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ipv.:gabh e [òran]!; vbl nn: cha robh mi ‘ gabhail sian orm air an òran;'s i ' ~ail oirre, mas fhìor; tha mi ‘ dol a ghabhail orm [‘pretend’] gur e Gypsy a th’ ionnam; [‘is possible’]: rinn mi chuile sian a ghabhadh dèanamh innte; tha siud cho ceart 's a ghabhadh e; chaidh duine a mharbhadh a ghabhadh sàbhaladh muram biodh Latha nan Car ann;
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
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thatch.
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
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bha ‘n rathad an uair ud, cha robh e air a ghraveladh idir ‘s bha e ’na ~ ’s na ’eabair
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
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slate?
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
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thatcher.
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
acarsaid n.
‘harbour’: acarsaid [ɑʰkəɽʂat ́]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, North Shore, Wreck Cove
Category: Wreck Cove, North Shore wordlist
achadh n.
‘field’: ron[= tron] achaidh ud [r( ́)ɔn axi at]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona, Barra Glen
Category: Barra Glen, Iona wordlist
airson prep.
‘for’: airson slàinte mhath [ʆɔn sɫa:ɲt ́ vã]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, North Shore, Wreck Cove
Category: Wreck Cove, North Shore wordlist
anail n.
‘breath; breather’: leigibh ur n-anail! [ʎɩk ́u ɛrn anal ́]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona, Barra Glen
Category: Barra Glen, Iona wordlist
aoidion n.
‘water-tight’: aoidion air a bhàta [ɯ:t ́an ɛr ə va:tə]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, North Shore, Wreck Cove
Category: Wreck Cove, North Shore wordlist
beir vb.
‘seize; bear’: beiridh iad [peji at]; rug i [r ́uk i]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona, Barra Glen
Category: Barra Glen, Iona wordlist
buntàta n.
‘potato/~oes’: am buntàta [ə mə 'n̥a:tə]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, North Shore, Wreck Cove
Category: Wreck Cove, North Shore wordlist
bàta n.
‘boat’: am bàta [əm pa:tə]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona, Barra Glen
Category: Barra Glen, Iona wordlist
bàta n.
‘boat’: aoidion air a bhàta [ɯ:t ́an ɛr ə va:tə]; bàta seòladh ‘sailing boat’ [pa:tə ʃɔ:ɫəɣ]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, North Shore, Wreck Cove
Category: Wreck Cove, North Shore wordlist
caith vb.
‘throw’: ‘ cathamh chlachan [kʰæ̃ hu xʁ̫ axən]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona, Barra Glen
Category: Barra Glen, Iona wordlist
cas n.
’foot’: cùl mo choiseadh [khu:ʁ̫ mə xɔʃəɣ]; dat. sg. cois na h-aibhneadh [kʰɔʃ nə h˻ãĩ˼ɲəɣ]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona, Barra Glen
Category: Barra Glen, Iona wordlist
clach n.
‘stone’: ’ cathamh chlachan [kʰæ̃ hu xʁ̫ axən]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona, Barra Glen
Category: Barra Glen, Iona wordlist
crodh n.
‘cattle’: an crodh [ə ŋr̥uʰ]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Victoria Co., North Shore, Tarbot
Category: Tarbot, North Shore wordlist
daorach n.
‘intoxication’: an daorach [ndø:rəx]; tha ’n daorach air [hɑ nø:rəx ər]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Victoria Co., North Shore, Tarbot
Category: Tarbot, North Shore wordlist
feòil n.
‘meat’: pìos feòla [pʰi:s f˻eɔ˼ʁ̫ ə].
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona, Barra Glen
Category: Barra Glen, Iona wordlist
madadh allaidh n.
‘wild dog’: madadh allaidh [matə haʁ̫iç]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona, Barra Glen
Category: Barra Glen, Iona wordlist
math adj.
‘good’: slàinte mhath [ʆɔn sɫa:ɲt ́ vã]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, North Shore, Wreck Cove
Category: Wreck Cove, North Shore wordlist
meigead n.
‘bleating of kid (?)’: gen. sg. meigeid: tha e ’ ciarachadh a’ mheigeid (?) [ə vɩkɑʧ].
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness County, Broad Cove Chapel
Category: Seosamh Watson collection notebook date: Jan-May 1991
ri prep.
‘to, at, by’: ris an t-sionnach [r ́iʃ ə ɲt ́hụnəx]; thuirt e rium [huʈ ɑ r ́˻ɔu˼m]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Victoria Co., North Shore, Tarbot
Category: Tarbot, North Shore wordlist
ro[= tro] prep.
‘through’: roimh[= ro] thrioblaid [rɛ̃ r̥ ipʁ̫ at ́]; ron achaidh ud [r( ́)ɔn axi at]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona, Barra Glen
Category: Barra Glen, Iona wordlist
seòladh vbl. n.
‘sailing’: bàta seòladh ‘sailing boat’ [pa:tə ʃɔ:ɫəɣ]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, North Shore, Wreck Cove
Category: Wreck Cove, North Shore wordlist
sgrath n.
[sgrɔ] ‘bark of tree’: in Mabou [sgrɑ].
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness County, Broad Cove Chapel
Category: Seosamh Watson collection notebook date: Jan-May 1991
slàinte n.
‘health’: airson slàinte mhath [ʆɔn sɫa:ɲt ́ vã]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, North Shore, Wreck Cove
Category: Wreck Cove, North Shore wordlist
uisge n.
‘water’: an t-uisge [ən tʰu̎ʃt ́ə]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, North Shore, Wreck Cove
Category: Wreck Cove, North Shore wordlist
uisge n.
‘water’: uisge [uʃt ́ə̆]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona, Barra Glen
Category: Barra Glen, Iona wordlist
(1) Slat bheag
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
(2) Slat mhór
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
(3) Aotraman
Ni aotraman mór mairt deagh phuta lin bhig air an tràigh le tìde mhath samhraidh.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
(3) Poca chudaig
Tha am poca ga chur a mach do’n uisge agus tha pronnabhiadhadh ga chrathadh a mach ’na bhroinn. Nuair a chruinnicheas móran chudaig a dh’itheadh a bhiadhidh so tha thu ga thogail is tha do nàbuidh ga sgròbadh le mios. ’Se mios as fhearr na peile airson na h-oibreach so a chionn gum biodh cluasan a’ pheile dualtach air a dhol an sas anns an lion.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
(4) Tàbh beag
Ni bun slait chreagaich cas do’n tabh so. Chan fhaca mi ann an àite e ach ann an Uig an Ungaisiadar. Tha e air oibreachadh mar poca chudaig – a’ crathadh a’ phronnabhiadhaidh ’na bhroinn. Tha e cho aotram is nach leig thu leas fear sgròbaidh, dòirtidh tu fhein na bheir thu gu tir de chudaig do pheile no do chliabh.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
(7) Puta gloine
So puta de ghloine uaine a bhios a’ tighinn air tir air a’ chladach a bhios a’ fosgladh bho thràbhlaichean nan tralairean. Tha iad mu shia oirlich a’ leud mun teis meadhon, is ni tri dhuibh [sic] ann am pios lin puta lin bhig ann an tìde mhath, ach tha iad duilich am faicinn ma bhios pluicean no coileach air a’ mhuir.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
(Cath M)
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
(Don’t Know)
Congregational.
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
(Seòladh)
Tha dithis air am bi botunnan dionach ga cumail ’na h-aite an sin, no dithis anns an eathar le ràmh a fear an taice ris a ghrunn. Tha an t-uidheam iasgaich a nise ga chur innte – na raimh, an crann, an seòl, an stiùir, dà phuta, dà chàbull, dà chruaidh agus na sgùiltean. Tha an dubhan comhallach innte daonnan.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
(Tha e) cùrsa cabhadh
[NOTES: note in the margin – RÓM: a’ cur is a’ cathamh?]
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
(a) Am pas no chluas
The flattened top part of the foot.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
(a) Cleaning and weeding potatoes
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(a) Cleaning and weeding potatoes
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(a) Cleaning and weeding potatoes
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(a) Cleaning and weeding potatoes
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(a) Cleaning and weeding potatoes
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(a) leora
Quotation: (A) leora, ’s tu thoilleadh tachairt riut. Notes: expletive. Probably from leabhair, “by the book”, i.e. the Bible. Cf. Irish dar an leabhar.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
(also) cnàmharnach
well-built man, of strong proportions. ’S e cnàmharnach de dhuine tapaidh th’ann. (Scalpay) May have originated from cnàmh.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
(aoirchdan) (phonetic)
horns. [NOTES: slipped under ‘adharc’ with ‘pl. [[œi]rçkən]’ as the quotation but there is a wavy line in pencil going across the latter possibly to show that the transcription may be wrong.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
(b) Potato cutting for seed
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(b) Potato cutting for seed
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(b) Potato cutting for seed
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(b) Potato cutting for seed
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(b) Potato cutting for seed
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(b) diseases of the head, neck and throat
Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
(c) Actual dividing and allocating of land, e.g. casting lots
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(c) Actual dividing and allocating of land, e.g. casting lots
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(c) Actual dividing and allocating of land, e.g. casting lots
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(c) Actual dividing and allocating of land, e.g. casting lots
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(c) Actual dividing and allocating of land, e.g. casting lots
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(c) Other words associated with carting
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(c) Other words associated with carting
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(c) Other words associated with carting
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(c) Other words associated with carting [NOTES: changed to (f) by Mr MacDonald; see note above.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(c) Potato lifting and storing
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(c) Potato lifting and storing
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(c) Potato lifting and storing
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(c) Potato lifting and storing
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(c) Potato lifting and storing
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(cast)
[NOTES: not clear what this refers to.]
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
(colas) duine air mullach nan teud
[?] at the height of his jollity or enjoyment.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
(d) Land owned or held under leases of various duration
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(d) Land owned or held under leases of various duration
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(d) Land owned or held under leases of various duration
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(d) Land owned or held under leases of various duration
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(d) Land owned or held under leases of various duration
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(e) sgiath
a mach dìreach o’n iarunn air an taobh chlì.
Origin: Borraraig [Skye, Boreraig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
(gun) siomal
shade, fraction, equally as: Gu’n siomal a dh’athrachadh, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
(pree)
[NOTES: not sure what this refers to. It is placed right above ‘bruich’ in the line below.]
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
-sa
[= so] deictic suffix ‘this’: a’ dol dha na h-eaglaisean aca fhèin, an latha-as
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
1. Ainmean air seòrsachan eathraichean
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Eathraichean / Boats
1. Ainmean air seòrsachan eathraichean
Category: Eathraichean / Boats
1. Am mathair-shioman
[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
1. An Diabhul
from the Latin ‘Diabolus’.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
1. Different stages in the growth of cattle
Category: Crodh / Cattle
1. Different stages in the growth of cattle
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
1. Different stages in the growth of cattle
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
1. Different stages in the growth of cattle
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
1. Different stages in the growth of cattle
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Crodh / Cattle
1. Different stages in the growth of cattle
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
1. Different stages in the growth of cattle
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
1. Different stages in the growth of cattle
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
1. Different stages in the growth of cattle
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
1. Different stages in the growth of cattle
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
1. Different stages in the growth of cattle
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
1. Different stages in the growth of cattle
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
1. Different stages in the growth of cattle
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
1. Different stages in the growth of cattle
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
1. Different stages in the growth of cattle
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
1. Different stages in the growth of cattle
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
1. Different stages in the growth of cattle – male and female and castrated
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
1. Fish location by natural means
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
1. Fish location by natural means
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
1. Gluta (dh)
Rarely, if ever, does this word have a ‘g’ sound at the end. [NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
1. Land division and allocation
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Land division and allocation
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Land division and allocation
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Land division and allocation
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Land division and allocation
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Letter dated 14/7/1975
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
1. Letter dated 26/1/1976
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
1. Letter dated 27/10/1975
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
1. Various denominations
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
1. Various denominations
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
1. Various denominations
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
1. Various denominations
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
1. Various denominations
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
1. Various denominations
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
1. Various denominations
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
1. Various denominations
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
1. Various denominations
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
1. Various denominations
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
1. Various denominations
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
1. Various denominations
Origin: [in the card index: Islay, Ballygrant] [the questionnaire gives Earraghaidhiell but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
1. Various denominations
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
1.1. Good weather
Category: Sìde / Weather
1.1. Good weather
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
1.1. Good weather
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
1.1. Good weather
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
1.1. Good weather
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
1.1. Good weather
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
1.2. Bad weather
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
1.2. Bad weather
Category: Sìde / Weather
1.2. Bad weather
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
1.2. Bad weather
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
1.2. Bad weather
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
1.2. Bad weather
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
1.3. Temperature
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
1.3. Temperature
Category: Sìde / Weather
1.3. Temperature
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
1.3. Temperature
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
1.3. Temperature
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
1.3. Temperature
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
10. A’ bualadh ’s a’ criathradh
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
10. A’ bualadh ’s a’ criathradh
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
10. A’ bualadh ’s a’ criathradh
Origin: Bràigh-Lochabar [Brae Lochaber]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
10. A’ bualadh ’s a’ criathradh
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
10. A’ bualadh ’s a’ criathradh
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
10. A’ bualadh ’s a’ criathradh
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
10. Sgrothan
As opposed to ‘sgrathan’. [NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
10.7. A few flakes floating in the wind
Category: Sìde / Weather
10.7. A few flakes floating in the wind
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
10.7. A few flakes floating in the wind
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
10.7. A few flakes floating in the wind
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
10.7. A few flakes floating in the wind
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
10.7. A few flakes floating in the wind
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
11. Spallachan
Small wedge stones in wall. [NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
12. Lobhta
Ceiling. [NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
12. Miscellaneous: short tail that remains after docking, small tuft of hair under the chin of a ram, scabby sheep losing their wool, any other words
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross and Cromarty but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
12. Satan, Hell, Purgatory, Limbo, different kinds of sin etc.
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
12. Satan, Hell, Purgatory, Limbo, different kinds of sin etc.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
12. Satan, Hell, Purgatory, Limbo, different kinds of sin etc.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
12. Satan, Hell, Purgatory, Limbo, different kinds of sin etc.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
12. Satan, Hell, Purgatory, Limbo, different kinds of sin etc.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
12. Satan, Hell, Purgatory, Limbo, different kinds of sin etc.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
12. Satan, Hell, Purgatory, Limbo, different kinds of sin etc.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
12. Satan, Hell, Purgatory, Limbo, different kinds of sin etc.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
12. Satan, Hell, Purgatory, Limbo, different kinds of sin etc.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
12. Satan, Hell, Purgatory, Limbo, different kinds of sin etc.
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
12. Satan, Hell, Purgatory, Limbo, different kinds of sin etc.
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
12. Satan, Hell, Purgatory, Limbo, different kinds of sin etc.
Origin: [in the card index: Islay, Ballygrant] [the questionnaire gives Earraghaidhiell but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
12. Satan, Hell, Purgatory, Limbo, different kinds of sin etc.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
12. Signs foretelling weather
Category: Sìde / Weather
12. Signs foretelling weather
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
12. Signs foretelling weather
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
12. Signs foretelling weather
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
12. Signs foretelling weather
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
12. Signs foretelling weather.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
12. Tools used in boat-building
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
12. Tools used in boat-building
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
12.1. Foretelling good weather
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
12.1. Foretelling good weather
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
12.1. Foretelling good weather
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
12.1. Foretelling good weather
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
12.1. Foretelling good weather
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
12.1. Foretelling good weather.
Category: Sìde / Weather
12.2 Foretelling bad weather.
Category: Sìde / Weather
12.2. Foretelling bad weather
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
12.2. Foretelling bad weather
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
12.2. Foretelling bad weather
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
12.2. Foretelling bad weather
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
12.2. Foretelling bad weather
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
13. Am balla beag
Usually made of lime from maoraich mixed with dung and mud; connecting the top of the inner wall with the ceiling to exclude the house interior from draughts. [NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
13. General sayings or proverbs connected with the weather
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
13. General sayings or proverbs connected with the weather
Category: Sìde / Weather
13. General sayings or proverbs connected with the weather
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
13. General sayings or proverbs connected with the weather
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
13. General sayings or proverbs connected with the weather
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
13. General sayings or proverbs connected with the weather
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
14. Cranndairean
Octagonal wooden pins. [NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
15. Ùrlar dubh
Made from a mixture of clay and sand with sheep’s urine. The ‘ùrlar’ tended if anything to be slightly lower than the level of the ground outside. [NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
16. Tughadh
Note: a thatched house in Tiree is called ‘tigh tughadh’ and not ‘tigh tughaidh’ as is customary in some other places. [NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
17. Sìoman càmhlaich
Word used in Tiree for straw-rope. [NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
17. Sìoman ruadh
Coir stack rope. [NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
2. Ainm gach pàirt dhen eathar eadar an druim ’s am beul, agus na broinn
Category: Eathraichean / Boats
2. Ainm gach pàirt dhen eathar eadar an druim ’s am beul, agus na broinn
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Eathraichean / Boats
2. Am balla-mach
The word ‘muigh’ is never used in Tiree. [NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
2. Athaisg
bó air a droch bhiadhadh.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
2. A’ mathachadh no a’ leasachadh na talmhainn
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. A’ mathachadh no a’ leasachadh na talmhainn
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. A’ mathachadh no a’ leasachadh na talmhainn
Origin: Bràigh-Lochabar [Brae Lochaber]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. A’ mathachadh no a’ leasachadh na talmhainn
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. A’ mathachadh no a’ leasachadh na talmhainn
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. A’ mathachadh no a’ leasachadh na talmhainn
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Breeds of cattle
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
2. Breeds of cattle
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
2. Breeds of cattle
Category: Crodh / Cattle
2. Breeds of cattle
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
2. Breeds of cattle
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Crodh / Cattle
2. Breeds of cattle
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
2. Breeds of cattle
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
2. Breeds of cattle
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
2. Breeds of cattle
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
2. Breeds of cattle
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
2. Breeds of cattle
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
2. Breeds of cattle
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
2. Breeds of cattle
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
2. Breeds of cattle
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
2. Breeds of cattle
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
2. Breeds of cattle
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
2. Breeds of cattle
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
2. Different kinds of potatoes
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Different kinds of potatoes
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Different kinds of potatoes
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Different kinds of potatoes
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Different kinds of potatoes
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. How constructed and materials used. Winnowing
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. How constructed and materials used. Winnowing
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. How constructed and materials used. Winnowing
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. How constructed and materials used. Winnowing.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. How constructed and materials used. Winnowing.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Member of each of these denominations
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
2. Member of each of these denominations
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
2. Member of each of these denominations
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
2. Member of each of these denominations
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
2. Member of each of these denominations
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
2. Member of each of these denominations
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
2. Member of each of these denominations
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
2. Member of each of these denominations
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
2. Member of each of these denominations
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
2. Member of each of these denominations
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
2. Member of each of these denominations
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
2. Member of each of these denominations
Origin: [in the card index: Islay, Ballygrant] [the questionnaire gives Earraghaidhiell but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
2. Member of each of these denominations
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
2. Na criosan
About every sixth horizontal rope had a rope twisted round it after the vertical ones were in place on top of them, so as to keep the vertical ones equally spaced from one another. [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
2. Respiratory diseases
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
2. Respiratory diseases
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
2. Respiratory diseases
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
2. Sack, creel, barrow etc. used for carrying potatoes in field and to steading
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Sack, creel, barrow etc. used for carrying potatoes in field and to steading
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Sack, creel, barrow etc. used for carrying potatoes in field and to steading
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Sack, creel, barrow etc. used for carrying potatoes in field and to steading
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Sack, creel, barrow etc. used for carrying potatoes in field and to steading
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Seòrsaichean de fhuaim: Fuaimean na mara, na gaoithe; Fuaimean bheathaichean is eòin; Fuaimean a bhios daoine deanamh dhan toil agus dha aindheoin, fuaimean anns an stamaig, seòrsaichean gàire, eubh no guth
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
2. The sky and the weather
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
2. The sky and the weather
Category: Sìde / Weather
2. The sky and the weather
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
2. The sky and the weather
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
2. The sky and the weather
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
2. The sky and the weather
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
2. Word-list (‘Cruinneachadh de dh’fhaclan’) dated 1975
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
2. Word-list (‘Cruinneachadh de dh’fhaclan’) dated 21/1/1975
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
3. Am balla-staigh
[NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
3. Beathaichean eile a gheibhear ’sa’ chladach
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
3. Beathaichean eile a gheibhear ’sa’ chladach
Location: Isle-of-Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
3. Beathaichean eile a gheibhear ’sa’ chladach
[page missing]
Location: Eilean Thiriodh, Cornaig Mhór [Tiree, Cornaigmore]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
3. Beathaichean eile a gheibhear ’sa’ chladach
Location: Uibhist a Tuath, Ceann a Bhàigh [North Uist, Bayhead]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
3. Beathaichean eile a gheibhear ’sa’ chladach
Location: [Mull], Tobermory
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
3. Beathaichean eile a gheibhear ’sa’ chladach
Location: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach, Stafainn [Skye, Staffin]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
3. Beathaichean eile a gheibhear ’sa’ chladach
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrìgh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
3. Beathaichean eile a gheibhear ’sa’ chladach
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
3. Beathaichean eile a gheibhear ’sa’ chladach
Origin: Lewis, Uig an Iar
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
3. Beathaichean eile a gheibhear ’sa’ chladach
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
3. Cliathan (pl.)
’S ann a bha iad againne an àirde.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
3. Different stages in the growth of the castrated male
Location: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
3. Different stages in the growth of the castrated male
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect)
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
3. Different stages in the growth of the castrated male
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
3. Different stages in the growth of the castrated male
Origin: Barra
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
3. Different stages in the growth of the castrated male
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
3. Different stages in the growth of the castrated male
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
3. Different stages in the growth of the castrated male
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
3. Different stages in the growth of the castrated male
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
3. Different stages in the growth of the castrated male
Origin: Ross of Mull
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
3. Different stages in the growth of the castrated male
Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
3. Different stages in the growth of the castrated male
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
3. Different stages in the growth of the castrated male
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
3. Different stages in the growth of the castrated male
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
3. Different stages in the growth of the castrated male
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross and Cromarty but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
3. Diseases/insects which attack the particular crop(s)
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Diseases/insects which attack the particular crop(s)
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Diseases/insects which attack the particular crop(s)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Diseases/insects which attack the particular crop(s)
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Diseases/insects which attack the particular crop(s)
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Gnathasan-cainnte tha bointinn ris an t-sùil
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
3. Gnathasan-cainnte tha bointinn ris an t-sùil
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
3. Gnathasan-cainnte tha bointinn ris an t-sùil
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
3. Gnathasan-cainnte tha bointinn ris an t-sùil
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
3. Letter (22/5/1975). ‘Tuilleadh fhaclan’ but not clear which word-list was attached to the letter.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
3. Outward appearance of cattle
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
3. Outward appearance of cattle
Category: Crodh / Cattle
3. Outward appearance of cattle
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
3. Outward appearance of cattle
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
3. Outward appearance of cattle
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Crodh / Cattle
3. Outward appearance of cattle
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
3. Outward appearance of cattle
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
3. Outward appearance of cattle
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
3. Outward appearance of cattle
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
3. Outward appearance of cattle
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
3. Outward appearance of cattle
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
3. Outward appearance of cattle
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
3. Outward appearance of cattle
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
3. Outward appearance of cattle
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
3. Outward appearance of cattle
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
3. Outward appearance of cattle
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
3. Outward appearance of cattle
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
3. Sioman gualainn
Rope going round chimney and weighted down at both ends by extra large anchor stones. [NOTES: see the illustrations under ‘Some ropework terms’ and ‘Ropework at hip with chimney’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
3. Where potatoes are kept or stored
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Where potatoes are kept or stored
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Where potatoes are kept or stored
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Where potatoes are kept or stored
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Where potatoes are kept or stored
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Word-list (‘Cruinneachadh de dh’fhaclan’) dated 25/06/1975
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
4. An sioman dróma
This rope was usually double and went longitudinally from one hip-end to the other. It was always the first rope to be laid on the roof as all the horizontal ropes (except ones at a chimney which are made fast to the ‘sioman guallain’ [sic]) were made fast to it as also were the hip vertical ropes which were passed through loops on it. [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
4. Arrangement of Material and Code.
Location: North Uist
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
4. Decorations
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
4. Decorations
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
4. Decorations
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
4. Decorations [NOTES: changed to (e) by Mr MacDonald; see note above.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
4. Gu math aige.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Potato diseases
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
4. Potato diseases
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
4. Potato diseases
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
4. Potato diseases
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
4. Potato diseases
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
4. Tobhta
[NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
4. Word-list (‘Cruinneachadh de dh’fhaclan’) dated 27/06/1975
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
4.11. Winds associated with particular seasons of the year
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
4.11. Winds associated with particular seasons of the year
Category: Sìde / Weather
4.11. Winds associated with particular seasons of the year
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
4.11. Winds associated with particular seasons of the year
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
4.11. Winds associated with particular seasons of the year
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
4.11. Winds associated with particular seasons of the year
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
5. Acfhuinn, iomallan. (E)
(Sg. ‘Iomall’. ‘Iomallnan’ – mar a bha aig m’ athair bha ‘n’ ann. Mar a chanadh m’ athair e bha e air leth coltach ri ‘iomrallan’.)
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
5. Duirgh, slatan, driamlaichean
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
5. Duirgh, slatan, driamlaichean
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
5. Duirgh, slatan, driamlaichean
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
5. Duirgh, slatan, driamlaichean
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
5. Duirgh, slatan, driamlaichean
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
5. Duirgh, slatan, driamlaichean
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
5. Duirgh, slatan, driamlaichean
Origin: Skye
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
5. Duirgh, slatan, driamlaichean
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
5. Duirgh, slatan, driamlaichean
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
5. Members of the clergy and office-bearers in the Roman Catholic church
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
5. Members of the clergy and office-bearers in the Roman Catholic church
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
5. Members of the clergy and office-bearers in the Roman Catholic church
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
5. Members of the clergy and office-bearers in the Roman Catholic church
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
5. Members of the clergy and office-bearers in the Roman Catholic church
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
5. Members of the clergy and office-bearers in the Roman Catholic church
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
5. Members of the clergy and office-bearers in the Roman Catholic church
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
5. Members of the clergy and office-bearers in the Roman Catholic church
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
5. Members of the clergy and office-bearers in the Roman Catholic church
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
5. Members of the clergy and office-bearers in the Roman Catholic church
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
5. Members of the clergy and office-bearers in the Roman Catholic church
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
5. Members of the clergy and office-bearers in the Roman Catholic church
Origin: [in the card index: Islay, Ballygrant] [the questionnaire gives Earraghaidhiell but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
5. Members of the clergy and office-bearers in the Roman Catholic church
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
5. Na buadhan
This is always the word used in Tiree for anchor stones. Never ‘acraichean’ as is the usual in most places. [NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
5. Na lùban
Loops formed by a length of rope tied at the top of the hip to the ‘sioman dróma’ [q.v.], through which the hip vertical ropes passed. [NOTES: see the illustration under ‘Ropework at hip without chimney’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
5. Spàrr, Spàrra-ghaoithe
Aon spàrr a bhiodh againne. Ach tha an dà ainm beò air na bilean fhathast.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
5. Word-list (‘Cruinneachadh de dh’fhaclan’) dated 27/06/1975
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
6. (Na) Ceann a’ mhaidean
Couples. [NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
6. An gath-droma
a bh’ againne.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
6. An t-àrd doras
[NOTES: see the illustration under ‘Some ropework terms’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
6. Athletics
Location: Leodhas [Lewis], an taobh siar
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
6. Athletics
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
6. Athletics
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., [Lochaber]) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.)
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
6. Athletics
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
6. Athletics
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
6. Athletics
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
6. Athletics
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
6. Athletics
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
6. Athletics
Origin: [in the card index: Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
6. Faclan sam bith eile co-cheangailte ri eathraichean no ri seòladh
Category: Eathraichean / Boats
6. Holy Orders within the Roman Catholic church
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
6. Holy Orders within the Roman Catholic church
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
6. Holy Orders within the Roman Catholic church
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
6. Holy Orders within the Roman Catholic church
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
6. Holy Orders within the Roman Catholic church
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
6. Holy Orders within the Roman Catholic church
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
6. Holy Orders within the Roman Catholic church
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
6. Holy Orders within the Roman Catholic church
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
6. Holy Orders within the Roman Catholic church
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
6. Holy Orders within the Roman Catholic church
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
6. Holy Orders within the Roman Catholic church
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
6. Holy Orders within the Roman Catholic church
Origin: [in the card index: Islay, Ballygrant] [the questionnaire gives Earraghaidhiell but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
6. Holy Orders within the Roman Catholic church
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
6. Interior parts, such as seats
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
6. Interior parts, such as seats
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
6. Weather and the sea
Category: Sìde / Weather
6. Weather and the sea
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
6. Weather and the sea
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
6. Weather and the sea
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
6. Weather and the sea
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
6. Weather and the sea
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
6. Word-list (‘Cruinneachadh de dh’fhaclan’) dated 1975
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
6. Yarn and associated apparatus
Location: [Lewis], Arnol, Bragar and Uigen
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
6. Yarn and associated apparatus
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber)
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
6. Yarn and associated apparatus
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
6. Yarn and associated apparatus
Origin: Barra
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
6. Yarn and associated apparatus
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
6. Yarn and associated apparatus
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
6. Yarn and associated apparatus
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
6. Yarn and associated apparatus
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
6. Yarn and associated apparatus
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
6. Yarn and associated apparatus
Origin: [in the card index: Islay, Ballygrant] [the questionnaire gives Argyll but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
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. Croinn chas, greallagan, cranna cas, cliath, casan, casaichean, Barra, Skye etc.
(‘Sgimileir’ (E), ‘sgimileirean’ againne. Air na beartan-móra bha ceithir sgimileirean.)
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
7. Na taobhan (àrd is ìseal)
Sometimes there are three purlins on each side of the roof instead of just two. [NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
7. Nithean a bhiodh ann nuair a rachadh beathach a mharbhadh
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
7. Nithean a bhiodh ann nuair a rachadh beathach a mharbhadh
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
7. Nithean a bhiodh ann nuair a rachadh beathach a mharbhadh
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
7. Nithean a bhiodh ann nuair a rachadh beathach a mharbhadh
Origin: Islay
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
7. Nithean a bhiodh ann nuair a rachadh beathach a mharbhadh
Origin: [Lewis]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
7. Nithean a bhiodh ann nuair a rachadh beathach a mharbhadh
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
7. Nithean a bhiodh ann nuair a rachadh beathach a mharbhadh (missing)
Origin: Uibhist a’ Deas [South Uist]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
7. Word-list. (‘Vocabulary. Not in alphabetical order at present.’)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
8. Apparatus
Location: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
8. Apparatus
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect)
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
8. Apparatus
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
8. Apparatus
Origin: Barra
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
8. Apparatus
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
8. Apparatus
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
8. Apparatus
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
8. Apparatus
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
8. Apparatus
Origin: Ross of Mull
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
8. Apparatus
Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
8. Apparatus
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
8. Apparatus
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
8. Apparatus
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
8. Apparatus
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross and Cromarty but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
8. Sparr tharsainn
[NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
8.4. Other terms associated with mist
Category: Sìde / Weather
8.4. Other terms associated with mist
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
8.4. Other terms associated with mist
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
8.4. Other terms associated with mist
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
8.4. Other terms associated with mist
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
8.4. Other terms associated with mist
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
9. Apparatus
Category: Crodh / Cattle
9. Apparatus
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
9. Apparatus
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
9. Apparatus
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
9. Apparatus
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Crodh / Cattle
9. Apparatus
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
9. Apparatus
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
9. Apparatus
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
9. Apparatus
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
9. Apparatus
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
9. Apparatus
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
9. Apparatus
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
9. Apparatus
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
9. Apparatus
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
9. Apparatus
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
9. Apparatus
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
9. Apparatus
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
9. Na cabair
[NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
?? amhainn
[ɑ̟̃v̬ĩ̜ɲ] lower part of the thatch.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
A Chealla
“An a sgaoil a’ Chealla?” A’ Chealla b’e seo againne eaglais Bhaile na Cille ann an Uig. Bha e aig na seann daoine mar a th’agam an seo shuas. “A’ Chealla” agus “An a sgaoil a’ Chealla”. Ach cha robh e againne ach mar ainm do’m biodh sinn a’ toirt an aire, chluinneadh sinn e an dràsda ’s a rithist. Nuair a bha Calum MacLeòid am ministeir (Calum MacLeòid a chaochail ann am Both-chuidir agus a bha ’na Cheann-suidhe air a’ Chomunn Ghàidhealach airson greis), nuair a bha e dol troimh an fhòghlum an Dunéideann, thuit a mach bhuaithe uaireigin “A Chealla” agus mar sin. Thug an t-Ollamh Mac Fhionghuin an aire do an seo anns an spot agus chòrd an rud a bh’ann ris anabarrach math.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
A chruthadair mhathasaich!
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
AN LÀMH - Buillean air duine no leanabh, suathadh, ‘press’, ‘caress’ is mar sin
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
Abhaich
native of Avoch, Scotland. Na h-Abhaich. Eithear Abhach – an Avoch boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Air an iolla
So a bhith muigh an an eathar anns a’ bhàgh, dithis ag iomradh agus na ‘flies’ ga slaodadh as a deidh air na slatan no air an dragh gun na slatan. Feumaidh cuideam luaidhe rud-eigin trom a bhith air an driamlach os cionn na ‘flies’ gus an cumail sios beagan anns a’ mhuir.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Air a’ chladach
Tha an criudha cruinn mu’n eathar.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Air sgàth ni math!
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Aird-a’-Sculapraig
a place-name near Kildonan. The word ‘sculapraig’ came about since stolen cattle were gathered on this bit of ground.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Aire na h-Aoine ort.
Death shroud upon you.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Airleis
So airgiod a bhiodh gach te ann an criudha ri faighinn bhon chùireir nuair a cheangaladh iad fhein ris mus toisicheadh an t-iasgach. Tha cuid beò fhathast a thoisich air tasdan de àirleis, ach bha e cho àrd ri deich tasdain an te nuair a sguir iad a dhol ’nan treudan chun an iasgaich so.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Am Buaireadair
Satan.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Am Fear Dubh
Satan.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Am Fear Millidh
Satan.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Am Fear Millidh
Satan.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Am Fear nach tig an coir (cobhair?) Criosdaidh
Satan.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Am Mac Mollachd
Satan.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Am Paten
Paten.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Am fear nach can mi
Satan.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Am fear tha air an t-slabhraidh
Satan.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
An Coisrigeadh
The Consecration.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
An Cuan Hiortach (E)
[See Lèana Mhór Hiort.] Cuideachd, chanadh iad “An Cuan Hiortach”. “Anns a’ Chuan Hiortach.” [NOTES: slipped under ‘cuan’ with ‘An Cuan Hiortach’ as the quotation. Definition: The sea between St Kilda and the mainland of Lewis and Harris where they used to fish.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
An Deamhan
Satan.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
An Diabhol
Satan.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
An Diobhall
Satan.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
An Donas
Satan.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
An Droch Fhear
Satan.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
An Droch Spiorad
Satan.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
An Eaglais Phapanach
Roman Catholic Church.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
An Eaglais Phàpanach
R. Catholic.
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
An Eaglais Stéidhichte
B’e seo an Established Church. Agus mar a th’agam air an taobh eile, ’s ann riutha seo a chanadh sinn Na Moderats. Ach bho 1929 chan eil an t-ainm tric ’ga chleachdadh. Ach cho fad’s is aithne dhomh, tha e beò fhathast.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
An Liath Bhalaidh
believed to be the name of the coracle that took Columba to Iona.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
An Nàmhaid
Satan.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
An Riabhach
Satan.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
An Ruaraidh a dh’fhalbh ’se thill
no change in personality despite his absence from native area.
Location: Barra, Eoligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
An Socach
Sorry, I have forgotten its location. [NOTES: crossed out.]
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
An Sàtan
Satan.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
An Urnaigh “Gloir don Athair”
Gloria (Patri).
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
An deireadh no An màs
So far an cuir thu fon an t-sreang bonnach le im agus botul bainne air do shlighe chun a’ chladaich gu bhith agad ma thig an t-acras ort a muigh – mar as tric a thig. So cuideachd far an cuir thu crùbag, no creachan no beathach eisg annasach a thig air do lion beag fhein a bhios tu airson a thoirt dhachaidh leat.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
An t-Arsair
Satan.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
An t-Saimh
the Atlantic.
Location: Harris, Leverburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
An t-Seacaid Mhòr
Tonsure coat.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
An t-earball
Dean an nis earball an lin bhig leis na tha agad sios fo’n taraig, le lùbadh air a fhein agus toinneamh da dhual a chur air ga ghlasadh le ‘splice’. Teannaich an nis pios den druim bhon tarag so sios cho fada ’sa leigeas cliathaich an tighe dhuit agus ceangail e ri tarag eile gus am bi pios math den druim agad teann eadar an dà tharaig. Nuair a chuir thu na calpan air an druim dh’fhag thu cas fhada agus cas bheag mu thri oirlich no beagan na’s fhaide sios fon charcair. Tha a chas bheag so air a toinneamh ris a’ chalp fhada is air a glasadh le snaim. Nuair a ni thu so air a chula calp a tha eadar an da tharaig tha thu ga fosgladh bho na tairgean agus a’ slaodadh uiread eile don druim le na calpan troimh’n ulaig is gan ceangal a rithist. Lean air adhairt mar so gus an cuir thu an toinneamh air a chula calp.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
An taghadh
So gach ainm a bha aig na cutairean air gach taghadh: ‘Dead Small’, ‘Small’, ‘Matte’, ‘Matte Furl’, ‘Matte Large’, ‘Torn Bellies’, ‘Spent’, ‘Select’.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Anns a’ bhraga
“Tha mi anns a’ bhraga.” ’Se sin a chanadh sinne anns an Rudha nuair a dheidheadh an dubhan a sàs anns an fheamainn a bha ri fas domhain aig bun na creige. Chan eil iad a’ gnathachadh an fhacail leis a chiall so ann an Nis idir. ’Se ‘braga’ chanas iadsan ri sgeir (reef) anns an uisge.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Ar n’ Athair air Neamh
God.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Ath – The Kiln
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Ath-lionadh
Bhiodh an sgadan a’ ‘sinceadh’ sios anns gach baraille a bhiodh air a lionadh, agus ann an la no dha bha aca ri ath-lionadh le sgadan eile. Bhiodh an criudha gu leir a’ gabhail pàirt anns an obair so, oir ’sann anns a’ bharaille a bha iad pàidhte agus pàidhte anns an uair airson an ath-lionadh is an treas lionadh.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Athair na Flathas
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Athaiseach
Conservatives.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
A’ Chathair
Presidential chair.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
A’ Phaidir
The Lord’s Prayer, The Pater Noster.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
A’ Phaidir
The Pater Noster.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
A’ chiad steall a thig as a’ mharaig is teotha
this was a saying used for someone who started a day’s work with great vigour but by afternoon the zest had diminished.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
A’ cur
Tha an sgiobair air an sguit deiridh agus is e esan as trice a bhios ri cur. Tha fear a dh’aon ghnothaich air an tobhta deiridh gus gach sguil a chur chun an fhir cura. Tha e cur sguil air an t-sòla eadar e fhein agus an sgiobair agus a’ ceangal an lin bhig [ri?] fear de earbaill seasg na cruadhach agus tha an sgiobair a’ ceangal a’ chabuill ris an earball seasg eile a’ deanamh cinnteach gu bheil pailteas cabuill aige a reir an àirde aig a bheil e. Tha na lin – lin mhóra, lin bheaga, no lin sgadanach air an cur air ‘taobh a deas na luinge’ agus tha na lin air an cur is air an togail mu ghabhas e deanamh le ruith sruth na tìde mhara – gu h-àraidh ma tha t-earbsa ann an ràimh no seòl – agus ma bhios sruth anabarrach laidir ann tha puta suap a’ dol air a’ chàbull. Tha an càbull, a tha ’na luban réidh air beulaibh an fhir cura a’ ruith air a shocair tre làmhan, a’ chruaidh air a slighe chun a ghrunn a’ toirt a mach an lin bhig gu réidh as an sguil. Tha an càbull a ruith tre làmhan an sgiobair a chionn mu theid an lion troimhe cheile no mu ghlacas dubhan ann an àite sam bith gu stad e a’ chruaidh gu h-obann fhads a bhitear a’ réiteach sin. Tha an t-eathar aig an am so gu tric ’na stad no an dithis a tha air na raimh a’ cumail fòdhpa gus an dean a chruaidh grunnd dheth.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
A’ dol air a’ chois-chaoil
A’ dol sìos gu math (a’ teireachduinn ’s a’ caitheamh). Mar a thuirt am bodach mu an fhodair nuair a bha e ruith sìos gu math: “Tha e dol air a’ chois-chaoil.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
B. Treatments which did not involve the use of plants
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
B. Treatments which did not involve the use of plants
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
B. Treatments which did not involve the use of plants
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
Baghalach
Quotation: Gille Baghalach [bɤəɫɑx] or Baghlach [bɤ:ɫɑx]. Notes: a Benbecula lad.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Baile-tha-Salainn
Notes: Saltcoats.
Origin: Carradale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Baisteach
Quotation: Eaglais nam Baisteach. Notes: Baptist Church.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Bats or clubs
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
Bealltuinn
Quotation: Rotach Bealltuinn. Notes: strong ground swell which drove the seaweed ashore.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Bealltuinn
Quotation: Amadan Bealltuinn. Notes: whimbrel.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Beathag
Name: Bethia. Equivalents: Sophia.
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
Beathag
Name: Rebecca. Equivalents: Bekky and Beksie (Zetland); Bekky (Lewis). Note. ‘Beathag’ is also a Gaelic equivalent for Sophia and Bethia.
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
Beathag; Slaine
Name: Sophia. Equivalents: Soffie and Suffie (Zetland); Elizabeth (Lochs). (See Bethia, Elizabeth and Rebecca (note).)
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
Beitris
Name: Beatrice.
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
Bha e na chor-shuidhe
squatting.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Bhithinn a’ cluinntinn na dhà-sa a riamh:
“Miann bo braon, / Miann caora teas, / Miann each lòn / Anns an òl e a dheoch. / Miann gaibhre gaoth, / Anns an aonach chas, / Miann a’ chait ’s an luath, / Nuair as cruaidhe an fhras.” “Bainne-cioch circe / Ann an adharc muice, / ’S ite corra-sgèith cait / ’Ga shuathadh ris.” (Tuigidh sibh fhéin de an seòrsa a tha ’s an fhear-sa.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Bhuaill e bas ri crann
a variant phrase meaning to knock at the door. [NOTES: ‘bhuaill’ corrected to ‘bhuail’.]
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Biathadh
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Bite Uigean
[?] [churn?] [NOTES: not clear what the relation between the last two words is or what they refer to.]
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
Boat-parts
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Boats, etc.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Boit no boite
(Bait) Tha an lion beag air a bhiathadh ann an sgùil, le boite ga chur air gach dubhan.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Braman
Satan.
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Brìghde
Quotation: Aiteamh mór na h-Fheill Brìghde. Notes: January thaw.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Brìghde
Quotation: Là Fheill Brìghde brisgeanach, thig an ceann do’n chaitinneach, buinnich an fhaochag air a’ bhàirneach, agus thig nighean Iomhair as an toll. Notes: nighean Iomhair – snake.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Brìghid
nn f. ‘St Brigid’: ‘s e Latha Brìghdeadh a bh’ aca air a’ cheud latha dhan earrach. ‘Thàinig Latha Brìghde: bheir sgìdein dhachaigh an connadh’ [FMM
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
Brùnach
Quotation: Beisidh Brùnach. Notes: Pos. ‘Bhrùnach’ (?). Name – Brown.
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Buaill as mo dheibhaidh e
this phrase would be applied to a boorish, ignorant person. In other words should be treated like an animal. [NOTES: ‘buaill’ corrected to ‘buail’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Buillean air duine no leanabh, suathadh, ‘press’, ‘caress’, is mar sin
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
Cabar-droma
Smait gu’n canaist e uaireannan airson ‘gath-droma’.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
Cadal fada ri gaoith mhóir
fishing proverb meaning you could sleep in in [sic] [if?] weather was bad.
Location: Barra, Eoligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Caitir; Catriona
Name: Catherine. Equivalents: Kit, Kitty and Katrine (Zetland); Kate and Katrina (Lewis); Ketty (N. Harris B 41/1928); Catriona (Skye).
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
Calum sgoileir
Malcolm the scholar; personal name and the adjective word indicating the person’s occupation, etc.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Calum-nan-gobhar
goatherd Calum.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Cartadh
Mus cuir thu na snòtaichean gaoisd air tha thu ga chartadh anns a’ phrais dhath le cairt dhonn (bark) agus ga chur ’na luibean air gàrradh na h-iodhlann, no air àite freagarrach eile gus an tiormaich e.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Castrated:
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
Cathlic
in Benbecula.
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Catlaigich no Papanaich
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Cattle
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
Cattle (continued)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
Ceann Bliadhna
Anniversary (of death).
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Ceannmór
Quotation: as a’ Cheanamhor [as ə çɛ̜nəvor]. Notes: Kenmore, Perthshire. ‘In K.’
Origin: Arisaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Cearghal
informant is not sure whether this means Carl or Gerald. Arises at the southmost point of Baleshare in North Uist as ‘tobhta Chearghail’. Thought to have Norse origin.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Ceasnachadh
Quotation: an Ceasnachadh. Notes: once a year people met in one house and were questioned on the Shorter Catechism by the minister.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Ceasnachdainn
[cesn̪ɔxkĩnʹ] Quotation: an Ceasnachdainn. Notes: examination of knowledge of the Shorter Catechism held every year in one of the houses.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Ceisdear
Catechist.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Ceit
Name: Kate. Equivalents: Kitty (Zetland). (See Catherine).
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
Cha robh ann ach peata de latha
same meaning as previous saying [i.e. latha eadar ath thighinn].
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Cha robh f/rath air
there was no sign of him.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Chaidh a’ chreag na faireachadh
this would be said in connection with people looking for a dog straying among sheep. When the owner of the dog heard of such a party, he kept the dog at home, hence “Chaidh a chreag na faireachadh.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Chan eil thu lattern
You’re not bold enough.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
Cho fiachaill ri anam an fhuathaire
as precious as a giant’s soul. [NOTES: ‘fiachaill’ corrected to ‘fiachail’.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Chuir mi i air a’ bhuaraich
an expression heard in times past when a fisherman had anchored his boat.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Cillbhinn
[NOTES: slipped under Cill-linne. Quotation: (a) Cill-linne. (b) Cillbhinn. Definition: (a) What natives called Killin in informant’s youth (circa 60-70 years ago). (b) Found nowadays.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
Cille Mhartainn
In Staffin, was called after Saint Martin of Tours. There is a tradition, still strongly believed in, that whenever a grave is opened there, three burials follow in rapid succession. According to my own recollections this was invariably the case. [SLIP: In Staffin, Skye. (See Quest.)]
Origin: Skye
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
Cleaning a creel, what creatures found within
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
Cleaning a creel, what creatures found within
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
Cleaning a creel, what creatures found within
Origin: An Ros Muileach [Ross of Mull]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
Cleaning a creel, what creatures found within
Origin: Taransay
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
Cleaning a creel, what creatures found within
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
Clibeadh
Sin an slaodadh beag a tha an t-iasg a toirt air an dubhan nuair a shluigeas e am boite. ’Se cur seachad anabarrach solasach a tha ann a bhith dòrghachd gus an tig a’ bhiorach. Nuair a thig ise ’na sgaoth as dòcha gur e tri cinn adag a bheir thu steach don eathar air do dhubhain. Tha a bhiorach làidir is tha i dona gu bhith gearradh na snòta. Is iomadh biorach as an deacha an fhuil a leigeil is a’ tilgeil air ais don mhuir agus ann an tiota bhiodh i air a h-ithe aig a càirdean. Bhiodh cuid dhuibh [sic] a’ breith nan iseanan anns an eathar agus nuair a thilgeadh tu iad so a mach bhiodh iad am broinn chàich mus canadh tu sgian.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Cluasan na sgùil
So toll anns gach cliathaich (a) Gus greim a ghabhail air nuair a bhiodh tu a’ falbh leis an sgùil air do chruachainn, air do ghualainn, no air cùl t-amhach. (b) Gus cluas no earbuill an lin bhig a cheangal ann nuair a sguireadh tu a bhiadhadh. (c) Gus sreang a cheangal tarsainn air an lion bho chluas gu cluas gus nach tuit e mach as nuair a bhios i agad air cùl t-amhach.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Coastal features
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
Coastal features
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
Coastal features
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
Coastal features
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
Coastal features
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
Crodh Beag
Highland cattle, also those of no special breed.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
Cuan nan Eilean (E)
Chanadh iad ris a’ chuan eadar na h-Eileanan Flannach agus tìr-mór Leòdhais. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cuan’ with ‘Cuan nan Eilean’ as the quotation. Definition: Between the Flannan Isles and Lewis.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Cuir siud air do gholàiream
Drink that up in one go!
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
Cum fodha
Back water. Ma bhios a’ ghaoth air a gualainn, bidh an t-eathar ag iarraidh chun na gaoithe, is feumaidh buille nas làidire a bhith aig an fhear a bhios air ràmh an fhuairidh. So cuid de bhriathran sgiobair don dithis a tha iomradh: Cum agad i; Na leig thugad i; Ràmh a tha thall as fheàrr; Socair – bheil sibh a’ faicinn an lion a’ tighinn as mo dheidh; Buile mhath le cheile an nis; Cum bhuat i; Bheil sibh a’ faicinn gu bheil sibh a’ ruith air a dhruim, etc. Chan e obair thlachdmhor a bhith air na raimh agus sgiobair greannach a togail.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Cum fodha
(Back Water) Put the brakes on.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Céitean-Samhna
Note: about two weeks of good weather in November.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Còbh
nn : ~ Uisge an Eathar 'Canso Causeway ' [kho:v 'uʃk´ə ə 'n´ɛ-ər]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
D. J. MacLeod, Ardhasaig, Harris. Date: 1978.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
D. MacLeod, Ardhasaig, N. Harris. Date: 1967.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
D. What do you think is the English name for the plants called in Gaelic.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
D. What do you think is the English name for the plants called in Gaelic:
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
D. What do you think is the English name for the plants called in Gaelic:
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
DJ MacLeod, Harris. No date.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Dail nan ubhal
a field at Keppoch, Lochaber.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Deanamh na snòtaichean gaoisde
’Se muigh no earball eich a bha so – dubh no geal. Chan fhaca mi a riamh gaoisde ruadh. Tha mu shia gu ochd de ghaisneannan gaoisde agus mu ochd oirlich de fhad a’ dol gu snòta. Tha thu a’ cur snaim ‘half-hitch’ agus a’ deanamh da leth air fad air an aireamh de ghaisneannan so – tri no ceithir air gach taobh. Tha an t-snòta an nis ga toinneamh le do bhois air do ghlùin, agus gus a fàs craiceann do ghlùin cleachte ris an obair so tha thu a’ cur cràiteachan de luathaidh as an teine oirre an drasda ’sa rithist, ach am beagan uine cha leig sibh a leas so oir theid a’ ghlùin mar crodhan. ’S mise fear a bha thall ’sa dh’fhairich. Tha thu a’ dùnadh gach snota le ‘half-hitch’; a’ ceangal snota dhubh is snota gheal r’a cheile, agus an sin ris a’ chalp. Tha thu a’ reileadh dubhan aig ceann gach snota is tha an lion beag a nis air a chur thuige.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Deathann
[See deathann.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Di Ceudaine Luatha
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Di Ciadaoin a bhrath
Wednesday of Holy Week.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Di-Ciadain
Na’m b’e seo Latha Nan Uile Naomh bhiodh droch là aig gach aon.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Di-Domhnuich
Latha air son fois ach bhiodh deagh rath an cois d’aodann a nighe ann a struthan.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Di-Màirt
Deagh latha airson arbhar a bhuain neo airson pòsadh.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Di-Sathuirn
Là ullachaidh chanadh iad.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Di-Sathuirne
Deagh latha airson imprich na’m biodh tu a’ dol bho dheas gu tuath.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Di-ardaoin
B’e seo an latha a b’fhearr airson toiseachadh air rud sam bith. This seems to contrast [sic] what is said about Tuesday, which is what I myself understood to be the best day to start something.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Di-ardaoin
Quotation: Di-ardaoin bangaid. Notes: Holy Thursday in Easter Week.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Di-ciadaoin
Quotation: Di-ciadaoin a’ bhrath. Notes: Wednesday before Good Friday.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Di-domhnaich
Quotation: Di-domhnaich Càisg. Notes: Easter Sunday.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Di-haoine
Cha bu chor toiseachadh air rud sam bith. Bhitheadh droch rath an cois buain neo gearradh agus cha bu chor dad a cheannach.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Di-luain
Deagh latha airson imprig na’m biodh tu a’ dol bho thuath gu deas.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Di-luain
Quot.: Di-luain traoidht [t̪ɾ[ɤi]tʹ]. Note: the first Monday after the New Year (old reckoning). (The direction of the wind at midnight that night supposed to be the prevailing wind for the rest of the year.)
Origin: [Ness]
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
Diciadain na Luatha
Ash Wednesday.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Didomhnaich Slat Pailme
Palm Sunday.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Different seats:
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Diobhal
Satan.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Disathurna na Casga
Holy Saturday.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Diseases of the mouth, neck and throat
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Dleasanas Caisge
Easter confession and Communion for Catholics.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Domhnull Dubh
Satan.
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Donas
Satan.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Droch bhàs ort.
Wicked death unto you.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Druim an lin
An t-sreang air fad ris a bheil na snotaichean ceangailte. Tha trì eatheannan eadar gach snòta no dubhan. Chan eil sreang na snòta cho garbh ris an druim ach tha i air a dual dùbailte.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Dubhan comhallach
[sic] So dubhan mór iarruinn air a dheanamh le gobha is air a leigeil do bhata làidir fada gus an t-iasg trom a thogail a steach don eathar no don bhàta. Gu tric is ann de spàg grapa a tha an dubhan so air a dheanamh.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Duitseach
‘a Dutch native’, native from Denmark.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Dòmhnall mac Dhòmnaill
Donald son of Donald (patronymics).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
E. Any further information about your sources
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
E. Any further information about your sources
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
E. Any further information about your sources
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
Eaglais Cheann Langabhat
An Eaglais Shaor Aonaichte, gu 1929.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Eaglais na Secéders
Tha i seo, cuideachd, an Ceann Langabhat.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Ealasaid; Beathag (Lochs); Slaine (Hebrides and Skye)
Name: Elizabeth. Equivalents: Bessie, Betsy, Betty, Leeby, Leezie, Liza and Eliza (Zetland); Eppy and Ibby (Papa Stour); Betty, Bess and Betsy (Hebrides); Sophia and Salvia (Lochs). Note: In the Lochs district of Lewis Sophia and Salvia are the same as Elizabeth. Salvia is the pet-name for the Gaelic name Slaine (pronounced “Slaunya”). Slaine is also used for Julia in Harris and for Sophia in Skye.
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
Eathar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Eathar mór
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Eighrig
Name: Effie. Equivalents: Henrietta (Lewis). (See Euphemia). Note. It is important to note that in Lewis G. Eighrig stands for both Effie and Henrietta.
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
Eilean Fraoich
Heathery Isle.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Eirisgaidh
pattern tries to depict the crossing from South Uist to Eriskay. Includes South Uist, yellow lichen on rocks, sand, shallow water, deeper water, centre of the sound, deeper water, shallow water, sand, yellow lichen, rocks, Eriskay. Key pattern Nigg Stone.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Eoghan
Some older people associated the name Eoghan (Hugh) with the devil but I could never find out why.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Eòin
John. I haven’t heard the name on Scalpay being used. I have heard Mìcheil ’an Eòin from the island of Barra (Outer Hebrides) referred to on Scalpay, from the sailor he was, accompanying, or being shipmate with Scalpay sailors.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
F. Other information not covered above
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
F. Other information not covered above
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
F. Other information not covered above
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
F. Other information not covered above
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
Fannadh
Nuair a bhuaileas a’ chruaidh tha an dithis a tha air an ràmh a’ toirt fannadh do’n eathar – sin gluasad socair. Cha bhi i ag iarraidh moran de neart iomraidh co dhiù oir tha i a’ ruith ann an sruth na tide mhara. “Cha robh fiu fannadh againn.” Sin a their fear a chaidh a ghlacadh a muigh le sheòl is thainig feath nan eun air ’sa sheol ’sa dhruim ris a chrann.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Fear-cathrach Comhairle nan Easbuigean
President of Episcopal Conference.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Feugarsaich
[fe:ɡəʴsiç] Note: “na Feugarsaich” applied to a certain family in Ness. A family name like, say “na Fìdhleirean”. Puilean told by a member of the family that the name applied to deer-poachers in Sutherland, where one of his ancestors had come from. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Fionn
Quotation: Tha e cho fada ’s a cheann ’s a bha Fionn ’s na casan.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Fionnladh
Quotation: an òrdag, a’ cholbhag, Fionnladh fada, Mac an Aba, [u̜i:dʒʹɑɡ].
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Flathanas
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Fleòdach
[flɔ:d̪ɑx] Quotation: na Fleòdaich. Notes: the Macleods.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Fuaimean bheathaichean is eòin
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
Fàilidhean math is dona, fàile biadh nach eil ‘ùr’
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
Fàilidhean math is dona, fàile biadh nach eil ‘ùr’
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
Féill Brìghde
Quotation: aiteamh mór na h-Fhéill Brìghde. Notes: January thaw.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Gath-droma
Bhà.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
Geal ris a’ chruaidh
Tha so a’ ciallachadh gu bheil iasg air an dubhan as fhaisge air a’ chruaidh. Tha cuid ann fhathast nach eil ag iarraidh so oir tha iad don bheachd gur e mealladh a tha ann is nach fhaigh iad móran éisg as a chur so.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Gealach an t-Saillidh
An ath ghealach as déidh Gealach Bhuidhe an Abachaidh. Aig a’ ghealaich-sa – Gealach an t-Saillidh – agus as a déidh, ghleidheadh tu rud sam bith le salann.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Gealltanas math is droch phaigheadh
promises of great rewards which do not materialise.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Ghabh e rathuiream
he took a real bender.
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
Ghabh mi fuath dhuit
gràin.
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
Gille Phàraig
Quotation: Iain Aonghais Bhig’s father (in Keose) was Aonghas mac Gille Phàraig. Cf. West Side name: Botnaichean Clainn Gill’ Pheadair. Notes: (The Keose information from my mother, Dec. 1963.)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Glacadh easgann uillt
Tha thu a’ cur casg air allt samhraidh is an nuair a ruitheas an t-uisge bho thaobh shios a’ chasg so tha thu cladhach a’ phuill is a’ togail leat easgainn a bhios am meud freagarrach. Tha thu an uair sin a leigeil ruith do’n chasg.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Gnathasan Cainnte sa Ghaidhlig.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Gnathasan-cainnte
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
Gnathasan-cainnte
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
Goistidh
Sponsor (Confirmation).
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Great Scot
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
Great Scot
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
Griadach
Gertrude. Temporary name applied immediately after birth. Lay baptism by nurse consisting of three drops of water.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Gugaireachd
April Fools’ Day. Also called ‘Latha na Feachaireachd’.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Gun sgath am Fear Mór thu!
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Gàidhealta
= Gàidhealach = Gaelic (adj); hence Gàidhealtachd – state of being Gàidhealta also Gàidhealachas – state of being Gàidhealach. Gallta, Éireannta, Sasunnta = Gallach, Éireannach, Sasunnach but ‘ach’ preferred to ‘ta’ in words of this kind, usually.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Gàidhlig
Quotation: a’ Ghàidhlig [ɑɣɑɑ˖lʹikʹ].
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Iain a’ Ghròta
pers. nn ‘John o’ Groats’: gen.: ‘cuiridh mi an taigh ~ thu!’ [MAE]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
Iain-nam-bròg
(slang, common with fishermen) wasn’t there a name used for this boot extractor. I think there was another name in the term of a word. Perhaps you remember. I cannot recall it at the moment. [NOTES: slipped under Iain-nam-brog. Definition: Name for piece of wood so shaped to help fishermen out of their boots.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Iamhar-a-chaolais
Ivor or Edward of the sound or channel, signifying where Ivor lives, whereas the top [i.e. Calum-nan-gobhar] indicates Calum’s occupation or ‘trade’ if you wish: a ‘goat herd’s man’.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Innse-Gall
Orkney and Shetland Islands (since 13th century); not a fixed place-name, but a descriptive term, the extent of which varied as the power of the Norse waxed or waned. At height of Norse power, Innse-Gall = all islands from Shetlands to the Isle of Man; after Somhairle Mac Giolla Bride’s first victory Innse Gall = islands north of Ardnamurchan; after Somhairle’s 2nd victory Innse Gall = Orkneys and Shetlands only. NE Highl. C. S. – Innse Gall but more commonly Innsean Gallach, Eileana [?] Gallach = Orkney, Shetland. Innse Gaidheal(ach) – Western Isles (Lewis to Islay) + Arran, Bute. Innse-Gall not applied to any Gaelic-speaking islands. Bardic usage: Innse Gall = Western Isles (Lewis to Islay) regardless of fact that they had ceased to be Innse-Gall in 13th century and had become Gaelic. As long as the Bards had comharda, uaithne, uaim, and the other obair-ghréis of their trade, they didn’t bother about truth. Modern literary, artificial – imitation of Bardic usage, above. Incorrect.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Innseanach
Quotation: coirc Innseanach. Notes: Indian corn.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Iomhaigh
Statue.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Ionnlad na Cailise
Purification of Chalice.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Ireann nan Athraichean Naomh
Limbo.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Iuchar
Quotation: “Trì làithean de’n Fhaoileach ’san Iuchair, is trì làithean de’n Iuchair ’san Fhaoileach.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
King’s Evil
King’s Evil wound cured through the seventh member of a family, a boy or girl of a successive line, that is, a family of [sic] having a member male or female, the seventh coming one after another in this order so to speak: the first arrival being a boy, or an arrival being a boy, and the next a boy, a boy, a boy till seven, the seventh is accounted for. He is the healer in this case, using a formula representing the case. (I have seen a patient who received this mode of cure, it was believed in extensively on Harris.)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
La Feill Moire Mathair Dhe
Feast of Motherhood of Our Lady (January 1st).
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
La Fheill Moire a Ghineadh gun Smal
Feast of Immaculate Conception (8th December).
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
La ’Ill Moire gun Smal
Immaculate Conception.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Latha Cois-cheum Coillich
Christmas Day. Extra time from 22nd-25th December. Difference in time amounts to the cockerel taken [sic] the hens an extra step to feed. [Cf. Latha Ghille Chonnaidh.]
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
Latha Féille Moire nan Coinnlean
according to the informant this is the right definition for Candlemas and not the Latha Fheill Brìde which Dwelly refers to. Instead Latha Fheill Brìde falls on the first day of February as opposed to Candlemas which falls on the first day of that month [sic].
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Latha Ghille Chonnaidh
New Year’s Day. Time taken for a lad to go to the hills for a bag of peats. Extra time on to the shortest day. Cf. Latha Cois-cheum Coillich.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
Latha Irioslachaidh
Day of Humiliation [?] and [?] Prayer.
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Latha Naomh Steaphain
not sure of exact date but arises between Christmas and New Year.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Latha Trasgaidh
Thursday, first day of the Communions.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Latha an Trasgadh
Fast Day service.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Latha an Trasgaidh
Thursday, first day of the Communions.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Latha bhreathanais!
The Day of Judgment!
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Latha na Ceist
Question Day.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Latha nam Bodach
Question Day.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Latha nan tri righrean
Feast of the Visit of the 3 Kings, 6th January.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Lathaichean Feile
Holydays of Obligation.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Lathus
Cha robh.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
Leig mi mach an reithe leatha.
Origin: Ross of Mull
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Letter and word-list dated 06/05/1976: Air son an fhaclair
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 02/02/1968
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 04/05/1967
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 04/10/1973
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 04/10/1983 (slips)
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 06/03/1970
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 06/04/1967
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 09/10/1971
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 10/06/1967
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 11/01/1967
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 12/05/1970
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 14/12/1970
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 15/04/1975
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 15/11/1969
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 16/03/1968
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 17/02/1972
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 18/09/1973
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 19/10/1967
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 20/01/1978
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 20/03/1977
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 20/08/1966
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 20/11/1974
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 23/07/1975
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 26/11/1968
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 27/03/1968
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 27/03/1972
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 28/10/1969
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 28/12/1967
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 29/04/1968
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 29/05/1967
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 29/07/1980
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 29/10/1967
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Letter dated 30/09/1970
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Lilidh Locha
Lily Lochan. Celtic key pattern and Iona Border.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Lion-coise
Sreang lin bhig air a cur air an tràigh nuair a bhios an tràigh a muigh air a cumail le da chloich bhàithte, agus ga togail nuair a theid an ath thràigh a mach. Feumaidh tu bhith aice mus fhàg am muir i air an neo ma bhios iasg oirre ’se faoileagan a gheibh thu air na dubhain.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Lion-leóbag
Tha e mu thri cheud troigh a dh’fhad is mu cheud troigh a leud ach gheibh thu cuid na’s motha is na’s lugha na sin. Tha ceithir cluasan air is coig òirlich anns gach mogul. Tha àrcaichean caola mar arcaichean botuil a’ ruith an druim àrd mu shia òirleach dheug bho cheile, agus mu choinneamh gach àrca sin air an druim iochdair tha piosan de luaidhe chaol. Tha poca air fhighe anns an lion fhein is tha na leóbagan is na sòrnain ga suaineadh fhein anns a’ phoca so. Bidh barrachd air an sin ga suaineadh fhein ann – eoin mhara – an sgarbh, an t-eun dubh is bughaidean, is chunna mi aon uair burbhailleach bhòidheach air a bathadh ann am fear is chuir e an aghaidh an lin so mi.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Lion-mor
Great line. Tri cheud ’s tri fichead eathamh a dh’fhad.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Lion-sgadanach
Mu ochd slait dheug a leud agus leth cheud slat a dh’fhad. Tha ainmeannan nan ropan air an dealbh. Glacaidh an lion so sgadan, rionnach is cnaimh-rionnach. Cha toigh leis an iasgair an cnaimh-rionnach idir. Tha e dona gu milleadh nan lion agus anabarrach duilich a chrathadh asda – aig amannan feumaidh iad an lamhan a ghabhail dha. Aig amannan theid corra bhradan an sàs, ach feuchaidh an t-iasgair ri chrathadh as an lion mus buail a beul a’ bhàta. Aig amannan eile suainidh cearban e fhein annta – agus is e sin as miosa buileach.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Loch Aillse
Loch an Iasgaich, Loch nam Breac Móra, Gleann Atadail, Loch Carran, Cam Allt, na Cùileagan, Cladh a’ Chlachain, Sròn Deorsa, Loch Ma-Ruibh, Beul Atha na Crà, Loch Dughaill, Tuaidh, Carn Odhar, Achadh nam Seileach, Carn Breac, Frìth Chùlainn, Goirtean Fraoich, Eas an Teampuill, Torran Cuilinn, Loch Cùlainn, Carn Dhomhnuill Mhic a’ Ghobhainn, Ceann Loch Iùbh, Beinn Éighe.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Lonnan
So cabair ghoirid de dh’fhiodh, gu tric stéibhichean tocsaid a tha air an càradh mu thri troighean bho cheile bho far a bheil an t-eathar gu beul na mara. Mu bhios an t-eathar trom tha ‘cart-grease’ air a shliobadh air na lonnan so. Tha an t-eathar air a slaodadh sios (Siudaibh a bhalacha, bhur druim rithe) air na lonnan so gus a faighear i air bhog.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Luibh Neill Oig
a potent panacea. After one of the Beatons. T.G.S.I. Vol. 37 p. 203.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Luinneag an t-Soisgeil
Gospel Acclamation.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Là a’ Bhrochain Mhóir
Maundy Friday when according to informant porridge was poured into the sea to ensure adequate supply of seaweed.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Lèana Mhór Hiort
’Se seo a bhiodh aig bodaich Chrabhlastaidh air a’ chuan far am biodh iad ag iasgach aig Hiort (eadar Hirt agus tìr-mór Leòdhais ’s na Hearadh agus chanainn timchioll air Hiort. Bhiodh iad uaireannan ag iasgach air taobh a muigh Hiort). [NOTES: slipped under ‘lèana’ with ‘Lèana Mhór Hiort’ as the quotation. Definition: The sea between St Kilda and the mainland of Lewis and Harris where they used to fish.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
athad Mo Lèis
polite way of saying ‘mo mhàs’ or ‘tón’. An old lady who was brought up in Braenish, Uig, near the Black-Nuns’ House, often used this expression. Could it have any connection with Mo Leis, Irish saint, who may have visited Tigh nan Cailleachan Dubha. (It was the same lady who used the word ‘lamaiseagan’ [q.v.].)
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Lùnasdadh
[ɫũ̟:ṉɑsd̪əɣ] Quotation: an Lùnasdadh. Notes: Lammas.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Lùnasdail
Quotation: Là Lùnasdail, théid an t-sùghadh as a’ chreithire. Notes: said to be the day it [i.e. cleg] loses its sting but also said to depend on the weather. “Creileag” in other parts.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Mac an Aba
Quotation: An òrdag, a’ cholbhag, Fionnladh fada, Mac an Aba, [u̜i:dʹʒɑɡ].
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Mach leatha
Nuair a tha gach ni anns an eathar tha an criudha a’ dol air bòrd, ach gu bheil am fear as fhearr botunnan a’ fuireachd a muigh gus sàthadh a thoirt dhith. As deidh dha-san leum innte tha iad a deanamh air a’ ghrunn iasgaich.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Machair
pattern includes heartsease, ladies bedstraw, short grass, sand, buttercups, daisies and orcis. With Iona Border.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Macruislig
Quotation: “Tha Macruislig anns a mhin.” There is … (the anonymous) in the meal. Bha iad ag radh gur h-e Macruislig a rinn sud. Also used in the sense of Mr X… or Mrs X… (the unmentionable) Notes: I have no idea what the word really means; or what is its derivation.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Mairghread
Name: Margaret. Equivalents: Meggie, Maggie, Marget and Margot (Zetland); Marlat and Peggy (Lewis); Merat (Skye); Mairot – when speaking in jest (Boisdale, S. Uist).
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
Male castrated:
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Male not castrated:
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Marsali
Name: Marjory. Equivalents: May and Maejie (Zetland); Marcella (Strath, Skye).
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
Marta
Name: Martha. Equivalents: Marta and Matty (Zetland).
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
Mas miosa turrag chan fhear torrag
expression which means that two people are the same although one is being criticised.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Math an aghaidh an uilc
no matter the crime or offence righteousness will triumph.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Mathair an Tighearna Iosa Chriosda
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Mathair na Cuaineadh
the mother of all, mostly referred to the old mother of all the dogs and puppies.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Mathair-shìomain
Bhà.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
Meidh (Ann an Nis); Maigh (Anns an Rudha)
Faic an dealbh. ’S ann air son iasg a’ chamuis a tha an dòrgh so freagarrach – adagan, cnodain, etc. Nuair a ruigeas tu an grunn iasgaich le na maighean tha toiseach an eathair ga cur ris an t-sruth, is mar a bi an sruth ro làidir cumaidh aon duine le da ràmh i faisg air an aon àite. Tha na dubhain air am biadhadh le sgadan, rionnach, feusgan no maorach is tha am maigh air a leigeil chun a’ ghrunna. Tha thu ga thogail mu throigh no dha bhon a’ ghrunn is a’ feitheamh gu fairich thu clibeadh.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Mios crochadh nan cliabh
February as opposed to previous contribution which said this month was May. Little or no work done due to the severity of the weather conditions. February also known as the ‘Mios Mharbh’.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Mo chreubhag!
Notes: Exclamation. Goodness! Good gracious! Note Iain Lom’s “… mo chreubhag làn tholl”. Source: Lewis usage recalled (D.S.T.). Date: 1974.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
Moderat
’Se Moderat a th’ann dheth.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Moderates, Monderats
Established Church.
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Moffat-Pender, M – àit-ainmean
[o] N[ighean] D[onn] B[hòidheach]
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Moire
Quotation: Moire, tha! Notes: Yes, definitely so!
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Moire Mhathar
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Moorland features
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
Moorland features
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
Moorland features
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
Moorland features
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
Moorland features
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
Mrs Jessie MacLeod, Ardhasaig, Harris. Date: 1967.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Màigh
n. ‘May’: a’ chiad mhìos den Mhàigh, bhathas ga chur an uair sin
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
Màireag
personal name for a female, diminutive for Mary. May have derived from the children source of pronunciation.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Màrt
Quotation: Olc air mhath an tig an tìd, cuir do shiol ’s an fhìor Mhàrt. Notes: (1) the soil must be in the same condition each year when the seed is planted, irrespective of the date. (2) the seed should be sown on the same date in March, irrespective of the weather. (See Dw.) G.C. favours former explanation.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Mòdereat
[?] Established Church.
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
N. Harris. Date: 1967.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Na Dubhain
’Se Meud ceithir a tha iad a’ cleachdadh an diugh air lin mhóra. ’Se Meud trì a chleachd a bhith aca an so gu am a’ Chogaidh Mhóir 1939/45. ’Se iarrunn a bha ann am Meud Tri, ach ’se ‘alloy’ a tha ann am Meud Ceithir is tha e na’s làidire is cha mheirg e. Suas gu Cogadh 1939/45 ’se (A) Meud Tri a bhiodh iasgairean Nis is Phortnagùran a’ gnathachadh. Bho’n am sin ’se (B) Meud Ceithir a tha iad a’ gnathachadh anns gach àite.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Na Moderats
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Na Moderats
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Na Saidars
(Eng. pronunciation of vowels.)
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Na bidh gun chù, ’s na beathaich cuillain
in other words buy a dog that is old enough to work.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Na h-Eileanan
Trondairnis, Eileanan Sianta, Gearraidh na h-Aibhne, Loch Tungabhat, Mùirnean, Mosgal, Ùig, Eileanan Flannach, Lingarabhaigh, Cliseam, Sròn Scourst, Sròn Ulladal, Tarran Mór, Loch Réasort, Croladha, Crabhadal, Beinn Bhaoghla, Hiort, Cuan Sgìthe.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
Nach b’e ’n gioball e
expression of commendation.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Natures of ground
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
Natures of ground
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
Natures of ground
Origin: Taransay
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
Nollaig
Quotation: Bhiodh là mór a’ chamhanachd Là [noɫitʹ].
Origin: Arran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Nollaig
Quotation: “Am fear nach dean Nollaig le deòin, ni e trasg a dh’aindeoin.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Nollaig
Quotation: “Nollaig air Di-ciadain, iargain air fir an domhain.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Nullaig
[n̪u̜ɫiɡʹ] Note: for Nollaig. Thinks they used to talk of Nullaig Bheag and Nullaig Mhór but doesn’t know much about it. Surmises that Nullaig Bheag may have been Christmas and Nullaig Mhór the New Year.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Nì Math, an
n. ‘God’: ’ toir’ taing don ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
Ní math
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
O Hioruidh!
This exclamation is equivalent to saying “Save us!” The King of Norway is known in Irish literature and tradition as “Righ na h-ioruaidhe” or King of Tioruidh.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
O spiulag ort!
addressing someone who’d had some accident, e.g. had just dropped a cup or something like that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Oide
Godfather.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Oidhche Shamhna
Quotation: Oidhche Shamhna, Bithidh na laoigh ’nan gaimhne [i:çə hɑvənʹə bi n̪ə ɫwi ən ən ɡɑvənʹə]. Notes: saying.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Ola a’ Bhaistidh
Baptismal oil; Oil of Catechumens.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Ola a’ Chrism
Oil of Chrism (used in Baptism and Confirmation).
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Orduighean an t-Samhraidh ’s a’ Gheamhraidh
Orduidhean an t-Samhraidh ’s a’ Gheamhraidh is ann aig na Moderats anns an Aonadh a tha iad.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Pater-Noster
So seòrsa do dhòrgh a tha aca ann an Uig. Chan fhaca mise e ann an àite ach an Uig, is chan eil sian a dh’fhios agam ciamar a fhuair e an t-ainm.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
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
Peilistairean
Righ, Banrigh. A set of seven stones erected by opposing teams. Team: 1, 2 or 3 players who in turn hurled stones at the opposition’s peilistairean. The King and Queen were usually the first victims and the subjects behind might fall with the Royal family. All Peilistairean down first were declared winners.
Location: Leodhas [Lewis], an taobh siar
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
Postcard dated 05/05/1967
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Pronnabhiadhadh
Buntata air a chagnadh; sgruim – maorach meanbh nan sgeir air a phronnadh ’na lite; partanan is crubagan air am pronnadh, no biadh meanbh ’sam bith a dh’itheadh cudaig.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Purgadair
Purgatory.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Purgadair
Purgatory.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Purgadair
Purgatory.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Purgadair
Purgatory.
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Pàp
Quotation: An Eaglais Phàp.
Origin: Loch Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Pàpanach
Roman Catholic.
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Questionnaire (not dated)
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Raineach
Quotation: sgoil [rɛ̜ˈṉəx]. Notes: Rannoch (school).
Origin: Loch Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Rann neo Aireamh na h-Aoineadh
this refers to a rhyme exclusive to the Southern Isles. Were you to know this rhyme and see people bathing on a Friday, then one of that company would be drowned if this rhyme was recited. There is also a curse attached to this: “Aireamh na h-Aoine ort.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Rinn e smeathadh gàire
a vanquishing smile.
Location: Barra, Earsharry [Earsary]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Rionnag nan Roth
Saturn.
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
Rivers, burns, streams, pools, waterfalls
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
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
Ropework at hip with chimney
1. Am mathair-shioman. 2. Na criosan. 3. Sioman gualainn. 4. An sioman dróma. 7. Bùna-baca. [NOTES: see below for definitions.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
Ropework at hip without chimney
1. Am mathair-shioman. 2. Na criosan. 4. An sioman dróma. 5. Na lùban. 7. Bùna-baca. [NOTES: see below for definitions.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
Rotation of crop
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
Ruin iad am bith ud
They made that rule.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Ruith aig peilear dearg a bheatha
running as fast as he could.
Origin: [Harris]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Ròmanach
Quotation: Bu tu an Ròmanach. Notes: used in Lewis to denote an uncouth and possibly selfish person.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Ròthart nan Eun
same as ‘Ròthart na h-Éill Pàdruig’. ‘Ròthart’ pronounced without the ‘e’ in both North and South Uist. ‘Ròthart nan Eun’ so called since the tide would [sic] higher in the following months, therefore making it safe for birds to nest at the highest mark left by the tide.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Saatan
Satan.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Sasunnach
Quotation: Fhreagair e anns an Sasunnach. Notes: English (language).
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Sealbh
Quotation: “Gu sealladh Sealbh ort...” Notes: May Providence have mercy on you...
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Seòrsa eathraichean a bhiodh aca fo sheol ag oibreachadh lin mhora is lin bheaga.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Sgadan air a shnaidheadh
Sgadan air a lannadh, ’s air a ghlanadh is gach ni a tha ’na bhroinn air a thoirt as. Tha e air a shriochadh le sgithinn sios gach cliathaich bho a dhruim gu a bhroinn – gach sriochag mu oirleach bho cheile. Theid a thiormachadh is a ròstadh.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Sgeir-an-Teambuill
now under water but at one time not surrounded by water. One hundred yards from the water’s edge at Kildonan. In the sixteenth and seventeenth century people used to come from the neighbouring Ben Mor once a year at Halloween.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Sgoth Niseach
Bha toiseach is deireadh na sgoth Nisich a’ dol cho cas a steach chun an droma is gu robh moran throighean a dh’eadar dhealachadh eadar a druim agus fad a h-uachdair. Bha iad so math da rireabh gu ruith na mara agus gu dol ’na aghaidh. Dh’eireadh iad air an t-suala ach cha robh iad èasgaidh air an stiùir ann am muir tarsainn, is chaidh iomadh te dhuibh [sic] a chall a’ deanamh air Port Nis is muir tarsainn a’ tighinn orra bho thìr.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Sgrathan
Bhà.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
Sgròbadair no Fear sgròbaidh
So a fear a bhios a’ toirt an éisg bho na dubhain mar a thig e don eathar. Aithnichidh tu an droch sgròbadair air na bhios de dhubhanan a dhith air do lion beag, no ma bhios gaileach an eisg a mach air a bheul. ’Sann a’ slaodadh nan dubhan as na beòil a bhios esan an àite fosgladh.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Sheas e suas orm
a Uist expression meaning that ‘I was surprised’.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Shuath mi air
I rubbed it.
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
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
Siaplaich
Slaodadh na ‘flies’ air do shocair troimh’n uisge le do shlait air a’ chreig. Bidh cuideam beag luaidhe air an driamlach os cionn na ‘flies’. Tha thu a’ tilgeil a chuideam so a mach cho fada ’sa leigeas an dragh leat is ga shiaplaich a steach air do shocair gu bun na creige.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
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
Siopaig no siopaigeadh
’Se iasg air a shiopaigeadh a chanar ri iasg a theid a ghlacadh gun an dubhan ’na bheul. Tha e deiseil an nis air son a bhiathadh as ùr.
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
Slat Mhór Chuilce (Bamboo)
Faodaidh iad so a bhith suas ri deich troighean fichead de dh’fhad.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Slat bheag
Mu dheich no dusan troigh a dh’fhad gu bhith glacadh nan cudaig ri bonn na creige. Faodaidh i a bhith air a deanamh le cas sguab bùtha le geug seilich ’na bhàrr.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Slighe na Croise
The stations of the cross.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Snathad chàraidh
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Soitheach an Uisge Choisrigte
Holy Water dish.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Soitheach na Tuise
Incense boat.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Some ropework terms
1. Am mathair-shioman. 2. Na criosan. 3. Sioman gualainn. 4. An sioman dróma. 6. An t-àrd doras. 7. Bùna-baca. [NOTES: see below for definitions.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
Srath Odhar
[ɑuər] Strathyre. [NOTES: the slip has [[au]ər].]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
Sreang lin-mhoir
Tri fichead eathamh.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Stad
Station (of the Cross).
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Suaineach
Quotation: tùirneap Shuaineach. Notes: swede.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Suaineach
Quotation: Tuirneap Suaineach. Notes: a swede.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Sàtan
Satan.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Sàtan
Satan.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Sàtan
Satan.
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Tabh
ocean (still used) very seldom – an Atlantic. Mar a theirear an diugh ’s docha is fheàrr a chòrdas riutha – cha ’eil e cho old fashioned. [SLIP: Ocean. Occasionally used for ‘Atlantic’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Tarraing geal
Shota math.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Term used for the regular ‘beat’ of a sheep on the moor
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Terms associated with lambing
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Tha an toiseach
an expression exclusive to the south end of South Uist, meaning that you do not believe what you are hearing. For example someone could be telling a tall story and you would respond by saying the above phrase, letting the other person know that you did not believe him.
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Tha bho leis an air
[NOTES: pronunciation spelling for ‘an dàir’?]
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
Tha ceanghal sìde orra
this phrase meant there was good weather in store. Usually indicated by sheep climbing to higher ground.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Tha e bharr a dhoghach
meaning that someone is in a huff.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Tha e de mat su fhein.
A one to herself. She’s a bit of a one. [?]
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
Tha e na dhithean
e.g. potatoes good and bad in patches.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Tha i air dàil
cow at the bull (in heat).
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
Tha i gus a bhi air an togail.
She is near the point of death.
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
Tha iad sin ann an deagh thruim
the opposite of the above [i.e. caoilteach (q.v.)] meaning that the cattle were well fed.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Tha sùil gle mhath agam air crodh
I have a good eye for cattle.
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
That’s a hait
it does not matter.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Theid mi an urras leat
I will give you credit.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Trianaid House
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Thilg bo laodh
cast a premature calf.
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
Thug mi rusg mor
that would mean a wide area turfed – 10 to 12 peats.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
Tigh Iain Ghròd
John o’ Groats.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Tigh Iain Ghròd
John o’ Groat’s house.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Tobar an Uisge Choisrigte
Holy water stoup.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Togaidh i an diugh fhathast.
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
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
Treas lionadh
Dh’fheumte treas lionadh a dheanamh air a chula baraille agus as deidh an treas lionadh bha an ceann air a chur teann ann le bualadh sios cearcall àrd iaruinn a’ bharaille. Bha am baraille an uair sin ga chur air a chliathaich, agus air a roiligeadh le putair chun na tuba rousaigidh.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Trian iarraidh nan caorach, suidhe
a standing ploughman and a running shepherd is of no use to anyone. This means that a shepherd, when looking for a stray sheep, needs to stop and look about him, rather than run haphazardly here and there.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Tuathach
n. ‘N. Uist native’: na Tuathaich, muinntir Uibhist Chinn a Tuath
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
Tuathach, pl. Tuathaich
islander(s) of the North termed by the Deasaich [q.v.].
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Tuathaich
Northerners.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Tuathaich
Quotation: na Tuathaich [nə tuɑʔɪç]. Notes: the people of the northern and outer isles.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Tuathroinnich
an older Gaelic name for Norsemen.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Tubaichean an taghaidh
Air an làr ri laimh dheis gach cutair bhiodh sreath de thubaichean le làmhan ròpa, agus gun sealltuinn gu an culaibh thilgeadh an cutair an taghadh sgadain ceart do’n tuba cheart. Cha bhiodh mar bu tric barrachd air ceithir taghaidh ga dheanamh aig an aon am as an aon thiùrr sgadain. Bha fear an urra ri tri criudhachan air cùl nan cutairean agus bhiodh esan a’ ruith air na tubaichean so le maide tomhais gus deanamh cinnteach gu robh an sgadan ceart anns an tuba cheart. ’S ann air cùl nan cuibhleirean bu tric a bhiodh esan agus as iomadh malachadh nach robh e a’ tuigsinn a bhiodh a’ dol gu chluasan.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Tuluchainn
Quotation: Righle Thuluchainn. Notes: Reel of Tulloch.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Tying indoors
Dìreach ceangal cumanta: sreang mu an amhaich mar a bhiodh smeadhag air a’ bhoin. [NOTES: in the box there’s an envelope containing a piece of string showing ‘snàim na smeadhaig’. It is not clear what it was originally attached to but the handwriting is certainly Mr MacLeod’s.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Tying outdoors
Ceangal. ’Se ‘ceangal’ a chanas sinn (‘ceangal an uain’). Air a’ cheangal an cumantas bhiodh dà ‘choirbhtheann’, tè bha an amhaich aig a’ bheathach agus an tè eile air meadhon a’ cheangail.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Uamh a’ Charnain
on Eiseabhal, South Uist. Said to be one of the first places visited by Bonnie Prince Charlie on his arrival from Eriskay. This cave, which stretches from the foot to the summit of Eiseabhal, was used by the Prince to get to the relative safety behind the hills on his way to Milton and his meeting with Flora MacDonald. To this day sweet smelling flowers grow inside this cave which originated from the seeds shaken from the lining of the Prince’s jacket.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Uisge
Water.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Uisge Coisrigte
Holy Water.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Uist Isle knitting patterns
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Variations on the [sic] these themes:
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
Vessels and measures used at milking time:
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
Watering indoors and outdoors
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Weather
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Weather terms
Origin: Islay
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
Word-list (not dated)
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Word-list (not dated)
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Word-list (not dated)
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Word-list (not dated)
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Word-list (not dated)
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Word-list (not dated)
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Word-list (not dated)
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Word-list dated 01/05/1976: Airson an fhaclair
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Word-list dated 01/10/1971
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Word-list dated 07/12/1977
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Word-list dated 11/01/1972
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Word-list dated 19/01/1978
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Word-list dated 21/03/1977
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Word-list dated 22/04/1978
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Word-list dated 25/03/1977
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Word-list ‘Random phrases’ (not dated)
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[?]ag
waterlily.
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[An Canastair]
Gu ma dhà-fhichead bliadhna air ais bha eaglais aig na h-Antis ann an Ceann Langabhat, eaglais bheag iaruinn (suinc) agus ’se An Canastair am far-ainm a bh’aig an fheadhainn eile oirre.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[An Ceasnachadh]
Ni eile a bhiodh aca (aig na Moderats), b’e sin An Ceasnachadh – ceasnachadh mu ghnothaichean a’ Bhìobuill ’s a’ chreideimh. Cho fad’s is aithne dhomh cha robh An Ceasnachadh aig an eaglais againne idir (An Eaglais Shaor Aonaichte).
