her goods and chattels and went, as tinkerwives with what they had in packs. Or if a woman was staying in a house and took the huff – packed her things and went.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgliurach
-
unworthy woman. Perhaps hinting at moral depravity.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgliùrach
-
Notes: untidy, lazy woman.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgliùrach
-
a woman who makes a lot of noise.
Origin: Barra
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
sglogaid
-
lazy, useless woman.
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
sgloid
-
[sɡɫɔ:dʹʒ] Notes: big, fat, useless woman.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgloidseach
-
an untidy woman.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgluidseach
-
untidy woman.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
sglòinteach
-
[sɡɫɔ̃:nʹtʹɑx] Notes: a careless, untidy woman.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgraoid
-
(used of a woman) e.g. seann sgraoid. Untidy older woman who takes no care of her appearance. Used also as a derogatory term describing an unpopular person, probably female.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
-
sgreingeach
-
this applies to the humourless, ‘no-nonsense’, prim-and-proper type of woman: ’Se sgreingeach gun uidh e [sic] th’innte.
Location: [Lewis], Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgriogal
-
an aged shabby woman, or an old maid, begin [sic] to lose interest in herself.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgriot (E)
-
An aon seòrsa ri raod [q.v.]. Faisg, faisg air co dhiu. “Sgriot eagalach a th’innte.” [SLIP: A very thin woman.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
sguairne
-
an objectionable, large woman. Also in sense of anything large and objectionable.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sguaiseadh
-
Notes: bustling activity, as of a woman tidying up the house.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgug
-
a brainless, stupid woman.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sibhse
-
Notes: used formerly for addressing a married woman, no matter what her age.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
siurrag
-
[ʃu̜rɑɡ] Note: a woman who is always in and out of houses.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
siurrag
-
Note: applied to a woman who is always in and out of houses. (Also a’ siurraireachd.)
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
siurraireachd
-
[ʃurəðɑxk] Quot.: “Tha thu ann a’ sin a’ siurraireachd nan tighean fad an latha.” Note: used of a woman who is always in and out of houses.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
siúbhag
-
[ʃu̟:ɑɡ] Note: a person (usually a woman) who is always on visiting rounds. Pronounced [ʃo:ɑɡ] – seóbhag by some. (Slip for “seóbhag” as well, mentioning “siúbhag”.)
Origin: Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sleòpag
-
diminutive and bedraggled woman.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
snàthalain
-
a sort of ritual performed when an animal was ill. A woollen rope was made by a woman who was known to have mystical powers. As this rope was constructed, knots were tied in it, with the backdrop of prayers being shouted aloud. These women were known to have been physically sick during this ritual and many were known to have fainted. When completed this knotted rope was attached to the animal’s tail and thereafter the illness would be cured. This was fervently believed in, although you could never be one hundred percent sure it was actually responsible for the replenishment of health.
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sothamh
-
applied to a woman who has had a long courting. “Fhuair i deagh shothamh.”
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
speach
-
an objectionable, angry woman.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
speireag
-
spiteful woman (sparrow hawk).
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
speireag
-
a lively woman, girl.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
spiol-mhé(idh?)
-
Quotation: Cuiridh mi tron an spìol-mhé sibh. Notes: threat used by old woman to children…
Location: Harris, Gobhaig (Govig on the slips)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
spiorsaid
-
an unpopular, authoritative female. [SLIP: An unpopular, authoritarian woman.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
spleog
-
[splɛɔɡ] Notes: big, untidy woman.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
spéilearachd
-
[spe:lɑðɑxk] Quot.: a’ spéilearachd. Note: going brazenly from house to house. [spe:lɑð] – bold hussy type of woman.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
stiùbach
-
applied to a large, untidy woman.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
stolaideireachd
-
in old thatch houses used to describe action of woman who would empty a basin on lawn etc. in front of house.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
suthag
-
(in living room) A fairly low chair whose seat was made of twisted straw or rushes, with or without arms. This seat was specially designed for the comfort of the very old woman of the house and must not be confused with ‘sunnag’ [q.v.], as ‘suthag’ is of much more ancient design.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
tais
-
Quotation: ’S ann orra ’tha na taisean. Notes: soft parts (said of a bulky woman).
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
taomadh
-
Notes: (Murdo Murray, Back) in sense of shovelling the earth at the sides of the feannagan and in the claisean, on top of the feannagan. Murdo Murray recalls an old woman telling him how she got 1/-6d a day for peat-cutting, but only 1/- a day for taomadh. Dwelly has this sense, without as much detail as above.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
te a gnothaich
-
purposeful woman.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
togsaid
-
woman of ample proportions.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tomaraid
-
heavy, ungainly woman.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tomatach
-
plump woman.
Location: Glasgow
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
toradh-anabaich
-
miscarriage, ‘woman complaint’. Could it be used ‘miscarriage of justice’? Anyway it was used on Harris in connection with a pregnant woman’s failure to give a healthy birth to child, premature, etc. (I’ll try for more on this subject.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tulpan
-
Notes: a small round lump of anything. Can be applied, for example, to a cheese made by hanging it in gauze, or to a stumpy little woman.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tumalaid
-
a large, bulky woman.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tumaraid
-
a fat, round woman.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tumarraid (I)
-
Faisg air an seòrsa ri cearchaill [q.v.] – mór, tiugh agus trom ’n a pearsa. [SLIP 1: A rotund heavily-built woman.] [SLIP 2: A big, tough woman. Seldom used of a boy.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
turaisg
-
[t̪u̜riʃɡʹ] Note: (1) turaisg duine. (2) turaisg boirionnaich. Quot.: (1) duine mór reamhar. (2) òinseach de chreutair. (“Creutair” used often for a woman in Lewis: “Eisd, a’ chreutair”.)
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
turaisg
-
[t̪u̜riʃɡʹ] Note: woman without much common sense.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
turalach
-
[t̪u̜rəɫɑx] Note: a large, stout woman.
Origin: Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
turraid (-ean)
-
large heaps of seaweed. Also in the sense of a bulky woman.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tàd
-
Quotation: tàd / tàdach. Notes: (Keose) a feeble, ‘mem’ sort of woman / an adj. to describe such a person. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tàidsear (m)
-
Notes: forward girl/woman.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
uislig
-
a big untidy lump, often applied to a fat untidy woman.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
àpas
-
stupid, silly woman.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
éideag
-
[e:dʹɑɡ] Note: a slightly-built woman.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
éididh
-
[e:dʹi] Quot.: boirionnach beag éididh. Note: a very slightly-built woman.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
éisg
-
[e:ʃɡʹ] Notes: a woman who is noted for spreading scandal about someone, or for denigrating people.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ùslaig
-
a useless woman.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