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[Aodh]
Ag eigheach air Aodh – this is what the Uist people say when a man is sea-sick and vomiting.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Beurla]
Mar a tuig thu Beurla tuigidh tu stamh. A beating will be clearly understood if English does not suffice.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Caisg]
“Anail Dhè ’sa ghaoith Di-Domhnaich Casg.” Older generation swear to there being something different about the weather on Easter Sunday. Different from the weather during the rest of the year. Similarly cattle are always standing upright at midnight on Christmas Eve as a sign of respect.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Di-haoine]
Di-haoine an aghaidh na seachdainn ’s Di-sathuirne leis an t-side.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
[Di-luain]
Obair mhoch Di-luain bi i luath no bi i mall.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Dia]
“Chan eil math nach teirig ach math Dhé.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Dia]
Is tùs a ghliocais eagal Dhè / Cha dean eucoir do chur suas / Co dhiubh is math neo olc nad chrè / Is ann d’a reir a gheibh thu duais.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Diluain]
Imrich Diluain gu tuath. Imrich Disathurne gu deas. Ged nach biodh agam ach an t-uan / ’S ann Diluain dh’fhalbhainn leis.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Dòmhnullaich]
“Aig deireadh an latha as fheàrr na Dòmhnullaich.” – Bhithinn a’ cluinntinn seo mu na Dòmhnullaich.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Eathar:]
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Friday]
Tradition that was kept regarding Good Friday. Whether or not the potato crop had been planted before that day it was considered that at least two or three potatoes had to be planted on that day to ensure a good crop. Similarly peats were not cut on a Friday as it was thought this might bring death to the family concerned.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Gaoth na Seicean]
Being on the subject of sheep I will add a phrase which I have heard here in connection with the cold north east winds we get here often in March. This wind was known as Gaoth na Seicean, the reason being that the grass, the little that is on the fields at that time of year, was all brown and withered as it is usually a frosty wind; the sheep would become very poor in condition and giving the appearance that there was nothing left but the skin.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[June]
Following verse said at the onset of better weather at the beginning of June. In the context of June speaking, addressing the previous months. “Càit an do dh’fhag thu gamhnain bochd?” “Leag mi air a ghlùinein e ’s chuir mi shùil ris an t-sòp.” “Ma bheireas mise air agus anail air barr nan cluas cuiridh mi earball air feadh nan cnoc.”
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Katrina]
Name: Katrina, Katrine, Ketty. Equivalents: (See Catherine).
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
[Kit]
Name: Kit, Kitty. Equivalents: (See Catherine and Kate).
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
[Latha Fheill Moire]
“Latha Fheill Moire, mór ’s t-fhoghar, buain is ceangal” – this saying would be uttered on the 15th of August.
Location: South Uist, Geirinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Latha Fheill Padruig]
“Latha Fheill Padruig, leth an earraich, thig an niomhair as an talamh, cha bhith mise ris an niomhair, ’s cha mhotha bhios an niomhair ruim [sic].” The reference to the serpent is unclear to me and the informant cannot shed light on its significance.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Latha na Feachaireachd]
[See Gugaireachd.]
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Là Taingealachd an Fhoghair]
La eile a bhiodh aca agus a bha iad a’ cumail glé mhath: Là Taingealachd an Fhoghair. Bha iad a’ cumail an fhir-sa cho cùramach ri Là na Sàbaid.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[Madeline]
Name: Madeline. Equivalents: Magdaline, Meggaline and Matilda (Lewis); Maidlin (Walls, Zetland); Maidly or Lena (Moray).
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
[Marlat]
Name: Marlat. Equivalents: (See Margaret).
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
[Matilda]
Name: Matilda. Equivalents: Matty (Zetland). (See Madeline).
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
[Matty]
Name: Matty. Equivalents: (See Martha and Matilda).
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
[Merat]
Name: Merat. Equivalents: (See Margaret).
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
[Moire]
Bha sibh ag iasgach an diugh. An d’fhuair sibh tòrr/mòran? Moire, fhuair! Fhuair sinn an t-Agh. ‘Moire!’ is used quite regularly in Uig, although it is very far from Catholic influences.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[Oidhche Shamhna]
saying: Oidhche Shamhna canar gamhna ris na laoigh. (male or female calf born at least 3 months before O. Sh. becomes stirk on O. Sh.)
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[Orosay]
b) Orosay (to north of Bruernish) seems to be floating above water, i.e. suspended.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
[Purgatory]
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[Samhainn]
“Mas e ciadaineach an t-Samhain ’s largainneach fir domhain. ’S mairg is mathair dh’an Mhac Mhaoth mas e Diardaoin latha Samhna.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Satan]
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[Seanfhacal 10]
Dia rathaid is diabhol teallaich. (Fear a tha suilbhireach a muigh agus mosach aig an tigh.)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 11]
Cha robh math no olc riamh gun mhnathan uime.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 11]
Cur is cathadh ’s gaoth ’ga reothadh.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 17]
Cha teid an còta glas cho math dh’an h-uile fear.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 18]
Éiridh a’ ghrian air Beinn Shiant fhathasd. (Air a ràdh le muinntir Thobair-mhoire ’nuair bhiodh iad fo dhìobhail misnich.)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 18]
Annas aig a chat earbal a bhi air.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 1]
Cha d’iochd luaths na h-earba gun na coin a leigeil innte.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 21]
Seachain an t-àth ’san do bhathadh do sheanair.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 24]
Ceò geamhraidh; cathadh earraich.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 24]
Gabhaidh dath dubh ach cha ghabh dubh dath.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 27]
Cha tig ubh mór a tòn an dreaghan. (Should this be ‘dreathan’?)
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 29]
Rìgh O’ Rogamais agus Ban-rìgh O’ Theagamais. (Fhuair mi so o chionn fhada o m’ bhràthair-céile mu Dhùn Ghiorgadail. Tha an dùn os cionn Thobair-mhoire air an rathad do Shòrn agus ma’s fhìor gu’m b’iad so a bha os cionn a’ ghnothaich ’nuair a bha daoine a’ fuireachadh anns an Dùn.)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 2]
Deoch eadar dà eas agus biadh eadar dà bhaile. (Air a ràdh mu luchd-siubhail ’s an t-uisge ’s am biadh gu math gann.)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 3]
Gaoth tuath is airgiod odhar. (Air a ràdh le Tiriodich a bha am feum fuireachd ann an Tobar-mhoire na b’ fhaide na bha a dhìth orra ri linn nam bàtaichean seòlaidh o’n a bha gaoth tuath a’ séideadh a steach do acarsaid Thobair-mhoire.)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 49]
’S fhearr deathach a’ fhraoich na gaoth reothaidh.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 57]
Is minig thug taillair math greis air fuigheal cearr.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 5]
Fhad’s a bhios ceò air Cruachan, cha bhi pathadh air Urchaidh.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 5]
Na buaill ’s na beathaich cù daoin’ eile.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 60]
’S math nach eil iuchraichean an domhain fo chois na h-aon mnatha.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 64]
’S math creagan ’s an Fhoghar ach ’s fhearr sguab ’san Earrach.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 67]
Glacaidh am fitheach a dh’eireas an toiseach sùil a’ bheathaich a tha ’sa phòll.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 79]
Far am bi mo chràdh bi mo làmh, far am bi mo ghràdh bi mo thathaich.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 7]
’Nuair bhios am bradan mu thuath, bithidh Donnchadh ruadh mu dheas.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 88]
Na cuir ’s na seachain an cath.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Seanfhacal 9]
Fialachd mhath air cuid chaich.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Skye custom]
In Skye, whenever a friend called to see the remains, he, or she, reverently laid the right hand on the forehead of the corpse. When I enquired into the origin or reason for this custom I was assured that laying one’s hand on the dead banished from his mind ever afterwards the fear of meeting the departed’s ghost an prevented the vision of the dead person from haunting the mind.
Origin: Skye
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
[Sunniva]
Name: Sunniva. Equivalents: Sinnie and in one instance lately Sunnivoe (Zetland). Note. The name Sunniva has practically gone out of use in Zetland as the pet-name ‘Sinnie’ is not liked, and yet in its original form it was a pretty name.
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
[Terms associated with calving itself:]
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[acraichean]
[Heavy stones attached to keep thatch secure in place in time of storm (see na strathan).]
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[adharag]
Tha adharag ann. Tha adharag a’ tighinn à tuath, etc.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
[aghaidh]
’S ann agad tha’n aghaidh ’ga iarraidh. What a face you have to ask for it.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[aghaidh]
Bha mi an aghaidh sin a dheanamh. – I was against doing that.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[aidmheil]
De’n aidhmheil [sic] a tha e leantuinn? What persuasion does he follow?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[aindeoin]
Rinn mi sin gad aindheoin. I did that in spite of you.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[aire]
’Se sin a bha air m’ aire. That is what I intended.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[airidh]
Is math an airidh e. He richly deserves.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[aisig]
La aisig Righ Tearlach a dha. Restoration day.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[aislinn]
De’s ’nochd do m’aislinn. What is the interpretation of my dream? [NOTE in second hand: ? ciall.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ait]
Ball ait a bha siod. – A funny and humorous fellow that.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[aiteamh]
Aiteamh na gaoithe tuath air an t-sneachda, tuille a chur na cheann. North wind’s way of thawing – to add more snow.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[aithneach]
Tha i gle aithneach. She is very considerate.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[aithris]
Aithrisibhse [sic] agus aithrisidh sinne. You repeat and so shall we.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[alaid]
An latha roimhe ’s mi ’fuine thainig am facal “alaid” a steach orm – a’ mhin thioram a bhios sinn ag cumail eadar an taois is an clàr. Cha chuala mi e bho dh’fhàg mi dachaidh m’òige – ’s dòcha gu e is aobhar gu bheil an fhuine air dol a mach a cleachdadh gu ire mhóir – ach chan ’eil mi ’ga lorg ’s na faclair. An alaid a bha chòrr an deidh na fuine, ’sann a shaitheach nan cearc a chuirt i ’s chan ann air ais do’n chiste – bha a’ mhin ’na ni cho glan ’s luachmhor ’san dachaidh ’s nach fhaoidte a truailleadh gu na h-ìre ud fhéin.
Location: Lewis, Stornoway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[alair]
Facail eile – alair. Muime m’athar, ’s ann a Gearradh [?] Ard an sgire nan Loch a thàinig i. ’Nuair a bhiodh bàs ’s a bhaile ’s a bhite ag cumail tigh-fhaire, ’s e a theireadh ise ri sin – “alair”. An saoil sibh an e a bh’ann “olair” [sic] – bho ungadh romh adhlac no romh bhàs (extreme unction)? Chan fhaigh mi iad sin a bharrachd ’s na faclair. ’S dòcha nach eil mo litreachadh ceart – ’s tric nach eil!
Location: Lewis, Stornoway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[alt]
Air na h-uile alt. At all events.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[am balla]
Bha am balla ’muigh sam balla staigh de chloich – feadhainn dhiubh gu math mor – agus a reir coltais cha do chosgadh cus uine ’gan snaidheadh (no time was wasted on dressing the stones). Bha am balla mu shia troighean a dh’airde – fad an taighe mu dha fhichead troigh – leud an taigh mu choig troighean deug.
Origin: [Harris? – cf. ‘Taigh Croitear anns na Hearadh – an taigh anns an do rugadh mi.’]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[am broinn an tighe]
Cha bhitheadh móran, gheibheadh tu do chreach airson cluiche no caoch am broinn an tighe. Ach bhiodh againn seòrsa de chluicheannan, no seòrsa de lùth-chleasan, mar: 1. A’ tighinn troimh a’ chlobha. 2. A’ tighinn troimh a’ bhata. 3. Ag eirigh leis an eallach aotrom. ’S mar sin. Dh’fheumainn iad seo shuas a shealltainn.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
[amaladh]
Tha e air amaladh air ais ’s air aghaidh. About piucaich getting mixed about in heavy weather.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[amhach]
Sheas sin ’nam amhach. That stuck in my gizzard.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[amhach]
Nach e an aon chloimh chiabh an amhach. Means that the parties concerned are related to each other.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[amhach]
Tha ruideiginn nam amhaich. Something has lodged in my throat.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[an sobhal ’s a’ bhathach]
Bha an sobhal sa bhathach ceangailte ris an taigh: aig ceann shios an taighe bha balla cloiche eadar is iad. Cha robh crodh no beathach sam bith eile air an cumail san taigh chomhnaidh. Air do laimh dheas anns a bhathaich bha an crodh, agus an t-each – bha esan aig ceann shuas sa bathchadh [sic], agus aig an fhior cheann shuas bha an sobhal – cha robh e gle mhor ach bha duine comasach air an t-suisde oibreachadh ann.
Origin: [Harris? – cf. ‘Taigh Croitear anns na Hearadh – an taigh anns an do rugadh mi.’]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[an stéidh]
Taigh Croitear anns na Hearadh - an taigh anns an do rugadh mi. Air a steidheachadh air criadh (clay foundation, black soil in the arca).
Origin: [Harris? – cf. ‘Taigh Croitear anns na Hearadh – an taigh anns an do rugadh mi.’]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[an tughadh]
Bha an taigh seo air a thughadh le muran agus air a cheangaill sìos le sioman fraoich arneo rop Gallda ris an canadh iad – ciadhear. 1, 2, 3 etc. na casan ceangaill. 4. an gath droma. 5. na sparan. 6. na sparan. 7. luidheir. 8. maide-staraig. Bha na casan ceangaill air an cur sios air iomall a o [?] taigh a bhalla. Nuair a bha ’n taigh ullamh coiseachadh duine mor thimcheall air barr a bhalla. Bha bordan fiodh air an cur tarsuinn air na sparan fodh ’n mhuran. Co as a thainig am fiodh? Chan ’eil moran fiodha anns na Hearadh. Bha fiodh bharallain a bh’air deibheadh [?].
Origin: [Harris? – cf. ‘Taigh Croitear anns na Hearadh – an taigh anns an do rugadh mi.’]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[ana-cainnt]
Thug e ana cainnt dha. He railed at him.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[anamoch]
“Bidh danns anamoch aig an fheadhainn ud mu’n tugh iad tigh Chaluim.” – Will be pretty late.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[antiseptics]
Note 8 (series): Antiseptics. 1. A cut being licked by a dog, that is letting the dog lick the cut with his tongue meant an antiseptic method. 2. Epsom salts – washed in or with water in which Epsom salts is diluted – the cut. 3. Hot water as hot as the patient could bear. 4. Coarse salt diluted in water, hot or cold, was used as a mouthwash in connection with decayed teeth, etc. 5. Tar smoke, or smoke from burning tar, coal tar or archangel tar, whiffs from it if inhaled lightly were a relief for bronchitis, congestion, catarrh. 6. Whisky and brandy were used as stimulants. As in faints. Rum and raw eggs, rum mixed with beaten raw eggs served as tonic. I remember seeing a gentleman using the first draft of undistilled whisky, a ‘gharbh-ghucag’ as a ‘liquid ointment’ for rheumatics, by rubbing it to the affected part.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[aobhar]
Chan eil aobhar sam bith air sin a dheanamh. – There is no obligation to do that.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[aodach]
Chuir iad thairis an t-eathar le cus aodaich. – Capsized with too much sail.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[aol]
Aol tathaidh gun suathadh. Unslaked cement.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[aotrom]
Fras gu math aotrom.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
[aran]
“’Se aran a mhnathan fhein is fhearr leis a h-uile fear.” Must not be seen to be criticising his wife’s cooking.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ashes]
Note: I have heard of plants being burned into ashes and these ashes used as a preservative for food, perhaps to give food some special flavour, or preserve it further to achieve the flavour required, or to have it salted, so to speak, although perhaps again not giving the same results as salt, more or less, more confined to, could be, an ‘appetising’ method, or to give what was already proven, if done, it was more associated with the appetite in another sense.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[astar]
Bata fo astar. Boat under weigh.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[at]
abscess, infestation (at). Fuar-lit choirce, fuar-lit loaf, ’s ’n uair a thig an t-at gu àirde ’n uair sin a’ leigeal (as termed) air le snàthaid.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[ath-leasaich]
Athleasaich do chomhradh is bheusan. Amend your speech and manners.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ath-leasaich]
Athleasaich do chomhradh is do bheusan. Amend your speech and manners.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ath]
‘An ath fhear’, thuirt mi. Tha an ‘h’ agam-sa ann. Feuchaibh Ruairidh agus chanainn gur h-e ‘an ath fear’ a chanas e. Co dhiù, piuthar-a-mhàthar ann an Steòrnabhagh ’se ‘an ath tè’ a chanas i. Tha an ‘h’ againne ann an Uig air fad mar siod. Ach smait gur h-ann ri rud boirionn a tha an ‘h’ air a fàgail air an fheadhainn ud.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[athair]
Cha dean an t-athair breug ’sa mhac a staigh.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[athais]
Gun dad athais. Without any leisure.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[atmosphere]
Someone once asked me what was the Gaelic word for atmosphere: aer, buaidh, lathaireachd in a church?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[a’ chiste-mhine]
3. A CHISTE-MHINE (AN T-SLOCHD) 2' wide by 2' 6" long held the meal cast forth by the spinning millstone. A CHISTE-MHINE was constructed of stone slabs, the joints filled with RIASG as mortar. (RIASG – peatmoss.)
Location: [Lewis], Leurbost
Category: Muileann Lochlannach / Norse Mill
[a’ gèadhadaireach]
“Am balach a’ gèadhadaireach air tobhta an tighe.” – The boy playing at fishing with a rod.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[a’ leigeal air an at]
Note 9: ‘A’ leigeal air an at’. An infested wound being pricked to enable the fester to discharge. A lance, a needle or the cut throat razor was used in the olden days, as we say. A lance was the professional way of doing it, or the doctor’s, the qualified doctor’s way of doing it, while it was done amateurish by a razor or a sewing needle, showing the same results, to a certain extent if not to the same technique. Before this operation was done, first of all the wound was brought to the point of a burst, say, that is with poultices, and after the fester being abstracted to the point again of having the collection of fester released.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[a’ tional maorach]
A reir de cho pailte s’ atha iad than giomach ri bhith air iasgach le cliabh ’s a chum fharlainn pailte a leabag mar bhiadh. Tha an crùban gaolach air iasg ùr, mar is bitheanta sòrnan is fhearr, air neo cudainn. A reir a pailteas air a’ ghrunnd b’e doigh(ch) a b’fhearr far a biodh faochaig pailte gach clach is feamann air neo roc a ghlanadh air fala as do rathad air thaobhs gu faodach leisinn [?] air an togail le’d dha làmh ’s gan cur anns a phail an triseach, sin do’m phoca. Fagaig an sin a fhaochaig, fiasgain ’s fhearr am fasgann dar a bhios i eadar an da luinn dluth air uisge fresh s mur a s bitheanta far am bith iad pailte mar sin gheobh thu pearls annta chionn tha iad nas mutha. ’S doich air a bhairneach darna cuid clach ma dha phùing le oir car giar agus a bualadh a sios a rathad le oir na cloicheadh [?], a bualladh [?] le cabhag. Bu [?] sput fish daonnan a miosg geineich gheal agus far a feic thu i spùtadh tha thu gan grapadh as a gheinich gus a bith do bos agad am breallach air an aon (àn) doigh[.] Tha esan a sputadh cuideach le cabhag a dheanadh tha ga fhaotain[.] Far am bith na cockles pailte tha iad air barr a ghrunnd le muir traigh (Càn a mach). Slige chreachain fheamadh tu a togail far a ghrunnd far a feicedh tu a ach gu math bitheanta tha i ’sa làthaich a bharrachd air a bhith ’s a gheinich[.] Lungaich chi thu uraball air barr na criadh, tha thu ga glaochach [?] mar gum bith [?] buain buntata ’s am piocadh a mach. Se buain lungaich a chanas iad. Feama tu an fheamainn dhubh a ghearradh far na creigeadh le corran. ’S an fhior aire a thuibhairt (a thoirbhairt) gum bith toll taomaich anns a bhata bhios ’ga giùlan[.] An doigh a bh’aig na seanna Ghàidheal b’e basgaid sgadain bhi shios mu dheireadh air urlar a bhàta ma biodh i luchdaichte chionns nach phlod (plod) an fheamainn dhubh[.] Phlodaich gach roc is gach feamann eile gad a bhiodh bata a stealladh dorlach uisge. Fear a bheil faiche ghiomaich na pairce beag de ghaineach air beulaibh an tuil agus dar a dh’itheas e am biadh tha e ’g ithe beagan de’n ghaineach. (tiomalaich [?])
Location: [Mull], Tobermory
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
[baby’s bolster]
(There was another uncommon name for ‘a baby’s bolster’ used in the old wooden cradle; I cannot remember it just now. I’ll try and remember it; perhaps you have the name yourself. I have heard it years ago mentioned two or three times by a member of a past generation.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bacan]
“Buail do bhacan.” Tormod agus iàrna mhór aige agus e toirt ceum-leatha. Màiri, mu dheireadh: “A, buail do bhacan.” Bha Màiri a’ ciallachadh e fuireach aig cuimse agus aig an fhìrinn.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bad weather]
It was a sign of future bad weather if a star was seen close to a new moon.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bagairt]
A’ bagairt sgainidh. Threatening to burst.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bagairt]
A’ bagairt sgainidh. Threatening to burst.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[baile]
Bheil duine aig baile? – Is there anyone at home?
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[baile]
Agus airson ‘Am bheil grunnd agad?’ ’se a chanadh e [i.e. am bodach mentioned in the explanation of ‘fanga’ above] ‘Am bheil baile agad?’
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bainne-air-bhinid]
Na h-uibhir de mhin, de bhainne, agus na h-uibhir de shalainn, air a chur ann am binid (stamag) an laoigh agus ’ga chrochadh an àirde gu’m biodh feum air airson bainne-air-bhinid. Agus dheanadh e sin a cheart cho math ri stuth ’sam bith airson an aobhair a gheibh sibh as a’ bhùth. Cha robh na bodaich gun tùr!
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[baking soda]
Baking soda – taken in water, for stomach complaints (and bladder trouble of cattle).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[baking soda]
Note: baking soda – a tea spoonful in warm water was used for heartburn, and still is recommended and proves beneficial, unless the patient needs medical aid in a major way, if the matter or complaint means further attempts to cure him.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[balbh]
Sileadh gu math balbh. Tha i gu math balbh.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
[balg]
Tha mi’ a choir a chorran cum balg a rathaid mhoir. [NOTES: originally ‘balgarathaid’, corrected to ‘balg a rathaid’.]
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ball-bhreac]
A’ bheatha bhall-bhreac. Chequered career.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ball-bhreac]
A’ bheatha bhall-bhreac. Chequered career. [NOTE in second hand: non-Gaelic idea.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[baoiteag]
[biathadh. See frithliosg.] [NOTES:  it has not been slipped.]
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
[barr]
Thug sin barr air na chuala mi riamh. That exceeds everything I have heard.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[barrail]
Bheir sinn ar barrail as. – a piece of the end of a ring net shot, in weather conditions unsuited to listening or looking for herring in the water, with the hope of a few herrings mashing and so encouraging the fishermen to ‘chance’ a ring.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
[bata]
Ceann caol a’ bhata. “Thàinig am bodach as ar déidh agus gréim aige air ceann caol a’ bhata.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bathais]
’S ann agad a tha a’ bhathais. – The cheek of you. The cheek you have.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[beachd]
Gabh beachd air so. Pay particular attention to this.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[beachd]
Ma’s math mo bheachdsa. To the best of my recollection.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[beachd]
Gabh beachd air na tha mi ag radh riut. – Take note of what I am saying to you.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[beachd]
Gabh beachd air a sin. – Pay attention to that.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[beag]
Am beag is am mor. Both great and small.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[beag]
Chan fheairrd duine bhi cho beag sud. It ill becomes a man to be so niggardly as that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bean taighe]
“’S math a bhean taighe a bheir a nuas a rud nach eil shuas.”
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[beatha]
An e mo bheatha? Am I welcome?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[beatha]
’S e làn di do bheatha. – You are very welcome.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[beathaich]
Beathaich thusa meas [sic] an diugh is beathaichaidh mi am maireach tu. Feed me today and I shall do the same for you tomorrow.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[beathaich]
Beathaich thusa mise an diugh is beathaichaidh mi am maireach tu. [NOTE in second hand: beathaichaidh mise thusa am maireach.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[beul]
Beul an lain. High water mark.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[beul]
Bith dùil ri beul cuain ach cha bhith dùil ri beul uaghach. If a person was lost at sea you would expect the body to be washed ashore. This is not the case with the conventional burial.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[beul]
“Nach math gu bheil a bheul fo an tigh.” Latha bhiodh aimsir eagalach ann, gu h-àraidh tuil, chanadh na cailleachan: “Nach math gu bheil a bheul fo an tigh.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bhuat]
Tha e bhuat tòiseachadh. – Time for you to begin.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[biadh]
Biadh air dhroch dheasachadh – disagreeable food causing indigestion. A good dose of castor oil as was termed, laxatives used to remove the cause off the stomach, the food-cause, the ‘unwanted food’. As termed also ‘Cha do chòrd e (am biadh) ri do stamaig. Referred to also as ‘biadh na ruadhan’, or overcooked food.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[biadh]
Gun bhiadh gun bhrat – without food or clothes.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bidse]
bidse bh’air cuileanan a bhreith reimhid – bha i math gus creuchdan a leighiseadh le bhith gan imlich.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[binn]
Bi sin a’ bhinn a thug e mach. What was his verdict.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[biəɡɑx]
Quotation: [strõ:nʹɑɡ biəɡɑx!] – “wee nosie!” (said by grandmother to grandchild on her lap). Notes: [biəɡɑx] is smaller than [beɡ], probably “tiny”. Common to Brora, Golspie, and Embo. Source: Mrs Jessie Anne Fraser, 210 Burrage Road, Plumstead, London (native of Embo, Sutherland). Date: 18 February 1968.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[blank]
oatcakes.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
[blank]
meat and potatoes.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
[blank]
Aye, indeed. [NOTES: this may have been meant as an illustration of the adjective ‘sarcastic’, which appears among the words suggested by the authors of the questionnaire.]
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[blank]
I’m taking / eating my food.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
[blank]
meat.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
[blank]
chat / ceilidh.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[blank]
water.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
[blank]
I’m eating hard.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
[blank]
fat.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[blath-laoghain]
“Tha e ’n a bhlath-laoghain aice.”
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[blàth]
Tha i am blath a h’aimsir. She is in her prime.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[blàth]
Thig fo bhlath. To bloom.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[blàth]
Fo lan bhlath. In full bloom.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[blàth]
’Sann air tha blath na bochdainn. He has the appearance of extreme poverty.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[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
[bochdainn]
De a’ bhochdainn a rug ort. What the mischief befell you?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bochdainn]
De a’ bhochdainn a rug ort? What the mischief befell you?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bodach Port-a’-Chuilinn]
“Bheir e a bhàn iad.” “Is ann a chara.” Bodach Port-a’-Chuilinn cha chreid mi nach canadh easan cuideachd “’s ann a chara”. Agus bhiodh aige ri na balaich a bhiodh a’ tarruing as aig na faingean aig an taca “A Bhugari” airson “A Bhugairean” againne. “Anns an t-seasaidh” chanadh e ri “anns an t-seasamh”. Agus mar sin. Ach ’se bhodach còir a bh’ann. Fad a bheatha còmhla ri na cìobairean. ’S iomadh rud a chunnaic e agus a thachair ris. Ach cha chreid mi gu robh aon nàmhaid aige aig là a bhàis. Mar a bha mi ’g innse dhuibh b’e seanair Anna a bha agaibh fhéin ’na h-oileanach. “An Tàileach” a chanadh iad ris.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bog]
Gu bog blath. Snug and warm.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bog]
Tha e gu bog blath na leapaidh. He is warm and snug in bed. [NOTE in second hand: … ’na leabaidh.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[boils]
Note 2: boils were brought to a point with poultices applied. When at the point of its height, so to speak, they were sometimes pierced through with an ordinary sewing needle for the collection of the pus or matter to discharge and the boil to heal.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[boinean]
Am bu mhaith leat boinean tí? – Would you like some tea?
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bonn]
Fo bhonnaibh ur cas. Beneath the soles of your feet.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bonn]
“’Se sin a chuir do bhuinn bhàna bhos do chionn.” – That was what caused your downfall.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[brath]
Bha mi brath do choinneachadh. I proposed meeting you.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[brath]
Ciod gus an tig e, ’sann aig Dia a tha brath. What will be the result God alone knows.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[brath]
Chuir e brath a-stigh chon a righ. – sent a message, etc.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[breacadh]
Is mise fhuair mo bhreacadh. – It was I that got the dressing, or dusting. Is feairde brà breacadh gun a bristeadh. – The quern is the better of being picked without breaking it.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[breacag nan
[?] eorna] “Breacag nan [?] eorna nach eil solar na fallain.” Part of a New Year duan – the thin barley bannock was not appreciated. They would accept anything except that!
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
[breith]
O bhreith gu bas. From birth to death.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[breith]
Breith luath lochdach. A rash unfair opinion. [NOTE in second hand: unconsidered added above unfair.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[breitheanas]
Thig breitheanas ort airson sin. A judgment will come on you for that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bri:ǯɑɡ]
Quotation: [bri:ǯɑɡ] – blackhead. [brũ:nə mĩ ə vri:ǯɑɡ ɑ də rõ:n] “I’ll press the blackhead in your nose.” Notes: common to Brora, Golspie, and Embo. Source: Mrs Margaret MacKay, “Gairlochy”, Main St., Golspie, Sutherland. Date: 17 March 1968.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[briagh]
Tha latha briagh.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[briathar]
Ann am bheag bhriathan. To sum up all.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[briathrach]
Cho briathrach ris a’ charran-mac-fithill. – As blithe as an oyster catcher. (Chan eil mi cinnteach mu’n charran-mac-fithill, co a bh’ann. Faodaidh sinn comhradh mu an chuis uaireigin.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[brosgul]
Dh’ith e chuid de bhon(n)ach a’ bhrosguil. – He ate his share of the flattery bannock.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bruich]
Bheil am buntàta bruich? – Are the potatoes boiled?
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bruthach]
Ri bruthach, ri leathad. Downhill and uphill.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bràth]
“Is fheairde bràth a’ bhreacadh gun a bristeadh.” Grinding stones must have been quite fragile requiring delicate handling. In wider sense better to damage something slightly rather than break it irrevocably.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bràthair]
Dearbh bhrathair. Full brother.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bròn]
“Chan fhiach bròn a ghnath agus chan fhiach ceòl a ghnath.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[buachailleachd]
“Deireadh is toiseach Mhic an Duine, a’ bhuachailleachd.” In your youth you looked after cattle and then again when you retired.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[buachailleachd]
“Buachailleachd Chalum Chill’ oirre.” (May St Columba keep watch over her.)
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[buailtean]
[SLIP: the beater of the flail.]
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[buidh]
’S buidh dhut, a Mhór, bidh tu pòsd ann am mios. – You are lucky, Sarah, you will be married in a month. (In Scots. Yellow to your muckle, you will be married in a plate.)
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[buidheach]
Tha mi buidheach airson sin. I am thankful for that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[buidheagan]
Too much of buttercups (‘buidheagan’) (flowers) or variety improper in the feeding caused sickness to cattle. Empoms [sic] [Epsom?] salts were recommended, doses up to as was termed 6 packets were (recommended) as a dose, etc.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[buin]
Na buin da sin. Don’t touch that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[buin]
An rud nach buin dut, na buin dà. – Don’t keep anything that does not belong to you.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[buin]
An rud nach buin dut na buin dà! – Don’t keep anything that does not belong to you.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bun]
’S e bun a bh’ann. – So what happened.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[buntata]
Latha cur a bhuntata – potato planting day. Latha togail a bhuntata – potato lifting day.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[buntàta]
Crathadh bhuntata o’n bharr. Shaking potatoes from the haulms.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[buntàta]
Sgiolcaidh am buntata Sgiathanach as an rusg gu barr a chroinn. The Skye potato will jump out of its skin to the mast head. (being so wet)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[buntàta]
buntàta dubh is buntàta geal – black potatoes and white. Buntàta grod – rotten potatoes.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[burial on Harris]
Note: at a burial on Harris. When the coffined remains are lowered into the grave, and the coffin set on the bottom (of the grave), the tasselled cords are thrown on the coffin, and the grave ready for to shovel the soil back in place or its contents, or part of its contents, placed with spade or shovel on the top of the coffin. Before this is done I have noticed someone of a funeral party likewise throwing a handful of sand or soil, or a sprinkle, on the coffin lid. It is a custom. For what reason is it done – luck, superstition… At the first funeral I ever attended I saw it done and I was wondering why.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[burns]
Burns: cold water – by simply dipping the burnt finger immediately in cold water.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[butata dubh]
before the Champion was introduced well over 60 years ago, a dark blue variety with blue streaked flesh, called butata dubh, was generally used.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
[butata]
potatoes are never called buntata in Assynt. Always butata. The first potatoes known in Europe were brought by the Spaniards from Quito, Peru in 1553 and were known as “battata”. Perhaps the Assynt people are Spaniards and not descended from the MacLeods of Lewis and the MacKenzies of Gairloch as we were always led to believe!!!
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
[bàs-bhuille]
Fhuair e a bhas-bhuille. He received his death blow.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bàs]
Bàs gun Sagart duit! – Death without the benefit of Clergy.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bàs]
Bàs gun sagart. Sudden death. [NOTE in second hand: Bad wish.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bò]
Tòmhseachan: “Ceithir a ruidh, ceithir air chrith, ’s dithis a’ deanamh an rathaid, ’s fear ag éigheach.” Refers to different parts of a cow – legs, teats, eyes and mouth.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bòrd-iasgaich]
Ni sinn bòrd-iasgaich a màireach air son a dhol ann. We will make preparations to go somewhere tomorrow.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bòrd]
‘Tha bòrd mór innte.’ The boat did not steer true, i.e. lop-sided.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bòrd]
Fo an bhòrd. An duine anns a’ chiste roimh an tiodhlacadh, bha e “fo an bhòrd”. [NOTES: slipped under ’bòrd’ with ’Bha e fo an bhòrd’ as the quotation.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
[bó]
Math na bà. – Na thig bho an bhoin a chum feum an duine. (Bainne ’s ìm ’s mar sin.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bùrn]
Cho saor ri burn. As cheap as water.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bɔd̪ɑxsɡʹərɔ:ʃ]
Quotation: “Thig a steach mas beir [bɔd̪ɑxsɡʹərɔ:ʃ] ort!” Notes: said to a child.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cagarsaich]
Ciod a’ chagarsaich a th’ort? What are you whispering about?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[caileach ribeach]
soft food was the cause of the ‘caileach ribeach’ in the mouth of cattle. The organs, in connection with the chewing process, were inflaming to a state that it was necessary to operate on them with scissors, etc. (See other reference Glossary, the first or second number of pages I posted to you. I think it’s mentioned something to this effect?)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[caillte]
Mar is aille leat a bhi caillte. Unless you wish to be ruined. [NOTE in second hand: Mar corrected to Mur.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cairich]
Na cairich! – Don’t move! when someone gets up to offer one a seat.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cairis]
Bha mi nam chairis fad na h-oidhche. – I sat up all night.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[caitcheann]
Dwelly says that ‘caitcheann’ is “Land common to all the crofters in a township – Tiree.” The only way I have heard it pronounced in Tiree is ‘càiteanan’.
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[call]
’Ga chall fhéin. “Bha Tormod a’ cumail ris glé mhath agus glé chuimhneach gu ruige seo, ach tha e a nise air tòiseachadh ’ga chall fhéin.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cantail]
“Dh’fhaodadh tu gu leor a chantail gun do chluasan a’ shalach.” – knowing when to stop without getting a bad reputation for yourself.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[caochladh]
Caochladh na beatha is na bliadhna. Changes of life and time.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[caochladh]
Tha sin uile air chaochladh. That is all changed.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[caoirthe]
when four or five of the peats in the ‘garradh’ [q.v.] stuck together, the whole group was called the ‘caoirthe’.
Location: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
[caol]
Caol ri caol is leathann ri leathann – leughar is sgriobhar gach fhacal san t-saoghail. Gaelic spelling rule.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[caora]
An uncompleted proverb: “A chaora, na loisg mo chnamhan, ’s na sgàin mo sheice ars an t-each.” There was also a section dealing with cattle. As regards the horse, his skin could not be easily repaired if it was torn.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[caora]
Math na caorach, cron an eich, oidhche muigh is oidhche stigh.
Origin: [North Uist?]
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
[car]
Car eile an aghaidh an daimh – a surprise or unexpected twist in a situation.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[car]
Gu de an ath char a chuir thu dhiot. What was your next move?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cas bheag]
an doigh togail cas-bheag, clachan ag gach taobh fad bho chéile gu h-iosal agus a’ buntainn ri chéile gu h-àrd. Sgrathan is talamh air muin nan clach.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[cas-bheag]
When a young dog was too hasty and difficult to control, one of his front legs was put in between the [word missing] and his throat or tied up to the collar in order to slow him down and make him more biddable. This was called the ‘cas-bheag’.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[cas]
Bheir e sanas le chois. He will give a beat with his foot.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cas]
Cas gacha taobh. “Chaidh i sìos an rathad air muin an eich, cas gacha taobh.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cas]
Thoir do chasan leat! – Away you go!
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[casan-ceangal]
16. B’ann de shioman connlaich a bha an TREABHAILT deanta. Bha i crochte le tri buill ris na CASAN-CEANGAIL (rafters). Nuair nach bitheadh a’ BHROG direach os coinn [sic] SUIL na cloiche, chuirte caoran monach ann an toinneamh ball na TREABHAILT gus a ghiorachadh. Roth – the propeller had an iron bolt protruding from the top and from the bottom. The upper bolt was named DEALGAN. The DEALGAN carried a crossbar named Dual which fitted into a recess in the upper millstone and thus was conveyed the power which made the stone revolve. The nether bolt was named TORGHAN. The point of the TORGHAN fitted in a recess in an iron plate which was fastened on the ledger-beam (SAIL-BHUINN). This plate named LUNN had spare recesses into which in turn the torghan was fitted when the recess in use wore through the ledger-beam, (SAIL-BHUINN) was attached by the SAIL DHIREACH to the lightening beam (SAIL AOTROMACHAIDH). The raising or lowering of the SAIL AOTROMACHAIDH raised or lowered the upper stone to give a rough or fine grind.
Location: [Lewis], Leurbost
Category: Muileann Lochlannach / Norse Mill
[cat]
Cha d’fhuair mi a chuireadh neul bharr cait. I didn’t get what would relieve a cat’s faintness. [NOTE in second hand: Cha d’fhuair mi na…]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cat]
“Miann a’ chait ’san traigh, ’s cha toir e fhein as e.” Applied to someone who desired something but was not prepared to get it himself. Literally, although the cat likes fish it does not hunt it himself.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cat]
Miann a’ chait a choinnebhaineadh.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cat]
“S ann dhut a rug an cat an cuilean” – good luck has come to you.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cat]
Chan ’eil a an còrr ann / ’S chaidh na cait a dhanns. / ’Se ’m fear a b’fhearr a bh’ann / Cat Dhomhnuill ’ic Dhubhagain.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cat]
“Gleidhidh tu thu fhéin bho an chat.” – Nuair a thigeadh tu dhachaidh bho iasgach agus na h-uibhir de dh’iasg agad, ged nach bitheadh móran, chanadh sinn seo.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cat]
Miann a chait ’s an traigh, ’s cha toir e fhein as e.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cath]
Chuir e deagh chath. He put up a good fight.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cath]
Chuir iad cath ris. They struggled against him.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[catrach]
catrach math gaoithe – strong wind (Arran, Bute, Cowal, Kintyre).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cattle]
Following verse would be said by people tending cattle: “Bogha fhrois, bogha fhrois, tarr as, tarr as, trì stràcan dhe’n chrios cuir an t-uisg as, na buachaillean bochd air sgàth nan cnoc ag iarraidh air Dia an t-uisge a chuir as.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cead]
Le cead na cuideachd – used before making a vulgar statement.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ceangail]
Ceangail ri chéile – a meanbh bhristeadh (etc.). The running along a split to search for and ‘catch’ together broken meshes which correspond, so enabling as many fishermen as possible to start mending on a single tear, and so hasten completion of the task.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
[ceann an teine]
Nuair a rachadh tu steach air an dorus am muigh bha thu anns an trannsa. Air do laimh chli bha ceann an teine. Cha robh leabaidh ann seo idir. Bha beinge fhiodha ann air an suidheadh sianar co-dhiu, an dreassair far an robh na soitheachan, leithid cupanan, truinnsearan agus gnothaichean mar sin air an cumail. Bha tri no ceithir a chathraichean ann agus creadhaill. Bha bord gu math mor ann – a shuidheadh ochdnar no mar sin. Cha robh ann an seomar sam bith ach ceann an teine far an robh am biadh air a dheasachadh.
Origin: [Harris? – cf. ‘Taigh Croitear anns na Hearadh – an taigh anns an do rugadh mi.’]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[ceann-caol]
“Cha dean mise sin ged a dheadh tu air do cheann-caol.” – I won’t do that though you’d go on your beam-ends. (Tuigidh sibh fhéin.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ceann]
Tha rud nad cheann sa nach toir a chìr mhìn as. Applied to someone who was stubborn in nature.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ceann]
Teirigidh cruachan beann mura tig rud a chuir na cheann. Saying which means that you always have to add to what you’ve got.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ceann]
Tha ceann math aige. – He has a good head for heights.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cearc]
Gheibh cearc an sgriobain rudeiginn. The scratching hen will get something.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ceart]
Bu cheart cho math leam. I would just as soon.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ceartaich]
Ceartaich a’ bhó. – Atharraich a’ bhó bho phìos a tha i air ithe gu pìos ùr. Canaidh sinne an dà chuid, ‘ceartaich’ agus ‘atharraich’. Ann am Beàrnaraidh, ann an àiteachan, co dhiù, ’se ‘tog a’ bhó’ a chanas iad.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ceum]
Tha e ceum nas fhaide a mach. He is a degree further removed in relationship.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ceàird]
De ’s ceaird dhuit. What is your occupation.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ceò-earraich]
Chan fhacas riamh ceò-earraich gun chathadh as a dhéidh.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[cialach]
Tha latha cialach.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cinnt]
Tha fios is cinnt nach d’rinn e sin. – It is absolutely certain he did not do that.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ciod]
Sin agad ciod gus an tig e. That is what it will come to.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ciúin]
Latha ciúin – calm, windless day.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[clach]
Leag e a’ chlach steidh. He laid the foundation stone.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[clach]
Air a’ chloich dhuibh. – On the black stone. This was either the Black Stone of Iona, where others were sworn, or that of Isla where delinquents were arraigned before the Lord of the Isles, or wherever that potentate might dispense justice.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cladach]
Thoir ruith chladaich i. Run the boat aground. [NOTE in second hand: i corrected to dhi.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[claidheamh]
Taisgear gach claidheamh ’na thruaill. Every sword shall be sheathed.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[claon]
Thig gath claon a sgathan. Claonaidh sgathan gath soluis. A mirror will reflect rays.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cleas]
Cha b’e sin cleas d’athair. That is not your father’s way.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cliath-chliata]
[Harrow.]
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[cliù]
Choisinn e droch chliu (iomradh). He gained a bad reputation.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[clobh]
Mu dheidhinn clobh, no glo, no globh (’se ‘c’ a th’aca ann có-dhiù, do’n chluais), dh’fhaodadh sibh sgrìobhadh suas airson faighinn a mach na bu chinntiche de an seòrsa fosglaidh no glinne a th’ann. (…) Clobh. Fuaimnich mar gheobh, no crodh (mar a chanas Leòdhasaich e có-dhiù; crou a chanas na Sgìtheanaich). Bidh mi toilichte cluinntinn ma gheibh sibh ni math sam bith mu chlobh.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cloimh]
Nach ann chloimh chiannda an amhaich. – an expression used for people who were related to each other. Usually referred to when similar characteristics or mannerisms surfaced between two people.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cluas]
Chuir e da chluais air. He was greatly astonished.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[clòimh]
Cloimh cheasach. Matted wool.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cnainnte]
Tha sìde gu math cnainnte. (tioram & fuar) (on ear-thuath as t-earrach)
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
[cnatan]
Cha robh smèach aige le cnatan. – He was full of cold. He was choked with cold.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cnàimh]
Aig ceann do chnàmha fad an latha. – Standing all day.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[co-dhiù]
Dean sin co dhiu. Do that at any rate.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[coat of airm]
“Sin an coat of airm aca-san.” – That’s their hallmark, trademark, motto, etc.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[coguis]
Tha a’ choguis aige fosgailte. – He has a cleft palate.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[coileir]
[collar worn by ministers of the Protestant churches; it is worn in reverse to ordinary collars with the stud at the back.]
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[coimeas]
Ciod ris an coimeas mi tu. With what can I compare you?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[coirbhtheann]
Am facal-sa, coirbhtheann, no coirtheann (chan fhaca mi a riamh sgriobhte e), chan eil fhios ’am dé an litreachadh ceart air. Air a fhuaimneachadh tha e againne mar coire (kettle) + thann, coire’thann. Coirbhthann no coir(bh)thann no coireathann, tuigidh sibh fhein, tha mi glé chinnteach, mar tha a’ chùis. (Feuchaibh Ruairidh, smaite gu’m bi an aon nì aige-san ’s a tha agam fhìn bho’n taobh an iar.) Coirbhthann: Pìos fiodha mar ’s an dealbh: mu 3 oirlich air fad, mu ½ òirleach no mar sin air thiuighead. Coirbhthann bho’n amhaich: 3 tuill innte. Coirbhthann ’s a’ cheangal: 2 tholl innte.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[coirce]
Bha e anns a’ choirce leatha. – Wenching with her in a barn (no math dh’fhaoidte “among the rigs of barley”).
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[coisinn]
Choisinn e na chaill e. He recovered what he lost.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[coma]
Tha mi coma ma ceàrr. – expression of apathy.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[coma]
Air son mo chuid ’sa dh’en ghràn, tha mi coma ged a thigeadh an athaidh na teine. A saying by which apathy was expressed with prevailing circumstances.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[coma]
Tha i coma co-dhiubh (pron. co-chiudh). – She is careless or slovenly. Coma leat sin! – Don’t bother about that or omit that! Leave it alone!
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[coma]
Coma leat sin! Dean so. – Stop doing that. Do this.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[comain]
Comain do laimhe fhein. Tit for tat.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[comain]
Tha mi nad chomain mar a gabh thu ri na thubhairt mi. I am obliged by your attention to my remarks.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[comann]
Chaidh an comann math a dh’olaidh. – said when people fall out after being good friends.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[comh-dheas]
Is comh-dheas leat e. It is as easy for you to do the one thing as the other.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[comhairle]
Ge b’e nach gabh comhairle gabhaidh e càm lorg. Refers to a person who does not take early advice but realises too late that the advice was correct.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[comhairle]
“Nuair a thig latha thig comhairle.”
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[comhairle]
Thig comhairle le latha.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[copag]
nettle stings were cured, the abbreastion [sic] [abrasion?] stings from being so irritating by rubbing the affected part by a docken leaf – ‘copag’.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cor]
Air chor is gun d’thig thu. On condition that you came. [NOTE in second hand: So thay you may come.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cor]
De’s cor dha? What has happened to him?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[corra-chòsag]
A chorra, chorra chòsag an innis thusa dhomhsa am bith latha math a màireach ann ’s bheir mi paidhir bhròg dhut.” Animal in question was a slater found under rocks. Also called ‘cailleach-òsag’ or ‘cailleach-chòsag’.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[corra-mhàg]
‘A chorra-mhàg, a chorra-mhàg, Bheil e tràth diathad? Ma tha, mùin air mo bhois.’ The corra-mhàg was placed in the palm of the left hand, the right palm was closed loosely over it and the above rhyme repeated with the mouth close to a small aperture left between the top and bottom thumbs, breathing softly on the corra-mhàg at the same time. It was thought that the insect often responded but any moisture there was probably condensation from the breath!
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[costadh]
We would say of anyone doing a good deed – “’S math an costadh a rinn e.” And men of good deeds – “daoine costach”.
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[cothrom]
Cha d’fhuair mi cothrom air sin a dheanamh. – I did not get an opportunity to do that.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cow]
An observation first mentioned to me by my father, R. O’Henley, was confirmed during this interview. This observation regards the appearance of a cow a few days after being serviced by a bull. If there are a few spots of blood on the cow’s tail the sex of the calf can be determined as female. However, if there is more bleeding then it can be taken that the cow has not been impregnated and needs to be serviced again.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[crann-na-gad]
I refer you to Dwelly’s Gaelic Dictionary, as a very detailed list is given under Crann-na-Gad. The names and expressions are pertaining to that of the parish of Barvas, Isle-of-Lewis.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
[crannachan]
[Churn. A tall round wooden vessel with a perforated lid (lumachan), through which the long handle of the churn-staff (loinid) entered.]
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[crath]
Crath ris. Wave to him.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[crath]
Crath do cheann. Shake your head.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[crath]
Chrath e a bhata. He brandished his stick.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[creach]
Ag eigheach a creiche. Shouting that she was ruined.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[creach]
Latha do chreiche – the day of your ruin. Sgeula nan creach – bad news, plundered, left bare. The ‘creach’ was the spoil of the forage. “Sgeula nan creach, dh’eug Fear Boiraidh,” said Donnchadh Dearg, the parish fool on hearing of the death of John Maclean of Borera in 1821. Togail na creiche was lifting the cows. Creach nan ceudan – a big forage. Tha mi air mo chreachadh. – I am ruined. Tha mi air mo spùileadh. Mo chreach! is a common exclamation in Perthshire.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[creach]
’S math a chreach a dh’fhàgas an darna leth.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[creach]
’S math a chreach a dh’fhàgas an darna leth.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[creatures found within]
portan, portan liath, deiseagan, cnogan [?] (faochag mhor gheal), cnagan feannaig, gibneach.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
[creic]
Quotation: a’ crechd [ɑˈkre̜xk]. Notes: selling an article. [NOTES: slipped under ‘creic’.]
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[creideas]
Diol fear creideis. Satisfy creditors.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[criathar]
‘na chriathar toll’ – riddled with holes.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[criather]
the criather was constructed by a skin – probably sheepskin – stretched on a wooden ring and holes burnt through the skin by a hot iron. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
[cridhe]
Cridhe nach taisich roimh fhuathas. A heart which won’t quail.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cridhe]
“Bha cridhe math ann.” – warm-hearted and kind. [SLIP: Warm-hearted.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[cridhe]
Tha sin a cur sgian ’nam chridhe. – That is a source of grief to me.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[crodh]
Gabh mu chul do chruidh. Get to the rear of your cattle, i.e. stick to the point.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[crois]
“’S fhearr suathadh ri crois na fuathal ri crois.”
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cron]
Tha a chron sin ort. The blame is at your door.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cruach]
“Cumail lionadh ann am meadhoin cruach arbhair.” This saying tells us that the middle of a hay or corn stack needed to be solidly filled so that it would not be so prone to dampness.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cruach]
Cha do laoisg thu seachd cruachan móra fhathast comhla ris. Refers to a future wife not having lived with her husband to be.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cruach]
An do loisg thu seachd cruachan mónadh ri thaobh fhathast?
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cruaidh]
Cruaidh a’ sgreadadh air cruaidh. Steel grating on steel.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cruinn]
Nuair bha iad uile cruinn – when all were present or gathered together.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[crùib]
Bha crùib anns an rathad. – a bend.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[crùisgean]
“An crùisgean tighe anns am bheil e.” – The dark, dilapidated house in which he lives.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cuach]
“Is minig a dh’fhàg mi mar thraill gun luach, ’s tha liuthad treun fhear is laoch thug buaidh, le neart na Gaidhlig chuireadh càch ’s an ruaig. An àm dhaibh eirigh leis an fheilleadh chuaich (pleated).” – a war cry for the clans going into battle.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cuairt]
Gheibh sibh e car mu’n cuairt. You shall have it in rotation.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cuairt]
Cuairt na fola. Circulation of blood.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cudag]
Others are scart = scarbh = parkin = partan = pickie = young saithe, also piteuchty (Girvan). This fish is the cudag – cudaige – cudann at the sprat stage and living in the harbour. We called the larger ones blockan (léiteanach? [?]). Larger still stemlet = grey fish. Could picky be from pioc nibble? Or from a totem name piocach – Pict?
Location: Prestwick
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cudtromach]
Gnothuichean cudtromach – important matters.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cuideachd]
Bheir e e fein as gach cuideachd, le ceol is conaltradh. He would acquit himself well in any company in music or conversation. Ged tha e math ga thoirt fhein a cuid [sic] tha e motha ’s math ga churann [sic]. Though he can acquit himself well in any company, he is better at getting himself invited.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cuideachd]
“Bha e math ann an cuideachd.” – “Good company”. [NOTES: slip not found.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[cuir-an-àird]
An anail aige cuir-an-àird (term) – patches of bubbles on surface of sea, caused by expulsion of air from the swim-bladders of herring rising.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
[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
[cuir]
Cuir dhiot do chòta. – Take off your coat.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cuir]
Dé tha a’ cur ort? – What is troubling you?
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cuir]
Dé tha cur ort? – What is troubling you?
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cuir]
Bha e cur dheth fad an rathaid – He was “declaiming” the whole way.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cuireadh]
Cuireadh Mhic Philip. Gabh no fàg. MacKillop’s invitation “take or leave”.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cuireadh]
Cuireadh piobaire. Last minute invitation.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cuirm]
“’S fhear [sic] tighinn an deireadh cuirm na an toiseach truid.” Better to turn up whilst there is something left, rather than turn up when there’s nothing left and an argument begins.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cumail]
Nach è tha cumail ris. – Nach e tha seasamh gu math an aghaidh na h-aoise.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cuman]
Cuman iudhar a thug m’ athair a Ros; cha b’ iudhar e ’s cha b’ athar e ’s cha be maide ’san domhainn e is e air a bhial fodha ’s cha tig deur as. A riddle meaning a cow’s udder.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cur dheth]
Bha e a cur dheth aig taobh na h-amhna. – He was talking his head off at the riverside. Note the peculiar genitive pronounced há-oo-na. [The following note copied from the letter dated 24/03/1977:] I have drawn your attention to the fact that the genitive of ‘amhuinn’ (river) in Lochaber was considered to be ‘amhna’, e.g. taobh na h-amhna. Elsewhere it is considered to be ‘aimhne’ as in Garrynahine.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cur]
A’ cur air a’ chloich – putting the stone. A’ cur air an dòrnaig – putting the stone. Tha a’ muir a’ cur orm. – I am sea-sick. A’ cur an eòrna – sowing barley. A’ cur an t-sneachd – snowing. A’ cur thairis – overflowing. A’ cur nan cleas dheth [dhith? – unclear] – gambolling. A’ cur bhuaidhe – relieving himself (call of nature). A’ cur a mach – vomiting.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cur]
A cur a bhuntàta – planting potatoes.
Origin: Lochaber
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
[cure for colds]
Note 5: Another cure for colds was a dip in the sea and then off to bed for sometime, an interval, etc. A gentleman on the Island of Scalpay years back was under a dose of cold. While he was engaged in mooring a boat he had, he fell accidentally into the sea at the point of disembarkation, this was by the shore. The place by the shore was shallow, he pulled himself over the seaweed on to the rocks, he had his clothes on, of course. On arriving home he immediately changed into fresh dry clothing again, of course, and found its [sic] ordeal so refreshing, and the cold none the worse, and by next day the cold ‘was gone’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[curra]
Athais na curra air a’ churra eile ’s i-fhéin tòn-dubh. – Sean-fhacal. Duine a’ cur air duine eile ’s e-fhéin a cheart cho dona ris, no a’ deanamh an dearbh rud ’s a bha am fear eile a’ deanamh.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[curradh]
Dean curraidh. Squat. (Scots “coorrie doun”.)
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
[càch]
Theid mi ann cho math ri cach. I shall go as well as the others.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[càirdeil]
Cairdeil ri daoine anns gach daimh. Friendly to men in every station in life. [NOTE in second hand: dàimh new in this sense.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[càrn]
“B’fhearr dhuit a bhith ann an càrn cladaich na a leithid sin.” – Chanadh iad seo mu dog and cat life.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[càs]
’S e n cas a th’ann nach dean iad sin. The trouble is that they won’t do that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[càs]
Chan e sin an cas. That is not the difficulty.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[còmhlach]
[See ath cheapach.]
Location: North Uist, Scolpaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[còmhraideach]
A good talker. “Tha e còmhraideach.” [SLIP: Talkative.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[còp]
Chòp iad a chairt mhona. – They emptied the peat-cart by tilting it and the peat all fell out. ‘Cop’ [sic] also meant to upset.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[còta]
“An crochadh tu do chota orra [sic].” In reference to the moon. If you could hang your coat on the moon according to its shape then a good day was in prospect. If you could not then the opposite applied.
Category: Sìde / Weather
[còta]
Cha tig an còta glas cho math do na h-uile fear.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cù]
Tha latha fhein a feitheamh air cù dubh Mhic a Phí.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cù]
Tha latha a choin dubh gu tighinn fhathast.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cù]
“Dh’fhàg thu e na leth cheann coin is chait.” – something that had been left unfinished.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cù]
Cha truagh leam cù is marag mu amhaich. – used when referring to fussy children who will not eat what is given to them.
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cù]
“’S fhearr an cù a dh’fhalbhas na an cù a dh’fhuiricheas.” – the more versatile you are the better chance you have of survival.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cù]
Tha ’eigeadh fhein air cù dubh Mhic-a-phi fhathast.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cùirtean]
Cuirteinean ciatach nan speur. Beautiful curtains of the skies.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cùl]
Leig leo dol air cul a’ gnothuic. Let them take a back seat on that point. [NOTE in second hand: cul a’ gnothuic corrected to chul an gnothaich.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cùram]
Is beag mo churam air sin. I feel no uneasiness on that score.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cùram]
Tha e cur cùram orm gu bheil e fada gun tilleadh. – I am worried that he is late in returning.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cùramach]
Is math a bhi cùramach ach seachain a bhi farmadach.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cùrsa]
Cursa ma seach. Alternate layers.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dachaidh]
Tha e aig a dhachaidh (marbh). – At his rest.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dad]
Gun dad athais. Without any leisure.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dath]
Cha laidhe dath air dubh ach laidhidh dubh air gach dath. Black will not die [sic], but any colour will dye black. [NOTE in second hand: common and laidhe/laidhidh corrected to laighe/laighidh.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dearg]
A dhearg lathair – at this very moment. A dhearg mheurlaich – you very thief. A dhearg rascail – you real rascal.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[deargadh]
Cha d’fhuair sinn deargadh eisg. – ‘deargadh’ refers to a very small catch of fish.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[deargann]
[Rinn e luath is deargannan ann. – See luath.]
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[deathach]
A h-uile deathach anns a’ bhaile. “Ruith sinn air a h-uile deathach a bh’anns a’ bhaile.” – A’ ruith air na tighean.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[deireadh]
Se sin as deireadh dha. That will be the result of it.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[deoch]
“An deoch nach fhaighear an àm an tomadh, chan fhaighear idir an àm tràghadh.” The early bird catches the worm.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[deoch]
’S math an seirbhaiseach an deoch ach ’s olc a’ maighstir e.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[deur]
“Chan eil an sin ach an deur ga iarraidh air a’ chàt.” – used about someone who would not share or give what was his own to anyone else like the saying says the cat does not leave a drop for anyone else.
Location: North Uist, Lochportan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[deòin]
Do m’dheoin. Agreeable to my inclination.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[deòin]
Co dhiu is deoin leat no’s aindheoin. Whether you be willing or not.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[di mairt]
“Rud a ni thu di luain bidh e luath neo mall. Rud a ni thu di haoin’ bidh e faoin, fadalach. Rud a ni thu di mairt ’se as fhearr a th’ann.” “Di haoine gu fàs, dì [sic] mairt gu gearradh.”
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Ardivachar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[diachainn]
rud-a-dh’fhagad[sic]-a-muir leis-an-diachainn – what the sea unobserved to carry as not considered valid... and still sorry in doing [?] so when we have: diachainn = dichuimhn’ [?] – forgetfulness.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
[dileag]
Rinn e a dhileag. – Tharruing e uisge. He urinated.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[diùbhras]
Chan fhaic mi sion a dhiubhrais eatorra. I cannot see a particle of difference in them.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[doirb]
An doirb ud. – That wee, toty thing. Duine.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dol]
Dé tha dol? – What’s the news?
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dorus]
Ruigidh dàil dorus. Your debts will catch up with you.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dosgainn]
If a beast died, a person on hearing it said: “Dosgainn na bliadhna gu robh leatha (leis).” (May the years loss be gone with it.)
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[drubhag]
Am bu mhaith leat drubhag tí? – Would you like some tea?
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[druim]
Druim uachdar a’ chairein. The palate.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[druim]
Gun druim ach athar. Without shelter but the sky.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dubh]
“Chuireadh e na dubhan (blacks) air na dathan nach robh a leithid a dh’àite agus ifrinn ann.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[duilichinn]
Chuir e moran duilichinn orm. It caused me great regret.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[duine dòigheil]
Easy-going, self-control, patience. “Tha e cho dòigheil.” “’Se duine dòigheil a tha an Calum.” “Dòmhnull, ’s e cho dòigheil.” – happy, easy-going, patient. [NOTES: slipped under ‘dòigheil’. Definition: Easy-going.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[duine]
B’e sin a rinn duine dheth. That made a man of him.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dulasg]
Dulasg port a ròin / aran eorna an t-luichd / Buirn an apair mhóir / ’S gur math a dh’fhagnadh.
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[duslach]
Mar an duslach – a shoal of herring showing black in daylight or at evening.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
[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
[dàimh]
Tha e dluth an daimh dhomh. He is nearly related.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dàir]
Tha an dàir oirre – she’s in heat.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[dìle]
Cha tig an dìle. – that time will not come.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dìol]
Dhiol thu sin. You have recompensed that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dìol]
Quotation: B’e siud an dìol dubh air a’ ghruth gheal. Notes: Catriona Mhór’s response to Murdag’s news that the missionary had to leave his house to make way for the officer. She added: “Is an duine bochd a’ dìogadh a mhionaich ach a faigh e còmhradh a ni e ri na daoine.”
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dìs]
“Duine a tha dìs” – someone whose natural defences are weak in the face of viruses, etc. [NOTES: corrected to ‘dis’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dìthainn]
Dìthainn a’ tighinn air a’ bhuntata – potato flowering. In South Uist – ‘flùr air a’ bhuntata’.
Location: North Uist, Grèinatobht [Grenitote]
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
[dòchas]
An dòchas do theachd. In expectation of your arrival.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dòigh]
Air a chuir gu doigh. Regulated.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dòigh]
Air an doigh sin. At that rate.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dùil]
Chaill sinn ar dùil dheth. We lost our expectation of him.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dùil]
“Bha e gun dùil ris Di-haoine ’s Di-Sathurn.” – Hovering between life and death Friday and Saturday.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dúrachd]
Fiosachd caillich mar a dúrachd – the woman’s fortune-telling depends on her attitude towards you.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[each]
Tha an t-each a bhuailear sa cheann sgathach. Once bitten twice shy.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[each]
Neart an eich ’s an rathad.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[eadar]
Eadar bheag is mhor. Both great and small.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[eagal]
Is luath an tòn ’san téid an t-eagal.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[eagal]
Chuir e eagail air an dearg mheirleach – ‘at seeing him, his face, a stealer, a ‘real stealer’, would collapse’ (putting it this way to make it more easily understood), one rendering.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
[eaglais] “dòigheil”
Methodist Ch[urch] (“dòigheil” – probably a nonce-formation).
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[ealamh]
Na bi ealamh air tròda / ’S na bi toileach air tuasaid / Ach mas toill leat do leanabh na bi leasg air a’ bhualadh.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ealla]
Gabhail ealla ri rud – eagerly anticipating something.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ear]
Thoir fo’n ear. – Pay attention, literally, take from the East. Light comes from the East.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[earball stùbhach]
short tail that remains after docking. Chan eil ainm suidhichte mar sin againn air a seo idir, ach tha againn ‘earball stùbhach’ airson earball air leth goirid agus a tha a’ coimhead mar sin. (‘Iorbull’ a chanas sinne, ’s ann a chanas sinn ‘earbull’ an còmhnuidh airson earbull rud – hem ’s mar sin.)
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[earball]
Cha robh agam ach an t-earball a leigeil ris a chraiceann. – letting things deteriorate or accepting the inevitable.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[earrach]
“Mios faoillaich, naoi latha gearran, trì latha sguabaig, suas an t-earrach.” Used to herald the beginning of spring.
Category: Sìde / Weather
[earrach]
Cruathag an earraich a’ tighinn air caoraich ’s gun bhiadh san talamh. Lack of pasture, grazing.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[eatarras]
Tha mi an eatorras [sic]. I am but in middling health.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[eathair]
Cuir an t-eathair air. Beach the boat.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[eathar]
‘Tha e cur an eathair ort.’ ‘He is a stronger rower than you are.’
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[eathar]
Bha Leòdhasach uaireigin a’ deanamh bàrdachd do dh’eathar a bh’aige: “Thug mi maorach as an tràigh, / ’S chaidh mi rithist cuairt gu sàl / Leis a’ mhaighdinn nach d’thug fuath dhomh, / Com na h-uaisleachd, m’eathar bàn.” Cuideigin eile bha rann aige mu eathar mar seo: “Seòl slàn ach dà cheann a’ cur dol oirr’, ’s i bocadh a toisich gu ’sùilean. A’ leum air na tonnan ’s ’gam bualadh, is smùid bharr a gualainn tighinn drùidhteach. A cnagan a’ riochadh na mara, agus sliasaid an fhasgaidh cur sùgh dhith. Le seann sgiobair liath air an fhalmadair, ’s goil agus corraghoil mu’n stiùir aic’.” Nach biodh e math a bhith ann an tè fhathast agus srann aice fo a cuid aodaich!
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[eathar]
Sin a nise shuas, na shaoileas mi a tha de dh’ainmean eadar-dhealaichte agam mu eathar. A h-uile h-ainm eile a th’agam tha iad sìos anns na faclairean mar thà.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[eòlas cocha-féithe ]
my mother talks of eòlas cocha-féithe – a method of curing by tying a string round the patient’s wrist and murmuring a verse.
Origin: Applecross [mother]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[f
[ai]ˈiri] Quotation: Bha m’athair glé [f[ai]ˈiri] agus bha e daolan a’ deanamh an obair da na croitearan.
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[facal]
Facal na thrath. A word in season.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fad]
Tha fad math a tighinn san la. The day is getting pretty long.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fad]
Fad an latha – the whole day. Fad an rathaid – the whole way. Fad na h’ùine – the whole time.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[faillinn, coileir, bann]
Ministers of the Protestant Churches wear a ‘faillinn’ (robe) and ‘coileir’ in reverse to ordinary collars with the stud at the back. The minister’s tie, ‘bann’, is of white linen.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[fair]
“Fair mar gu’m faiceadh tu cù as déidh rabaid.” – Fair (Beurla) no mur a h-e rudeigin eile. Tha am facal-sa aig na Leòdhasaich airson ‘dìreach’. “Dìreach mar gu’m faiceadh tu cù as déidh rabaid.” Tha aca cuideachd ‘fair néat’ (fair neat).
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[faire]
Shuidhich iad faire. They set a watch.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[falamh]
’S taomanach an t-sealg, fàgalach an t-iasg, àitich gu math an talamh, cha do dh’fhag e fear falamh riamh.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[falt]
Cha ghluaiseadh am falt air do cheann. – There wasn’t a breath of wind.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[faochadh]
Gun fhaochadh fad an la. Without alleviation all day.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[faochag]
Gheibh sibh de sheòrsachan fhaochag againne – chan ann ann am mór phailteas mar na faochagan dubha – chanainn a chuid mhór de sheòrsachan a th’ann. Ach chan eil ainmeannan againn ach air na h-uibhir mar a dh’ainmich mi. Agus air Tràigh Mhór Uige, gheibh sibh sligean móran sheòrsachan maoraich, beag agus mór. Agus air móran dhathan.
Origin: Lewis, Uig an Iar
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
[faochagan]
faochagan beaga glas gam pronnadh – for constipation in cattle.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[fathamas]
Gun fhathamas do dhuine seach duine. Without partiality to one more than another.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fathun]
Chuala mi fathun (fathum) de sin. – I heard a rumour of that.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fathunn]
Chuala mi fathunn de sin. – I heard a rumour of that.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fathunn]
Chuala mi fathunn de sin. – I heard a rumour (?) of that.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fathunn]
Chuala mi fathunn de sin an dé. – I heard a rumour (?) of that yesterday.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fathunn]
Chuala mi fathunn de sin. – I heard a rumour of that.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fathunn]
Chuala mi fathunn de sin. – I heard a rumour about that.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fead]
Bheir e fead ort. – would be said prior to someone undertaking a difficult task indicating that it would be achieved easily.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fead]
“Abair gu’n toir a’ ghaoth fead air an tigh tha siod.” – Abair gu’m buail a’ ghaoth gu math an tigh tha siod.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[feairrde]
’S fheairrde mi sin! – I am the better of/for (?) that!
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[feairt]
Na tabhair feairt air! – Don’t take any notice of what he says.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[feann]
Cha do dh’fhàg mi feann air. – when someone has totally defeated his opponent he might use this expression.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[feann]
“Cha d’fhàg e feann air.” – Ate it all up. (ainmhidh, air feur)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[feannadh]
Anns an Earrach bithidh sinn a feannadh na monadh. Cuid a bhios toirt barrach feantachd air cuid eile. Ann a bitheantas da throidh air son ochd foid. Aon uair bhiodh deichnear de sgipe a buain fat latha ach se siath a bhios ann an nis. Ma bhios an tide tioram bi sinn a togail na monadh ann an da sheachuin. Bidh sinn a ris ga rudhadh agus a ris a cruachadh. Mar is trice bidhidh sinn a tathadh nan cruach mur a bidh sinn ga toirt dhachaidh. Se an taisig is smiosa le torr opair chruidh nuair nach eil a tide math. Cutting off the top turf. Some cut the turf wider than others. Usually it is 24" wide giving 8 peat per cutting. Once there used to be ten 5 irons with two to each but now it’s usually 3 irons 6. If the weather is dry we lift the peats into small stacks in two weeks then bigger stacks and then again the bigger stacks for the winter. We thatch the stacks to keep them dry, that’s unless we are ferrying it home right away as some now do. The ferrying is hard work when the weather is not favourable.
Origin: Inbhirnis [Inverness – most probably meant as the county]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
[fear]
Beir thusa air an dara fear is beiridh mi air an fhear eile. You catch one and I shall catch the other.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fearr]
Ach nam biodh “b’fhearr leam” beo cha bhiodh ceann air coleurin (?). But “if I had rather” were still alive no one else could then survive. [NOTE in second hand: coluinn? written above coleurin.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[feasgar]
Quotation: Mar chloich a riuthle [sic] glea’ [?] feasgar fann foghair. Mar bho chaol direadh aonaich feasgar ruighinn earraich.
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[feath]
Feath faoillich [?] mar gaol ribhinn.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
[feath]
Chan ann bho’n fheath tha’n usbag.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
[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
[feith]
Feith air. Attend to him.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[feum]
De feum dha? What is the use of it?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[feàrr]
‘Gu mu feàrr leat an gnothuch a dhèanamh mar so.’ May it please you to do the job this way, or, this is a better way of doing the job.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fiacaill]
Chas e fhiaclan rium. He gnashed his teeth at me.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fiach]
Paigheadh cuid fiach na mna agam. Paying his wife’s debts. (Married man’s occupation.) [NOTE in second hand: construction.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fiach]
Ciod is fhiach sagart gun chleireach? What use a priest without a clerk?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fiaclan]
Anns na 1930-an ’s e na fiaclan a bh’ann an clann na sgoile aig Lochcroistean na fiaclan a b’fheàrr ’s a b’fhallain aig sgoilearan anns na h-Eileanan Breatunnach. Bha seo le na bha iad a’ tighinn beò air de mhath an àite fhéin – maorach, eòin-mhara, iasg, ’s mar sin.
Origin: Lewis, Uig an Iar
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
[fiadhach]
Gu math fiadhach.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
[fianaiseach]
Is fianuiseach thu air sin. You are an eye witness on that point.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fianuis]
Mar fhianuis air so. As evidence of that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fianuis]
Thuirt mi sin ’na fhianuis – I said that in his presence.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fianuis]
A dhol am fianuis an rìgh. Duine a bhiodh an còmhnuidh sgiobalta, glan, ’s aodach math air, chanadh na bodaich m’a dheidhinn: “Dh’fhaodadh e dhol am fianuis an rìgh.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fiataidh]
Dh’fhalbh i gu fiataidh, falachaidh. – carefully and stealthily making your way somewhere. In this case at night time.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fiath]
Tha fiath air a’ mhuir.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
[fionnadh a chait]
Note 4: (also) ‘Fionnadh a chait’ was a remedy for cuts on the Island of Scalpay, Harris fifty years ago. An informant told me that the remedy was applied to a cut on her forehead by her father, and that was about 50 years ago (from 1978). Her father cut some of the cats [sic] hair with the scissors and spread the hair on a bandage and then on to the cut, it was believed that it had healing properties beside effective in the case of bleeding and seemingly a ‘disinfectant’ advantage. My informant again showed me where the cut was on her forehead. You could hardly believe there was a cut there, it healed that well, by very close observation you could discover there was something not of a mark very distinguishable.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fios]
Thoir leat e a dh’fhios nach bi feum agad air. Take it in case of need.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[firichean]
Air d’ fhirichean. “Feumaidh tu a bhith air d’ fhirichean mus dean thu còcaireachd do Dhòmhnull.” – Feumaidh tu bhith cho math ’s a théid agad air mus dean thu còcaireachd do Dhòmhnull.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fiullan]
Am fiullan a bh’air. – The lively step he had. Usually elated, exuberant. (Faic fiolan.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fju̟ʔəs]
Quotation: Na biodh [fju̟ʔəs] agad ri [fɛfəɾ] a nead dròlan. Notes: Don’t expect a giant out of a wren’s nest.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fleet of creels]
Fleet of creels, when attached to a single line: creels placed individually and not in a line as such.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
[fliuch-bhòrd]
Am bheil lorg agaibh mu ‘fhliuch-bhord’ (fliuch-bhòrd)? Sin a’ cheud timchioll air eathar ris an druim. An ath thimchioll, ’se ‘ruadh-bhord’ a chanaist ris. Chan eil am fear-sa againne idir.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[foddar-barrie]
straw for thatching was never put through the mill. It was always threshed by the flail – tuiste [q.v.] – and called foddar-barrie.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
[fois]
Am fois: an tàmh. At ease.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[foretelling bad weather 1]
An cuan a bhi mosach. Influence of a gale on the sea-state hours before it actually comes.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[foretelling bad weather 2]
When no surf at all on beach – like a loch.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[foretelling bad weather 3]
When “curachdagan” (lapwings) gather in large flocks.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[foretelling bad weather 4]
Fìor chomharradh na h-an-shìd’ – eòin na mara tighinn gu tìr.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[foretelling bad weather 5]
A’ ghorra-chritheach (heron) a’ dol gu’n cladach ’san fheasgar.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[foretelling bad weather 6]
Ducks (esp. mallard) making for sheltered spots such as boggy places and pools.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[foretelling bad weather 7]
The larger the ‘buaile’ round the moon the closer rain is.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[foretelling bad weather 8]
Badag chruaidh.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[foretelling good weather 1]
A’ ghaoth a’ leantail na Gréineadh. (clockwise direction) (‘Gréineadh’ – Tiree gen. for ‘Grian’.)
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[foretelling good weather 2]
Spreidh a’ dol suas na beanntan.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[foretelling good weather 3]
Deep red sky at night.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[fraoch]
Cruaidh mar an fhraoch, buan mar a’ ghiubhais. Hardy as heather, lasting as pine.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fras]
Fras ghlanaidh an latha. – Là a bhiodh frasan ann, tè air muin tè, ach thigeadh an tè-sa, fras eagalach na bu chumhachdaiche ’s na bu chursa [?] na gin a bh’air tighinn roimhe, chanadh na bodaich “’se fras ghlanaidh an latha a bhios an seo”. Agus mar bu trice bhiodh iad ceart – dheadh e na b’fheàrr as déidh siod.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[freagairt]
Am bi thu cho math agus mo fhreagairt? Will you kindly answer me?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[freagairt]
“Tha a fhreagairt gu math faisg air.” – [witty]. [NOTES: slip not found.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[freagarrach]
Bithidh mise freagarrach airson sin. I will be responsible for that. [NOTE in second hand: seasmhach. Freagarrach is suitable.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[frithealadh]
A’ frithealadh do an nì. – Attending to stock. Cattle, sheep, etc.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fritheilteach]
Tha i cho fritheilteach air. – She attends to him so well.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fro-stick]
Another thing that was used in connection with milk, I do not know the Gaelic name for it but in English it is called a fro-stick. In fact we used to have one here though I have not seen it for some time. I’ll try and make a drawing of one which will give you an idea what it looked like. It was used for what we called a ‘fuarag’. This was some cream in the bottom of a flat dish or any vessel with a flat bottom, you put the fro-stick in it and kept the handle tight between the palms of the hands and made a rubbing movement causing the fro-stick to go one way then the other continuing this for about five minutes, depending on the quality of the cream, until it almost reached the stage what we called the ‘bainne-briste’ stage. ‘Bainne-briste’ was when the milk was starting to change from milk to buttermilk. The ‘fuarag’ was the stage before that when the cream went sour and this was often taken. The material which went round the four spokes was the long hard hair at the end of a cow’s tail like a rope. It didn’t fall off as the ends of the spokes were scouped out cup shaped.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[frìde]
“Is lugha na frìde mathair argumaid” A saying which indicates how easy it is to start an arument.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fuachd]
“Cha laigh fuachd air uallach.” People can be so preoccupied with their worries that an illness may not seem so worrying.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fual]
bronchitis – fual (poultice) of chewed oatmeal, sugar and soap, also application of bread and hot water, and also peat.
Location: Harris, Rodel
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fuath]
Fuath a ghiollain a cheud leanan. Refers to the father disliking his illegitimate child and preferring those born out of wedlock [sic].
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fuigheall]
Quotation: Is minic a bhuannaich fuigheall fanoid is a shearg fuigheall farmaid.
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fuisteach]
I have often heard an old Black Isle man who used many Gaelic words in his English use the word “fuisteach”, meaning restlessly impatient or in a “stew”. He used to say “he gets into an awful f.” I recently came across, with a Glenurquhart man, “fuideag uamhasach air” with the same meaning.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[funeral custom]
When a death occurred in a village, all work was suspended until after the funeral. It was strictly forbidden to delve in soil, or even to turn a sod over.
Origin: Skye
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
[fu̜:ʴṉɑʃ]
Quotation: an [u̜:ʴṉɑʃ]. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fàg]
Dh’fhag am bata air te eile. The boat outstripped the other.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fàg]
Dh’fhag iad sin air. They fathered that on him.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fàrradh]
Am fàrradh a chuir e a steach. – The “tightener” he took. E-fhéin a lìonadh gu math le biadh.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fàth]
Gheibhear fàth air a’ mhuir mhór. Despite the bad weather a better day will come. Can be interpreted in other senses too.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fèath]
Tha an oidhche ’na feith. The night is calm.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[féil-beag]
The word I’ve heard here for the ordinary kilt was the ‘féil-beag’ though anytime I’ve come across the word in Gairm or Sruth it is just written as ‘féileadh’ but I think ‘féil-beag beag’ [sic] would be a more descriptive word by what we see worn by some of the female sex at the present day.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[fóghnadh]
Fhuair e fhoghnadh. He got what did for him. [NOTE in second hand: Fhuair e na dh’fhoghainn dha.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fóid]
Fóid mòna – a piece of peat.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gabh]
Na gabh ort gun do chaill thu am fàinne. – Don’t disclose that you lost the ring.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gabh]
“Is i a ghabh a h-uile duine a fhuair Dòmhnull.” – It was she who was midwife at the birth of everyone of Donald’s family.]
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gabhail]
“Fhuair e gabhail aige.” – he was well treated.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gabhail]
Mur a h-e ‘gabhail’. “Sin far am bheil i ag gabhail.” – regular ‘beat’ mar a th’ agaibh. Feuchaibh na cinn-sa ri Alasdair mo bhràthair. “Tha i a’ gabhail shuas mu Eileartan.” “Sin far am bheil i a’ geamhrachadh.” (agus mar sin)
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[gabhail]
Tha e a’ gabhail air. – He beats him at fighting.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[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
[gaire]
Rinn mi gaire rithe. – I laughed at her.
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
[galair]
Galair fada ’s eùg [sic] na bhun. – death after a long illness.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[galar?]
Galar caused by intestinal worms known as ‘dathagan’ (f) ‘dathag’. [NOTES: ‘galar’ seems to be the catchword.]
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[galar]
Tha galar anns a’ bhuntàta. – The potatoes have a disease.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[galar]
Galar a bhuntàta – potato disease.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[galar]
Galar a’ bhuntàta – potato disease.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gaoth]
“An uair a bhios a ghaoth air chall iarr bho’n deas i.” After a period of calm weather it was a sign of bad weather when the wind blew from the south.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gaoth]
Gaoth tuath fuachd is gaillean. Gaoth ’n iar iasg is bainne. Gaoth deas meas air chrannaibh. Gaoth n-ear teas is torradh.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
[gaoth]
Tha a’ ghaoth a’ togail. Tha a’ ghaoth ag aotromachadh. The wind is abating.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gaoth]
“Gaoth a tuath a ruaigeas an ceò.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gaoth]
Ma tha gaoth tuath ann air feadh latha agus ma dh’fhasas e fiath san fheasgair, bidh larna-mhàireach ma [sic] cuideachd.
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
[gaoth]
Gaoth gu bhi uamhasach mor, àrd is tioram – tuath, an iar-thuath (déireadh September, toiseach October).
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
[gaoth]
Gaoth tuath fuachd is feannadh / Gaoth an ear meas far (thar?) chrannaibh / Gaoth an iar iasg is bainne / Gaoth deas teas is toradh.
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
[gaoth]
Cho luath ris a’ ghaoith. – Mu dhuine a bhiodh air leth luath.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gaoth]
Cùl gaoithe ’s agaidh gréine. – Là agus gaoth fhuar ann, ach pailteas gréine. Nuair a gheibheadh tu fasgadh math bhiodh a’ ghrian teth ann. (As t-Earrach ’s a mach gu Samhradh, chanainn.) Chanadh na bodaich “cùl gaoithe ’s aghaidh gréine”.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gar]
Thig is gar thu fhein. – Come and get warm at the fire.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[garadh]
“Cleas na cailliche bha seachd bliadhna ’ga garadh.” Creutair nach biodh tric a’ dol a mach. Ach an latha-sa nuair a dheadh è no ì a mach thigeadh an t-uisge ’s an t-uisge mór, agus bhiodh air drùidheadh air a seiche, no air a sheiche, mu’s fhaigheadh an creutair dhachaidh. Chanadh tu an uair sin, “Cleas na cailliche bha seachd bliadhna ’ga garadh.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[garradh]
The holes in between the peats in the ‘garradh’ were for letting the wind through so that the peats would dry quickly.
Location: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
[gasda]
A’ suidhe gu gasda anns a’ chathair – sitting up straight.
Origin: Muile (ceann a tuath) [Mull (the north side)]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
[gath-dubh]
“Chan eil fiach gath-duibh a dh’fheum ann.” (Faic gath.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gath]
An aghaidh nan gath. “Cnòdan an aghaidh nan gath.” No nì sam bith an aghaidh nan gath. Bidh i seo anns a h-uile h-àit, chanainn.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gealachadh]
Gealachadh bho thuath, comharradh math. Gealachadh bho dheas, droch comharradh.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[geall]
An geall na’s fhiach e. – Betting for what he is worth.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[geimeannan]
A’ h-uile gin de na geimeannan (no cluicheannan) a thog mi an seo shuas, cho fada agus a tha lorg agam, tha iad air an aon stéidh. Cha mhath tha cuimhne agam an diugh, gu mionaideach dé mar a bha iad a’ dol. Geimeannan am measg nan curracagan, abair sin. Gu leòir, agus feadhainn a bhiodh sinn fhìn a’ deanamh, a thuilleadh air feadhainn shuidhichte bho shean, mar falach-fead (bìog falach fead a bh’againne air.) Cha b’ann a’ fàs ’s a’ fàs na b’àirde chun an adhair a bhiodh na curracagan idir mar a bhiodh na làithean agus na h-oidhcheannan a’ dol seachad. Agus abair nach b’ann!
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
[geir na muinne]
[abdominal fat.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[general sayings or proverbs 1]
Fiath an fhaoillich agus gaol siùrsaich.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[general sayings or proverbs 3]
Gheibheadh tu geamhradh math nan robh earrach geal grianach ann agus foghar breac riabhach ’na dhéidh.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[general sayings or proverbs 7]
Gaoth-a-tuath fuachd is feannadh / Gaoth-an-iar iasg is bainne / Gaoth-a-deas teas is toradh / Gaoth-an-ear tart is crannadh.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[general sayings or proverbs 9]
Speur dearg anns a’ mhadainn trath anns an earrach, bha fiughair ri an-shìd’ gun dàil, agus gaoth an eara-dheas.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[geur]
“’S geur fiacaill a fraoch ’sa cladach feamad.” A proverb indicating the hunger which such treks would arouse.
Location: North Uist, Lochportan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gille-Brìghde]
[ɡilʹə bri:dʹ] oyster-catcher.
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[gille]
Gille cas fliuch – the wet foot lad. A servant that carried his master on his back across every fordable water they came to. The saying is now applied to one who makes himself useful.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[glac]
Glac beagan foighdinn. Have a little patience.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[glanadh]
a’ sior ghlanadh a rud a tha glan mar a tha – cleaning what is clean already, in other words a daily routine.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
[glaodh]
“An glaodh a tha nam chluais, mi chuala ’s nach mi a chaoineas, nach ann as mo dhaoine fhein.” – according to the informant this verse was said after an indication of impending death in the community had been experienced. This indication came in the form of a heavy, mournful musical note which rang repeatedly in a person’s ear. Thereafter the above phrase was repeated so as the impending death would fall outside his/her own family. Informant recently experienced this.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[glas]
“Ma chliath thusa na threabh mise bidh thu fhein gu math glas.”
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
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
[gluasad]
gluasad-mall-lànach – slow movement in fullness or from a [?] slow movement to fullness. Perhaps from ‘làn-mara’ – spring tide. Gluasad-mallanach – slow movement with the difference in pronunciation. I am not prepared to accept it as the same word with exactly the same meaning. Gluasad buan mhaireannach – perpetual motion.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gnàth]
Eolach air gach gnath. Versed in every custom.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[greim]
Chan’eil greim agat air. You have no hold on him.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[greim]
Quotation: Tri rudan as doirbhe greimeachadh orra. Greim air earradh air eathar. Greim air iorball air bradan. Is greim air cas dheiridh air fiadh.
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[greim]
Dean greim air sin. – Catch or hold that.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[greim]
Dean greim air sin. – Hold or catch that.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[greim]
Dean greim air sin! – Catch that!
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[grian]
Aig àm dol sios na gréine – at sunset. Aig àm éirigh na gréine – at sunrise.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gràsda]
Duine gràsda – Rough-featured, ugly-featured man.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gualann]
Chaidh e as a ghualainn. – Dislocated his shoulder.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[guidhe]
Bheireadh e na h-eòin as na speuran le na guidheachan. – Bha e math orra agus math da-rìribh.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gum boil]
Cure for gum boil – salt heated and placed in a cloth next to your cheek.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[hada]
Hada aige air na saoidheanan. Cith-chatha a bhith aige orra a’ creagach. Creagach – ’s e sin a bhith ag iasgach air na creagan le slait, no le nì eile.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[hay]
(No hay fed to sheep in Tiree. Sheep left to find their own water.)
Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[haystack]
When making haystacks peats used to be put beneath them to keep them dry.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[heat treatment]
Heat treatment – a container with hot water inside a stocking, placed against the affected part.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[heather]
Heather gives the well-known heather mixture.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
[herbal procedure]
Note 3: The plants, herbal procedure, dispensary meant the plants or herbs or whatever in this line was to be undertaken, the plants were either grounded [sic] or broken up in bits to the size appropriate for a pot to hold on the fire, etc. for infusion, etc. In the case of mice, could be used tied in a small sheave [sic] or placed in a form, cuttings, as long as part or a length, etc. was in the way of mice. The likelihood of the scent was disagreeable with mice, and to nibble it and taken [sic] could be effective according to a source I have previously recorded, in the effect of the plant mint.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[hiccup]
Hiccup was cured, stopped immediately if the patient was disturbed mentally a bit, or made excited, by approaching him with a phrase like remark in say accusing of him [sic] stealing. When the hiccup is detected say ‘Ghoid thusa airgead orm-sa’, and this being the method of having the patient so to speak of responding to a critical [sic], and having received what could emotionally disturb him as much as to affect him causing the dismissal of the hiccup.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[hu̜i:dʹʒ]
Notes: call to ducks (repeated).
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[hɛçc]
Notes: slatted wooden frame to hold hay for feeding horses.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ian]
“’Se ian a th’innte.” – Boirionnach, sunndach (an corp ’s an inntinn), dèanadach, math airson a gnothaich.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[iasg]
Deanamh feòil de aon duine is iasg dh’en fhear eile. Treating two people unequally.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[iasgach]
Note: an t-iasgach-luathaireach agus an t-iasgach fadalach was [sic] two seasonal fishing, herring fishing, in the past on the east coast of Scotland – termed in the past.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ig]
Ig, aige, na uaithe – to it, at it, or from it.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[imprig]
“Imprig sathurna gu tuath, imprig luan gu deas; ged nach biodh agam ach an t-uan ’s ann Diluain a dh’fhalbhainn leis.” Considered unlucky to set off on a journey on a Saturday.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[inbhe]
Bheil thu air teachd chum na h-inbhe sin. Have you come to that pass.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[incantations]
Note: there were various incantations – an incantation for a stye, an ulcerous wound, a blockage in the urine passage of animals and so on, depending on what nature of complaint it was.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[instructions to rowers]
Common instructions to rowers when there are two on the oars, one on each side: ‘Cum rithe, Iain.’ ‘Row harder, John.’ ‘Na cuir bhuat.’ ‘Not so hard.’ ‘Cum agad.’ ‘Put your oar in the water to make her go to your side.’
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[iomlan]
“Tha fuath iomlan agam air.” – I detest it. Utterly.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[iomraich]
Iomraich Shathurna mu thuath, iomraich Luain a’ dol mu dheas.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ion]
Cha n’ion dhomh ach a bhi gad mholadh. It is fitting indeed that I should praise you.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[iorball]
A’ dol a leigeil an iorbaill leis a’ chraicionn. “Tha na Frangaich ag ràdh mur a fhaigh iad barrachd cuideachaidh air na tha iad a’ faighinn, bho Bhreatuinn, gu bheil iad a’ dol a leigeil an iorbuill leis a’ chraicionn.” (1940)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
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
[keel]
Quotation: Bha na bàtan cóig no sè troigh fichead anns an [dɔim]. Notes: keel.
Origin: Carradale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[kinds of fish]
5. All kinds of fish. But mostly flat fish on sandy ground and cod, haddock and whiting on hard ground. Rocks or gravel very often. A crab or lobster got entangled on the line, which was a bonus for that fisherman. He took it home and cooked it in the ashes.
Category: Iasgach / Fishing
[kɑbɤri]
Quotation: [kɑbɤri] – resin. [hɑ pols kɑbɤri ɑs ɤ vɛ̃ǯ] – “There’s a lot of resin in the stick”. Notes: common to Brora, Golspie, and Embo. Resinous sticks were especially sought as fire-kindlers.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[kɛriṉ]
Quotation: [kɛriṉ], [kɑriṉ]. Notes: chairs. (?)
Origin: Arran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[kɫɛfɑɡ]
Quotation: Thug e dhomh [kɫɛfɑɡ] bheag. Notes: He gave me a small piece.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
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
[lair-chaib’]
In Dwelly’s this turfing spade (for houses roofs and potato pits) is called ‘caibe làir’, but in Tiree it is always known the other way round – ‘lair-chaib’’.
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[large boats]
On large boats (30 ft +) claigean a stigh (fore stem) keel [?] is [agus?] clagann a muigh (after stem).
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
[latha]
Latha fada Fhéill Phàdruig a dh’fhòghnas dh’an duine ’s fòghnaidh an duine dha. – an expression associated with Midsummer’s day.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[latha]
Fad mhìnn shuaimhneach an latha – all day long.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[latha]
“Diardaoin latha Cholum Chille Chaomh, Di Sathuirne là crathadh na balg.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[latha]
Thig ri latha rud nach tig ri linn.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[latha]
Suipeir soillse latha latha Fhéill Brìde, ’s dinneir soillse latha latha Fhéill Pàdruig. – A saying which refers to the lengthening of the available hours of daylight. [NOTES: note added in pencil: a question mark and an arrow showing that the words ‘suipeir’ and ‘dinneir’ should be the other way round.]
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[latha]
“A h-uile latha sona dhut gun aon latha dona dhut.”
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[latha]
Tha e ’na latha. – He is lying. (Instead of ‘laighe’ in Tiree.)
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
[latha]
Latha chat is thàillearan. – Latha fliuch, fliuch nach deanadh duine car a muigh.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[latha]
Cha robh duine riamh gun da latha.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[latha]
Tri latha de’n Fhaoilteach ’san Iuchar, is tri latha de’n Iuchar ’san Fhaoilteach.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[leanabh]
A leanabh a bhaistear ’s ann air a bhitheas an t-ainm. Despite a nickname the original name on the birth certificate is the one that counts.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[leannan]
Fuath a ghiollain a cheud leannan. – an old Gaelic expression which turns its English equivalent on its head. Implies that a first love is not forgotten but for reasons other than romantic nostalgia. Rather this saying says that a first love is hated thereafter.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[leig]
Duine ris an leiginn ris mo bhriathran. One to whom I could unbosom myself.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[leig]
Leig eadar mise is sin. Leave the matter to me.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[leig]
Leigidh mi sin leat. I shall concede you that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[leig]
Leig e air an at. – Lanced it.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[leirist]
“’S minig a bha rath air leirist.” Should not underestimate a frail person. Always likely to surprise you.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[leisg]
Is leisg le leisgein dol laidhe is seachd leisg leis eiridh. Slow is the sluggard at bedtime but seven times slower to rise. [NOTE in second hand: … dol a laighe … eirigh.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[leithid]
Am faca tu riamh a leithid? – Did you ever see the like? Shiubhail mi an saoghal ’s chan fhaca mi riamh a leithid. – I have travelled the world and saw nothing like that.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[leth-char]
Leth-char ur. Somewhat new.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[liagh]
“’Se mo liagh a th’unnad.” – You are a great fellow, etc.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lighiche]
Ciod a dh’orduich an lighiche? What did the Doctor prescribe?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lion beag]
Tha an lion beag, a tha air a réiteach a cheana, air a dhòirteadh ’na chnap ri do chois chli. Suidh air stòl, no air an lar leis an sguil fhalamh eadar do dha chois. (Tha seir car àrd is trom air do dhruim.) Tarraing earball an lin bhig tarsainn air do shliasaid chli, is cuir a mach tarsainn air oisean màs na sguile e gus am bi e deiseil gus a cheangal ri lion beag eile aig am cura. Tha druim an lin-bhig a nise ga chuibhligeadh do bhroinn no mhionnach na sguile gus an tig thu chun a’ cheud snòta. Tha biadhadh ga chur air an dubhan, is tha an dubhan leis a bhiadhadh so ga chur ’na laighe ri cliathaich na sguile gu do laimh chli far am bheil broinn agus beul na sguile a’ coinneachadh, is tha thu gabhail air t-adhart a leigeil gach dubhan le biadhadh taobh ri taobh gus an ruig thu taobh eile na sguile is bidh sreath deiseil. Tha thu a’ tilleadh gu do laimh chli leis an dara sreath is leis gach sreath eile gus am bi an lion air a bhiadhadh gu h-iomlan. Nuair a theid an dubhan mu dheireadh a bhiadhadh tha thu ceangal earball (no cluas) an lin bhig ri cluais na sguile – ris a chluais dheis – oir ’se ise a bhios na’s fhaisge air an fhear cura anns an eathar. Cuiridh thu a nise an sgùil air a bhalla tarsainn no air an tobhta gus am bi thu deas gu falbh leatha, ach fiach gun cuir thu t-oiliscin no comhdach sam bith eile air a bhiadhadh anns an sguil air an neo ’se cait a’ bhaile a bhios tu a’ sgròbadh dheth mus fhaic e an fhairge.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
[lion]
lion gu bhi cruinneachadh ’na phoca – bag net. Perhaps the cod-end of a trawl could be considered poc(a)-a-linn. Yes! this is the way it’s termed, isn’t it? [SLIP: Catch-word - Poca-linn. Definition: ‘Cod-end of a trawl.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lionarag]
udagag, an adagag, a ghobhar athar, a lionarag ’s a’ naoisg. (In Uist the various names of the one bird – the lionarag.)
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lite]
“Na bi bogadh do shliopean air an lìte [sic] nach òl thu.” Make sure you know what you are getting involved in.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lite]
“Dé an aois tha Peigi Mhór?” “Tha i dà-fhichead ’s a còig.” “Thà, ’s an tè a bha i ’g ithe an lite.” – Tha Peigi Mhór gu math na’s seana na dà-fhichead ’s a còig.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lobhta]
Means of tying hay, corn, etc. for feeding: sreang crochte ris an lobhta no ris a’ bhalla agus clach fhreagarrach slaoda rithe ’ga cumail stòlda ’na h-àite. Lobhta – an t-sreang a’ deanamh snaim ann an seo. Am bad no a’ ghibeag fheòir am broinn na sreinge agus na creutaran a’ draghadh cho math ’s a dheadh aca air. Bhiodh a’ chlach dìreach aig bonn na lùibe de’n t-sreing, aig àirde fhreagarrach do na beathaichean.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[lom]
Tha i gu math lom.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
[lon-chraois]
’S ann ort a tha’n lon-chraois. – keen to gobble up. Mayfly, water spider, water demon.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lonaid]
Bha an aon seòrsa lonaid anns na trì biotaichean le am meudachd fhéin anns gach aon dhiubh a rèir meud na biota [q.v.]. Bha cumadh nan lonaidean mar seo (Bho a taobh; A’ coimhead sios oirre; A’ coimhead oirre bho shìos): [see illustrations].
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
[long]
Ge b’e a ghleidheas an long ’s a làmhan gheibh e athais uaireigin. Counsels us not to rush something when more favourable conditions might yet arise.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lorg]
Ciod a thainig air lorg air sin? What ensued?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[losaid]
‘Chaidh a bho as a losaid.’ The cow’s hip was dislocated.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[losgadh]
phosphorescence in the sea. Tha e losgadh roimh sròin (of boat). Chì mi a’ losgadh e.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
[luach]
Cha deanainn air mhor luach e. I wouldn’t do it at any price.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[luaidh]
Tha luaidh air uisge beatha. There is virtue in whiskey.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[luath]
Na’s luaithe na shaoileas tu. Sooner than you think.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[luath]
Cho luath ’s a rugadh tu. – As fast as you were born.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[luath]
Rinn e luath is deargannan ann. – Duine a bhiodh ro thric ann an tigh (tigh duine eile) agus a’ fantuinn ro fhada ann, chanadh sinn seo uime. Mar bu trice bhiodh seo a’ tachairt ri linn boirionnach a bhith anns an tigh, a bhiodh e as a déidh. Tuigidh sibh fhéin.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[luath]
Cho luath ris an fhiadh.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[luaths]
Beiridh blaths air luaths.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lugha]
O’n aon as lugha gus an aon as mo. From the least to the greatest.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[làmh]
Aig laimh. At hand. In readiness.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[làmh]
Ge be nach smachdaich làmh ris a ghlùin, cha smachdaich làmh ris an uilinn. If you do not reprimand children when they are at knee height you will be too late when they are up to your elbow.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[làmh]
Air laimh m’athar is mo Sheanar. Depend on my word.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[làmh]
Cùl mo làimh ris – an attitude of strong disapproval.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[làmh]
Leig e ruith d’a làimh. “B’àbhaist do Dhòmhnull a bhith deanamh soithichean glé mhath. Ach am fear-sa chan eil lorg aige air a bhith math. Leig Dòmhnull ruith d’a làimh leis an fhear-sa.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[làmh]
Cha deacha làmh a thoirt air fhathast. – No work has started on it yet.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[làmh]
Cho math ri do làimh. – As good as you can. Cha robh Niall ach òg. Cha robh e glé chleachte ri bhith deanamh gnothach bhoirionnach . Ach dheanadh e gnothaichean gu math. Dheanadh e brota, ’s rudan de’n t-seòrsa cho math ri duine mór no ri boirionnach. “Nì e brota cho math ri do làimh” chanadh a mhàthair ri duine sam bith.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[làmh]
“Làmh fhada agus cead a’ sìneadh.” – Chanadh na bodaich seo aig biadh nuair a bhiodh iad a’ ciallach cantuinn riut thu fhéin a dheanamh gu math aig an tigh.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[làn]
Gu lan mhath. Perfectly well.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[làn]
Lan mhath. Quite well. Lan cheart. Quite right.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[làthair]
Thoir a lathair a cheil iad. Bring them face to face.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[làthair]
Ann lathair nan uile. In sight of all.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lòinne]
Tha lòinne [ɔ:] math oirre. – a good coat.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[lùb]
An luib an Domhnaich. In preparation for the Sabbath.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lɛ̣v]
Quotation: Tha i [lɛ̣v] do’n soisgeul. Notes: [lɛ̣vəɣ] found also.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lʹesbɾɤi]
Quotation: a’ deanamh [lʹesbɾɤi] air duine. Notes: Skye word for partiality, or discrimination against a person.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ma seach]
Gach aon ma seach. Alternately.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mac]
Mac brathair (piuthar) seanair. Mac brathair (piuthar) seanmhair. Second cousins.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mac]
Cha mhac mar t’athair thu. You are a son not worthy of your sire.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mac]
Mac brathair. Mac peathar. Nephew on male and female side.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mac]
Mac brathair (piothar) [sic] athair. Mac brathair (piuthar) mathair. First cousins. [NOTE in second hand: piothar corrected to peathar.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[magadh]
“Cha robh ràth riabh air taigh a’ mhagaidh.” No luck ever fell upon a house that practised mockery.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[maide]
Cha chuireadh e maide ’n a phàirt. – Cha bheireadh e air cho math is ’g an dèanadh e e, a’ ruith as a dhéidh.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[maistreadh]
Latha pinndeachadh, latha maistreadh – two consecutive days when these two processes where undertaken.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[maladh]
“Thug e dhomh a dhà air mo mhalaidh.” – A dhà de’n uisge-bheatha.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[manadh]
“Manadh troimhn bhàs ’s troimhn bheò.” Events being preceded by noises indicating something was to happen.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[manadh]
Seinn ’sa chluais manadh bàis neo baistidh. This phrase ties in with the same kind of information given by Mrs C. MacLellan, Lochcarnan, South Uist.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[manure]
Note: algae composition was used as manure for crofts, still is, and so his [sic] [is?] hen droppings, also cattle dung, seaweed of various species, tangle being popular for the growth of corn. Algae in powder form or kelp was, and is, used as a reinforcement for manure, that is algae can be used with other manure contribution or contributions, rotten fish, guano, etc. (Harris)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[maor]
Ard mhaoir na rioghachd. The great officers of state.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[maorach]
“Cha dean bean luath maorach.” Not to rush; shellfish requires [sic] patience otherwise they are easily missed.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[maorach]
“Chan fhuirich muir ri uallach ’s cha bhuain bean luath maorach.”
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[maorach]
“Chan fhuirich muir ri uallach ’s cha bhuain bean luath maorach.”
Origin: Lewis, Uig an Iar
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
[maoth]
Bhi am maoth na h-oige. Immature.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[marag]
marag-fhala, marag-dheocaidh, marag-fhlùir – “of the Puddin’ race” or of the Haggis family. [NOTES: all three phrases slipped under one catch-word – ‘marag’. Definition: All similar to haggis.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[marsanta]
“’S math am barr a riaraicheas am marsanta ged is olc an fhéill a dh’fhàgas duin’ e fhein air an emairt.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[marsanta]
’S olc am barr nach riaraich marsanta. A merchant will sell anything no matter the quality.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[math]
Cha n’eil math dhomh a bhi leughadh sin dhuitsa. It is no use my explaining that to you.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[math]
Am math leat sin? Do you consider that a good thing?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[math]
Am math is an t-olc. The good and the bad.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[math]
De’m math a tha ort? What is the use of you?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[math]
Air do mhath fhein. For your own good.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mathair cheile]
“Mar chat gu luch bi bean a mic gu mathair cheile.” Alludes to the trend adhered to by mother in laws, that her son’s spouse will not get on with her mother in law.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[meachain]
Chan eil meachain annta. – no sympathy or pity.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[meadhan-latha]
Air laithean sgoile cha robh ach aran is ìm is càise ’s a mheadhoinlath [sic].
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[meal]
Gu’m meal is gu’n caith thu e, is gum faidh thu duine ri linn. – May you enjoy and wear (say, a new coat) and get a husband while it lasts.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mearachd]
Rugadh ann am mearachd i. She was an illegitimate child.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[meas]
Is beag meas a bh’agat air. You had no respect for it.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[meas]
Mu chall a mheas. About the loss of his reputation.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[meas]
’N uair a theirgeas gach meas, ’s math na mucagan.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[measadh]
Tha e gu mheasadh tuille is daor. He rates it too highly.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[meata]
Cha bhuadhaich am meata gu brath. The chicken hearted never prosper.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[meataich]
Thug sin meatachadh mor as. Mheataich sin gu mor e. That daunted him greatly.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[meud]
A mheud mhor gun chur leatha. Just boasting without anything to support it.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[meud]
Mun mheud sud. About that size.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[meud]
A mheud san lathair. As many as were present.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[meudachd]
Is ioghnadh leam fein a mheudachd. I am surprised at its bulk.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mi-chiatach]
Gnothuch mi-chiatach – a disgraceful occurrence.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[miann]
Sasuich do mhiann. Satisfy your ambition.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[miann]
Chan eil miann deise an aona mhìos. – a saying meaning that not everyone has the same tastes or preferences.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mill dimensions]
4. Mill dimensions, inside length 14 feet, width 10 feet. Thickness of wall 6 feet to 4 feet. The size of the mill and the millstones depended on the volume of water available.
Location: [Lewis], Leurbost
Category: Muileann Lochlannach / Norse Mill
[ministear]
An e ministear a tha anns an dara fear aca seo. Do you mean to say that one of these men is a minister.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mionaid]
Ní mi sin ’s a mhionaid. – I shall do that at once!
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mionaid]
Cuiridh ’s a mhionaid. – Yes, immediately.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mionnan]
Cuir air a mhionnan e. Put him on oath.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mith]
Gach mith agus math. Each peasant and noble.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mithich]
Rug i leanabh roimh a mhithich. She gave birth to a premature child.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[moch]
Bho mhoch gu dubh – from early to late.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[moch]
Anns a’ mhoch. Anns a mhoch thrath. In the early dawn.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[molach]
Tha i gu math molach.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
[molach]
Tha i gu math molach.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
[molach]
Tha i gu math molach.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
[moladh]
Mas math leat bhi ga’d mholadh faigh am bàs; mas math leat bhi ga’d chàineadh, pòs.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[moladh]
Did not want to praise their own cattle too much in case they might suffer loss of them: Air eagal ’s gu mìll moladh i.
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[mosgain]
Dath breagha air maide mosgain – applied to a businessman making out that his product is better than it actually is.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mot]
’Se mot a theireadh sinn ris an t-seors’ ait teine againne – bha moran dhiubh anns a bhaile againn. Cha b’ann am meadhainn an lair a bha e. Rudeigan [sic] mar seo. (6. [refers to the illustration] na busan made of clay and stone – flat on top, suitable for pans to be kept near the fire.)
Origin: [Harris? – cf. ‘Taigh Croitear anns na Hearadh – an taigh anns an do rugadh mi.’]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[motha]
Is mo e na gach aon. It is greater than any.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[motha]
Na’s mo agus na’s mo. Greater and greater.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[motha]
Is mo e na sin. It is greater than that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[motha]
De ’s mo orm thu? What do I care for you?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[motha]
Is esan is mo. He is the greatest.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mothaid]
Cha mhòid e sin. It is not the greater for that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[muillean]
Muillean fodair – bundle (?) of straw. Probably “muillean fodair” should be written “muidhlean” to achieve correct pronunciation.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[muineal]
Tha mo mhuineal air a thuchadh. My throat has become hoarse.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[muir]
Chan fhan muir ri uallach, cha dean bean luath maorach.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mulchag]
Mulchag chàis is botul Uisge bheath, da rud nach mair fada.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[màm]
Note: ulcerous swelling like ‘màm’ was approached by incantations, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mèilich]
Tha an t-uan a mèilich. – The lamb is bleating.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mèirleach]
“’S leis a’ mheirleach mhath a chuid gus a beirear air.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mèogail]
Tha an cat a mèogail.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mòd]
Cuiridh mòd ort. Bheir chun ’mhòd thu. – used as threats.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mòine]
“Tha a’ mhòine anns an sgaoiltich.” – The peats are as laid out.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mór]
Tha e mor leat ga dheanamh. It is a trouble to you to do.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mór]
Is mor leam sin a dheanamh. I think it is too much to go that length.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mùn]
Quotation: Faodaidh i mùn an aghaidh na gaoth tuath air mo shon-sa. (Forgive me! if this is rather distasteful.) Source: Traditional. Notes: Reference to a girl who jilted a gentleman, him saying she may do likewise in coldness for him.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
[nadur]
Nach ann aige tha an droch nadur! – What a bad temper he has.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[neart]
Bha e an treun a neirt. – he was at his peak.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[nettle]
(nettle infusion – drunk for rheumatism)
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
[neul]
Tha e air neul an aoig. He has the colour of death.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[nighean]
Gabh nighean na deagh mhàthair ged a bhiodh an dòlas na athair dhi.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[niosgaid]
“Ged a ligeadh a niosgaid tha a’ mhàthar ghur innte fhathast.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
[NOTES: it is not clear if the last two words are variants. The second seems to be a later addition (different ink) and may be a clarification of the first, which is illegible.]
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
[note]
[NOTES: the word and definition appear under Section 6. Athletics.]
Location: Leodhas [Lewis], an taobh siar
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
[note]
‘Here are the words I collected in the N. Perthshire Highlands, from Estate workers etc., in the order of most use.’
Location: Ross-shire, Muir-of-Ord
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
[NOTES: the first three phrases were used by the authors of the questionnaire as examples; they were ticked by the informant to show that he knew them.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
[note]
(If you will find any difficulty in any of the words interpretation, I will try and help you to understand my solution.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
Many of the Equivalents appearing in these lists are doubtless already well-known, but I have endeavoured, from personal inquiries made mainly in Zetland and other insular parts of Northern Scotland, to furnish some fresh information on the matter. For facility of reference the English Christian names are set down in alphabetical order; and against them are shown (1) the Gaelic equivalents and (2) the English equivalents, including those which are in use in certain specified regions – together with occasional explanatory notes. In the list “Male Personal Names” the patronymics are also given – not that they may serve much useful, practical purpose, but because patronymics figure largely in our Scottish nomenclature and are interesting as derivatives from our common Christian names. From a close survey of the lists certain main inferences may be drawn: 1. The correctness of the Registrar-General’s surmise “that some names have no doubt a significance differing according to locality” is demonstrated by the following examples:– (a) Ewen and Hugh. In Lewis these two names are distinct and have separate Gaelic equivalents. (Ewen = G. Eòghann; Hugh = G. Uisdean). But in the South Isles of the Outer Hebrides the two names are interchangeable and have a common Gaelic equivalent, (both Ewen and Hugh = G. Eòghann). This fact was first brought to my notice in South Uist and I subsequently got verification of it elsewhere; one instance being that of a boy from Uist attending school at Dornie, who was known as “Hugh” at home and as “Ewen” in school. (b) Effie and Henrietta. So far as the mainland of Scotland is concerned there is, I think, no connection between these two names; yet I find in Lewis they are interchangeable, the common Gaelic equivalent being “Eighrig”. I have corroboration of this from two schoolmasters who are natives of Lewis; and I found a practical example in the case of a Lewis lady resident in Skye, whose husband calls her “Effie” but who signs her name as “Henrietta”. 2. Many of our Personal Names are merely Anglicised forms of Gaelic Names, for example: Gillespie = Archibald (from G. Gill-easbuig), Donachie = Duncan (from G. Donnchadh), Murachie = Murdoch (from G. Muireach), Ailie = Helen (from G. Eilidh), etc. etc. 3. Some of the other names are not what might be termed exact equivalents, but are distorted forms given to foreign names by Ministers who were unacquainted with the foreign language. In this class is the name “Haki” or “Hakon” which has been transformed into “Hercules”; just as “Osla” has been twisted into “Ursula” and thence into “Cecilia”. It should be understood that my inquiries have been comparatively limited and that consequently the information given here cannot be anything like exhaustive on the subject of name equivalents. But the examples given are sufficient to illustrate that many odd equivalents do exist, and that the identity of a person with whose name we are furnished may be found under an alternative name.
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
[note]
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
[note]
(Words on this page in red [i.e. starting from coileachan] signifying ‘old words’ or words more aptly used in former eras or days, while those in black as above are ‘new words’ or more associated with the present.)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
[NOTES: numbers refer to illustrations in Gwynne Vevers’ Fishes In Colour (London, 1963). The definitions have been copied in square brackets.]
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
[NOTES: the first four definitions taken from the list of terms suggested by the authors of the questionnaire (the informant used numbers to match words with explanations.)]
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[note]
This subject is having my further attention.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[note]
[NOTES: it is not clear what the connection between the words is. I have typed them out the way they appear in the questionnaire. Also: ‘trom’, ‘ruadh’ after ‘sealbhag’, ‘riamhach’ and ‘root’ are all in black ink.]
Location: [Lewis], Arnol, Bragar and Uigen
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
[note]
Length of line. Type of line. Type of boats. Sailing and motor. Different fishing grounds. For round and flat fish. Lead plumb used for telling the different grounds. Using grease or margarine. Getting the bait. Shelling. Limpets and mussels. Whole family involved. Methods of hauling and shooting lines.
Category: Iasgach / Fishing
[note]
[NOTES: numbers refer to illustrations in Gwynne Vevers’ Fishes In Colour (London, 1963). The definitions have been copied in square brackets.]
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
“I enclose a further collection of words from the Aird district. It is possible that there are a few of these in dictionaries already. They are not in strict alphabetical order. A few of them are to be found in Mr Alex MacDonald’s paper in Volume 29 of the Transactions and these I mark.”
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
“I have heard nearly all of above. Some are still heard with older people who use such expressions as “evernow” – at the present time. “Slamp” – agile, is a word not heard much now as are “fludding the school” – truanting and “rooicking” [?] – staying out late without permission. These would lead to a “plooking”! “Scoolan” – a receptacle for potatoes, etc. “Bualla” was formerly heard for a shinty club – the game was not played much in the town but rather by boys in the surrounding parts.”
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
Information supplied by Major N. T. MacLeod, Croydon and Arnol.
Location: [Lewis], Leurbost
Category: Muileann Lochlannach / Norse Mill
[note]
(Samples of above patterns can be obtained if needed.)
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
[NOTES: there is no date on the letter but it must be one of the earliest that Mr Morrison sent to the Department.] 
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
“I am sorry I am rather vague about some of these at present but they may be of some use.”
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
“(...) I enclose all the words from the Glenurquhart proverbs which do not appear to be in dictionaries. In a number of cases the proverbs are quoted. I think the proverbs were written down by my father early in the century. His mother was born in Glenurquhart in 1835 and the proverbs noted were regularly used by her.”
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
(...) some local Gaelic names for birds, animals, etc. along with what is probably the only Gaelic name for most of them a long time ago (…)
Location: Argyll, Tarbert, Muasdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
I put the words down as they are pronounced as I do for Dr Watson. You left it too late. I would need a wee while to think. Sorry, Dolly.
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
[note]
[ILLUSTRATION in second hand – not clear what it refers to. Also, the illustration on the next page seems to be a reworking of this one.]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
[note]
(Tha mi duilich cha do rinn mi ro mhath! Cha builear dhomh am peann a bhi aig mo laimh fad na h-ùine.)
Location: Glasgow
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[note]
(Couldn’t it be done in this suggested, by me, attempt – noun, adj, adv, (diminutive), tenses – as I am not sure this is the way you want it done.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
“Here are a few words which I hope will be of some value. They are all from a native of Laggan in Badenoch and have not been heard by some of the West Highland people here.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
From the late Rev. Angus Macdonald D.D, of Killearn’s unpublished history of South Uist.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
[NOTES: numbers refer to illustrations in Collins Pocket Guide to the Sea Shore (London, 1967) but the fieldworker included most of the definitions anyway. The missing definitions have been copied in square brackets.]
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
(same as cattle) [NOTES: see point 5 in the Crodh / Cattle questionnaire by the same informants.]
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect)
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[note]
(same as cattle) [NOTES: see point 9 in the Crodh / Cattle questionnaire by the same informants.]
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect)
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[note]
(Numerous others listed in Gaelic Catechism, as uamhar, sannd etc. etc.)
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[note]
as in cattle. [NOTES: the following list copied from Mr Fraser’s ‘cattle’ questionnaire.]
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[note]
This brings to my memory question six on the front of this paper. [NOTES: this seems to be a misunderstanding. ‘Question six’ asks the informants to use a word like ‘beag’ to show the gender of the noun. Mr Smith just provides us with two terms containing ‘beag’ but not connected with cattle in any way.]
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[note]
[NOTES: both slipped under ‘laogh’ with ‘a. laogh firionn’ and ‘b. laogh boirionn’ as the quotation. Definition: a. male calf; b. female calf.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[note]
“I feel that I should explain first of all that though I am in Kintyre to earn my living, I am actually a native of Uig, Lewis, so that all these words and phrases – relevant and otherwise – which I have enclosed are ‘Uig-flavoured’.”
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
Diar-daoin – latha trasgaidh. Di h-aoine – latha ceist. Di-Sathuirn – latha ullachaidh. Latha na Sabaid – latha comanachaidh. Di-Luain – latha dealachaidh. Sin mar a bha na bodaich a’ coimhead air.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[note]
Chan eil ainm sam bith agam airson seo [i.e. the fine waste wool that collects under the loom].
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
[note]
Na’m biodh Donnchadh MacDhòmhnaill air ceann shìos a’ bhaile againn fhìn beò bheireadh e cuideachadh dhuinn mu chùisean na beairte. Cha deacha làmh a riamh air cùl beairte na b’fheàrr na e air dhòigh sam bith. Bheir mi dhuibh ainm fear a tha beò an diugh a bha ag obair air a’ bheairt mu’n d’thàinig na beartan ùra, na beartan abhtamataiceach: Calum MacMhathain (Calum Og), 6 Aird Uige, Ann an Leòdhas. Bhiodh e ag obair air a’ bheairt còmhla ri a athair. Tha a athair beò fhathast agus e gu bhith ceud bliadhna. “An Leddie” am far-ainm a bh’air. Chanainn gu’m bi na h-ainmeannan Uigeadh aig Calum Og. Is iongantach mur a h-eil mise air feadhainn dhiubh a chall.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
[note]
Aig na bodaich mu na h-orduighean suidhichte bha aca: Diar-daoin, Di h-aoine, Di-Sathuirn, Là na Sàbaid, agus Di-Luain.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[note]
(Feuchaibh Nic Neacail mu ghnothaichean an datha.)
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
[note]
Canaidh sinne mar seo: Là Trasgaidh nan Orduighean, Di h-aoine nan Orduighean, Di-Sathurn [sic] nan Orduighean. Là Sàbaid nan Orduighean. Di-Luain nan Orduighean.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[note]
(This incidentally is in our district the final operation, at the crofter’s house.)
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
[note]
[NOTES: the whole section is in blue, i.e. Mr Henderson’s colour, but Mr Henderson’s name appears only next to some of the words while Ms Gibson’s name appears next to some of the others, which seems to suggest that the terms without a name were shared by both informants.]
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[note]
Coal and wood were so much used in Raasay that peat cutting operations were on a very small scale. Used however were these terms.
Origin: Ratharsaireach [Raasay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
[note]
[NOTES: the definitions in square brackets copied from the list provided in the questionnaire as it is clear that the informant was following it, even the order is the same.]
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[note]
(...) se sin cuid de dh’fhaclan a chula [sic] mi bho chionn beagan bhlidhnachan [sic] air ais ’nuair a bha m’Athair is na coimhearsnaich mun chuairt an so a’ bruidhinn a’ Ghaidhlig ged is ainneamh a tha i air a’ bruidhinn aig an làtha an diugh.
Origin: [Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
“Tha mi’n dòchas gu’m bi am beagan beag fhacal a tha mi ’cur gu’d ionnsaigh a chum feuma. Tha corra fhacal agam o Chinntàile. ’S e Tàileach d’am b’ainm Crìsdein MacRath a bu phrìomh charaid dhomh nuair a bha mi ’san oilthigh.”
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
Seo uile ’s a’ phàipear-sa. Tha trealaich mhath agam fhathast de ainmeannan ’s de ghnàthasan-cainnte. Ach tha mi ’g am fàgail – na h-ainmeannan có dhiu – airson cinn, ge b’e ’s bith c’uin a nì mi pàipear dhiubh. Chan eil fhios agam cinnteach dé mar a nì sibh feum de na gnàthasan-cainnte anns an fhaclair. Có dhiu saoilidh mi gu’n d’fhuair sibh trealaich mhath a chum feuma dhuibh anns na deich pàipearan a chuir mise a steach. Bidh na chuir mi sìos air lorg, co dhiu, de chòmhradh Uig an Iar. Agus seo uile an dràsda, a’ cur crìoch air an 10mh pàipear.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
Tha mi a’ cur gnothaichean na tìre air fad air na duilleagan “mountains, hills etc.” agus “moorland features etc.” agus “rivers, burns etc.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
[note]
Tuilleadh ri t-d a trì [i.e. Moorland features].
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
[note]
(never heard a separate word for lay preacher)
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[note]
[NOTES: the informant does not provide definitions but as it is clear that he is following the definitions given in the questionnaire, these have been copied next to the headwords.]
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross and Cromarty but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[nàdur]
A thaobh naduir. By nature.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[nàir]
Mo nàir ort! – Shame on you! Mo-Nàir was a Celtic goddess, frequently met in Irish literature.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[nàire]
Mo nàire chiatach! (Tuigidh sibh fhéin.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[nì]
Air ghaol Ni Math. For the love of Goodness.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[nì]
A dheoin Ni Math. Deo volente.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[nʹɤxk]
Quotation: [nʹɤxk] – ghost. [hũniɡ mi nʹɤxk iɡ ...] ‘I saw …’s ghost.’ Notes: common to Brora, Golspie and Embo. Source: Mrs M. MacKay, “Gairlochy”, Main Street, Golspie. Date: 17 March 1968.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[oatmeal]
Oatmeal in hot water (mixed) also was observed as a beverage to cattle.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[oatmeal]
(chewing oatmeal) (butter and oatmeal mixture – applied to injury of nail through foot)
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
[obair an datha]
Chan fhaca mise a riamh móran de obair an datha. Chunna mi na h-uibhir dhe, ach bhithinn a’ cluinntinn bho fheadhainn a thàinig romham.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
[obair]
Obair is ath obair. Useless repetition of work.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[obair]
Obair is ath-obair – idle repetition of labour.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[obair]
Obair is ath-obair.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ogha]
Is iad oghachan peathar is brathar. They are second cousins.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[oidhche Shamhan]
Sean-Fhacal Gaidhlig: An deigh oidhche Shamhan their iad crodh ris na h’aighean agus aighean ris na laoigh. [NOTES: slipped under ‘Samhuinn’. The quotation has ‘Oidhche Shamhuin’ [sic] and ‘ris na h-aighean’.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[oidhche]
“Na mòl oidhche ’s na di mhol latha.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[oil]
Mas oil leat e na dean a rithist e. If you don’t like it don’t do it again.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ola-an-ròin]
heat treatment, liniment oil a more modernisation [sic], seal oil (‘ola an ròin’) boiled, when cooled to the point of applying, then the oil was well rubbed on the affected part of the patient.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[olc]
Ge be bhios gu olc mu àrdaich bi e gu math mun rathad mhór.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[olc]
Olc air mhath leat e. Whither [sic] you be willing or not.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ospag]
Air an ospag dheireannach. At the last gasp.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[oʃ]
Quotation: [oʃ] – baldness. [hɑ oʃ er] ‘He’s bald.’ Notes: common to Brora, Golspie and Embo. Also [oʃɑx], Adj. ‘balding’. Source: Mrs M. MacKay, “Gairlochy”, Main Street, Golspie, Sutherland. Date: 17 March 1968.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[painting carts]
Normally a cart was painted red with blue on that portion of the trams where the back rope or back band sliders are fixed in. The reason for this part being painted blue, I presume, was because the sliders were always greased and grease running on to the blue did not show so much as it would if the paint was red. Sometimes the trams were also painted blue about six inches on rear and front. Some carters also painted these parts of trams in black. Blue and black paint counteracted grease marks.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
[paisde]
Chan e paisde gun fhiaclan a bheireadh as i (e). Reference to something that is stuck fast, e.g. a well driven nail or a stake in the ground. [NOTES: ‘paisde’ corrected to ‘pàisde’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[partan]
Is fhearr am partan na bhi gun fhear. Better to have some kind of husband than none at all.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[pathadh]
Tha am pathadh orm.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[patronymics]
Iain Fhionnlaigh Fhearchair, Dhòmhnaill òig – patronymic (form). Domhall Iain mac Eoghainn, Thormoid, mac Chaluim bhig – patronymic.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[peata ruadh]
[See buthaid.]
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[peighinn]
Is cho math peighinn a chaoimhnadh is peighinn a choisinn. A penny saved is a penny gained. [NOTE in second hand: choisinn corrected to chosnadh.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[peircean]
“Cuiridh peircean na caorach an crann air an fharadh.” A saying which predicts that sheep rearing will lead to the demise of traditional croft work due to the minimal amount of labour involved.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[pinndeachadh]
Latha pinndeachadh, latha maistreadh – two consecutive days when these two processes were undertaken.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[poca]
Potatoes put into a poca.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
[pongail]
Air innseadh gu pongail. Snappily related.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[porridge]
Note: porridge was accepted as a remedy to help with the healing and curing ulcers on the stomach. Believed, porridge to be a soothing food, and helpful in acting as poultice, in absorbing matter, foreign, having an absorbent qualities in other words.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[prevention of flies]
a mixture of urine and dipping liquid was a popular mixture for the prevention of flies, to keep the flies at a distance from the animal.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[prioba]
Am prioba na súla – in the blinking of an eye, viz. immediately.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[prìs]
Is aithne dhomh do phris. I know your rate.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[pòsadh]
“Tha am pòsadh coltach ri siorram, tha mil ann is gathan.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[pùilleag]
“In the paper on Unrecorded Words from Badenoch in Volume 43 [of the T.G.S.I.] I see that “pùilleag”, a ‘deep’ person, is not listed. This was heard in Laggan.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[pɾi:jo:]
Notes: call for cattle.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[rach]
Cha deach sin gu math dhaibh. That upset them.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ramh]
‘Dh itheadh [sic] e ramh uinnsinn.’ i.e. ‘He would eat anything.’ This was quite a common saying in Uig.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[rath]
Chaidh e bho rath. He has gone to pigs and whistles.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[rath]
Is beag rath a bhitheas ort. You will have but poor luck.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[rathad-mór]
Rinn iad rathad-mór troimh an phìos bhuntàta aige. – They made a track through his potato plot.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[rathad]
’Se so an rathad is fhaisge gu mor. This is the nearest way by far.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[rathad]
Chan eil rath na rathad air. – no other way of it.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[rathad]
Chan eil a phrís sin as an rathad. – That is not an exorbitant price.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[rathad]
Chan ’eil a phrís sin as an rathad. – That’s a reasonable price.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[rathad]
rathad mór, díreach, cumhang (?)
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[rathad]
Chuir e e-fhéin as an rathad. – He commited suicide.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[reachd]
Thainig reachd ’nam mhuineal. A lump came into my throat.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[reothadh]
Nuair a tha iad a’ priopadh [sic] that reothadh gu bhi ann.
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
[reothadh]
Reothadh gu math cruaidh. Tha reothadh cruaidh ann.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
[reòta]
Latha fuar reòta.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ri]
Cha do thaitinn e rium. Cha tainig e rium. It failed to satisfy me.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[riaraich]
Riaraich iad eatorra e. They shared it amongst them.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ribhinn]
Gu cinnteach air latha Gill Bride thig an ribhinn as an toll.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
[rigneachadh]
“Abair gu robh na curracagan aig Calum air an rigneachadh.” – Air gabhail aca gu math le sìoman.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[roghnach]
An roghnaiche leat so? Do you prefer this?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[roghnach]
Co is roghnaiche leat. Whenever you may choose.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[roimh]
Bithidh mise romhad fhathast. I shall be upsides with you yet. [NOTE in second hand: I shall be ahead of you yet.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[roinn]
Roinn mhic is athar. Share and share alike.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[roinn]
Gabhaidh roinn Mhic is Athair a dheanamh air. Everyone getting a share of what was available.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[romhad]
Bithidh mise romhad fhathast. I shall pay you back yet.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[rosadach]
[unlucky signs. Cf. rathadach.]
Location: Barra, Ard Mhinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[roth]
7. ROTH le LIAGHAN – the propeller with its blades. The ROTH was made usually from the base of a CRANN BATA.
Location: [Lewis], Leurbost
Category: Muileann Lochlannach / Norse Mill
[roundelay]
We repeated the following roundelay: Thugainn a mach. C’àite mach? A thigh Ian Bhalla. De ’m balla? Balla mór. Dè mor? Mor am bidean. De ’m bidean? Bidean Uilleam. De an t-Uilleam? Uilleam Màn. De Màn? Màn a siorraidh. De an siorraidh? Siorraidh Leodhais. De Leodhas? Leodhas Uig? De an Uig? Uig dhromannan. De na dromannan? Dromannan chaorach. De na caoraich? Caoraich chloimheach. De a chloimh? Cloimh airson aodach. De an t-aodach? Tha aodach airson a chur mu do dhruim. Also: ‘Co sud thallud?’ ‘Mise, Starrag.’ ‘De th’agad ann a hen [sic]?’ ‘Bo mhaol, odhar, mharbh.’ ‘An toir thu rud dhomh fhin dhi?’ ‘Cha toir mi fhìn gu dearbh. Ca-ubh, ca-ubh, ca-ubh.’ And: ‘Dorra-mhèamh’ ars an cat. ‘De mheurlaich a th’ oirt?’ ‘Loisg mi mo spòg toirt na feoladh as a phrais.’
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ruadh]
Gaoth ruadh. Tuil ruadh. Devastating wind and rain.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ruadhan]
Burn glan gun ruadhan. Water without sediment.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[rubbing oils]
Rubbing oils: lineament [sic], castor oil, melted butter, etc. were previous to the method use [sic] of ointments of today. ‘Ola-an-ròin’ was popular with generations past in various ways. Liver oils, ‘fish-oils’ as sometimes termed.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ruffles hole]
An toll anns an druim aig eathar – an fheadhainn anns am bheil e – chan eil ainm agam air idir. ’Se ‘ruffles hole’ a chanar ris ’s a’ Bheurla. Mar seo:
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ruith]
Air an ruith cheudna (air a cheart ruith). At precisely the same rate.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ruith]
Thoir an aon ruith dhaibh. Give them the same treatment.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ruith]
Is iomadh uair a thug mi ruith air. Many a time I made him run. [NOTE in second hand: had a turn at it.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ru̜:k
[ai]nʹ] Quotation: Dar a bha iad glé thioram bha iad a’ deanamh [ru̜:k[ai]nʹ] dhiubh.
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ràmh]
‘Tha iomragh anns an ràmh gun a bhristeadh.’ This was a gentle reminder that the oar was being abused, especially when the rower gave sudden, powerful pulls, which could easily snap the oar.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[réidh]
Tha iad reidh a nis. They are at peace now.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[réitich]
Reitich an snath. Disentangle the thread.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[réitich]
Reitich an rathad. “Gangway”.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ròn]
“’S leatha na ròn tònn eadar a thaigh.” – refers to the obesity which might strike someone who was eternally visiting houses. [NOTES: ‘tònn’ corrected to ‘tòn’.]
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[rùn]
Run do chridhe air do chuisle. May you attain your earnest will.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[rùn]
An aghaidh mo ruin. Against my own inclination.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sad]
Sad Sasunnach. “Cuiridh mise sad Sasunnach as. Agus asda.” Bha cat aig Màiri agus bha i a’ saoilsinn tòrr dheth. Chuireadh e na crùidhean ann an duine uair sam bith, ach bha Màiri a’ smaoineachadh gu’m bu chòir seo a leigeil leis. An latha-sa thuirt an duine aig Màiri: “Cuireadh casan na crùidhean annam-sa agus cuiridh mise sad Sasunnach as an deireadh aige.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sadadh]
Bha a ghaoth gan sadadh. – A strong wing was beating down on them.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sagart]
Trì nithean nach fhaca mi riabh, ’s mi liath an de bhi òg, sagart a’ cluichd air a’ phìob ’sa sgriobhadh le ìte geoidh.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sail]
11. An taigh – lair, ionad an ROTH, nan AMAR, agus an uisge na thuil choprach thormach agus an ROTH ’na ghille-mirein a’ cur nan car cho luath s nach fhaicte ach lasadh loinnireach nan LIAGH. Bha an t-SAIL-BHUINN fodha. Chite an t-SAIL DHIREACH dol suas tre’n lar far an robh i an amal an t-SAIL AOTROMACHAIDH – the lightening beam. An t-SAIL BHUINN was the ledger-beam on which the propeller rotated.
Location: [Lewis], Leurbost
Category: Muileann Lochlannach / Norse Mill
[salm]
Salm aige de na guidheachan. – Na chuimhnicheadh e orra aig an àm. E aige mar rud a bhiodh aige air a theangaidh. Anns na seann làithean ’se sailmean, ’s rudan de’n t-seòrsa sin, bu mhotha a bhiodh iad ag ionnsachadh air an teangaidh. Có dhiu, saoilidh mi, bho thàinig buaidh na h-eaglais gu math orra. Canaidh sinne, cuideachd, “an t-salm a bh’aige”.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[salt]
In some islands a plate of salt was laid on the chest of a corpse in the coffin. Salt, from remote Bible times, was regarded as sacred and of great potency in expelling evil spirits from the dead. In modern times, instead of the salt, one sees a Bible.
Origin: Skye
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
[salting]
(salting butter –  essential to use ground sea-salt, butter then put into jars and cabbage leaf put on top) (salting eels – salting eels and then hanging out to dry) (salting meat – pickle not ready until a small potato could float) (salting cod, smallag, cuideag, saoithean)
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
[samhanach]
Chuireadh sin eagal air na samhannaich? That would frighten savages?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[samhlaich]
Na samhlaich an leithid riumsa. Don’t lay that to my charge.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sannt]
Chan ’eil sannt bidh orm idir. I am not in the humour of eating.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[saod]
“Cha robh saod agad sin a dheanamh.” You had no way of doing that.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[saoghal]
Là cur an t-saoghail as. – Là air leth dona, le gaoth agus uisge. Latha air leth garbh.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[saoghal]
Cha robh fhios agam air an aon saoghal. – I didn’t know on earth what.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[saoghal]
“Chuir i duine chun an t-saoghail an oidhche sin.” – She gave birth to a child that night.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[saoil]
Bhathadh “shaoil leam” gednach [sic] do “shaoil” cuid e. “I thought” was drowned though some thought not.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[scribe]
Fhuair e e fhéin ann an scribe. – He got himself in trouble, usually in money matters.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seach]
Seach leigeil dha dol seachad. Rather than allow him to pass by.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seach]
Seach aon eile. Rather than anyone else.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seach]
Seach innseadh air. Rather than inform against him.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seach]
Seach e fein a mhilleadh. Rather than (in preference to) spoiling himself.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seachad]
Is math seachad e. It is good to have it past.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seadh]
Ciod an seadh anns an do ghabh thu e. In what sense did you take it. [NOTE in second hand: seadh corrected to seagh.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seadh]
De is seadh dha? What is the purport of it? [NOTE in second hand: seadh corrected to seagh.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seadh]
Seadh an sin! Well, what? (Tuigidh sibh fhéin.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sealg]
B’e an t-sealg aig fear gun ghunna e. – Chanadh tu seo nuair a gheibheadh tu chance eagalach math airson gunna – geòidh, rabaidean, ròn no a leithid sin – ach gu’m biodh do ghunna aig an tigh. Cha bhiodh e agad aig àm na chance matha.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sealladh]
Le sealladh taoibh bu mhor an aire. With side looks they watched closely.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seanachas]
Thainig iad am briathran seanachais air a cheile. They spoke of old times to each other.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seanachas]
Cliath sheanachais. Genealogical table.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seanair]
Seanair an t-seanair. Great great grandfather.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seanair]
Senair [sic], sinn sheanair, sinn sinn sheanair, sinn seachad sinn sheanair. Grandfather and four previous generations.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seanchas]
“Cuir solus orra sheanchas.” In a debate this would be said to elaborate or enlighten some point or other. [NOTES: note added above ‘orra’ – (air do).]
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seanfhaclan]
Fear nach cur sa latha fhuar, cha bhuain sa latha theth. Ceum beag domhain, siol agus todhar. Faigh do shiol agus do thodhar s’ bith [sic] do threabhach deant. Cha do shuidh tuathanach math riamh air a chliabh.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
[searbh]
Tha mi searbh dheth. I am disgusted with him. [NOTE in second hand: Not just disgusted: tired with patience exhausted. Disgusted: Tha mi air mo sgreatadh leis.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seas]
Sheas iad aige. Thug am ministear, bho an chùbaid, an latha-sa latha-dubh air aon de an choimhthional aige. Bha dithis mac móra aig an duine a làthair anns an eaglais. A cheart cho luath agus a thàinig an sluagh a mach, an dithis fhear a bha seo sheas iad aig a’ mhinistear.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seasmhach]
Neo sheasmhach mar uisge. Unstable as water. [NOTE in second hand: Reuben – Bible.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seatha]
“Thug e seatha dha.” – He gave him a telling off. “Thug mi seatha dha.” Cha chreid mi nach robh againn cuideachd ‘seatha’ airson ‘cheek’: “Thug e seatha dha.” – He gave him cheek. [SLIP 1: Thug e seatha dha. He gave him a telling-off. Also: he gave him cheek.] [SLIP 2: Cheek, telling-off.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[seis]
Cha d’fhuair Fionn a sheis riamh. Fionn never met his match.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seis]
Barrachd sa sheis. More than his match. [NOTE in second hand: sheis corrected to sheise.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seòl]
Air an t-seol sin. At that rate.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seòl]
all parts of the boat were referred to in Gaelic but parts of the sail were known only in English, e.g. an tac – the tack of the sail; a’ sheet – the sheet of the sail; hailleard – the halyard.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seòl]
Is ann airson nach tigeadh orra a bhith toirt mu’n cuairt an t-sùil nuair a bhiodh iad a’ tacadh, a bhiodh iad ’g a chur an cùl an tobhta. Ach cha deadh an t-eathar cho cruaidh air a’ ghaoith idir leis an t-seòl an cùl na tobhta, ’s a dheadh i leis an t-seòl ’san dòigh àbhaistich. Agus cha shaoilinn gu’m biodh an crann glé riaraichte, a bharrachd. An seòl bac air a’ chrann, bha thu cur an eathair chun an taca eile gun an seòl a leagail ’s a thoirt mu’n cuairt. Cha robh seo fàbharach do an chrann idir, saoilidh mise, agus gun taca na hàilleard aige. Is ann nuair nach biodh a’ ghaoth glé làidir a bhithist a’ cleachdadh na dòigh-sa, agus airson tacannan goirid. An seòl an cul na tobhta: [see illustration]. An seòl ’s an dòigh àbhaistich: [see illustration]. An seòl bac air a’ chrann: [see illustration].
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[seòmar]
Seomar na h-eisdeachd (na lathaireachd). Presence chamber.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgadan]
Facail a fhuair mi bho Murchadh Moireasdan D.S.M. aig Buntàta is Sgadan Commun Leòdhais agus na Hearadh am bliadhna (1975). Sgadan geàrr – sprats. Sgadan mór-lannach – pilchards. Sgadan bliagha – fear caol, geal agus e spent. (Airson bliagha fuaimnich e mar brèagha ‘beautiful’.) Sgadan goil – fear mór agus làn iuchair. Sgadan garbh – Norwegian herring. Tha seo shuas agam mar a thug mi sìos e bho Mhurchadh. Airson a bhith nas cinntiche tha fhios agam fhéin dé a nì sibh.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgaothbhag (sic)]
[a small shoal?] Caoirnean ag cliuchadh [sic] or sgaothbhag. [NOTES: not clear what is meant here – is ‘sgaothbhag’ meant to be a synonym of ‘caoirnean’? See ‘sgaothag thana’ on the following page meaning ‘a thin shoal’.]
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
[sgealbadh]
“C’àit am bheil d’athair?” “Tha e ri sgealbadh.” – Tha e ag ullachadh a’ bhuntàta airson a chur. [Cf. sgealban]
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgeul]
Sgeul phongail gun snas. Plain unvarnished tale. [NOTE in second hand: Not a happy combination. Not good Gaelic idea. Anything pongail must be snasmhor. Sgeul fhada gun snas.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgeul]
Is tric nach tig ath-sgeul air droch sgeul. Bad news is seldom refuted.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgeul]
Is tric nach tig ath-sgeul air droch sgeul. Bad news is seldom refuted.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgiallt]
Dè bu sgiallt – an expression meaning what was the cause, reason.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgiallt]
Gu de bu sgiallt dha – what was the cause of that. [NOTES: note added – from ‘ciall’.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgiobaideag]
[See tathag.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgoladh]
An t-uisge a sgoladh. Water filtering.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgolb]
“Cha robh dùil ’am gu’m biodh sgrath no sgolb de an tigh air lorg, anns a’ ghaoith mhóir.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgrath]
“Cha robh dùil ’am gu’m biodh sgrath no sgolb de an tigh air lorg, anns a’ ghaoith mhóir.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgrios]
Bheir thu sgrios oirnn. You will annihilate us.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgrogag]
Sgrogag dheiridh, sgrogag thoisich – bits of wood protruding at front and rear of a cart. Rear ones prevented the cart from tipping too far.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgrìob]
Sgriob leat e. Sweep it away with you.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgàdach]
“’S toill le bò sgàdach, bò sgàdach eile.” – two of a kind enjoy each other’s company. Birds of a feather flock together. [NOTES: ‘toill’ corrected to ‘toil’.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgàth]
Tha sgath orm. I am afraid.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgàth]
Air sgath sgoinne. For decency’s sake.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgàth]
Fo sgath do sgeith. Under your protection.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgàthan]
Sgathan tolgach. A concave mirror.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgàthan]
Is math an sgàthan sùil caraide.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgàthan]
Sgathan balgach (comhnard). Convex or plain mirror.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgìos]
Cia mar an sgios e. What a weariness of the flesh it is. [NOTE in second hand: not proper Gaelic (and mar corrected to mór).]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sheep grazing]
a) Sheep stop grazing in early afternoon and seek shelter, even if weather good at the time.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
[side]
Side nan seachd sian – this is a common expression in Uist to describe very wild weather. Literally it means “the weather of the 7 storms or blasts”.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[simileir-crochaidh]
Three styles or periods – There were three styles or periods of thatched houses: (1) The house which had a ‘cùlaist’. See description of ‘cùlaist’ on page 4. (2) Second period house had no ‘cùlaist’. In both (1) and (2) the fire was in the middle of the floor. (3) In the third period house the fire was removed from the middle of the floor and set against the ‘tallan’ [q.v.] or ‘balla-tarrsuinn’ [q.v.] and a ‘simileir-crochaidh’ made of wood erected directly above fire. This wooden erection caught the smoke, sucked it up through it and out through the new ‘fàrlas’ [q.v.] above.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[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
[siola-na-h-easgainn]
Note: ‘siola-na-h-easgainn’ as mentioned towards a cure for rheumatics. May I again note that any species of an eel was considered appropriate, generally the conger eel when the spawning part was prepared as a plaster aid. Medicinally, herbal remedies was [sic] a recommendation in some cases.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[siolpan]
Siolpan beag de bhata aige. – A short thick stick.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sioman fraoich]
[Heather ropes holding down the thatch (see na sgrathan).]
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[siorruidheachd]
Anns an t-Siorruidheachd. “Dh’aithnichinn Calum agus Tormod agus Eighrig agus Coinneach. Ach c’àit am bheil Tormod?” “Thà anns an t-Siorruidheachd.” (At his rest, marbh.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sitig]
Nuair a thig nas fhearr gheibh an tràill an t-sitig. When important visitors come, the man of the house recedes in stature in the eyes of his family.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[siùdain]
A’ siudain a null ’s a nall. Oscillating sideways.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[siùdan]
Cuir ri siudan. Set vibrating.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[siùnach]
An siùnach ud. – Cha b’ann a’ smaoineachadh ann an deagh bheachd air a bhitheadh sibh nuair a chanadh sibh seo mu fhear. That bloke. That fellow. That… Cha chanadh sibh ‘an siùnach ud’ mu dhuine a bhiodh sibh gu math suas ris, agus a’ saoilsinn tòrr dheth.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[skin]
Note: 1 The white of an egg mixed with oatmeal served as an ointment towards the removal of pimples, as a beautifying remedy. Likely still used, also as a skin purifier, skin ointment. 2. Same used with flour to soothe the skin if the skin showed signs of parchment.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[skipɑiṉ]
Quotation: Am bi sibh a’ buain le féith no am bi [skipɑiṉ] ann?
Origin: Arran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[slabhraidh]
Stioman dh’obair shlabhraidh. Wreaths of chain work.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[slachdadh]
Fhuair iad slachdadh aig an sgoil. – They got a beating at school.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[slaisneach]
An gath-droma agus na taobhain, chanadh iad an t-slaisneach riutha seo. “Dé mar tha dol dhuit le na cléibh?” “Tha mi air an t-slaisneach a chur orra.”
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
[slat]
Fhad’s a bhios slàt ’sa choill bi an fhoill ’sa Chaimbeulach.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sleamhuinn]
“Sleamhuinn an greim air an easguinn an t-earball.” A saying which means that a boy/man who has been jilted will always find another girl.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sleamhuinn]
“Sleamhuinn a’ chlach a tha an ursainn an doruis an tàighe [sic] mhóir.” No matter how well you get on with your employer there is still a risk of being sacked.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
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
[slinnean]
Fear slinnean leathan. Large broad shouldered man.
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
[sliutradh]
Tha sliutradh math Beurla aige. – He’s got a good smattering of English.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[smalan]
Bathamaid gach smalan. Let us drown care.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[smalan]
Bathamaid gach smalan. Let us drown care.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[smid]
Gun smid tha ceann an eolais. Silence is the foundation of knowledge. [NOTE in second hand: Silent is the head which has knowledge.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[smid]
Tha smid no dha agam. I have a smattering.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[smior]
Duine gun smior. Spineless creature.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[smuain]
Chaidh mi rithist gu mo smuaintean. I reconsidered matters.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[smugaid]
“Na bith a’ smaointinn gur e gille beag le smugaid air mo ghualainn a tha anamsa idir.” In other words treat me with the respect I deserve.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[smugaid]
Tilgeil smugaide. Expectorating.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[smòraigeadh]
“Tha iad a’ smòraigeadh an tighe as déidh na griùthraich” (‘griùlach’ ann an Leòdhas). – fumigating the house.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[snasail]
Obair-laimhe snasail – neat handiwork.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[snathad]
Snathad is snath – needle and thread.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[snog]
Bha e air a chuir air a’ ghlò cho snòg. When a field had been scythed neatly and all the stubble was of even length. [NOTES: note added above ‘ghlò’ – dhlòth.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[snàth]
Snath cloimhe. Worsted.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[snàth]
Bha e riabh a’ cumail an t-snàth lìn ’s an t-snathad dhomh. Applied to someone who had always kept you in employment.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[snàth]
Snath fuaighle. Sewing thread. [NOTE in second hand: fuaigheil.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[snàth]
Cha tig snath do mhna-sa ri snath mo mhna-sa. Your wife spinning will not compare with mine.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[snàth]
Snath riaghailt. Basting thread.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[snàthla]
“’S fhada snàthla a sniomhas bò.” An expression which says that a cow covers a lot of ground in a day.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[snìomh]
Shniomh na mnathan. The women spun.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[socair]
Cha socair s am bith sin dhomh. That is no advantage to me.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sochag]
I have a note of the words I have sent you from time to time and as far as I can see I have not sent you ‘sochag’. I heard it this summer in Laggan and it seems that it means a plant which grows in wet ground, the willow. However, another old native of Laggan says he thinks ‘sochag’ is the name given to the leaf of the berries (somewhat similar to cranberries) growing beside burns. In his “Church and Social Life in the Highlands” A. Macpherson (a native of Kingussie district) quotes the verse (p. 19) describing the hills in that district which includes the lines: “Chan fhàs fiar no fodar ann / Ach sochagan is dearcagan allt.” He does not give a translation of ‘sochag’ but I seem to remember having seen this verse somewhere with an English translation. I wonder if you have been given this word from any other source?
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[soirbheas]
Soirbheas math leat. Good luck to you.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[soirbheas]
Soirbheas leat. Fortune with you.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[soitheach]
Soitheach fuaraidh. Refrigerator. [NOTE in second hand: Soitheach fuarachaidh. Fuaraidh is going to windward.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[solus]
Atharrachadh (muthadh) an t-soluis. Phase of the moon.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[son]
Air son sin dheth. For that matter of it.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sonas]
Aig a shonas. – At his rest. Marbh. Mu dhuine diadhaidh. Mu dhuine cumanta ’se ‘aig a dhachaidh’ a chanadh iad.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[song]
A song my mother used to sing: “Latha dhomhsa ’s mi na’m ònar / Dol troimh ’n choill ’s mi siubhal mòna / Thachair orms a ghruagach bhoidheach / Rinn mi comhradh rith ’s greis anail.” Refrain “Thug sibh air nighean donn nam meall-shuil / ’S trom mo cheum an deigh do gheallaidh / Thug sibh air nighean donn nam meall shuil.”
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sparr]
Am mac air an sparr an t-athair gun bhreith. Counting chickness [sic] before they are hatched. [NOTE in second hand: Is this not a riddle? See Nic.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[spatadh]
Tha mi air mo spatadh leis an fhuachd. – I am perishing with the cold.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[spatadh]
Theab e mo spatadh. – He nearly dispatched me.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[speal]
An t-iaruinn. Gaidh. Na h-òrdagan. An crann (snathe). American snathe (below) used. Previously Scots snathe used (forked type)
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
[speur]
Ma tha speur dearg san fheasgair tha comharradh an t-sìde mhath.
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
[spiol]
Spiol cnaimh! – Eat meat right to the bone!
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[spàigean]
By the way, “spàigean” one might say, was a derivative of “spàgach” and described a baby at the stage when he or she walked with legs well apart in order to balance.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[spàirn]
Cha spairn sin orm. Ni mi sin gun spairn. I can do that easily.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[spàirn]
Spairn a bhais. Death agony.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[spàrr bheag]
The old felt-roofed houses of Tiree also had a flatly rounded ridge, made by connecting the couples by means of a piece of wood known as ‘an spàrr bheag’.
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[spìgeil]
“Tha sibh fhèin cho spìgeil.” – “Tha sibh cho math”.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[spùtach]
“Ruithidh a’ chaora spùtach leis an leathad.” – Sean-fhacal.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sraoin ?]
“Cha deacha a riamh le fear na ceud sraoine.” Bha dol gu math le Hitler (agus le feadhainn eile de a sheòrsa) an toiseach, ach cha deacha a riamh le fear na ceud sraoine. – Facal.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sreath]
Sreath aghaidh. Sreath chuil. Van and rear (of army).
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sreath]
An da shreath. In two ranks.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[staid]
Ann an stait [sic] gu lan tearuinte. In excellent preservation.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[stairs]
One word that comes to mind is quite vivid with a touch of Gaelic poetry in it – the word ‘stairs’ (plural) as applied to a school of porpoises in a flat calm, surfacing with their backs gleaming, black in the water and in line astern. In Ballantrae the fishermen used this word not knowing that their great great grandfathers saw these fish as like a line of stepping stones (stair). I am sure of this.
Location: Prestwick
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[stamag]
[Stamag caorach/bà] Uill, ma tha, fhuair mi air adhart math gu leòir a muigh aig an ospadal ’s a’ phàirce goirid as deidh dhomh bhur litrichean fhaighinn. Bha mi a muigh dà uair agus fhuair mi na daoine mar a sheòl sibh dhomh. Ach chaill mi an duine mór fhein, am profeasar, dìreach le a dhà-no-trì mhionaidean a’ cheud là bha mi a muigh. Bha sin a cheart cho math, gus nach cuirinn dragh air airson rud cho beag. Ach fhuair mi Murphy agus chunnaic mi mionach caorach fosgailte. Agus thug Murphy a mach leabhar mór as a’ chùl. Sin, ma tha, mar a bha ’s a’ phàirce. Ach a thuilleadh air a sin, chaidh mi sìos air mo cheann fhìn chun an tigh-mharbhaidh air a’ Ghallowgate agus chunnaic mi mionach bà fosgailte ann an sin. Agus rinn mi cinnteach mu an nì a bha mi a’ lorg – an ceap. (…) ’S iongantach mur am faod sinn an ceap a chur mar seo an “ceap”. ’Se am broilein a bhiodh ann, agus bha an ceap air airson e bhith coltach ri ceap (bhiodh e cruaidh, làn, – dìreach ’na cheap – an còmhnuidh). Rud eile: an psalterium. Cha robh psalterium ’s an leabhar mhór aig Mgr. Murphy idir. ’Se seo, tha mi a’ tuigsinn, ainm eile airson omasum. (Seallaibh an àirde ’s na faclairean, mar a nì sibh.) A h-uile càil a th’ann feuchaibh mar seo iad: A’ mhaodal-mhór – dorsal sac of rumen. A’ mhaodal-bheag – ventral sac of rumen. An luamha – reticulum. Am broilein – omasum (psalterium). ’S mar a tha mi a’ togail “an ceap”. Abomasum – chan eil ainm sam bith agam do an seo. Nach bochd nach robh an t-seann fheadhainn beò gus an deadh sinn far am bitheadh iad airson a bhith ceart da-rìribh! Currac-an-rìgh – mur a h-eil mi ceàrr, ’s ann anns an luamha a bha seo: pàirt de an luamha. Is e an aon stamag a th’anns a h-uile càil a th’ann ach gu bheil i ’na h-earrannan.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[steall]
Choinnich strùth ri steall. When a person met someone who was more than his match.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[steall]
Bhuail sinn pliu’ an acair air a bial, ’s chitheadh tu e a’ falbh na steall anns a cholbh-bianain. – the striking of anchor on boat’s rail, forward at the bow, to cause herring to ‘show’ in the phosphorescence.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
[stiùir]
Quotation: “Stiùirinn-s’ i, bhalaich, a mhàs na meanbh-chuileig.” Notes: Craig, my father’s half-brother, boasting of his steering powers (of a boat).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[stocainn]
another reference to ‘stocainn le salainn teth’ is if somebody caused some annoyance and due correction, thus with a slight difference: Gabhaidh mi ort le stocainn de bhrochan teth. (expression) ‘Brochan’ in a covering of cloth was used, poultice of oatmeal with mustard oil or paste mixed was applied to the chest, when pneumonia was suspected. ‘Brochan teth’ to minor cases. Before mustard was recommended, mustard was considered a stronger replacement.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[strathair]
Different types of saddle: – strathair cartach – strathair gige [?] – strathair plàta (used when the horse was carrying baskets).
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[strathair]
An strathair an àite na diollaid – when a young wife had moved into a croft replacing her spouse’s mother this would be said to indicate the inexperience and inadequacies of the young wife.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[streacadh]
Bàta a’ streacadh air a’ mhuir – a boat ploughing its way through the sea.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[striùpan]
Am biathadh (E) a bhiodh againne. Feusgan ’s mar sin, anns Na Bàigh.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
[strì]
Rinn e moran stri. He made great exertions.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[stuigeadh coin]
The commands for a sheep-dog my granny used, which I have heard repeated by my mother were: Mach thu fad air ais agus beir orra, although as far as I can understand ‘beir orra’ was applied when the sheep or the cows were in mischief and though the command meant to overtake, it was meant for the dog to give them a good drilling after he did get them. Another command which was used though I do not know is it correct Gaelic or not was ‘thoir thu leo’ and the other ordinary command being ‘trobhad seo’.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[stàth]
Cha n’eil stath tighinn air sin. There is no use (or sense) in discussing that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[stàth]
Cha stath dhomh. I have no good reason.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[st̪o:dʹʒə]
Quotation: buntàta [st̪o:dʹʒə]. Notes: potatoes when fish was boiled along with them. [NOTES: slipped under ‘stóide’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[st̪ɤ]
Quotation: a’ spealadh air a’ [st̪ɤ]. Notes: cutting with the swathe clear of the standing corn. If women were binding after the mower, the corn was cut so that the swathe was next to the standing corn, making it easier to lift.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[suath]
Suath a’ phrais. (prais lite) ’S ann mu phrais lite a chanadh sibh ‘suath’. Mu nithean eile ’s e a chanadh sibh ‘cuir mu’n cuairt a’ phrais’.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[suath]
Suath a’ ghlùin, ’s thoir fois do’n t-sùil.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[subhach]
“Ith, òl is bith subhach.” – eat, drink and be merry.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[subhach]
Bithidh subhach, sugrach, mocheiridh. Be cheerful, temperate, early rising.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[subhachas]
Is mairg a dheanadh subhachas ri dubhachas fir eile. Woe to him who mocks at another’s grief.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[suidh]
Shuidh e a mach mi. He outs at me.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[suidheachadh]
Air a’ cheart shuidheachadh. In the same predicament. (pattern of cloth)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[suidheanan]
[seats.]
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[suidhichte]
Tha mi suidhichte sin a dheanamh. I am determined to do that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[suim]
Is mor an t-suim air an do cheannaich mi an t-saorsa so. I paid a great price for this freedom.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[suim]
Gabh suim de na tha mi ag radh. – Pay attention to what I am saying.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sàbhaladh]
Is mor an sabhaladh sin. That is a great retrenchment.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sàil]
An t-sàil dheiridh. An t-sàil bhrollaich. Cross beams at both ends of a cart.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sàil]
salt in the form of seawater, ‘sàil’, was used for bathing the feet in. Boiled seawater in which the feet were kept when brought to the tepid point for the feet to be bathed in regularly was a recommended cure for rheumatics and sore feet, tired feet.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[sàile]
Sàile is burn. Salt and fresh water.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sàl]
Bheireadh e sàl mu d’ fhiaclan. – Would make your mouth water.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sàr]
Mar a tha sar fhios agat. As you know very well.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sàrachail]
Bha sin sarachail air. That was burdensome on him. [NOTE in second hand: tiresome.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sàs]
Chaidh an t-snathad an sas ’nam chois. The needle pierced my foot.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sàsachadh]
A’ sasachadh na feola. Satisfying the flesh.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sàsaichte]
Dh’ith iad gus an robh iad sàsaichte. – They ate till they were satisfied.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sàth]
Shath e ann e. He thrust it into him.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[séid]
Séid na fiacail. – Duine a bhiodh a’ cur feòil air fhéin le bhith ag ithe gu math, chanadh tu seo mu a dheidhinn.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sìde]
“Sìde iomlanach, cha bhith [sic] i uair sam bith air an aon ròdh.” – a saying used in changeable weather conditions.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sìn]
“Sìn a mach a dh’iarraidh na mònadh.” – go out and get some peat. ‘Sìn’ in the sense of going out.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sìolachd]
Tha an t-sìolachd oirre. (làir) – a mare, in heat.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sìoladh]
Thug e dhà gun sìoladh e. – Unadulterated.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sìon]
Tha na siontan air atharrachadh. The climate has changed.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sìon]
Fo mo shiontan duthchasach. My native climate or sphere.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sùgh]
Eodar an t-sugh is an t-slat. Between the devil and the deep sea. [NOTE in second hand: Eodar corrected to Eadar.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sùil]
“Cha robh dùil agam gu’m faiceadh mo shùil an latha.” – I thought I wouldn’t survive (through the night) to see daylight).
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sùil]
“Chan eil sùil thuraidh ann.” – Tha an t-uisge dol gu math. Chan eil turadh idir, idir ann. No càil de a choltas. Turadh: Chan e ‘turadh’ a chanas sinn idir ach ‘turadh’ air a fhuaimneachadh mar ‘taoradh’ air a chantuinn aithghearr.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tachair]
Tachairidh mi ris airson so. I shall be at him for this.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[taghta]
Taghta math – excellent.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[taic]
Na leig do thaic ris. Don’t depend too much on that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[taic]
An taic ri bliadhna. Approximately a year.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[taing]
A’ nochdadh do thaing. Showing your sense of gratitude.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[taing]
“Chan eil mi ’na taing.” ’S iongantach mur a h-eil i seo anns a [sic] [h-uile?] h-àit. Co dhiù: Tormod ri Dòmhnull: “Bheir am bodach mor dhuit an nighean aige airson an rud math a nì thu ris.” Dòmhnull: “Chan eil mi ’na taing.” (Tha t’éile aige no tha gu leòir eile aige.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tairbhe]
Measam sin mar thairbhe. I shall reckon that a gain.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tairgse]
Tairgse stuama. A moderate offer.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[taisead]
A’ dol an taisead. Getting softer and more delicate.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[taitneach]
Ma se’s taitniche leat. If it is more agreeable to you.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[taobh]
A thaobh nan nithe sin. With regard to those matters.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[taobh]
Taobh an fhuaraidh. Weather side.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[taobh]
A thaobh athair. By father’s side.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[taobh]
cuideachd, ri taobh a chéile – the neighbouring boats lying together to discharge herring from bag of net.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
[teachdaireachd]
B’e sin teachdaireachd a chuir moran gu truaighe. That news caused many to sorrow.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[teagasg]
Tha ’n teagasg, thar cheann chum math an t-sluaigh. The teaching, speaking broadly is for the public good.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[teanga]
Chan eil e agam air mo theanga. – I cannot repeat it from memory.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[teann]
Teann as an rathad. Out of the way.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tearc]
Cha tearc iad nach dearc air sin. Many will gaze on that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[teas]
Teas (no airde) an latha. The heat of the day.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[teine]
Fire: luath (ashes), gual, fóid mòna, cònnadh (firewood), éileag (red-hot cinder).
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[teine]
An taca an teine. – At the fireside. By the fireside.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[thairis]
Chaidh e thairis air sin. He went beyond that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[thairis]
Thug e thairis. He fatigued himself.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[thairis]
Gach ni a bhitheas thairis. Everything that remains.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[the evil eye]
Affected by the evil eye, subjected to its influence, was sprinkled over with water in which silver coins were placed, etc., thus a cure.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[thoir]
Thoir air so a dheanamh. Make him do that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[thugad]
Gath [sic] thugad. Realise.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tigh-aire]
In my childhood, Lochaber, i.e. the Braes of Lochaber, was 95% Catholic. When a death occurred in a house, people flocked to pay their respects and remained to pray. It was customary to lay one’s hand on the forehead of the dead for a moment (the head was normally covered by the sheet but the sheet was turned down momentarily to allow the hand to be laid on the forehead). People took it in turn to remain in the room “’s an tigh-aire” where prayers and litanies were said night and day till the day of the funeral – food was provided for people. On the day of the funeral, the coffin was carried shoulder-high on a bier for the few miles to Cill-a-Chaorail. The ancient church of St. Cyril of Alexandria has been restored of recent times and I understand the burial-service is held there now. [NOTES: the following comment copied from the letter dated 24/03/1977:] In my remarks about funeral practices in a previous letter, I had intended to mention the custom of building cairns. I have understood that when the mourners stopped for a rest and possibly refreshment, each man looked around for a sizeable stone and a cairn was built and was called the deceased’s cairn. With the widening of the roads, I fear the cairns have disappeared on the main roads.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tighinn]
Cha tig sin gu math ris. That will not please him.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tighinn]
Is math a thig an cota ruit [sic]. The coat fits you well. [NOTE in second hand: ruit corrected to dhuit.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tighinn]
De tha tighinn ris. What ails him?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tighinn]
Ciamar a thig sin riut? How will that suit you?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tilgte]
Tha ceann tilgte air a bhata. The stick has an artificial head.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tioram]
Cho tioram ris a’ mhin (buntàta). – mealy potatoes.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tiota]
Gheibh thu sin ann an tiota. – You’ll get that in a jiffy.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tiuc]
Air a thiuc fhéin. Tha e seo againn. Agus ‘air a gheabhraisde fhéin’. [NOTES: one of the phrases suggested in the questionnaire – ‘doing something on his own initiative’.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[tlàth]
Thig tlath nan speur is blaths fhathast. Balmy air and warmth will come yet.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tobhta]
Various seats in a boat: – tobhta stiùraidh – tobhta a’ chruinn – tobhta iomraidh – tobhta bheag (at rear).
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tobhta]
Anns na h-eathraichean uaireigin bha sia tobhtaichean mar a tha gu h-ìosal. Ach chan fhaca mise a riamh an tobhta thoisich ann an gin aca. 1. An tobhta thoisich. 2. Tobhta a’ chroinn. 3. An tobhta bhràghad. 4. An tobhta mheadhon/An tobhta chlèith (Is e ‘an tobhta-mheadhoin’ [sic] a bh’againn air 4. ach bha ‘an tobhta chlèith’ oirre ann an àiteachan.) 5. An tobhta amarra. 6. An tobhta dheiridh.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[toch]
Thoch iad an crodh. They have stringed the cattle. [NOTE in second hand: ?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[toil]
“Toil uile aig na h-uilean ’s an toil uile aig na mnathan.” Women have laws unto themselves!!
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
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
[toirt]
’Se pneumonia a thug a mach e. – He died of pneumonia. Pneumonia was the cause of his death.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[toothache]
(toothache – salt heated and placed in sock and held to cheek before going to sleep)
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
[torc]
Torc fiaclach an fhodraich ’s e g’iarraidh gu Cròideach is a chaoidh cha? ? ? (perhaps “cha ruig e gu bràch e”) I can still hear my father saying this!
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[trannsa]
Nuair a rachadh tu steach air an dorus am muigh bha thu anns an trannsa. Bha na cuinneagan uisge air an cumail san trannsa. Gach feasgar Sathuirne bha ’n taigh gu leir air a dheagh sguabadh – le sguab fhraoich – agus sadadh math de ghainmhich air a chur air – theirte nuarson gun robh an taigh air a dh’ressaigeadh!
Origin: [Harris? – cf. ‘Taigh Croitear anns na Hearadh – an taigh anns an do rugadh mi.’]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[treinidh]
Cha deanar treinidh gun triuir ’s tha i cùbach gun cheathrair. Refers to the numbers required in courting.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[treun]
“Chan eil treun ris nach cuirear.” – a proverb which states that despite your strength death will be the victor.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[triall]
Bi triall, is soirbheasach, is lion na ceanglaichean. Furth fortune and fill the fetters. (Atholl Motto.)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[triuirean]
Aig iomairt air triuiarean [sic]. Playing at marbles.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[trom]
Fras gu math trom.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
[tràth]
Ann an deagh thrath. In good time.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tròm]
Cha tròm leis an fhiadh a chabar / Cha tròm leis a’ choileach a chìrein / Nì mheasas aon neach mar leathrom / Chì neach eile mar thoil inntinn.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tuaiream]
Bruidhinn air thuaiream. Speaking at random.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tual-fhadan]
“Thàinig mi ’na mo thual-fhadan chun an teine”, arsa am bodach leis an flu. Cha b’ann gu math a bha am bodach idir. (Chan fhaca mi riamh ‘tual-fhadan’ sgrìobhte.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tuarasdal]
Ainmich do thuarasdal. State wages.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tuath]
Tha e mu thuath. He is in the North.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tuath]
Tha e mu thuath. He has gone North.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tuath]
Neach de’n tuath. One of the common people.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tuathal]
Cuir ceart na chi thu tuathal. Put right what you see wrong.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tuathanach]
Is àirde tuathanach na sheasamh na duin uasal air a ghlùinein.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tuillbhain]
’S iomadh tuillbhain tha feathamh air a’ bheathach lag.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tuille]
Tha so ann thuille na corach (an deigh laimhe). That remains over and above.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tulgadh]
Tulgadh a chreathall. Rocking the cradle. [NOTE in second hand: a chreathall corrected to na creathall.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tur]
Nach e tha tur. – for a ring made without any sign of herring whatever.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
[turus]
Turus math is soirbheasadh leat. Good and prosperous trip to you.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tàintean]
Bithidh do sgoil na taintean dhuit ri d’bheo. Your education will prove an accomplishment all your life.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tàmailteach]
Grath fhacal tamailteach. A taunting proverb. [NOTE in second hand: not good.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tòir]
Thig mi air do thòir aig aon uair. – I shall call for you at 1pm.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tòrr]
Tòrr arbhair. ’Se ‘tòrr’ a chanas sinne ri a leithid seo: [see illustration]. Bhiodh an t-arbhar an toiseach anns na h-adagan. Dheadh an uair sin a chruinneachadh ann an tòrr. As deidh sin dheadh na torran a chur ann an cruaich.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tòrradh-rodan]
I remember hearing the expression: Bu cheart cho math leam a dhol gu tòrradh-rodan, when a person was asked to go to a wedding or some entertainment. ‘Tòrradh-rodan’ – unless it was an invented phrase.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[uachdarachd]
Bithidh uachdarachd agat air. Thou shalt have dominion over it.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uaigh]
’S minig a dh’fhosgail beul uaghach, bun cruaicheadh te eile. This refers to the digging of a grave and coming across a coffin previously buried near to that grave.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uaigneas]
Thug e air uaigneas e. He retired to a private place.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uaigneas]
Thug e air uaigneas e. He took him aside to a private place.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uair]
Gach uair. At all times.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uair]
Rinn se e uair is uaire. He did it repeatedly.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uair]
Thig ri uair rud nach tig le aimsir. In other words what you hope for in a lifetime could happen in a short period of time.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uaireadair]
“Tobar òir an cùl na beinne, Cùl òir oirr’ ’s beul gloine.” Tòimhseachan. Am freagairt: uaireadair (watch).
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uibhir]
De’n uibhir a th’ann? What quantity is there?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uibhir]
A cheart uibhear [sic] ri so. Just as much as that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uidheam]
Dheanainn sin nam bitheadh an uidheam agam. I would do that if I had the material.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uileann]
“Beir mu’n uilinn orm.” – Take my arm, we’re in the same boat.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uilear]
Cha n’uilear is rendered affirmatively. Is uilear: negatively.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uilear]
Cha b’uilear dhaibh tighinn aig aon uair. They would require to come at one o’clock.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uilleir?]
Tha’n (?)/Cha’n (?) uilleir [?] dhut sin a dheanamh gun dàil. – You had better do that at once.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uinneagan]
Bha tri seomraichean san taigh seo – agus uinneag anns gach aon dhiubh. Bha uinneag ceann an teine mu thri troighean air gach rathad, agus uinneag ceann shios an taighe mun aon mheadachd. Bha uinneag na closaid na bu lutha [sic]. Be uinneag na closaid an aon te a ghabhadh fosgladh.
Origin: [Harris? – cf. ‘Taigh Croitear anns na Hearadh – an taigh anns an do rugadh mi.’]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[uiread]
Cha n’eil uiread sin agam. I haven’t as much as that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uireas]
De iad na h-uireasan a tha a dhith ort. What necessities do you lack?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uisge]
“’S ann ort a chaidh uisge nan uighean.” Would be said of an individualistic, stubborn person who did not follow set behaviour patterns.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uisge]
“Bhithinn suas an t-uisge.” – an expression which means that things were going your way, that you were made.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ullamh]
Is ullamh le neach sin a dheanamh. One should be ready to do that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[urchair]
Urchair mhath aig fear gun ghunna is leigeadh math aig fear gun chù.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
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
[vwɛ]
Notes: bha. Pronunciation as above particularly as answer to a question.
Origin: Arran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[vɑt̪]
Quotation: [vɑt̪əspju̟ɾɑdʹȝ]. Notes: spirit vat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Àgh]
Aig an Àgh tha brath!
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[àicheadh]
’Se an t-aicheadh math an dara pong as fhearr ’san lagh. A stout denial is the second best point in law. [NOTE in second hand: and also without the “dara” restriction.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[àird]
De’n aird a dh’fhag thu air. What state did you leave him in?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[àl]
An t-al a tha ri teachd. The generation to come.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[àrd]
Cho àrd ’sa sheòlas an ceathdubhan ’s ann ’sa chachd a thùiteas e. Applied to a conceited person. [NOTES: note added above ‘th’ in ‘ceathdubhan’ – (r).]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[éideadh]
An nighean as deise theid fo’n eideadh. She who dresses most neatly.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[éirich]
Is math an ni do’n eirich gu math. All’s well that ends well.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[éirich]
Dé dh’éirich dhut? – What happened to you?
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[òl]
’Se an t-ol a chuir an dunaidh air. It was drink that played the mischief with him.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[òrrais]
Tha an orrais ri m’fhiacal fad an la. Waterbrash troubles me all day.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ùmhal]
Cho umhal ri luch fo spoig a’ chait. It’s submissive as a mouse beneath a cat’s paw.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ùraich]
Dh’uraich an deoch e. The drink invigorated (refreshed) him.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ɑlɑ̃nʹ]
Quotation: [ɑlɑ̃nʹ] na cluais. Notes: (pl) ear lobes. [NOTES: slipped under ‘alain’.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ɛ:ɽlʹiɡʹəɣ]
Quotation: Chaidh mi a dh’iarraidh [ɛ:ɽlʹiɡʹəɣ] de speal. Notes: loan of, say, a working tool such as scythe, the use of which is not returned. Different from “iosad” which is used more for the loan, e.g. of meal which can be returned.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ɛʔvəɫ]
Quotation: Cha do ghabh sinn [ɛʔvəɫ] dheth. Notes: We took no heed of it.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ɛ̃niɡ]
Quotation: [de: n ɛ̃niɡ iɡ ə ǯe: šɤn!] “What spite that one has.” Notes: common to Brora, Golspie, and Embo. (Not the only word for “spite”, but a common one.) Source: Mrs M. MacKay, “Gairlochy”, Main Street, Golspie, Sutherland. Date: 17 March 1968.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ɛ̃nʹəvɑx]
Quotation: Tha esan an [ɛ̃nʹəvɑx] gu a’ chluasan. Notes: He is in debt up to his ears. [NOTES: slipped under ‘ainbhfiach’.]
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ɛ̜i vɔ̃:nʹ]
Notes: cf. Harris ‘iarunn mòine’. Spade for cutting peat. Long, broad blade, turned at point.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ɔi]ˈnən] rheumatism.
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[ɡɑ̃:]
Quotation: [ɡɑ̃:] ris an fhardaich. Notes: in the immediate vicinity of the house.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ɡɔwuməs]
Notes: rubbish, nonsense. (Phonetics as sent in by correspondent.) Source: W. Thomson, Kinlocheil. Date: 1974.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ɡɫɛnʹəṉ]
Quotation: Cha bhiodh móran ann le [ɡɫɛnʹəṉ] móra ann.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ɡʹu̟s]
Notes: call to a pig (repeated).
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ɡ̊ã:məs]
Notes: mould for making bullets. Used by Neil MacPhee, Sunamal, Benbecula. Mould he has dates back to Waterloo.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ʃi:d̪ɑx]
Notes: call to cats (repeated).
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ˈʃi:əɫ]
Notes: call to geese (repeated).
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[“croman”]
the “croman” was the most popular implement for lifting potatoes. Constructed like a small pick – broad blade with handle at right angle.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
[“curs”]
Tha latha “curs”.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a
Quotation: Bhiodh e duilich dhuinn gach a chéile a leantainn. Notes: It would be difficult for us to follow each other.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a t-suil liath
[sic] spleen. (Cuiridh mi an t-suil liath far na maodail agad.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
a Bhrian, a Bhrian
Notes: asseveration.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a Nàmhaid
Satan.
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
a beelan
fishing word referring to operations on R. Ness.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a bheul-àth
I think that is where Rivers Roy and Spean meet.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a bhile-ruadh
[sic] Mulroy (Lochaber), where a battle was fought.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a bhogabh
equivalent of the English exclamatory phrase, man, man, e.g. That was some game, man.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a biathadh (verb) a linn
baiting the net.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
a cathadh
Winnowing. [NOTES: spelled ‘càthadh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a chaoit!
Quotation: calling ducks.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a chas bheag
one peat lifted on its side with other two resting against it to dry.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach, Stafainn [Skye, Staffin]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a chliath bhiorach
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a chliathach
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a chloimh
sheep scab. ‘Smiùradh’ process by tar was the originally [sic] process. Nowadays the dipping fluid, etc. is the process, alternatively. (Same [i.e. as ‘a chloimh’ above] but ‘smiùradh’ by the tar process was the original remedy.) (Brochan teth, stiùrag theth ma’s e fuachd neo buaidh an fhuachd ’s an uisge – b’aobhar.) [NOTES: not sure if the second note in brackets is part of the definition. Not clear where it belongs.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
a chloimh
dipping is helpful, is the cure also from what I have already noted previously (maggots).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
a choinneal
the candle. A choinneal choisrigte – the blessed, consecrated, candle.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a cholas le fallais
sweating freely.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
a crathadh na trathach
Shaking hay in the wind.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a cuir a dath a cheile
to work something out. [NOTES: ‘a dath’ corrected to ‘an dath’.]
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a cuir làmh na’d bheatha
putting yourself at risk.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a cur buntata
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a cur dhachaidh a bhuntata
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a cur fodha na feamainn
Putting dried seaweed into furrows as potatoes are being planted.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a cur ’san t-sreath
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a dath
dyeing (‘a’ is pronounced ‘e’).
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
a diochd an t-sìth
maintaining an aggravating stance against some person or something, e.g. “Bha a chlann sin a’ cumail diochd an t-sìth leis an rùda sin.” – they were always inciting the ram.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a dol gu mudhar
going out in a boat using rods and flies.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
a draoghadh bheathaichean
if animals were suffering from cholic [sic] they had to be kept on the move until the swelling subsided – ‘draoghadh’. Needed to be well fed after the swelling had retreated.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a dusgadh
Easing up the potato furrow with fork or spade to make it easier for the ‘croman’. [NOTES: spelled ‘dùsgadh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a foighidinn
Out of patience.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a fuxer
used by boys when their lines become entangled at fishing.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a gaisig na monadh
ferrying the peats from the landing stage to the harbour jetty.
Origin: Inbhirnis [Inverness – most probably meant as the county]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a gearradh na trathach
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a gearradh nan uan
[castrating.]
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
a ghrioglachan
seven sisters; word means a small no. of things gathered together.
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
a gnoss ard
(a’ chroinn) The snout or end of plough to which the ‘muiseal’ is attached – the latter is adjustable. [NOTES: spelled ‘gnoss àrd’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a h-aimsir
calving date (?).
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
a h-àbhais
her usual beat. Cha deach i bh air [?] a h-àbhais(d) fad na bliadhna.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
a ionaltradh spreidh na crodh
grazing cattle.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
a leothara (silent ‘a’ – leothra) tha
a similarly exclusive phrase [i.e. ‘exclusive to the south end of South Uist’, cf. explanation of Tha an toiseach] which alludes to the inevitability of a certain situation, e.g. “Nach e Iain fhein a tha air fàs cugallach.” “O leothra tha, a Dhomhnaill.”
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a madadh-ruadh ’s a’ chearc
The ‘Cearc’ had all her ‘chickens’ strung along behind her, each clasping the one in front round the waist, the nearest one to the ‘Cearc’ clasping her. The ‘Fox’ came along and pretended to dig in front of the Hen, who asked him: “De tha thu cladhach ann a shen? [?]” “Tha mi lorg snathad.” “De tha thu dol a dheanamh leis an t-snàthaid?” “Tha mi dol a dh’fhuaigheal pac.” “De tha thu dol a dheanamh leis a phac?” “Tha mi dol a chur gual ann.” “De tha thu dol a dheanamh leis a ghual?” “Tha mi dol a dheanamh teine.” “De tha thu dol a dheanamh leis an teine?” “Tha mi dol a chur prais air.” “De tha thu dol a dheanamh leis a phrais?” “Tha mi dol a chur feòil innt.” “De an fheòil?” “Tha feòil do chuid iseanan is tu fhein as an deidh.” The Hen, with arms outstretched like wings, tried to guard her brood, while the Fox captured them, one by one.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
a snagadh
(onomatopoeic) when one is shivering.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
a snaim na cloiche
technical term in bricklaying or more accurately masonry. Describes how walls were constructed. Rocks being placed in the above fashion.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a spealadh na trathach
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a spiorachadh air
as a cat coming in on a bird.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a spoth nan uan
[castrating.]
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
a srathardaich
sneezing.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
a sòileagan
slowly eating.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
a togail a bhuntata
Lifting (of potatoes).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a togail mu’n bhuntata
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a toirt deoch dhaibh a amar na miodar
watering.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
a toirt uisge dhaibh le cuinneag na miodar
indoor watering.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
a-mach
adv. ‘out; beyond’: dh’fhaodte gum bi ’ -mach gu math air fiche ceathramh air; cha robh e a’ còrdadh rium-as -- ~ ’s ~ a bhith ’g obair oirre idir; gu robh ’-mach air còig troigh shneachd agad
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
a-nunn
adv. ‘over; later’: dh’fhaodte ~ a-stoghar
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
abachadh (m)
Quotation: Na bodaich: “tha ’n t-abachadh anns a’ bhun (aig a’ chorca)”. Sin nuair a dh’fhaodadh a spealadh.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
abaichean
Quotation: na h-abaichean. Notes: the alphabet (Badenoch).
Location: Skye, Sleat, Duisdale School
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
abartach
Quotation: duine abartach. Notes: Duine nach b’urrainn rud a chumail aige fhéin.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
abhainn na gàire gheal
abhainn a leum, in spate.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
abharnach
[ɑfəʴṉɑx] Notes: ground where potatoes grew the previous year. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
abhcaid
Quotation: Tha e làn abhcaid. Notes: fun, sport, leg-pulling.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
abhlan
Notes: used in W. Lewis, in the sense of some meat or fish etc. with the staple diet, e.g. “’S e sgadan abhlan a bhuntàt.” “Aran cruaidh gun abhlan” = bare bread.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
abhras
Quotation: am planc abhras. Notes: the plank nearest the keel in a boat.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
abhras
Quotation: Fear as an druim, fear as an abhras. Notes: the bottom of the herring net.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
abidil
Quot.: an illness which affected cattle. Thinks it was fits, but not sure. Cure: “Bha sioman connlach air fhighe ceàrr air a chur timchioll air druim agus mionach a’ bheathaich”.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ablach
[ɑbəɫɑx] Quotation: ablach de chàr. Notes: can be used of anything which has become useless, anything in poor repair.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
abrach
Quot.: “Dh’fhalbh a sgonnan as an abrach.” Note: Heard this in connection with the quern. Not sure of what “abrach” means.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
acainn
apparatus.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
acair
Quotation: acair choirc. Notes: “hut” of corn on the field.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
acair
Notes: stone weight at the end of the “sioman” going over the top of the roof. Placed just above the top of the wall.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
acair
Note: (pl. acraichean) stones used as weights on thatched roof.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
acair
Quotation: Bha i cosmhail ri acair an aranach. Notes: He was so careful that he always kept his anchor ashore even when he put to sea. When the storm came, he had none to save him.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
acair
Note: stone weight on thatch.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
acaraichean
anchors, weights; flat stones put in loops of rope.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
acfhuinn
Quotation: achfhuinn [sic] spreadhaidh. Notes: triple hook attached to a line and pulled through a shoal of fish.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
acfhuinn
Quotation: acfhuinn saorsainneachd. Notes: joiner’s tools.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ach
Quotation: Cha b’fhiach iad ach am bitheadh iad dubh. Notes: “until”.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ach
conj. ‘but, except’: ~ ‘s e rinn am mèirleach eile … ach shanntaich e na cnòthan; dhèanadh i na breacain cuideachd __ ach i ‘ dh’fhaighinn a-mach dè na dathan a bhiodh ionnta
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
achadh
Quotation: pl. [əˈiçən] [?].
Origin: Arisaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
achduinn-liath
blue-ointment.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
achfhuinn cliathaidh
Harness (harrows). [NOTES: spelled ‘acfhuinn cliathaidh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
acladh (m)
fishing, fishing catch; acal (Strathglass), acadail (Lewis).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
acmhainn
n. ‘equipment’: eich … canaidh àsan [muinntir Uibhist Chinn a Tuath] ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
acraichean
fastenings on thatch. ‘May have derived from chains used’. [NOTES: slipped under ‘acair (pl. acraichean)’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
acraichean
stones fixed in loops of ropes, used as weights to keep the thatch in place.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
acras
Quotation: Nuair a thig an acras a steach air an dorus theid an gaol a mach air an uinneig.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
acuinn-liath
[See achduinn-liath.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
acuinn-suathaidh
rubbing ointment.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ad
Quotation: Tha iad dìreach anns na h-adaibh. Notes: used of people who are very alike.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ad
Quotation: ad a chaibe-làir. Notes: the handle of the flauchter spade.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ad
Quotation: Cuir ad air mullach a’ stòrag.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Skerray
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ad-mholach
Tall hat.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
adag
Rick of 6 sheaves (oats or rye).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
adag
Quotation: adag a’ chinn. Notes: the first few sheaves which stood on the top centre of the bottom of a cornstack to start off the top of the stack. Had to be very dry. (Also cridhe a’ chinn.)
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
adag
Quotation: sguab > sgròthan > adag > tòrr > cruach Notes: corn-working terms.
Location: Lewis, Balallan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
adag
Quot.: “adag coirc”. Note: stook of oats (12 sheaves).
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
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
adagachadh
Notes: making stooks of corn. There would often be as little as six sheaves in it – two pairs side by side and one at each end.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
adha
Quotation: Bheireadh e an dom dheth an adha agad. Notes: said of a compulsive thief.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
adha
Quotation: an t-adha [ən̪t̪ɑ:]. Notes: liver.
Origin: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
adhach
Quotation: duine adhach. Notes: a bold, forward person.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
adhairc
Quotation: Ni mi spàin neo millidh mi adhairc. Notes: It will go one way or the other.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
adhairc
Quot.: “na h-adhaircean”. Note: iron “hooks” attached to the stempost [sternpost? unclear] of a boat. Sail ropes fixed to them.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
adhaircean
‘horns’ on either side of the top piece of the stem of the boat to which the bow strip hook is ‘clipped’. I cannot say also at the moment. [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words. Catch-word: adhairc.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
adhairean
the iron hooks on either side of the stem of a boat, on which dug-sails are hooked.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
adhartag
a pillow or more accurately a cushion.
Origin: ‘Islay connections’
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
adhlaic
Quotation: (a) chaidh [[ɑ̃ũ]ɫɑk]. (b) aig an [[ɑ̃ũ]ɫɑk]. Notes: (a) he was buried. (b) at the funeral. [NOTES: slipped under ‘adhlac’.]
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
adhrachd
[ɤəɾɑxk] Quotation: adhrachd na h-innein. Notes: the pointed end of the anvil.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
adhru(bh)
something that was passed on hereditarily. “Bha e na adhru(bh) dha na daoine sin.” Adhra – singular, adhru – collectively. [NOTES: the catch-word seems to have been crossed out by Mr O’Henley. A note added in second hand – ? aoraibh.]
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
afoinn
cured peat of such an absorbent texture that it soaks in water to such an extent that it will not burn until it is dried again. [NOTES: ‘ath-mhòin?’ in second hand added in the margin.]
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ag aiseag
where peats are cut on an island, ferrying them to the mainland.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ag ath rùmhadh
building into bigger structure of about ten or a dozen peats.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ag ath-rudhadh
either re-forming the original ‘rùdhain’, or putting two or more together to make a still larger heap.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ag ath-ruthadh
re-lifting – making bigger ‘rùdhain’ and putting the wet peats on the outside.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ag ath-thorradh
same height of structure; just turning peats so that they are completely baked.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ag atharrachadh
re-grouping peat to speed up drying.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ag athrach
to blame someone.
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ag eabrachadh
to mix, e.g. a batch of cement.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ag gioman
camanachd. [NOTES: not clear what the connection between the two items is.]
Location: Leodhas [Lewis], an taobh siar
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
ag griomhadh
making the wall round the peat stack.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ag iasgach ghiomach
lobster-fishing. [NOTES: slipped under ‘giomach’ with ‘ag iasgach ghiomach’ as the quotation.]
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrìgh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
ag iolla
rod fishing with flies from a boat. The tip of the rod was held under the water as the boat was rowed.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ag ithealadh
approaching something in a sly, covert way. “Cat ag ithealadh air luch” – a cat stalking a mouse.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ag sgiathalaich
a gannet’s circling hesitantly.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
ag uaineachadh
particular type of humiliation as a result of intimidation by your oppressors.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ag uisgachadh
[watering.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
ag uisgachadh a chruidh
[watering cattle.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
ag uisgeachadh
watering (indoor and outdoor). Dh’uisgich mi iad.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
againn
us. (Scalpay pronunciation)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
agair
[ɑɡəɾ] Quot.: “Dé ’n taobh a tha a’ ghaoth?” “Tha i deas agus agair aice ris an earra-dheas.” “Tha i tuath agus agair aice ris an iar-thuath.” Note: inclination.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
agaphort
Quotation: Tha e cho righinn (stubborn) ris an agaphort. [NOTES: a note in second hand – ‘See agafors.’]
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
agh
old atharla [q.v.].
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
aghachoimheach
false face (spelt colloquially), what children use as marauders at Halloween, in Scotland. [SLIP: Mask (as said in Scalpay).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aghaidh
[öʔəç] Quotation: “tighinn air aghaidh”.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aghaidh
Quotation: Tha e ’n aghaidh na [fɛ:nʹɑx] [?] Notes: thrawn, awkward sort who would never agree with you. [NOTES: in second hand – fèinneach.]
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aghaidh
Quotation: aghaidh a’ phuill. Notes: the “face” of the peat bank.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aghaidh
Quotation: aghaidh na cruaiche. Notes: the open end of the peatstack.
Origin: Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aghaidh
Quotation: aghaidh bhruchdach [vɾu̟xkɑx]. Notes: speckled face (sheep). [NOTES: slipped under ‘aghaidh-bhruchdach’.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aghaidh
Quotation: Tha e tighinn air aghaidh ’s an fheasgair. Notes: It is getting late in the evening.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aghaidh a’ phuill
face of peat bog.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
aghaidh a’ phuill
the upright area from which the peats were cut.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
aghann
applied to an exceptionally small boat.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aghartan
Quotation: Chan eil aghartas sam bith anns an duine ud. – He is good for nothing, he has no initiative. Abair dol air aghart! – What a carry on! [NOTES: slipped under ‘adhartan’.]
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aghastar
Quotation: Bha a’ bhó fo dhàir agus chuir mi aghastar innt agus chaidh mi chun an tarbh leatha. Notes: halter.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
agladh
[ɑɡɫəɣ] Quot.: Bha mi air m’agladh bho’n a chula taobh. Note: harassed, hemmed in, as a person who is kept going so much from all sides that he can’t make a move.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
agladh
Quot.: “Tha mi air m’agladh.” Note: accused of something, usually from more than one direction, the accusation being unfounded from the accused’s viewpoint.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ai! ai!
showing interest, or indication [of] appreciation from what is heard.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aibhlich (v)
increase, exaggerate.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aibhseachadh
exaggeration; excess praise, leading to ‘evil eye’ (old belief).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aibhsich (v)
to enlarge, exaggerate.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aibidil-ciùil
staff notation (music).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aiceadh-fighe
implements of weaving, related to ‘acuinn, acfhuinn’.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aichear (adj)
cruel, severe, as weather; “geur” with prefix?
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aichinnich
land that has been ploughed for the second year. “Bha sinn a’ treabhadh na h-aichinnich an diugh.”
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aideal
Notes: attempt. [NOTES: in second hand – Jane MacBeath, 1970.]
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aidheach(d)
(naidheachd) n. ‘news, story’: latha air na mhàireach rachadh an ~ a sgrìobhadh; anuair ud bhathas a’ toir’ na h-~ dhan phears’-eaglaiseadh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
aidmheil
nn f. ‘denomination’: coiseachd do dh’eaglais __ an dà ~, fhios a’d, dha na h-eaglaisean aca fhèin
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
aig
Quotation: Fada gun eirigh ’s coma co ac. Notes: couldn’t care less. Lewis – coma co dhiùbh.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aig
prep. ‘at, to’: aig: aig an geamhradh [sic] tha iad geal; agam: ‘well,’ thuirt mi agam fhìn; aice: ach bhiodh aicese ri bhith còmhla ris, co-dhiù [FMM]; bhiodh e aice ris a’ bhainne ‘ chur dhan chreamery
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
aig an teine
Term used for main living room. I have never heard a single word used to designate this part of a house. [NOTES: slipped under ‘teine’ with ‘aig an teine’ as the quotation.]
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
aig a’ mhòine
engaged in peat work.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
aighseach
good weather. “Latha aighseach.” [NOTES: ‘aighseach’ corrected to ‘aibhseach’.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ailbheag
[ɛlɛvɑɡ] Notes: the mooring ring on the stem of a boat.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ailbheag
[elevɑɡ] Notes: a mooring ring in a boat.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ailbheag
[ɑləvɑɡ] Notes: ring on a rock or on a boat.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ailbheag
[ɑləvɑɡ] Notes: ring in the bow of a boat or in a rock for tying a rope.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ailbhinn-dubh
Quotation: Cho dorcha ris an ailbhinn-dubh. Notes: ? the dark abyss. [NOTES: in second hand – as dark as the pit.]
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aileadh
Quot.: truaghan bochd gun ailidh [ɑli]. Note: applied to a poor, unfortunate person. A. Campbell (Puilean) says it is “truaghan an ailidh” meaning the same thing.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aileadh
Quot.: truaghan an ailidh [ɑli] (sic). Note: applied to a poor unfortunate person. (Puilean says “truaghan an ailidh”; N. Campbell, Arnol, says “truaghan bochd gun ailidh”.)
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aileag
Quotation: an aileag. Notes: hiccups.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aileag
Quotation: Tha an aileag air gu naidheachdan. Notes: said of a person desperate for news, gossip, etc.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aileort
halyard, rope for hoisting a sail (boat).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ailleagan na cluais
that part where the ear joins the head.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aillseach
[[ɑi]ʃɑx] Quotation: aillseach or aillseach math. Notes: exceedingly, exceedingly good.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ailm
[ɤləm] Notes: helm of a boat.
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ailm
[ɑləm] Quotation: an ailm. Notes: the tiller.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ailseag
caterpillar.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ailt
[ɑlʹtʹ] Quotation: Thug e [ɑlʹtʹ] as an teine. Notes: a burning stick, a piece of burning wood.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aimh-leathainn
narrow.
Location: Barra, Earsharry [Earsary]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aimsir
[imiʃər] Quotation: Chan eil aimsir math ann. Notes: Weather.
Origin: Loch Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aimsir math
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
ain-diadhach
Tha e seo againn, dìreach mar a th’aig Dwelly (faic t-d 15). Ach chan eil e againn airson ‘atheist’. ’S ann a tha e againn arison ungodly person. [SLIP: Ungodly person (not ‘atheist’.)]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
aindeoin
Quotation: “Am fear nach dean Nollaig le deòin, ni e trasg a dh’aindeoin.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aineiserra
not muzzling. Bha e agallach [sic] fhéin aineiserra air a theagaidh. Unruly. Still heard from our older generation. [NOTES: the slip has ‘aineisearra’.] [SLIP: Unruly (still used). Quotation: Bha e eagallach fhéin aineisearra air a theangaidh.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aingealta
applied to an unpredictable beast – “beathach aingealta”.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aingeis
white inflammation on the mouth. [NOTES: note added – var. of ‘ainteas’.]
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ainin
Quotation: an ainin [ən ɑ̣˖nʹi̜nʹ]. Notes: the eaves of a house.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aininne (f)
hatred, ill-will.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ainm
nn ‘name, reputation’: cha robh ~ ro math aice, co-dhiù
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
ainme
Quotation: an t-ainme. Notes: ‘blood on sea’ (?). Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ainmeil
adj. ‘famous’: gus an latha an-diugh tha e ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
ainmeinich
to eat arrogantly.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ainmhidh
[ɛ̃nʹəvi] Notes: cattle (beasts).
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ainmhinn
Quotation: duine ainmhinn. Notes: a frail man, a man constantly in ill-health.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ainmich
vb ‘name’: vbl nn.: cha robh math dhomh duine sam bith ‘ ainmeachadh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
ainneamh (?)
[ɑ̃nʹi] Quotation: (1) Tha e [ɑ̃nʹi] math. (2) Ni sin an gnothach [ɑ̃nʹi]. Notes: (1) It is unusually good. (2) That will do splendidly.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ainneamh (?)
[ɑ̃nʹi] Quotation: “Bha e [ɑ̃nʹi] math airson …” Notes: It was singularly good for …
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ainsig
[ɑ̃ĩʃiɡʹ] Quotation: Bheireadh sibh [ɑ̃ĩʃiɡʹ] air apostle Paul. Notes: Heard her mother say this when exasperated. Possibly “you would make the apostle Paul swear”.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ainteas
[[ɑ̃ĩ]ntʹʃɛs] Quotation: Cha chuir ainteas na fuachd air. Notes: excessive heat.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air
Quotation: Air do shocair ort! Notes: Just a minute!
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air
Quotation: air a thiur [?] fhéin.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air
Quotation: Tha e air bhoil ag iarraidh a mach. Notes: loud insistence.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air
prep. ‘on’: bha e ~ a dhinneir; bha m’ athair math ~ òrain; bha e glè mhath air an tuaigh gu gearradh sa choillidh ud; chan eil fhios aig duine aire sin; 1, 2sg: ‘an robh an t-eagal ort, John R, sa chladh?’ ‘Dè a chuireadh orm?’; 3m: saoil thu ' bheil e nis an-nochd air an Èirinn?
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
air
Quotation: air an todhar. Notes: “on the bleaching green” “being bleached”.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air
Quotation: air bhioran (pl) [vwɾəṉ]. Notes: on tenterhooks.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air
Quotation: Tha e na laighe air a bheul-fodha. Notes: lying face-down.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air
Quotation: Bha e glé gheur air gloine. Notes: He liked a dram.
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air
Quotation: Tha a’ ghealach a dol air a h-ais.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air
Quotation: burraich air tharraich. Notes: topsy-turvy.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air
Quotation: Tha mi brath air falbh. Notes: “brath air” said as almost one word. “I’ve got a good mind to go.”
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air
Quotation: Chaidh a’ chairt ’s an t-each druimeach air tharrach. Notes: turned turtle. (from druim – back, tàrr – belly?)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air
Quotation: oir’ [ɔi]. Notes: “on her”.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air
Quotation: Chaidh an t-each air a cholainn. Notes: the horse overturned.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air
Quotation: Bha e air thurraban. Notes: rocking motion.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air
Quotation: Tha Aonghas an aon dòigh oirne. Notes: Angus is the same as us.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air
Quotation: Nach fiathaich an dol air aghaidh seo! Notes: What a carry-on this is!
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air
Quotation: Bha iad air an deanamh air fiodh. Notes: made of wood.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air
Quotation: air chrith. Notes: loose.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air
Notes: Air a mhór-thir. Air Bràighe Steornabhaigh. Air an taobh-siar. Air na Lochan – at the Parish of Lochs.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air a cheann fhein
working on own initiative.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
air a ghèarradh
castrated.
Origin: Ross of Mull
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
air a h-asaid
Quotation: Tha i air a h-asaid. Notes: giving birth to a child, in childbirth. Dw. gives asaid see aisead, ‘delivery, child-birth’ (but not the phrase).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air a spo
castrated.
Origin: Ross of Mull
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
air a thobhtacha móra
Notes: (Keose) in fine fettle, on top of the world (also heard in Skye). Not in Dw. Date: 1966.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air a thuc fhein
working on own initiative.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
air a thuc fhein
on his own initiative.
Origin: Barra
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
air a thuc fhein
own initiative.
Origin: Skye
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
air alt
so that.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air an oir(bh)
in great numbers.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air athais
Slowly.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air a’ chòrn
this phrase indicated that the wool had been wrapped round this wooden hogshead (còrn). This was done after waulking.
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air barr
Atop.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air bhioran
on tenterhooks. In anticipation.
Origin: Skye
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
air cheann a chroinn treabh
[NOTES: added later, possibly refers to section 2a, questionnaire no. 2; see above.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
air cheann a chroinn treabh 2 2a
[NOTES: added later; the phrase in 2a is ‘air ceann a chroinn treabh’.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
air chialainn
going out in the morning without having eaten something. “Chaidh e mach air chialainn.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air dholaidh
when some commodity has been wasted, e.g. when food has gone past its sell by date.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air d’athais
willy nilly.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air falbh
Quotation: Tha Iain bochd air falbh. Notes: euphemism for ‘dead’.
Origin: Loch Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air feath
within ken. (Lewis)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air fhiaradh
looking at something with a squint.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
air ghlagan
A little loose and rattling.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air ghlugaman
a rock that was badly balanced.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air lochadh le falas
dripping with sweat. [NOTES: ‘lochadh’ corrected to ‘lòchadh’.]
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air mhithairt
leaving someone dissatisfied, e.g. with work which was not completed properly. “Bha e air fhàgail air mhithairt.”
Location: Barra, Ard Mhinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air mo pheacnachadh
due to antagonism a normally placid person gets involved in a torrent of criticism directed at his opponent. Then says that person is the cause of his sinfulness.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air muradh
at large on pleasure bent.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air son
prep. ‘for’: ’ toir’ taing ~ cho math ’s a fhuair iad air n-adhart; bha iad glè mhath ~ a chèile a chuideachadh; ach bha -- ai’son airgead a fhaighinn sa gheamhradh cha robh e furasta; ach cha robh iad nan tàmh air a shon sin ‘despite that
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
air son
prep. ‘for’: ~ [əʂən] gearradh coilleadh; 3m: chan eil iad ro phailt, air a sh. sin ‘however’; tha mi beò fhathast air a sh. ‘anyway’; ’s e duine able a bha ann, air a shon sin; air a shon: tha mise air fàs cho dìchuimhneach, air ‘ shon
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
air thogail
so poor and weak that the animal had to be lifted to its feet.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
air-a-druime-direach
on even keel. [NOTES: slipped under ‘druim’ with ‘air a’ druime dìreach’ as the quotation. Definition: On an even keel.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
airb
a fortification consisting of a wall with turrets.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aircean
floats.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
aird-an-fhiarais
at the height of the fever, high temperature.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aire
nn f. [= faire] ‘wake (at funeral)’: bha iad a’ dol dh’ionns’ na h-aire; bha ~ mhòr a’ dol a bhith ann; pl. bhith na bòst gàbhaidh air na h-aireachan
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
airgbhrat
costly dress.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
airgbhratach
well dressed.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
airgead
Quotation: airgead ullamh. Notes: ready money. In Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
airgead
Quotation: airgead tioram. Notes: whole (unbroken) money, i.e. unbroken notes etc. (?) Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
airgead
Quotation: airgead ’na thàmh. Notes: Used of money in the bank. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
airidh
Quotation: Chuir mi airidh air nach robh e ceart. Notes: I suspected that he wasn’t right.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
airidh
[ɑɾi] Notes: a wooden frame constructed in byre for hens. “Sgrathan” put on top (for hens to stand on or lay eggs on it).
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
airidh
Quotation: ’S math an airidh! – It serves him right! Notes: usually in scorn.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
airigh iasgaich
an onshore shieling made of turfs and used by fisherman. Located near the sea.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
airne Móire
a kidney shaped stone, brown/purple in colour, which was found on the machair. Not sure of the connection with the Virgin Mary. Maybe this was taken from statues, images of the Virgin Mary which depict the heart clearly. However this does not explain the reference to the ‘airne’. [NOTES: ‘Móire’ corrected to ‘Moire’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
airneag (fem.)
[[ɑu]rnʹɑk] sloe. [NOTES: slipped under ‘abhrneag’ but then ‘airneag’ added in second hand. Pronunciation: [ɑurnʹak].]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
airson
Quotation: Airson sud fhéin. Notes: “Never mind!” Reply to an inquisitive person.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
airson
Quotation: Air son sud fhein. Notes: reply often given to an inquisitive child.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
airson
prep. ‘for; to’: cha robh agam ach rolladh a-mach air an taobh seo ’son bhith ’ dol suas; cheannaicheadh [çaɴàçə] tu rud a tha thu ~ [ˈɛ ̦sɔn ] ceannach an-diugh, ai’son ithe ai’son leth na prìse; dh’fheumadh tu chuile ceathramh a ghabhail dà thruip ~ gun cumadh tu an aon rhythm
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
airson
Quotation: Bithidh iad a’ tighinn air a shon sin. Notes: despite that.
Origin: Arisaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ais
Quotation: Tha a’ ghealach a dol air a h-ais.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ais-aodach
[ɑʃw̃:d̪ɑx] Notes: death shroud.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aiseag
carrying the peats from the bank to a spot near the road.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
aiseag
gathering the peats to one place.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
aiseag
Quotation: “Am fear a bhios fada aig an aiseag gheibh e thairis uair éigin.” – the place of the ferry. “Th’uair [sic] e aiseag sàbhailt …” – the act of being ferried.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
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
aisill
[ɑʃẹlʹ] Quotation: “Bha aisill ann ’s i ’dol crois [?].” Notes: axle.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aisinn
description. Thug e aisinn sin air. Or report (Scalpay). There may be more interpretation to this word from other sources?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aisling
Quotation: Nach i chunnaic an aisling! Notes: How her circumstances have deteriorated!
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aisling chonain
Notes: an erotic dream. Date: 1972.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aiteal
[ɑtʹɑɫ] Quotation: Cha dean e aiteal orm. Notes: usually used with the negative. “It won’t affect me in the least.”
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aiteal
Quotation: aiteal de thuradh; aiteal de’n ghréin. Notes: a little.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aiteal
Quotation: aiteal beag. Notes: portion.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aiteal
[ɑtʹɑɫ] Quotation: Chaneil aiteal ann. Notes: “There isn’t a whit there.”
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aiteamh
Quotation: aiteamh mór na h-Fheill Brìghde. Notes: January thaw.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aiteamh
Quotation: an t-aitidh [ən̪t̪ɑtʹi]. Notes: the thaw.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aitheach
[See athach.]
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aitheadh (vn)
subjugating.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aitheam
[ɛəm] Quotation: Dé ’n aitheam a bheireadh sibh as? Notes: used in the same way as “ciallachadh” – “meaning”.
Location: Vatersay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aitheamh
[ɑhi] Notes: fathom.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aithghearra
[ɑçɑrə] Notes: a footpath which was also a short-cut, e.g. over a hill.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aithghearra
Quotation: Nach gabh thu ’n aithghearra. Notes: Will you not take the shortcut.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aithinne
Quotation: (1) half-burnt peat. (2) Chaidh a’ bhó/each/tarbh ann an aithinne. Notes: when applied to animals, it means that it has got into position from which it can’t rise, through rolling on its back.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aithinne, athainn
vexation. (W. Ross)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aithir
a shelving slope. “’Se Coire Cheathaich an aithir phrìseil.”
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aithne
Quotation: Bha mi a deanamh aithne gun chuimhn’ air. Notes: Knew his face but couldn’t place him.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aithne
Quotation: ’S mise chuir an aithne a chèile iad. Notes: introduced them to each other.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aithne
Quotation: [əmɛ̃ṉḏu̟] a’ [jɛ̃:ṉəɣ]? Notes: Couldn’t you do it?
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aithneachadh-an-latha
literally knowing the day. [NOTES: slipped under ‘aithneachadh’. Quotation: aithneachadh an latha.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aithnicht
Quotation: duine aithnicht. Notes: well-known, famous.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aithris-mhagaidh
Quotation: Rinn e aithris-mhagaidh dheth fhéin. Notes: He made an utter fool of himself.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aitreabh
nn ‘habitation’: bidh sibh na b' eòlaich, fhios agaibh, air an ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
aitreach
stubble of burnt heather.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
alainn
[ɑɫĩnʹ] Note: his pronunciation. Whisky and tobacco given out at a funeral. Did not see it himself. “Alainn an duine a bhasaich.”
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
alaire
[ɑɫəɾə] Quotation: an alaire. Notes: whisky, biscuits and cheese given at a funeral.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
alaire
[ɑɫɑɾə] Notes: whisky, biscuits and cheese taken at a funeral.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
alaire
Provisions for a funeral especially whisky. Also bread and cheese. Before the funeral party set off for the cemetery, they lined up in front of the house of mourning while men went round serving glasses of whisky on trays, followed by women who served biscuits and cheese. Whisky and cheese were served in the churchyard after the burial. In early times so much whisky was consumed at funerals that fighting was a common occurrence, especially if two funeral parties met (one going north and the other south) and each claimed the “right of way”. Fighting too broke out in the churchyard. The last caber on the ancient Cille Mhartainn church in Staffin, Skye, was hauled down and used as a weapon in a melée. This happened nearly two centuries ago when that church was in ruins and long abandoned. [SLIP: Provisions for a funeral. (See Quest.)]
Origin: Skye
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
alairidh
[ɑɫəɾi] Note: whisky given at funerals, usually at the cemetery.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
alais
[ɑlɑʃ] Quotation: ag alais ais duine. Notes: aping, mimicking.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
alam
alum. Salt substance. Placed on a plate, saucer and used to cure the above ulcers [i.e. bùtag/butag (q.v.)]. This was done by touching the ulcer with this substance. [NOTES: corrected to ‘alm’.]
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
alaraidh
[ɑɫɑɾi] Notes: whisky, biscuits and cheese at a funeral.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
alg
space, i.e. the universe beyond the earth’s atmosphere.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
all right
adj. ‘satisfactory’: 's e toigh ~ bha ann
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
alla
attention.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
alladh
[ɑɫə] Quotation: a’ gabhail alladh ri duine. Notes: watching a person and sizing up what he was doing.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
allaibh
[?] [ɑɫu̜] Quotation: Thiormaich e cho [ɑɫu̜]. Notes: “It dried so quickly.” [NOTES: slipped under ‘ealamh’.]
Origin: Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
allamh
Dean gu h-allamh e – do it immediately.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
allt
Quotation: ri taobh an uillt (sic) [ri t[ui]] ən [ui]ɫtʹ].
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
alm-stoc
[ɔɫɑmst̪ɔk] Notes: the tiller of a boat.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
alp
Quotation: air an [ɑɫpəɡ] ’na cheile. [ɣɑɫpiɡʹ] e ri a cheile iad. Notes: morticed together, joined together as two pieces of wood.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
alpag
Quotation: alpag cloicheadh [ɑɫpɑɡkɫɔhi]. Notes: a big round stone.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
alt
Quotation: Bha alt aca air tughadh. Notes: They were skilful at thatching.
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
alt
‘fair’ netting, that is the meshes stretched in their ‘natural’ diamond-shaped form.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
alt
Quotation: Theid iad an altan a chéile nas fheàrr. Notes: in weaving. Ma bhios an dlùth nas cruaidhe ’s nas caoile ’s an cuir nas reamhra ’s nas buige, theid iad an altan a cheile nas fheàrr.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
alt ghalair
rheumatism, arthritis.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
alt, allt (m)
cliff, steep rocky slope (burn at foot).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
altachadh
[ɑɫt̪ɑxu̜] Notes: grace before meat.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Balvoolich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
altachadh-beatha
Quot.: “Bha e na altachadh-beatha dha.” Note: It gave him a new lease of life.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
altmhorach
articulate.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
am
Quotation: am dìnearach.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
am bac
that part of the oar which was between the rowlocks.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
am balg uisg
bag of water surrounding the calf.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
am barfhàd
top peat, just one to be cut, was spread out on top of the peat bank – sgaolteach.
Location: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
am barrad (am barr fhad)
the top peat, i.e. the first layer to be cut.
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
am barrad (bàrr fhàd)
first tier of peat in the bog.
Origin: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
am bealach (m), bealaichean
[pl] gateway.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
am bigearam
Death-watch beetle.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
am bioraiche
a young animal, possibly a horse. In my young days, a young man bore that nickname.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
am blàr monach
The peat cutting area.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
am blàr mòine
the peat bog.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
am bradan leathainn
halibut.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
am brod
collection box. The collection box had a long handle. The collector, an elder, went round the seats (suidheanan) with it.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
am bràt
apron for plating potatoes.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
am bàrr dearg
barr a ruic. Leasachadh cho math ’s ghabhas, cur air grunnd [?] gu sonraichte dar tha e lethghrod.
Location: [Mull], Tobermory
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
am faradh
shuas air na sparran far an robh maidean fiodha sìnte. Dad nach robh ’ga chur gu feum a’ cheud ghreis rachadh a chur “air an fharadh” as an rathad.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
am feasda
Quotation: Chan fhaic mi e a feasda. Notes: I’ll never see him.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Kilillan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
am fraochan
the decorative toecap on a shoe.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
am frith-rathad
the short cut.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
am fuachd
[əm vu̜axk] cold. [NOTES: slipped under ‘fuachd’ with ‘am fuachd’ as the quotation. Definition: N.B. pron. – the cold (illness).]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
am miosg
prep. ‘among’: ~ a chèile, a’ fight; ~ nàiseinean heile [FMM]; 3sg.: chaidh mi ‘ro operation, chaidh mi ‘ro an dàrna tè agus ghabh mi pneumonia na mhiosg sin;
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
am plate (E)
(air am biodh an t-ainm) [NOTES: slipped under ‘plate’ with ‘am plate’ as the quotation. Definition: Am plate air am biodh an ainm [sic].]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
am ploc
a disease in cattle, noticeable by a lump on the throat.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
am poll
the peat bog.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
am-miosg
prep. ‘among; besides’: [nach] robh againn ach a dhol a-mach a dh’obair latha air na mhàireach ~ sin
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
am/ an
1 prep. ‘in’: bha i math an Gàidhlig 's am Beurla;am bi iad a’ dèanamh maragan an Èirinn am fuil; 1sg:: chaidh e ionnam cho mòr sin; 3m: cha robh pioc do dh’eagal ann; chaidh e ann a’ chuile sian [̼ | ʃɛn] a bha ann; cha robh ann nach tachdadh e duine; gu dè am beòthach a bhiodh ann; 3pl.: sguir iad a dhol ionnta (dha na h-eaglaisean aca fhèin); rel.: dhèanainn rud sam bith anns an cuirinn mo làmh; + ur: bha sibh nur daoine cearta
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
amadan
Quotation: Iasgach amadan, corra bheathach mór. Notes: used by older fishermen. Not sure what it means.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amadan
Quotation: slig’ an amadain. Notes: the pancreas.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amadan
Quotation: Amadan Bealltuinn. Notes: whimbrel. (?)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amadan
1. Seòrsa de cheap aig greusaiche. Rudeigin mar seo: [see illustration]. Bha fear aig m’athair dhiubh ri mo cheud chuimhne. 2. Seòrsa de dh’unndais a bhiodh aca airson tarruing nan eathraichean móra.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amailt
being in the centre of operations, e.g. “an amailt na pairti”.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amais
Quotation: Ma dh’amaiseas dhomh fhaicinn. Notes: If I chance to see it.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amaiseach
Quotation: duine amaiseach. Notes: perceptive, witty man.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amal
Quotation: an t amal [əntɑ˖məɫ]. Notes: master trees, airson cliath a cheathal ris na greallagan.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amal
Main swingle tree. (next sect.) [NOTES: i.e. (b) Parts of a plough in detail; comment added later.] [NOTES: spelled ‘amall’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
amaladh
(also) planking a wooden boat or ship by wooden pegs.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amall
Quotation: amall beag, amall mór. Notes: swingle-tree.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amall
Main swingle tree. [NOTES: second ‘l’ added later.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
amall
Quot.: “ceann an amaill”. “Bha ceann an amaill aige air.” Note: originally used when comparing the relative effectiveness of two horses when ploughing. Came to be used of people as well, i.e. when saying that one person was better than another, without perhaps a great deal of difference.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amar
trough which holds water, or for holding water.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amar
Quotation: amar a’ mhuilinn. Notes: the mill lade.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amar fuail
ag gleidheadh seo (maighistir) airson nighe is còmhla ri dath. Chunna mi maighistir ann an stabull, ’ga shuathadh ri guilleann nan each ’san earrach (a’ dèanamh a’ chraicinn làidir).
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
ambull
a vat.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amhach
Notes: more the front part or [sic] throat.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amhach a’ ghiomach
that part of a lobster used as a propellant. Located in front of the lobster and is the most tasty part to eat.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amhaich a’ chuain
a narrow inlet, inland. Example in question being the ford at Benbecula over which a bridge runs.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amhain
[ɑhĩnʹ] Quotation: Chaidh a’ bhó ann an [ɑhĩnʹ]. Notes: Amhain – sp. in Dwelly (from MacAlpine). An awkward position into which a beast gets itself and cannot extricate itself from it. [ɑfɔ̃nʹ] – Lewis.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amhainn
[ˈafiNʹ] Quotation: Chaidh a’ bho ann an amhainn. Notes: an awkward position, as getting leg caught in tether.
Origin: Back
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amhaisg
[ɑ̃fiʃɡʹ] Quotation: Chaneil ann ach [ɑ̃fiʃɡʹ] bochd. Notes: a half-wit.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amharc
[ɛɾɑxk] Quotation: Bha mi dol a dh’[ɛɾɑxk] oirre.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amharc
Notes: oversight – watchful care. Ag amharc gu géur air. – Looking. Ciod a th’aige ’s an amharc? – What has he got in mind / in view? B’e sin a chùis amharc! – What a sight!
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amharcan
[ɑ̃əɾkɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: amharcan na sùil. Notes: pupil.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amharus
Quotation: Bha iad a leagail amharus air gu robh e deanamh rud nach robh ceart. Notes: They were casting suspicion on him.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amsan
Quotation: “Tha na h-amsain dol do’n mhonadh agus na coilich dhubha dol do’n chuan.” Notes: this is what an experienced local fisherman said once when he heard that farm workers were getting a boat, he himself having come ashore. Amsan – solan goose.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amul
[ɑ̟məɫ] Quotation: Bha amul as na greallagan agus thu ceathail na cliath ris a sin. Notes: swivel tree or swingle tree.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an
Quotation: “Nach e a tha beag an taiceadh ris an fhear ud.”
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an Diabhul
Satan.
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
an Donas
Satan.
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
an Duan Mór
Atlantic Ocean.
Location: Glen Lyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an Riabhach
Satan.
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
an airidh
I am not sure what or where this was. I heard this expression ‘Shuas air an airidh’. Could have been a boarding or platform among the rafters. [NOTES: the following comment added later at the bottom of the page.] Have discovered that the ‘airidh’ was not part of the dwelling house – it was a broad shelf or suspended loft in the barn.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
an ath-chuir
the transplanting of cabbage (planted from seed).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an cachila
(English ‘l’) A gate contrived by slipping a thick stick or two through loops on each side of a wall or dyke.
Origin: Bràigh-Lochabar [Brae Lochaber]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an caisean uchd
the fat skin covering the point of the breast of a sheep. This was thumped very hard with the fist, the knife being held so that the handle protruded slightly, giving added hardness to the blow. The skin was then cut off with quite a portion of fat sticking to it, and a red hot cinder put inside, the whole being placed in the fire, where the wool was completely singed off and the ‘skin’ cooked. It was quite a succulent bite!
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an caoran
half peat when one reaches the hard – an aigeal.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an caoran
last peat taken out, were [sic] thrown onto the inside of the bank.
Location: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an caoran
the last layer of peat; or the bottom layer, usually of less depth than the ones above it; generally hard and black. ‘Iarraidh an caoran-dubh a gharadh mu’n gar e fhein càch.’
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an caoran
the lowest layer cut [from a peat bank].
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an caoran
third row of peat in the bog.
Origin: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an caoran
the last layer of peat, usually not the recognised depth of a ‘fàd’.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an carcair
the block of peat to be cut shorn of the surface turf.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an carcaire
the part of the peat bank with the turf removed, i.e. the part to be cut.
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an carcaire
the peat (riasg) exposed by the ‘feannadh’ [q.v.].
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an carcaire
sreath fhàdan air tarsuinn a’ phuill.
Origin: Borraraig [Skye, Boreraig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an ceap (E)
Faic Ceap 9. Dwelly. ’Se suidheachan dèanta de chlachan (mar gàradh) agus sgrath mhór thiugh air muin sin a bh’ann. Agus is è a bhà comhfhurtail! ’Se ‘a’ chailleach’ a chanadh iad ris ann an ceàrnaidhean eile de an eilean.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
an ceathramh deireadh
hindquarters.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
an ceathramh deireadh
hindquarter.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
an ceathramh deirich (dh)
hindquarters.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
an ceathramh deiridh
hindquarters. Canadh sinn seo aithghearr: “an crutha deiridh”.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
an ceathramh gorm
braxy.
Location: North Uist, Scolpaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an cliabh fodair
some cows (as a result of bad habit) did not yield their milk without being given a small quantity of succulent grass, turnip leaves etc. This was carried to them in a creel. Dried backbones of fish, such as cod, also served the same purpose. This saved carrying ‘fodder’ when the cows were at the shielings miles away from the villages.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
an clàr
wooden tray for potatoes or fish.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
an cnatan
the cough or cold.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an cochull ()
[masc.] the sheath.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
an coimhead
watching that no sheep come in through the hill fence after the crops are sown.
Origin: Barra
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
an colfhad
second peat (from the front).
Location: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an colfhad (cùl fhad)
the first peat cut in the tier.
Origin: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an comhnard
a flat piece of ground like a lawn.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an corr-fhad ( corr’ad)
[pron.] the outermost peat of a ‘carcaill’ [q.v.] cut thick (esp. in ‘mòine dhubh’ [q.v.] because it has already undergone a year of weathering and tends to crumble if cut thin).
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an corrad (corr-fhàd)
the outside or first peat cut in each layer.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an corrod
the very fist peat cut. As it comes out of the face of the ‘carcaire’ [q.v.] the outside has been exposed to the elements since the last cutting the previous year. Consequently it is not so good and sometimes discarded (Tha e chòrr.)
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an crann
a five starred constellation.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an crodh dùbh
the hardy small black cattle of the Highlands, Kyloes. Hebrides 1700-1850.
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
an cruinneachadh
when the butter and whey separated.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an còmhnard
a piece of flat ground like a lawn.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an còneachadh
a mental illness suffered by dogs which had a maddening effect on dogs. Liable to attack anyone. [NOTES: note added above ‘còneachadh’ – con(a)chadh.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an dair
cow on heat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
an dara fàd
the peats in the second layer.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an dara fàd
the 2nd layer [of peat cut from a peat bank].
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an deidh
Quotation: [dʹẹuʔinʹ]. Notes: after.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an diabhol
Satan.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
an dolas
Satan.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
an donas
Satan.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
an dorn
(part of spaid) Hand grip. [NOTES: spelled ‘dòrn’ on the slip.] [NOTES: added later]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
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 dreasair
(in living room) The dresser, the high back of which held various dishes: plates, bowls, cups and saucers, stood against the other wall (of living room) opposite ‘séis’ [q.v.]. At one end of the dresser there was a table, at the other end two barrels, one of which held oatmeal and the other flour.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
an dreel (f)
potatoes in drill.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an droch-aon
Satan.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an druim
the heavier rope at the bottom of a net.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an dubh liath
pancreas.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
an dubh-liath
spleen.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
an dubh-liath
pancreas (?).
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
an duine deàrrsach
An t-ainm a tha aca ann an Gabhsunn air crùbag mhor a tha am feabhas mhath.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
an dun
’So a chanas tu ris an tiùrr mhór mhonach a bhios aig an rathad deiseil gus a’ toirt dhachaidh leis an làraidh.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an dàrna fàd
An ath fhad sìos ’s a’ pholl.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an dùnadh
wooden supports at a boat’s stern.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Ceannaraigh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an dúc bhuntata
the potato pit. The potatoes were arranged in this form on the field insulated with straw and covered with a thick layer of soil.
Origin: Bràigh-Lochabar [Brae Lochaber]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an earalas
Quotation: An earalas gun deanadh iad fuaim. Notes: in case.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an earna
red water.
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
an fhaire chlaidh
a guard posted at a cemetery when bodies were being stolen.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an fheanndag
nettle. Disease: rheumatics. How prepared: sting part affected.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
an fheitheamh od
that waiting. When someone waits and expecting [sic] for some unwanted act or movement to happen... ‘After term’… denoting suspense...
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an fheòil-mhór
Indian Mess Beef. Bhiodh i tighinn dhachaidh ann am baraillean. Agus is i a bhà math!
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an fhuilm
a bit of wood found at a boat’s helm. About two feet long and used for steering.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an gath muig
the topmost part of a horse’s mane.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an geadha
(a’ chroinn) “Semi-circular?” piece (of plough) to which, in some ploughs, the sock is attached – instead of on to “bonn”.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an geata
the gate.
Origin: Bràigh-Lochabar [Brae Lochaber]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an giada (f)
potatoes in lazy bed.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an giuthas
from the peat bog.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an giùlan
an carbad agus an luchd-giùlain. A’ dol a steach geata a’ chlaidh rachadh daoine a bhuineadh dha fo’n ghiùlan.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
an glaothan ()
[masc.] the heap now takes shape – an elongated oval – the length and width of the intended stack. Where the peats are of mixed quality, all the black and brittle and broken stuff are heaped into this core of the stack.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an glòdhan (clòdhan)
the latch.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
an gocair
am fear d’am b’obair a bhith toirt an éisg de’n dubhan mar a bhathas a’ tarruing. (Droch obair air fhàgail air fear-easgaidh.) [NOTES: slipped under ‘gocair’ with ‘an gocair’ as the quotation.]
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
an gorman
a small flat grassy place, say, for playing chucks.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an gorman
a small flat grassy space free of weeds and other growth. Suitable for children to play chucks.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an grioglachan
a seven starred constellation.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an gàradh
second tier of peat in the bog.
Origin: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an gàradh uinneagach
nuair a bhios an sgaoilteach ro bheag bithear a’ deanamh gàradh air na fàdan agus uinneagan eatorra.
Origin: Borraraig [Skye, Boreraig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an leabhar
equivalent of ‘currachda righ’ in sheep. This was the name given to the pleated intestine of cattle.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an leatran (m)
[?] elders’ enclosure.
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
an làmh rithe
handfeeding. B’e seo a bhith toirt cuideachadh do an bheathach le biathachadh a muigh a thuilleadh air na bha i-fhéin a’ cosnadh.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
an neas
[jɛ:s] weasel. [NOTES: slipped under ‘neas’. Pronunciation: [ən nʹes].]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
an ni a dh’fhalbhas chan e a dh’fhòghnas
refers to old traditions and says that despite the pleasure they gave, we need to move with the times and not to become too nostalgic.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an oighreachd
the estate on Tiree (uaireanan).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an ratha dorcha
dark quarter, no moon.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an rathad mór
main road.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an ruaidh
hard udder at calving (mastitis). [NOTES: slipped under ‘ruaidh’ with ‘an ruaidh’ as the quotation.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
an rùsgadh
turfing (removing top layer of peat attached to sward).
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an sgaoilteach
far am bithear a’ sgaoileadh a mach na mòna airson a tiormachadh – seachd ’nan sreathan a ceann a chéile.
Origin: Borraraig [Skye, Boreraig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an sgoor
[pron.] diarrhoea. [NOTES: ‘animals’ added in second hand (most probably the fieldworker). Slipped under ‘sgùr’ with ‘an sgùr’ as the quotation. Definition: Diarrhoea in animals.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
an sgrath (I)
Bhithist a’ gearradh sgrath, fàd na spàide air thiuighead bharr na h-uaghach. Bha maide cruinn air a chur am broinn na sgratha agus an sgrath air a rolaigeadh gu casan na h-uaghach. Nuair a bha a h-uile cùis deiseil bha an sgrath air a rolaigeadh air ais agus an uaigh air a crìochnachadh ’s air gabhail aice. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sgrath (fem)’.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
an sluagh
This refers to a belief, not common nowadays, which people observed. It referred to the souls of the deceased rising from their graves in the dead of night, between twelve midnight and three in the morning. Apparently they visited their former dwellings. Moreover and also anyone who was walking at this time of morning bore this in mind and it was the custom to warn such a person that these souls could uplift him whilst on his journey. The phrase “Feuch na glac an sluagh thu” reflects this belief. Unlike the fairies these souls would return you to the original lifting point by three in the morning.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an snath-cuire
weft.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
an speal
swath of cut hay. (?)
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an spreidh
[herd or any collection of cattle.]
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
an stad
constipation. [NOTES: ‘an’ put in brackets.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an starsach
the path in front of the house.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
an sàbh
another claw used for catching fish.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
an t-at busach
mumps.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an t-each bàn
little white eddies on the sea surface. Indicating gales and high winds.
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an t-iaran mònadh (truimhsgeir)
peat cutting iron.
Origin: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an t-inneadh
what was needed, required.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an t-omhnadh
the situation. “An t-omhnadh ’s an robh e.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an t-omhnadh
state, situation. “An t-omhnadh anns an robh an duine.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an t-sail bhrollaich
Front cross-beam between the two shafts where the lock staple is attached. [NOTES: spelled ‘sail-bhroillich’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an t-seannabhaile
this refers to that part of the croft which is nearest the machair. The word derives from the fact that prior to modern houses being built further inland, houses must have been situated closer to the machair. In some villages, such as Daliburgh, old house ruins can still be seen in such areas.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an t-slabhraidh
The long iron chain which was suspended from the rafter, immediately above the fire. The lower link or links of chain held the pot-hook. Through the years, a thick layer of soot accumulated on this chain, and its whole length from pot-hook links to its end which was tied to rafter was called ‘maide na slabhraidh’.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
an t-slat
a three starred constellation.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an t-slat
the penis.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
an t-slat bheoil
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
an t-slat bheoil
inside or out.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
an t-slat shiul
[?] boom, lowest one also spar.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
an t-slat shuil
[sic] boom.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
an t-slochd
low land with high ground in the immediate vicinity.
Origin: Bràigh-Lochabar [Brae Lochaber]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an t-snàthadag
little bird that accompanies cuckoo.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an t-srathair
[Number 7 on the diagram.]
Location: North Uist
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an t-srathair
Cart-saddle.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an t-srathair
saddle on a cart.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an t-srathair
mar san dealbh.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an t-sreath (f) bhuntata
(Also streath) Drill, row, furrow.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an t-suil
(of harrow) The ‘eye’ in the ‘bann’ (or corner) to which draw-chain is attached.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an t-suil liath
near the ‘maodal mór’? Bile duct, organ for secretion? Check.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an t-suim
water which could be taken into the boat by fish or as a result of small leaks. [NOTES: note added above ‘t-suim’ – taoim.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an t-sìde mhath
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
an t-sùil liath
on top of the larger intestine. Of the same colour as the liver. Could be for secretion purposes?
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an t-èasbal
a delicate person, always prone to illness.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an taca ’sa bhliadhna
at this time of year.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an tairsgian (no an t-iarunn-mona)
also referred to as ‘an tairsgil’. Actually, this was the common pronunciation.
Origin: Borraraig [Skye, Boreraig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an tallan (m)
partition separating rooms.
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
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 tart
constipation. Cure – ula lìn (raw linseed oil).
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
an tasgadh
banking fire overnight; using ash to cover peats so as to slow down burning.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an tiatag
rheumatism.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an tigh tugha
the thatched house.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an tighinn fodha
water that comes through the foundations of a house.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an tinntein
stand at each side of the fire for holding pots etc.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
an torraidh
stealing the milk from someone else’s cattle. Usually done in the early hours of the morning.
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an traralair
[?] piece of iron that goes round mast.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
an treas fàd
the 3rd layer [of peat cut from a peat bank].
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an truinnsear
Collection plate.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
an tràsg
“Cho aotrom ris an tràsg”, chanadh am bodach mór. Bha e latha a’ bruidhinn mu cheusadh Chrìosda, agus thuirt e, “Chuir iad an crann air a mhuin agus dh’fhalbh e leis cho aotrom ris an tràsg”. Dé a bh’ann an tràsg? Bho dh’fhalbh am bodach, bha mi iomadh uair a’ smaoineachadh air. C’arson nach d’ fhoighnich mi dheth fhad’s a bha am bodach beo? Cha robh guth air a leithid an uair sin. An diugh tha mi tighinn uair is uair thuige gu’m faod gur h-e a’ chonnlach a bhiodh iad a’ cur air an àth nuair a bhiodh iad a’ tìoradh a bh’ann. Faic sràbhag. An t-sràbhag. Dh’fhaodadh aig cuid gur h-e ‘sràbhasg’ a bhiodh airson ‘sràbhag’, agus gun d’thàinig e gu sràsg, srà(bh)sg. Tha mi deanamh a mach a’ chonnlach a bha seo gu’m biodh i air leth aotrom mu’s biodh an tìoradh seachad. (Dh’fhaodadh gur h-e dìreach an tràsg a bh’ann. (Faic tràsgadh.))
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an tròm
a weight for a fishing line. First the shape of the weight was cut out of a peat. The lead was then melted and poured into this mould and left to set. A nail was pushed through each side so that the gut could be attached. [NOTES: ‘tròm’ corrected to ‘trom’.]
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an tuaindeal
sturdy. Affected the brain of cattle and sheep. Cyst on the brain.
Location: North Uist, Scolpaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an tuathalan ()
[masc.] giddiness; lack of balance.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
an tuim
the water that accumulated in the bottom of a boat.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an tuthadh
the thatch.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an tuthadh
the thatch.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an tòc
affecting the whole animal but located in the eye. “Thug e an tòc dhi.” He performed this particular operation to the eye of the cow. (Peculiar to West Uig, Lewis – not believed in by Vets.)
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
an tòc
This is a mystery somewhat akin to the King’s Evil, only in this instance, animals are the sufferers. An operation is performed on the eye of the animal (sheep or cow). The eyelid is turned outwards and by means of a darning needle and a piece of thread, some particular part surrounding the eye is manipulated so that it can be cut off. This gives immediate relief to the animal. Veterinary surgeons do not believe in it. An instance was quoted to me last summer. The man telling the story told me he had been to a village in Lochs. There was a cow, very far through, stretched out on the ground practically at its last gasp when my friend arrived. The vet had been called and had given her up as hopeless. My friend asked, “Na dh’fhiach sibh bheil an tòc oirr?” “Chan eil fhios againne dé th’ann an tòc.” “Uill bheir mise an tòc bhair na bà agus mur a dèan e feum, cha dèan e cron ’sam bith oirre co dhiubh.” He performed the operation and in ten minutes’ time the cow was on its feet and eating the grass. The amazing thing is that the people of Lochs had never heard of this most effective operation which is still regularly performed in Uig.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an ubhla bhàn
a red and white seen on the potato leaves. Usually seen in July.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an èis
cattle suffering from hunger.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an-abaich
almost an island, not exactly separated with a channel, etc.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an-fhoiseil
Quotation: Bha e gu math an-fhoiseil troimh ’n oidhche. Bha e a’ fàs rudeigin an-fhoiseil. Notes: restless. (foiseil not in Dw.)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an-furais
[ɑ̃ṉfu̟ɾɑʃ] Quot.: “’S tu a tha ’s an an-furais.” Note: impatience, restlessness.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an-furais
[ɑ̃ṉfu̟ɾɑʃ] Quot.: “Tha e leis an an-furais.” Note: impatience.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an-uair
Note: extraordinarily harsh weather.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an-àm
Quot.: ’S e cadal-ceàrnach cadal ann an an-àm. Note: at the wrong time.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ana-bristeadh
Quotation: Tha ana-bristeadh air. Notes: irregular breathing as in serious illness or before death.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ana-ghuireag
[ɑ̃nɑɣu̟ɾɑɡ] Note: this name is given to the snipe when heard making the bleating sound. The male bird makes the noise (acc. to J. N.).
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anabarrach
Quotation: anabarrach math. Notes: unusually good.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anabristeadh
applied to someone who was short of breath. [NOTES: notes added – ‘Thàinig’ before the word and ‘air’ after to form a sentence ‘Thàinig anabristeadh air.’]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anageilidh
superlative.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anaghlas
[ɛ̃nʹəɣɫɑs] Quotation: anaghlas de bhainne. Notes: insipid milk, e.g. if water was mixed in it.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anaglachadh
Quotation: ag anaglachadh duine a tha tinn. Notes: shifting position gently.
Location: Stornoway, Melbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anagladh
[ɑ̃ṉɑɡɫəɣ] Quotation: ag anagladh a chruidh. Notes: shifting cattle from one grazing spot to another without harrying them.
Location: Skye, Breakish
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
anail
[ɛ̃ṉɑɫ] Quotation: Leig e [ɛ̃ṉɑɫ]. Notes: He took a rest.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anairt
Quotation: anairt shoithichean. Notes: dish towel.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
analachadh
aspiration, lenition of consonants, also séimheachadh; ? but there seems to have been a difference (at times). Mo cheann – analachadh air “c” also d, t, b, p, m, s. Mo làmh – séimheachadh air “l” also n (and f?).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anamaig
[ɑ̃ṉɑ̃mıɡʹ] Quotation: ’S ann anamaig a chunna mi e. Notes: seldom. (or anmaig)
Location: Ross-shire, Achnahaird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anamainn
Quotation: Sann a chuir sud anamainn air. – That only made him angry.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anarar latteren
He’s forward.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
anart
Quotation: ròp anairt. Notes: clothes line.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anart
Quotation: bioran anairt. Notes: clothes peg.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anathach
foolhardy. Would be applied if someone attempted something strenuous whilst recovering from an illness.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anathadh
drawing your breath.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anathadh
breath. “Cha robh anathadh ann.” [NOTES: note added – anfhadh?]
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ancheard
Quotation: Bha e cho làn dh’an an ancheard. Ancheardach (adj). Notes: (Keose) jape/japing. Dw. has aincheard (marked obsolete), ‘buffoon etc.; buffoonery, low jesting’. Also aincheardach (not marked obsolete), ‘like a buffoon etc. (Armstrong); ingenious’. Note the quality of n in the Lewis words, and the different nuances of meaning.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ancheirdeach
Notes: full of japes, comic, lively. (For form of word, ancheardach more accurate.)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
angar bùrn
[masc.] the water cask. Water was always ‘bùrn’ in the Point district of Lewis.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
anmoch
Quotation: ’S fheàrr treothadh anmoch na gun treothadh idir.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ann
Quotation: as na riochdan. Notes: in latest and wildest fashions.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ann
Quotation: ’na shuidhe am mullach an teine. Notes: not quite.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ann
Quotation: Cha bhi ann [ɑ̄n] idir nis.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
annainn
on the top of a wall in the old thatched house. This describes the top of the inside wall.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anns an tràigh chrùbaig is ghiomach
Sgrìoban. Gu crùbag no giomach a thoirt as sgor ’se sgrioban t-inneal. Bata, no maide caol le dubhan lin mhóir, no spàg sean ghràpa air a bhiorachadh agus an cumadh dubhain, air a réileadh r’a cheann.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
anns an tràigh mhaoraich an gainmhich ’sa’ làghach
Croman is spaid. Tha breallaich, coilleagan, dearbhallaich, agus am maorach nach bi dol ro dhomhain air an cladhach le croman. Nuair a bhios a’ ghrian a’ deàrrsadh air a’ ghainmhich no air an làghaich chi thu srùpan a’ mhaoraich mar gum biodh iad ag gabhail na gréine. Mar a faic thu so cuir do chorraig do’n toll shéididh aca agus ma dh’fhairicheas tu i ga sùghadh sios bidh maorach anns an toll sin. Theid an t-eachan is gu h-àraidh am muirsgean anabarrach domhain nuair a theid dragh a chur orra. Ma shaoileas tu gum bi maorach anns an toll sàth an spaid sios air siobhadh gus am brùth thu am maorach ri cliathaich a thuill fhein is chan fhaigh e air ruith. Cladhaich le do laimh no le croman e.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
anns a’ cham a chòthail
used for someone coming into a conversation, company.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
anns a’ mhòine
engaged in peat work.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
annsanta
attractive, lovely.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
annsporag
[ɑ̃ũ̟spɔɾɑɡ] Note: tongue and attachments of a cow, usually given to the person killing the beast.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
annsporag
[ɑ̃ũ̟spɔɾɑɡ] Note: the part (including the “sgòrnan”) that came out attached to a cow’s tongue when removed from a carcase. Mostly made up of fat.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
annsporag
[[ɑ̃ũ̜]spɔɾɑɡ] Note: J. N. understands it to mean the ox tongue and what naturally attaches to it at the back when it is removed to be cooked.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
annspéic
handspike. This is a word that was applied to the early form of a protruding piece of wood or iron in connection with a bier used in Harris, when people used to carry the bier on their shoulders on the way to the churchyard; or a spike of some other notable use (not heard on Scalpay now), towards the same purpose, or possibly could be used apart from this act.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ann’ a’ athbhunn
[cow] stuck in a bog.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
anradh
Quotation: mac an anraidh. Notes: used like “mac an uilc”.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anradh
Quotation: Anradh ort! Notes: Expression of disgust and annoyance.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anspach
marlinspike. Used for separating strands of rope in splicing.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ansporag
part of a cow located near the throat. Considered a great delicacy.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aobhach
[ɤ:vɑx] Quotation: Chaneil e aobhach. Notes: It is not easy.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aobhar
Quotation: “Thoir an aobhar dha.” Notes: used among young boys when one who wanted to fight another would have to give reason for the other boy to take him on. This was usually done with a light blow. [NOTES: slipped under ‘adhbhar’.]
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aodach
Quotation: A’ bhiadh ’s aodach ort!
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aodann
Quotation: far an aodainn [ɤdɑ̟:nʹ]. Notes: front, forefront.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aodann a’ phuill
the upright area from which the peats were cut.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
aog
Quotation: a’ dol aog. Notes: deteriorating.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aognaich
Quotation: Tha mi ag aognachadh roimh’n an là a-màireach. Notes: dread.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aognaidh
Quotation: (1) Bha mi a’ faireachadh aognaidh. (2) là aognaidh. Notes: (1) I was feeling shivery. (2) a bleak day.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aoidein
[w:dʹʒɛ̃nʹ] Quotation: adj. aoideinneach. Notes: leak. See also ao-dion, eu-dionach.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aoifidh
sweet. Related to ‘aoife’, ‘aoibhe’.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aoileag
Quotation: na h-aoileagan. Notes: seagull. “F” not sounded.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
aoir
Quotation: Nach ann oirre tha ’n aoir. Notes: said of a very cold, cutting wind.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aoir
satires.
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
aois
Quotation: Chuir mi umhal gu robh an aois a’ laigh’ air.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aol
Quotation: spain-aoil. Notes: trowel.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aon
Quotation: deich an t-aon. Notes: ten each.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aon
Quotation: pios an t-aon. Notes: a piece each.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aonach
Quotation: Thàinig aonach air. Notes: He was out of breath; from climbing, but could refer to exhaustion on straight stretch – “out of breath” through exhaustion.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aonagraich
Quotation: each ’ga aonagraich fhéin. Notes: wallowing.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aonagrain
[w̃:ṉəɡɾɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: Tha an t-each dha aonagrain fhéin.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aonairt
co-operated. An an [sic] aonairt. [NOTES: the slip has ‘ann an aonairt’. Definition: Agreement, co-operation.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aonargheanachd
homeopathy.
Origin: ‘Islay connections’
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aondragaich
[w̃:n̪d̪ɾɑɡiç] Quotation: Bha an t-each dha aondragaich fhéin. Notes: wallowing, rolling from side to side on its back.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aonragaich
horse rolling over to scratch its back.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aonraich
Quotation: Bha e ga [w̃:ṉɾɑɡəɣ] fhéin. Notes: horse wallowing on its back on the ground.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aonraigich
rolling over. A horse scratching its back. Tha an t-each ga aonraigich fhein.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aoragan
Quotation: Tha i ’ga h-aoragan [ɤ:ɾəɡɑ̃ṉ]. Notes: said of a mare wallowing to scratch itself if uncombed.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aotrom
Quotation: aotrom uaine. Notes: light green (wool-dyeing).
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aotrom
Quotation: aotrom liath. Notes: light blue (wool-dyeing).
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
apag
Quotation: apag gun mhath. Notes: useless woman.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aparan
a round support placed in a boat’s gunnel. Usually fitted in older boats.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aparan
Waist-bag for carrying seed potatoes.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
aparan
Quot.: an t-aparan. Note: flat board stuck on the inside of the stempost.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aparan
a wooden partition extending from the stern of the boat to the back seat – ‘tobhta bhig’. Strengthened the rear of the boat. Steering equipment would be connected to this. In Eriskay a bottle of holy water would be attached to this bit of wood as it was thought this kept supernatural forces at bay and generally kept the crew and boat safe.
Location: Eriskay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aparan
Note: apron in a boat.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aparan bac
protecting the boat from the oar with a tin plate.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Eathraichean / Boats
ar leat
you think.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ar-chloimh
Note: for “ath-chloimh” – the layer of new wool on sheep. (Same pronunciation in Barvas.)
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ar-chlòimh (I)
(Fuaimnich ar'-chlòimh mar far-chluais.) A’ chlòimh ùr a bhios a’ fàs air na caoraich fo an t-seann chlòimh. “Bha ar-chlòimh mhath air na caoraich am bliadhna.”
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
ara de dhuine
effeminate man.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
arabhalg
[ɑɾɑvɑɫɑɡ] Note: the sort of shutter that goes across a cow’s eye when it closes.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
arachd, arachdan
cork floats.
Origin: An Ros Muileach [Ross of Mull]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
aran
Quotation: Tha mi dol a dhèanamh aran. Notes: used for ‘to bake’. ‘Fuine’ not used, though known by informant.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aran coirc
oatcake.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aran coirc
oatcakes.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aran cruinneachd
wheaten bread.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aran crì
Notes: ‘gingerbread’ (sold esp. at Là na Dròbh). Cf. Irish arán cróich. Cf. Welsh bara croyw ‘unleavened bread’. ?? Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aran cuagach
a bannock that was not properly shaped, not rounded.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aran eòrna
Quotation: Chan eil iad ach mar gheir is aran eòrna. Notes: of two people who don’t get on well.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aran milis (m)
Quotation: Cha daor ris an aran mhilis.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aran reota
bread that has been left for a few days without eating. [NOTES: ‘reota’ corrected to ‘reòta’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aran-corca
oat-cakes.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
arb
[= earb (?)] vb ‘enjoin’: dh’arb [ɣarap] e ...leis na boireannaich a bha ‘-staigh iad a bhith gu math do dh’Aonghas na Coilleadh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
arbhaig
[ɑɾəvɑɡʹ] Quotation: Dé’n arbhaig a tha sin agad? Notes: disarray, e.g. when a person is working with tools and everything is upside down and in disarray.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
arbhar
[ɑˈrɑ̟r] Notes: N.B. pronunciation.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
arbhar-buailte
beaten corn. Some used to pour hot water on it to help as a ‘beverage-moistening’ effect.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
arbhar-cruaidhicte
[sic] hardened husks, corn, etc.; corn-flakes. [NOTES: slipped under ‘arbhar’ with ‘arbhar cruaidhichte’ as the quotation. Definition: Hardened husks of corn; ‘corn-flakes’.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
arcan
Quotation: A’ bho a’ tighinn faisg air am breith – an arcan a’ fas farsuinn. Notes: arcag?
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
argannan
floats, [made of] cork, at head (ceann shuas), aig gach sia treathan.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
arlas
bargaining for herring ladies. Again will check to see what this constituted.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
armadh
Notes: fat or butter mixed with wool.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
arrachd
Notes: used of mischievous boy. Source: G. Gordon. Date: 1950.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
arrachd
[ɑrɑxk] Quot.: arrachd de dhuine na de bheathach. Note: a small specimen.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
arraideach
wandering, erratic.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
arralach
attentive, steady, e.g. “Bha e arralach na obair.”
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
arran cork
oatcakes. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
arsbag
[ɑʴsbɑɡ] Quot.: (1) an arsbag mhór. (2) an arsbag bheag. Note: (1) greater black-backed gull. (2) lesser black-backed gull. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
artag
Quotation: artag cladaich. Notes: area at the shore where grass grows but is covered at high tide. Grass is always short but liked by beasts. Frost doesn’t affect it. See “ceap artaig” or “ceap cladaich”.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
artag
Quotation: artag cladaich. Notes: ground which is under water at high tide but on which short grass grows.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
as
Quotation: as a thomadach tàmh – all of a sudden.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
as
Quotation: as t-oidhch’. Notes: at night.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
as
Quotation: Tha a’ phoit a’ leigeil as. Notes: the pot is leaking.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
asaid
a plate from which meat or mutton is served.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
asann
[ɑsɑn̪] Quot.: na h-asnaichean. Note: ribs of a boat.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
asbhain
(f) Plot immediately after carrying oats.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ascall
loss of cattle in the spring.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ascaoin
Quotation: caoin-air-ascaoin [kw̃:nʹɤɾɑʃɡʹĩnʹ]. Notes: inside out.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
asda
[ɛsdə] Quotation: “a chuir asda”. Notes: out of them or in them.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
asgaill
Notes: retreat: a place of shelter.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
asgairt
rubble left after main mass of peat has been carted away. This word is also used to describe inferior seed potato.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
asgart
Notes: what’s left of a potato after eyes have been cut for planting. (Applecross, glaodhan)
Origin: Back
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
asglan
[ɑsɡɫɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: an asglan toisich, dà asglan deiridh. Notes:
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
asgraidh
Quotation: an asgraidh [ən ɑsɡrẹj]. Notes: to tie a cow, equivalent of “ceangal”.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ashadh
storm tossed, rough passage as at sea. Fhuair iad ashadh a dol tarsainn a’ chuain an dé. (Harris)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
asnag
wooden frame on which boats are built.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
asnaichean
tummers of a boat.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
astar
Quotation: Dé an t-astar a th’aice. Notes: usual pasture area of sheep.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
astar-chas-an
(pronounced asterchassan, the ‘an’ at the end is open like sgadan, herring) a path trampled down by feet, usually where this was not welcome. ‘Tha a chlann air astarchasan a dheanamh troimh ’n choirc.’
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
at
Quotation: an cuan ag at. Notes: heavy swell appearing on the sea.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
at
gate.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
at
Quotation: at-buinn. Notes: swelling on the sole of the foot due to walking barefoot. [NOTES: slipped under ‘at-buinn’.]
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
at
Quot.: “at caoich”. Note: a septic swelling that appears and comes to a head very quickly. (Put also under caoch.)
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
at
Quotation: an at busach. Notes: mumps.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
at
swelling.
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
at (m)
swelling.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
at braghad
tonsillitis.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
at-amhach
sore throat.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
at-buinn
Notes: swelling on the sole or heel of the foot from going about barefoot.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
at-bàn
Notes: T.B. in the hip-joint.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
at-góbhlach
Note: carbuncle (says that its foundation radiates in different directions).
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
at-sclopan
(throat).
Origin: Barra
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
atach
treatment. “Fhuair e droch atach.” Proverb: “Atach seann seòladair, atach a mios a th’ann.”
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atach
[ɑt̪ɑx] Quotation: atach bhrògan, atach de chòta. Notes: used of items of clothes past their usefulness. Also used of the remains of a sheep. (Is it used of anything useless?)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atach
[ɑt̪ɑx] Note: the remains of a dead beast, e.g. a sheep’s skeleton found on the moor. Also applied to other things, e.g. clothes, shoes which are beyond repair: “atach bhrògan”, “atach còta”. Could also be used of ruins – “atach airigh”.
Origin: Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atach
Quot.: “Chunna mi an atach aice.” Note: the useless remains of anything.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atach
Quot.: “atach caora”. Note: the remains of a dead sheep (just wool and bones).
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ataireachd
swell of waves on shore.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ataireachd
tonnan mòra ’s gun deògh gaoithe.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
atar
[ɑt̪əɾ] Quotation: atar bhuntàta, atar thuirneap. Notes: same as “atharnach”.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atar
Quotation: atar bhuntata. Notes: ground where potatoes were planted the previous year.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath aol
lime kiln.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ath arrachadh
as above [i.e. ath-rudhadh].
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath bhlàr
an area that has been cut [for peat] before and is being used again.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath cheapach
second ploughing of a plot of land. Also referred to as ‘còmhlach’.
Location: North Uist, Scolpaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath cheilp
kelp kiln.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ath oisg
between 1st and 2nd shearing.
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
ath oisg
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
ath rùdhadh
making them [i.e. peats] into bigger heaps.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath rùdhan
a bigger heap of peat.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath sgeimail
applied to a person who is always changing occupations. Also used in the sense of changeable weather conditions.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath stoireag
a larger heap – the size of which is according to weather condition.
Origin: Cataobh [Sutherland – probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-bhlar
second or third generation peat bank.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-bhlar
[ɑfɫɑɾ] Quot.: ath-bhlar móine. Note: area of peat which is deep enough for peats to be cut again. The lower depth is the “ath-bhlar”.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-bhlar (af-lar)
Am blàr broinn a dh’fhàg am poll as a dheidh bho chaidh fhosgladh. Tha an duine a dh’fhosgail am poll a’ dleasadh ath-bhlair fhein, agus ma bhios doimhne réisg air fhagail ann faodaidh e poll ùr fhosgladh gun cead conastabail a’ bhaile.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-bhlàr
when the original peat bank was finished and no more peat could be obtained from it, a second peat bank was started where the other one had started.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-bhlàr
a peat bank cut after the original surface layer of peat has been used, i.e. a second layer of peats.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-bhoinn
[ɑfɔnʹ] Quot.: caora ann an ath-bhoinn. Note: in a position from which it could not extricate itself.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-cheapach
Notes: when lea land is ploughed one year, called ath-cheapach before being ploughed the following year.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-cheapach
Notes: ground which has been ploughed once after being fallow for a long time. (1. talamh làidir. 2. athcheapach [sic]. 3. treasadach.)
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-cheapach
Notes: land ploughed for three years in succession.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-chloimh
[wool] next to skin of sheep.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol, Bragar and Uigen
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
ath-chloimh
Notes: new growth of wool, wool next to skin of sheep.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-chlòimh
Note: new wool on sheep.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-cholmadh
re-mixing the wools when many different colours were required.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
ath-chorrain
a ford with a sandspit on it. [NOTES: corrected to ‘àth-chorrain’.]
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-churrachd
Transplanting. [NOTES: spelled ‘ath-churachd’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ath-dhìonag
Notes: if it doesn’t have a lamb in its second year, the “dìonag” becomes an “ath-dhìonag”. (See Dìonag)
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-dianag
Notes: an old maiden ewe, getting on for three years old.
Origin: Kinlochourn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-dionag
[ɑdʹw̃ṉɑɡ] Note: 3-year-old sheep.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-dìonag
[a:ˈdʒienɑk] [?] Notes: 3-year-old sheep.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-fhad
3rd peat down. (Not in general use. Few banks have more than 2 peats downward.)
Location: Gearrloch, Achadh a’ Chairn [Gairloch, Auchtercairn]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-fhradharc
Note: second sight.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-foin (phonetically spelt ath-mhoine)
big wet peats set aside to dry.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-ghoirid
Notes: shortcut.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-mhoin
large clumsy pieces [of peat] usually very wet and laid aside (cuir air leth).
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-mhoin (ath-mhoine)
(pronounced ‘amhoinn’) last year’s peat still on the bank.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-mhoine
(re-made) these were peats that had become wet and soggy – usually in the ‘floor’ of the stack – and had been set aside in little ‘rumhain’ to dry out again – also considered inferior.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-mhoine (a-foin anns gach aite)
Fadan a chaidh fhàgail an sud ’san so air na puill. Bha iad so ro fhliuch air son an cur gu rathad. Bidh iad tioram gu leòr gus teine a dheanamh aig am buain, rùdhadh is cur gu tìr. ’S e ath-mhoine cuideachd a chanar ris na bhios air fhàgail do mhoine na bliadhna ’n uiridh as deidh a’ chruach ùr a bhith air a deanamh.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-mhoine or amhoine
last year’s peat that was left on the hills and not taken home.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-mhòine
Mòine air a buain ann am broinn poll-mòna eile. Bhiodh doimhne mhór réisg ann mus biodh a leithid seo ann.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-mhòine
(Faic pàipear a chuir mi a steach roimhe air a’ bhliadhna.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-rubhadh
Note: shifting the peats after the first lifting for further drying.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-rudhadh
this has to be done if weather is unfavourable for peat-drying. Inside peats in stooks placed outside and vice versa.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-rudhadh
combining several ‘rùdhans’ [q.v.], the number depending on the degree of dryness.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-rughadh
Is e so an dara sùil a bheirear air a mhòine. Nithear rùmhain na’s motha leis na fòid a’s tiorma ’nam broin agus an fheadhain nach ’eil cho tioram air an taobh a muigh agus air am mullach . Le sìde thioram nithear ath-rumhain mhòra, ach ma tha an aimsir bog cha deanar ach ath-rumhain bheaga.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-rughan
(Fuamnich: ar’abhan.) Nam biodh feum air, a’ rùghadh an dàrna h-uair. A’ ceartachadh nan rùghan ’s ’g an deanamh na bu mhotha. A’ cur barrachd de na fàdan tiorma còmhla ri chèile, agus an fheadhainn fhliuch air an taobh a muigh.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-rughan no ath-rumhan ()
[masc.]
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-rumhadh
[See ath-rughadh]
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-rusg
[ˈɑɾu̟sɡ] Quot.: “a’ tilgeil ath-rusg”. Note: old skin peeling off.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-rùdhadh
Mar a tiormaich a’ mhoine anns an rudhan tha dha no tri de rudhain gan cur an ceann a cheile is bidh iad air a fàgail greis eile gus an tiormaich i. Bidh, aig amannan, bho sheachduinn gu tri seachdainnean eadar an rùdhadh ’s an ath-rùdhadh.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-rùdhadh
Notes: making a peat stack intermediate in size between ‘rùdhan’ and ‘cruach’.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-rùdhan
the 2nd pile of peat. It is the resetting of the 1st pile but it is slightly bigger.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-rùmhan
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-storadh
Quotation: ag ath-storadh a’ mhóine. Notes: making larger heaps of peats than when at first lifting. (ath-storagan)
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-storadh
Notes: “stòragan” made first, then 2-3 put together to form a “rùbhan”.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Blairmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-storag
[ɑst̪ɔɾɑɡ] Notes: a larger collection of peats than the ‘storag’, usually incorporating a few ‘storagan’.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-theinnde
[ɑhĩnʹdʹə] Notes: half-burnt peat.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-theinne
[ɑˈhĩnʹə] Notes: flaming peat used as a torch. (See Dw. for ath-theinne.)
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-theinne
[ɑhĩnʹə] Quotation: An ann ag iarraidh iasad ath-theinne a tha thu. Notes: half-burnt peat. Said to a visitor, usually when paying a very short visit to a house.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atha
equiv. of ‘sobhal’.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
atha
liver. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
athach
a vassal, one of a subject race, hence fathach – a giant (mistranslation from old Tales).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athadh
a change, e.g. “Thainig athadh air.”
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athadh
[ˈɑhəɣ] Quot.: “Tha athadh air an duin’ ud.” Note: bashfulness.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athaich
the soul having left the body?, breath.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athailt
peat used as a torch and taken round the houses.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athailt
wound. “A chionn gu’m bheil droch athailt air a cheann.”
Location: Barra, Earsharry [Earsary]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athailt
scar.
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
athailt
scar.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., [Lochaber]) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.)
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
athailt
[ɑ̃ɑlʹtʹ] Notes: half-burnt peat in the fire.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athailte
old form of torch made of a lighted peat.
Location: Harris, Finsbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athainn
[ɑhĩnʹ] Quotation: (1) Tha athainn orm airson mar thachair. (2) Tha athainn orm gun d’thubhairt mi leithid a rud. Notes: (1) Tha mi duilich mar a thachair. (2) Tha mi a’ gabhail aithreachas gun d’thubhairt mi leithid a rud.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athainn
embers.
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athainn
Quotation: ann an athainne [ɑhĩnʹə]. Notes: in a position from which, say a beast would not be able to free itself.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athainn
[ɑhĩnʹ] Quotation: Chaidh am beathach ann an athainn. Notes: getting into a position from which it could not extricate itself.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athainn
Notes: (with nasal vowel in 1st syll.) A catch-word or phrase, e.g. ‘Tog seo orm, ’s gheibh thu stamp’. Source: Prof. D.S. Thomson, Lewis. Date: 1983.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athainn
[ɑhɑ̃nʹ] Quotation: Tha athainn orm nach d’thàinig e. Notes: vexation, annoyance.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athainneach
[ɑhĩnʹɔx] Quotation: ’S e gnothaich athainneach a bh’ann a’ sud. Notes: unfortunate. (See athainn.)
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athair
nn: m’ ~ [mahair´]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
athair-tìr
fatherland.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athairle
[ɑhəʴɫə] Notes: a beast a little older than a heifer. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athairle
[ɑhɤu̜] Notes: two year old heifer.
Origin: Camusluanie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athairneach
Land ploughed the previous year.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
athais
used by some people for means of travel. Theid mi ann ma dheibh [sic] mi ais [sic].
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athais
mode of transport.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athais
[ɑhiʃ] Quotation: Mas na poit a’ cuir athais air bathais na slabhraidh. Notes: The pot calling the kettle black.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athais (f)
ease, leisure.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athais gu aiseag
mode of travel to a ferry.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athaisg
2 year old with first lamb. (Bays)
Location: Harris, Horgabost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athaisg
a report.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athaisg
Note: gimmer (ath-othaisg).
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athaisg ’s tiaraineach – dianag
2 yr old ewe.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athall
depression.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athamh
See àth. Barn. [NOTES: spelled ‘àthamh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
athan
capsized state of a sheep.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athan na sùla
corner of eye.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athann
saying. (Lewis)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athaodaichean
second-hand clothes. Not pronounced separately.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athar dearg as an ard an iar air an oidhche
if you see hills near you – bad weather and vice versa.
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
atharachadh
after lifting the peats could then be shifted another bit and turned round so that the damp side can be dried.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atharla
[ɑ̟hɑ̟rɫə] after 1st calf.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atharla
yearling heifer (not used in Victoria).
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
atharla
[ɑhərɫə] Notes: a heifer.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atharnach
A plot of ground in which potatoes were grown the previous year.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
atharnach
Quot.: atharnach bhuntàta. Note: ground in which potatoes were planted the previous year.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atharnach
A plot of ground in which potatoes were grown the previous year.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
atharnach
Quotation: buntàta atharnaich.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atharnach
Land planted with potatoes the previous year and now used for corn.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
atharnach
where potatoes had been planted the previous year. Following year the soil would be richer and a crop such as barley would be planted.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atharnach
Ground in which potatoes or turnips have been planted for two years in succession.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
atharnach
Quotation: atharnach bhuntàta, atharnach shnèip.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atharnach
[ɑhərn̪ɑx] Quotation: an atharnach. Notes: the ground where potatoes had been planted.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atharnach
[ɑhəʴṉɑx] Notes: ground in which potatoes were planted the previous year. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atharnach, atharnaich
where potatoes were previous year. Ex. atharnach bhuntata.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
atharrach nòt
another note.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atharrachadh
Quotation: ag atharrachadh na mòine. Notes: shifting the peats on the bank in wet weather.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atharrachadh
Quotation: ag atharrachadh nan adagan. Notes: shifting the stooks.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atharrachadh
Quotation: rionnag ag atharrachadh. Notes: a shooting star.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atharrachdainn
Quotation: Rinn iad atharrachdainn air. Notes: They changed it.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atharrachdainn
Notes: a difference.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atharrais obrach
hotch potch job. “Dè an atharrais obrach a tha sin?”
Origin: [Harris]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athasag
[ɑ̟:i̜sɑ̟ɡ] plug-hole.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athbhull
a small turf walled, garden shaped; used for young cabbage plants.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
athbhull, abhall
used generally for raising cabbage plants.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
athchorc
permission; comhairc (v) – to ask; iomchomharc – salutaion, compliments; dithchomharc – minus permission.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athchruas
intense hardness.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athdhath
twilight. Also ‘athadh’. “Beul an atha [sic] ’s an anmoich.”
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athdianag
3 yr old ewe.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athghainn
us.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’
Quotation: Bha mi a’ cantainn beag rium fhéin. Notes: I was saying to myself.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’
[kɑ̃ĩliɡʹəɣ] Quotation: a’ [kɑ̃ĩliɡʹəɣ] ri chéile. Notes: competing physically to see who would be finished first, e.g. scything, running, etc.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’
Quotation: a’ [lʹu̟:ɾɑxəɣ]. Notes: going sceptic.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ Churia
Curia (Vatican Department).
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
a’ Ehaglas “Mhoderate”
Church of Scotland. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
a’ badadh
Making sheaves (of oats).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a’ baganachadh
to make preparations, e.g. “Bhaganaich mi na cruachan arbhair mu tigeadh an geamhradh.” or “Bhaganaich mi mi fhein mu’n teach mi a mach dh’an uisge.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ bearradh a’ bhac
cutting the peat.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ bhean gu aois ’sa fear gu bàs
refers to the limited attraction of women whereas men retain their appeal till they die!! Cha bhith Curstaidh na Mòr toilichte ris an te ud.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ bhoill
a disease affecting the head of the horse. Its symptoms were an acute form of dizziness which resulted in death. The illness had a plant or root as its origin. [NOTES: corrected to ‘a’ bhoil’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ bhoill
disease in horses caused by the ragwort (buathalan). [NOTES: corrected to ‘a’ bhoil’.]
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ bhois
flat part on collar before coming to hooks on hames.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a’ bhreac
vaccination [?] smallpox.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ bhriogais
[əvrikʹẹʃ] Quotation: a’ bhriogais, sin an rud a bha deanadh breg air a’ chairt.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ biathadh na boine (bà)
feeding [cows].
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
a’ biathadh nan lìon
baiting the hooks.
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
a’ breacadh
picking at or roughening, e.g. breacadh na brathainn, i.e. roughening the grinding side of the quern stone.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ breacadh (Sleat)
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ breacadh na mònadh
marking turf that is to be removed.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ bristeadh
that area of sea about half a mile from the shore where the waves began to break.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ buain bhàirneach
gathering limpets. [NOTES: slipped under ‘bàirneach’ with ‘a’ buain bhàirneach’ as the quotation.]
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrìgh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
a’ buain fhiasgan
gathering mussels. [NOTES: slipped under ‘fiasgan’ with ‘a’ buain fhiasgan’ as the quotation.]
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrìgh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
a’ buain mhaorach
gathering limpets.
Location: Eilean Thiriodh, Cornaig Mhór [Tiree, Cornaigmore]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
a’ buain na mònach
cutting the peats. (Lewis)
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ buain na mònadh
cutting the peats. (Harris)
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ caige
keeping up mere talk, chattering.
Location: Barra, Earsharry [Earsary]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ cairteadh lìnn
weatherproofing nets using bark. As well as giving protection against the elements this protected the nets from the destructive effect the fish’s natural oil could have.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ caithris
keeping watch: ‘wake’.
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
a’ calcadh
describes process where boats were made watertight with the aid of wool and tar. Wool would be stuffed into a leak and tar would be poured onto this to seal it off.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ cath
throwing out and spreading the peat.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ cath na slige
shell-cast.
Origin: Taransay
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
a’ ceiceadh
to patrol, to go back and forth in some area. “Bha a’ bhàta aca a sior cheiceadh a’ chladaich.”
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ chaingeis
Whitsunday (28th May). From this date you had to keep your cattle to yourself. It was at this time of year that cattle watching began. Until Martinmas (28th November) had to tend the cattle.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ chas
the handle of the peat-cutter. [See tairsgeir.]
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ chas-bheag
three or four peats set up for drying.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ chestair
catechist. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
a’ chiad fhàd
the first layer or tier of peat cut from a peat bank.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ chiste (I)
[NOTES: slipped under ‘ciste’ with ‘ciste-laighe’ as the quotation.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
a’ chlach
‘An do chuir thu mach a chlach?’ – ulpag math cloiche air gach ceann mar chruaidh. [NOTES: slipped under ‘clach’.]
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
a’ chloimh
(sheep) infestation, etc. etc. cured by dipping.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
a’ chomh rath
dusk.
Location: South Uist, Frobost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ chomhlach
a group of people gathered round and having a chat.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ chuidhe
a field surrounded by a man-made earthen wall. Cattle were kept here after grazing. This field was on the machair land.
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ cladhach na h-uaghach
[NOTES: slipped under ‘cladhaich’ with ‘a’ cladhach na h-uaighe’ as the quotation.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
a’ cliathadh
Harrowing.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a’ cliathadh (v)
shoal of herring – sgadan a cliathadh.
Location: Harris, Horgabost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ cnòdachadh na lìn
the netting and how attached to base.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
a’ coiseachd deiseal
walking in a clockwise direction. This happened at funerals before the coffin was brought into the graveyard, i.e. the procession walked round the outside of the graveyard in a clockwise direction before entering the graveyard.
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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’ cruachadh
building into seven foot ‘beehive structures’; this will be brought home at the woman’s leisure during good days in Autumn, Winter and Spring; few do this nowadays. Their work on the ‘sliabh’ halts at ‘tòrr’ [q.v.] at which stage the tractor is called into action.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ cuallach
driving home slowly, giving time to eat on way.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
a’ cuir an uain
a sheep that has miscarried with the lamb dead in its womb. Has to be delivered by hand. Similarly this is applied to cattle ‘cuir an laoigh’.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ cur a mach
throwing out and spreading the peat.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ cur chun an rathaid
carrying peat from banks to road for transportation home.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ cur gu rathad
carrying peat from banks to road for transportation home.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ cur gu rathad
Nuair a bhios a’ mhoine tioram tha i air a cur gu rathad far am faigh làraidh no tractar thuice gus a toirt dhachaidh. Tha a’ mhoine cho fada bho chuid ann an Nis is gu feum iad tri dòirtidh a dheanamh orra. (a) Ga dòirteadh aig rathad far am faigh tractar thuice. (b) Aig rathad far am faigh làraidh thuice. (c) Aig an tigh á làraidh. Tha a’ mhoine ga cur gu rathad (1) Ann am poca air do dhruim. (2) Ann an cliabh air do dhruim. (3) Ann am barra-cuibhle. (4) Ann am ‘Float’. (5) Le each is cairt. (’Se aon each a tha a’ deanamh sin an so an diugh - 1967) (6) Le tractar. (7) Agus chunnaic mi air cùl Steòrnabhaigh cuid ga cur gu rathad ann am ‘Prams’.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ cur gu tìr
Sin a chanas muinntir Nis an àite ‘cur gu rathad’, is cha chan iad ‘A’ cur gu rathad’ aig am ’sam bith. Cha chuala mi an dòigh so aig muinntir ’sam bith eile anns an eilean, agus is e ‘Cur gu tir’ a chanas mi fhin an diugh ged as e Rudhach a tha annam.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ cur ’san t-sreath
Putting fertiliser and seed into the furrow.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a’ càradh na feanntaich
replacing turfs neatly inside the bank (broinn a’ phuill) when turfing.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ càradh nan ceap
laying the turf neatly grassy side up inside the peat bank. This arrangement actually improves the growth of grass.
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ càsaigeadh chlach
in road building. Process of putting rocks in the appropriate places.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ deamadh (d = j [?])
someone without speech. [NOTES: Mr O’Henley added what appears to be a ‘j’ above ‘d’ in ‘deamadh’ – to show pronunciation?] [NOTES: note added – “Bha e na shuidhe gun deamadh.”]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ deanamh grunn
making sure that the water is not too deep before wading ashore. [NOTES: ‘grunn’ corrected to ‘grunn(d)’.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ deanamh sobhail
this meant the winter’s work in the barn – preparing the barley and oats for milling.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
a’ dlìgheach
about to vomit, what we call ‘boaking’ in Scots.
Origin: Applecross [mother]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ dol a sadhsaladh
over-drying of peat. (Uist)
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ dol a taisealadh
over-drying of peat. (Skye)
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ dùsgadh chlach
this would be the term used when rocks were being cut out of a rock face. Could also mean as I have indicated previously that the rocks could be lifted from soil.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ faileadh na mònadh
turfing peat. (Harris)
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ fainneamh
a’ dorghadh gun chruaidh a chur a mach ach ag cumail an eathar leis na ràimh (ag iomradh gu socrach gus an tigeadh tu air an iasg). [NOTES: slipped under ‘fainneamh’ with ‘a’ fainneamh’ as the quotation.]
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
a’ feannadh na mònadh
turfing peat.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ fearbadh
to moor a boat. Also ‘air fearb’.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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’ fèileabanachd
[?] eating food slowly.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
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 a chèile
boats hitting into each other due to poor lighting.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ gearradh na mònach
cutting the peat.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
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’ ghainmheach
an illness affecting the stomach of an animal. Arose from the animal eating docks (copagan), grass roots and sand. Animal would be in great pain and could not rise to its feet. Could only be cured by constant movement such as riding. Could affect cattle but mostly affected horses.
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ ghalathad
darling.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ ghaoth ann am foghair
an ear-thuath (NE).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
a’ ghiùlain
Was the phrase applied to the remains while being carried to the grave. At walking funerals in Glenelg, my former charge, the coffin is borne in the rear of a procession instead of in front. It is believed that this tradition had its origin in military funerals from Bernera Barracks, nearby, which were erected very soon after the first Jacobite rising of 1715. I have never seen this custom except in Glenelg. [NOTES: slipped under ‘giùlan’ with ‘a’ ghiùlan’ as the quotation. Definition: See Quest.]
Origin: Skye
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
a’ glanadh a’ bhaile
driving all the cattle to the common grazing.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
a’ glanadh a’ charcaire
cleaning up the turfed peat (riasg) before cutting.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ glanadh a’ chùil
driving all the cattle from the common grazing, usually sending them to the moor.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
a’ glanadh nam poll
taking home the peats left on the banks through the winter, ready for the new season’s cutting.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ gnìomhadh
dressing the outer side of the peat stack.
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ grìomhadh
building the outside of the peat-stack.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ grìomhadh (gnìomhadh?) na cruaiche
a’ cur nam fàdan air a leud ris an talamh is a’ togail sreath os cionn sreath mar chlachan ann am balla.
Origin: Camaschros an sgìre Shléite san Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ laigh am fath
to lie in ambush.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ lasachdainn
Quotation: Tha [kɾɛ̃:əṉ] a’ bhò air [ɫɑsɑxkĩnʹ] ’s cha bhi tiotadh [ɡɔmi] laogh aice.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ leagail (an iaruinn)
cutting (i.e. operating the ‘iarunn-mònadh’ [q.v.]).
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ leagail nan lìon
’Gan cur reidh anns an eathar no anns a’ bhàta gu bhith deiseil airson an cur.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
a’ lianna
not on every croft but refers to low lying, damp land situated near a river. [NOTES: corrected to ‘a’ liana’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ lìonadh
filling peat-bags ready for carrying to the road.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ mhula-mhòid
dab-chick? on sea seen before stormy weather. Very small birds.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ platraich
sound of trout jumping in the water.
Location: Harris, Horgabost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ putadh
penetrating the ground with an iron dung fork so that it would be easier for the next process.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a’ rac
the traveller that went up and down the mast. [NOTES: “a’” put in brackets.]
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ rudhadh
leaning 4 pieces to one another with a fifth flat on top.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ rusgadh na mònadh
turfing peat. (Skye)
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ rùmhadh (the ù is nasal)
first lifting into five or six peats; structures in which twites and other varieties of birds nest.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ sadhsadh
stripping face of peat bog. (Skye)
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ sadhsadh na mònadh
stripping the face of the peat bog.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ saileagan
water brash, a baby putting up bitter water.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ sgaoileadh
spreading peat.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ sgeith
vomiting (cattle).
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ sgileadh fhèasgan
Nuair a bhiodh na bodaich a’ fosgladh nam fèasgan ’s a’ toirt a’ bhidh asda airson a chur ’n a bhiathadh air an lìon-bheag, ’s e ‘sgileadh’ a chanadh iad ris an obair. “Tormod a’ sgileadh nam fèasganan.”
Origin: Lewis, Uig an Iar
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
a’ sgogadh
e.g. Tha am biadh a sgogadh air. He can’t eat any more or he has stuffed himself. He is ‘stawed’. (Kintyre)
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ smòcadh an taighe
this procedure would be carried out by a sanitary officer in the event of a plague or disease being in the district. A soap-like substance was burnt filling the house with smoke. This was to prevent strangers from catching the epidemic. Bar of disinfectant (carbolic) soap left for everyone in the household. [NOTES: ‘smòcadh’ corrected to ‘smocadh’.]
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ spoth
castrating. A more ‘genteel’ term used is ‘spogadh’ but not used often.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
a’ spoth
castrating.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
a’ spoth an t-sìl
separating the straws from the seed.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a’ spoth nam fàdan
cutting lower edge of peats at an angle – mòine bhàn chiefly – to make it easier for thrower to lift peats away from ‘carcair’ [q.v.].
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ spìocadh
Note: after the batter has struck the ball in the game “speilean” (q.v.), the first fielder to reach the ball, if unable to catch the batter out, rolls the ball to try to deposit it in the hole. This is “spìocadh”.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ stealgadh
to recover. “Na beathaichean a stealg bho na meirlich.”
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ steidheadh
here the outside peats were placed on edge at a steep angle in a more or less level layer.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ stobadh
Planting potatoes with a dibble. A’ stobadh a’ bhuntàta.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a’ striachdadh
cutting a line parallel with edge of bank about 2' in, as the first operation in ‘feannadh’ [q.v.].
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ stéidheadh
peats laid on top of each other to prevent stacks from falling.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ sìneadh
to plough, e.g. “An do thoisich thu air sìneadh am bliadhna?” neo “An do shìn thu fhathast?” [NOTES: “a’” put in brackets.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ taghadh (an fheòir)
a’ toirt as luibhean nach ith beathach.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a’ tarruing (tarrainn) na mònadh
getting the peat home (by lorry etc.).
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ tarruing na mònach
taking the peats home.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ tarruing na mònach
either taking the peats to the road or taking them home.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ tathach
frequenting.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ teagnadh
chattering of teeth.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ tighinn a staigh a dh’iarraidh athainn
this could mean that a person was only dropping in and could not stay for long. Reflects the custom of stopping at a house for an ember to use as a torch.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ tinneadh
setting up peat on end.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ tionndadh
just turning the peat over during a dry season previous to ‘rùdhadh’ [q.v.].
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ togail
setting up peat to dry.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ togail (na mònadh)
lifting, i.e. setting peat up to dry (general term).
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ togail a chìp on tochainn
a feat of strength whereby two men sat opposite each other both holding onto a bit of wood between them. Both sat with their feet pressed against each other. The first person to lift the other person was the winner. [NOTES: ‘tochainn’ corrected to ‘tochain’ and note added above the phrase – ceap-an-tochain, which was most probably meant to be the headword.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ togail a’ bhuntàta
Lifting (of potatoes).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a’ togail fhaochag
gathering whelks. [NOTES: slipped under ‘faochag’ with ‘a’ togail fhaochag’ as the quotation.]
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrìgh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
a’ truiseadh na mònadh
turfing peat. (Harris)
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ trusadh choilleagan
gathering cockles.
Location: Eilean Thiriodh, Cornaig Mhór [Tiree, Cornaigmore]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
a’ trusadh chonnichag
gathering cockles.
Location: Eilean Thiriodh, Cornaig Mhór [Tiree, Cornaigmore]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
a’ trusadh fhaochag
gathering whelks.
Location: Eilean Thiriodh, Cornaig Mhór [Tiree, Cornaigmore]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
a’ trusadh fheasgainn
gathering mussels.
Location: Eilean Thiriodh, Cornaig Mhór [Tiree, Cornaigmore]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
a’ tubhadh
covering the stack with the turf taken off the poll – only when left in the hills to be taken home later.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ tughadh
thatching the top of the stack (with ‘sgrathan’).
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ tughadh
covering with turf so that small stacks can be left on the bank during winter-time.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ tughadh
thatching – this was done when the household peats were not all gathered into one stack but were left each lot on its own bank. The peats were arranged in a beehive heap which was covered all over with newly cut turf.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ tughadh
thatching with ‘ceap’ [q.v.].
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ tàrmach(d)
originating.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
babaid
[bɑbɑdʹ] Quotation: Cha chreid mi nach toir sinn babaid as. Notes: a “rise”. “I think we’ll pull his leg.”
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
babhstar
Quotation: babhstar cinn. Notes: the “bolster” put under the pillow.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
babhstlair
Quotation: Geda [sic] bha Gàidhlig aig na [b[ɑu]stɫirən], cha robh iad ’ga teagasg idir. Notes: speaking of Gaelic at school.
Origin: Arisaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
babht
[bɤu̟t̪] Notes: swathe.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
babht
[b[ɤu̜]t̪] Notes: swathe.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
babht
[bɤu̜t̪] Notes: a swathe.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
babht [b[ɤu̟]t̪]
Notes: swathe.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bac
[bɑxk] Quot.: bac a lion-sgadain. Note: line with cork floats on the surface.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bac
[bɑxk] Quot.: “Cuir bacan air a’ ràmh”. Note: flat pieces of wood put on the oar where it passed through the thole-pins, to prevent chafing.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bac
[peat] bank.
Location: Gearrloch, Achadh a’ Chairn [Gairloch, Auchtercairn]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bac
Quotation: pl. bacan. Notes: fixed rowlock.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bac
Quotation: Tha e ’na shuidhe bac air oir aig’. Notes: He’s sitting with one leg resting on the knee of the other – not quite cross-legged.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bac
Notes: strips of wood fixed on gunwhale of a boat to prevent chafing by oars.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bac
Quotation: na bacan. Notes: wooden blocks used as thole pins.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bac
Quotation: bac mòin’. Notes: peat hag.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bac
Note: flat piece of wood put on each side of oar where it passes through thole-pins.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bac mònadh
peat bog. Variant for ‘poll mònadh’.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bac-mòine
Notes: peat bank.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bac-sgulagaidh
a cut in a stern of a boat, in a stern of a yawl, for sculling, where the oar is placed.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bac-stoc
runners for a boat. (Or. Luaidh. p. 6.)
Location: ? [Eriskay – see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baca
Quotation: na bacannan. Notes: a sand-bank.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bacach
Quotation: duine bacach. Notes: a man with an irregular step due to some disability.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bacach
Quotation: bacach ceàrr. Notes: halibut. (Perhaps this should be “turbot” – see “bradan leathann”.)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bacag
[bɑxkɑɡ] Quotation: Chuir e bacag air. Notes: a wrestling “trip”.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bacan
[bɑxkɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: bacan cùil, bacan aghaidh. Notes: earmarks.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bacan
Quotation: bacan àrd, bacan ìseal. Notes: earmark.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bacan
Quotation: bacan aghaidh, bacan cùl. Notes:
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bacan
Notes: used of the right-angled piece of iron put in a gate post on which to hang the hinge. Bann – hinge.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bacan
[bɑxkɑṉ] Quotation: bacan aghaidh, bacan cùil. Notes: earmark.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bachallag
Notes: sprout growing on potatoes in spring (before planting).
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bachallag
Notes: potato sprout.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bachallag
Note: potato shoot.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baclag
[bɑxkɫɑɡ] Notes: sprout growing on potatoes. See bachallag.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baclag
snead looped round the hook so the hook cannot catch.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
bacman
[bɑxkmɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: am bacman. Notes: strap over the back of the horse to keep the “drag chains” from falling down when the horse turns.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bad
Quotation: anns a’ bhad. Notes: immediately.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bad
Quotation: bad coirce. Notes: a sheaf.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bad
Quotation: ’m bad am b’eil e [mɑdəmɤlɑ]. Notes: where he is.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bad
Quotation: “We’ll try a bad.” Notes: ‘Shooting overboard 2 or 3 fathoms of net on a breezy night, as a test for presence of herring.’
Location: Kintyre, Campbeltown
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bad
Quotation: “Bheir dhith bad dheth.” Notes: a handful (of hay or straw).
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bad
Quotation: Cha b’e do na h-eòin e mun a robh am bad air. Notes: bad: tuft on head of a bird. Say a person was forward in company. It was expected of him to be like that, he came from a forward family.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bad
Quotation: “’Bheil e ga iarraidh anns a bhad?” – at once. Bad corc – sheaf of oats. Bad luachrach – the place (portion) of rushes.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bad
Quot.: “bad coirc”. Note: sheaf of oats.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bad (m)
Quotation: badan. Notes: nappies.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bad a muigh
covering the body with heavy sheaves at the same time making secure with coir rope or heather rope.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bad coirc
a sheaf of oats.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
bad corc
feeding. [NOTES: the only explanation given.]
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
badach
Quotation: caora bhadach. Notes: a sheep with a small tuft on its forehead.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
badachadh
Quotation: “Tha a thìde againn a bhith a’ badachadh” – ‘it is time we were moving (going)’. Notes: Not in Dw. Connected with vb. bad ‘separate, divide into small heaps’. (?)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
badadh an eòrna
process whereby prematurely ripe barley was pulled out.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
badag
Quotation: badag itean. Notes: feather brush used on the griddle.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
badag
Notes: brush made of hen feathers for cleaning the griddle.
Location: South Uist, Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
badag
Notes: feather brush used when baking.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
badag
a duster made of feathers used to clean ovens or a griddle.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
badag
number of strong feather [sic] or outer part of wing used to dust the griddle after each fill.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
badag
small brush made of heather.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
badag
Notes: a feather brush.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
badag
Quotation: badag ite. Notes: feather brush used on the griddle.
Origin: Tiree
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
badag ite
feather duster, usually for cleaning stove.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
badalan
water vole.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
badalan
water rat.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
badan-fraoich
tuft of heather, spot of heather.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
badan-ùrach
soil on a patch of cloth was recognised as a cure for a scalding, to ease off the effects. Again, I can only say this much until I may find further recognition.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
badhaisteach
fat, chubby person. See ‘baghan’.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
badhalanaich
[bɤəɫɑ̃ṉiç] Quotation: Thug e fad an latha a’ badhalanaich. Notes: hesitating, not being able to make a decision one way or another.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bagaid
small fat woman.
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
baganta
a descriptive word applied to a neat, tidy person.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bagarrach
Notes: dull, threatening. (Used of weather.)
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baid
[bɑdʹ] Quotation: Can gu robh baid againn còmhla… Notes: Say there was a group of us…
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baide
[bɑdʹə] Quotation: Bha baide againn còmhladh. Notes: There was a group of us together.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baidhr
sheep and cattle’s afterbirth.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baidse
batch. ‘Baidse sement’.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baidse
batch.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baigeileis
[bɑɡʹəlɛʃ] Quotation: a’ bhaigeileis. Notes: when the raw wool was teased, the dirty wool was put into a bag called a’ bhaigeileis. (Could also be used of a dirty, ragged person.)
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baighdeag
Quotation: baighdeag/maighdeag. Port nam Baighdeag. Notes: cowrie shell.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bailbhe
Quotation: Thàinig bailbhe air a’ chràdh. Notes: a brief interval of freedom from pain.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bailc
Quotation: bailc na Bealltuin. Notes: flood.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baile
Farm over 50 acres arable – leased in olden days by periods of 19 years. Renewed at end of such period if approved by landlord or factor.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
baile
Quot.: “Tha’n crodh a stigh air feadh a bhaile.” Note: before fences were introduced the cattle, sheep, horses wandered at will on any of the crofts.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baine
[sic] Quotation: a’ chiad bhaine [ə çiəd vɑinʹə]. Notes: first milk after the birth. [NOTES: slipped under ‘bainne’.]
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne
Quotation: Thog i ’m bainne. Notes: when the cow lifts her milk and refuses to give it.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne
Quotation: gruth a’ bhainne mhilis. Notes: as opposed to gruth a’ bhainne ghoirt.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne
Quotation: bainne slaman. Notes: curds.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne
Quotation: bainne slaman. Notes: curdled milk (rennet added to warm milk).
Location: Ross-shire, Plockton, Diurinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne
Quotation: bainne gun ghaoth. Notes: made by plunging a red-hot poker into fresh milk and stirring it. Singed taste. Given to persons with stomach trouble.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne
Quotation: fiabhras a’ bhainne. Notes: milk fever.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne
Quotation: bainne na làireadh. Notes: given to a person who had asthma.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne
Quotation: bainne togalach. Notes: skimmed milk.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne
Quotation: bainne blàth. Notes: fresh milk.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne
Quotation: bainne nùis. Notes: first milk after calving.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne
Quotation: bainne geur. Notes: sour milk. (Also “bainne goirt”.)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne
Quotation: bainne goirt. Notes: sour milk. (Also “bainne geur”.)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne
Quotation: bainne goirt. Notes: buttermilk. (?) Probably sour milk.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne
Quotation: bainne blàth. Notes: fresh milk.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne
Quotation: (Lewis?) Chan iarradh e ’m bainne leis.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne blath
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne gamhnaich
a drink given to young men which supposedly enhanced their strength. Consisted of the milk of black Highland cattle without calf, mixed with oatmeal. Moreover the oatmeal had to be taken from the north end of a field.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne lòm [?]
used to cure loss of feeling in body. Not sure what this constituted. Will check?
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne math
sweet milk.
Origin: Bràigh-Lochabar [Brae Lochaber]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bais
for same [i.e. cruaidh-theud?] (Lewis). Originating from ‘bois’ – the palm of the hand.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baiseach
flat (S.W.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baisteadh
not in the sense of baptising but of distillation of whisky, e.g. “Uisge beatha gun bhaisteadh.”
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baisteadh
Quot.: a’ baisteadh. Note: practice at one time of dipping newly-made clay vessels in milk. Milk called “boinne-baist”.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baiteareas
[sic] batteries. [NOTES: slipped under ‘baitearas’.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baitse
batch. A batch of cement. [SLIP: Batch (eg. of cement).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bal guailleadh
rope used for tying up. Located at front stem.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Ceannaraigh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bal-laoghan
Quotation: bal-laoghan (S. Lochs/Bragar), bla-laoghan (Tong). Notes: A fish with soft flesh, soften than the carbhanach. Also used of persons – ‘softie’. Not in Dw. Perhaps contains laodhan ‘pith, pulp’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balach
Quotation: balach garrach. Notes: mischievous brat of a boy. Date: 12/1968.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balach
Quotation: na [bɑlı] [?]. Notes: ‘balaich’.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balach
Quotation: a’ bhalachaibh [əvɑɫɑxu̟]. Notes: still used regularly.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balach-bog
a boy prone to fright and cry at the least disturbance, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balbh
Quotation: ’Se là balbh a th’ann. Notes: a muggy, warm, dull day.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balbh
Quotation: Tha mo làmh balbh leis an fhuachd. Notes: My hand is numb with the cold.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balbh shruth
same as ‘uisge stiuir’, the little eddy which follows the rudder of a boat.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balbhanaich
Quotation: Tha rudeigin air cùl a’ bhalbhanaich a tha an seo. Notes: a calm, deadness in the weather.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balc
Quotation: balc uisge. Notes: a short downpour. (Applecross)
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balg
Quotation: Tha a’ bho ’n deidh a’ bhalg a bhreith. Notes: at calving.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balg
in the sense of a rubbish bag – pre modern bin liner! On Saturdays people used to collect everything that had been used and emptied during the week and put them in a bag or a ‘balg’.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balg
Quotation: balg-uisge. Notes: water bag expelled at the birth of a calf.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balg
Quotation: Mas d’ thainig a ghrian as a bhalg.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balg
Quotation: Balg maide. Notes: wooden beater used in the tanning of leather.
Origin: [?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balg
Is e a bha seo, chan eil mi ro chinnteach an e craicionn no an è sìoman air a fhigheadh, de’n an robh e dèanta. Ach có dhiu, is ann airson an aon fheum ri seice agus an leithid sin a bha e – feum sabhail – siol, buntàta, etc. Bha e mar seo: [see illustration]. Chan fhaca mise a riamh e ach a rèir mar a bha mi a’ cluinntinn bhiodh e mar a tha mi a’ soilleireachadh. Faisg air, co dhiù. Bha am màs aige na bu leatha na a bheul agus bha e a’ cheart uibhir ri seice, no na bu mhotha. Am ball-sa, chanainn gur h-e craicionn a bhiodh ann, có dhiu mar bu trice.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
balg uisge
this water bag preceded the birth of a calf. People could judge the time of birth once this water bag had been produced.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balgam fala na bheul
this summed up the taste of defeat when someone had been proved wrong, i.e. in an argument.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balgan
Quotation: am balgan. Notes: the calf.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balgan-feòir
Quot.: “Cha teid thu mach mas beir am balgan-feòir agus an ceithir-chasach ort!” Note: said to young children if they wanted to go out at night.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ball
Quotation: am ball [bɑɫ:]. Notes: rope.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ball
Quotation: ball tearradh. Notes: rope saturated in Archangel tar.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ball bùird
a fool in the company, someone to laugh at.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ball feòir
Ball-tìre [q.v.] airson eathair. Ball còrcaich bha e cruaidh agus geal, no bàn. Ach ball feòir, bha e na bu bhuige agus e ruadh. An aon seòrsa stuth ri sìoman-Theàrlaich [q.v.] a bh’ann, tha mi ’n dùil.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ball is coran
herring-bone pattern.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
ball is corran
herringbone pattern.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ball na sgòthaidh
the rope that tied the boat to the pier. Hosar? [sic] [hawser?] [NOTES: ‘sgòthaidh’ corrected to ‘sgothaidh’.]
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ball-a-phuta
the string by which buoy is attached to back-rope.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
ball-bhùirt
Quotation: Rinn e ball-bhùirt dheth fhéin. Notes: complete fool, object of derision.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ball-fiodha
[shinty] The shaft of an old spade or graip was the best material. The ball was rather small but it could stand up to hard hitting.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
ball-seirc
beauty spot. “More associated with a beautify expression than ball-dobhrain” mark on the skin.
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ball-slaodaidh
tow-rope, which linked neighbouring boats when lifting net.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
ball-tobhaidh
the rope – generally termed sweepline – attached to bridle-rope, for towing and closing the net.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
ball-tìre
Painter (airson eathair).
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balla
Quotation: am balla tarsainn. Notes: the partition or wall in the blackhouse dividing humans and cattle.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balla
Quotation: ballachan [bɑ̟ɫəxən].
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balla nam faing, an geata
parts of a fank.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
balladh
[bɑɫəɣ] Quotation: Chan fhaca mi balladh dheth. Notes: I haven’t seen a sign of him.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ballag
a neat, tidy woman.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ballaichean-gloineadh
glass floats used on deep sea demersal trawl.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ballain
[teats.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
ballan
Quotation: in phr. a’ cur nam ballan. Notes: ‘cupping’ – raising a blister and pricking it. (Lewis usage)
Location: Edinburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ballan
Notes: barrel for catching water from roof.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ballan
teats.
Category: Crodh / Cattle
ballan
Quot.: “a’ cur nam ballain”. Note: a method of removing fluid from the joints of a cow to alleviate a rheumatic condition. Carried out by placing a horn with a hole in the end of it to the joint, and sucking. A cut was made, and the fluid was removed. (Put also under cuir.)
Origin: Balallan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ballan
[bɑɫɑ̃ṉ] Notes: water tub, vat, often made out of a barrel cut in half.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ballan
teats.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
ballan uisge
a water tub.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ballan-boghan
Notes: given as “species of cormorant with a white breast”. (Could be an immature cormorant – it has extensive white area on underparts.)
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balt
Quotation: Tha balt a’ tighinn air an là. Notes: first sign of daybreak.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balt
[bɑɫt̪] Quotation: balt na bròige. Notes: welt.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balt
Quotation: Balt Bealltainn. Notes: short heavy shower in May.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baltag
Quotation: “Nach ann air a tha a’ bhaltag.” Notes: said about an overweight person, or a fat beast. Prob. “a good quantity”.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baltag
said of someone with chubby facial features.
Location: North Uist, Knockintorran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baltag
fat. Nach ann air tha bhaltag. [NOTES: the slip has ‘baltag (fem)’. Definition: Nach ann air tha ’bhaltag. Definition: Fat (noun).]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baltag
fatness. Nach ann air tha bhaltag.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ban-charaide
n. ‘female relative’: bha e pòsta aig ~ dhomh fhèin
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
ban-sgoileir
nn ‘female schoolteacher’ : ~-ean Catlaigeach a chur [DAG]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
bana-chogach
“An deach a’ bhana-chogach ort?” – Were you vaccinated?
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
banachdach
Quotation: a’ bhanachdach. Notes: smallpox, vaccination.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
banachdach
Quotation: a’ bhanachdach. Notes: vaccination, smallpox.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
banachdach
Notes: vaccination, smallpox.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Sydney Forks
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
banachdach
[bɑ̃ṉɑxkɑx] Notes: vaccination.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
banachdach-bhreac
Quot.: a’ bhanachdach-bhreac [əvɑ̃ṉɑxkɑxvɾɛk]. Note: smallpox. A’ bhanachdach – vaccination.
Origin: Stockinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
banais
Quotation: banais-chullaich. Notes: a collection of wailing cats at night (Kilmuir).
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
banais
Quotation: bean na bainnse. Notes: bride.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
banais
Quotation: cuireadh na bainns’. Notes: wedding invitation.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
banais
Quotation: fear na bainnse. Notes: bridegroom.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
banais
Quotation: “’S fheàrr aon bhanais na dà chomanachadh dheug.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
banais
Quotation: bean na bainnse. Notes: the bride.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
banais
Quotation: fear na bainnseadh. Notes: the bridegroom.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
banais
[bɛ̃ṉiʃ] Quot.: “banais tighe”. Note: a sort of housewarming celebration attended by close relatives in the house the newly-married couple were going to live in.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
banais taighe
this word supplied by Mrs C. O’Henley, Garrynamonie, South Uist. The night after a wedding reception celebrants invite those friends who could not attend the wedding due to work commitments to a house wedding. Also other friends and favourites invited.
Location: North Uist, Blàsheabhal [Blashaval]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
banais-nan-cearc
Notes: held the night before a wedding when the womenfolk collected at the bride’s house to pluck and cook the hens.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
banaltrum
Quotation: prìne banaltrum. Notes: safety pin.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
banbh
to rebate. A joiner’s term. E.g. a rebate in a boat’s stem or keel. This term also applied when making doors.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bancas
played by school-boys on lazy-beds. One boy on the middle lazy-bed and a team of boys on another trying to get across to the 3rd lazy-bed without the boy on the middle one touching them. If he happened to touch one, he was dismissed. Again the former word used for the same pastime was dad-oighridh. Perhaps meaning ‘to your estate’. Thus do d’ oighreadh or oighridh – to your estate. This was the way I take it to be pronounced. The word has died colloquially. [SLIP: A game played by boys on lazy-beds. One boy would stand on the middle lazy-bed while a team of boys starting from another lazy-bed tried to cross the middle one to a third one without the boy in the middle touching them. If someone was ‘tagged’, he was out of the game. Used to be called ‘dad-oighridh’ – ‘to your estate’?]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bangaid
Notes: celebration drink on the birth of a child.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bangaid
Quotation: a’ bhangaid, botul na bangaid. Notes: celebration drink given on the birth of a child.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bangaid
a celebration, or toast, to a new-born baby. “Fhuair sinn am bangaid.”
Location: Harris, Borisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bangaid
Note: celebration drink given on the birth of a child.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bangaid
Quotation: Di-ardaoin bangaid. Notes: Holy Thursday in Easter Week.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bangaid
Note: the celebration drink after the birth of a child. “An d’fhuair thu a’ bhangaid?”
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bann
(of harrow) The diagonal bar to which draw-chain is attached.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bann
Quotation: a’ bhann [ə vɑuṉ].
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bann
Notes: part of door, hinge attached to door or gate.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bann (m), bannan (pl)
bands for sheaves. 8, but more usually 10 sheaves in each stook (adag) in Tiree. Reef knot for sguaban-coirce. Bann-eòrna (at sguab centre) for sguaban-eòrna.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bann dùbailte
Band for barley so as not to crush the ‘ears’ – oats and rye not so easily damaged.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bann singilte
Band for sheaf of oats or rye – not so easily damaged as barley.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bann-beag
band tied round ‘roileir’ of the reel and part of the frame of spinning wheel to regulate speed of reel.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
bann-uireadair
wrist band of a wrist watch.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bannag
Quotation: “Thoir a bhiadh do fhear-an-tighe, ’S thoir a bhannag dhomhsa.” – New Year’s cake. Notes: part of a Rhyme used by children visiting at New Year time – supposed to date back to the time of the Druids!
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baoghaid
[ˈbɤidʹ] Quot.: “Tha baoghaid mhath air.” Note: a big belly.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baoghaisteach
fat, blubbery person. Also ‘badhaisteach’.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baoghal (m)
danger; bearn baoghail – forefront of battle.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baoic
[b[ɤı]c] Note: wooden bench used in blackhouses for sitting on (also used in early white houses). No nasalisation in pronunciation.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baoicean
[b[ɤı]cɛ̃ṉ] Note: from “baoic” [b[ɤı]c] – bench in a house. Used for a person who procured a house or croft through marriage. Belonged to wife’s father.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baoit mhnatha
a foolish female.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bara
Notes: “nest” made for accommodating a boat. Built with stones on either side.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bara
Notes: a sort of nest for a boat on the shore.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bara
[bɑɾə] Notes: channel made for a boat at the top of the shore. Boat left in it when not in use.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bara
wheel-barrow for carrying the peats.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bara
[bɑɾə] Notes: a kind of “nest” made at the top of the beach to accommodate a boat.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bara
Quotation: Bara da-làimh. Notes: hand-barrow. [NOTES: slipped under ‘bara-dà-làimh’.]
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bara
Quotation: Bara-da-laimh. Notes: hand-barrow. [NOTES: slipped under ‘bara-dà-làimh’.]
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bara
a wheel-barrow in which the peats are taken to the road.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bara
Quotation: An duine bhios a bhara air falbh, cha shuidh e ach air failbhean corrach.
Origin: Lewis, Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bara (f)
wrath.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bara monach
a barrowload of peats.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bara-cuibhle
Tha bara-cuibhle aca an diugh ’ga chleachdadh airson a’ mhòine a thoirt bharr nam poll gu taobh an rathad.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bara-làimhe (m)
Notes: stretcher; eileatrom.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baraglair
Quotation: Tha e làn baraglair. Cha robh aige ach baraglair. Notes: empty talk.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baraille-buntata
an old version of potato ‘measurement’ or container.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baraille-bùirn
barrel for storing fresh water, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baraille-lion
[bɑɾılʹəlĩɤ̃ṉ] Notes: a size of herring net about 32 fathoms long, 8 fathoms deep. Could say “Tha baraille math lion agam.”
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bargaideach
disputatious.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bargan
Quotation: mòine bhargain [vɑɾɑɡɑ̃nʹ]. Notes: peats cut on piece-work for the distilleries or farms.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barlus
[? farlus?] ceap [?] hole for smoke, peat smoke.
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
barnaich
encrustations on back.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
barp
an accumulation of stones beside lochs. Examples found locally at Milton and Lochboisdale. People are supposed to be buried underneath these rocks. Associated with the distant past.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barpail
used of cloth that is coarse and thick in texture. Also used of a person who had grown too fat.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barr a bhuntata
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
barr brisgainn
a white wild pansy which could be eaten. One of MacDonald of Ormiclate’s servants killed for eating one of these in the presence of MacDonald’s distinguished guest. By eating this root he was implying that he was not being well fed by MacDonald. [NOTES: note added above ‘brisgainn’ – ‘brisgein’.]
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barr dearg
top or flower of tangle (Laminaria digitata). Separates from the actual tangle-stock (stamh) in April/May. Then it comes ashore and commences rotting in the sun. Rotting forms it into a jellied mass known as “bruig”.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
barr fhad
top peat.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach, Stafainn [Skye, Staffin]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
barr fhàd
top layer [of peat].
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barr gùcach
potato flowering [?].
Location: North Uist, Grèinatobht [Grenitote]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barr laomaidh
too much fertiliser put on potatoes.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barr laomaidh
Notes: very heavy shaws on potatoes.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barr-a-cùg
[bərəˈk̚u:kᶜ] Notes: the flower of the potato plant. Only Embo speakers know and use this word; unknown in Golspie and Brora. Source: Sandy MacKay, Hall St., Embo. Date: spring 1968.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barr-fhad
top layer of peat.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
barr-fhad
[bɑrɑd̪] Note: the top peat.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barr-fhad
name for peat on top of layer (see garadh).
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
barr-fhad
be seo am fad àrd – an t-sreath uile ge leir.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
barr-fhad
the top layer of peat.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barr-fhad
[bɑrɑd̪] Note: the top peat.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barr-fhàd
the first layer of peats next to the turf.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
barr-gùg
[bɑrəɡu̜:ɡ] Notes: potato blossom.
Origin: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barr-gùg (sic)
[bɛɾəɡu̜:] Notes: potato blossom.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barra
this was a V shaped indentation made in machair land in winter. Boots would be tied here for the winter season. [NOTES: corrected to ‘bara’.]
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barra-gùg
[bɑrəɡu̜:ɡ] Notes: blossom on potatoes.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Blairmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barra-gùg
Notes: potato blossoms.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barra-gùg
[bɑrəɡu̟:ɡ] Notes: blossom, e.g. on potatoes.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barra-gùg
[bɑrəɡu̜:ɡ] Notes: flower on potatoes.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barra-leathad
[bɑrəlʹɛʔəd̪] Notes: camber in the road at a bend.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barrach
seed that had not been beaten properly.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barrach
Quotation: ròp barraich. Notes: a rope made from plaited strips of birch. (prob. “thatching rope”)
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barrach’
nn ‘more’ : chunna mise an duine ud agus chunna mi ~ ‘s è [ꞌa:]; dhèanainnsa ~ ann an uair ‘s __ nì iad seo am fad latha
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
barrad (barr-fhàd)
the first layer or tier of peat cut from a peat bank.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
barradh
once the tummers had been riveted together with the nails, their ends were cut off and what was left of the nails was flattened against the timber. This flattening of the nail was called ‘a barradh nan tàirnean’. Had to be careful not to be too over zealous in this task and indeed if the nails were too tightly clenched against the tummers the boat could come apart on being put in water. There had to be a certain breathing space between the timber and the nail.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barradh
Quotation: a’ cur barradh air a’ chliabh. Notes: stacking of peats above the mouth of the creel.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barradh
vertical wall of peat topping the creel.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
barradh
Quotation: Chuir barradh as a chliabh/as a chàrn. Notes: stacking above the sides of creel, or rim of cart.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barradh
Quotation: sgroth barraidh. Notes: divot of top layer of turf in peat bank.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barradh
Quotation: am barradh. Notes: the top layer of turf in the peat-bank.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barradh
Quotation: “Dean barradh leathan – sia fòidean is cùlag.” Notes: the width that has been turfed in order to be cut.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barradh
Quotation: a’ barradh. Notes: blunting, clinching (e.g. nails).
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barrag
Quotation: Thainig barrag air. Notes: a film of fat, e.g. on top of liquid, e.g. soup. Skin which forms on thick soup. Cf. coibhleag.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barraichean
when the moss is sodden and wet, or the second (bottom) section too brittle to be cast out and spread out for some yards the peats are made into rows on the edge of the bank – one row above the other row – somewhat like so:
Origin: Cataobh [Sutherland – probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
barral leathainn
a piece of lace used as part of an old latch – ‘cluamhain’. When you pulled the lace or string the latch could be lifted or lowered.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barran
bloom, potato bloom. Bàrran [sic] a’ bhuntàta.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barran-tarsain
irregular crop of potatoes; showing its appearance between the drills, ‘tops’ appearing between the drill spaces, at hoeing time.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barrens
Quotation: as na barrens. Notes: cleanings in the forest (barennes [?]). (French – used in Eng and Gaelic speech.)
Location: Canada, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barrfhad
the peats in the top layer.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
barrfhad
Notes: first peat cut from bank. First cutting. As a rule only cut two.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bas
[See clatair.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bas na cas
stick thrown in the air for choosing which way to play, or who had the first choice in picking sides. If the head (bas) came down first the man who shouted that word “won the toss”. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
basag
[bɑsɑɡ] Notes: a heather divot, the lower part consisting of peat, dried and used for fuel.
Location: Sutherland, Armadale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bascaid
Quotation: bascaid mhaorach. Notes: oval-shaped basket used for collecting limpets.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bascaid
For carrying potatoes.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
basdalach
adhering to strict rules and regulations.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baslach
a palmful of water. Cuir badlach [sic] air t-aodann.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bata
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bata
Quotation: gu-bata. Notes: to boot.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bata (m)
Quotation: Thog i bataichean. Notes: moved, bag and baggage, flitted.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bata-chliabh
(Ri a chrìochnachadh.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
bata-coille
walking stick of a tree, twig, branch.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bata-leisg
lazy-stick. (S.J. MacKinnon)
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., [Lochaber]) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.)
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
batachadh
Quotation: Bha i batachadh air. Notes: ‘She was pestering him.’
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bataich (v)
to urge on (as with a stick).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
batal
cluster of feeding gulls or other sea-birds.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
batal
flock. Batal-ean – flock of birds.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
batal
[bɑt̪əɫ] Quot.: “batal fhaoileag”. Note: a flock of seagulls, usually when on the ground.
Origin: Harris, Bays
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
batal-ean
flock of seabirds engaged in feeding on fish or fry on the surface of the sea.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bath-chliabh
small creel. The younger people used these as they were lighter.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bath-chliabh
this was a smaller creel – a mock or toy creel. It was a disparagement to have one’s creel referred to as a bath-chliabh – implying that one could not carry a full load.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bathach
stable.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bathach
cattle.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bathaich
[bɑ̟ʔẹç]
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bathair
provisions, food.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bathair
placenta of cattle.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bathais
[bɑiʃ] Notes: forehead.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Balvoolich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bathais
Quotation: Màs na poit a’ cur athais air bathais na slabhraidh. Notes: The pot calling the kettle black.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bathais
Notes: forehead.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bathais
forehead.
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
bathais
forehead.
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
bathais
forehead.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
bathais
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
bathais
[bɑhɑʃ] Note: forehead, but sometimes applied to the whole face. Also: “S ann ort a tha a bhathais!” – to a bold, impudent person.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bathais (f)
forehead.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
bathallag
Quotation: bathallag a’ bhuntàta. Notes: the sprout growing on potatoes in spring.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bathar
nn : a’ bh. [ə va-ar] = ‘spruis gheal’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
bathar
[ˈbɑəɾ] Notes: cow’s placenta or afterbirth.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bathar, am bathar
placenta or afterbirth.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
bathas
[bɑs] Notes: forehead.
Origin: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bathathais
forehead, ‘maladh’.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bathchliabh
(bachaloo) small sized creel.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bat’-aiseig-charbadan
vehicular ferry.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bat’-fiodh
[sic] vessel built of wood.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baustair
[masc.] a mattress.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
beachd
Quotation: Tha e fada na bheachd [nə vɛ̣əxk] fhéin. Notes: very opinionated.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beag
Quotation: Gheibh mi a’ bheag no mhór air choireigin. Notes: implies ‘beag’ is more likely.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beag
Quotation: Sgarbh Beag. Notes: shag.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beag an rud is buaine na Mac an Duine
refers to the inevitability of death.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beag buach ort
[?] [NOTES: ‘buach’ added above ‘beag’ and ‘ort’ possibly to show that it is meant to be inserted between the two words.]
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
beag-lochd
Quotation: ’Se duine beag-lochd a bh’ann. Notes: More complimentary than ‘innocuous’. Not in Dw. Source: Lewis usage recalled (D.S.T.) Date: 13/2/1972.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beag-seadh
Quotation: duine beag-seadh. Notes: an insignificant, ineffective person.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beag-umhail
Note: said of a person who was at ease in any company.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beagan
a poor catch of herring.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
beairt Ghaidhealach
different from the looms that came from the mainland since they did not keep an automatic tally of the number of times a colour was used.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beairt thuairnearachd
a lathe.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beairt thuairneil
turner’s lathe.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bealach
A gate in a fence usually made of wire with wooden supports.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bealathach
a place on the machair for grazing sheep and cattle in winter. Littered with little glens and shelter spots.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bealbhan
[bjɑɫɑvɑṉ] Quotation: bealbhan gainmhich. Notes: sand-pit.
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bealmadh
a breakwater or dam. Also in sense of putting an obstruction in the way of something.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bean
nn f. ‘woman’: pl.: ‘mnathan buidhe [pra͂-ən bu-i] ’s iad ri muidhe an t-uachdar anns a’ chrannagan’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
bean
Quotation: bean na bainnse. Notes: bride.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bean
Quotation: bean riaghailt. Notes: midwife. [NOTES: slipped under ‘bean-riaghailt’.]
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bean
Quotation: Far am bi saor bi sliseagan, far am bi mnathan bi giosragan.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bean
Quotation: bean na bainnse. Notes: bride.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bean-fhigheach (sic)
[bɑ̃nʹɑx] Quotation: bean-fhigheach, ban-fhigheach. Notes: female weaver.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bean-nighe
Note: comhtharradh bàis. If she was seen washing at a loch.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bean-uisa
this expression is equivalent to ‘mo thogair’. The lady who gave these three words [i.e. cudthrom shiudan, bean-uisa and cuilidh] is a native of Laggan. Her father was born in that parish about 1871 and lived for a few years at Dalchully and nearly all his life within a few miles of it and had heard that that was the meaning of ‘cuilidh’. I have not heard the word with my father but doubtless he would have been familiar with it and with ‘bean uisa’. He knew the lady and her father very well.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beannachadh cruidh
would be said when you met a herd of cattle. “Buachaille Chalum Cille a bhith mur casan ’s gum a slàn a thig sibh dhachaidh.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beannachd
n. ‘~ Dhè leat!’ [duine] a’ fàgail
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
beannaich
:vbl nn ‘bless’:bha an sagart a’ beannachadh an t-sìl; Dia gad bheannachadh!; tha mi ‘ smuaineachadh gur ann an St Ninian a chaidh __ a bhiodh iad ri bush, a chaidh an t-uisge coisreactha ud a bheannachadh; thàinig latha beannachadh an t-sìl; nn.cuiridh mise beannachadh air leth air an t-sìol; vbl adj. beannaichte: chunnaic e an Crìostaidh ~, maighstir Dùghall; bhruidhinn e gu ~te [pjɔn̪iʧə] riutha-s’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
beannhnag
[?] a piece of cotton cloth wound round the head to keep the hair tidy when at work. Resembling the head-scarves of today but much smaller.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bearateach
well-off, rich. “Tha iad sin gu math bearateach.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bearn air gàradh na h-iodhlan
when part of a wall in a stackyard was knocked down so that a large load of hay, corn could get in.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bearna
gate-way.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bearnan-brìde
flower, dandelion, at the point of the flower giving way to withering, the seed is left which parachute off by the wind. Children used to blow off the seed themselves and counting how many times they had to blow before the final seed was blown, which indicated what time of day it was. The flower itself does the re-seeding. The seed is disposed likewise from its down, ‘choimhiteach’ [sic].
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bearradh
Quotation: bearradh a’ phuill. Notes: the edge of the top of the peat bank. “An gàradh air bearradh a’ phuill.”
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bearradh
cutting the tips of the wool off year-old lambs at shearing-time.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
bearradh èoin [sic] is amadain air
a phrase associated with harvest tradition especially the unfortunate person who received the ‘cailleach’. This was one of the punishments meted out to the offender.
Location: Barra, Ard Mhinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beart
a pair (inanimate).
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beart
Quotation: beart mhór. Notes: tackle used for lythe fishing. It consisted of a line with a rubber eel and lead weight towed after the boat.
Location: Raasay
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
beart
Notes: lathe.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beart
Quotation: beart thuarnaireachd. Notes: lathe.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beart-dhealbh (I)
Bha na beartan a chunnaic mise gu math mór. Fìor mhór. Chunna mi feadhainn air an suidheachadh ris a’ bhalla ann an tigh na beart-fhighe agus feadhainn eile fuasgailte air an ceann fhéin. Chan eil ainm sam bith agam airson frèim na beairte ach a’ bheart fhéin. Chan eil agam ach an dà ainm: a’ bheart agus na bacain [q.v.].
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
beartach
Quotation: Nam biodh iad air son a dheanamh na bu bheartach (sic) bhiodh iad a’ bruich dà luchd dhan a roinneach anns an aon uisg. Bhiodh an dath na bu truime. Notes: wool-dyeing.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beartachadh
row of heavy-ply netting, attached along the entire length of the net, top and bottom.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
beartachadh
Quotation: am beartachadh; snath beartaich; a’ beartachadh a’ lion. Notes: thick twine used to fasten the net itself at intervals to the line across the top.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beasta
[besṯə] Notes: waistcoat.
Origin: Gigha
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beasta
[bɛst̪ə] Notes: waistcoat.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beat
vb ‘surpass’: vbl nn.: cha ghabh i ’ bheatadh; bha e duilich a bheatadh [vehtəɣ]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
beat
churn. (Uig)
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
beat
churn.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beatadh
to knock.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beatha
nn f. ‘life’ : cha bhiodh eagal do bh. ort [FMM]; do bh. seo! ‘welcome here’; do bh. dhachaidh! ‘welcome home!’; do bh. dhan dùthaich; do bh. ’-staigh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
beatha
Quotation: Do bheatha an dùthaich. Notes: Welcome home!
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beatha
Quotation: Di-bheatha. Tha sibh glé dhi-beath’d. Also Do-bheatha dha’n tìr.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beathach
Quotation: beathach cruidh [be̜u̜xkr̥u̜˖ç]. Notes: cattle beast.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beathach
Quotation: beathach stuic. Notes: a beast kept in the stock or fit for keeping in the stock.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beathach
Quot.: beathach caorach, beathach mart. Note: a sheep, a cow.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beathach (m)
Quotation: Cia mheud beathach cruidh a th’ agad?
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beathach Gaidhealach
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
beathach Gaidhealach
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
beathach Galda
Ayrshire.
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
beathach air a’ racadh
when an animal had been laid low by a cold or some other illness. More than an actual cold. [NOTES: ‘racadh’ corrected to ‘ragadh’.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beathach air ialadh
a weak animal constantly seeking shelter. [NOTES: ‘ialadh’ corrected to ‘ialaidh’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beathach briochd
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
beathach donn
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
beathach dubh
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
beathach dubh is geal
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
beathach fiachal
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
beathach gasda
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
beathach geal no ban
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
beathach grisfhionn
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
beathach math
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
beathach measal
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
beathach nach eil a leathaid
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
beathach ruadh
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
beathach ruadh is geal
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
beathach san ait
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
beathachadh
feed.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beathaich
feeding.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
beathanas (n)
livelihood; O.G. betamnus.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beileag
bark of birch tree. Used as tinder. Often saturated with grease or oil.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beinge
Quotation: beinge na leapa. Notes: the edge of the bed.
Location: Coll, Ben Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beinge
[b[ɤı]nʹhə] Notes: wooden seat.
Origin: Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beinge
Quotation: beinge na leapa. Notes: the edge of the bed.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beingidh
Quotation: a’ bheingidh. “Tha e ’na shuidhe air a’ bheingidh.” – when getting out of bed. Notes: the front board of a bed.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beingidh
Quotation: Tha e ’na shuidhe air a’ bheingidh. Notes: the edge of the bed.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beinn
Quotation: “Galar na beinneadh.” Notes: scrubs on the eyes and nose of lambs in summer after they have been put to the moor. Cured with “ola mhilis” – sweet vegetable oil.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beir
Quotation: a breith air [ə bɾe̜ eɾ]. Notes: catching hold of.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beir
Quot.: “Bha i gos [sic] beireachdainn [beðɑxkĩnʹ] orm.” Note: She was almost catching me.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beir
Quotation: Rug i ’s thog i an Ardeonaig. Notes: actives used as passives. (?)
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beirgeal
Quotation: Cha tug greim bidh ged a rachadh a (b)mheirgeal cam. Notes: constitution in general.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beith
birch tree. There is only one birch tree I know of growing within a distance of Scalpay. It’s on another adjacent island to Scalpay (Scotisay Island), and again as far as I gather, there isn’t one growing on Scalpay, Harris. The one that grows on Scotisay is the ‘silver birch’. If there is a special name for the ‘silver birch’ remains a question with me at the moment.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
belt
Quotation: belt na srathrach, na ceangail.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beobht
[bʹəuht] 1. (long sound) a vault. 2. (short sound) a swathe.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beoil
Quotation: a’ bheoil [ə ve̱ɔ̣ɔ̣l]. Notes: gen. of bial.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beubanachd
Quotation: Rinn iad beubanachd oirre. Notes: [the surgeons] mangled her.
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beucaich
[bɛ̣əxkẹç] Quotation: Cha do stad e bheucaich fad a latha. Notes: shouting, roaring of a human, also an animal. Bad crying of an infant.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beud
Quotation: ’S e beud a th’ann gu feum thu falbh. Notes: It is a pity that you have to go.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beul
Quotation: ann am beul an latha. Notes: at daybreak.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beul
Quotation: Dé math dhomhsa a bhi cnàmh mo bheul riut. Notes: talking (without the person addressed giving much heed). Wasting time talking or giving advice.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beul
Quotation: beul a’ chòmh-thràth.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beul
Quotation: beul salach. Notes: swelling of the gums in horses, usually the top gum extending downwards and the horse couldn’t eat. Cut out, sometimes with a hot iron.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beul
Quotation: beul na maduinn. Notes: daybreak.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beul
nn ‘mouth, beginning’: ~ na h-oidhche: 'nightfall'; bha e ‘ tighinn a-nuas staighir am ~ na h-oidhch’; ~ an latha: 'dawn' [FMM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
beul
Quotation: Beul na h-oidhche.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beul
Quotation: ’S ann aige tha ’n droch bheul. Notes: bad language.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beul
[bıɑɫ] Quotation: Beul ri tigh Alasdair. Beul ri fichead bliadhna. Notes: near, almost.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beul
Quotation: am beul. Notes: the gunwhale.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beul
Quotation: beul a’ bhac. Notes: the face of the peat-bank.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beul
Quotation: Beul na h-oidhche. Beul an latha.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beul cuain
in the context of the sea delivering the body of someone lost at sea.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beul fo fhraoch
a hiding place on moor. Usually a cave whose entrance is covered by heather.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beul ionnsachaidh
to give directions, e.g. “Thug mi beul ionnsachaidh dha a dhol an rathad eile.”
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beul na suaraiche
a derogatory phrase applied to a calved [sic] [calf?] that suckled its mother when not supposed to.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beul, cuinnlean, claigeann, sliasaid, guallainn, druim, cliathach
all parts of a boat.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beul-bòidheach
[bıɑɫbɔ:ɑx] Quotation: Chuir mi beul-bòidheach air an duine. Notes: I flattered the man.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beul-fodha
Quotation: Tha e na laighe air a’ bheul-fodha. Notes: lying face-down.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beul-mór
Quotation: am beul-mór. Notes: rubbing-piece, fender on boats.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beul-shlat
Notes: rubbing strake, made of iron, round the gunwhale.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beulach
[bɛ̜:ɫəx] Quotation: Tha i beulach. Notes: always speaking (esp. scandal).
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beulachas
Flattery. “Leis a’ bheulachas.” “E cho beulach.”
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
beum
Quotation: Beum os a cionn. Beum [fɛ:hə]. Notes: earmark.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beum
Quotation: Beum cùl. Beum beulthaobh. Notes:
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beum
Quotation: Beum os a cionn. Beum foidhpe. Notes: earmark.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beum
Quotation: “Mur aithne dhuit a’ beum.” Notes: pedigree or stock. Said to be words of an old song.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beum
Quotation: beum aghaidh, beum cùil. Notes: earmark.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beum
Quot.: “fear càradh a’ bheuma”. Note: if a person was talking ill of someone and another person stepped in to speak up for the person talked about he would be “fear càradh a’ bheuma”. He would not so much go against what the person was saying as trying to bring up his good points.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beum
Quot.: “am beum dubh”. Note: nuair a bhiodh iad a’ deanamh cruach eòrna bhiodh iad a’ cur na beumannan a bha air an sgathadh [q.v.] do’n mheadhoin agus na beumannan dubh a muigh. Barley pulled up by the roots.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beum-seic
Quotation: a’ bheum-seic. Notes: rupture. [NOTES: slipped under ‘beum-sice’.]
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beum-seic
Quotation: a’ bheum-seic [əve:mʃiçc]. Notes: rupture. [NOTES: slipped under ‘beum-sice’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beàrna
Note: used of narrow opening made in a stone dyke to admit a man through without letting animals through. Instead of a gate.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beàrnach
Notes: gap-tooth. Date: 1971.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beò
: gun toireadh e duine beò leis cho math ‘s a bha e; nn.: ‘bidh mo bh. ‘s mo mharbhadh ri Cloinn ‘Ill-Eathain’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
beò
Quotation: Bheir an aire nach cuir thu an tarann ’s a’ bheò. Notes: when shoeing a horse.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beò
Quotation: Ionga a’ dol am beò. Notes: ingrowing nail.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beò-chloimh
new wool growing under old fleece before the latter is cut.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beò-chloimh
new wool growing under the old fleece before the latter is cut.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beò-ghlac
Quotation: Bha mi air mo bheò-ghlacadh. Notes: caught in the act and not able to escape.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beò-shlan
n. ‘livelihood’: nuair a fhuair iad beathaichean … dh’fheumadh iad ’son am ~ a dhèanamh, ’son a bhith beò
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
beòlach
Quotation: a’ bheòlach. Notes: red embers among the ashes under the fire.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beòthair
Quotation: beoir, beòthair. Notes: beer.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bha dà iarunn aige muigh
idiomatic usage: “He had two teams out peat-cutting for him”, i.e. 4 people.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bhalsadh
walking, continually walking. Dé a bhalsadh air an duin’ ud a h-uile latha a chì mi e.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bhann-uiridh (sic)
Quotation: a’ bhann-uiridh [əv[ɑ̃ũ̜]n̪u̟ɾi]. Notes: the year before last.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bharr
Quotation: Chaidh e bharr (far) na guallainn. Notes: dislocated.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bheanachdach
inoculation.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
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
bheir
Quotation: Bheir … ás a’ cheann/dà cheann … “Bheir an Néibhidh ás an dà cheann aige e.” Notes: … will teach him, the cocky beggar!
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bho
Quotation: De man a tha sibh? Chaneil mi ach thuige ’s bhuaithe. Notes: off and on.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bho
Quotation: Bho ’s cuimhne leamsa. Bho na tha cuimhne agams’… Notes: ever since I can remember. (Lewis – Bho ’s cuimhne leamsa.)
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bhuapa
[vuɑxə] Quotation: “móran àigh bhuapa”. Notes: from them.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bhàn
Quotation: Chuir sinn bhàn an cuip mòine. Notes: down.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biadh
Quotation: A’ bhiadh ’s aodach ort! Notes: said to a poor, ragged child.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biadh
[bi̜əɣ] Notes: food of any classification.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biadh a chruidh
[feeding cattle.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
biadh siubhail
Rations.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biadh ’s-aodach
Quotation: A’ bhiadh ’s aodach ort! Notes: to a boy or girl particularly well dressed.
Location: Cape Breton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biadhadair (m)
bait-holder. (More like ‘biathadair’.)
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
biadhadh
Quotation: Cuir am biadhadh ’san ruca. Notes: used of dry hay which is put into the centre of a large stack in the yard.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biadhadh
Putting the dried manure into the furrow as latter is being made.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
biadhainn
[bıɤĩnʹ] Quotation: pl. [bıɤĩnʹəṉ]. Notes: an earthworm.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bial àrd
[biɑɫ ɑɑ˖ʂd] Notes: upper palate.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bial-muice
swollen lips or a swollen lip, top protruding over the other (more frequently of the top lip), mouth affected disease, etc. where the animal (sheep) cannot, is unable to eat (grass, etc.). Also hereditary.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
bialag
When peats were put on a fire, the live cinders were not wholly covered right round. An opening was left in front (where a current of air would soon kindle a flame) and let out the heat. This opening was called a ‘bialag’.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
bialaire
flatterer.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bian
Quotation: bian coinneanaich, bian ròin. Notes: skin.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bian bhriagha
[sic] a beautiful coat.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
bian math
a good coat.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
biast
Quotation: biast tràghad. Notes: shore flea.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biast
Quotation: a’ bheist dhonn. Notes: otter.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biast
Quotation: biast a’ chàil. Notes: caterpillar.
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biast
Quot.: “Chaidh mi na mo bhéist ris.” Note: I went wild at him.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biast (f)
Quotation: biast mhór de dhuine/iasg/rud.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biast na faghlach
a small innocuous-looking fish which has a deadly spine in its back. It is usually below the sand and the danger is that one might stand on it or handle it when scraping for sand eels with a sickle (corran-shiol). I remember once seeing its effect on a boy’s foot!
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biast-bhreac
Notes: caterpillar.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biastan-a-chruidh
little ‘red ticks’ nibbling the flesh. Cure: ‘achduinn-ghorm’ – blue ointment applied usually at the back of horns to avoid it being licked. Sheep dip was also used as a destroyer.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
biatach
raven. Nead-a-bhiataich (place-name Scalpay).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biatachd
a little feast. Martin calls it ‘ocean feast’.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biath
Quotation: a’ biathadh a’ mhuilinn. Notes: feeding the threshing mill.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biathadh
bait.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
biathadh
bait.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biathadh
bait.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
biathadh
attracting. Dha biathadh thuige fhéin.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biathadh
vbl n. ‘feed’: bhathas gam ~, a chuile duine
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
biathadh
bait.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
biathadh
[biəʔəɣ] Quotation: Bha thu cumail biathadh ann an drasda ’s a rithis.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biathadh
feeding.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
biathadh
feeding.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect)
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
biathadh
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
biathadh
bait or the act of baiting the net.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
biathadh
bait.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
biathadh
baiting.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
biathadh
bait.
Origin: Taransay
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
biathadh
feeding.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
biathadh
bait.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
biathadh (E) airson an lìn-bhig:
Siol (I) (siol-ghainmheach). An t-siol na b’fheàrr airson cnòdain (cnòdan – E). Luga (I). An luga na b’fheàrr airson adaig (adag – I). Là blàth agus grianach, làtha a b’fheàrr airson cnòdain.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
biathadh (noun)
the bait used.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
biathadh a stigh
hand feeding.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
biathadh agus ionaltradh
feeding and grazing.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
biathadh as an laimh
hand-feeding.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
biathadh linn-mhór
The bait put on the hooks of these lines. [NOTES: slip not found.]
Origin: Skye
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
biathadh na claise
when ploughing fertiliser is applied when the furrow is ploughed.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biathadh na h-aona chorraig
tarred with the same brush.
Origin: [Harris]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biathadh nam beothaichean
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
biathadh-slàn
uncut bait. Chuir sinn biathadh slàn oirre (great lines). Whole herring, not cut in half. [NOTES: slipped under ‘biathadh’ with ‘biathadh slàn’ and the above example as the quotation. Definition: Uncut bait – eg. whole herring, not cut in half.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biathag
Notes: earthworm.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Blairmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biathag
[biɤhɑɡ] Quotation: a’ bhiathag. Notes: earthworm.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biathaidh
Notes: earthworm.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biathaidh
[biɑhi] Notes: earthworm.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Balvoolich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biathuinne
[?] worm.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bibli, bibli, boan (interj.)
term used to draw, introduce, the attention of a baby by touching the entertainer’s lips, thence touching the baby with the fingers to revive him to humour.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bid
chirp, imitation of a bird note of music. Bha mi cluinntinn bid, bid, bid aige.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bideag
[biḏɑɡ] Quot.: “Bha bideag mhath air.” Note: he had a good drink in him.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bidealais
[bıdʹəlɑʃ] Quotation: “Na rinn e tòrr obair?” “Cha do rinn, cha robh e ach a’ bidealais.” Notes: noun and verb. Doing things in bits. Footering about doing something but not getting anywhere with it.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bidean
Quotation: Dé a bhidean a th’ort? Notes: What are you fidgeting about for?
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bidean
Quotation: am bidean. Notes: the very tip of the cornstack.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bidean-mara
sea-perch, a perch on a rock in the sea for identification.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bideanach
Quotation: Tha e cho bideanach. Notes: fidgety, unsettled. Source: Mrs Catherine MacLeod, Ness, Lewis. Date: 1982.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bideanach
Quotation: caothach bideanach. Notes: highest point of rage.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bigainein
small black, grey birds found on moorland and especially nesting under peats that have been lifted.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bigearram
[biɡʹərəm] Note: the death watch beetle.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bigein
Quotation: bigein an t-sneachd. Notes: “snow-bunting”. (?)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bigeir
[bıɡʹəɾ] Quot.: “Bha e gu math bigeir.” Note: (1) mean, stingy. (2) “bigeir” also sound heard on wood in walls, probably made by some insect.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bigeireachd
Quotation: a’ bigeireachd ri rud. Notes: “picking” at something, e.g. when doing a job, not working at it consistently.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bil
Quotation: am bil. Notes: the lip.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bil
Quotation: bil nan creag. Notes: edge of the cliffs.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
bile
[b̥ilə] Quotation: bile de chloich a mach agus bha an leinich [?] seite air an sin.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bile
flat ridge, terrace. (Urquhart) (There is the place Druim a’ bhile in the parish.)
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bile
Quotation: a’ bhile. Notes: the eaves of the corn-stack.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bileag
Quotation: Bitheadh bileag a’ tighinn a mach tuilleadh. Notes: said of the first appearance of new grass in the spring.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bileag-sléibh
hill-blade of grass. Cha’n eil bileag sléibh aice (caora(dh)) – owing to the desolation, one factor, or the barrenness, etc. Likewise must be fed off [sic] hand, contrary (expression form).
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bilearach
Notes: a green sea-grass growing in the sand. This was used at Bridgend to cover the potatoes in the pit as “luachair” was scarce there.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
binndeal
Notes: snare for catching birds. Hoops made from horsehair.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
binndeal
[bɤ̃ĩnʹdʹɑɫ] Notes: snare for catching birds by the feet.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biod
[bıd̪] Quotation: Tha e air a’ bhiod airson amhran a’ channtainn. Notes: beside himself with eagerness.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biod
Quotation: corra-biod.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bioda
Notes: Mr MacDonald supports that this is euphemism for bod. Bioda an Stòir is known as Bod an Stòir. Bioda an Stòir, Old Man of Starr, Skye. Bioda a’ Chuirn below Culnacnock rocks east side of Staffin, Skye.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biogaireachd
Quotation: a’ biogaireachd air. Notes: said of hunter waiting to get good shot at bird. Conveys the idea of teasing a cross person or animal.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biolair
Notes: watercress.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biolaire
Notes: watercress. (Cf. miolaire – C. MacLean, Kyleakin.)
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biolaire Moire
kind of watercress.
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biolairich
watercress.
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bior
Quotation: air bhioran – pl. [vwɾəṉ]. Notes: on tenterhooks.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bior
Quotation: bior eallaidh [biɾˈiɑɫi]. Notes: an iron rod used to hold lighted peat as a torch. (Harris)
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bior (m)
Quotation: air bhioran. Notes: on edge.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bior-goinidh
sharp penetrating dart.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bior-na-banachaig
inoculation needle.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biorach
Quotation: wèir bhiorach. Notes: barbed wire.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biorach
Quotation: Tha i (a’ mheanbh-chuileag) biorach.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biorach
Quotation: biorach sa’ chluas. Notes: keen-hearing.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biorach
Quotation: a’ bhiorach [əvıɾɑx]. Notes: cow at first calving (2½ years).
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biorag (f)
Notes: sharp-tongued woman/girl. Also gen. pejorative.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bioraid
a woolen hat.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bioran
Quotation: Bioran-Ceit[?]-Mhóir. Notes: piece of wood with wool wrapped round the end of it, dipped in oil and used as a torch.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bioran
Quotation: bioran anairt. Notes: clothes peg.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biorr chrith
a length of iron, pointed at one end and used for holing corrugated iron. [NOTES: ‘biorr’ corrected to ‘bior’.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biortaich
[bjwʴsṯıç] Quotation: Bhiortaich e nuair a chuala e gu robh thu a tighinn dhachaidh. Feuch am biortaich thu an teine. Notes: brighten up, revive. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bios-naois
on front of boat, bowsprit.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
biota
Bha na biotaichean dèanta de fhiodh, le clàir agus cearcaill mar am baraille. Bha an lonaid [q.v.] de fhiodh mar an ceudna. Is e an tè bheag dhiubh ris an canaist ‘crannachan’. Anns a’ gheamhradh nuair nach biodh am bainne cho pailt, is e an crannachan bu trice a bhatar a’ cur an sàs airson ìm a thoirt a mach. Biota: [see illustration]. Biota: [see illustration]. Crannachan: [see illustration].
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
biothlathadh
Quotation: Tha (’m) biothlathadh orm. Notes: ravenously hungry. (? biadh + lathadh)
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bith
Quotation: Nach ann ann a bha bith an deamhain nuair a chaidh e a phòsadh, a’ streap ris a’ cheithir-fichead bliadhna. (Catriona Mhór of Billie Og Og in Stornoway) Notes: In Dw., in senses of ‘life, existence, being, living’. But above usage is more positive and explosive.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bith
existence. Seachd bitheanan ann an cat. Cha téid ann am bith.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bith
Quotation: Nach ann aige a bha bith dha. Notes: malice. (Applecross)
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bith
Quotation: Gàidhlig de sheòrsa ’s as bith. Notes: any kind of Gaelic.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bith, gu
advb. ‘whatever’ : gu ~ cò às a thàinig __ an stuth eireachdail
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
bith, gu
adv. ‘whatever’: co-dhiubh ’s e budworm no gu ~ dè thachair
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
bith, ’m
advb.’whatever’: ~ gu dè am __ miracle a bha ann; a’ cur __ ‘m bith gu dè bha iad a’ cur
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
bith-aighe
(? sounds like eye) an earthworm. (at Melness)
Origin: Applecross [mother]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bitheanta
adj. ‘common’: cha robh e [tinneas] ~ idir; theireadh m’ athair glè, glè bh.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
bitheantas
Quotation: am bitheantas [əmbiçəʔntəs]. Notes: usually, most often.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biurna
[See the illustration under ‘cuibheal-shnìomh’.]
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
biuthagan
[bju̟əɡɑṉ] Quotation: Cha robh aca ach biuthagan soluisd. Notes: a very dim light.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biùg
[bju̟:ɡ] Quotation: Chaneil biùg soluis anns a’ lampa. Notes: There isn’t a glimmer of light in the lamp.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biùthas
applied to someone of great fame and repute.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blabhdaireachd
Quotation: a’ blabhdaireachd. Notes: talking a lot of nonsense.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bladh
[bɫɤɣ] Quotation: duine gun bhladh. Notes: a useless person; one who hasn’t the ability to do anything properly.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blagh
[bɫɤɣ] Quotation: Cha robh moran [blɤɣ] [sic] as na thiubhairt e. Notes: substance, essence. [NOTES: slipped under ‘bladh’.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blaigeard (m)
Notes: brat. Of adult – rude and pugnacious.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blaigh fiosaiche
someone predicting or guessing what is to happen. If it comes true you are said to be a ‘blaigh fiosaiche’.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blaigh riachd
leaving something in a state of mess, disorder, e.g. “Dh’fhàg iad an talla na blaigh riachd as deidh an dannsa.” Also used to describe careless, scruffy appearance. [NOTES: corrected to ‘blaigh-riachd’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
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
blaiseagan
Quotation: Dé am blaiseagan a th’agad air? Notes: sampling by tasting.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blaoghmasdair
awkward character or person, relative to confusion in matter of speech, action etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blar
a field or stretch of land as well as a battle.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blar mona
Peat bank. There were held for a period of ten years. At the end of that time peat banks were reallocated by casting lots. [NOTES: spelled ‘blàr mòna’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
blar-mona
peat area.
Location: Gearrloch, Achadh a’ Chairn [Gairloch, Auchtercairn]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
blas
Quotation: Tha iad air blas a’ chnagain a ghabhail dheth. Notes: It went against them, revolted them through getting too much of it.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blas
Quotation: Tha mi air blas a’ chragain a ghabhail air.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blas
Quotation: Ghabh mi blas a’ chnagain dheth. Notes: I got sick tired of it, e.g. eating too much of a thing.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blas
nn ‘taste': fairgheamaid blas [ɔ] na clòimhe oirre; bidh ~ na clòimhe oirre; bha ~ math air na Mathesons a bha seo; ~ na clòimh' air
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
blas
Quotation: blas a’ chrogain. Notes: distaste.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blasagraich
Quotation: cat a’ blasagraich mu bheul. Notes: licking his chops.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blataillein
a very outsize unattractive [sic]. [NOTES: the following explanation and the next three words written in second hand.] Thàinig e ’s blatàillein de thè còmh’ ris. Also used to describe a crowd of people (prob. batallion), e.g. Thàinig blatàillein a steach.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
blath
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
blathaich
[bɫaˈiç] buttermilk.
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
bleataraich
blethering.
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
bleith
Quotation: a’ bleith a’ bhuntàta. Notes: breaking potatoes in two to cool them.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bleodhann-maidne
morning milking. [NOTES: slipped under ‘bleoghainn-maidne’ with ‘also: bleoghainn-feasgair’ as the quotation.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
bleoghain
Quotation: a’ bleoghain [ə blʹẹəʔẹnʹ]. Notes: milking a cow, sheep or horse.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bleoghainn
Quotation: Bha mi [bḻɔın] crodh.
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bliadhna
n. ‘year’: bhiodh tu ’ call … dhà no thrì ’n ath bh.-s’ [naflənəs]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
bliadhna
Quotation: caora dhà-bhliadhna [kw:ɾəɣɑ:vlıɤn̪ə]. Notes: a gimmer.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bliadhnach rùid
1 year old. (The ‘r’ is not aspirated.)
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
bliam
Quotation: “Tha iad a sin gun bhliam aca an tigh Cairstiona ’an Tàilleir. Tha iad sin a-mach a rathad gun scot a dh’òrdaich an Tighearna beannaichte aca.” (Catriona Mhór) Notes: Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bliam
Quotation: Cha robh bliam aige. Chaneil bliam aige. Notes: can be used of sense. He hadn’t a clue; he’s got no sense or can be used of a drunk person who is too drunk to have any awareness of what’s going on.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blian
Quotation: fuil air blianadh. Notes: weaken, often used of liquids.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blian
Quotation: pìos blian. Notes: a bit of flank.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blian
Quotation: Tha e blian [bɫiəṉ]. Notes: boring.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blian (-adh)
bask, sunbathe.
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blian-geal
Quotation: Chaidh e air a’ bhlian-gheal. Notes: used of salmon when it turns over because of lack of water or casting a stone at it.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blianach
Quotation: Is blianach Nollaig gun sneachd. Notes: bleak.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blianach
that part of a meat carcus [sic] known as the flank. Also a phrase associated with this word: “’S blianach Nollaig gan [sic] sneachda” – a Christmas is empty without snow.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blianag
Notes: a green, level patch of ground.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bliathach
[See bleadhach.]
Location: Benbecula, Creagorry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blineas
Quotation: Nach ann air a tha am blineas a’ gaireachdainn. Notes: facial expression.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bliob, bliob
soft second motion rhythm noise of the satellite on its journey (in) to space.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
bloc
[blɔxk] Quotation: am bloc. Notes: a square block of wood, hanging from a rope which went round the horse’s neck. The rope passed through a ring attached to a post. It allowed a limited freedom of movement.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bloc-mór
main block. (boat)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blocadh
lime made into one heap after being socked [sic] into composition with water, thus the term: aol air a bhlocadh (Scalpay).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blodhain a chruidh
milking the cattle.
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
bloigh
Quotation: Bloigh eòrna. Notes: seven sheaves standing in a cone shape.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bloigh
Quotation: Chaneil, na bloigh! Notes: in answer to a question. “Not at all, not in the least!”
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bloigh
Quotation: Bloigh dhan an t-sràic. Notes: in reply to someone’s question, e.g. “Dé a bha sibh a’ cur ris an diugh?” “Very little” or “nothing of consequence”.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bloinig
fat, blubber.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bloinig
Notes: body fat.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
blonag
[bɫɔ̃ʔṉɑɡ] Notes: fat in a hen’s body. [bɫɑ̃ṉiɡʹ] – Barvas.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blonaig
abdominal fat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
blonaig
body fat. According to informant a sheep buried under snow will survive as long as it has enough body fat.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blonaig
fat found in fish.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blonnaig
fat (of beef).
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
blàr
Quotation: blàr mònadh. Notes: peat bank area.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blàr
Quotation: blàr móine.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blàr
Quot.: caora bhlàr. Note: a sheep with a white patch on its forehead.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blàr
Notes: white patch on an animal’s forehead.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blàr
[bɫɑ:ɾ] Quot.: each blàr. Note: a horse with a white patch running from the forehead down the ridge of the nose. Also bó bhlàr, a’ bhó bhlàr.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blàr aodhainn
Quotation: Nach ann a tha am blàr-aodhainn. Notes: fireannach gòrach.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blàr geal
a white streak in an animal’s coat.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blàr mòna
a large area of [peat] banks.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
blàr mònach
peat stretch.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
blàr mònach
peat moor.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
blàr-chlach
Notes: stone throwing battle between kids.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blàr-mòine
Notes: peat bank or ground where peat is dug.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blàr-mònadh
area comprising several peat-banks.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
blàr-phloc
Notes: divot-throwing battle between kids.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blàrag
name given to cattle.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blàrag
pet name for a cow with a white patch on its forehead.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blàteachadh
[sic] Quotation: a’ blàteachadh [ə bɫɑ̟ɑ̟tʹəxəɣ]. Notes: heating, warming something.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blàth fhleasg
wreath.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blàthachadh
Quotation: “Bha blàthachadh math air …” – He was in a jolly good mood …
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blàthaich
Quotation: (West Side) Blàthaichidh an caoran dubh e fhéin mus blàthaich e duin’ eile.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blàthdaich
Quotation: Mar a tha sinn air [bɫɑ:dʹɑxəɣ] ris. Notes: “Seeing we are warmed up to it” e.g. a topic of conversation. Pron. blàidich.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blèir
wool and tar between the edges of planks in a boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blèiream
Quotation: duine gun bhlèiream. Notes: a useless person; one who hasn’t the ability to do anything.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blèr
packing between the edges of a blank [plank?] in a boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blèr
made from wool [?] or cotton, made fine with an axe and mixed with tar and inserted between planks to keep watertight.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
bléideag
Quotation: bléideag sùidh. Notes: a smut of soot.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blòcaichean
located under the floor of a cart. Determined the height of the cartbox.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bobadh
stepfather.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bobag
[bobɑɡ] Notes: Donald says he heard his mother using this word for “stepfather”.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bobhdaig
Quotation: a’ bhobhdaig. Notes: boathook (from Eng.).
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boc an lochan (m)
water-ouzel. Mis-spelt “bog” in some dictionaries as there was no pre-asp. of “c” (chc) in E. and S.W.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boc-goibhre
[boxkɡəiɾə] Notes: he-goat.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boca-na-buisrichean
‘witches’ bag’. To me the term sounded as indicated. It may be a variation from the buidseachd form. Perhaps it is also found in various ways. We also use buidseachd or were using it here in Scalpay.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bocadaich
Quotation: A’ leumadaich ’s a’ bocadaich. Notes: Not in Dw. Cf. bocadh ‘leaping, skipping’. Source: Lewis usage recalled (D.S.T.) Date: 1972.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bocas
Quotation: cóig tasdain am bocas.
Origin: Carradale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bochd
bad condition of coat.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
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
bochdainn
Quotation: meud mhór is bochdainn. Notes: applied to someone who had little money but who tried to keep up appearances or boasting without justification.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bochdainn
Quotation: am bochdainn fairge. Notes: seasickness.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bochdan
Quotation: a’ bhochdain. Notes: used as a form of address. Fem. bochdag.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bocsa
Quotation: bocsa nan éildearean. Notes: the area in front of the pulpit where elders sit.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bocsa
[boksɑ] Quotation: bocsa na cartach.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bocsa
Quotation: bocsa nan éildeirean.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bocsa
Quotation: bocsa na cartach. Notes: part of cart which is surrendered by the sides.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bocsa
Quotation: bocsa na cuibhle. Notes: hub or nave of wheel.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bocsa
Quotation: bocsa deilbh. Notes: bobbin frame for warping.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bocsa choinnein
matchbox.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bocsa roighdaidh
a large wooden box 15" x 12" used for keeping lobsters fresh for a fortnight. This was floated inshore at a time when lobster collections did not take place so often.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bocsa-na-gocaid
cornered (in a box) in a situation wherein the subject or person is in difficulty, and at the same time hopeful of recovery, or having access from a jumping up and down, or movement up and down, as the toy movent [sic] [moving?] on a spring in a box. (Harris) Tha thu ’m bocsa-na-gocaid. (Harris)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach
Quotation: A’ bhodaich bhochd! Notes: said to an old dog.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach
wee cod. Not referred to in Scalpay as the cod species, but that’s does [sic] mean it’s wrong to use it solely, as the adjective come with it in Scalpay, perhaps there are some who use it when referring to fish. ’S docha gu faigh sinn bodach. – I think this phrase is more attributable to ‘Skye’? Rèbeanach [q.v.] may have originated from reip ris a bhial aige?
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach
Quotation: bodach ròcaideach. Notes: scarecrow.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach
Quotation: uilleadh nam bodach. Notes: cod liver oil.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach
fishing word referring to operations on R. Ness.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach
Quotation: ’S e ’n aon rud am bodach gibeach agus Iain MacDhùghaill. Notes: six and half a dozen.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach
Quotation: bodach-feannaig. Notes: scare-crow.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach
Notes: a stick placed behind the horse and attached to panniers on either side by lengths of rope to prevent them from swinging forward when the horse was descending a slope.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach (m)
Quotation: bodach eile! (tapag) bodach coin! Notes: Sometimes 1st word is 1 syll. – pres. this is the orig. form.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach bac
the first peat cut in each section of the bank.
Origin: Cataobh [Sutherland – probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bodach baic
the first peat from the edge of the peat bank.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach ruadh
Notes: rock cod. Alternatively bodach dearg.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach sàbhaidh
a potato with bits of wood stuck into it. Rotated when exposed to the wind.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach-bac
Notes: 1st peat cut.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Blairmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach-bac
Notes: the outermost peat.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach-bac
Notes: outside peat.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach-baic
Notes: the outside peat.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach-baic
Notes: outside peat.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach-fhaoileag
scarecrow. (Scalpay) (as already noted) The above two terms [i.e. bodach-starraig and bodach-ròcais] are not so generally used on Scalpay but perhaps more associated with other areas.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach-peachd
Quotation: bodach-peachd (or pheachd). Notes: ‘top layer of peat.’ Source: James Graham, Raasay. Date: 1978.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach-sàbhaidh
made with wood and a potato. It was balanced on the edge of a shelf and made to rock backwards and forwards. A well-made one could keep going for quite a while!
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
bodach-sàbhaidh
Note: the figure of a man, its hands stretched out in front of it holding a stick which came down at an angle and passed under its feet. A potato, for balance, was stuck on its lower end. The man then was put standing on a line and it swayed backwards and forwards without toppling.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach-sìde
weather man; a pillar, concrete or brick pillar, on which dial is set to record the amount of sunshine; (can be) accessed to a day.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodachan
Quotation: Bodachan-deigheadh. Notes: icicle.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodachan
Quot.: “bodachan coirc”. Note: oatmeal mixed with sugar and a little cold water and rolled into a cylindrical shape. Taken with one if one was going to the hill or to the seashore. Very strong and sustaining. Also given to young sheep to bring them on.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodachan
Bodachan taois – oatmeal and water mixed and made into a ball, usually for feeding sheep. Bodachan siùcair – small bodachan of oatmeal was squeezed in the left hand and the portion which exuded at the top was flattened and sprinkled with sugar. It was then somewhat shaped like a mushroom and was given to the children.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodachan-sàbhaidh
Notes: a pivotal toy, consisting of a potato which was attached to an angular piece of wood with serrated lower edge. When placed on a fulcrum, and set in motion, the bodachan-sàbhaidh (“the little old saw-man”, lit. “of sawing”) would continue to swing backwards and forwards for an indefinite period if properly balanced. This balancing was considered to be something of an art.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodaraisean
[bɔd̪əɾɑʃɑṉ] Note: a supernatural beast of some kind seen on lochs. Perhaps something akin to an “each-uisge”.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodaroisean
Quotation: Có fear agaibh bha ’na bhodaroisean aig a’ chéilidh. Notes: pawky old man (?). Not in Dw. (cf. roisean ‘tail of a cow’ ??)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodhaig
the rounded part of the hull. ‘Tha bodhaig mhath aic.’ i.e. she is of generous proportions, sea-worthy.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodhar-chluas
someone not paying attention.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
bodrachan (bod-chrann)
strap o’n strathair a bha dol mu’n cuairt earball an eich air son a luchd na’n t-eallach a chumail gun a dhol thairis air mullach cinn an eich, a dol sios leathad. (From “bod” – seann fhachal [sic] air son earball agus “crann” – uidheam, ceangail.)
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bodragan
Notes: belt round behind the horse and round its tail attached to panniers to prevent them from swinging forward when the horse lowers its head.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodraigeadh
Quotation: Cha bhiodh ann ach bodraigeadh. Cha bhodraiginn. Notes: bother, bothering.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bog
adj. ‘wet’: nuair a tha a' ghealach air a druim __ chan e soighne -- math(?), 's e gealach bhog a their iad leatha
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
bog
Quotation: air bhog. Notes: afloat.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bog bathte
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
bog-balbh
calm weather, dead calm.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bog-balbh
calm, dead flat.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bog-fliuch
Quotation: Tha mi b…
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boga-sùgain
the state of material at a point being ‘over-softened’, soil etc. [SLIP: When a material is on the point of being over-softened.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bogach
Notes: soft boggy patch on the moor.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bogadaich
Quotation: a’ bogadaich. Notes: the motion of a body up and down; bobbing up and down. Applecross: “swithering”.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bogaide
piston, or anything moving piston fashion in engineering. Old folk on Scalpay seeing such movement of an engine piston or understood such: referred to the piston (‘fishermen of the old “college”’) referred to the ‘piston’ (matter) likewise: Seo am bogaide mór. (invented?)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bogais
Potato-bug.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
boganach
tall grass that grew in marshy land. Used for thatching.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bogha
Notes: reef submerged at high tide.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bogha
Quotation: bogha a’ chléibh. Notes:
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bogha
Notes: reef, submerged at high tide.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bogha
Quotation: na boghachan. Notes: bent wooden frame of lobster pot.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bogha
Notes: rock that is completely submerged.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bogha-froiseadh
(Tiree gen. with -adh at end.)
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
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
bogha-làir
‘ground rock’ on the sea-bed which doesn’t show at ebb time, a rock getting its name through rising ‘bow’ shape slightly from the bottom of the sea. [SLIP: Rock on the sea-bed which doesn’t show at ebb-tide.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boghta
a bank of peat.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bogh’-an-t-salachair
permanent underwater (or ‘submarine’) rock, its name signifying reef seaweed, etc. at its proximity.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boglach
soft muddle indentation.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
bogruiseach (adj)
effeminate.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boicneach
Quotation: a’ bhoicneach [əvɔcṉɑx]. Notes: smallpox, vaccination.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boicneach
Quotation: Chaidh a’ bhoicneach [əvɔıçcṉɑ̃x] a chuir air. Notes: smallpox. He was vaccinated.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Droman
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boidenach
battleing [sic] straw. [NOTES: this item added in pencil.]
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
boidhchead
Quotation: Chan e a boidhchead a bheir goil air a phoite.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boidsearachd
Quotation: a’ boidsearachd mu’n cuairt. Notes: footering about, doing nothing in particular.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boil
[bol] Quotation: Tha e air bhoil ag iarraidh a mach. Notes: loud insistence.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boil
[bol] Quotation: Tha boil a’ dol nam cheann. Notes: I’m getting dizzy.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boil
Quotation: a’ boilich. Notes: useless talk.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boilich
Quotation: Tha boilich air. Notes: delirium. Short, close vowel in 1st syllable.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boilich
[boliç] Quotation: Sguir a nis, mas tig boilich ort! Notes: (n. + vb.) dizziness. Also used of gibberish, as one talking in his sleep.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boill
[b[ɤı]lʹ] Quotation: (1) Bha boill air. (2) Chuir e boill air. Notes: (1) grimace (?) (2) He put on a face. Also applied to when one was just about to start crying.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boillseadh
Quotation: boillseadh dhan a’ ghrian. Notes: short spell of sunshine.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boillsgeil
[b[ɤı]ʃɡʹɔl] Quotation: Nach e tha boillsgeil. Notes: showery day when the sun breaks through intermittently.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boinealaich
trickle of water.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
boineid
nn f. : 'hat' [FMM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
boinne
Quotation: boinne baist. Notes: a clay vessel was put in the fire until it was hot enough to boil milk. It was then either dipped in milk or the milk poured into it. Had a glazing/strengthening effect.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
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-snithe
drop of soot water falling from the rafter of a ‘black house’.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
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
boinnean
Quotation: 2. boinnean tea. 3. Bha e déigheil air a’ bhoinnein. Notes: 1. a drop. 2. a “drop” of tea. 3. He was fond of the “cratur”.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boinnearachd
wetness, water, sea. “An sgadan a’ snàmh ’sa bhoinnearachd.”
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boireannach a’ dealachadh
to deliver, give birth. Prior to modern gynaecology, women blew into a bottle to facilitate delivery.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
boirionn
Quotation: laogh firionn boirionn, uan firionn boirionn. Notes: one testicle missing.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bois
Quot.: “bois an dubhain”. Note: the flat part at the end of a hook.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boiseag
a lick of oatmeal from the palm or the amount of oatmeal the palm can hold. Boiseag mhine – a palmful.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boitain dhe’d anail
a breather, to have a break. [NOTES: ‘boitain’ corrected to ‘boitean’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boiteachan
[bɔtʹɑxɑ̃ṉ] Notes: piece of wood under the horse’s tail attached to panniers by a rope (?) and held the panniers from swinging to the horse’s head.
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boitean
battle of hay.
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
boitean connlach
corn etc. given at feeding time.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
boitean trathaich
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
boitein
[botʹʃɑ̃nʹ] Quotation: pl. “boiteinnean”. Notes: large bundles into which threshed corn was made.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bola (m), bolaichean (pl) (l – glottal stop)
wee fat man (derogatory).
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
bolaichean-seòlaidh
floats.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bolg
Quotation: am bolg. Notes: body of the boat.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bolg
Quotation: [əvɔɫɔɡ]. Notes: the belly.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bolg
Notes: rounded part of hull of a boat.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bolgach
Quotation: duine bolgach. Notes: corpulent man.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bolla
Quotation: pl. bollachan. Notes: herring buoys.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bolla
Quotation: Bolla coin. Notes: buoy made from dogskin.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bolla (m)
float.
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
bolla-min-chorca
a bowl of oatmeal.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bolla-mine
bowl of meal, bowl of flour or a bowl of oatmeal.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bollaid
bollard for tying or fastening ropes on (boat) at a pier.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonaid
Quotation: “Bonaid an fhodair”. Notes: Said of a person who went from house to collect fodder in the spring. They would say, “Tha bonaid an fhodair air.”
Origin: Benbecula
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonn
Base; stones, peats or wooden structure for stack.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bonn
an iron board located behind the plough sock. Ensured the plough ran smoothly and even when ploughing.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonn
Base; stones, peats or wooden structure for stack.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bonn
Quotation: bonn beag. Notes: insole of shoe.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonn
Quotation: bonn a’ bhac. Notes: lower level of the peat bank.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
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
bonn
Quotation: Thug na buinn leis – sole of the foot. Thug e dha bonn òir/airgid – coin. “Bi thusa dol a null ’s a nall gus an ruig thu bonn na clais, ’s chan eil air ma tha e gann, ach na th’ann a thoirt as.” – the lowest part.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonn a’ chruinn
the head to which the sock is attached.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bonn char
foundation.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonn dà thasdan
if an animal was suspected of being cast under a spell this coin would be placed in a basin of water. Thereafter the water was stirred and sprinkled on the animal. This was supposed to free the animal from the spell. The coin was believed to be the alleviating agent.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonn na cruaich
foundation.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bonnach
Quotation: bonnach donn. Notes: made from oatmeal and fish liver.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach
Quotation: bonnach donn. Notes: cake made from oatmeal and fish liver.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach
Quotation: Bonnach branndair. Notes: see Branndair.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach
Quot.: “bonnach-eathair”. Note: oatmeal bannock with lumps of suet in it, about 3" thick and only partly baked. Taken out in boats by fishermen.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach
Quot.: “bonnach-lice”. Note: bannock baked standing up against a flat stone by the fire (as opposed to ‘bonnach-greidil’).
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach
Quotation: bonnach luirgeadh [ɫu̜ðiɡʹəɣ]. Notes: formerly given to a person who reported the birth of a lamb, the birth being unknown to the owner. Within memory it was a raw egg or two that was given. (Dw. lorg 15. Progeny, offspring.)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach
Quotation: bonnach coirce. Notes: oatcake.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach
Quotation: Bonnach donn. Notes: cod liver, oatmeal, salt. Boiled in water.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach
Quotation: Thainig am bonnach àbhaisteach a-rithist. Notes: ?
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach Brìde
a special cake which was baked on the first day of spring. Cf. Mr R. Bunton, Stoneybridge, South Uist. Refers to serpent chant associated with St. Bride’s. According to this informant the chant belongs to Celtic mythology which believed that a serpent did come from the ground. Apparently the serpent was the daughter of Ivor.
Location: Barra, Ard Mhinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach bois
thick oatmeal bannock flattened between the palms of the hands and baked in front of the fire.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach grùthainn
a saithe’s liver mixed with flour. Boiled in the same pot as the saithe but separated by being placed on a plate at the top of the pot.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach luirg
expression which asks whether a cow has calved. “An robh bonnach luirg aice fhathast.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach-bois
[bɔ̃n̪ɑxbɔʃ] Note: an oatmeal cake made with the hands (not using a “clàr-fuinne”) about 1" thick and stood beside the fire to bake.
Origin: Crowlista
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-dorcha
Notes: wheat-bread.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
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
bonnach-grùthain
a liver-bannock, made by oatmeal and fish liver. [SLIP: A liver bannock (made of oatmeal and fish liver).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach-iomanach
Notes: when cow was calving, the person in attendance was given the “bonnach iomanach”.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach-thumanach
[bɔ̃n̪ɑxhũ̟mɑṉɔx] Note: his pronunciation of “bonnach-iomanach”. A “bonnach” with plenty of “ùs” (cheese made with first milk) on it given as a reward to the first person to notice a cow was about to calf (leis a’ mhulad).
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach-òrnaich (?)
Notes: (Murdo Murray, Back) omelette-type of barley scone, with filling of eggs, cream, etc. Not in Dw. Note that òrna is a var. of eòrna.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnag
Quotation: A’ dol a ruith nam bonnag. Oidhche nam bonnag. An robh thu air na bonnagan. Notes: same as Oidhche Challuinn. Also duan nam bonnag.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bor-tiachd
[bɔʴt̪iɑxk] Note: P.C.’s pronunciation of “muirtiachd”, a jellyfish. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bord uachdair na ciste (E)
[sic] [NOTES: slipped under ‘bòrd (masc)’ with ‘bord uachdair na ciste’ as the quotation.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
bord suidhe
The ‘seat’ board on a cart.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bord toiseach
Front cross beam (of cart) where the driver seats [sic]. [NOTES: spelled ‘bord toisich’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bord ùrach
pios tilgeal an sgrath gu aon taobh.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bordadh
“tack” as sailing boat.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
borran
strong grass on the moorland that is difficult to cut.
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bot
[bɔt̪] Note: deep hole on the moor, often dangerous because of overgrowing heather. (Pl. [bɔt̪əṉ].)
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bot (E)
Cho fada agus is aithne dhomsa, chan ann mar anns na faclairean a tha sealladh air ‘bot’ againne idir. Ach àite bog, toll, fèith, no mar sin (cruinn no mar sin) anns an deadh caora an sàs, no anns an deadh i anns an rathad.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
bota
Quotation: pl. botaichean. Notes: piece of broken land either on the moor or where the sea comes in.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bota
[bɔt̪ə] Note: Harris word for deep hole on the moor, often over-grown with heather.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bota ()
[masc.] an unused bog which had a peat face.
Origin: Ratharsaireach [Raasay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bota-móine
[bɔt̪əmõ:ṉə] Notes: peat bog.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
botag
boat-hook.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
botag
[ˈbɔṯɑɡ] Note: landing hook. (Boat-hook?)
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
botag
[bɔṯɑɡ] Note: Gael. version of boat-hook.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
botaig
[bot̥ẹkʹ] Notes: boathook.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bothag nan uan
the little thatched bothy where the lambs were fed and wintered.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
bothag-chearc (I)
Deanta le sgrathan. Bhiodh sinn a’ deanamh fosgalan (E) aig dorus bothag nan cearc. Tha e coltach gu’n cumadh seo na fithich agus na starragan gun a dhol a steach do an bhothaig a chur dragh air na cearcan.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
bothag-àiridh
a small adjacent store apartment, adjacent to a sheiling (one interpretation).
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bothan-fraoich
a heather-thatched bothy.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
botharag
talkative toddler of a deafening effect.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
botul
Quotation: botul bodaich. Notes: bottle (of whisky). Colloquial.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
botul-teth
hot water bottle, for warming the feet in bed.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
botul-teth
hot water bottle.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
botul-uisge-bheatha
whisky bottle.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
botunn
[bɔt̪ən̪] Quotation: pl. [bɔt̪ən̪əṉ]. Notes: fairly deep holes found on the moor often partly overgrown with heather.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
botunn
[bɔt̪ən̪] Note: a fairly deep hole on the moor, often over-grown with heather.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bou-ou
(interj.) sound made to draw a child’s attention to a dog.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bouta balla
this must have been the crookie by which you could raise a rock to enable wedges to be placed beneath it, thereby bringing it to the level required. Could also manoeuvre the rock in or out with this instrument. [NOTES: note added above ‘u’ in ‘bouta’ – bh.]
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boy
Quotation: Bha m’athair a’ dèanamh sin cuideachd nuair a bha e ’na [bɔ:ı]. Notes: no lenition?
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boówer
floats.
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
brabhadach
Quotation: duine brabhadach. Notes: bandy-legged man.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brabht
[bɾ[ɤu̟]t̪] Quotation: Brabht arain. Notes: a large hunk of bread.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brac
[brɑk] Notes: a fine form of sea-weed growth that attached itself to lines and nets in the early summer and was a great trial to the fishermen. Common to Golspie, and Embo (probably also to Brora, although the old couple I asked didn’t remember it – the man only fished for one season and wasn’t so well up on his fishing terminology as the Embo and Golspie men). Source: Sandy MacKay, 8 Hall St., Embo. Date: spring 1968.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brachdlaich
[See braclaich.] [SLIP: An old boat.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brachlach
(also) worn-out, old, as a boat. Tha brachdlach [sic] dhi ann.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braclach
Quotation: braclach bhoireannach. Notes: an untidy woman.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braclach
[bɾɑxkɫɑx] Quotation: (1) braclach an t-sionnaich. (2) Tha braclach tigh aige. (3) ’S e braclach duine th’ann. Notes: (1) den. (2) and (3) used for a state of dirtiness, untidiness.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braclaich
old version, boat, or an old version of a boat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bracsaidh
a disease, sheep disease. [NOTES: slipped under ‘bragsaidh’ with ‘bracsaidh’ as the quotation. Definition: Braxy.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bracsaidh
caused by fat, excessive richness of fat in the animal.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
bracsaidh
could be eaten, the mutton; it wasn’t termed as a disease.
Location: 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
brad
[bɾɑd̪] Quotation: “Tha thu toir leis brad sgar.” Notes: considerable (in size or excellence).
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Balvoolich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bradan
Quotation: bradan leathainn. Notes: halibut.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bradan
28 [Salmon] breac (iasg geal; descending to sea) > guilse (at [?] sea and growing) > bradan.
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bradan
Quotation: bradan leathann [lʹɛ·ən̪]. Notes: Possibly ‘turbot’.
Origin: Carradale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bradan
Quotation: bradan leathann [bɾɑd̪ɑ̃ṉ lʹɛʔən̪]. Notes: turbot. (Perhaps this should be halibut – see bacach ceàrr.)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bradan leathainn
halibut.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bradan leathann
166 [Halibut].
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bradan-leathainn
halibut (fish).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bradan-leathainn
Notes: halibut.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brag
Quotation: (1) Leig e brag. (2) Leigidh e brag là air choir-eigin. Notes: (1) a loud bang, blow or explosion. (2) used e.g. when speaking of a person who is always on the go, perhaps doing too much. Things will come to an abrupt halt one day. Used generally in this sense.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brag
Quotation: Mu’m bragadh tu cnò. Notes: In the twinkling of an eye.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bragadh
Tha mi direach air mo bhragadh. – after eating too much.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bragair
[bɾɑɡəɾ] Quotation: bragairean de sgeulachan. Notes: stones without much to them.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broad Cove
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bragaire
a red seaweed. This was spread on the machair and left to dry. It was then heated and sent to the mainland to be used as kelp. Also used as fertiliser for hay crops. Known as ‘Bragaire Fheill Padruig’.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bragaire
red seaweed usually found in late winter, early spring – ‘todhar earraich’. Àthadh bragaire – burning this substance. Cocanan bragaire – small stacks.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braghaid
Quotation: braghaid cunnlach. Notes: straw-collar.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bragsaidh
Quotation: am bragsaidh. Notes: braxy – sheep disease.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braich
Quotation: a’ braicheadh. Notes: malting.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braidean
[bɾɑdʹɑṉ] Quotation: (1) Bheir mise ort, a’ bhraidean! (2) “Braidean, bheir mise air!” Notes: (1) “Bad boy!” Not so strong as rascal. (2) If a child came to his mother complaining that another child had done something hurtful she would say this to comfort the child.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braidean
(also) reference to Satan.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braidean
Quotation: Nach b’e ’m braidean e. – Isn’t he a thief.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braidseal
[bɾɑdʹʃɑɫ] Quot.: “braidseal math de theine”. Note: a roaring fire.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braidsealach
used in connection with a violent death. “Rinn iad braidseal dheth.”
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braigh
inside the throat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braigh
the buoy-rope for great-lines or small lines.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braigh-beòil
throat region inside the mouth.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braighdeachd
a game played by boys in which some were held in captivity at one stage. (Badenoch)
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braighdean
[bɾ[ɤı]dʹɑ̃ṉ] Notes: a collar of rope on a calf. Kept on it when tied inside. Another rope attached to the collar.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braile (f)
rattling, peal (thunder), etc.; braighlich.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brailis
[bɾɑliʃ] Quot.: “’S olc a’ bhrailis nach bi a cheud steall gu math dhith.”
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braise
[bɾɑʃə] Quotation: Tha i braise. Notes: used of a young kitten playing.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bramannd
Quotation: Rinn mi bramannd mór. Notes: a major error. A “humdinger”.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
branagach
[bɾɑ̃ṉɑɡɑx] Quotation: Balach piullach agus loth bhranagach cha chòir tàir a chuir air gin dhe’n dithis aca.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brangas
[brɑnɡəs] Notes: Tiree form of a halter made of oak with rope above and below the nose and across the back of the neck. Source: Tiree. Date: 08/1967.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brangas
[bɾɛ̃ŋɡəs] Notes: headpiece put on horses when tethered. It consisted of a piece of wood coming down each of the horse’s cheeks, with a rope joining them underneath. The tether rope was attached in such a way that when the horse pulled at the tether the pieces of wood tightened on its cheeks and forced it to stop pulling.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brannach
Quotation: boirionnach brannach. Notes: stout, thickset.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brannag
a fat woman.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
branndair
a low platform under a table or dresser and projecting from it. Often used as a stance for pails of water.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
branndair
Note: wire grill which stood in front of an open fire. Oatcakes, etc. baked propped up against it.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
branndair
Quotation: branndair a’ bhùird. Notes: shelf under the table (usually slatted).
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
branndair
[bɾ[ɑu̜]n̪d̪ɑɾ] Notes: could be the grating in front of an open fire for making scones.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
branndair
Quotation: branndair dreasair. Notes: shelf, usually of wooden slats under the dresser where pails of water were kept.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
branndair
frame of a cart located beneath the cart box. The cart box was secured on this frame.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
branndair
Quotation: branndair an dreasair. Notes: slatted shelf under the dresser where pails of water were usually kept.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
branndair
a sort of dam which takes fresh water out to sea. Has iron rods across it to prevent clogging by seaweed.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
branndair
[masc.] the bars of the grating on which the fire rested.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
branndair
[bɾɛ̃n̪d̪ɑɾ] Notes: iron grille used for making bannocks at the fire. “Bonnach branndair”.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
branndair
Note: grate put on top of the hearthstone when the fire was in the middle of the floor. Considered at the time to be a big advance.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
branndair
Notes: flat iron strips on which pot rests over the fire.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braoilich
[brɤiɫiç] noise. Nach b’ e sin a’ bhraoilich airson aon adhaircean muic. [NOTES: the slip has [brɤiḻiç]. The quotation has ‘uircean’ instead of ‘adhaircean’.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
braoin
[bɾw̃:nʹ] Notes: salt water as used for pickling.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braoisg
[bɾw:ʃɡʹ] Quotation: Nach ann oirre a tha a’ bhraoisg. Notes: a big mouth.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braon
dew, sweat. Braon dhe.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braonan
Quotation: Tha braonan beag uisge ann. Notes: light rainfall.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brasgan
Notes: sort of lead waistcoat worn in battle. (From a song.)
Location: Vatersay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brasghar
describing music that is fast and loud.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brass plate
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
brat
nn : pl.: ~an [pra h tən] ‘bedspreads
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
brat
Notes: bedcover.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brat
Quotation: brat leapadh. Notes: bedcover.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brat
coated-tongue. Brat air do theangaidh. [SLIP: Coat on the tongue.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brat
Quotation: am brat. Notes: the layer of seed on top of the “connlach” in the kiln.
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brat
Quotation: brat leathrach. Notes: leather apron on cobbler or blacksmith.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brat
Quotation: brat na h-àthadh. Notes: wire mesh floor of the kiln in distillery. Had to be kept oiled, glossy and clean.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brat
Quotation: am brat. Notes: the covering of seed on top of the “connlach” in the kiln.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brat
Notes: bedcover.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brat-folaich
hiding cover as on the head of a criminal when being taken into custody.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bratach
covering, e.g. Tha bratach de shneachd air a bheinn. There is a covering of snow on the ben.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bratag
[b̥ɾɑ˖htɑ˖ɡ] Notes: large black hairy caterpillar.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bratag
Quotation: bratag a’ bhuntàta. Notes: white worm with a red head.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bratag
Quotation: bratag-thomhais. Notes: brown caterpillar found on the moor. (Exclusive to this?) [NOTES: slipped under ‘bratag-thomhais’.]
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bratag
a brown and black beast found in grass. Similar to a caterpillar in shape.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bratag
Notes: caterpillar.
Location: Coll, Arinagour
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bratag
furry caterpillar.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bratag
Note: caterpillar.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bratag
Notes: (1) caterpillar. (2) worm found in potatoes.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bratag
Note: applied to greenish brown hairy caterpillar found on the moor.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bratag
Notes: caterpillar.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bratag
Notes: caterpillar.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bratag
Notes: cabbage caterpillar.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bratag-bhuntàta
Notes: white worm with a red head.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bratag-fhraoich
‘heather caterpillar’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bratag-fhraoich
if allowed to draw itself across a patient’s tongue was believed to be a cure for the patient suffering from burns. I have heard this mentioned – perhaps faith cure.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
bratag-thomhais
Notes: brown caterpillar.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bratainn
[bɾɑt̪ĩnʹ] Notes: for Breatainn.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brath
1 vb ‘permit’: tha mi’ creidsinn gun tig iomdha concert mum bi iad air an choncert, Dia ‘ tha ‘ ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
brath
Quotation: Tha mi brath air falbh. Notes: Brath air said as almost one word. “I’ve got a good mind to go.”
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brath
Quotation: Di-ciadaoin a’ bhrath. Notes: Wednesday before Good Friday.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brath
2 vb ‘take advantage of’: vbl nn:tha e a’ ~adh ormsa a-nochd: tha e ‘ smuaineachadh gun còir dhomh-se chuile rud a thoirt dha
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
brath
Quotation: a’ gabhail a’ bhrath. Notes: taking advantage.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brath
Quotation: “Bheil brath aige air obair?” – has he any word (information) about work. “Bha iad ag radh gur h-esan a bhrath air…” – acted the traitor. Brath – treachery.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brathadair
red embers of fire. (A kindler.)
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bratàlaithean
[bɾɑˈtɑɫıən̪] Notes: a loud bang. ? < Eng battalion with intrusive r.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breab
Quotation: Bha e a’ breabadh [bɾɛbu̜] a’ shùil. Notes: He was blinking.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breab
Quotation: ’S e do bhreabadh a tha a dhìth ort. Notes: said to a badly behaved child.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breaban
Quotation: a’ cur breaban is sàil air bròg. Notes: leather half-sole put on a shoe.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac
[brɛəxk] Quotation: Chuir iad a’ bhreac air. Notes: smallpox. Cuir “disease” air = inoculate.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac
Quotation: a’ bhreac. Notes: chickenpox.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Droman
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac
Quotation: breac donn. Notes: brown trout.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac
Notes: smallpox; also vaccination.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac
Quotation: a’ breacadh na cloicheadh. Notes: the grinding stones of the mill were chipped to make them rough.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac
Quotation: a’ bhreac bheag. Notes: vaccination for smallpox.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac
Quotation: a’ bhreac mhór. Notes: smallpox.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac
Quotation: a’ bhreac. Notes: chickenpox.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Skerray
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac
[bɾɛxk] Quotation: a’ bhreac. Notes: smallpox. “Chaidh a’ bhreac a chuir orra” – They were vaccinated (presumably against smallpox).
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac
white patches with red or black.
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
breac
Quotation: a’ bhreac [əvɾwxk]. Notes: vaccination, smallpox.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac
Quotation: gobhrachan breac. Notes: snail.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac
Quotation: breac an t-sìl. Notes: wagtail.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac an rionnaich
Quotation: Breac-an-rionnaich anns an adhar, là math am màireach. Notes: cirrus cloud formation.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac an t-sìl
wheatear.
Location: Harris, Leverburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac a’ mhuiltean
Notes: “wispy scattering of white clouds.”
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac bhaidealach
grey spotted. Applied to animals of that colour or speckled pattern on clothes.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac thalamh
soil consisting of peat and sand.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac-a-rionnaich
Quotation: Breac-a-rionnaich ás an adhar, latha math a-màireach. Notes: Reminded of this by Auntie Chrissie (Tong and Canada). Dw. has breacadh-rionnaich ‘dappled sky’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac-an-t’ sil
wagtail. [NOTES: ‘sil’ written in second hand – not clear what the original word was (àil?).]
Category: Eòin / Birds
breac-ghleannach
[bɾwxkɣɫɛ̃n̪ɑx] Notes: (noun) speckled glen – heather patches, grass patches, etc.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breacadh
Quotation: a’ breacadh a’ phuill. Notes: lining the peat-bank and cutting divots without actually removing them.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breacadh
pattern. As in this question: Dé am breacan [sic] th’oirre – speaking, referring orally to a knitted item. 2) Seall am breacadh th’air na casan aice. – pointing to the ‘fire-prints’ on her feet or legs. Breacadh a rinn ’n tein’ air na casan aice.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breacadh
process whereby the grinding stones were serviced. The stones were roughened by a chipping hammer so that they would perform more effectively.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breacadh
Quotation: breacadh a’ phuill. Notes: lining the peat-bank for skinning.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breacadh
‘fire-prints on the feet’ caused by continually sitting by a large fire and the feet bare, gradually the fire impression sets in. I cannot think of an English word for it at the moment. [SLIP: “Fire-prints” on feet.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breacadh an teinidh
fireside tartan. (‘teinidh’ – Tiree nom. gen. and dative of ‘teine’.)
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
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
breacadh nan leacan
this describes the process of making one side of the rocks rough in appearance, so that the seed can be ground.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breacadh-an-teine
Note: skin becoming speckled on exposure to intense heat.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breacag
Notes: oatmeal bannock.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breacag
Quotation: breacag fhlùr. Notes: a big round griddle scone.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breacain
breed [of cattle?] named after their colour.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breacan
Quotation: breacan an teine. Notes: the pattern made on the legs caused by proximity to the fire.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breacan dàr
this was a phrase used in conjunction with a successfully serviced cow. Indicated that there would be plenty of produce to follow.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breacan-dàir
Note: in Berneray, Harris. Oatmeal and cream, not baked. Given to person who took cow to bull.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breachd
seize, catch. “An do bhreac thu air?” (T.G.S.I., 29)
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breachdadh-beag
[bɾɛxkəɣbeɡ] Notes: speckled pattern made by wispy clouds in the sky.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breagadh
soothe, flatter.
Location: Barra, Glen
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breagha (-chan)
ropes attached to lobster creels.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breal-bhainnse
Notes: Whistle Binkie. A person who attended wedding or social function uninvited.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breallach
shellfish found in rivers. Like a cockle but four times larger. White shell. Characterised by a protruding tongue which would be withdrawn when touched. Could be eaten but more often used as fishing bait. Found near sandbanks in rivers.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breallach
[bðɛɫɑx] Notes: bigger and darker than “coilleagan” but not so coruscated.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breith
Quotation: Bha e [bɾɛxk] air. Notes: He was catching it. (As if an abbrev. of “breitheachd”.)
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breithe
common grazing at the foot of a mountain on the eastern side of the village. [NOTES: note added above ‘breithe’ – bràighe.]
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breithe
the rope that ties the creel to the buoy.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breitheanas
n. ‘judgement’: corra uair gheibheadh tu foghar math, fada ach no’r a thigeadh i thigeadh i ’na ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
breithnich
[bɾɛ̃ṉiç] Quotation: a’ breithneachadh an t-sìde. Notes: predicting the weather.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breoite
an all round frailty as opposed to the one frailty indicated by the word ‘gaiseach’ [q.v.]. “Duine breoite” – a frail, fragile person. [NOTES: corrected to ‘breòite’.]
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breothadh
[bɾɔəɡ] Quotation: Tha ’m breothadh as a’ bhuntàta. Notes: There is rot in the potatoes.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breothaich (n.)
Quotation: A bheil a’ bhreothaich ort? Notes: anger. S. Uist, and possibly Eriskay word.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breugan or briagan
perforations near edge to hold and slacken the ‘iris’ [q.v.] and lighten the creel.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
breun-loch
[bɾĩɑ̃ɫɑx] Note: soft, water-logged area.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breunlach
[bɾ[ĩɑ̃]ɫɑx] Notes: soft boggy patch on the moor, which dries only after a spell of summer heat.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breòite
delicate.
Location: North Uist, Lochmaddy, Crombagh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
briachd
[bɾiɑxk] Quotation: Tha a’ bhó ann am briachd. Notes: The cow is in difficulties, e.g. stuck in soft ground.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
briagan
1. Gaps left in the weaving of creel – separating top from bottom. 2 Gaps to give hand-grip.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
briagan a’ chleibh
1. Gaps left in the weaving of creel – separating top from bottom. 2 Gaps to give hand-grip.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
briaghaiche (?) (m)
Quotation: clann a’ cluich le briaghaichean. Notes: trinkets. (In the example given – usually broken pottery.)
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
briallach
wet swamp patch – small.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
briathadh
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bricein-beithe
chaffinch. [NOTES: originally ‘bricean-beatha’.]
Category: Eòin / Birds
bridean
oyster catcher.
Location: Argyll, Tarbert, Muasdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bridean
Quotation: Bha e cho eòlach ’s a bha ’m bridean ’s an tràigh.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bridich faiche
a term of reproach for indifferent people in battle. Literally battlefield dwarfs.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brig-brag
indicator words to denote sound like the sound of drops of water falling from the roof into a tin basin. [SLIP: Denotes sound like the sound of drops of water falling from the roof into a tin basin.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brimill
a bull seal. Also used of a fat, chubby man.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brinneal baoth
“Na bith thusa deanamh brinneal baoth dhuit fhein!” – Don’t make foolish flattery (boasting?).
Location: Harris, Borisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
briob-losgadh
Quotation: Bha mi air mo bhriob-losgadh (? priob-losgadh). Notes: ‘I was on tenterhooks.’
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brioba
Quotation: Nì mi e ann am brioba na sùla.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
briocht
word of magic, incantation.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
briogais
Quotation: a’ bhriogais [ə vrikʹẹʃ]. Notes: used as brake for the cart passed under the horse’s tail.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
briogais
[bɾwɡiʃ] Notes: breeches, tied just below the knee. Not used for “trousers”. Wearing the “briogais” at one time was considered a cut above the ordinary. “Tha i ’n deidh an fhear ud a phòsadh – tha briogais air.”
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
briogais
[bɾıɡıʃ] Notes: breeches, tied at the knee.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
briogais (f)
Quotation: Briogais coin! (tapag)
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
briomlaid
[bɾımɑɫɑdʹ] Quotation: “Chaidh a h-uile nì ’na bhriomlaid.” Notes: Everything became a mess. Cf. Irish brionglóid, a dream, nightmare?
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brionglaid
Quotation: Chaidh e ’na bhrionglaid. Notes: It got all mixed up, e.g. fishing lines getting entangled in one another.
Location: Barra, Bruernish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
briot
chattering.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bris
Quotation: ceud mìle gun bhris.
Location: Strathtummel
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bris
Quotation: Thainig briseadh air a shlàinte. – failure. Briseadh-dùil – failure of hope: disappointment. Briseadh-cridhe – heart-break (not heart failure!).
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
briscean, pl. briscein
roots. (I know the vegetable or ground eatable produce but I am afraid I cannot give you the very word for it in English at the moment. They can be rooted from the ground. I have already noted the word on a previous page.)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
briseadh
Quotation: briseadh na fàir’. Notes: daybreak.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Laide, Portnacon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brisgean
[bðiʃɡʹɑṉ] Note: edible root (silverweed?) found among potatoes.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brisgean, pl. brisgein
the roots in the arable land, which can be eaten.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brisgeanach
Quotation: Là Fheill Brìghde brisgeanach, thig an ceann do’n chaitinneach, buinnich an fhaochag air a’ bhàirneach, agus thig nighean Iomhair as an toll. Notes: nighean Iomhair – snake.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brisgein
Disease: for stomach complaint. Part used: the whole plant eaten. How prepared: eating it raw, as taken from the ground.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
brist
Quotation: a’ bristeadh as. Notes: just when the ears of corn or barley appear.
Location: North Uist, Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brist
vb. ‘break; fail’: bh. air slàinte m’ athar; bhrist e ’ amhach
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
brist
Quotation: Bhrist a’ ghealach – tha ceanna-dubh oirre. Notes: just when the moon is beginning to wane.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brist
Quotation: na piochdaich a’ bristeadh. Notes: the saithe breaking the surface (in the autumn).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bristeadh
soil being broken up in preparation of making lazy beds. This is the first thing that is done.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bristeadh
nn : ~ an latha: 'daybreak' [FMM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
bristeadh
Quotation: na bristidh [bɾiʃtʹi]. Notes: the breakers or big waves breaking on the reef. “Tha ’m bogha a bristeadh” – the waves are breaking on the reef.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bristeadh
Quotation: am bristeadh. Notes: the breaking of the wave.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bristeal
[bɾiʃtʹɑɫ] Quotation: soitheach bristeal. Notes: earthenware.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brith, gu ~
indef. ptcle ‘whatever’: flùr no ~ gu dè a bh’ ann
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
briuthaist
[bɾu̟ɑʃdʹ] Notes: brose, made by pouring boiling water on oatmeal in a bowl, salt being added.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brocach
[bɾɔxkɑx] Quotation: duine brocach or brochdach. Notes: a person whose face is disfigured with small pockmarks after having had smallpox.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brocach
Quotation: caora brocach [vɾɔxkɑx] or brochdach. Notes: a sheep having a speckled face.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brochairneach
side fhliuch bhlath; bruthairneach (Scarasta). [NOTES: ‘bruthairneach (Scarasta)’ appears to be a later addition but the hand is the same.]
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
brochan
Quotation: brochan feanntaig. Notes: nettle soup.
Location: Coll, Ben Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brochan
Quotation: Tha e cho math dhuit càl na brochan a dheanamh dheth. Notes: You might as well make anything you can out of it.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brochan
Quotation: Tha brochan as an uchd aige. Notes: rough wheezing in the chest – like “cròchan” in Lewis.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brochan
Quotation: brochan feanndaig. Notes: nettle soup. Nettle leaves put in pot and boiled. Oatmeal added. Usually taken in spring.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brochan
oatmeal and onion mixed with water.
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
brochan
Notes: made from steeped oatmeal, boiled with milk. A thin mixture.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
brod
Quotation: brod poiteadh. Notes: Colonsay, Islay for pot-lid.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brod
a gaff with a hook used to draw out lobsters. This could only be used at spring tide.
Location: Milngavie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brod-liabag
Notes: a spear used for catching flatfish.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brog
Notes: an awl with a flattened tip.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brogail
Quotation: Tha e a’ cumail gu brogail. Notes: in fine fettle. (frogail in Lewis)
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brogh
[bɾoɣ] Quotation: am brogh. Notes: bradawl.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
broiceach
[bɾɔıcɑx] Quot.: duine broiceach. Note: a fat man with a large waistline.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
broighleag
[bɾ[ɤı]lɑɡ] Note: patch put on clothes.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
broighleagan
[bɾ[ɤı]lɑɡəṉ] Quotation: Thuit an copan orm ’s chaidh e na bhroighleagan air a’ làr. Notes: small broken pieces of something brittle.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
broilean
Quotation: teas a’ bhroilein. Notes: said by D.F. to be “inflammation in the manyplies”. Stomach disease or illness.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
broilean
Quotation: Tha goirteas ’na bhroillean [sic]. Notes: discomfort in bronchial tubes.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
broilein
[bɾɔlɛ̃nʹ] Quotation: am broilein. Notes: the part of an animal’s stomach full of folds on the inside.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
broilleach
[bɾɔlʹɑx] Quotation: am broilleach or am maide broillich. Notes: Bracket at joint between stempost and keel.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
broillean
breast, throat, external part of the throat in a bird (hen) or animal.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
broillein
a sore throat, affecting man and animal.
Location: Barra, Ard Mhinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
broineagan
a miscellany of material, a collection of a variety of haberdashery of a light quality, etc. [NOTES: slipped under ‘broineagan (plural)’. Definition: A collection of light drapery materials.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
broinn
Quotation: broinn a’ phuill. Notes: cut area of peat beside bank.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
broinn a’ phuill
the lower level of the peat bank.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
brolain
Quotation: a’ bhrolain [əveɾɔ̣̈lʹha̱nʹ] [?]. Notes: 2nd stomach of cow.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brolais
Quotation: a’ brolais. Notes: talking nonsensically.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brolais
Quotation: Chaidh a h-uile cail a bh’ann na bhrolais orm. Notes: all mixed-up.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bronagail
Quotation: Dé bhronagail a th’ort? Notes: muttering.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bronnag
a large, fat woman.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
broscul
flattery.
Origin: Barra
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
brosgul
Flattery. “Leis a’ bhrosgul.”
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
brosgulan
a flatterer, parasitic person. A sycophant.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brot
Quotation: brot éisg. Notes: fish soup.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brot
Quotation: Tha e nas fhasa seana bhrot a theasachadh na brot ùr a dheanadh.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brothadh
[about rope] disintegrating.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
brothalan (?)
scab showing on the face caused by eating too much seaweed, or eating excess of it, also noticeable in sheep often on the shore. Cure: giving the animal fat to eat, margarine, etc. (I would say this [i.e. brothalan] is the name for the explanation. I am not quite certain: is an old form beginning to go [?] if not out of use now.)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
brotsach
a big sturdy man – a bit fat. Used for a child as well.
Location: Glasgow
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
bru-gheal
stonechat. [NOTES: question mark added in second hand.]
Category: Eòin / Birds
bruadraicheadh
Quotation: a’ bruadraicheadh. Tha e [bɾu̟ɤd̪ɾiçu̜]. Notes: He is dreaming.
Location: Sutherland, Golspie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bruaillean
[bɾu̟ɤlʹɛnʹ] Quotation: Chuir e bruaillean air an inntinn agam. Notes: It got me worried.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brucach
weather-beaten. Le aghaidh bhrucach ghorm. (Scalpay)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brucach
spotted. Aodan brucach – always a demonstration of a fat person or a fat reddish face.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brucach
Quotation: caora bhrucach. Notes: a black-faced sheep.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brucach
ruddy, fattish. May have derived from the brù form of description.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bruchd-ruadhain
[bɾu̟xkɾu̟ɤɣɑṉʹ] Note: a “burp” accompanied by matter coming up from the stomach into the mouth (not the same as “sàileagan” [? first letter unclear: s, c, b?]).
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bruchdach
Quotation: caora bhruchdach. Notes: a sheep having black and white patches on its face, one colour usually predominating.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bruchdach
fat (red faced), fresh coloured person. Duine bruchdach dearg. [SLIP: Used of a fat, ruddy-coloured person.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bruchdach
[bɾu̟xkɑx] Quotation: aghaidh bhruchdach. Notes: speckled face (sheep).
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bruchdag
a fat, fresh-complexioned (female) girl, child. Perhaps from brucach.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brudag
[bɾu̟d̪ɑɡ] Notes: caterpillar.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bruichealachd
chaffing between the toes caused by sweating.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bruicheil
Quotation: sìde bhruicheil. Notes: oppressively hot weather.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bruideag
Quotation: Thoir bruideag air a’ bhó air adhart. Notes: a prod.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brunndail
[bɾ[ɤ̃ũ]d̪əl] Quotation: Tha e a brunndail ris fhéin. Notes: He is muttering to himself.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brutag
Notes: brownish caterpillar found on the moor.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brutag
Notes: caterpillar (yellow and brown variety).
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brutag
Notes: brownish caterpillar found among heather.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Blairmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brutag
Quotation: Brutag a’ fhraoich; Brutag a’ chàil. Notes: caterpillar.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bruthach
Quotation: Tha i suas am bruthach. Notes: she is pregnant.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bruthainn
Quotation: oidhche bhruthainn. Notes: a sultry night.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bruthas
[bɾu̟əs] Quotation: Bha bruthas aige ’s a’ mhonadh. Notes: a bothy for making illicit whisky.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bruthas
Quotation: am bruthas. Notes: the still house. (Brew-house?)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bràc
reindeer (Strathglass, Glengarry, etc.); occasionally “bràchc” (Glengarry).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bràghad
Quotation: losgadh bràghad. Notes: indigestion.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bràidean
Notes: a kind of wooden collar made from willow or hazel for tying cattle.
Origin: Camusluanie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bràigh
Quotation: bràigh an tighe. Notes: bedroom in a blackhouse.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bràigh
[bɾɛ:] Notes: a boat’s mooring rope.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bràigh
Quot.: “am bràigh”. Note: the rope from the “cruaidh” to the “put” at the end of a small- or great-line.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bràighe
[bɾɛ:ə] Note: rope from the “cruaidh” of the small- or great-line to the “puta”.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bràilair
net on a wind on the boat, holds 28 boxes of fish.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bràinndean
small grinding stones which would be kept at home for small scale grinding.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bràmair
(good bit of stuff) good, attractive looking female.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bràmair
Quotation: (1) Có am bràmair a th’agad? (2) ’Se fìor bhramair a th’innt’ or a tha ann. Notes: (1) boyfriend, girlfriend. (2) good-looking, attractive person.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bràt
ears of corn piled up on the kiln to be dried. Also in the general sense of a covering, e.g. ‘bràt sneachda’. [NOTES: corrected to ‘brat’.]
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
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
bràtag
caterpillar.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bràtag a’ chàil
caterpillar.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bràtagan
caterpillars. If eaten by cows their stomach would swell. Cured by eating snails. [NOTES: ‘bràtagan’ corrected to ‘bratagan’.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bràth (m), brathachan (pl)
floats. Made of cork. Rigged on the ‘ròp a’ bhràth’ [q.v.] in a chain.
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
brèagha
Notes: used of male, means – fat, ruddy complexion, usually fair-haired.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brèinain
a crabbit, quick tempered, angry person. To the extent that he might be unapproachable.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bréid
Quotation: a’ cur bréid air rùda. Notes: to prevent early lambing.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bréid
Quotation: Bréid chaise. Notes: cheese cloth.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Kilillan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bréid
[bɾe:dʹ] Note: patch put on clothes.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bréid
[bɾe:dʹ] Quot.: “’S fheàrr bréid na toll.” Note: patch on clothing.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brìc
a pile of potatoes kept in the barn and used for eating.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brìdeag
Quotation: brìdeag shneachd. Notes: snowflake.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brìdeagan
Quotation: Chaidh i as a brìdeagan leis an eagal. Notes: She went out of her wits with fright. (See SGS XI, p. 41.) Brìdeag: doll maids made in image of St Bride. On St Bride’s night, maiden was supposed to have this doll or dolls, to go with it to an outhouse in darkness and alone, and stay there till she heard St Bride giving name of future husband.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brìdean
oyster-catcher.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brìdean
Notes: oyster-catcher.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brìdean
Notes: oyster-catcher. (Kenmore)
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brìdein
oystercatcher. [NOTES: corrected to ‘brìghdein’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brìg
Quotation: brìg arbhair. Notes: corn stacked inside the barn.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brìg
Notes: (Gress) heap of potatoes inside sobhal. This specific usage not in Dw. Cf. Màiri Mhór’s ‘Ri taobh na brìg bhuntàta …’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brìg
[bɾi:ɡʹ] Quotation: brìg bhuntàta. Notes: heap of potatoes inside, e.g. in the corner of the barn.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brìg
Quotation: brìg mhóineadh, brìg bhuntàta. Notes: a heap.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brìg
Quotation: brìg arbhair, brìg fheòir. Notes: a stacked lot of corn/hay in the barn.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brìg
Quotation: brìg bhuntàta, brìg mhòineadh. Notes: a neatly stacked quantity. Potatoes would usually be inside the barn.
Origin: Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brìg (f)
heap; brìg bhuntàta – potato pit above ground. Pollag-bhuntàta – tattie-pit, dug out, partly underground.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brìoghas
fondness, associated with motherhood.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bròd
Quotation: Tha mòran bròd ann. Notes: pride.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bròg
Quotation: brògan put. Notes: football boots. (Carloway)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bròg
Quotation: Chàin e gu bhrògan e. Notes: in phr. gu a bhrògan.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bròg
Quotation: bròg an eich. Notes: hoof.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bròg
Quotation: a’ bhròg. Notes: the hoof.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bròg
Quotation: a bhròg bheag, a bhròg mhòr – parts fitting onto shoemaker’s last.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bròg a’ chruinn
this was the socket where a ship’s mast was lodged. Found in the middle of the boat.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bròg a’ chruinn
where the mast was lodged in the floor of a boat.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bròg-ghlaodh
Note: said that these were made in his father’s time from “guttapercha” – a resin-like substance that used to come ashore. Called by them [kɑd̪ɑbɤɾkɑ]. Sometimes shinty balls were made from it.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brògach
Quotation: caora bhrògach. Catriona Mhór: “Hitler! b’e sin an Dia brògach!” Notes: shabby, etc. Special kind of sheep? Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brògach
Quotation: uan brògach. Notes: white lamb with legs black up to the knees.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brògaire
a shoemaker’s tool for boring leather.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brògan-cruidheach
plated boots.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brògan-gatabaorg
boots made of a special kind of rubber, hardened rubber, popular in day past. [NOTES: slipped under ‘brògan gatabaorg’. Definition: ‘Gutapercha’ boots.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bròineag
poor creature, termed to a female, word expressing sympathy.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bròn
pity. Nach b’e bròn e – isn’t he a subject of sympathy, old ‘idiom’. (Scalpay) [SLIP: Object of pity.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bròn
Quotation: Chan eil bròn air a’ mhuir. Notes: (Lewis?) The sea in calm?
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bròn-mara
Quot.: “’S e bròn-mara a th’ann an diugh.” Note: it’s a flat calm today.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bròs
Quotation: Bròs peasrach. Notes: peasemeal brose.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bròs
breakfast: oatmeal, hot water, butter, salt.
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
brù gheal
wheatear.
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brùchd
Quotation: brùchd feamainn. Notes: heap of rotten seaweed.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brùchd
a rude noise from the throat after eating quickly.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brùchd ruadhain
indigestion brought on by eating fatty foods or anything that is fried. Also salted mackerel, herring.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brùchdadh
bursting. [NOTES: slipped under ‘brùchd’ with ‘a’ brùchdadh’ as the quotation.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brùgh-ghoirt
Quotation: Bhual am brùgh-ghoirt e. [NOTES: the quotation is unclear – it may be ‘Bhual am bhrùgh-ghoirt e.’]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brùic (f), brùca (gen)
rotted sea-weed, at high-tide mark (N.E.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brúchd
a rude noise made after eating quickly.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bu hort
a makeshift small table made from barrel lids with legs attached. Nowadays the word could be used for a coffee table. [NOTES: note added in pencil: litreachadh? bu-thort.]
Location: Barra, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bu tu a lann sùla
There was the term used: bu tu a lann sùla. I am not quite certain if this meant (eye-attraction) at the moment.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buaball
Notes: cow-stall. Source: Uist. Date: 20c.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buaban
[bu̜ɤbɑṉ] Notes: a device to prevent sheep from attempting to jump dykes or fences. A stick hung horizontally in front of the sheep’s legs, from a rope tied round its neck. If it attempted to jump, its front legs hit the stick.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buacan
Quotation: buacan or buachdan [bu̜əxkɑṉ]. Notes: stuffed calf skin used to induce cow to give milk when calf dies.
Location: Vatersay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buachailachd
[tending of cattle.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
buachaileachd
tending the cattle.
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
buachaill-mara
Notes: the Great Northern Diver.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buachaillachd
tending of cattle.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
buachaille-bliadhna
Note: shepherd employed by a township to look after the sheep. Method of payment was to give him a certain amount for each beast delivered safely at the end of his term of employment. (N.C. thinks it was about 6d.)
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buachaille-samhraidh
Note: he was responsible for keeping the sheep away from the village from the time the “fochann” came out until the potatoes were lifted.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buachailleachd (f)
tending of cattle. Buachailleachd a’ chruidh.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
buachair
Quotation: “Tha a’ bhó a’ buachair.” Notes: (noun and verb) The cow is dropping dung.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buachair
Quotation: Far a bheil a chro ud a’ buachrach. Notes: dropping dung.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buachar a chruidh
‘cow’s dung’ used for burns, but applied immediately meant better results.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
buachar-a-chruidh
fish, only rocker or skate I have heard of, was planted in this dung, for to sour, to have a flavour (relish) which seemed to be a popular (taste) flavour in the past (Harris). After the fish had been in the manure or dung, it was then washed [and] prepared for eating by simply boiling it. In other words, after being in dung or manure, whatever way you want to put it, for days.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
buachar-mairt
cow pat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buadhan
Quotation: Tha e frithealtach ’na bhuadhan. Notes: bowel movements.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buaic
The wick of a ‘cruisgean’ [q.v.] was called a ‘buaic’ and must on no account be called a ‘siobhag’. The name ‘buaic’ is most expressive and specific and means exactly what it was, something soaked in oil or grease, a ‘siobhag’ on the other hand is not very specific and could mean a bit of any kind of rag. ‘Siobhag’, again, is of fairly modern coinage and came into use when paraffin lamps were introduced into Gaeldom. ‘Buaic’ was made of the inside of rushes. The whole of this wick was submerged in the oil of cruisie, the other end, which was lit, lay along the upper spout. As a cruisie had no screw on it, a long, sharp bodkin lay near and was used to move the ‘buaic’ up into spout periodically as flame wore it out. ‘Buaic’, a very ancient name.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
buaigheall
cattle stall(s). “Chaidh iad na buaigheall fhéin.”
Location: Barra, Earsharry [Earsary]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buail
Quotation: a’ bualadh na brat. Notes: flailing the seed in the kiln. Brat – covering or layer of seed.
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buail
Quotation: a’ bualadh an t-ìm. Notes: to take the buttermilk out of it.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buail
Quotation: Tha a’ ghaoth a’ bualadh. Notes: the wind is being diverted from its true course by the mountains.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buail
[bu̟əl] Quotation: buail na bà. Notes: cowstall.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buail
Quot.: “Buaileam ort!” Note: when two people were to pick opposing teams, one would call “Buaileam ort!” The second would then say “Leigeam leat!” and the first would pick his first choice. (Two shinty teams.)
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buaile
[bu̟ɤlə] Notes: the game of rounders played with no bat – just the palm of the hand.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buaile
Quotation: Cuiridh sinn an crodh do’n bhuaile. Notes: stall.
Location: Coll, Arinagour
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buaile
Quotation: “Bha e ’na shuidhe ’s a’ bhuaile.” “A’ bhuail’ aig na h-éildearan.” Notes: term applied to the area in front of the pulpit in the Free Church, where the elders sat.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buaile
for cultivation.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buaile
Notes: a fold for stock. In the old Highlands, a fold for stock was always circular in form so that the beasts would keep on walking: a scientific fact of animal Psychology, with which stockmen are now catching up as a new discovery. These folds had no roof; and in times of heavy snow-fall, the continuous movement of stock was necessary for their survival. Fanks were also circular.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buaile (f), buai
[sic] herd or collection of cattle. Buaile de chrodh.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
buaile mhart
any herd of cattle.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
buaile thodhair
cattle kept here overnight to prevent them from straying into growing crops.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buaille
an enclosed area on croft land where cattle could be pastured. [NOTES: corrected to ‘buaile’.]
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Ardivachar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buaille mu’n gheallaich
a circle round the moon indicating bad weather. [NOTES: ‘buaille’ corrected to ‘buaile’.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buailltain
a wooden club rounded at one end with a hollow right through it. A strip of sheepskin was put through this hollow which you gripped in your hand instead of a rope. A flail used to strike corn.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buailtean
The wooden ‘beater’ of flail.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buailtean
used for beating the grain, to break off the husks.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buailtean
a flail for thrashing the corn, etc. Cha robh cuip a bh’air an cùlabh nach deanadh a chùis ’na bhuailtean; orra mo dhùirn orra a thopan, ’s mo sheachd mollachd aig an cluasan. – song (Harris), (a Harris song). Reference to rats; here ‘cuip’ indicates their tail(s).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buailtean
Notes: beater of the flail.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buailtean
Quotation: am buailtean. Notes: the wooden part of the flail striking the grain.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buain
Quotation: Buain ribeach, robach, shalach air droch (dhroch?) bhann. Notes: making a complete mess of things.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buain
Quotation: a’ buain le gaoith. Notes: cutting seaweed on a day with a favourable wind for driving it onshore.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buain
Quotation: a’ bhuain. Notes: the harvest.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buain
Quotation: a’ buain a’ mhòine. Notes: cutting peats.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buair
hate.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buala
[bu̜ɤɫə] Quotation: buala a’ chruidh. Notes: cow-stall. [NOTES: slipped under ‘buaile’.]
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bualadh
a term associated with cattle, they attack human beings in an impulse causing them to rouse into a fighting fashion with their heads. Tha ’m bualadh ann. Tha e bualadh. Tha nàdur bualaidh ann.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bualadh
Quotation: a’ bualadh [ə buələɣ]. Notes: to thresh corn.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bualadh-sgeire
Notes: The honour of winning in a rowing race. Originally going to Heisker to hunt seals. Date: 1972 [?].
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bualaidh
Quotation: bualaidh Galld. Notes: fixture for securing Highland cattle in the byre. Two upright posts, one fixed, the other moveable. The horns of the cow were put in with moveable post to the side, post then put upright and fixed.
Origin: Camusluanie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bualta
I am not quite sure of the meaning of this word at present – but the word is an authentic, Gaelic. Camus-a-bhualta (Harris). [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bualtan
Quotation: bualtan [buəltɑ˖n] (buidhe). Notes: yellow ribwort, gives yellow dye.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buamasdair
boorish person, unattentive.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buamastair
an ill-natured, rude man.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buan
Quotation: Cha bhi a’ shaoghal buan. Notes: He will not last long.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
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
buanachadh
Quotation: Bha e buanachadh gu math air a sin. – profiting. Ach bha am fear eile buanachadh air. – gaining ground, e.g. in a race. Bhuanaich e a’ ionnsuidh na crìch. – He endured/persevered to the end.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buannaich
Quot.: “Bha mi gu math sgìth mas d’fhuair mi air buannachd.”
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buarblach
Notes: cattle-pasture.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buathal
(also) stupidity, obscurity, unforeseen delusion, etc. (Scalpay)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buathalan
ragwort. Used in dyeing wool, giving the yellow proceeds of the colouring version…
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
buathalan
[bu̟əʰəɫɑ̃n] Notes: used in dyeing wool.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buathall
‘haze’ spell, mistake, etc. Dé am buathall a thàinig air?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buathallan
ragwort.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buathallan
Note: ragwort (yellow).
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buathallan-boirionn
a stalk which does not flower. When building cornstacks these were placed in the stack every three or four layers. This kept rats from eating the corn. [NOTES: ‘boirionn’ corrected to ‘boireann’.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buatham
a guess wide of the mark.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buatham
[bu̟ɤhəm] Quot.: “Thug e buatham as.” Note: sudden wild movement.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buathannta
clumsy in action or speech.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buatharra
a bossy person. Applicable to both sexes.
Origin: Barra
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
buathlam
rudeness, ignorance, indirection. Anns a’ bhuath lam [sic] bh’aige.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buathrach
a fetter placed on a cow at milking time. Hind legs were tied. [NOTES: corrected to ‘buarach’.]
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buathsach
silly woman.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bubaid
button or plug. It may have originated from ‘button’ in English. Seldom heard today if at all. The word could be used in connection with the electric switch to-day, it was or to a likewise ‘wart’ say it was used – also materially [?]. [SLIP: Button; used also of ‘electric switch’. Seldom used nowadays.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bubalan
a young boy’s (privates). [SLIP: ‘Young boy’s privates’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bucach
boat with a half-moon characteristic beam, thus: [see illustration]. They are not built now.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bucall
(m) Hook or buckle thro’ which strap for tying hames (at top) passes. [NOTES: spelled ‘bucal’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bucas
[bu̟kəs] Quot.: “bucas a’ chruinn”. Note: box which was fixed to the hole in the bottom of the boat where the end of the mast fitted. Mast put down inside it.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
budhta
a fat woman.
Origin: Skye
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
bufalair
buffalo. An e bufalair th’ann. A term used to denote if it’s bufalar [sic] meat, which (used to be) was consumed in the Highlands of Scotland years back.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bugha
[bu̟ə] Notes: pl. bughaichean. Used by M. of a soft marshy place from which the water doesn’t run.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bughall
Quotation: am bughall [bu̜ʔəɫ]. Notes: pot handle.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buideal
[bu̜dʹɑɫ] Quotation: a’ cur buideal air duine neo air cù. Notes: attaching a piece of string to a person’s back or to a dog without their knowing.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buideal
[bu̜dʹɑɫ] Quotation: buideal de dhuine. ’S tu th’air a dhol ’na do bhuideal. Notes: very stocky, stout person.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buidhe
Quotation: sneachda buidhe. Notes: snow, having lain for a long time and becoming yellowish.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buidhe
Quotation: an tinneas buidhe. Notes: jaundice.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buidhe
Quotation: buidhe soilleir. Notes: bright yellow. (Wool dyeing.)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buidhe
Notes: used in W. Lewis in the sense of fortunate. Also for the colour yellow – bó bhuidhe.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buidhe, buidheachan
floats.
Origin: An Ros Muileach [Ross of Mull]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
buidhe-ròp
the buoy rope. Six fathoms between the buoy and the net.
Location: [South Uist], South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buidheach
[bu̜iɔx] Quotation: a’ bhuidheach. Notes: jaundice.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buidheach
Quotation: a’ bhuidheach dhubh. Notes: a type of jaundice which often proved fatal.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buidheach
Quotation: a’ bhuidheach. Notes: jaundice.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buidheach
Quotation: Tha mi buidheach. Notes: I’m full up, I can eat no more.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buidheachas
Quotation: seirbhis bhuidheachais. Notes: Thanksgiving service on Sunday evening of the Communions.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buidheag
Notes: flower growing among potatoes.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buidheag
Notes: a sheaf that has been threshed by hand.
Location: Ross-shire, Poolewe, Londubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buidheann
[bujən̪] Quotation: ’g a buidheann a mach.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buidhneach
Quotation: [ɤ wĩ:nɑx] ‘the jaundice’. [hɑ ɤ wĩ:nɑx er] ‘He has the jaundice’. Notes: common to Brora, Golspie, and Embo in this form. Source: Mrs John MacRae, 12 Moray Terrace, Brora. Date: spring 1968.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buidseach
[budʹʃəx] Quotation: “Port nam Buidseachan” – place-name. Notes: a witch’s curse; also witch.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buidseachd
Quotation: Tha buidseachd aice. Notes: She has the power of witchcraft.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buig anns an t-sìde
in the sense of mild weather.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buigleag
chubby and rather soft person.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buileach
Quotation: Tha e air a chleachdadh gle bhuileach airson iasg. Notes: used in connection with the word “moit”. It is used very often in connection with fish.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buileach
Quotation: “Cha ruig e buileach an taobh eile.” – It will not quite reach the other side. “Se sin as ’miosa buileach.” Notes: quite.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buileachadh
gathering.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
builg
Quotation: “Tha an t-iasg a’ builgeadh.” Notes: fish at play, breaking the surface and causing bubbles to form but not biting.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
builgeadh
Quotation: “Bha a’ soithean a’ builgeadh.” An ath bhuilgeadh ghabh i. Notes: fish breaking the surface.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
builgeag-fhola
Notes: a small bubble of blood that forms when one hits one’s finger with a heavy object.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
builgean
[bu̟liɡʹɑṉ] Quotation: builgean balsam. Notes: balsam bubble on a spruce tree – when pressed exudes balsam.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
builgear balaich
[bu̜ləɡər bɑɫiç] rascal. ’Se am [bu̜ləɡər]. [NOTES: slipped under ‘builgear’. Pronunciation: [bu̜ɫəɡər baɫiç].]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
builgneach
Quotation: feamainn bhuilgneach. Notes: light yellow seaweed with bubbles in it.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buill
[bulʹ] Quotation: gu bhuill fhein. Notes: profit [?] use.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buill-leog
[bu̟lʹɔɡ] Note: throwing small flat stones along the surface of water.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buill-slaodaidh
the bridle ropes at the end of the net.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
buille
Quotation: reothairt ’na buille. Notes: high tide (24 hours after new moon and full moon).
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buille
Quotation: Cha digeadh e buille a nuas dha. Notes: used in reference to an argument between two people. “He stuck to his guns.”
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buille (f)
Quotation: anns na buillean. Notes: in death throes.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buille thuig
when you stubbed your toe against a rock. In Skye this means the bare flesh that is visible after a cut or graze.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buille ’m port
this was a way of selecting players in a game. The two captains picked teams respectively. One would say ‘buille ’m port’ seeking permission to pick a player. The other captain would respond by saying ‘leigidh mi leat’. The selection continued in this way. Moreover and also during wartime selection of people with young families was carried out in similar fashion.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buille-mu-seach
irregularity in rowing (boat), rowing out of rhythm.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buille-thuig
Notes: accidental blow against a stone when running bare-foot. Back, Lewis: Buille-ìg. Source: Dr John MacInnes, Skye. Date: 1967.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buille-’b(h)àis
fatal blow.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buillig
[ˈbu̜lıɡʹ] Note: a plant growing among oats, very like the oats. Has an ear rather like oats. Wild oats? (Also in Barvas.)
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buillig
[bu̟lʹiɡ] Note: wild oats.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buillion
loaf. Loaves are used for feeding sheep, loaves and oatcakes, or a cake made of oatmeal.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buillisg
a wooden lid on a pot. Some take this to mean a pot hook but former definition is more accurate according to D. W. [NOTES: corrected to ‘bùillisg’ and note added – cf. Lewis pùlais.]
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buill’-og
when a flat stone was thrown on the water, it bounced off two or three times, and sometimes skimmed along the surface. This we called ‘buillog’ [sic].
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buin
Quotation: Buinnidh e dhomh. Notes: He is related to me.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buineil
relationship.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buinn-leathair
leather soles.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buinne
Notes: whirlpool created at the meeting of the tides.
Location: BBC
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buinneach
Quotation: earball buinnich. Notes: dirty wool cut off the tail of a sheep when it has the flux.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buinneagan
garden produce, of the leek ‘family’? ’S toigh leis an duin’ agam buinneagan, duilleagan ’s toigh leis ’n duin’ agam duilleagan càil? I am not, I am afraid, at the moment prepared to say what is the English equivalent?
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buinnich
Quotation: Là Fheill Brìghde brisgeanach, thig an ceann do’n chaitinneach, buinnich an fhaochag air a’ bhàirneach, agus thig nighean Iomhair as an toll.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buinnig
[bũ̜nʹıɡʹ] Quotation: Tha a là a buinnigeadh, a sìor bhuinnigeadh. Notes: The day is getting longer.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buinnteagan
a red coloured plant that grew in weak soil. Could be eaten and had a sour taste.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buinteagan
Quotation: b(p)uinteagan. Notes: leaf of sealbhag.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buird-an-rathaid
Quotation: Bha an càr am buird-an-rathaid. Notes: ‘On the verge of the road.’
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buirm
[bu̟ðum] Note: his pronunciation of “beirm” – yeast or ferment.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buis
[bɤ̈ʃ] Quotation: agus buis ann far a robh an roth a’ dol man cuairt air ceann na h asaill.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buisrichean
spell. [NOTES: the slip gives the quotation ‘boca-na-buisrichean’. Definition: Witche’s [sic] bag; ‘buisrichean’ – spell.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bulagach
having bulging sides as a boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bulaidh-mhuc
Quotation: Cho fliuch ris a’ b(m?)hulaidh-mhuc. Notes: wild hyacinth. Above phrase used of wet potatoes.
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bulg
Note: the bilge of a boat.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bulg
[bu̜ɫu̜ɡ] Note: where the boat curves in towards the keel.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bulgais
Quotation: Cuiridh e a’ bhulgais ort. Notes: will make you sick/vomit.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bulgeanan
bubbles in water.
Location: Harris, Horgabost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun
foundation.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun
Quotation: a’ chluas man a’ bhun. Notes: sheep’s ear cut off.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun
Quotation: bun-dubh. Notes: bracken pulled up by the roots and used for thatching.
Origin: Camusluanie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun
Quotation: bun an t-slait. Notes: handle of rod.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun
Quotation: am bun. Notes: the lower section of the cornstack up to the eaves.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun
Quot.: “’S ann agad a tha’m bun obair a’ deanamh sin.” Note: work that will not come to any fruition.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun
Quot.: ’S e bun a bha seo gu robh… Note: the outcome of this was that
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun dubh
refers to corn that is black at the roots.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun na h-asaid
a term used in childbirth to mean that the woman is near delivery.
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun na h-ursainn
cross piece at the bottom. Suirighe fad air falbh ’s posadh am bun na h-ursainn. – Courting miles away then marrying a next door neighbour.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
bun-a-chroinn
a lug sail in a boat hooked at the bottom of the mast.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-a-tùir
foundation of the tower, where ‘bun’ is foundation.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-an-arbhair
what’s left of the corn when cut in the ground.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-bac
a lug sail in a boat in a certain position, lowered; ‘bun’, below.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-bac
lying at anchor. Na raimh ri bun-bac. They had this saying in Scalpay in former days. Perhaps you have another meaning yourself for this term?
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-bac
Note: part of the blackhouse roof just above the top of the wall. “A’ cur sgrath ri bun-bac.” This was the only part covered by sgrathan.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-bac
the gap between the wall of a house and the thatched overlap.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-bac
Note: described as the point at which the “ceangail” and the top of the wall come together. (Usually described as being two or three feet up from the wall.)
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-cluaise
Quotation: ’S iomadh fear a b’àirde bun-cluaise. Notes: Many a man came from a better background.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-dearg
if these yellow like pansies were eaten by cattle they would pass blood instead of urine.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-dubh
refers to corn that is black at the root.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-dubh
Quotation: am bun-dubh. Notes: the base of the corn-stack consisting of the sheaves which are resting on the foundation.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-froise
the beginning of a shower, the formation of a shower. [SLIP: The formative beginning of a shower.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-froise
start of a shower, formation of a shower.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-gonan
[bũ̟ṉʹɡɔ̃ṉɑṉ] Quotation: Chaneil ann ach bun-gonan. Notes: when a small prick begins to fester.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-luachair
remains, roots of rushes after being cut left in the ground and being approached with a spade, and difficult to uproot is spoken of at one instance as bun-luachair.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-na-cusaig-ruaidh
root of bulrush. Stewed in water, then squeezed and given to cattle for diarrhoea.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-obair
Quotation: Tha bun-obair agam a bhith dèanamh sin. Notes: ‘It’s pointless for me to be doing that.’
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-stice-nan-stiall
to the very foundation.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buna-bhuachaille
Notes: Great Northern Diver.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buna-bhuachaille
Notes: Great Northern Diver.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buna-bhuachaille
great northern diver.
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buna-bhuachaille
cormorant – an corr de bheatha.
Origin: [Tiree]
Category: Eòin Thiriodh / Birds of Tiree
bunabhuachaille
Notes: Great Northern Diver.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bunabhuachaille
Notes: Great Northern Diver.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bunabhuachaille (f), bunabhuachaillean
[pl] great northern diver.
Origin: [Tiree]
Category: Eòin Thiriodh / Birds of Tiree
bunabhuchaille
[bu̟ṉəvu̜xilʹə] Note: great northern diver.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bunalach
Quotation: Bha sinn ann am bunalach. Notes: dithering. Source: Mrs Robertson, Lochmaddy (Carinish).
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bundachadh
laying a foundation, basical… [sic], basis.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bungaid
big, fat, lazy woman.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bungaid
[bɤ̃ŋɡɑdʹ] Quotation: Bungaid de bhoirionnach. Bungaid de chlach. Notes: a large person, object.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bunnabhachuille
great northern diver. [NOTES: corrected to ‘bunnabhuachuille’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntat atharnaich
last years potato.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buntata an t-soithich
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buntata carrach
Potatoes with wart-like growths – usually caused by ashes have been used as fertiliser [sic]. [NOTES: spelled ‘buntàta carrach’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buntata carrach
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buntata coimheach
potatoes growing between the drills where it [sic] was planted.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntata coimheach
potatoes that grow between drills, i.e. having not been planted there, belonging to a previous crop.
Location: Barra, Eoligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntata cur
Seed potatoes. [NOTES: spelled ‘buntàta cur’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buntata dubh
Dark skin and bluish streaks thro’ tuber. [NOTES: spelled ‘buntàta dubh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buntata dubh
Dark skin and bluish streaks thro’ tuber. [NOTES: spelled ‘buntàta dubh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buntata dubh
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buntata dubh
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buntata fada
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buntata gollach
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buntata gorm: Skerry Blues / Edzell blues
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buntata loibht
Rotten. [NOTES: spelled ‘buntàta loibht’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buntata luathaidh
baked potatoes. Placed in hot ashes. [NOTES: ‘buntata’ corrected to ‘buntàta’.]
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntata luathaireach
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buntata mór
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buntata pronn
mashed potatoes.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntata sil
Seed potatoes. [NOTES: spelled ‘buntàta sìl’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buntata slisneach
that part of the potato used for seed.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntata stobhta
mush of boiled potatoes and shellfish.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
Quotation: maide bhuntàta. Notes: potato masher.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
Quotation: buntata [sic] tràth. Notes: early potatoes.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
Quotation: buntata [sic] atharnach. Notes: potatoes growing from these left in the ground the previous year.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
Quotation: buntata [sic] tràth. Notes: early potatoes.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
Quot.: buntàta luathaireach. Note: early potatoes.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
Quot.: buntàta sleadhaig. Note: potatoes planted in holes made by a dibble, after the earth has been manured, turned and the clods broken up. (Put also under sleadhag.)
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
Quotation: tòrr buntàta. Notes: potato pit.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
Potato. Disease: rheumatism. Part used / How prepared: a potato with a slice cut off. A potato carried by the patient in an inside pocket nearest to his skin, I believe. The body seemingly responding someway to the potato? Sources of information: traditionally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
buntàta
Quotation: buntàta fuadain. Notes: potatoes left in the ground and growing the following year.
Location: Coll, Ben Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
nn ‘potato, ~oes’ : airson bu'tàta; baraillean mu'tàta
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
buntàta
Quotation: Buntata [sic] atharnaich. Notes: potatoes which grew from some left in the ground the previous year.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
Quotation: riabh buntàta. Notes: row of potatoes.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
Quotation: sgadan bhuntàta. Notes: herring caught for horse consumption.
Location: Kenmore, Fearnabeg (Shieldaig? – on one of the slips)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
Quotation: buntàta atharnaich.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
Quotation: Buntàta luathaireach. Notes: early potatoes.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
Quotation: buntàta gréineadh. Notes: potatoes left exposed to the weather.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
raw bits, broken into crumbs (buntàta air a phronnadh le cloich) is [sic] used as a lure for fish when fishing with a spoon-net (‘tàbh’). The mashed potato thrown above the net sinks gradually luring the fish into the net and then the net lifted with the fish inside. The fish is caught unawares so to speak.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
buntàta
Quotation: Buntàta breac coilleadh. Notes: very dry potatoes – blue spots through them.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
Quotation: [pə̃tɛtə]. Notes: < Eng. ‘potato’?
Origin: Arran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
Quotation: poll buntàta [p[ɤu̜]ɫbwt̪ɑ:t̪]. Notes: potato pit.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
[bəṉɑ:t̪ə] Quotation: buntàta gorm [bənɑtə ɡɔɾɑm]. Notes: potatoes left lying on the surface of a field and exposed to the sun and wind.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
Quotation: buntàta [pɾɛ̃n̪:tʹʃə]. Notes: potatoes cut up into small pieces. In Portnahaven and Port Charlotte fish and potatoes cut up into small pieces and mixed with butter.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
Quotation: buntàta [st̪o:dʹʒə]. Notes: potatoes when cut up and pieces of fish boiled along with them.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
math do’n chrodh.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
buntàta
Quotation: buntàta nan creag. Notes: a red and yellow spot which grows usually where a stone breaks the surface of the ground. Grows on this thin layer of earth. (Also called Buntàt’ a’ Mhadaidh Ruaidh.)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
Quotation: Buntàt’ a Mhadaidh Ruaidh. Notes: a red and yellow spot which grows usually where a stone breaks the surface of the ground. Grows in this thin layer of earth. (Also Buntàta nan Creag.)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta (m)
Quotation: buntàta sìl. Notes: seed potatoes.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta anmoch
late potatoes.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buntàta carach
warted potatoes.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta cnoiseagach
craggy potatoes, resulting from too much fertiliser.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta dubh
black potato.
Origin: Bràigh-Lochabar [Brae Lochaber]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buntàta dubh
the purple skinned potato.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta geal
white potato.
Origin: Bràigh-Lochabar [Brae Lochaber]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buntàta grod
rotten potato.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta luath
early potatoes.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buntàta-biorach
golden wonder potatoes, brand of potatoes.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta-carrach
‘warted potatoes’, caused by fungi or fungus.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta-góbhlach
Note: type of potato full of “eyes”.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta-laomadh
[bwt̪ɑt̪əɫw̃:məɣ] Notes: potatoes which have had too much manure. Shaws would be big.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta-pronn
mashed potatoes.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta-slibeig
potatoes, tubers planted by a stick, by pressing the stick and withdrawing it to leave a hole in which the tuber is put and the soil pressed over it.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta-sìl
seed potatoes.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bur (m)
swelling of anger, rising wrath.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
burabhuachaille
[bu̟ɾəvu̟əxilʹə] Notes: great northern diver. (See Gilbert Clark’s list.)
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buras
a caterpillar.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
burasach
(also) surly looking person (with swollen like cheeks as denoting more of the meaning of the word). Burasach grànnda. It may have originated from buralaich or burralaich (wailing, crying).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
burgaid
derogatory sense.
Location: Glasgow
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
burgaid
[bu̟ɾu̟ɡɑdʹ] Notes: a laxative as formerly given to cattle.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
burgaid
[bu̟ɾu̟ɡɑdʹ] Notes: laxative.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
burn-is-siabann
soap water, suds. [NOTES: slipped under ‘bùrn-is-siabann’. Definition: Soap water suds.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
burn-ruith
running water, stream.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
burn-salach
contaminated water.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
burn-siabainn
soap water, suds.[NOTES: slipped under ‘bùrn-siabainn’. Definition: Soap water suds.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
burra-bhùb
Notes: stage in life of Great Northern Diver. (1) Learg. [?]
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
burrach
[bu̜rɔx] Notes: caterpillar.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
burrach
caterpillar.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
burrach
[bu̜rɔx] Notes: brown, woolly caterpillar found in the grass.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
burras
caterpillar.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
burras
a caterpillar.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
burras (-ais)
caterpillar.
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
burubhuchaille
[bu̟ɾu̟vu̟xilʹə] Note: great northern diver.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
burubhuilleach
[bu̟ɾu̟vu̟lʹɑx] Note: great northern diver.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bururas (m)
warble of water.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bus
Quotation: bus-muiceadh. Co leis a tha ’m bus-muiceadh a tha sud? – referring to beast itself. Notes: defect in a beast whereby the upper jaw is longer than the lower. This impairs its ability to graze where the grass is short.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bus (m)
Quotation: busan móra dearga. Notes: cheek (Harris). Dwelly – Uist.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
busach
Quotation: duine busach. Notes: man with a dour expression or having a long face.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
busach
Quotation: an at busach. Notes: mumps.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
busach
Quotation: duine busach. Notes: man with fat cheeks.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
busairteach
chancer, amateur.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
busan
cheeks; (also) a boat of unusual width showing rather ‘swollen’ when looking direct from the stem toward the stern. Nach ann oirre a tha na busan.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
busan
on each side of the fire. Made of clay and stone. Flat on top and were useful for keeping pans near the fire.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
bustraichean
Quotation: Tha na bustraichean aice. Notes: buisneachd.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buta cinn
(self-explanatory) [NOTES: slip not found.]
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
butarais
boisterous. Tha ’m bhutarais oirre. (weather) [SLIP: Of weather, boisterous.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
butarrais
Notes: foul weather. In Dw.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
butarrais
[ˈbu̜t̪ərɑʃ] Note: aimsir fhiathaich fhliuch.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
butarras
Notes: dirty weather.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
butata agus feooil
potatoes and meat. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
butata agus scadan
potatoes and herring. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
butata dubh
the old blue variety. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
butata geal
favourite variety was the Champion before Kerr’s Pink. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
butha
[ˈbu̜ə] Notes: a flat patch of ground.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buthag
[ˈbu̜ɑɡ] Notes: fairly large rounded stone found on the beach. Used in the old days for heating beds.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buthag
Quotation: buthag bhuntàt. Notes: (Locheport usage) potato pit.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buthaid
puffin. Also called ‘peata ruadh’.
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buthal
[ˈbu̜əɫ] Quotation: buthal na poite. Notes: pot handle.
Location: Coll, Ben Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buthaman
[bu̜əmɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: am bu(th)aman. Notes: a type of potato. He explains that “Bowman” was the name of the captain of a ship that was wrecked and from which these potatoes were procured.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buthaman
bowman potatoes. So called after a ship ran aground at Paible with a cargo of this potato. The captain of the ship was called Bowman.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buthta pucall
applied to a fat, useless person.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
butraiseach
[bu̜t̪ɾɑʃɑx] Quotation: là butraiseach. Notes: a wet, squally day.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bà-bà
imitated to a child to notify him to sleep. [SLIP: Said to a child to make him fall asleep.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàca
the rope to which a fishing net, drift-net, is attached, the ‘dabhans’, their ends, one end knotted to the net, passing through the hole in the cork on (fastened) to the (main rope). Bàca – main rope in this case as the strongest rope.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàca
back rope; of a fishing net. (I have noted this word on former pages, and I think the word has originated from back/back rope.)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàdhar
[bɑ:ᵊɾ] Quot.: “Cha bu mhath am bàdhar e.” Note: (Perhaps bàir.) Referring to person one disapproved of.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàdhun
Quotation: Bac’ a’ Bhàdhuin. Notes: this particular bank is situated on the site of an old hill fort, and it seems likely that bàdhun means a fort in this case.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàgh
Quotation: a dh’aona bhàgh [əɣw̃ṉəvɑ:ɣ]. Thainig e a null a dh’aona bhàgh gus a’ faiceadh e thu. ’S ann a dh’aona bhàgh airson sin a rinn e e. Notes: specially.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàidse
batch. [sic] [badge?] A batch [sic] in the lapel of a jacket. [SLIP: Patch (in the lapel of a jacket).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàilinn
[bɑ:lĩnʹ] Quotation: Fhuair e a bhàilinn. Notes: understood as meaning “He was expelled from the croft”.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàillidh
Quotation: La bàillidh. Notes: The day the rent was paid.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàinidh
[bɑ̃:nʹi] Quotation: Bha e air a’ bhàinidh. Notes: He was wound up.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàireasdail
Quotation: bàireasdail Lili Mhóir / tha e làn bàireasdail. Notes: (Keose) self-confidence. Not in Dw. Date: 1964.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàirlinn
Notes: ultimate warning, threat.
Location: Canada, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàirneach
‘Limpet’. ’S e bàirneach a bhiodh againn anns an Rudha air a’ bhàirnich bhig a gheibheadh sinn ann an gucaig carraic stamh is dh’itheadh sinn amh i. (Tha mi faicinn gur e ‘Coparran Muire’ a tha aig Father Allan air a’ bhàirnich bhig so ann an ‘Gaelic Words from South Uist’ page 62.) ’Se biadh a’ bhàirnich a bhiodh sinne a’ cleachdadh daonnan air a’ chreagach gus glacadh iasg ’sam bith a thadhaileadh a’ chreag. Cha bhiodh sinn ach ga slaopadh, bhiodh iad ro chruaidh le am bruiche. Bhiodh sinn a’ cagnadh a’ bhiadhaidh agus a’ cur a’ chagnaidh so, no pàirt dheth, ’na bhoite air an dubhan. ’Se gaorr a’ mhaoraich, no cac a’ mhaoraich, a theirte ri broinn bog na bàirnich. Gle bhlasda.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
bàirneach
Quotation: Là Fheill Brìghde brisgeanach, thig an ceann do’n chaitinneach, buinnich an fhaochag air a’ bhàirneach, agus thig nighean Iomhair as an toll.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàl
Quotation: bàl a staidhr’. Notes: newel post in the middle of the stair with usually a ball on top.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàl fraoich
a ball of heather rope.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Trianaid House
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàl stòcainn
modern equivalent would be a pyjama party. Everyone had to bring socks for the person they would leave with at the end of the night. If they did not have this they would be refused entry. [NOTES: ‘stòcainn’ corrected to ‘stocainn’.]
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàlanaich
Quotation: Granny (Keose) to Coinneach Beag, when cart broke down: “’S ioma turas a bha sinn còmh’ ri chéile ann am bàlanaich.” Notes: extremity (as above?); going hither and thither, swithering, in a doubtful situation. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàn
Quotation: Each as a sgrìob ’s each air a’ bhàn. Notes: when ploughing.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàn
Quotation: deoch bhàn. Notes: drink made by pouring first cold water, then boiling water on oatmeal.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàn
fair; white; desolate. Talamh bàn. Nighean bhàn. Dath bàn.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàn
Quotation: air an làmh bhàn. Notes: (heard in Lewis) on hire purchase, deferred payment.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàn
Quotation: Each air a’ bhàn ’s each as a chlais. Notes: when ploughing, one horse in furrow, the other on part still unturned.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàn
Quotation: “Leig e bàn am fearann.” (fallow – uncultivated) “Gearr a bhalaich, gearr, / Do mhòine fada bàn (pale) / ’S tu as deigh chàich.” Song of a fairy who came to help an old man. Bó bhan [sic] – white cow. Grunn de chearcan bàna – a flock (number) of white hens. An talamh bàn – the virgin soil, uncultivated ground, untouched, clean.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàn-fhàd
top peat.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bànaidh
Quotation: Bha a leanabh air a bhànaidh [vɑ̃:ṉi] ag iarraidh a mach. Notes: (could be mànaidh? q.v.) in a waked up state.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàog
as in what possessed you to do such a thing. “De an [sic] bàog a bhuaill thu sin a dheanamh.” [NOTES: note added above ‘o’ in ‘bàog’ – dh.]
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàr gug
Quotation: bàr gug a bhuntàt. Notes: the buds of the potatoes (when growing in the field).
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàraile
[bɑ˖rlʹə] Notes: barrel; a measure for fish, potatoes.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrd
Quotation: bàrd a’ loch. Notes: the head of the loch.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrd
Quotation: bàrdachan. Notes: used sometimes as plural for “bards”.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrdainn
advice. Fo bhàrdainn – under an advice given to leave a house, as say eviction. [SLIP: Advice; (example) – having been ‘advised’ to vacate a house – equivalent of an eviction order.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr
Quotation: am bàrr dearg. Notes: seaweed attached to the “doire”.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr
Quotation: Bàrr na cluais agus sgoltadh as a’ bhun. Notes: earmarks.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr
Quotation: a’ barradh nan lannan. Notes: clinching nails used in boatbuilding.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr
Quotation: na barran. Notes: lumps which appeared inside the throat – could be cured by some people with their finger (cf. bàrr a’ chinn, Tiree).
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr
Quotation: ullag bàrr (sic). Notes: mixture of cream, oatmeal and sugar.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr
Quotation: Bàrr is sgoltadh. Notes: earmark.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr
Quotation: stapag bharra. Notes: mixture of oatmeal and cream.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr
Quotation: Cha robh e fhéin air na barran. Notes: used in pl. – barran. He himself wasn’t among the best.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr
Quotation: bàrr fuadain. Notes: the shoots of potatoes left in the ground and growing the following year.
Location: Coll, Ben Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr
Quotation: bàrr-faglaidh. Notes: part of the harvest left over in the springtime. Could be used the following winter.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr
Quotation: ullag bhàrr. Notes: mixture of oatmeal and cream.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr
Quotation: barrannan a’ bhuntàt. Notes: potato shoots.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr
Quotation: a’ barradh. Notes: skimming the top turf layer (peat).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr
Quotation: bàrr an t-slait. Notes: tip of the rod.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr
Quotation: bàrr na cluais. Notes: earmark.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr
[sic] Quot.: “barr laomaidh”. Note: if too much manure is put on potatoes the shaw grows to a great height, yielding a lot of very small potatoes. (Put also under laomadh.)
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr-an-eòrna
giving [sic] to cattle in the event of, as termed in Gaelic, ‘glasadh uisge’.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
bàrr-an-fhraoich
the blossom of the heather or top of the heather. [NOTES: slipped under ‘bàrr’ with ‘bàrr an fhraoich’ as the quotation. Definition: Blossom (or top) of heather.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr-dearg
Quotation: am bàrr-dearg. Notes: “tangle” growing on the “doire”. This was used as manure on the land. The collection was done about mid-November. (Equinox?)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr-fhad
Quotation: am bàrr-fhad. Notes: the first top layer of peat.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr-fhàd
top tier of peats.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bàrr-gùc
flower on the potato crop.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr-gùg
[bɑ:rɡu̜:ɡ] Notes: blossoms growing on potato shaws.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr-lig
[bɑ:rlʹıɡʹ] Quotation: a’ bhàrr-lig. Notes: slight ripple on water.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr-réisg
the top of peat soil; then the sub-soil on to the peat; the variety of growth on the top soil of peat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrradh
[bɑ:ru̜] Notes: thatch.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrradh
[bɑ:rəɡ] Quotation: Tha e a’ gearradh bàrradh. Notes: thatch.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrradh
Quotation: tigh bàrraidh. Notes: thatched house.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrradh
Notes: thatching.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrrfhad
the upper layer of peat.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bàrsaich
threatening, boasting.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàs
Quotation: Fhuair e am bàs. Notes: only used of an animal or as insult to humans.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàs
nn ‘death’ : dh’eug mo mo sheanmhair, thàinig am ~ oirre
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
bàs
Quotation: bàs a’ chinn adhairt. Notes: death in bed.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàs
Quotation: Air do bhàs na caill am bàta. Notes: Air do bheath (Lewis).
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàs gun sgread
death without blemish.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàsadair
Note: used of any place which could be dangerous to sheep or cattle – e.g. soft, boggy place.
Location: Harris, Northton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàsadair
[bɑ̀səd̪ɑð] Note: can be used of any place, natural or man made (e.g. the inside of a peat-bank) which is dangerous for animals.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàsadair
Poll anns an deacha beathach as an rathad – am bogadh, air an neo nach fhaghaidh e air leum as.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bàsaich
Quotation: A’ fear a bhàsaich leis an acras, fhuair e ’na dh’fhoghainn dha.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàsdair
[bɑ:sd̪ɑð] Note: a soft boggy place with grass growing on it. Sheep would try to get at the grass and get stuck, or sink in it.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàsmhor
[bɑ:svɔɾ] Quot.: tinneas bàsmhor. Note: a fatal illness.
Origin: Stockinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàta
n. ‘boat’ : cha robh am ~ [m bɑ:tə] buan
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
bàta
Quotation: pl. bàtan.
Origin: Carradale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàta chliathaidh
a trawler.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàta iolla
a small boat for fishing the banks or fishing grounds close to the shore.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàta-carago
cargo boat, freighter.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàta-mara
sea boat. ’S e bàta-mara math th’innte. (already noted perhaps)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàta-mara
sea boat. Is e bàta-mara math a h-innte [sic] – a good sea boat. [NOTES: slipped under ‘bàta’. Quotation: ’Se bàta-mara math a th’innte. Definition: Sea-boat.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàthach
Quotation: claise na bàthcha. Notes: byre drain.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàthach
byre. [NOTES: it is not clear if the adjective ‘mhór’ added in brackets between ‘bàthach’ and ‘boghal’ refers to the former or the latter.]
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
bàthach
Quotation: a’ cartadh a’ bhàthach. Notes: cleaning out the byre.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàthach
When the cows occupied one end of the “tigh dubh” that end had no stalls. A short post was driven into the wall and a cow was tied to it by a strong rope. Earlier still, instead of the wooden post, two stones in the shape of two horns meeting each other at their extremities and forming a sort of circle were built into the wall. The end of the rope which tied the cow was fixed to this circle. As many of these circles as were deemed necessary were built into the wall on each side of byre.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
bàthadair
Poll monach – mar as tric poll ùr anns an deacha beathach a bhàthadh. Leanaidh na h-ainmeannan ris na puill sin ged a bhiodh an dà aodann air a dhol cho fada bho cheile is gun togadh tu caisteal eatorra. Cluinnidh tu, “Chunna mi caora leat air breith aig Bàthadair tuath (no deas, no’n ear, no’n iar) Uilleam Iain” no “aig Bàsadair an iar Dhomhnuill Bhàin.” Tha tuath, deas, etc. a’ ciallachadh an àirde a ghabh na puill anns a’ bhuain.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bàthadh an iaruinn
continuing with the above process when this iron rod [i.e. gabht/d iaruinn (q.v.)] had been heated and shaped into a circle, the cartwheel was placed inside this iron circle. Thereafter water was poured on quickly which resulted in the iron compressing and tightening round the wheel.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
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
béirear
[be:ɾɑð] Note: probably “bearer”. The strap of wood running the length of the boat on each side and supporting the seats.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: eadar dà bhì an doruis. Notes: ? peering out through half-opened door.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bìdearran
[bi:dʹərɑṉ] Note: gamhainn a bhiodh ag ith an fhionnaidh aig beathach eile.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bìodach
Quotation: duine beag bìodach. Notes: tiny.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bɔ:] Quotation: Bha bò ann. Notes: giving somebody a fright, a start.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bò Shamhna
a cow demanded by the chief at Halloween.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bò bò
(interj.) to denote a turning away from what is prohibited by a parent or adult for a child to do, as attempting to run into an unsafe place, in particular into the night if he may find a door opened, etc. etc.; to frighten him.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bò ursainn
cow demanded by lord on death of a vassal.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòcan
Quotation: Bòcan a mheadhoin-latha. Notes: believed there was a mid-day evil spirit.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòdainn
[bɔ:d̪ĩnʹ] Quotation: plural [bɔ:d̪ĩnʹəṉ]. Notes: knee-boots. Originally leather knee-boots were worn by fishermen before Wellingtons came on the market.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòidh
Quotation: am bòidh! Notes: boy!
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòidheanach
[sic] [b[ɔi]ɑṉɑk] Quotation: Na bi na bhoidheanachd mas mill thu e. Notes: petting, e.g. a child, a dog.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòil
Quotation: Bhòil e mach. Notes: used of someone suddenly vomiting. Eng. bowl?
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòilich
Quotation: a’ bòilich. Notes: boasting, exaggerating.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòm
boom in a sailing boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòm
boom, the protruding pole from the top part or stem of a sailing vessel or boat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòma
Boom, of a boat.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòrc
thatch, manure.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòrd
Quotation: bòrd giùlain. Notes: funeral bier.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòrd
Quotation: am bòrd. Notes: used for the funeral bier.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòrd
Quotation: obair a’ bhùird. Notes: serving at tables in a hotel.
Origin: Arisaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòrd
Quotation: “Tha bòrd mór oirre.” Notes: when weight of boat was unbalanced, perhaps due to a plank being thicker than it should be, one had to pull more on the one side.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòrd
Quotation: Cha d’thainig e riamh fos cinn bùird [fosc[ɤ̃ĩ]nʹbu̜:ʴḏ]. Notes: It never came to light, e.g. information. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòrd
Quotation: Bòrd a cho-thional. Notes: Congregation board.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòrd
Quotation: bòrd obair. Notes: work bench.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòrd
Quotation: dubhailt bùird. Notes: tablecloth.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòrd raidhe
arbitration board.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòrd-preise
a lid for a pot. Cha deanadh e bòrd-preise. – decrying the qualities of an ‘amature [sic] [amateur?] joiner’ or a handy man.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòrd-sgen
[bɔ̣:ʂtskɛṉ] Notes: a table for sharpening knives on; bath brick was rubbed on it to sharpen them.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòrd-slios
Notes: board at the side of the bed.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòrd-slios
Quotation: Gad fhaicinn ’s gad fhàgail / A ghràidh ri bòrd-slios. Notes: (West Side) Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòrdan fiodh
put across the beams under the thatch.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
bòsdail
Quotation: duine bòsdail. Notes: braggart.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòst
nn ‘pride’: bu chòir ~ a bhith orra [DAG]; b’ fhìor thoigh leatha ‘ bhith na ~ gàbhaidh air na h-aireachan; poidhle dhiubh nach leig am ~ leotha a bhith ga bruidhinn [Gàidhlig]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
bòt
Quotation: bòtan mora [sic]. Notes: thigh boots, made of leather originally, and worn by fishermen.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòt
[bɔ:t̪] Quotation: pl. [bɔ:t̪əṉ]. Notes: boot.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòtainn
Quotation: bòtainnean [bɔ:t̪ĩnʹəṉ]. Notes: leather sea-boots, knee-length.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòthagan
grey and white birds. Seen on the water’s edge on the shore. Ringed plover?
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòtunn
[bɔ:t̪ən̪] Quot.: bòtunnan móra. Note: originally leather thigh boots worn by fishermen.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Tha na bà a stigh. Notes: The cattle are in.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: bó riabhach. Notes: brindled cow.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: bó odhar. Notes: dun cow.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: bó ghibeach. Notes: shaggy cow.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: bó chleideagach. Notes: when a cow has been in all year and her coat is hanging tasselled with dirt.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Leig iad a’ bhó air thogail. Notes: They starved the beast so that it couldn’t rise with weakness.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bóiceanach
Quotation: [əvo:cəṉɑx]. Notes: smallpox, vaccination.
Origin: Culkein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bóta
[bo:d̪ə] Quotation: am bóta. Notes: the bolt going down through shaft, clogs and axle of a cart.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùileasg
[bu̜:lʹəsɡ] Notes: pot handle, split at top and hooked.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùileasg
[bu̟:lʹəsɡ] Quot.: bùileasg a’ chruinn. Note: traveller on the mast of a sailboat.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùird-an-tuill
dividing boards in skiffs’ holds, for distributing catch.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
bùirein
Quotation: Tha ’n tarbh a’ bùirein. Notes: bellowing.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùirich
Quotation: [bu̟:ɾi] “Tha ’n tarbh a’ bùirich.” Notes: bellow.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùirn
Quotation: Tha e a’ bùirn. Notes: Heard this used for “Tha e ’g uisg”.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùirt
[bu̜:ʴsṯ] Quotation: Bha a’ nighean ag iarraidh falbh a dh’obair gu tir-mór ach bha a mathar [sic] ga bùirt as. Notes: dissuade or try to dissuade. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùirt
[bu̜:ʴsṯ] Quotation: ’na do chuis-bhùirt (q.v.). Notes: laughing-stock (because of state one is in – say drunk – or because of failing to do something right). [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùirt
Quotation: Bha esan ag iarraidh a’ dhol ann ach bha mise a’ bùirt as dha. Notes: advising somebody not to.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùlais
pot hook. It was made of two bars of iron, linked loosely together so that it could fit any size of pot, i.e. three-legged pot, with a lug, one opposite the other.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùlasg
Quotation: bùlasg poiteadh. Notes: handle of a pot in two parts, hooked at the top.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùrach
Quotation: Bha an tigh ’na bhùrach. Bha e ann an bùrach. Notes: in a mess.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùrach
Quotation: a’ bùrach. Notes: digging.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùraich
Quotation: an tarbh a’ bùraich.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùrail
Quotation: Tha Sloc an Ime (local gully) a’ bùrail. Notes: a sign that the wind was going to come from the north and would be strong.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùrn
Quotation: bùrn mìn. Notes: drizzle.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùrn
[bu̩rin] water. [NOTES:  the slip has [bu̜rin].]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
bùrn-an-iaruinn
(perhaps noted already) (also) water of a chemical sort of scum on the surface resembling iron: rusty appearance. [NOTES: slipped under ‘bùrn’ and ‘iarunn’ with ‘bùrn an iaruinn’ as the quotation. Definition: Water with a chemically-caused scum (of rusty appearance) on the surface.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùrn-an-réisg
peat water. [See burn-réisg.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùrn-iaruinn
Notes: water with an iron content.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùrn-lòin
stagnant water of a morass.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùrn-réisg
peat water.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùrn-éirigh
Notes: spring water.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùrn-éirigh
Notes: spring-water. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùrn-òil
drinking water.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùrsach
windy, wet weather conditions. Also in the sense of someone who took a severe bout of drinking – “Nach e a ghabh a’ bhùrsach.”
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùtarais (f)
Quotation: Rinn e b. uabhcall [?] e. Notes: a mess.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùtarras
a change in weather conditions bringing storm and rain. “Tha bùtarras orra a nochd.”
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùth
stall for selling at fair. (Shop is [ʃɔxp].)
Location: Glen Lyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùthach
prior to the modern equivalent, a strap of leather would be tied to a calf’s forehead. Nails would be attached to the leather so that this would prevent suckling. Also prevented fighting.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùthach
canvas cover put on a cow’s udder to prevent suckling. Could also be placed on a ram to prevent mating.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùthag
Earth-hut for potatoes.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bùthag
potatoes stored underground, usually located in stackyard.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùthag
potatoes placed on ground in stackyard, covered with dry bracken and then turf – not in a pit.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
bùthag
toll san talamh air a’ chumadh seo air a lìnigeadh le comhlaich agus air a còmhdach le uir agus le pluic neo sgrathan. Mar bu trice air a dèanamh air an talamh bhuntàta no glè fhaisg air gus am buntàta a ghleidheadh gus an cuirte feum air.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bùthair
a cow-man, a cattle-dealer.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùthdarus
cloudy, dark, overcast weather conditions. “Tha bùthdarus orra.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ca
:interr. ptcl.. ’what?’ font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;~ ainm: ~ seo ‘ bha air?
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cab
Quotation: cab anns a’ ghàradh. Notes: opening, e.g. in a wall.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cab
[kɑp] mouth (of fish; of human – mouth). Dùin do chap! [sic] [SLIP: Mouth (of fish or, as above [i.e. in the quotation], in insult, of human).]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
cabach
Quotation: duine cabach. Notes: a person who is a “tell-tale”.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabach
Notes: talkative.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabadair
Note: somewhat similar to the above [i.e. clabalais]. A person who talks a lot. (Also cabadaireachd.)
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabadh
Quotation: a’ cabadh a’ bhuntàta. Notes: cleaning the potatoes with a hoe.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabadh
Quotation: a’ cabadh a’ bhuntàta. Notes: cleaning potatoes with a hoe.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabadh
to notch or scratch your shoes.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabadh
Quotation: a’ cabadh a’ bhuntàta. Notes: cleaning potatoes with a hoe.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabadh
Quotation: a’ cabadh a’ bhuntàta. Notes: cleaning potatoes with a hoe.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabadh
Quotation: Bha mi a’ cabadh a’ bhuntàt [kɑbu̜mw̃ṉɑ:ḏ]. Notes: cleaning potatoes with a hoe.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabadh
Quotation: a’ cabadh a’ bhuntàta. Notes: weeding potatoes with hoe.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabadh (m)
Quotation: cabadh a’ bhuntàta.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabaileis
chattering.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabaileis
[kɑbəlɑʃ] Quotation: a’ cabaileis. Notes: idle talking.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabair
purlings. Bha dà sheòrsa ann. 1. Feadhainn fhada air an cur gu math dlùth air a chéile air na ceangail – air fad an tighe, air uachdar sin sgrathan is tughadh. 2. Tri cabair fhada ’nan laighe air na ceangail (tùbhan), taobhan recte [?], agus na cabair a bhàn is an àirde (sios is suas) air sin. Cha robhas ag cumadh no a rùsgadh nan cabair.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
cabair
Quot.: “Cabair innseach, bial gun tosd, teanga shleamhainn luath gun chlos.” (seann rann) Note: luath-bhial.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabair saoidh
this was the wooden handle attached to the above [i.e. sgiathag (q.v.)].
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabar
Quotation: a’ tionndan a’ chabair. Notes: tossing the caber.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabar
Quotation: Air tigh tutha ’se cabar a bhiodh iad a cuir air mu sgrathadh iad e.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabar
Notes: wooden slats laid on top of the “taobhain” and running from wall to ridge.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabar
Quotation: ’S dona ’n cabar fèarna nach dean ràith am bealach.
Origin: Gigha
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabar
Quotation: a’ tilgeil a’ chabair. Notes: tossing the caber.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabar-slathaig
Note: piece of stick used for arranging thatch.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabastair
a special rein for horses that were difficult to control. Had two bits of wood, one on each side of the horses’s face, which could be tightened so as to hurt and thereby control the horse.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabh
[kɑf] Quotation: cabh moine. Notes: peat dust.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabhach
Notes: of colours: ‘mousey’ or in combinations, e.g. cabhach liath ‘a dirty blue (or grey)’.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabhach
[kɑvɑx] Quot.: “cabhach ruadh”, “cabhach dubh”. Note: used of a colour when it is faded, or a slight admixture of another colour in it, making it look less attractive.
Origin: Harris, Bays
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabhachan
Quotation: an cabhachan. Notes: the titlark (cuckoo’s attendant).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabhadh phloc
two sides throwing clods of earth at each other.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabhadh-phloc
Two sides ranged against one another using clods of earth as missiles. Pieces of dried ‘sgrath’ were very suitable when available.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
cabhag
Quotation: Dh’fhalbh an ùin’ [ũ:nʹ] air sgiath na cabhaig. Notes: quotation.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabhail
[kɑu̜əl] Notes: a stone wall built at the mouth of a river or head of a loch or inlet to catch fish when the tide recedes.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabhail
creel for catching fish.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabhail
Quotation: [kɑvilʹ] or [kɑvəl]. Notes: a stone dam in a river.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabhal
a device for catching fish in a burn. A semi-circular opening was made by means of a flat piece of wood and the ends of a piece of willow inserted in a hole at each end of the piece of wood. This held open the mouth of a bag-net which was put into the burn at a place prepared for it so that the fish could not swim past.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabhalaids’
something that is cumbersome and difficult to operate. Actually this was in reference to my recording machine!
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabhanaich
[sic] Quotation: ’S e cabhanaich beag de dh’oidhche a th’ann an dràsda. [NOTES: slipped under ‘camhanaich’.]
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabhlach
straw. Could also be used for weatherproofing. [NOTES: note added – connlach.]
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cabhull
a creel for catching fish.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
cabhull
lìon is poca oirre airson bric a ghlacadh air allt. Am beul air a chumail fosgailte le slat chrom sheilich. Bha dà ghàradh (aon bho gach taobh) air fhiaradh le fosgladh anns a’ mheadhon far an robh thu cur beul an lìn, ag gabhail do’n allt os cionn sin leis na clachan gus an rachadh an t-iasg sìos. Chì thu eileach mar so an iomadh àite air allt far a bheil ruith chòmhnard.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
cabraid nan ròn
seals squealing. A sign of bad weather. [NOTES: ‘cabraid’ corrected to ‘càbraid’.]
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cachailean
[kɑxəlɑ̃ṉ] Notes: (1) an opening in a stone dyke through which cattle passed. (2) wooden gate with wooden hinges on it. (cachaileith usually)
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cachaileith
Quotation: cachaileir [kɑxəlɛɾ]. Notes: a wooden gate.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cachaileith
Quotation: cachaileir [kɑxəlɛɾ]. Notes: Gate for cattle, between crofts and cùl-cinn.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cachaileith
[kɑxəlɑi] Notes: gate.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cachaileith
[kɑxələ] Notes: opening or gate.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cachaileith
[kɑxəlɑ] Notes: a gate or opening.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cachaileith
Quotation: Tea [sic] cnoc na cachalaidh gum b’ eagalach a neart a bh’innte, chuir i phoit a bhragadaich air cailleach Artur aig an Allt. Notes: gateway. Ancient right of way between two villages, but no gate; a pathway. Gates prob. unknown when hillock got its name. Source: W. Lewis.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cachala
wall and gate of enclosure.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cachalaith
[kɑxəlɑi] Note: a gate, an opening in a wall.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cachd
[Cow dung.] The ‘achd’ is the same as the ‘aca’ in ‘aca’ (at them). ‘Caca’ may be a better way of spelling it.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
cachdanach
Notes: (Ness) peeving, giving a sort of disappointment. Dw. gives cachdan ‘uneasiness of mind, vexation, chagrin’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cachila
contrived gateway.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadal
Quotation: cadal-ceàrnach. Notes: a sleep at the wrong time.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadal
Quotation: cadal-iongnach. Notes: “pins and needles”.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadal
Quotation: cadal-deilgneach. Notes: pins and needles (< dealg, thorn). Not in Dw. (Oh!)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadal
Quotation: cadal nan con ’s a’ mhuilinn. Notes: as if sleeping but at the same time on the alert for the oatmeal to appear.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadal
Quotation: Tha ’n cadal-iongnach ’na mo chas. Notes: pins and needles.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadal
Quotation: cadal-iongnach. Notes: pins and needles.
Origin: Culkein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadal
Quotation: cadal-deilgneachan. Notes: pins and needles.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadal
Quotation: cadal-deiligeanach [kɑd̪əɫdʹeliɡʹɑ̃ṉɑx]. Notes: “pins and needles”.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadal cearnach
cat nap.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadal coileachan
this was a phrase used when putting a cockerel to sleep. His head was put under one of its wings and this phrase was repeated 2 or 3 times – ‘cadal, cadal coileachan’. Have seen this being done myself.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadal-a-bhàis
death sleep.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadal-ceàrnach
Note: a sleep at the wrong time.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadalan
Quotation: cadalan-tràghad. Notes: starfish.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadalan
Quotation: cadalain-thràghad. Notes: sand-fleas.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadalan-tràghad
? (said of slow-moving or indolent person.) [NOTES: slipped under ‘cadalan’ with ‘cadalan-tràghad’ as the quotation.]
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrìgh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
cadalan-tràghad
sleep before the ebb, wee sleep. I am not sure of this compound word either. Does it mean the nap, wee nap people used to do before the ebb tide when engaged at sea-weed cutting in the Highlands of Scotland, or is it the name of a bird or shell-fish, but if you do not find any other definition, I think you will be ‘safe’ in noting the meaning I have here, see the bottom of page 5 [i.e. above] and thus: ’S ann a tha e cuimhneachadh dhomhsa an cadalan-tràghad. – reference to a ‘slow or easy going’ person. [SLIP: Sleep before the ebb; ref. to a slow and easy-going person.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadha
a rocky gap at side or foot of a mountain.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
cadha
a pass, usually a steep path.
Location: North Uist, Blàsheabhal [Blashaval]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadhag
[kɑɑɡ] Notes: jackdaw. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cathag’.]
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadhalaid
when people gather together. The word hints at a noisy atmosphere as well. “Bidh cadhalaid ’san taigh sin ’nuair a thig iad uileag dhachaidh.”
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caf
[kɑf] Quot.: “Abair caf!” Note: a strong smell that catches one’s breath.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cafadh
used in association with previous word ‘bàirich’ [q.v.], i.e. “’S bàirich na mara mar chafadh mur cinn.” Must refer to the crashing noise of the waves above their heads. Tumult?
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cafan
[kɑfɑṉ] Notes: a smell that catches the breath.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
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
cafan
Note: a strong smell, usually bad, which catches one’s breath. “Tha cafan bhon an fheòil sin. Sad as i.”
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cafarnaidh
[kɑfɑʴṉi] Notes: an opening, a gate. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Coigach
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
cagair
Quotation: cagair-céin. Notes: telephone.
Location: Cape Breton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cagairean
Quotation: Bheir mi [kɑɡəɾɑṉ] as do chluais. Notes: I’ll whisper in your ear.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cagairean
Quotation: a’ cagairean. Notes: whispering. Also a [kɑɡəɾiçu̜] or [kɑɡəɾɑxk].
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cagar
Quotation: a’ chagair. Notes: my dear.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Kilillan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cagar
Quotation: Tha, a’ chagair. Notes: Yes, dear.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caglachan
Quotation: Tha a’ lion na caglachan. Notes: entangled, all mixed up.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caibe
Quotation: caibe-làir [kɤbɫɑ:ɾ]. Notes: turfing spade.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Blairmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caibe
Quotation: caibe-làir. Notes: spade used for cutting “sgrathan”.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caibe
Quotation: caibe-làir. Notes: flauchter spade.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caibe
Quotation: caibe-làir [cebɫɑ:ɾ]. Notes: flauchter spade.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caibe
Quotation: caibe-làir. Notes: flauchter spade.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Kilillan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caibe
Quotation: caibe-làir. Notes: flauchter spade.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caibe
Quotation: caibe-mór. Notes: drainage shovel.
Origin: Carradale area
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caibe
Quotation: cabair-làir. Notes: flauchter spade.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caibe
Quotation: caibe-fàd. Notes: turfing knife.
Origin: Invermoriston
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caibe
Quotation: caibe làir. Notes: a sharp kind of spade.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caibe
Quotation: caibe-làir [cebəɫɑ:ɾ]. Notes: flauchter spade.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caibe làir
[See na sgrathan.]
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
caibhear
Quotation: Bha ’n caibhear air an duine an raoir. Notes: broken condition of a person.
Location: Cape Breton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caibhleachadh
herding cattle.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caidhleant
Quotation: (cainnleant?, but no noticeable nasality in my mother’s pron.) It would be difficult (for a man with an artificial limb) to take two buses, ged a bhiodh e caidhleant. Notes: complete, able-bodied (?). (I think I heard Rev. Murdoch Campbell, Resolis – of Ness origin – use a form that suggested a variation of coimhliont, with a long -oi- diphthong.)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caigeann
[kɑɡʹən̪] Notes: arrangement for tying cattle.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caigeann
Quotation: udalan caiginn. Notes: swivel put on a tether so that two sheep could be tethered together.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caigeann
Quotation: Bha caigeann dhiubh ann. Notes: generally used for “a few”. Can be used of people.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caigeann
Quotation: Bhiodh caigeann as a’ bhalla airson ceangal a’ chruidh agus na laoigh. Notes: a wooden peg driven into the wall and rope attached or perhaps a wire round a stone in the wall.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caighinn
Quotation: Chuir iad caighinn air aig a Chùirt. – He was fined at the Court.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caight chreathadh
a partition built in old houses made from lime and small stones. Informant not clear if this was the term for the wall or if it meant the method used to erect it.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailbhe
[kɑli] Quotation: pl. [kɑliəṉ]. Notes: wattle.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailbhe
[kɑli] Notes: wattle door.
Origin: Camusluanie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailc
Quotation: a’ chailc. Notes: chalk.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caile-bianan
Notes: Henderson, Norse Influence, 142, has an elaborate derivation. Dw. has coinnlean-bianain.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caileach-snighe
pertaining to a worm or some creature getting stuck in suit [sic]. (An old term which I remember hearing some time ago. I hazily think of this definition, probably any creature stuck therein.)
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caileadair
[kɑɫəd̪ɑɾ] Notes: weather forecaster. Said by GC to have been used by the older Islay people.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caileag
Quotation: “’S e caileag a th’innt’.” Notes: a young girl or spinster.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
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
a partly rotten potato when planted still adhering to the shaw when new potatoes are lifted.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach
Quotation: a’ chailleach cheòsach. Notes: slater (woodlouse).
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach
Quotation: a’ chailleach. Notes: the line of turf bounding the bed in an àirigh. The bed itself had a bolster of machair, etc. Not in Dwelly, but note the semantic connection with his cailleach-baic ‘… the outside peat in a bank’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach
Quotation: a’ chailleach. Notes: the turf seat beside the bed in a shieling. (Shader)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach
Quotation: cailleach na h-àthadh. Notes: the funnel of the kiln (distillery).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
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
Quotation: cailleach a’ bheing. Notes: daddy long-legs.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach
Quotation: “Cuiridh mi a’ chailleach ort!” Notes: “I’ll beat you!” – said when competing to be the first finished in any work. (D.A.’s father maintained that formerly if there was, say, an old cripple of no fixed abode in the village then the last man to get the harvest in had to keep her for the winter.)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach
Quotation: a’ chailleach. Notes: the tent-like arrangement of sheaves when starting to build a cornstack.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach
Quotation: Tha thu a feuchainn ri cuir na caillich air do nàbaidh. Tha mise gu bhi ullaibh, bithidh a’ chailleach oirbh. Notes: form used when a person had finished the harvest before others.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach chathaidh
a box with metal drums inside it. Used for winnowing. When you turned its handle round, the chaff was blown out through holes in the drums. [NOTES: ‘chathaidh’ corrected to ‘chàthaidh’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach mharbh
Potato no longer suitable for seed.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cailleach-bhuaineadh
[kɑlʹɑxvu̟ɤṉəɣ] Notes: the last handful of corn at harvest-time was taken in, made into a St. Andrew’s Cross, decorated with ribbon and hung inside the house on a nail. The two horses got a half-share each of this before they started the ploughing in spring.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach-cheòsach
Notes: slater (woodlouse).
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach-cheòsach
Quotation: cailleach-cheòsach de dhuine. Notes: a very slow person.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach-chròsdag
Notes: slater (woodhouse).
Location: Coll, Arinagour
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach-chòsach
Note: slater.
Origin: Harris, Leverburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach-chòsach
Notes: slater (woodlouse).
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach-chòsag
Notes: slater (woodlouse).
Location: South Uist, Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach-chòsag (f)
Quotation: “Cailleach, a chailleach-chòsag / inns thusa dhòmhsa / ’m bi latha math a màireach ann / ’s bheir mi dhut paidhear bhrògan.” Notes: slater (woodhouse).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
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
cailleach-mharbh
B’e sin buntàta a bha dìreach marbh. A h-uile beatha a bh’ann air bàsachadh agus e air seacadh, agus air dreach buntàta a chall.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach-oidhche
Quotation: cailleach-oidhche [i:çɛ]. Notes: owl.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach-ribeach
Note: growths in the mouth of cattle. Cut off. Quot.: “a’ chailleach-ribeach air a’ bhó”.
Origin: Harris, Leverburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach-sùich
Note: straw from thatch coming down between the “cabair” and being covered with soot. (?)
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleachan uisge
soggy potatoes.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleachan-uisge
soggy potatoes.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caillt
Quotation: Tha iad uamhasach caillt air talamh. Notes: speaking of moles – destructive.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caimdealach
something being twisted. Also in the sense of a troubled relationship.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caimheanach
a young salmon before it enters salt water. Parr.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caimir
anxiety, vexation.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cainb
Quotation: casa-cainbeadh [kɑsəkɛ̃ṉɑbəɣ] na gréine. Notes: rays of sunshine breaking through gaps in the clouds.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cainb
[kɑ̃ṉəb] Quotation: cainb na srathrach. Notes: groove in the saddle, wooden in former times, more recently made of iron. (?)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cainb na srathair
Saddle groove in which rigwiddie rests. [NOTES: spelled ‘cainb na srathar’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cainb strathrach
specially designed groove on a cart saddle. Not sure what its function was.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cainean
Quotation: cainnean. Notes: a paper spill.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cainear
salmon fisher in trial waters.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cainleanta
(of) enormous (stature). A chainleantachd – having all his faculties, and of unusual proportion. [SLIP 1: Cainleanta. Definition: Of enormous stature.] [SLIP 2: Cainleantachd. Definition: Being in possession of all one’s faculties and being of great stature.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cainneas
talking attraction. 1. definition. Perhaps the etym. is cainnt. (Isn’t there a word cainnteas also: at this point I am not certain, I am not fully certain, rather.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cainnt
Quotation: Tha ruith ’na chainnt. Notes: He stammers.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cainntear
talker, orator.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairean
palate.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairidh
a wall built in the river estuary at low tide designed to capture fish at high tide. This would [sic] they remained upstream.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairiste
service given by squatter to landlord.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairmeal, carra-meille
derived perhaps from the sweet… caramel… (my own definition). It derived from a word or words, Latin, etc. of the same meaning or pronunciation, etc. etc… or…?
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
cairrcean
Black disfigurement on potato skin.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cairt
Notes: root of the water-lily; made a brown dye.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairt
Quotation: a’ cairteadh na bàthaich. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cartadh’.]
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairt
Quotation: slaod-chairt. Notes: horse drawn sledge. Essentially the same as a cart with no wheels.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairt a’ chaineil
Mint tea. Disease: headache (ceann goirt). Part used: leaf and stem. How prepared: boiled. Sources of information: aunt.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
cairt locha
these roots were boiled and mixed with butter. Used for weatherproofing fishing nets.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairt mhonach
a cartload of peats.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cairt na cosgais
Notes: at funerals, in the islands, cart which took victuals/provisions – when long distance had to be covered.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairt shleamhna
boiled and brushed onto sails with a ‘mapaid’ [q.v]. Used for weatherproofing.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairt-a’loch
Note: the root of the water lily, the juice of which was used to fix dye.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairt-cheannachd
the later imported substance [i.e. bark].
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
cairt-mhona
cart for [carrying peats.]
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cairt-shleamhna
lesser celandine used to bathe feet to heal broken skin. Used as a dye for wool. Also used for tanning skins, e.g. for a false face.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairteadh
barking nets. [NOTES: originally slipped under ‘cairteadh’ but then changed to ‘cartadh’ with ‘cairteadh’ as the quotation.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairteal
Quotation: “cairteal tea” – quarter.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairteal an acair
quarter of an acre. This was the size of plot used for potatoes.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairteir
carter. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cairtear’ with ‘cairteir’ as the quotation.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairtidh
Quotation: té cartaidh. Notes: “stewed” tea.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cais-ceum
nn ‘footstep’: latha na bliadhn’ ùire aige, ~ coilich
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
caise Calluinn
a special cheese made at Christmas period.
Location: Barra, Ard Mhinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caise bainne nòs
this milk was placed in a pot of hot water. Left for a while and then cut up into slices and eaten as a cheese.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caisean
Quot.: an caisean. Note: Acc. to N.C. “bhiodh iad (nuair a mharbhadh iad caora) a deanamh gearradh sios gach a taobh dhan a mhaodal agus a toirt am pìos so as. Bhiodh iad an uairsin a dathadh a’ chloimh agus a’ bruich an caisean cómhla ris a’ cheanna-chasach [q.v.]”.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caisean ochd
skin on breast, a tit-bit at killing time. Skin was cut off, with wool still on, a red hot cinder put inside and left to cook!
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caisean-coimheach
[kɑʃɑ̃ṉkɛ̃ɑx] Note: a “rotach” – annual spell of very bad weather.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caisean-cumhach
[kɑʃɑṉkũ̟ɑx] Quot.: “Caisean-cumhach na Bealltainn”. Note: spell of bad weather at the beginning of May.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caisean-cumhach
[kɑʃɑnkũ̟ɑx] Quot.: “caisean-cumhach na Bealltainn”. Note: a “rotach”, spell of bad weather at the beginning of May.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caisean-uchd
Notes: fatty part of cow’s breast.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caisg
Quotation: Chaisg iad na h-uain; laogh air a chasg. Notes: wean.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caislib (-ean)
a wide expanse of sea water.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caislich
Quotation: a caisleachadh na leapa – making up the bed. Notes: caislich – smoothe.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caith
Quotation: Meall is caith agus tilg nan luideagan air an dùnan iad.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caitheamh
Quotation: a’ caitheamh na cloicheadh. Notes: putting the shot.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caitheamh
Quotation: “Tha a’ chaitheamh [ə xɑ̃ĩʔəv] unnda.” Notes: tuberculosis.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caitheamh
Quotation: a’ chaitheamh [ə xɑhi]. Notes: tuberculosis.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caitheamh
Quotation: a’ caitheamh a spàl. Notes: “throwing” the shuttle, as in the wooden loom.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caitheamh
Quotation: (an) caitheadh. Notes: TB.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caitheamh
Quotation: Tha ’chaitheamh ann – he has consumption. Bha e caitheamh a chuid – he was wasting his substance. Far na chaith e moran dh’e là. – where he spent much of … Bhe [sic] caitheamh na h-ùine le … – passing the time with …
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caithinnich
Quotation: Nach ann oirre a tha a’ chaithinnich! Notes: said when a boat is under full sail with a good wind and making good progress. In a letter to J. L. Campbell explaining word “ceàrnaich” page 6, 7 lines from bottom, in “Story of Conall Gulbann”.
Origin: Barra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caithnidh
Quotation: [ə x[ɑı]nʹi]. Notes: consumption.
Origin: Loch Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caithris
Quotation: Am beil thu a’ dol a’ chaithris an nochd? Notes: Are you going to the wake tonight?
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caithris-oidhche
custom of a ‘wake’ in connection with a courting couple, a custom associated in particular to Lewis and [?] Harris, perhaps in other islands and districts, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caiticheann
beat of a sheep on the moor.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caitinneach
Quotation: Là Fheill Brìghde brisgeanach, thig an ceann do’n chaitinneach, buinnich an fhaochag air a’ bhàirneach, agus thig nighean Iomhair as an toll.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cala
Quotation: cal-fhaoileag [kɑɫw:lɑɡ]. Notes: flock of seagulls, as over a patch of sea where herring are present.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calanadh
preparation of tweed making, from the first stage in the work until the final finished cloth. Nì i cìreadh ’s nì i calanadh.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calbanan
galvanised nails with square heads. Used for boat construction.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calc
Quotation: a’ calcadh a’ bhalla le còineach is creadh. Notes: caulk (packing in between the logs).
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calc
Quotation: a’ calcadh. Notes: caulk.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calcadh
caulking a boat.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calcadh
hemp and sap mixed together and used for leaks in boats.
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calcadh
Notes: tough (dead) vegetable matter met with half way down when cutting peat. Have to take it off the blade with the fingers.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calcas
caulking wool. [NOTES: the slip has a note in pencil ‘I assume there should be a hyphen between the two words of translation’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calcas
Notes: stringy peat.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calcus
roots found in peats – sometimes they stick to blade and make it difficult to cut peats, hence: glan an calcus far an iarunn. (Dry ‘calcus’ sometimes smoked when tobacco was scarce!)
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
calg
Quotation: a’ cur a’ chalg. Notes: shedding hair (a beast).
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calg
[kɑɫɑɡ] Quot.: “calg mairt”. Note: hair on cattle.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calg
Quotation: Tha calg math air a’ bheathach sin. Notes: hair on the beast.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calg
[fem.] the same as ‘dias’ (above) [q.v.] in its irritating prickly sense.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
calla
Quotation: call’ fhaoileag [kɑɫw:lɑɡ]. Notes: flock of seagulls on the surface of the water where there is a shoal of herring. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cala’.]
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calla
[kɑɫə] Quot.: Có am ministear dhan tug sibh calla? Note: a “call” to a congregation.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
callaidh
Quotation: a’ challaidh [əxɑɫɑi]. Notes: partition. [NOTES: slipped under ‘càlaidh’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
callain
fat.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
callan
continuation. Thug e callan air. – continually referring to the one subject.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calltach
Quotation: beothaichean calltach. Notes: destructive. [NOTES: slipped under ‘calldach’.]
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calp an acaire
the hemp rope between the boat and anchor.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calpa
(of iodhlann) wall, e.g. calpa tuath, deas, etc.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
calpa
a fishing hook’s unbended part. I think the flattened end to which the line is tied is or was named liath an dubhain, similar to liath an raimh (this was in one instance as regards the oar). [SLIP: The bottom, flat end of a fish-hook to which the line is tied.] [NOTES: ‘liath an dubhain’ has been slipped under ‘liath’. Definition: The end to which fishing line is tied.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calpa
the wooden handle in a peat iron.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calpa
that part of a tether between the stake and the swivel.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calpa
Quotation: an calpa. Notes: part of a tether; the length of rope between the swivel and the pin.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cam
Quotation: duine cam. Notes: one-eyed.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
camag
Quotation: a’ chamag. Notes: shinty stick.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
camaiceanan
Quotation: “Chaidh e ’na chamaiceanan sios an staidhre.” Notes: He tumbled awkwardly down the stairs.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
camaidealach
[kɑmədʹəɫɑx] Quotation: àite camaidealach. Notes: a place through which it is difficult to make a clear passage. One has to zig-zag to avoid obstacles, e.g. harbour with a lot of rocks at the entrance.
Location: South Uist, Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
camairt
[kɑ̃məʴsṯ] Quotation: Tha camairt orm fhéin. Notes: I have a stiff neck on one side. [NOTES: slipped under ‘camart’.] [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caman
Note: the bat (a flat board about 1' long and about 5" wide with a handle attached) of the game “speilean” (q.v.).
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
camard
Quotation: Bha ’n camard air. Notes: a stiff neck, perhaps from sleeping in an awkward position. [NOTES: slipped under ‘camart’.]
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
camard
[kɑ̃mɑʴḏ] Quotation: Tha ’n camard orm. Notes: stiff neck. [NOTES: slipped under ‘camart’.] [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
camart
an inlet featuring a meandering, twisting river. One of these as you approach Lochmaddy from the south. Used to have settlement along its bank.
Location: North Uist, Lochportan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
camas-glas
skate.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
camhasaich
Quotation: a’ camhasaich [əkɑ̃ũ ̜əsiç]. Notes: nagging. A’ camhasachadh – Archie Munro, L. Boisdale.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
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
camhraich
a dish made from oats. Boiled with water and eaten for breakfast, very much like porridge or brose.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
camhraich
a form of gruel made from small oats.
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
camhsachadh
debating.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
campar
[kɑ̃ũ̟mpɑð] Quot.: “gun campar a chuir air spiorad na te sin”. Note: vexation.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
camus
cladach a tighinn cam, “Camus a’ luighre” – Beinn Taobh-Tuath.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
can
Quotation: Bha e a’ canail. Notes: saying.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
can
Quotation: Nach can thu amhran. Notes: “can” often used in this way.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cana
Quotation: canachan (pl). Notes: porpoise. (North Uist)
Origin: Tiree?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
canabhasadh
canvassing. (Of a modern invention, I think, or rather a derivation closely to the English form.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
canaib na srathar
Saddle groove in which rigwiddie rests.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
canaib na srathar
[Number 6 on the diagram.]
Location: North Uist
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
canalachadh
[kɑ̃ṉɑɫɑxəɣ] Quot.: “canalachadh a’ latha”. Note: breaking of day (note pronunciation).
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cannsachadh
debating.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
canntail
was and still [is] occasionally [used] by some for canntainn, some referred to this as an incorrect version of cantainn [sic]. But I think not, or I wouldn’t say so myself. [SLIP: Verbal noun of ‘can’ ‘to say’ – alternative to ‘cantuinn’ but not regarded as good usage.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
canntaireachd
prior to staff notation, this was the term used for ‘ceòl mór’ [q.v.].
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
cansachadh
debating.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cant (m)
a puddle (Stratherrick).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cantail
saying. [See cantainn.] The two variations are still used on Scalpay; the most common is leantuinn and cantuinn [sic].
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caoch
Quotation: Thainig leum caoich [kwhiç] ann. Notes: He flew into a rage.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caoch
Quotation: Tha a’ chlann bheag a’ caoch. Tha na h-uain a’ caoch. Notes: frolicking, gambolling, playing.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caoch
Quotation: a’ gabhail a’ chaoich. Notes: bolting (horse).
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caoch
Quotation: 1. an caoch. 2. cù caoich. Notes: 1. rabies. 2. a dog suffering from rabies.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caochan
Quotation: caochan uisge. Notes: a trickle of water.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caochladh
Quotation: Cha b’e a chaochladh a bh’ann. Notes: It was no one else but him.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caog
Quotation: Chaog e rium. Notes: He winked at me.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caog (verb)
wink. Chaog mi rithe. – I winked at her.
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
caoibean
[kɤıbɑṉ] Quot.: “Có thig air mo chaoibean?” Note: at end of waulking, this question would be asked as a girl would pull a strand at the end of the cloth. Referring to which boy would come at the time. (Not too clear about this.) (“cuibean” in Dw.)
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caoibean (E)
[The first five or six inches of warp uncrossed by the weft at the beginning of the web.] Feuch caoibean. Nuair a bhiodh na mnathan a luadh agus a thigeadh firionnach a steach do an chuideachd chanadh iad: “Nì e caoibean dhuinn.” “Nì Tormod caoibean dhuinn.” (Cha b’ann leis a’ ghruaim a chanadh iad seo.) (Fuaimnich: caoidh' agus bean.)
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
caoidh
Quotation: “A’ caoidh an gàir a rinn thu ’n uiridh.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caoilte
Note: tana, goidhleach. Cho caol ’s gu faodadh e dol ri fasgadh buatharlan.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caoin
Quotation: Dé a chaoin a th’air an òran? Notes: in common use.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Irish Cove
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caoin
Quotation: caoin-air-ascaoin [kw̃:nʹɤɾɑʃɡʹĩnʹ]. Notes: inside out.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caoin
Notes: practically same word in Greek and Hebrew – cognates.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caoineachadh
[kəənʹəxəɣ] Quotation: a’ caoineachadh. Notes: drying hay.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caoineachadh
Quotation: A caoineachadh an fheòir – seasoning the hay. Fiodh gun chaoineachadh – unseasoned wood.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caoir-ghìnidh
[kɤ:r ji:nʹi] Quotation: Bha caoir-ghìnidh ann. Notes: wild cherries.
Origin: Loch Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caoirbhean
‘measure of wind’, of a force 4 wind. Th’an [sic] aon chaoirbhean tha sud oirre. (Scalpay expression) Could have orig[inated] fr[om] ‘gaoir-bheann’. [NOTES: the slip has ‘Tha ’n aon chaoirbhean tha sud oirre.’ Definition: Used of the force of the wind.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caoirneanaich
small patches of herring playing. Bha caoirneanaich bheaga ann dhe.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caol
Quotation: an caol druim [əŋɡöl dṟɪ̈m] [sic]. Notes: part of the back behind the shoulders.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caol
Quotation: caol-dùirn. Notes: wrist.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caol
Quotation: caol-druim. Notes: small of the back.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caol
Quotation: caol-an-dùirn. Notes: wrist.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
caol
Quotation: Chaidh a cuir as a caol-druim.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caol
Quotation: caol-an-duirn [kw:ɫənd̪ɤ:ʴn]. Notes: wrist. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caol
Quotation: caoldruim. Notes: small of the back.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caol
Quotation: an caol-coise. Notes: slender part between calf and ankle.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caol
Quotation: caol-dùirn [kw:ɫ d̪u̜rĩnʹ]. Notes: wrist.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caol an earraich
[kəɫ ən jariç] [NOTES: slipped under ‘caol’ and ‘earrach’ with ‘caol an earraich’ as the quotation. Definition: Of animals, meaning ‘very thin’.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
caol-druim
(one example) I have the most rare usage of meaning on the page previous [caoldrama?]. A common word in the physical sense. I have heard it used colloquially in the past days in the previous sense. There are the variations in meanings, as you will no doubt understand yourself that I only give the one meaning or sometimes two in my [?] collection, omitting the gender and tense, nouns, adj., and all the terms denoting cases etc., etc., grammatical ‘abbreviations’ and so on and so forth. Anyway, I am leaving this to yourself, and all the material I have here is the present words found in the speech of the people on Scalpay, but perhaps a few words of former days. I haven’t approached a dictionary so far, but what I am trying to recall from memory, but a word or two I have defined as ‘documented’ from the ‘passing peep’ in a phrase, or a passing look so to speak. This is the way I am trying to expand on at the moment. DRM
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caolan
Quotation: caolain [kʹɯ̟ɯ̟ɫɑ˖nʹ]. Notes: intestines of an animal.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caolan
Quotation: an caolan geal [əɡɯ̜iɯ̜iɫɑnɡʹiɑɫ]. Notes: rectum.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caolan
Quotation: an caolan tóin. Notes: anal passage.
Origin: Camusluanie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caolan-dubh
Note: when fishing for dogfish, herring or mackerel bait was used until a dogfish was caught. Then the “caolan-dubh” was removed from it and bits of it used for bait after that.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caolanan-gorma
Tha againn ‘caolanan-gorma’. ’Se seo na caolanan beaga mar a tha ‘an t-snàil’ airson a’ chaolain mhóir. Anns a’ bhoin, ’se na caolanan-gorma de’m bheilear a’ deanamh nan lùban-dubha. Agus de an chaolan mhór thatar a’ deanamh nan ìsbeanan. Cho fada ’s a tha cuimhne agam-sa, cha chan sinn caolanan-gorma uair sam bith mu chaolanan na bà.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caolas
narrow stretch of water.
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
caolas
name for cattle which had come from the mainland.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caolas
Quotation: Caolas Od Odrum. Notes: sea between St. Kilda and Uist.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caomhantach
[kw:vən̪t̪ɑx] Quotation: duine caobhantach [sic]. Notes: prudent person, e.g. always careful with his own belongings.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caonnag
Quotation: an crodh a’ [kw̃:n̪ɑɡ] (sic). Notes: cattle gently butting and pushing but not fighting in earnest.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caora
Quotation: caora chiar. Notes: sheep which was neither black nor white – something in between.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caora
Quotation: caora Nollaig. Notes: a beast killed for Christmas/New Year.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caora
Quotation: caora bhrògach. Notes: a sheep with tufts of black wool in her fleece.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caora
Quotation: An do lomair thu caoraich [kɛ̜rə]?
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caora
Quotation: caora dhà-bhliadhna. Notes: a gimmer.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caora
Quotation: caora bhrucach [kw:ɾəvɾu̟kɑx]. Notes: black faced sheep.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caora
Quotation: caora dhubh-cheannach. Notes: a half-bred blackface sheep.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caora
Quotation: caora dhubh-cheannach.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caora
Quotation: caora bhadach. Notes: a sheep having a small tuft on its forehead.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caora
Quotation: caora mhaol. Notes: Cheviot.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caora
Quotation: caora croimheagach [sic]. Notes: a sheep with maggots. [NOTES: slipped under ‘caora chroimheagach’.]
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caora
Quotation: caora dhubh-cheannach. Notes: a black-faced sheep.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caora
Quotation: caora bhrocach [vɾɔxkɑx] or bhrochdach. Notes: sheep with a speckled face.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caora air seacharan
a sheep that has strayed.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caora bhrùcach
a sheep with wool that is grey or covered in black spots. Also applied to people with dark skin. [NOTES: ‘bhrùcach’ corrected to ‘bhrucach’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caora chaillte
a sheep that has strayed.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caora chàraidh
sheep taken from tenants by proprietor at Halloween.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caora chùlanach
sheep with black wool round the neck like a black collar (nothing to do with disease, just as a matter of interest).
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caora reamhar
fat sheep.
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caora reamhar
fat sheep for butchering.
Origin: Ross of Mull
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caora reamhar
fat sheep for butchering.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caora reamhar
[fat sheep for butchering.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caora reamhar
fat sheep.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross and Cromarty but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caora sheachran
[a sheep that has strayed.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caora stiallach
a sheep that was rather untidy and fast losing its wool.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caora tarran
spots over the body. [NOTES: is ‘tarran’ a pronunciation spelling? Tarr-fhionn?]
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caora thulloch (ballach)
black-white. [NOTES: ‘ballach’ added later.]
Location: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
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
caora “hesk”
sheep that missed the ram. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caora “ravar”
fat sheep. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caora-chiatain
(Chan eil e idir againn.)
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caoradh Hiortach
[sic] sheep species attributable to the island of St Kilda. [SLIP: St Kilda species of sheep.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caoraich-mhonadh
beat [i.e. the regular ‘beat’ of sheep on the moor].
Origin: Ross of Mull
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caorain
broken peat.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
caorain
small broken peats.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
caoran
lowest tier of peats.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
caoran
bottom peat. (Uist and Scalpay)
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
caoran
Quotation: an caoran. Notes: the third peat.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caoran
Notes: broken bit of peat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caoran
the layer next to the back formation. Also small broken peats.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
caoran
[kw:ɾɑṉ] Note: the third peat.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caoran
fragment of dried peat.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
caoran ()
[masc.] a small piece of peat.
Origin: Ratharsaireach [Raasay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
caoran dubh
small black peats.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
caoran dubh
very black, hard and brittle peat. Gives off a good heat.
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caoran, caorain
small fragments of peat much sought after for heating purposes.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
caoran-bhiagan
brambles that can be found on heather in the autumn. Could be eaten. [NOTES: note added above ‘b’ in ‘bhiagan’ – m.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caorann
Quotation: craobh chaoran [krööv xöörən]. Notes: rowan tree.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caorann
second layer of peats.
Location: North Uist, Grèinatobht [Grenitote]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caorann
broken peat (singular). Caorainn mhònadh (plural). [NOTES: the slip has ‘caoran’ – pl. caorainn mhònadh.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caothach
Quotation: caothach bideanach. Notes: highest point of rage.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
capall
Quotation: “A’ bhith deanamh dioghal a’ chapaill iasaid air rud.” Notes: putting a borrowed article to as much use as possible.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
capall
Quotation: capall seasg. Notes: a mare which has never foaled.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
capall
Quotation: capall-searraich. Notes: a mare which has foaled.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caplaid
chattering.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
capull
Quotation: cas capull. Notes: edible shellfish similar to clam found in deep water. [NOTES: slipped under ‘capall’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
capull
Quotation: capull bàn. Notes: mare. [NOTES: slipped under ‘capall’.]
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
car
Quotation: Latha nan car. Notes: April Fool’s Day.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
car
Quotation: Chaidh mi ’n car each. Notes: I bought a horse.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
car
Quotation: Chaidh mi na car. Notes: I had carnal relations with her.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
car
adv. ‘approximately’: ~ mun first of June, da’ ràini’ sinn sìos siud; thigeadh rud an-dràst ’s a-rithist ~ nam miosg
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
car
Quotation: car ’na shùil. Notes: a squint.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
car
nn 1 ‘jest’: Latha nan Car first of April. Bidh time math ann Latha nan Car [ADM]; tha iad ‘ toirt cuir air feadhain; duine sam bith a theirea’ car às na daoine
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
car
Quotation: car a’ mhuiltean. Notes: somersault. [NOTES: slipped under ‘car a’ mhuiltein’.]
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
car
Quotation: ’S duilich an car a thoirt as an t-seana mhaide.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
car
Quotation: Thug e an car asam. Notes: He tricked me.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
car
Quotation: “An car a bha ’san t-seann mhaide ’s duilich a thoirt as.” Notes: twist – a proverb generally applied to people set in their ways.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
car
Quotation: “Thug e char as.” Notes: He deceived him.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
car
Quotation: “Chan eil e deanamh car.” Notes: ‘Car’ in the sense of work.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
car tuathail
A wrong turn. [NOTE in second hand: A wrong or left turn.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
car-seicidh
[kɑɾseci] Notes: coarse jacket for everyday work made of canvas-like material. Often used at threshing time.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
car-shùgan
an instrument used for making rope. Consisted of a bit of cylindrical wood with a hook at one end for twisting the heather, mane or whatever. [NOTES: a question mark added in the margin.]
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cara
a trap for catching fish at high tide. Placed in the mouth of a river. See earlier description in previous notes. Difference in pronunciation between Uist (caraidh) and Eriskay (cara).
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carabhaidh
Notes: girlfriend. Source: William MacDonald, Lewis. Date: 1973.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carach
Quotation: “Cho carach ris a mhadadh ruadh.” Notes: cunning as a fox.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carachan
Notes: a sweet root which children ate.
Origin: Skye
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
caraichdein (f)
carrageen (Gigartina stellata). Collected in August. Car bog, spongy. Car buidhe cuideachd.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
caraiche (-an)
lumps on potatoes.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caraid (m)
Quotation: “Chì thu sin, a charaid ort.”
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caraide
n.’ relative’: bha ~ mòr dhomh shuas seo
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
caraig
a rock jutting out to sea which could be used as a landing place for fishing boats.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caraigeinn agus feanntag
Irish moss and nettle leaves mixed together and used as a moisturiser for skin. Also used for rheumatism.
Location: Barra, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caraireachd
[kɑɾəðɑk] Quotation: Tha e làn caraireachd.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caraiseach
used of something that is exposed to the elements, e.g. a house built on a hill.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carameal
vetch. Plant with bitter taste, one explanation. ‘Bitter’ rather clashes with ‘meala’? Wild peas. It’s difficult to observe its growth in this area at the moment if at all grows on Lewis or Harris? (I’ll make further enquiries.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caran
used of an unsurly [sic] [surly?], unpleasant man especially when drinking. The word has this drink association.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carbad
Quotation: a’ charbad. Notes: base for a coffin with two shafts, one at the head and one at the rear, protruding from the sides. Four people carried it.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carbad
Quotation: an carbad. Notes: a bier in the form of a hand-barrow.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carbad
Quotation: carbad an diollaid. Notes: metal channel set in wood across the saddle for the chain from the shafts to slide in.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carbad
Quotation: casan-coirpte. Notes: shafts of light under the sun – indicates rain – usually at sunrise.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carbad (m)
bier. (Sleat, Skye)
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
carbad-adhair
Quotation: carbad-adhair [ɑhər]. Notes: aeroplane.
Origin: Arisaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carbad-rathad
Origin: Arisaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carbad-òla
car. [NOTES: slipped under ‘carbad-ola’ with ‘carbad-òla’ as the quotation. Definition: Motor car.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
carbard
[kɑɾɑbəʴsḏ] Quot.: “Tha carbard math fhiaclan ann.” [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carbhaireachd
[kɑɾɑvəɾɑxk] Quotation: lodair air a carbhaireachd. Notes: carved.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carcair
the surface of a peat bog having been turfed.
Location: Lewis, Back
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carcair
portion of peat bank stripped of the top turf.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
carcair
the width of peat bank to be cut. (Skye)
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
carcaire
[kɑɾkəðə] Note: the width of peatbank turfed for cutting.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carcaire
the peat bank stripped of turf.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carcaire
[kɑɾkəðə] Note: width of peat turfed for cutting.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carcas
carcase, Scalpay pronunciation (carcas).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carghas
Quotation: “Tha carghas air Fear-an-tighe ’nochd.” Notes: “The Man of the house lacks tobacco tonight.” Carghas, lack of tobacco. Developed meaning from Carghas, Lent.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carnadh
making peat stacks. Piling the peat making the shape of a mountain ridge. [NOTES: corrected to ‘càrnadh’.]
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carr
this was the impurities that came to the surface after a seal’s fat had been boiled. [NOTES: corrected to ‘càrr’.]
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carrachan
[kɑrɑxɑ̃ṉ] Notes: has a carrot-shaped root which can be eaten. Has a small pink flower.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carrag
Notes: the lump at the end of a piece of tangle where it sticks to the rock.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carragh
Quotation: carra [kɑʔrə], na carrachan. Notes: standing stones.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carraiche
Notes: a wart disease in potatoes.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carraichgean
[kɑrɑçɡʹɑṉ] Note: the lump at the base of tangle, attaching it to the rock.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carraideach
adj.. ‘argumentative’: am biodh iad ar fad car ~? [FMM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
carraig
Notes: rock above water, even at high tide. “Carraig-iasgach”.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carraig
Quotation: Tha mi a’ dol gu’n charraig. Notes: I am going rock-fishing.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carraigeann
found on rocks at low tide. Used to make a sort of pudding which was said to be replenishing.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carran
[kɑɾɑṉ] Notes: a white flower that grows among potatoes. (See carran – Dw.)
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carran creige
Lump fish or sea porcupine. Thig e so gu biadhadh ’sam bith ged nach fhiach e fhein itheadh. Gheibh thu cloimheag [q.v.], cat dubh [q.v.], is carran creige ann an luin gle fhaisg air tir.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
cart
[kɑ˖ʂt] Quotation: a cart for a horse. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cairt’.]
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cart
Quotation: na cartach [nə kɑ˖ʂtəx]. Notes: gen. of cart. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cairt’.]
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cart
Quotation: Cart na cosgais. Notes: (Uist) the cart which contained the spirits, biscuits and cheese, and tobacco, and which followed the remains at a funeral. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cairt na cosgais’.]
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cartadh
Quotation: a’ carthadh [sic] na bàthcha. Notes: cleansing out the byre.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cartadh
Quotation: a’ cartadh a’ bhàthach. Notes: cleaning out the byre.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cartadh
Quotation: cartadh na mònach – carting the peats.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cartadh a bhathaich
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cartadh an lìn
[NOTES: slipped under ‘cartadh’ with ‘cartadh an lìn’ as the quotation. Definition: Barking.]
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
cartch monaidh
cart for use in taking home peats, “creel”.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cas
Quotation: na casan deirich [nə kɑ˖sɑ dʹërʹɪç]. Notes: rear legs.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas
Quot.: “a’ cur casan ri eathar”. Note: putting props under the sides of the boat to keep it upright.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas
Quotation: casan na cuibhleadh [kɑ˖sɑ˖n nɑ kuiləɡ]. Notes: 3 legs of a spinning wheel.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas
Quotation: casan-carbad fon a’ ghréin. Notes: shafts of sunlight.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas
n. ‘foot’: ach aon uair bhiodh iad ’ dol ann le ’n cois -- ’son ~, greim lòthan; lòthainn that’s greim lòthainne
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
cas
Quotation: Bha e na shuidhe cas ma seach air a bhalla. Notes: astraddle. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cas-ma-sheach’.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas
Quotation: Dh’fhalbh mi air mo chasan-beaga. Notes: barefoot.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas
Quotation: na casan toisich [nə kɑ˖sɑ˖ tɔ̣ʃiç]. Notes: forelegs.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas
Quotation: cas mhór. Notes: one of the horse’s hind legs swelled up.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas
Quotation: Tha e gu math cas. Notes: quick-tempered.
Location: Coll, Arinagour
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas
[kɑ˖s] Quotation: Thàinig i cho cas an deidh sinach. Notes: rough, of a storm.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas
[kɑ˖s] Quotation: Thàinig e cho cas. Notes: rough, of a fight or brawl.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas
Quotation: cas capull. Notes: edible shellfish similar to clam found in deep water. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cas-capull’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas
Quotation: cas circ ann an criathar. Notes: thin-legged woman with big boots.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas
Quotation: na casa’ cinn. Notes: forelegs of a horse.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas
Quotation: Chas e ’fhiaclan. Notes: He bared his teeth.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas
Quotation: Bha iad air dhroch chasan. Notes: ?
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas
Quotation: Thàinig na briathran sin air an cois. Notes: (Lewis?) These words came true. (?)
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas an iaruinn
handle of peat-iron.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cas an iaruinn
the handle [of the peat iron].
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cas an iaruinn
the handle of the peat iron.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cas bheag
refers to a peat which when thrown out lands on its side or on a corner. “Tha fear ud air a dhol air a chois bhig.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas bheag
when drying peats one peat is placed horizontally on its edge whilst two other peats rest on it.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas bheag
Notes: 4 peats in drying together.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas mar theach
when sheaves of corn were improperly constructed. This refers to a sheaf that has ears at both ends instead of being at one end.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas-an-fhithich
this is an old term, it’s out of use here now but it may have survived somewhere else. I think it means a mark of a scar on the face or hands, the scriabadh form as if a bird (raven) scratched the face with its claws. A permanent mark. If you haven’t any other definition, I think you are quite safe with this.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
cas-bhacail
[kɑsvɑxkɑl] Quotation: a’ cuir cas-bhacail air duine. Notes: hindrance, something in the way.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas-bheag
Quotation: ’ga cuir air a’ chas-bheag. Notes: one peat lying on its side and two others propped up against it.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas-bheag
Quotation: a’ cur cas-bheag air cù. Notes: putting a rope round a dog’s neck with a loop hanging down. Through this loop is put one of the front paws. Restricts freedom of movement.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas-bheag
Quotation: a’ cur a’ mhóine air cas-bheag. Notes: 1st lifting.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas-bheag
Quotation: a’ cur a mhoine air cas-bheag. Notes: one peat lying with another two peats having one end on the ground and the other resting on the flat peat.
Origin: Kinlochourn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas-bheag
Quotation: a’ cuir cas-bheag air cú. Notes: lifting one of a dog’s fore-paws off the ground by attaching one end of a piece of string to it and the other round its neck. A hobble.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas-chaibe
Quotation: Bha am buntàta air an stobadh le cas-chaibe. Notes: flauchter spade. Holes were made at regular intervals and the potatoes dropped in.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas-cnaimh(e)
bone handle, or a handle made of bone, in a knife. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cnàimh’ with ‘cas-cnàimhe’ as the quotation. Definition: bone handle (of knife).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas-feannaig
Notes: sewing in a crow-foot pattern.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas-gun-rath
[kɑsɡərɑ] Notes: useless person.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas-gun-rath
[ˈkɑsɡəˈrɑ] Note: “duine gun dòigh”.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas-gun-rath
[kɑsɡəˈrɑ] Quot.: Chaneil ann dheth ach cas-gun-rath. Note: worthless person.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas-ladhrach
[kɑsɫɤ:ɾɑx] Note: covering on the hooves of a calf when born. At one time they were taken off, boiled and eaten.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas-na-caibe
[kɑsṉəkɤb] Quotation: earmark.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cas-ruamhair
Quotation: a’ chas-ruamhair. Notes: sometimes used for “a’ chas-chrom”.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casa-cainbeadh
[kɑsəkɛ̃ṉɑbəɣ] Quotation: casa-cainbeadh na gréine. Notes: rays of sunshine breaking through gaps in the clouds. [NOTES: slipped under ‘casan-cainbe’.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casa-feannaig
Quotation: fuaigheal chasa-feannaig. Notes: criss-crossed stitching formerly put on the border of blankets.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casa-gobhlagan
Quotation: Bha e casa-gobhlagan air a bhalla. Notes: astraddle.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casa-góbhlach
Quotation: Bha e na shuidhe casa-gobhlach [sic] air.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casa-góbhlagain
Quotation: a’ togail leanabh casa-còbhlagain [sic]. Notes: piggy-back.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casa-góbhlagan
Quotation: Thoir dhomh casa-góbhlagan. Notes: carrying someone astraddle on one’s neck and shoulders.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casa-góblaigean
open legged, as riding a horse. Bha e casa-goblagain [sic] air a mhuin. [NOTES : slipped under ‘casa-góbhlagan’. Quotation: Bha e casa-góbhlaigean [sic] air a mhuin. Definition: Astride.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casach
Quotation: a’ chasach. Notes: an arm’s length of twisted line between hook and sinker.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casachan
step of the peat iron.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
casachan
the parts of a loom worked by the feet. Casachain mhora –  the actual pedal. Casachain mheadhain – the connecting rods by which the further end of these is bound to the loom itself. Casachain bheaga – the parts of the loom at the top which are directly connected to the bottom ‘casachain’.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
casachan
Quotation: na casachain. Notes: pedal (4) on wooden loom.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casachdaich
[kɑsɑxki] Quotation: (a) casachdaich. Notes: coughing.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casad
Quotation: an casad mór. Notes: whooping cough.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Sydney Forks
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casad-crup
cough of a hoarse nature.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casadh
Quotation: a’ casadh. Notes: twisting.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casadh
Quotation: Bha e a’ casadh fhiaclan. Notes: said of angry dog showing his teeth.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casan
wooden poles, or wooden uprights to keep a boat on a beach, on even keel.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casan
(of stack) The actual ropes on stack, to them are attached clachan-chas (weights).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
casan
wooden props on which the boat rests when not in use.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Ceannaraigh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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 ladhrach
Quotation: casan ladhrach [ɫɤ:ɾɑx]. Notes: covering on calf’s leg when born. Soon lost. At one time taken off at birth.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casan ladhrach
the soft white underpads on a calf’s feet, used to be roasted on the fire and eaten.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
casan na ciste
[NOTES: slipped under ‘cas’ with ‘casan na ciste’ as the quotation.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
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-ceangail
anns a’ bhalla. Bha iad crom aig a’ cheann shuas, eag mhath air a ghearradh annta far am freagradh ceann iosal a cheangail, air a chumail ann le da chrann daraich. Chan’eil cuimhne agam an ann air an taobh a muigh no stigh a bha an eag. Bha na croinn có dhiùbh a stigh. Is iomadh balach diomhain thug cnag orra.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
casan-ceangail
rafters, tied together at the top with rope.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casan-cloimhe
pussy-foot – reference to the softness of death.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
casan-coirpte
Notes: shafts of light under the sun – indicates rain – usually at sunrise.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casan-fodair
Notes: lines radiating from the sun through clouds.
Location: Spean Bridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casbhrat
a carpet.
Location: North Uist, Lochmaddy, Crombagh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casbhrat
carpet.
Origin: ‘Islay connections’
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casd
[ka:sd̪] Quotation: Tha casd orm. Notes: I’ve a cough.
Origin: Loch Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casdail
Quotation: a’ casdail [əkɑsd̪ıl]. Notes: coughing.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casg
Quotation: Chaisg iad na h-uain. Laogh air a chasg. Notes: wean.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casg
Quotation: casgaichean [kɑ˖skẹçən]. Notes: casks for liquids.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cat
Quotation: isean cat. Notes: kitten.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cat
cat.
Location: Argyll, Tarbert, Muasdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cat
[ku̟t̪] Quotation: ’S ann dhith fhèin a nì an cat crònan. Notes: selfish, self-centred.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cat criadhaich
balla-tarsuing air a dhèanamh de mhaidean ’nan seasamh, siamain fodair air am fighe eatorra agus sin air a chòmhdach le criadhach (cré). (Thàinig seo bho sheann duine á Mealabhaig.)
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
cat dubh
Blenny – inedible.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
cat mara
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cat-criadha
clay cat (ornament).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cat-càrn
Quot.: “Chaidh e na chat-càrn rium.” Note: He went into a rage.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cat-dubh
Note: fish similar to the “garran-creige” [q.v.] but larger. Prominent teeth. (Variety called “cat-dearg” also found.)
Location: [Lewis], [S.] Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cat-griasaich
Notes: one who seldom moves from the house.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cat-griosaich
fear a bha glé dhéidheil air a bhith ’ga gharadh.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
cat-luathaidh
Quot.: ’S e fìor chat-luathaidh. Note: a person who is never away from the fire.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cat-mara
species of fish, of the ling family.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cat-tràghad
[kɑt̪ɾɑ:ɣəd̪] Notes: sea-urchin.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Laide, Portnacon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
catachan
petted youth. ’S e catachan beag th’ann. Old expression, I do not think it’s quite obsolete.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
catachan
sprinkle. Cuir catachan salainn air.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
catadh
attracting. (Perhaps from other sources: tatadh.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
catapurca
“Cho ruighinn ris a chatapurca.”
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cataraids
catarage [sic]. (new word)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
catarus (m)
contention, arguments.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cath a’ chuain
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
cath bhualadh
threshing with flails.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cath-choileach
cockfighting (sport).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cath-choileach
cock-fight.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cath-droma
ridge pole.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
cath-ghoil
Quotation: Tha an coire a’ cath-ghoil. Notes: boiling over.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cath-làthair
battle-field.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
catha
brae. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cadha’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
catha-briste
broken bray [sic] [brae?]; irregular, broken, uneven bray [sic] [brae?].
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathach (m), cathaich (pl)
barnacle goose.
Origin: [Tiree]
Category: Eòin Thiriodh / Birds of Tiree
cathachadh
fighting. A’ cathachadh an aghaidh an uilc.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathadh
Winnowing. [NOTES: spelled ‘càthadh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cathadh
nn ‘drifting snow’: 's an cur 's an ~ ann
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cathadh
drifting snow.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathadh làir
wind driven powdery snow.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathadh làir
nn ‘snow in drifts’: bha latha sneachda gàbhaidh agus ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cathadh làir
wind driven snow. Not a blizzard but driven along the ground.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathadh làir
wind driven snow. Would accumulate on walls, cars, etc.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathadh làir
powdery snow.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathadh mara
spindrift.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathadh mara
froth flying off the waves.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathadh-mara
Notes: spindrift.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathadh-mhara
[kɑhu̜vɑɾ] Notes: spindrift.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathadh-shneachda
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
cathag
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathag
[kɑ̟ʔɑ̟ɡ]
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathag dhearg chasach
chough.
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathain
barnacle geese.
Location: Harris, Leverburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathain a’ dol gu deas
bad weather follows the sighting of the barnacle goose flying southwards.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathair
Quotation: cathair-shìomain. Notes: chair with wooden frame covered on back and seat by plaited sea-bent.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathair
fairy knoll. (W. Ross)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathair
Quotation: pl. cathraichean. Notes: ‘seathair’ not used.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathair
chair.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
cathair-murrain
a wooden chair with a seat woven of morran grass.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathalaich
[ˈkəhəLıç] Notes: babble of talk.
Origin: Back
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathall-dubh
[kɑhəɫd̪u̟] Notes: blackbird.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathalladh
trouble, burden especially in rearing children.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathalleach
hot and bothered, flustered.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathalt
tame.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathan
Canadian goose.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathan
of the wild duck grass-eating bird species. [SLIP: A grass-eating bird of the wild duck species!]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathan
Notes: barnacle goose.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathan
barnacle goose.
Origin: Taransay
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
cathan-dubh
Note: barnacle goose.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathraichean
chairs.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
cathris-oidhche
[sic] [See caithris-na-oidhche.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathtag
small amount between the fingers as oatmeal. Cuir cathtag mhineadh air. When fish or something boiling in a pot to make it or the water more to the thickness or solidity required, a cathtag mhineadh is suggested but perhaps this is it also: yes! when something in the mixture of gruel is too much of a liquid form, an additional small amount of oatmeal is recommended.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
catlaich
[See pàpanach].
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
ce
[See ciath.]
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceabar
[cɛbəɾ] Quotation: ceabar de dh’aran. Notes: ½ bannock with butter and crowdie on it.
Location: Sutherland, Talmine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceafan
Quotation: ’S e an dearg cheafan a th’ann. Notes: cheeky boy, brat (or ceafanach).
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceairsle fraoich
a round ball of heather rope.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceal
an end. Chuir e ceal air. Perhaps alternative in this case is crioch.
Location: 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
Quotation: an ceallach (sic). Notes: the fireplace in the kiln.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceamaidealach
crooked, at least not straightforward.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cean-math
goodwill.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceangal
Quotation: (Auntie Bella – Keose) “Bhiodh sùgh freumhaichean nan sealbhag (sorrel) aca a’ ceangal a’ ghuirmein ris a’ chloimh.” Notes: ‘fixing (of dyes)’. By contrast, crotal had its own fixing agent. This precise sense not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceangal
Quotation: pl. ceangaltaichean [ceʔəɫt̪ıçəṉ]. Notes: tether rope attached to the side of the stall. Usually had two cows in every stall.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceangal
Notes: tee (on the roof of a house). No ridge-pole in thatched houses in Islay.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceangal (math)
(couples).
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
ceanghal
[masc.] a pair of sloping roof joists meeting at the ‘gad-droma’ [q.v.]. The size or length of a house was given by the number of ‘ceanghail’. Thus – Tigh och [sic] ceanghail or Tigh mór nan deich ceanghail.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
ceanglachan
sling. (I am not quite sure again at the moment. I think I am right.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceanglaichean
the rafters on a thatched house.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: Tha e cho fada ’s a cheann ’s a bha Fionn ’s na casan. Notes: Islay – in the sense of being cunning. Lewis (Barvas) “fada ’na cheann” means stubborn.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: Cuiridh mi mo cheann air innean dhuit. Notes: I am so sure of what I am saying... (innean: anvil)
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: Fhuair mise bean as a’ cheann [çɛn] mu thuath.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: ann an ceann saoghal. Notes: Long, long ago.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: ceann goirt. Notes: headache.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: Tha ceann dubh air a ghealaich. Notes: when the moon just starts to wane.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: ceann dubh air a’ ghealaich. Notes: moon just beginning to wane.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: air ceann mo dhà stocainn. Notes: in stockinged feet.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
(m) 1. Piece of ground in which corn (or potatoes) is planted. 2. A plot of moderate size. E.g. “Dh’fhuasgail a’ bho ’s chaidh i dhan cheann arbhair aige.”
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ceann
Quotation: an ceann [əŋɡɛ̜ʊn]. Notes: the head.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Note: rope between the “cruaidh” at the end of a fishing line and the buoy.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: ceann similinn. Notes: gable end.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: Bha mi na cheann fad an là. Notes: used e.g. if a mother had to attend to a child all day perhaps because of illness or discontent.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: fos cinn. Notes: above.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: Bheir dha rudeigin airson a cheann a chuir seachad. Notes: e.g. if a child was restless and demanding something. Might give him a toy or something to occupy his mind.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: Dh’fhalbh mi air ceann mo stocainnean. Notes: having nothing on one’s feet but socks.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: ceann-dubh a’ tighinn air a’ ghealaich. Notes: moon just beginning to wane.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: ceanna-cuir. Notes: the rope, at both ends of a small line or great line, to which the “bolla” and “cruaidh” are attached.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: Bhrist a’ ghealach – tha ceanna-dubh oirre. Notes: just when the moon is beginning to wane.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: ceann an àigh. Notes: one who makes himself notorious or undesirably prominent.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: a’ cur am mòine air cheann son tiormachadh [tʹirməxk] (sic).
Origin: Arran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: Cha d’thainig e riamh fos cinn bùird [fosc[ɤ̃ĩ]nʹbu̜:ʴḏ]. Notes: It never came to the surface, e.g. information. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: a’ chioch chinn. Notes: the uvula.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: ceann tobhta. Notes: seat bracket.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: “Cha deach ceann riamh air clab-sgàinn [kɫɑbsɡɛ̃:nʹ].” Notes: No end to a garrulous person’s talk.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: ceann toscaid. Notes: top of the barrel.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: còmhdach-cinn. Notes: headscarf.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: ceann an àigh. Notes: a person always in the same good humour.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: Tha ceann dubh air a’ ghealaich or Tha ceann dubh oirre. Notes: with a waning moon, there is a dark spell in the early evening before it rises.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Note: a small cultivable patch of land, perhaps surrounded by stones. (Arnol very stony.)
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann
Quotation: Cha robh e ach a’ cur seachad do cheann. Notes: (Lewis?) It occupied you for a time.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann ( kèoon)
[pron.] head. [NOTES: there is a slip with ‘ceann’ as the catch-word and Ellie Walker as the source but it gives a phrase - Ceann mór aig duine glic, Ceann circ air amadan.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
ceann (arbhair)
1. Piece of ground in which corn (or potatoes) is planted. 2. A plot of moderate size. E.g. “Dh’fhuasgail a’ bho ’s chaidh i dhan cheann arbhair aige.”
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ceann a’ phuill
upper end of the peat bog.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ceann cròpaig
a dish, most likely a starter made with the liver of a fish, preferably that of a cod or ling. This was mixed with onions, oatmeal and seasoned with salt and pepper. The mix was then pushed into the fish’s head which was wrapped in white thread. It was then cooked along with another bit of fish. Could also be used to make soup. [NOTES: ‘cròpaig’ corrected to ‘cropaig’.]
Location: Milngavie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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 gropach
oatmeal and fish-liver.
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
ceann mara
tha an ceann-mara air a cheangal ri cluas a lìn [q.v.] agus an ceann-iosal ris a chruaidh (no’n acair). [NOTES: slipped under ‘ceann’ with the above as the quotation.]
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
ceann na ciste (E)
[NOTES: slipped under ‘ceann’ with ‘ceann na ciste’ as the quotation.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
ceann shimileir
where the chimney joins the thatch.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann shios a’ phuill
lower end of the peat bog.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ceann snamadh
tree like cloud formation, indicating bad weather to follow.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann stròg
an oily substance obtained from flax after it had been boiled. Thereafter painted onto wood. A preservative.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann, an ~
prep. ‘engaged with, stuck into’’: bidh iad an ~ a chèile, an dà cheann aca [FMM]; ‘after, at the end of’: cha robh gin orm an ~ latha no dhà; chuimhnich mi air an ~ co’là deug
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
ceann-a-chraidh
brackets of wood fixing the seats to the gunwale (beul an eathair).
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-a-cuir
sreang làidir ceangailte ris a’ chloich is ris an lìon. [NOTES: slipped under ‘ceann’ with ‘ceann-a-cuir’ as the quotation.]
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
ceann-adhairt
Quotation: an ceann-adhairt. Notes: the pillow end of a bed.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-adhart
Quotation: ceann-adhart na leap. Notes: head of the bed.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-beag or cinn-bheaga
(also) additionally nailed to a boat when under repairs.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-beag, pl. cinn-bheaga
top timmers in a boat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-bhall
[cɑ̃n̪vɑu̜ɫ] Note: the rope between the “cruaidh” [q.v.] and the “puta” [q.v.] on a great-line or small-line.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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-cat-mara
[cɤ̃ũ̜n̪kɑt̪mɑɾ] Notes: sea urchin.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-cat-tràghad
Notes: sea-urchin.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-cropaic
Note: mixture of fish’s liver, oatmeal, onions and seasoning boiled in the fish’s head.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-crìcheadh
Quotation: Sin an ceann-crìcheadh aige. Notes: end, limit.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-cuiligean
[cɑn̪ku̟liɡʹɑ̃ṉ] Notes: heard this for the sheaf put at the very tip of a stack to make it pointed.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-duinn
a natural landing place for boats. Like ‘lamaraig’.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-goirt
sore head. (Internally.) [sic] A wet bandage being soaked in cold water and then tied tight round the head, round the forehead, was a one time cure for a sore head, or a soothing method for sore head.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-grobaidh
dish from the liver of fish, fish paddies or pudding made with oatmeal mixed with liver and salt, etc. Creann-grobaidh in Scalpay. [SLIP: Dish made of fish liver mixed with oatmeal etc.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-gropaig
A kind of pudding made of fish liver and oatmeal, cooked inside a large cod’s head.
Origin: [Skye]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-iomair
edge of field left to be ploughed at finish.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-iomaire
Quotation: an ceann-iomaire. Notes: the area used by a horse for turning. At the end of the day these would also be ploughed. One acre a day was considered good work for two horses and a man.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-là
Quotation: an ceann-là. Notes: calving date. [NOTES: slipped under ‘ceann-latha’.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-maothan
[cɑn̪mw̃:hɑṉ] Notes: the joint between the two planks in a boat.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-mara
buoy marker, marker on the surface of the sea, as in the case of long-lines or small lines set in the sea for fishing, the ends of the set of lines are kept indicated on the surface by a ‘ceann-mara’, also serving their original [?] purpose as floats tied to the line on the surface, the other fastened to the fishing line or lines at the bottom of the sea.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-mara
that part of a fence which stretches into a loch.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-maradh
Notes: the buoy at the end of a small-line.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-sguire
[cɑ̃n̪sɡu̟ɾə] Note: area at the end of a ploughed field where horses turned.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-sguire
Note: at the ends of a ploughed field where the plough can’t reach.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-snaidhm
Quotation: Tha ceann-snaidhm anns an adhair. Bha a’ ghaoth ann am bun a’ cheann-snaidhm. Notes: long strips of cloud, probably parallel but apparently coming together over the horizon (as if boat shaped with the planks coming together). Usually indicates a change in weather – heat haze in summer. [NOTES: slipped under ‘ceann-snaim’.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
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-taobhain, pl. cinn-taobhain
side (timbers) timmers in a boat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-tobht
Notes: wooden brackets at the end of the slats of a boat. Pl. “cinn-tobht”.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-tobhtadh
Notes: brackets at the ends of thwarts of a boat.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-toisich
beginning, ahead. Tha ’n ceann toisich aig air a uile fear dhuibh [sic]. [NOTES: slipped under ‘ceann-tòisich’. Quotation: Tha ’n ceann-tòisich aig’ air a h-uile fear dhiubh. Definition: Ahead.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-turcach
turk’s head; on the end of a rope, seamanship design, etc. [NOTES: slipped under ‘ceann’ with ‘ceann turcach’ as the quotation. Definition: A seaman’s design on the end of a rope.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-uiread
Quotation: ceann-uiread na leap. Notes: the “head” of the bed.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-àircean
[c[ɑ̃ũ̜]n̪ɑ:ɾcɑṉ] Quotation: ’S e fìor cheann-àircean a th’ann dheth. Notes: “blockhead”.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-ùidhe
nn ‘end, destination’: bha mi aig ~, ~ an rathaid
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
ceanna chnagan
supports for the seats in a boat.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
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-chnag
Quotation: bracket at end of seat in a boat.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceanna-chnag
Note: wooden bracket at ends of thwarts.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceanna-chnag
Notes: braces at the ends of the seats of a boat.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceanna-chnag
Notes: knee-piece at the ends of the seats in a boat.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceanna-chnag
Notes: bracket at ends of boat seats.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceanna-chnaigh
[cɑ̃n̪ɑ̃xɾɑ̃ĩ] Note: the brackets at the ends of the thwarts.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceanna-chnaimh
[cɑn̪ɑxɾ[ɑ̃ĩ]] Note: wooden brackets which fasten seats in a boat to the side.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
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
ceannabheairt
Note: (1) headgear. (2) sails and masts of a boat.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannach
Quotation: “Bha ceannach agam air.” “’S ann agam a bha ceannach air.” Notes: In Dw.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannach
Quotation: “Chan e a cheannach a rinn e air.” Notes: said of a trait in a person’s character.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannach (math)
biadh-meallaidh, blasadan beag (gle thric sgadan saillte) gus an toireadh i am bainne.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
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
ceannachagan
L shaped bits of wood which were used as supports for the seats.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannachagan
supports below the seat in a boat.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannachrag
knee support underneath seats.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannachragan
wooden supports above the seats (tobhtaichean). In previous notes I have indicated that these supports were beneath the seats, so obviously this was a preference on the craftsman’s behalf.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannachraichean
seat supports in a boat (wooden).
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannachraidhean
this extended from the gunnel down underneath the seats and acted both as a support for those seats and as a strengthening for the boat itself. In this diagram these wooden supports are indicated by the dotted lines:
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannachraimh
[cɑ̃n̪ɑxɾɑ̃ĩ] Note: fixing the boat seat to the gunwale.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannachran
a strong support pole running from the top of the wall to the highest point of the gables. At both ends of a house.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannadach
[cɑ̃n̪ɑd̪ɑx] Quotation: ceann-aodach? Notes: man’s cap.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannag
a bundle of straw thrown to cattle at feeding time.
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannag
[kɛn̪ɑ̟ɡ̊] Quotation: ceannag de choimhlich.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannagaich
[cɛ̃n̪ɑɡiç] Quotation: a’ ceannagachadh na connlaich man a bheireadh iad dheth a’ siol. Notes: making it into bundles.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannaich
Quotation: a’ ceannach a’ ghruinnd. Notes: buying the portion of land. Custom in Nerebus of throwing a silver coin into the open grave unnoticed. Said to be an old Irish Catholic custom. Used to be a chapel there – a branch of Londonderry seminary. [NOTES: slipped under ‘ceannach’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannair
Notes: the end of the bridle-rope, which is attached to the wing of the net. (Tarbert)
Location: Kintyre, Campbeltown
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannard
[cɑ̃n̪ɑʴḏ] Notes: where the horses turn at the end of the field when ploughing. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannmhaigh
[cɑ̃n̪ɑvɑi] Quotation: Na [cɑ̃n̪ɑvɑiəṉ] a bh’againn bho chionn fhada. Notes: the person at the head of the household.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannruigeach
[cɑ̃n̪ru̜ɡʹɑx] Quotation: ’S math adhaircean goirid a bhi air a’ chrodh cheannruigeach. Notes: rebellious. [NOTES: slipped under ‘ceannraigeach’.]
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannsgalach
authoritative.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
ceap
Quot.: “ceap na h-àirigh”. Note: shieling seat. Built of stones with a turf divot on top, then curtain cloth on top and front to hide it.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap
Quotation: ceap bròigeadh. Notes: shoe last. [NOTES: slipped under ‘ceap-bròige’.]
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap
Notes: Dwelly gives ‘Sort of sofa or couch formed of peats, placed between the fire and the bed in the ‘bothan-àiridh’, and used as a seat.’ The edge or boundary of the bed, instead of bòrd-slios – in old shielings. Also used for sitting on.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap
Quotation: ceap artaig or ceap cladaich. “A’ bhliadhna a thiodhlaic sinn Mairi Uilleim, b’eudar dhuinn ceap cladaich a chuir oirre.” – indication of what the weather was like. Notes: in severe frost a “ceap artaig” or “ceap cladaich” would [be] cut to cover a grave. Artag – grass covered area at the shore, covered at high tide. (See artag.)
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap
Quotation: ceap feanntaich. Notes: turf divot (peat).
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap
Quotation: ceap morran [mɔrɑṉ]. Notes: used as a seat in shielings because of its toughness. Morran – very tough grass growing in peaty soil.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap
Quotation: ceap na glùineadh. Notes: knee-cap.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap
Quot.: “ceap na h-àirigh”. Note: square of turf with strong grass growing on it used as table and seat in shieling.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap
Quotation: an ceap. Notes: shoemaker’s last.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap
turf, cut sometimes where it is thin with some peat attached to it and cured for burning at the back of the fire to save the peats during the winter.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ceap
a segment of the ‘rusgadh’ of a size that could be conveniently handled and used afterwards in the ‘tughadh’ [q.v.] process.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ceap
am ploc talamhainn a thathar a feannadh far na mònadh. (Eng. turf.)
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ceap an gadaiche
catch the thief. A game played by the informant in his younger years.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap ceann
an unturfed peat, cut with the spade.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ceap cléibh
Fiodh tiugh. Gu math, math tiugh. An ceap bho a thaobh: [see illustration]. (Seo ri a chrìochnachadh.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
ceap cruaidh
a cap with a polished bill made of shiny, plastic material. Worn by old fishermen. Similar to a postman’s cap.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap mallaidh
when turfing peat, this is the first strip of turf which is taken off. Turfing consists of two such strips along the peat bog.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap starra
a cross piece of wood at the door as one came in. It was underfoot.
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ceap-chinn
Quot.: “a’ buain cip-chinn”. Note: turf divots with earth in the top half, peat in the bottom half. Used for burning.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap-chleibh
a wooden frame for making creels. Holes were bored for the stakes of the two sizes of creel, the cliabh briagach [q.v.] and bathchliabh [q.v.].
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap-mullaich
am ploc, na sgrath, a bha dùnadh a mhullaich aig cruach chruinn bhiorach.
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ceap-sgiath
Notes: wool-winder (same as lianradh). (Kenmore)
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap-starraidh
[cɛpst̪ɑɾi] Quotation: or ceap-stairidh. Notes: hindrance. Say an invalid in the house curtailing one’s freedom. Stumbling block.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap-tuislidh
Quotation: Bha e na cheap-tuislidh dhan an teaghlach. Notes: a stumbling block.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceapa
Quotation: ceapa caoil. Notes: a bundle of willow wands for making a creel.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceapadh
Quotation: a’ ceapadh chaorach. Notes: separating a flock of sheep into two lots.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceapadh
in the sense of being tripped up both physically and in the sense of being tripped up in your conversation.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceapair
Quotation: ceapair òrdaig. Notes: a scone buttered with the thumb.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceapaire
Quotation: an ceapaire Glasach. Notes: Strathglass bannock – barley bread and mashed potatoes on top.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceapaire
Quotation: ceapaire-Sàileach. Notes: slice of cheese with a spread of butter. [NOTES: unclear – it may be ‘ceapaire-Tàileach’.]
Origin: Camusluanie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceapan
[kʹiʼp̊ɑ̣˖n] Quotation: “Cumaidh a’ bhean sin ceapan air.” Notes: restraint, or a tether for small animals.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceapan
na pluic-fheannaidh leis a robhar a tughadh na “sgrathadh” na cruaiche.
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ceapan-sgiathaidh
[cɛpɑṉsɡʹıɤhi] Notes: revolving frame in a gateway instead of a gate.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearb
Quotation: Tha cearb air. Notes: He has a disability.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearban
Quotation: Bha cearbain [kʹɛɾəp[əi]ṉ] againn cuideachd. Notes: shark.
Origin: Carradale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearc
Quotation: na cearcan. Notes: haimes.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearc
Quotation: cearc guireach. Notes: clucking hen.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearc
Quotation: a’ chearc mhór. Notes: The Great Northern Diver. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cearc-mhór’.]
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Laide, Portnacon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearc
Quotation: ’S e nach reiceadh a’ chearc air là fliuch.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearc
Quotation: A’ chearc air ’s gun an ubh ann. Notes: cocky with no foundation for cockiness. Big ideas but no money behind it.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearc
Quotation: cearc ghuir. Notes: clucking hen. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cearc-ghuir’.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearc
Quotation: cearc guir. Notes: clucking hen. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cearc-guir’.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearc
Quotation: galair nan cearc.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearc ionnaid
a hen that was killed on Shrove Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. [NOTES: note added above ‘ionnaid’ – ‘Inid’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearc uisge
water hen.
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearc-fhraoiche
“heather-hen”.
Category: Eòin / Birds
cearc-ghreannach
Quotation: cearcan-greannach. Notes: a breed of small hens which had erect feathers.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearc-ghreannach
a hen with its feathers curled up. Same as ‘coilleach Frangach’.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearc-liath
[kɛ̜rk lʹiə] Notes: female.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearc-uisge
Notes: water hen.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearc-uisge (f)
water rail; coot.
Origin: [Tiree]
Category: Eòin Thiriodh / Birds of Tiree
cearcall
[kɛrkɤɫ] [?] Notes: square wooden frame for carrying 2 pails of water; the frame kept the pails from bumping against the carrier’s sides. Common to Embo, Golspie, and Brora. Source: Mr and Mrs Kenneth MacKay, 16 Gate St., Embo. Date: autumn 1967.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearcall
Quotation: cearcall màis, cearcall meadhoin, cearcall mullaich. Notes: hoops on a barrel.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearcall
[kEərkəɫ] Quotation: cearcall cartach.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearcall
[ke̜rkəɫ] Quotation: cearcall cartach. Notes: the iron tyre on the outside of a cart wheel.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearcall
[cɑɾkəɫ] Quotation: cearcall na cuibhle. Notes: iron rim of cartwheel.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearcall
Quotation: cearcall a’ ghrìs. Notes: circular plate on the hub of a cartwheel to keep the grease in.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearcall a’ bhùirn
Bhiodh seo againn airson ar cuideachadh le na peilichean bùirn a’ tighinn as an tobair. Bha e mar seo shìos: [see illustration]. ’Se fiodh a bh’ann agus bha cuideachadh mór ann airson falbh le na peilichean. Chanadh sinn “Thoirt leat an cearcall”. Chanadh na seann fhir “a’ chuairt” ris, cuideachd. Tha mi deanamh a mach gu bheil e dol fhathast ann an àiteachan an Alba.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearcall meadhon
Notes: the Equator.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearcall-bùirn
Bha seo air a dhèanamh de phìosan fiodha mar a tha agam anns an dealbh-tharruing. Bha e airson na peilichean bùirn a chumail air falbh bho do thaobh gus nach fliuchadh iad thu. Cuideachd, bha na peilichean (an làd bùirn) na b’fhasa an ghiùlan [sic] leis a’ chearcall; bha iad a’ faireachduinn móran na b’aotroma. Chanadh iad “a’ chuairt” cuideachd, ris a’ chearcall-bhùirn, mar: “An d’thug thu leat a’ chuairt?”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
cearn
Quotation: “Rinn e codail ceatharnach” – or cearnach. Notes: cearn – the living room. Codail ceatharnach – sleeping with clothes on. Cf. Rob Donn: “Chan eil seòmair aig rìgh Bhreatuinn, / ’S docha leann na’n cearn.”
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearnach
B’ e cearnach e ’na latha. – He was a big man (stature) in his day.
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
cearsail
[cɑʴsəl] Quotation: cearsail shnàth. Notes: ball of wool. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceart
Quotation: Tha mi ceart choma. Notes: ceart for emphasis.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceart, a ch.
adv. ‘just’: bha iad an seo a ch. cho tràth ris an fheadhain; mu choinneimh sin, a’ ch. urad do dh’fhiodh cruaidh; sguir sin ’s bha e cearta [sic] cho math
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
ceart-
adj. ‘very, exact, same’: agus a’ cheart latha sin, bha mi ‘ dol suas; innis dhomh na figurean, a’ cheart fhigurean a thuirt e!;
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
ceartuair, an ~
advb  ‘presently, at once’: tha mi ‘ creidsinn gu bheil iad seo a’ tighinn mun cuairt an ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
ceasach
[cɛsɑx] Notes: wooden bridge at the peat bank.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceata (m)
wooden pail (Arg. Perths); ciota (Lewis).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceatadh
breaking. Na neòil cheataidh – broken clouds, ‘old word’. [NOTES: originally slipped under ‘ceatadh’ but then corrected to ‘ceataidh’ as in the quotation.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceathair deiridh
hindquarters.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
ceathal a bho
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
ceatharnach
Notes: a big, powerfully-built man.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceathdubhan
a beast seen in autumn. Black and purple in appearance. Larger than a bee. Had a nest in hay ricks where it stored dead earwigs. [NOTES: note added – variant of ‘ceardubhan’.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceathra
quadrupeds, from “ceithir”; usually “cattle”.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceathra deirridh
[hindquarters.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
ceathramh
used in weather forecasting terms. If someone went out to look at the sky, he would be said to be: “A’ coimhead air a’ cheathramh”.
Location: Barra, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceathramh
nn ‘quarter [of animal carcase]’: ~ toisich, ~ deireadh; an ~ toisich, bha na h-aisinean ann
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
ceathramh
Quotation: Tha a’ cheud ceathramh de’n ghealach againn an nochd. Tha an ceathramh mu dheireadh de’n ghealach againn an nochd. Notes: first quarter, last quarter.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceathramh
Quotation: na ceathrannan. Notes: 6 sections of wood in wheel with two spokes in each (the felloes?).
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceathramh
n. ‘quarter’: fhuair mi ~ dheth
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
ceathramh deirich
Quotation: an ceathramh deirich [ən keɑʔrɑ˖v dʹẹʔrʹiç]. Notes: hind quarter of an animal.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceathramh deiridh
hindquarters.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceathramh na roth
the wheel was divided into four before the spokes were inserted, one of these segments called a ‘ceathramh’.
Location: South Uist, Frobost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceathramh-deiridh
Notes: hindquarters.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceathramh-dubh
blackleg. A sort of braxy in cows.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceathramh-dubh
Note: black-leg.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceathramh-dubh
[cɛɾu̜d̪u̜] Notes: “blackleg”, in sheep or cattle.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceathramh-dubh
Notes: “Blackleg” in cattle. Would have to burn the carcase and bury it.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceathramh-gorm
Quotation: an ceathramh-gorm. Notes: blackleg in cattle.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceathramh-toisich
Notes: forequarters of a beast.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceathramh-toisich
Quotation: an ceathramh toisich [ən kreɑʔrɑ˖v tɔ̣ʃiç] [sic]. Notes: fore-quarter of an animal.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceathramhnan
the cart wheel consisted of four sections put together.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceigean
Quotation: “Chan eil ann ach ceigean.” Notes: someone who’s always trying to hedge, or get out of doing a job.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceile
[cɛlə] Quotation: ceile shnàth. Notes: ball of yarn.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceileag
[celɑɡ] Notes: rope made of birch – long strips taken off with the drawknife and twisted. Yellow birch the toughest. One of uses to attach to anchor.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceillidh an taigh sheingse
relatively big occasions in days gone when men gathered in the pub after the cattle sale, one of the few days when they did enter a pub. Stories, anecdotes would be swapped.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceipstean
capstan for hauling on a boat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceirle
[cɛʴlʹə] Quotation: ceirrle [sic] shnàthadh. Notes: a ball of yarn. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceirle
[celʹə] Quotation: ceirle shnàth, ceirle chàil. Notes: ball of wool, cabbage.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceirle-shiomain
Notes: could be a ball of hay, straw or heather rope.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceirn (f)
a plate.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceirnean
a plate.
Location: North Uist, Lochmaddy, Crombagh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceis mhòna
a large basket made locally for carrying peats on the back.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceis-mhòine
large basket of peat (carried on the back).
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceisd
Quotation: Là na Ceisd. Notes: Friday of Communions.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceisd
Quotation: Coinneamh Cheisd [kɔnʹiçeʃtʹ].
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceisdeach
catechism class. (RC)
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
ceisdear
catechist (lay preacher).
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
ceist
Quotation: a’ cheist! Notes: a form of address.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceist
Quotation: a cheist. “Mo cheist air an ainnir [?] / ’S bean a’ chùil bhàin.”
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceisteachan
Quotation: na ceisteachan. Notes: pl. of “ceist”, in general and for questions in Shorter Catechism.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceithe
[See ciath.]
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceithir lùth
corrupted into crunluath [sic].
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
ceithir ràmhach
a particular type of boat.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceithir-chasach
Quot.: “Cha teid thu mach mas beir am balgan-feòir agus an ceithir-chasach ort!” Note: said to young children if they wanted to go out at night.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
celtadh
the ‘c’ makes a ‘k’ sound. The word means to give someone some strict disciplining. Heard this in the context of a mischievous boy prior to school age being transformed in later years due to strict disciplining. “Nach e a fhuair a’ cheltadh.” [NOTES: note added – ?spelling.]
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceo bàn an t-soluis ùir
an indication of bad weather, when mist and a full moon were visible simultaneously.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceol
[sic] beag [kʹɛ̣ɔ̣ɫ bek] Notes: comprises march, strathspey and reel.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceud sgadan
b’e sin riamh sia fichead. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sgadan’ with ‘ceud sgadan’ as the quotation.]
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
ceum
Quotation: ceum leum. Notes: stepping stones across a burn.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceum
Quotation: ceum-coiseadh. Notes: I took a stroll.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceum
Quotation: léideag, ceum is leum. Notes: hop, step and jump.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceum
Quot.: “ceum an iaruinn”. Note: the step on the peat-cutting iron.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceum
a footpath.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceum
Quotation: ceum monaidh. Notes: a beaten path over the moor.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceum
Quotation: Bha ceum crùbaich ann. Notes: He had a limp.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceum coise
footpath.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceum gathais
large footprints found in rocks in islands off North Uist. Apparently belonged to the feet of the druids and are called wisdom steps.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceum-a-nog
[ceməˈnɔ̃ɡ] Note: making a small flat stone bounce along the surface of water. (Note: emphasis on last syllable.)
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceum-cas
a steep foot path.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceum-chas
foot path.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceum-coilich
a rooster’s step, length of a rooster’s step (lit.). Fad ceum coilich is e sin an fhaid th’ann am feasgar bliadhn’ ùire (Harris). Is e sin an latha air tighinn cho fada ri fad ceum coilich, ann am facail eile.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceum-leatha
[ce:mˈlɛə] Quotation: Tha ceum-leatha ann. Notes: He is inclined to exaggerate.
Location: BBC
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceum-letha
Quot.: “Nuair a bha e a’ feuchainn an dòrnaig thug e ceum-letha.” Note: when putting the shot he stepped over the limiting mark. Also used of a person telling an exaggerated story or who is wont to tell them. “Tha ‘ceum-letha’ ann.”
Origin: Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceum-letha
Quot.: “Thug e ceum-letha nuair a bha e a feuchainn an dòrnaig.” Note: stepping over the line. Also exaggerating when telling a story. “Leig e ceum-letha.”
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceum-monaidh
foot path in a moor.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceum-na-treisgeir
similar to the above [i.e. sgònnan/sgonnan (q.v.)], but on a peat cutter.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceutabh
[cıɤt̪əv] Quot.: “Cha do ghabh mi ceutabh idir dheth.” Note: I didn’t take a fancy to it at all.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceàrd
nn  ‘craft, trade’: gen. sg.: fear ceird math [DAG]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
ceàrdallan
[cɑ:ʴsd̪əɫɑṉ] Note: a purplish black insect somewhat similar to a bee. Flies about emitting a “strann”. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Harris, Leverburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceàrdaman
Quotation: An ceàrdaman. Notes: big fly frequenting manure heaps. (Dwelly – hornet.)
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceàrdaman
Quotation: ’S àrd a sheòlas an ceàrdaman ach is ann anns an t-salachair a thuiteas e.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceò
Quotation: ceò neimh. Notes: mist on the surface of the water as the ice was about to form.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceò
Quotation: cho lag ris a’ cheò.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceò
Quotation: ceò dual. Notes: heavy mist.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceò
Quotation: ceò fairge. Notes: sea mist.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceò bàn an t-soluis ùir
mist and full moon coinciding. Taken as an indication of bad weather to follow.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceò-na-monadh
peat reek.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceòban
Quotation: ceòban uisge. Notes: a fine drizzle.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceòbanach
Quotation: ceòbanach uisge. Notes: drizzle.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceòl
Quotation: Cha d’thoir a’ cheòl a cuideachd e. Notes: He wouldn’t stand out in company because of shyness.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceòl beag
marches, strathspeys, jigs, reels, hornpipes.
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
ceòsach
Quotation: a’ chailleach cheòsach. Notes: slater.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceòsach
[cɔ:sɑx] Quotation: mòine cheòsach. Notes: spongy peat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cha
Quotation: Cha tig olc á teine. Notes: Prov. saying.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cha
Quotation: Cha chuir gigheagan umhail air geoghagan. Notes: (from my mother) Said of two people much alike in their ways, e.g. of an easy-going couple who were going to get married.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cha
Quotation: Cha do dh’fhàg sinn adhairc air damh. Notes: (Keose) The force being ‘So proud we were!’
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cha
Quotation: Cha robh math gun mhulad. Notes: First heard from Calum Murray, Laxdale.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cha mhòr
Notes: almost all. Also: not much. Co ’n te bheag a tha sud air an làr. Tha bean na bainnse ’s cha mhòr i. There is not much of her. Cha mhòr a rud sin – not much in that.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cha robh colas a chaochlaidh air
there was no variation.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
chaidh
Quotation: Chaidh a’ phlàsd sìos, chaidh an t-srathair suas. Notes: (from Jessie MacLeod, Ness) Used of people falling out – the last line = ‘on one’s high horse’. Srathair – saddle, pack-saddle. For plàsd read plàt (?), cf. plàt-eich ‘straw-cloth of a pack-saddle’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
chaidh theab ri creig!
(’s theaba a bhathadh cha do rinn e crom riamh [?])
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
chaileach-ribeach
‘wart’ inside mouth. The cure was cutting it by scissors, or an appropriate instrument.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
cham
Notes: Used as a negative reply to a request e.g. “Falbh ’s dean sin dhomh.” “Cham.” Boy’s nickname: Calum Cham. Not in Dw. Source: Point (Lewis) usage recalled (D.S.T.) Date: July 1974.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
chaneil lan suil ann
[sic] it is not up to standard, not worth looking at.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
change
vb ‘alter’: vbl nn: tha iad a ' change-adh [ʧ h e:ɲʃə] dath an seo
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
chathan maide
Notes: wooden harrows.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cheana
Quotation: Tha, cheana. Notes: used in the sense of indeed, right enough.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cheepick
part of a line, where hook is attached. Put it in ‘heepick’ – to wind hook into line so it won’t catch. E.g. for storing.
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
cho
advb ‘so’: gum beil i ‘o [o] fad’ ‘s gun e ‘ fairghinn ‘o math
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cho
Quotation: Cho righinn ri cac á plangaid. Notes: Ness (also known in Lochs).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cho fuar ris a’ bhàs
as cold as death.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
cho reamhar ri ròin
as fat as a seal.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
chon
prep. ‘to, till’: chùm iad … greim air a’ Ghàidhlig ~ an latha an-diugh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
chorra-ghlas
bird (corn-crake). Co-dhiù tha t-ean fhathasd r’a fhaicinn againne air a bheil a chorra-ghlas; ged nach cluinn mi an t-ainm aig ginealach an la ’n diugh. [SLIP: Corncrake.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
chridheanan
the bit of ground or the lair where the peats were spread out to dry.
Origin: [Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
chuileag
caused by fly, maggots eating into the flesh. Tar only or [?] tar and paraffin, eventually saltwater, dipped in saltwater. The brine helpful in circumstances. Curable.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
chuthach
madness. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cuthach (fem)’ with ‘a’ chuthach’ as the quotation.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciabhadair
[cıəvəd̪ɑɾ] Notes: the man who lifted the peats in a tough spot; usually employed in the distillery squads when a lot of peat was being cut.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciabhag
Quotation: a’ chiabhag. Notes: the beard (used more than “feusag”).
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciadain
Quot.: “caora chiadain”. Note: a sheep which is kept from the ram for a year. Has its first lamb a year later than usual.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciall
Quotation: O chiall! or O chiall O! (stronger) Notes: when something startling is seen or heard.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciall
Quotation: “… Chuala mi chuthag, a chiallan, S dh’fhaighnich mi nach deigheadh a bhliadhna leam.” – I heard the cuckoo, my dear, and I knew that this year I would not prosper. (Part of an old rhyme.) Notes: also wisdom – duine ciallach: a wise man. Sense – rud gun chiall: a thing without sense. A chiall, a chiall! ciod e so? Dear, dear! What’s this?
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cialla
clew. We have it in this form, I am not sure of my spelling here. I’ll try phonetically, thus: caidhlea? [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words. Catch-word: caidhlea. Definition: Clew.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciallaidh
[ciɤɫɑi] Quotation: (1) “Brist do chiallaidh.” (2) Bha mi air chiallaidh. (3) Cuiridh sin thu far chiallaidh. Notes: (1) “Break your fast.” (2) “I was fasting.” (i.e. hadn’t eaten) (3) e.g. a cup of tea. “Ciallaidh” not a deliberate fast like trasg.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciallaidh
Quotation: Chaidh e a mach air a [çıəɫi]. Notes: He went out (e.g. in the morning) without having had anything to eat. Could it be connected with “giall”. Perhaps “air a ghiallaidh”.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciallart
a grammatical sentence.
Location: North Uist, Sollas, Malagleit [Malaglate]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciallchagar
watch-word.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciambal/ciumbal? fraoich
bundle of heather. [NOTES: corrected to ‘ciombal’.]
Origin: [Harris]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciamhair
Quotation: Tha ciamhair ort. Notes: ‘hood wrapped round the head’. (Heard by Mrs MacLeod from C. Shaw, Tarbert, Harris in 1979.)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cian
Quotation: Tha e air an dol chian. Notes: He is always moving about, never in the one place for any length of time.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cian
Quotation: o chianaibh bheag. Notes: a short time ago.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cianaran cro
monster that flew with St. Ronan from Eurobay to N. Rona.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciar
Quotation: caora chiar. Notes: sheep which was neither black nor white – something in between.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciaradh
Quotation: ciaradh an fheasgair. Notes: darkening.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cias
Quot.: ’S ann oirre tha ’n cias. Note: said of a fat woman.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciasanach
[ciɑsɑṉɑx] Quot.: “Ciasan air ag iathadh leth na beinge.” Note: màsaire, duine tóineach.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciasgrach
Quotation: Tha na neòil ciasgrach. Notes: threatening. (L. MacLean, Glasgow (Tiree) – ciasgranach)
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciasgranach
[cıɤsɡɾɑṉɔx] Quotation: “Tha na neòil ciasgranach.” “Tha coltas ciasgranach air na neòil.” Notes: threatening. (H. Meek – ciasgrach)
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciaslaichean
Quotation: Tha mi creidse nach do nigheadh na ciaslaichean aige bho nigh a’ bhean-ghlùin iad. Notes: Dw. gives ceus ‘ham or lower part of the body; the coarser parts of wool on sheeps’ legs’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciatach
pleasant.
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
ciath
cream.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cidsin-dubh
additional small room at the end of a house where meal was stored.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Trianaid House
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cifean
Quotation: cifean gaothaidh. Notes: a gust of wind.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cifeir
Quotation: cifeir uisge. Notes: drizzly rain.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciliorum
Quotation: Ciod e na ciliorums a tha air a leanaibh? or Abair ciliorums! Notes: an old minister told me that the word was from the Latin used in the R. C. Church Service; and was probably a survival from pre-Reformation times. Indicating something that no one could understand!
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cill
Quotation: ’S beag a leisgeul a bheireadh a’ chailleach do’n chill. Notes: When a person wants very much to go somewhere, given half a chance he will go.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cille
Quotation: Cille mhainn (?) [kʹiLʹə vəiNʹ]. Notes: a pencil (Badenoch).
Location: Skye, Sleat, Duisdale School
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cinneachadh
gathering.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cinneadh leat
good luck to you.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cinnichgeadh
[cĩnʹıçɡʹəɣ] Quotation: Bha e dha chinnichgeadh fhéin. Notes: scratch, rub.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cinnicneadh
[cĩnʹıçṉəɣ] Quot.: “Bha mi ga chinnicneadh.” “Thug mi cinnicneadh math dha.” Note: giving a person a good shaking.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciobail (v)
to plant potatoes with dibble; ciobladh (vn).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cioch
Quotation: cioch nan creag. Notes: sea anemone. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cioch-nan-creag’.]
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cioch
Quot.: cioch na cuibhle. Note: round piece of wood that attaches the thread-making part of the sp[inning] wheel to the body.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cioch
[kiəx] Quotation: cioch a’ roth. Notes:
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cioch
Quotation: cioch na mnàtha sìthe [cıɔxṉəmṉɑ̃əʃi:ə]. Notes: sea anemone. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cioch-na-mnatha-sìthe’.]
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cioch
[sic] Quotation: strap na cìche. Notes: bell of the cartwheel hub.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cioch
Quotation: a’ chioch chinn. Notes: uvula.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cioch
Quotation: cioch cartach. Notes: the nave of the cartwheel.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cioch-shlugain
Quotation: a’ chioch-shlugain. Notes: uvula.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciochan na mnathan sidh
wild lupins, found in moorland. [NOTES: ‘ciochan’ corrected to ‘cìochan’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciochan na mnathan sìthe
pinky, red coloured flowers found in moorland. Considered unlucky if brought home.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciod
Quotation: ciod thuige? [ɡwt̪wɡʹə] Notes: why?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciollag
[ˈkʹɯLɑk] Quotation: Ciollag is ciotag. Notes: rag; item of clothing.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciolp
[blow.] ‘ci’ as in ‘cinnteach’ and the ‘o’ silent, sounded as ‘cilip’. There was a difference between a ‘ciolp’ and the other two [i.e. ‘sglabhart’ and ‘sgailt’ (q.v.)] in that it could be delivered with a stick or the fist or a kick from an animal and was a much more severe knock than the other two.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
ciomball
[c[ɤ̃ũ̟]bəɫ] Quot.: “ciomball fraoich”. Note: a bundle of heather.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciomball
[cɤ̃ũ̟bəɫ] Quot.: ciomball fraoich. Note: large bundle of heather.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciomball
[c[ɤ̃ũ̜]mpəɫ] Quot.: “ciomball fraoich”. Note: a bundle of heather.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciomball-fraoich
bundle of tied heather. Dhoirt e na bha na làmhan air a’ chiomball-fraoich. An old Harris or Scalpay term, not in practice now.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciomboll
a collection of heather, burden amount tied collectively. Ciomboll fraoich. [SLIP: Bundle of heather – the amount tied collectively.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cion
Quotation: cion a’ mhothaich. Notes: Lewis – dìth mothachadh.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cion
Quotation: Chan e cion ’s nach robh e eòlach … Notes: He had no lack of knowledge.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cion-math
void of goodness.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciora
a pet lamb, hand-fed, male or female. The name still applies to the same animal after reaching maturity, i.e. once a ciora always a ciora!
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
ciora
’S ann tha ‘ciora’ againne air peata (caorach).
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
ciorram
[cwrəm] Quotation: duine le ciorram air. Notes: a man with a deformity, e.g. lack of hearing, hand, etc.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciortalachadh
Quotation: a’ ciortalachadh. Notes: covering the fire over, and leaving it to burn for the night.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciosan bu fire
An outsize ciosan. A large ciosan. ’Se seo a chanadh m’athair. (Faic cisean bafaire ’san fhaclair.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciotach
Quotation: duine ciotach. Notes: a person who couldn’t be taught anything – always went his own way. Always going wrong.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciotag
Quotation: Ciollag is ciotag. Notes: rag; item of clothing.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cipean
Quotation: cipean dochairt [cıpɑ̃ṉd̪ɔxɑʴstʹ]. Notes: same as “maide leisg”. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cipean
Quotation: an cipean. Notes: tethering pin.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cipean
Quotation: Cipean-Docherty. Notes: maide-leisg.
Origin: North Uist
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
circle around moon
[?] bad weather.
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
circleis
irregular movement, as of a character not responding to a natural approach. Cha’n eil fhios idir dé a chircleis ort. (Harris term)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cire
Quotation: cire, cire! Notes: call to a sheep.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cireag
Quotation: feamainn chireag.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cireagach
Quotation: feamainn chireagach. Notes: ?
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciste
nn f. ‘chest, box’: dat.: am fear a bha sa chistidh [-iç]; chan ann ann an cistidh a bha e idir
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
ciste
Quotation: an ciste shiol. Notes: for storing grain.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciste
Quotation: ciste acfhuinn. Notes: tool chest.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciste mhin
a wooden chest with sides and four legs. The flour gathered here after being ground.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciste-chaol
Note: a wooden seat which could open like an ottoman. Working clothes usually kept in it.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciste-chaol (being)
Bha i mar an seo shìos. Bha bonn innte agus bòrd-uachdair oirre. Bha i math airson rudan a ghleidheadh. “C’àit am bheil an lìon a bha siod?” “Tha e anns a’ chiste-chaoil.”
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
ciste-chliabh
a wooden box [?] for keeping milk with a basket front of woven willow used at shieling.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciste-mhin
Quotation: ‘Ma thig ceò an earraich sìos cho fada ris a’ chiste-mhin, thig an sneachd ceart cho fada sin.’
Location: Spean Bridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
citheach
Quotation: La [sic] ribeach, robach, citheach, ceothach, gun ghaoith, gun thioradh, gun uisge. Notes: heavy day with low cloud. Citheach: sultry (possibly) or damp.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
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
[cu̟ɾɔx] Quotation: Tha ciubhrach uisge ann. Notes: drizzle.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciubhrach
[cu̟rɔx] Quotation: ciubhrach uisge. Notes: fine drizzly rain.
Origin: Tiree?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciuchar
Quotation: ciuchar uisge. Notes: fine rain, drizzle.
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciuchar
Quotation: ciuchar uisge. Notes: fine rain.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciutaigeas
[cu̟ṯıɡʹəs] Quotation: a’ fighe paidhir chiutaigeas. Notes: calf-length socks. Not used in the singular.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciutha
hair of a female made into a ball at the back of the head with hair pins inserted.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
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
ciù(i)lean
the sticks for the ‘brat’, or covering.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciùbhrach
Quotation: ciùbhrach uisge. Notes: drizzle.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciùbhragaich
[cu̜:rɑɡıç] Quotation: ciùbhragaich uisge. Notes: drizzle.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciùrn
Quotation: ciurn [sic] casaidh. Notes: a churn which revolved like a spit. Had a handle on it for turning it.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clab-sgàinn
[kɫɑbsɡɛ̃:nʹ] Quotation: “Cha deach ceann riamh air clab-sgàinn.” Notes: No end to a garrulous person’s talk.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clabadaich
Quotation: Nach iongantach man a bhios na boireannaich a’ clabadaich … Notes: Not in Dw., though related forms are (clab, clabaireachd). Source: My uncle Willie (in conversation with DST). Date: June 1975.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clabag
Quotation: (1) Tha clabag mhath oirre. (2) Phàigh e clabag mhath air. Dh’fhàg e clabag mhath. Notes: (1) Of wind causing a choppy sea. Cf. Applecross clabach. (2) Of sum of money.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clabail
Quotation: Dé a’ chlabail ghaireachdainn a th’ort.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clabair
Quot.: “Clabair gun bhun gun bhàrr”. Note: luath-bhial.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clabaisteir
large, clumsy person (male) rather than brawler as used by Dwelly.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
claban-muilleadh
Quotation: Nach tu an claban-muilleadh. Notes: used for a gossip.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clabhas
[kɫɑvɑs] Quotation: clabhas gun fheum. Notes: idle talk.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clabhd
Quotation: clabhd shoithichean. Notes: dishtowel.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clabhraich
Quotation: Coir’ a’ Chlabhraich (east of Ben Nevis). Notes: moaning, weeping. Place said to have taken its name from beheading of Lochiel wrongdoers.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clabhs
[kɫ[ɑu]s] Quotation: Bha i uarraidh air clabhs. Notes: gossip.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach
Quotation: clach speal. Notes: honing stone for the scythe.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach
Quotation: clach-an-turraman. Notes: round boulder which can be rocked. [NOTES: slipped under ‘clach-an-turamain’.]
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach
Quotation: clach stéidh [kɫɑxʃtʹe:]. Notes: bottom or foundation stone.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach
Quotation: clach guail [sic]. “Cuir clach air an teine!” [NOTES: slipped under ‘clach ghuail’.]
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Kilillan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach
Quotation: clach putaidh. Notes: shot-putt size of stone.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach
Quotation: clach bhleith. Notes: honing stone.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach
Quotation: clach fàldair. Notes: honing stone for scythe.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach
Quotation: a’ chlach ùilleadh. Notes: small hone, oiled.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach
Quotation: a’ mhuir-chlach. Notes: (1) shingle thrown up by the sea. (2) raised beach.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach
Quotation: an clach fhaobhrachaidh. Notes: joiner’s grindstone. Had to be turned sunwise (superstition). [NOTES: slipped under ‘clach fhaobhair’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach
Quotation: clach speal. Notes: stone for sharpening scythe.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach
Quotation: clach mhoil [vɔ̃l]. Notes: large rounded stones [sic] on seashore.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach
Quotation: clach eòrna. Notes: a stone for pounding barley.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach
Quotation: na clacha-cinn (sic). Notes: two stones on which the maide-droma rests, at opposite sides of the sorn (kiln). [NOTES: slipped under ‘clach chinn’.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach
Quotation: clach chinn. Notes: gravestone.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach
Quot.: clach-bheag-a-doc [ḏɔk]. Note: game played by children. Seems to have been a simple game involving putting a small stone on top of another one and trying to knock it off by firing another one at it.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach chearcall
a large, flat rock used in process of making cart wheels. Indentation made in the centre of the rock where the hub of the wheel was lodged. The iron hoop when heated would be placed round the frame.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
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 ghlagain
an unevenly balanced stone found at the mouth of a cave, so placed that it tilted whenever it was trodden on, thus warning the occupants of the cave. (There were one or two examples in Uig.)
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach ghorm
bluestone. Used to treat proud flesh.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach lìonain
Quotation: clach [lĩ:ṉɑnʹ]. Notes: grindstone.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach shiomain
Notes: stone on which the rope was tied at the side of the house.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach shnagadaireachd
a favourite topic for nagging. The victim might say, ‘Aha! Atha! Ràinig thu chlach shnagadaireachd.’ i.e. ‘You’ve reached your favourite subject for tormenting.’
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach steidh
Quotation: a leagail na steidh.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach stradaig
this was the name given to the bended part of the channel which heated the seed – ‘sorrag’. Had a fire at one end and the seeds at the other end.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-an-turramain
Quotation: air cl.-an-t. Notes: vacillating, sitting on the fence.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-bhoinne
Notes: lingering drops of rain at close of heavy shower.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-bhrathainn
Notes: quernstone.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-bhuinn (f)
foundation stone.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-dhearg
marking stone for sheep, colouring the wool of sheep for identification, marking the wool red. [Cf. clach-liath.]
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-feusanaidh
[kɫɑxfe:sɑṉi] Notes: crow-step on gable end of house, used for standing on when thatching.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-fhairachaidh
‘fh’ is silent. A special slab rock which formed a road made of stepping stones leading to an offshore island. The slab in question was always left loose so that when you stepped on one end, the rock rose and clattered down again. This noise acting [as] a warning device for the inhabitants of the island.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-fàisneachd
prophetic stone. As of the stone relative to the Brahan Seer.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-ghearraich
[klax jɛ̜riç] whetting stone. [NOTES: there are two slips giving Mrs MacDermid as the source and ‘whetting-stone’ as the definition – one has ‘clach-ghearraich [jɛ̜riç]’ as the catch-word and the other ‘clach-gheuraidh [jɛ̜:ri]’.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
clach-liath
marking stone for sheep, colouring the wool of sheep for identification, in blue colour. [Cf. clach-dhearg.]
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-liathra
sharpening-stone.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
clach-liathrath
big grindstone.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-lionrath
grinding stone.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-mhuil
Quotation: plural – clachan-muile. Notes: large rounded stones found on shingly beach.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-nathrach
Note: stone with a hole in the middle supposed to have magical properties.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-nathrach
Note: a stone which, when rubbed on a snake-bite, was supposed to cure it.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-nathrach
A chlach a bhiodh aca air na dealganan – whorl. (Dealgan, faic fearsaid.) Bha dùil aig na bodaich gur h-e na nathraichean a bha deanamh na cloiche-sa.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-neirt
Quotation: a’ chlach-neirt; a’ cur a’ chlach-neirt. Notes: putting stone.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-rathad
Ceum clachach, an cumantas eadar dà chnoc, a muigh air cùl baile no a muigh ’s a’ mhòintich.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-rathad (E)
Slighe chlachach eadar dà chnoc ’s mar sin.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
clachan
Quotation: clachan risnean [?]. Notes: corner stones.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clachan
weights. (Material used for weights – slabs concrete, weights of old windows.)
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
clachan acair
for holding down the thatch.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
clachan peileastair
[pɛ̜liʃtʹər] like 9 pins – one big one you threw small ones at it to knock it down. [SLIP: A game. Similar to 9 pins. A big stone is placed on its side and smaller stones thrown to knock it down.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
clacharan
Notes: stonechat.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clacharan
stonechat.
Location: Harris, Leverburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clacharan
stone chat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clacharan
stonechat.
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clacharan
Note: clacharan a’ fhraoich – a little bigger than the wheatear – stonechat.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clacharan
Note: said by J. N. to be wheatear.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clacharan (m), clacharain (pl)
stonechat.
Origin: [Tiree]
Category: Eòin Thiriodh / Birds of Tiree
clacharan a fhraoich
whinchat.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clacharan tràigh
stonechats assembling on the rocks on the shore in the autumn are called this.
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clachd [klɑxk]
Quotation: pl. clachdan. Notes: roll of wool ready for spinning.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cladach
Quotation: Faoileann an droch chladaich. Notes: see “faoileann”.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cladach
Quotation: A h-uile duine a’ toirt eun a cladach dha fhéin. Notes: Everyman for himself.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cladach
Quotation: cladach-liath. Notes: upper area of shore which is reached only by the very high tides.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cladach-an-teine
not clear what was meant by this unless it was directly in front of the fire.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
cladh
[kwəɣ] Notes: N.B. pronunciation.
Origin: Arisaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cladh
Quotation: an cladh. Notes: cemetery.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cladhaich
Quotation: a’ cladhach a’ bhuntàta le gràp. Notes: when lifting potatoes, one person worked two drills simultaneously as he went, leaving the potatoes lying for an hour or two until they dried.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cladhaich
Quotation: a’ cladhadh na h-uaith. Notes: digging the grave.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cladhaire
uncoordinated.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cladhan
[kɫɤɣɑṉ] Note: a water source – same as “mathair-uisge”.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clagarsaich
Notes: to rattle.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claidheamh
Notes: pin at the end of a roof ladder to keep it up.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claidheamh
Quotation: seasamh-claidheamh [ʃɛsu̟kɫɛ̃u̟]. Notes: headstand.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claidheamh
Notes: bar across a door to lock it at night.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claidhean
a latch or bolt at the top of a door.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claidreadh
the clattering, clashing of steel.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claigeann
Quotation: eathar da-chlaigeann. Notes: Zulu-type boat.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claigeann
Quotation: Chaneil claigeann ri fhaicinn. Notes: expression used in fishing when there were no fish in the nets.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claigeann
Quotation: an claigeann deiridh; an claigeann toisich. Notes: stern post; stem post.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claigeann
Quotation: an claigeann [əxɫɑ˖ɡʹən]. Notes: the skull.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claigeann
[kɫɑɡən̪] Notes: the stem of a boat.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claigeann
[kɫɑɡən̪] or [kɫɑɡʹən̪] Quotation: claigeann na pìob. Notes: the bowl of the pipe.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claigeann (m), claigeannan (pl)
headstrap, going round back of head (leather or rope).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
claigionn
[kɫɑɡən̪] Quot.: “an claigionn deiridh”; “an claigionn toisich”. Note: stempost and sternpost in a boat [sic – in this order].
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claimh
[kɫɛ̃f] Quotation: a’ chlaimh. Notes: sheep scab – a notifiable disease. Sheep with this disease to be dipped every fortnight.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claimh
Quotation: a’ chlaimh [əxɫɑif]. Notes: scabs. Loss of wool in sheep. Contagious.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claimh
Quotation: a’ chlaimh [əxɫɑıf]. Notes: “The Scab” in sheep. (See Donald Ferguson’s.)
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claimheag
Notes: a small eel found at the mouth of a river.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claimheag
[kɫɑ̃ĩvɑɡ] Notes: small fish about 7" long, like a ling, flattish, found among rocks and used for bait.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claimheag (clèimheag)
Notes: small fish – often found under rocks at low tide.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claimhean
[kɫ[ɑ̃ĩ]ɑṉ] Quotation: Chuir e an claimhean air an dorus. Notes: wooden sliding bolt.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claimhean
Quotation: an claimhean. Notes: the buzzard.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clais
Quotation: each air a’ bhàn ’s each as a’ chlais. Notes: when ploughing, one horse in the furrow, the other on uncultivated part.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clais
Quotation: clais na bathach. Notes: byre drain.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clais
Trench or furrow for potatoes; tha last furrow in centre, if iomaire was split; the last furrow usually at outer edge of furrow [sic].
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
clais
Quotation: a’ chlais. Notes: plane used for making the groove in floorboards to admit the tongue.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clais
Quot.: Tha an tigh aige ann an clais a’ rathaid. Note: His house is just beside the road.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clais
Quotation: a’ chlais. Notes: the byre drain.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clais
Quotation: a’ cuir a stigh claiseadh. Notes: finishing off the last furrow at the edge of a field.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clais an èil
Groove near end of buailtean – where thong is attached.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
claise
Trench or furrow for potatoes; tha last furrow in centre, if iomaire was split; the last furrow usually at outer edge of furrow [sic].
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
claise
Trench or furrow for potatoes; tha last furrow in centre, if iomaire was split; the last furrow usually at outer edge of furrow [sic]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
claiseach
Quotation: fighe chlaiseach, dà lùb chlaiseach, trì phlèin. Notes: purl.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claiseach
where excrement gathers in a byre. A trench running down the middle of the byre.
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claisean tiachd
a chasm which drew in salt water for salt-making purposes.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claisneachd (f)
Quotation: a’ cumail cluas ri claisneachd.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clamadh
castration by tying horse hair around the scrotum.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clamag
Quotation: an deagh chlamag airgid. Notes: ‘a substantial sum of money’. Source: essay by Faye MacLeod, Barra, confirmed by Mrs Christine MacInnes, Barra.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clamaigeadh
Note: type of castration without actually removing the testicles. Bag put on the edge of something and the cord severed by hitting with a hard instrument.
Location: [Lewis], [S.] Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clamair
iron pliers used for castration.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clamhadh
scratching, itching.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clamp
[kɫ[ɑu̜]mp] Notes: piece of flat wood put on either side of oar where it passes through the rowlocks, to prevent chafing.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clann
Quotation: cloinn an dà bhràthair. Notes: 1st cousins.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claobhaidh
[kɫɤ:vi] Quotation: ’Se fìor chlaobhaidh a th’ann dheth. Notes: dunderhead, bungler.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claoidhean
[?] part of the potato. Claodhan – sing. Plural – claodhain.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
claoidhean
Quotation: Cha deachaidh glas no claoidhean air an dorus bho dh’fhalbh thu.
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clap
Quotation: a’ chlap. Notes: ‘the clap’ (note fem. art.). Dw. has clap, but makes it masc.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clapan
frame. Clapan cinn – skull. [NOTES: Slipped under ‘clapan’ with the quotation ‘Also: clapan cinn.’ Definition: Frame; also ‘skull’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clapanachadh
patting as patting him on the shoulders.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claparan
to pat someone on the shoulder. “Bha i gam chlaparan ’sa ghualainn.”
Location: Benbecula, Creagorry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clar
a division of land about 3 rigs in width used when farm was held separately between two tenants.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cle-sheanchainn
Quotation: Dé chle-sheanchainn a th’agad ann a sin? Notes: used of any old, ramshackle object. From cliar-sheanchainn?
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleanan
Quotation: Nach eil mi ’cleanan riut a’ mhòine thoirt a-steach. Notes: telling repeatedly. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleaning a creel, what creatures found within
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
cleas
nn ‘trick, acrobatic’: dhèanadh e ~ sam bith [DAG], gen.: na fir chlis, am borealis [FMM]; pl.  dhèanadh e cliosan sam bith
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cleas
Quotation: cleas nan cip. Notes: cap laid upside down on ground. Player walks several paces back and tries to put the ball into the cap. If he misses, has to put his hand up against a wall, his cap cushioning his hand, while the rest of the players would bombard it with the ball(s).
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleas na Féille air an Fhadhail
prior to a bridge at Benbecula this referred to the cattle having to swim across the ford to cattle sales.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleas-na-sgithinn
a speed trick involving a knife with three bits of paper on one side. The person performing this moved his hand so quickly that at times he would only have one bit of paper on the knife or two, three pieces.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleasan, no cluicheannan, airson broinn an tighe
Bhiodh sinn a’ deanamh seo an dràsda ’s a rithist. 1. Eirigh leis an eallach aotrom. (Sràbh no nì aotrom de’n t-seòrsa sin air do ghualainn.) 2. A’ tighinn troimh a’ chlobha. (An seann chlobha mór iaruinn.) 3. A’ tighinn troimh a’ bhata. (Bata-mór cumanta.) Seallaidh mi mar a bha iad seo a’ dol, uair sam bith.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleat
[klet̪] Note: cleat on a boat for tying ropes.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleat
[kleṯ] Note: clasp on “tobht a’ chruinn” [q.v.] to keep mast firmly fixed.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleata
[klet̪ə] Notes: wooden fixture put on the gunwhale of a boat for tying the sail ropes.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleathad
a blow.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleathag
an insect, beast which took the seed out of corn ears. Not sure of English term for this insect.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleideagach
Quotation: bó chleideagach. Notes: when a cow has been inside all year and her coat is hanging tasselled with dirt.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleideagach
Quotation: Na d’thoir breith air gille luideagach neo mart chleideagach.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleigean
compressed lumps still attached to animals when shedding their hair or fur. Falt cleigeach – unruly, uncombed hair.
Location: [Lewis], Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleimh, a’ chleimh
scab; itchiness leaving bare patches of skin.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
cleit
(also) for fastening ropes on (boat).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleit
(also) wooden piece nailed to the inside part of a gunwale of a boat for fastening rope to – wooden rope fastener. In English – cleat. I may have given this definition of it somewhere else but it doesn’t matter. [SLIP: A piece of wood nailed to the inside of the gunwale of a boat – to which a rope is fastened. A cleat.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleit
Notes: used in West Lewis of parts of the uncultivated moor. “Na cleitean dubha.” Or would parts of it have once been under cultivation?
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleith-inchinn
[klɛhɛ̃ṉɑ̃xĩnʹ] Quotation: Nach ann annad a tha [xlɛhɛ̃ṉɑxĩnʹ]. Notes: said to, e.g., someone who said something obviously incorrect. “You’re lacking in your mind.”
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
cleitric
(also) a fair attempt, a fair workable motion, strong endeavour.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleòc
Quotation: an cleòc. Notes: minister’s vestment.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleòcadh
Quotation: Tha am flùr a’ sìneadh air cleòcadh. Notes: The flower has begun to wither.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliabadh
Quotation: Thug i cliabadh. Notes: She stumbled/staggered/lurched.
Location: Applecross, Kenmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliabh
Quotation: plàta chliabh. Notes: large mat put on the backs of horses when carrying panniers.
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliabh
creel used for carrying the peats. These creels were of various sizes and made of wattle, hazel or willow.
Location: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cliabh
Quotation: cliabh taobhaisdeach [t̪ɤɑʃdʹɑx]. Notes: ordinary creel.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliabh
Quotation: cliabh ghiomach. Notes: lobster pot.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliabh
used to carry potatoes.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliabh
Quotation: srathair chléibh. Notes: pack saddle.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliabh
Cliabh: an iris – na spriotan (’Se staingean a chanas iad an ceàrnaidhean de Leòdhas ri na spriotan againne.) – an t-slat-bheòil – an t-sreang – breugan a’ chléibh (Fuaimnich briagan.) – na cabair oisein agus na cabair eile – an fhighe no an cura.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cliabh cleibh
[pl.] creel. Is ann le cleibh bha a’ mhoine air a’ to’airt dhachaigh anns an t-sheann aimsir. Is e sealladh gle chumanta bh’ann gach fear-tigh fhaicinn a’ dol gach la dhiarraidh cliabh moine do an cruach, a’ dhaodadh bhi suas ri mile air falbh o’n tigh. Ach cha-neil aon chliabh ri fhaicinn anns a’ chearn so o chionn iomadh bliadhna air ais. Tha a’ mhoine nis air a giulan dhachaidh le carbaidean ola de gach seorsa. Tha rathaidean nis anns gach aite, agus mar sin tha a’ mhoine air a buain cho faisg air an rathad ’s a ghabhas deanamh.
Origin: Cataobh [Sutherland – probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cliabh fraoich
creel made from heather.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cliabh luaidh
the long platform where wool was waulked. It had a rounded head. [NOTES: note added above ‘cliabh’ – from cliath?]
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliabh monach
a creelful of peats.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cliabh monadh
the creel used for carrying the peats.
Origin: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cliabh-droma
bascaid air a deanamh car comhnard air aon taobh air son laighe air druim fear an eallaich. Bhathar a cleachdadh a chleibh air son mòine, feamainn, inneir, iasg, ’sgach seòrsa ghiulain – eadhon bathar as na bùthan ma bha iad fad as! Bhathar a cleachdadh an ainm “cliabh-droma” air son eadardhealachadh o “chliabh-ghiomach”.
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cliabh-ghiomach (E)
Pàirtean: Am bottom (E). (Chan e an t-ùrlar a chanas sinn idir.) [NOTES: slipped under ‘bottom’. Definition: An t-ùrlar aig a’ chliabh-ghiomach.] Cearcaill, cabair (cha chreid mi nach canadh iad an dà chuid). [NOTES: slipped under ‘cearcall’ and ‘cabar’ respectively.] Taobhan (E). [NOTES: slipped.] An gath-droma (E). [NOTES: slipped.] Sreang (I) a’ bhiathaidh. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sreang’.] A’ chlach (I). [NOTES: slipped under ‘clach’.] An dorus-beag (E). (Air a dhùnadh le sreing.) [NOTES: slipped.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
cliabh-mona
creel for carrying peats.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cliabh-àbhach
Notes: creel put into a stream to catch fish. Slats would be opened by fish, closed after it.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliadhaichean
Quotation: na cliadhaichean [nə klʹiəħẹçən]. Notes: the sides of a cart.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliapadh
Quotation: Thug e cliapadh. Notes: lurch.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliatan
Notes: burdock.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath
three large waves that occur at intervals at sea.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath
Quot.: air a chlèithidh [xlɛ:hi]. Note: on the cliath, i.e. cliath-luaidh [q.v.].
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath
(also) cliath (chudaigean) – shoal. [SLIP: Cliath. Quotation: cliath chudaigean. Definition: shoal.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath
Quot.: cliath chudaigin. Note: shoal.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath
Quotation: a’ cliathadh a’ bhuntàta. Notes: 6 weeks after planting.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath
Quotation: cliath chliata. Notes: harrows. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cliath-chliata’.]
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath
Pl. -an. Harrow.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliath
[kliɤ] Quot.: “Dean cliathan beag.” Note: in weaving, the amount of cloth woven at the one time without releasing the tension and pulling the cloth back to allow room for the sley-board to go back and fore.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath
Pl. -an. Harrow.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliath
Pl. -an. Harrow.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliath
Pl. -an. Harrow. See dia [NOTES: probably refers to a diagram provided by the informant.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliath
Notes: a panel in a log or board fence.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliath
Quotation: a’ chliath, cliathan [kliɑhən]. Notes: harrows.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath
Note: when weaving with a wooden loom, the amount woven at the one time before the tension was released and the cloth pulled back a little to allow the sleay-board to move back and fore.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath
Quotation: ubh cliath feannaig. Notes: a hen’s egg which is much undersized.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath
harrow. Consisted of four wooden main beams with six cross beams. Probably eight tines (iron) in each row, about 32 tines each placed so that they ran in different runs. Pulled by one horse with one amal beag.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliath
Quotation: Fiaclan cléithidh. Notes: harrow spikes.
Origin: Bayhead
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath
Quotation: a’ chliath chrom. Notes: this implement consisted of two small harrows chained together each with a handle and both held by a man as if ploughing. They were pulled by one horse and eased the tops of the drills to let the “barran” through.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath
Quot.: cliath-chudaig. Note: shoal.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath
Quot.: cliath éisg. Note: a shoal of fish.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath (f), cliathan (pl)
harrow.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliath (n)
[See a’ cliathadh].
Location: Harris, Horgabost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath an eich
three main beams with three cross beams preferably of hard wood.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliath bheag
Old peg-toothed harrow.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliath bheag
a man drawn harrow very suitable for small plots of arable.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliath bhiorach
(grubber) (See dia) [NOTES: probably refers to a diagram provided by the informant.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliath bhiorach
Harrow (for potatoes) – any number of teeth. “Grubber”.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliath dealg
above carpets [i.e. earlan (q.v)] woven on this loom which had wooden pins attached to it.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath drilich
Harrow – rounded at top. It covered two drills at a time. [NOTES: spelled ‘cliath dhrilich’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
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
cliath iodha
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliath luth
nine fingers on the chanter.
Location: Barra, Eoligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath mhor
Harrow – spring-toothed variety – predecessor of disc harrow. [NOTES: spelled ‘cliath mhór’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliath sheanachair
iron tongs. [NOTES: note added above ‘sheanachair’ – (? teanchair).]
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath-luaidh
Note: waulking table.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath-luaidh
Notes: waulking table or bench.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath-luathaidh
n. ‘milling board’: chunna mise an aon ch. ’dol mun cuairt
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
cliath-theine
bonfire.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliatha
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliatha
[klıɤhə] Notes: harrows.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliathach
Quotation: Na cliachan, [kliəç] [kliəçən].
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliathach
[Number 20 on the diagram.]
Location: North Uist
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliathach
n. ‘hurdle’: ga chur air a’ -- chlèithich
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
cliathadh
instrument used for harrowing. Made of wood with iron incisors.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliathadh
harrowing.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliathadh
harrowing.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliathaich
side.
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
cliathair
waulking board.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliathan
[kliəʔən]
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliathan
congregated shoals, moving, swimming rather, in one direction. ’Ad ’na cliathan. [SLIP: Cliathan (plural). Quotation: ’nan cliathan. Definition: Shoals of fish swimming gregariously in one direction.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliathan
harrows.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliathan
made of wood with iron prongs. Used for harrowing.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliathan
Notes: harrows.
Origin: Nethy Bridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliathan maide
[kliəʔən mɛdʹə]
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliathan treabhaidh
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliathar
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
clibeach
Notes: ‘clumsy’. My mother used it of hands especially, e.g. letting things drop (Keose). My father (Tong) tends to use it of feet as well. Dw. gives cliobach ‘clumsy, awkward’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clibean
Quotation: an clibean. Notes: a piece cut out of the breast of the stenlock to imitate small herring. Used as bait in cod and stenlock fishing – P. Charlotte and Portnahaven.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clifeadh
[klifəɣ] Quotation: a’ clifeadh leis a ghaoith. Notes: fluttering, or shaking in the wind, e.g. clothes on line.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clig
Quotation: a’ cligeadh. Notes: courting. Used only in teasing kids.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clig (m)
Quotation: A bheil clig agad? Notes: boy/girl friend (used only to children).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clioba
a box which held straw for horses and cattle.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliobadaich
Quotation: a’ chliobadaich. Notes: (See p. 132 for story.) Used of the phenomena accompanying the famous Lewis revival of the 1930’s. Not in Dw., who has cliobaidich in other senses (sub cliob).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clip
[kliʰp] Quotation: an clip. Notes: gaff.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clipean
a bait cut from the side of a big fish, a strip of fish on a hook being pulled after a moving boat to attract the fish. Fishing likewise le clipean – putting it this way: ‘dragging an artificial eel’. [SLIP: A strip of fish on a hook, used as bait and pulled after a moving boat to attract the fish.] [NOTES: in another word-list sent in by Mr Morrison, this word is spelled ‘cliopan’ and explained as ‘fish-lure’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliseach
[kliʃɑx] Notes: a rough wooden gate; hinges also made of wood. C. MacLean, Kyleakin says “clisneach” as in Dw.
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliseach
Notes: a gate.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliseach
Quot.: “Bheir mis’ air do chliseach!” Note: warning given to children. The back. MML, Uig has it for the back of a cow. Sometimes, he says, it is called “cliseach an droma” so it may be a certain part of the back. (Also used in Barvas for cattle.)
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliseam
Quot.: an cliseam. Note: applied to the three pegs at the top of the “beart-dheilbh” for fixing the “alt”.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clisgeadh
Quotation: Clisgeadh air do chnàmhan! Notes: said by a person given a fright or told bad news untruthfully.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clisgeadh
Quotation: Fuair mi clisgeadh. Notes: I got a sudden fright.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clisgeartaich
trembling. A hound indicates likewise at the hunt through bodily emotion. [SLIP: The emotionally caused trembling a hound makes at the hunt.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clisich
latticed section in barn wall for ventilation.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
clisich
Notes: wooden vent in barn wall. Source: Mrs A. Gillies. Date: 1964.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clisne
a high plateau of land in a village.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clisneach
[klıʃnʹɑx] Notes: home-made, rough wooden gate.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clisneach
Quotation: clisneach duine. Notes: “Duine ’s e a dol as a rathad air e fhéin.”
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clisneach
Notes: a rough wooden gate.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clisnidh
Quotation: Na fir chlisnidh [fiɾxliʃnʹi]. Notes: Northern Lights.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliucheadh fiataidh
[sic] a herring or other fish’s breaking the surface, a much less distinct sound.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
cliutag
[klu̟t̪ɑɡ] Quotation: Thug mi dha cliutag man a’ chluais. Notes: a light cuff with the back of the fingers.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliùchdadh
Quotation: a’ cliùchdadh. Notes: going into hiding.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliùchdair
net mender (fishing nets). Tha cliùchdair math agad neo ’s e cliùchdair math th’ann. (Scalpay)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clobha
instrument used for castrating lambs. Modern plier [sic] onto which a rubber is fitted.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clobha
[kɫoʔo] Quotation: an clobha. Notes: used as a clamp, e.g. when building a boat, to keep two planks tightly together.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clobha-nan-adharc
Quotation: Inneal airson adharc an reithe a chumail a mach bho’n leth-cheann.
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clobhta-fallais
sweat rag.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clochd
[kɫɔ̣xk] Notes: a growth, swelling in an animal’s throat.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clochlanaich
squeezing sound in the throat. Bha clochlanaich a bhàis ’na h-amhaich.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clochranaich
gurgle in the throat, or wheezing in the throat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clod
[kɫɔd̪] Notes: a big half-dried peat.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clog ( clok)
[pron.] weight tied to an animal. [NOTES: the slip gives pronunciation – [kɫɔk].]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
clogad
Quotation: clogad na creathail. Notes: the wooden canopy over the child’s head.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clogaid
[kɫɔɡidʹ] Note: a sheaf of corn with the band pushed up towards the head and the bottom opened out; then put upside down on a corn-rick at the very top to make the water run off.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clogs
Quotation: na “clogs”. Notes: wooden block about 9" deep and 2ft long resting on the axle at each end (to raise the box of the cart).
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cloich
Quotation: a’ chloich [ə xɫɔ̣iç]. Notes: the wool. [NOTES: slipped under ‘clòidh’.]
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cloichearan
[klɔiçərən] stonechat.
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
cloighd
[kɫɤidʹ] Quot.: Bha cloighd feòil aige na laimh. Note: a good portion. Word usually applied to meat.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cloimh
dirt gathering in horses’ hooves. This resulted in severe itching which often led to the stamping of feet, which could be heard from quite a distance. The hooves were cleaned with the substance used for sheep dipping – ‘dupadh’.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cloimh
Quotation: ath-chloimh. Notes: new wool growth.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cloimh an domail
this is exactly the correct version, whereas I noted previously dombail. Change it to ‘m’ instead of ‘b’. Delete ‘b’. The loose wool on the heather – remember. [NOTES: the spelling with ‘b’ appeared in another word-list sent in by Mr Morrison. There are two slips: one with ‘dombail’ (no mention of the mistake) and the other with ‘domail’ (the mistake mentioned).] [SLIP: Loose wool on the heather. Previously had: dombail – should omit ‘d’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cloimh liath
blue mould. Apparently this has healing qualities. Mother of informant used to throw an old boot or shoe into a clump of nettles which was left there till mould gathered on the shoe. Thereafter the mould was scraped off and used as a kind of penicillin to relieve the puss in boils and abscess wounds, swellings, etc. Similarly informant remembers the white of an egg being broken to which fresh unsalted butter and lichen (crotal) was added. Used for healing all kinds of burns.
Location: North Uist, Blàsheabhal [Blashaval]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cloimh-an-dombail
the loose wool falling from the fleece of sheep on to the heather, and sticks sometimes to the heather. [NOTES: the word-list has ‘dombail’ but in one of his later word-lists, Mr Morrison corrected it to ‘domail’.] [SLIP: Loose wool which has fallen from a sheep and stuck on to tufts of heather.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cloimh-an-dombail
loose tufts of wool left on the heather by sheep walking through it.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
cloimheach-liath
soft grey down.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cloimhnteach-liath
[kɫɔ̃:nʹtɔxlıɤ] Notes: mould.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cloimhteach
virgin feathers of a chick.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clomhan
a latch on older type door. Same word as ‘cluamhain’.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clomhan
a wooden latch on a door. Bit of wood, twelve inches or more in length placed across the the [sic] door. String attached to this and pushed through a hole in the wood. Latch could be lifted like this. Others call this a ‘gliongag’.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
closachadh
Quotation: Bha closachadh againn gus an tigeadh atharrachadh air an tìde. Notes: rest.
Origin: Carradale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluaimhinn
door latch.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluais
Quotation: a’ chluais mu’n [?] chlaigionn. Notes: earmark – cut off completely. Sometimes known as “comharr’ a mhèairlich”.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluais
Quotation: a’ chluais. Notes: ear.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluais
Note: the top corner of a herring net where the “géibheil” [q.v.] was attached to the “bàc” [q.v.].
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluais
Quotation: cluais a’ lion. Notes:
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluais
Quotation: cluais bhiorach. Notes: earmark. (Kenmore)
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluais
Quot.: cluasan na prais. Note: the loops on either side of the pot to which the “bùlais” is attached.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluais-a-linn
eye of the net, literally, the ear of the net, loop of the net. The ‘top rope’ as already noted, baca, with spliced loops on either end to which the other looped nets, likewise, are tied. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cluais’ with ‘cluais a’ linn’ as the quotation. Definition: The loops on the ends of the ‘top ropes’ (baca).]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluamhain
a floodgate. Also in the sense of a wooden latch on older doors.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluaran
[kɫũ̜ɑ̃ɾɛ̃nʹ] Notes: piece of wood fixed at one end to the door by a nail and dropping into a slot on doorpost when closed. It could be opened from the outside by a rope going through a hole in the door.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluas
Quotation: na cluasan. Notes: hooks on a pot to which the handle was attached.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluas
Quotation: a’ cluas man a’ bhun. Notes: sheep’s ear cut off.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluas
Quotation: cluas bhiorach. Notes: earmark (a good bite taken off).
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluas
Quotation: greim cluaiseadh. Notes: earache.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluas
Quotation: Chuir mi toll is tarrang ’na chluais. Notes: (heard it in Vatersay) I hammered the point home.
Origin: South Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluas a lìn
[NOTES: slipped under ‘cluas’ with ‘cluas a lìn’ as the quotation. Notes: Lìon-sgadanach.]
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
cluasag
Quot.: “cluasagan na cuibhle”. Note: rests of leather at the ends of “snàthad a’ bhiùirne”.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluasag
variegated clam.
Location: Isle-of-Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
cluasag
Quotation: a’ chluasag. Notes: the bridle of the plough. (See also srian – DMM.)
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluasag
Note: variegated clam (bearded).
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluasag
Quot.: “slig’ a’ chluasaig”. Note: very like the clam in shape but much smaller. One side flat, the other oval. Curved part serrated like a cockle-shell.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluasan torclach
Highland calves born with the distinct mark of having pierced ears. More than one hole in each ear. A genealogical feature.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluich
Quotation: a’ sgadan a’ cluich. Notes: when the herring break the surface.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluich-bhall
[kɫu̜iv[ɑu]ɫ] Quotation: A’ bheil thu dol a’ choimhead air a’ chluich-bhall an diugh.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluichd dreasair
playing with old crockery to see who can best decorate the dresser.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
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
cluigean
[kɫu̜ɡʹɑṉ] Note: a lump of matted hair.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluigean
[kɫu̜ɡʹɑṉ] Note: usually a lumps [sic] of wool or material hanging down.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluigean
Notes: earmark. Ear cut so that top half hangs down.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluinn
Quotation: Cha mhisde deagh naidheachd a’ chluinntinn a rithisd.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluinn
Quotation: “Eisdibh, ’s iad ’gar cluinntinn thar seachd mhuinntrichean.” Notes: when people are making too much of a noise.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluinneagan uisge
water containers, usually buckets to be found in the lobby or ‘trannsa’.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
cluiteach
[kɫu̜tʹɑx] Quotation: ’S ann ort a tha a chluiteach. Notes: cloimhteach in Dw. – down of feathers. Used figuratively of a mop of hair.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clumhraig
a small, snug bay, naturally formed and used as a harbour.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clupad
[kɫu̜pəd̪] Notes: fluke disease in cattle or sheep. Swollen throat.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clupad
Notes: fluke disease in cattle and sheep.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clupaid
Quotation: a’ chlupaid [əxɫu̜ʰpidʹʒ]. Notes: swelling of the neck in sheep and cattle (liver fluke?).
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clupaid
Quotation: a’ chlupaid [əxɫu̜ʰpidʹʒ]. Notes: swelling of the neck in sheep and cattle (liver fluke?).
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clupaid
Quotation: a’ chlupaid [əxɫu̜ʰpidʹʒ]. Notes: swelling of the neck in sheep and cattle (liver fluke?).
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clupaid
Quotation: a’ chlupaid [əxɫu̜ʰpidʹʒ]. Notes: swelling of the neck in sheep and cattle (liver fluke?).
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàbhadh
deafen. Tha e gus am baile a chlàbhadh. (Scalpay) Arising from a boastful attitude, to draw attention. [SLIP: Deafen – due to boastfulness to draw attention.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàbhadh
Quot.: “Bha mi air mo chlàbhadh le daoine.” Note: so many that one couldn’t move, e.g. would say this when one had too many people in the house.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàbhair
[klɛ:vəɾ] Quotation: Bha iad a’ clàbhair. Notes: they were gossiping. [NOTES: slipped under ‘clèabhair’.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàbhaist
a noisy conversation, number of people talking simultaneously.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàbhaist
a noisy conversation, everyone talking at once.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàd
Notes: a scraper for scraping the floor etc. Long-handled with a broad, flat head.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàdan
Quotation: pl. clàdain. Notes: snowflake.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàimhean
Quotation: Na chuir thu ’n clàimhean air an dorus? Notes: Did you bolt the door? Did you put the latch on the door?
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàp-sgàin
someone who had eaten so much he was at bursting point. [NOTES: ‘clàp’ corrected to ‘clap’.]
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàr
Quotation: clàr an aodainn [kɫɑɑ˖rənɤɤdẹnʹ]. Notes: forehead.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàr
word for divisions of land held separately between two tenants.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
clàr
a wooden ashet from which potatoes were served.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàr
Quot.: clàr [u̜ɛ:əɾ]. Note: a length of wire netting put on top of the thatch.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàr
on which lines were placed while the lines were being baited. “Air clar” – gan cuir air clar aig am biathaidh.
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
clàr
Quotation: clàr leabhair. Notes: book cover.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàr
Notes: platform on a boat for standing on.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàr
Quotation: ùrlar claraidh [sic]. Notes: the wooden floor of a loft, etc.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàr
Quotation: clàr fuinne. Notes: baking board. [NOTES: slipped under ‘clàr fuinne’.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàr
Quotation: clàr-aodainn. Notes: forehead.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàr
larger than the above two portions [i.e. iomair and feannag] and more or less square; croft. Ex. clàr bunata, clàr corc, clàr shneip.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
clàr ainme
Name plate on a cart – of wood or brass.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
clàr fuinne
sloped so that the flour would not fall off.
Origin: Uibhist a’ Deas [South Uist]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
clàr lìn-bhig
Bha dà sheòrsa aca de dh’uidhean airson an lìon-beag a chur ann: clàr agus sgùil. 1. Bha an sgùil de chaol no de chèuna [?]. Bha cumadh na sgùile rudeigin mar seo (Bho a taobh; A sealltainn sìos oirre): [see illustrations]. Bha i air a’ figheadh mar cliabh no bascaid. Bhiodh i mu cheithir troighean a dh’fhad. 2. Bha an clàr air a dhèanamh le bùird fhiodha agus a chumadh rudeigin mar a shoilleirich mi, an seo shuas (Bho a thaobh; Bhos a chionn): [see illustrations].
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
clàr-achduinn
a shelf on a boat on which the ship’s gear is stored, or kept; also a board on which ointment was mixed in olden days, in the Highlands of Scotland, when ointment cures were the chemistry of these days, done in the home, or locally.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàrach
the planking at the stern.
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàrag
Notes: square stern in a boat.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàrag
Notes: the stern in a square-sterned boat.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàrag
Notes: square stern of a boat.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàrag
Quotation: clàrag geòla. Notes: the square stern of a boat.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàrag
Quotation: clàrag airson beart-iasgaich. Notes: square frame.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàrag
Notes: square stern of a boat.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàrag
Bha a’ chlàrag mar a chì sibh agam an seo shuas. Nuair a bhiodh an snìomh a’ dol ’na theas, bha dà phiorna aca airson na cuibhle. Nuair a bhiodh fear làn, bhatar ’ga thoirt bharr na cuibhle agus ’g a chur anns a’ chlàraig agus duine eile ’ga thachrais. Bha am piorna a bha falamh ’ga chur anns a’ chuibhle nuair a thigeadh am fear làn aisde. Cha robh tìde sam bith air a chall. Chanadh cuid “a’ chuibhle bheag” ris a’ chlàraig.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
clàrag (a sgriobain)
air a chumail anns a bhata nuair tha an sgrioban [q.v.] air a leigeil sios do ghrunn na mara. [NOTES: slipped under ‘clàrag’ with ‘clàrag a sgriobain’ as the quotation.]
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
clàraidh
[kɫɑ̟:rẹj] Quotation: clàraidh air a chuir cron [?] dh’fhaoid’e.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàtair
like a ‘gràpa’ except that it is designed to pull rather than lift. Prongs are therefore rounded. Used for pulling seaweed.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàtair
A strong hoe-like implement with concave blade called bas. [NOTES: spelled ‘clatair’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
clé chliathad
[kle:xliəʔəd] Notes: harrow.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cléibeadaich
[kle:bəd̪iç] Quotation: Bha a’ leanabh air chléibeadaich ag iarraidh a mach. Notes: in a worked-up state.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cléibeadaich
[kle:bəd̪iç] Quot.: “Tha e air chléibeadaich.” Note: (1) Could be “air chléibeadaich leis an fuachd” or some such external influence so that the person concerned is unable to control movement, e.g. a shiver or shake. (2) Also a child could be “air chléibeadaich” if it was noisily demanding something and very “het-up” about it.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cléigean
[kle:ɡʹɑṉ] Note: matted lump of wool hanging from a sheep or lamb, or a matted lump on any beast, e.g. a calf which had been inside all winter.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cléireach
Quotation: Bha e na chléireach. Notes: used for clerk.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cléireach
Quotation: cléireach an t-seisein. Notes: session clerk.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cléith-luaidh (I)
Chan e ‘cliath-luaidh’ a chanas sinn idir. Bha a’ chlèith-luaidh mar seo. Deànta le bùird agus crotaichean oirre fòidhe. Bhiodh i cho mór (cho fada) agus gu’n suidheadh ceathrar (no barrachd) air gach taobh dhith.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
clì
Quotation: Cha robh sùgh clì mun cuairt oirre. Notes: lit., there was nothing that was wrong round about her. Could be health, character, etc.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clìoig-clìoig
imitation sound as of a gull, seagull.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clìopadh
an earmark where a line goes through almost all of the ear leaving it without feeling so that it folds over. [NOTES: corrected to ‘cliopadh’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clìostair
Quot.: Chuir mi clìostair math air. Thug mi clìostair dha dheth. Note: a covering, e.g. of whiting put on fireplaces; a film.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clìsnis
another word for a gate. [NOTES: corrected to ‘clisnis’.]
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clòbhar
clover. An exemptional [sic] [exceptional?] nutriment, nourishment, in connection with the feeding of cattle.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
clòdhan
[kɫɔ:ɑṉ] Quotation: trì chlòdhanan. Notes: earmark.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clòimh
[kɫɔ̃:i] Notes: used of a hen’s feathers.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clòimh
Quotation: rùsg cloimheadh. Notes: wool fleece.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clòimh (
[pron.] cloy) [kɫ[ɔ̃i]] itch. [NOTES: the following added in second hand (most probably the fieldworker) – (partic. sheep scab; also ‘Bheil clòimh ort?’) – funny [?].] [NOTES: phonetic transcription added most probably by the fieldworker.] [SLIP: Itch – particularly of sheep but used jokingly for humans (as above [i.e. in the quotation]).]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
clòimh liath
nn ‘blue-mould’: dh’fhàs ~ air bonnach muntàta
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
clòimhiteach
the virgin growth of feathers on a bird.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clòimhnteach
[kɫɔ̃:nʹtʹɔx] Quotation: Tha clòimhnteach a tighinn roimhe. Notes: fungus.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clòisdinn
[kɫɔ:ʃdʹɯ̃ṉ] Quotation: a’ clòisdinn. Tha mi a’ clòisdinn thu. Na chlòisdinn thu mi? Notes: hear.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clòsaid (f)
Quotation: a’ chlòsaid. Notes: second bedroom, usually.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clòthan
Quotation: Trì chlòthanan agus an clòthan meadhoin air thoirt as. Notes: earmark.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clòthan
[kɫɔ:ɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: trì chlòthanan. Notes: earmark. “Rinn thu clòthanan dheth” – said of a piece of clothing torn to shreds.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clòthan
Quotation: trì chlòthanan. Notes: earmark.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnacas
conversation.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnag
Quotation: a’ chnag. Notes: the bung in a boat.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnag
Notes: bung in a boat.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnag
[kɾɛɡ] Notes: wooden pin formerly used to nail a slate on to the roof.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnag
Quotation: na cnagan. Notes: thole-pin.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnag na cùise
used for someone who was in the midst of a debate or in the centre of affairs.
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnagadan
the log underneath the plank which formed an essential part of a see-saw. “Déile bhogadain tonn a’ chnagadain.”
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnagan
bits of wood that were part of the tether on a horse. The bits of wood were on each side of the horse’s face and when the horse tugged at the tether the wood tightened on each side.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnagan
Quotation: Tha iad air blas a’ chnagain a ghabhail dheth. Notes: They’ve had enough of it.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnaidsaireachd
prior to the modern established trade of a joiner in these islands this is a word people used when referring to someone who was always working with wood. “Bha e a’ cnaidsaireachd air cùl an taighe.” Obviously not considered as a viable occupation, even if you were doing odd jobs for neighbours, which was also called ‘cnaidsaireachd’.
Location: North Uist, Lochportan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnaimh
Quotation: cnaimh an t-slinein [krɑ̃ĩvəntlʹinʹɑ̣˖nʹ]. Notes: the shoulder blade.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnaimh
Quotation: cnaimh an droma [k̥ɾɑ̃ĩvəndrọmə]. Notes: spine.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnaimh
Quotation: cnaimh an urabail [kɾɑ̃ĩvənurəbulʹ]. Notes: tail bone.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnaimh
Quotation: cnaimh urlar nam port. Notes: the framework of the ground.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnaimh
[krɛ̃:v] Notes: part of potato left unplanted.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnaimh
Quotation: cnaimh an uchd [kɾɑ̃ĩvənʊxk]. Notes: breast bone.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnaimh
Quotation: na cnamhan móra. Notes: the large ribs in a boat.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnaimh
Quotation: cnàmhan. Notes: part of potato which doesn’t have the eye in it.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnaimh
Quotation: Tha na cnàmhan aic’ a tuiteam. Notes: said of a cow about to calf.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnaimh-golaigein
a child on the shoulders of his father, sitting with a foot on either side of his father’s neck, and the father having the hands of his son or daughter holding them above his head. Also termed ‘casa-golaigein’. In other words the father’s head between his son’s or daughter’s feet.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnaip na srathair
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cnamh
Potato blight.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cnamh
Potato blight.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cnamhan
Part(s) of potato(es) left after ‘eyes’ have been removed. [NOTES: spelled ‘cnàmhan’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cnamharsaich
origin, original material. Fhuair mi cnamharsaich. [SLIP: Original material.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnamhladh
[krɑ̟̃ũɫəɣ] Quotation: “cnamhladh gun stèidh”. Notes: quarrelling, arguing.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnap
[kɾɑ̃p] Quotation: cnap na bròige. Notes: the heel of the shoe.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnap
Quotation: “Niall a’ chneip [xre̜ip].” Notes: gen. of cnap.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnap
Quotation: cnap feamainn. Notes: mass of seaweed towed behind the boat.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnap
single potato. [NOTES: the last item added in pencil.]
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cnap
a heavy cloud formation overhead.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnap
Quotation: lomnochd ach a còta bian ’s a cnapan àrda. Notes: see also cnapan àrda.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnap
Quot.: cnap coirce. Note: raw oatmeal bannock. Oatmeal, cold water, salt or sugar. Very sustaining.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnapach
[kɾɑ̃pɑx] Quotation: cnapach balaich, etc. Notes: middle-size, half-grown.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnaparnach (m)
Quotation: cnaparnach mór balaich. Notes: big boy.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnaplach
knotty. Female (suffering) in particular with rheumatic effects as lumpy hands, lumps of rheumatism ailment. An inactive female is sometimes described by a person of a similar movement in the case of action to be taken and that person not approving to her as: A chnaplach a tha thu ann, in this circumstance, etc.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnarrag (-an)
small boats. [Cf. curachan.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnatan
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
cnatan
[kɾɛt̪ɑ̃ṉ] Quotaiton: an cnatan. Notes: a cold or a chill.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnatan thobhtaichean
Cnatan a gheibheadh tu le fuachd. Mar a bhiodh balaich is cloinn-nighean fada ’n an seasamh a muigh ri balla, ag còmhradh ’s a geòbraich. Balaich is cloinn-nighean mhóra, thoir an aire. Tuigidh sibh fhéin!
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnead
[kɾɛd̪] Quotation: Dh’ith a bhó gus a robh [kɾɛd̪] aice. Notes: The cow ate till she couldn’t take any more. Possibly more likely “gus nach robh cnead aice” – until she could not utter a sigh.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnead (m)
Quotation: Bha a’ leanabh a’ rànaich gus an dàinig cnead ann. Notes: whimper?
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cneadan
a low moaning, complaining noise sometimes associated with young children or sick animals.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cneamh
[kɾɛ̃f] Notes: garlic. Grows in soft places. If cows eat it, get a taste of onion off the milk.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cneas
Quotation: Luibh a’ chneas. Notes: Queen of the Meadow. (Tiree)
Origin: Tiree?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnoc
Quotation: Bidh cnoc ann. Cho glic ri cnoc. Notes: There will be a parliament, gathering.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnocaireachd
parading about, e.g. waiting impatiently for someone to arrive.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnocan
a hillock. (The above [i.e. cnuachdan] may have originated from the other [i.e. cnocan].)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnodag (-an)
affectionate term for daughters. Often carries on beyond childhood. “Na cnodagan agamsa.”
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnoidh
Quotation: [ə xr[ɔi]]. Notes: toothache.
Origin: Loch Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnoidhain (n – R sound)
at the bottom of a cow’s foot.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnoiseag
lumps of seal fat left after boiling.
Location: North Uist, Grèinatobht [Grenitote]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnot an doruis
a small revolving block of wood used to secure a door or gate.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
cnotag
[kɾɔ̃t̪ɑɡ] Notes: a stone with a hollow in it for beating barley.
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnotag
[kɾɔ̃t̪ɑɡ] Notes: (1) the curlew. (2) stone with a hemispherical hollow in it used for beating corn or barley seed. (3) hollow in a rock for mashing shellfish for bait.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnothag
Quotation: An ròs a’ tighinn ás a’ chnothaig. Notes: a bud.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnuacan
Quotation: cnuacan or cruacan. Notes: (Valtos. With or without r sound in initial.) Rock or eminence rising from plain, sometimes covered [?] with grass.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnuaic
heap. [NOTES: already quoted at the beginning.]
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnuaic
over froth. Glaine lionn is cnuaic oirre. Materially could be likewise. Cnuaic air a chliabh – peat stalked over the [sic].
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnuasachd
Quotation: “Nach robh e gam chnuasachd a raoir.” Notes: sexual petting.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnuasachd
meditating.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnuasaich
Quotation: a’ cnuasachd airson duine (a chaidh air chall) as a Chuilthionn. Notes: detailed searching.
Location: BBC
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnuasaich
Notes: probe, make a deep examination of something.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnuimh
maggot. Used on a fishing hook for bait in fishing brown trout. Anything wriggly will attract trout.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
cnàimh
Quotation: cnàmhan glas [kɾɑ̃:əṉɡɫɑs]. Notes: potato patch. (1) Furrow turned with a spade, potato placed and the divot put upside down on top of it (fertiliser put in with potato). (2) Left unturned until the shaws grew. Then at the time of “togail uime” the strip left unturned was dug up and the earth put round the shaws for support.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnàimh
Quotation: Chaidh e a’ cnàmhan a ghabhaill.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnàmh
Quotation: a’ cnàmh [ɑ kɾɑɑ˖v]. Notes: digesting or wasting away.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnàmh
[kɾɑ̃:v] Quotation: a’ cnàmh. Notes: chewing.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnàmh
[kɾɑ̃:v] Quotation: an cnàmh. Notes: blight in potatoes.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnàmh
Quotation: Dé math dhomhsa a bhi a cnàmh mo bheul riut? Notes: talking (without the person addressed giving much heed). Wasting time talking or giving advice.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnàmh
[kɾɑ̃:v] Quotation: Tha an t-uan a’ cnàmh a’ mhathair. Notes: suckle.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnàmh
Quotation: air do chorra-chnàmh. Notes: on all fours.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnàmhag
segments of oatmeal in water.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnàmhag
Quot.: “a’ deanamh cnàmhag de rud”. Note: spoiling a thing so that it is rendered useless.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnàmhan
Quotation: Dé ’n cnàmhan a th’air a’ leanaibh? Notes: whimpering, moaning.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnàmhlach
Quotation: Cnàmhlach mór duine. Notes: a big raw-boned man. Date: 1972.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnàrrag
Quotation: A’ ràmhadh a’ chnàrrag an aodann na gaoith. Notes: seòrsa eathair a bhiodh aca o chionn fada.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnèadalan
[kɾɛ̃:d̪əɫɑṉ] Quot.: “Tha a’ leanabh a’ cnèadalan.” Note: girning, threatening to start crying.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnèimhearsaich
nibbling. Mar chù a’ cneimhearsaich [sic] – when picking a bone. Also: Thug e cneimhearsaich [sic] mhath dha. – good response as in competition.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnò
Quotation: Mu’m bragadh tu cnò. Notes: In the twinkling of an eye.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnòsan (m)
sound in chest denoting catarrh.
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
cnòt
blocks of wood attached to the inside of the rowlocks. Kept the oar tight. Could also be attached to the oar itself.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnòtag
a cylindrical object which tapered towards its bottom. Inside this there was a bit of wood with a handle at the top which manoeuvred the wood inside the cylinder. It was used for taking the chaff off corn. For small scale use, e.g. when making breakfast.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
co
Quotation: Fada gun éirigh ’s coma co ac’. Notes: Couldn’t care less. Lewis – coma co dhiùbh.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
co
Quotation: Co dhiùbh a bheil e a dol ann gos nach eil. Notes: whether he is going or not.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
co thràth
late evening, just before it darkens.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
co-long
Quotation: Bidh gu leòr a cho-long timcheall orra. Notes: seems to convey both bustle and companionship. Sometimes used of a noisy gathering of people. Source: Mrs I. MacLeod, 16 Dundasvale Court, Glasgow (Berneray?). Date: 1979.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
co-oidhirp
[khɔ̃ĩ-jərp] vbl. n. ‘co-operate’: bha iad a’ ~ mu dheidhinn rud a’ choreigin
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
co-thional
[koˈhĩṉɑɫ] Notes: congregation.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cobar droma
in thatched houses.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cobhar
Notes: froth, foam. Also lather on face when shaving.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cobla
a small boat used between the shore and a boat on a mooring. [NOTES: corrected to ‘còbla’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coc
Quotation: coc fheòir.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coc
Quotation: coc fheòir.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coc (m)
Quotation: coc feòir. Notes: not goc.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cocadh
Quotation: a’ cocadh an fheòir.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cochall
Quotation: an cochall [koxəɫ] or cochull. Notes: covering on lamb at birth.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cochlaich
Quot.: “Chaneil aige ach an t-aon chochlaich cainnt.” Note: frothy, prattling talk.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cochull
Quotation: Cha mhór nach do chuir thu a cochull mo chridhe mi.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cochull
Quotation: Chaidh e a cochull a’ chridhe or Theab e dhol a cochull a’ chridhe.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cochull
sheath from which penis emerges.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
cog
This was the vessel used for milking shaped like this: [see below]. Excuse the poor drawing but this will give you some idea how it looked. It was made of wood with an iron ring round the top and bottom. One spar of the cog was longer than the others in order to hold it steady when the calf was drinking. The ‘co’ same as in ‘còig’ or rather a softer sound as in ‘cothrom’.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
cogadh each
a game whereby one person sat on the other’s shoulders. Then proceeded to see which team could knock over the most.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cogag
[kɔɡɑɡ] Quotation: Tha cogagan air a’ mhuir. Notes: lumps of foam on the sea, as seen running before the wind.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cogais
Quotation: na cogaisean. Notes: “palls” in the threshing mill to prevent the wheels from turning. (Was this just to stop them from going backwards?)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coguill
Quotation: Coguill an teine. Notes: replenish the fire.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coichlich
gurgle. Bha coichlich a bhàis ’na h-amhaich. [NOTES: the slip has ‘...a’ bhàis...’. Definition: Gurgle (death-rattle).]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coidhligeadh
applied to someone who is engaged in demanding inconvenient labour. I think this word also contains a sense of gathering. Heard this word whilst informant was busy gathering towels throughout the house, which were to be washed – “Tha mise a’ coidhligeadh an seo.”
Location: North Uist, Knockintorran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coigreach
crozier of St. Fillan, custodians of which were Dewars of Glendochart also called “Fearachd”, see “Deoraich na Fearachd”. The relic was present at Bannockburn. Found in Canada where taken by custody 1870. Now in Edinburgh.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coigreach
Quotation: iomhaigh a’ choigrich. Notes: false face.
Origin: Tiree?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coilag liann
[sic] earwig. (I haven’t a clue about spelling of last. An afterthought came to me that it may well be ‘cuileag leathann’, an earwig having a broad flat body.)
Location: Argyll, Tarbert, Muasdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coile-bianan
[kɤləbĩɤ̃ṉɑṉ] Notes: phosphorescence at sea.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileabachas
cohabitation.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileach
Quotation: coileach an teas. Notes: the glitter from rocks when the sun shines on them.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileach
Quotation: Tha i a’ gabhail coilich [əɡɑɑlkɑliç]. Notes: flecks of white foam appearing on the sea as the wind rises.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileach
Quotation: Tha a h-uile coileach làidir air a dhùnan fhéin.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileach
Quotation: Cuir coileach air do ghuth! Notes: Speak more loudly!
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileach
Quotation: coileach coilleadh. Notes: woodcock. [NOTES: slipped under ‘coileach-coille’.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileach an teas
Notes: when day is hot, and the heat shimmers, the illusion is called coileach an teas.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileach gaoithe
Weather vane.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileach-Frangach
A variant on the ‘golan gaoithe’ previously described by R. O’Henley. Feathers stuck into a potato and then taken outdoors and used as a spinning top. Required wind assistance. [NOTES: ‘golan’ corrected to ‘gobhlan’.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileach-fraoich
heath-cock.
Category: Eòin / Birds
coileach-fraoich
heath cock. (colloquial, Scalpay)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileach-gaoithe
weathercock.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileach-gaoithe
weather cock.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileach-gaoitheadh
Notes: said by them to be a mock sun, seen above the horizon. Could be seen at sunset or sunrise. Said to indicate a change of weather.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileach-gòthan
[kɤlɑxɡɔ:ɑṉ] Notes: potato with feathers stuck in it – blown by the wind along the ground.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileachadh
beating the stream for trout in November.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileachadh an uisge
beating the water to confuse trout, making them more vulnerable.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileapaich
sucklers. Calves that follow their mother.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coille
nn f. ‘wood’ : a’ ch. ‘na àit’ fhèin e, ‘s e ~ dhubh e; dat.: na fèidhean, tha fhios ‘ad, sa choillidh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
coille
Quotation: tuagh [t̪u̟ə] coilleadh. Notes: wood axe.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coille
Quotation: coileach coilleadh. Notes: woodcock.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coilleach-cràigean (sic)
[kɤlʹɔxkɾɑ:ɡʹɑ̃ṉ] Notes: sheaf put at the very top of a cornstack to make it pointed.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coilleach-gòthan
Notes: a potato with feathers stuck into it. This was allowed to go with the wind, and children tried to catch it.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coilleag
scum of fat, coating of fat. Tha coilleag air an t-sùth.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coilleag
three or four peats on end, leaning against each other, with another placed flat on the top to form a small stack – in the initial lifting. (Tha i fhathast anns a’ choilleig.)
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
coilleag
[kəʎɑɡ] Notes: an arrangement of 4 peats standing on end and leaning against each other with a fifth lying on top. Verb: coilleagachadh. (In Lewis this is a “rùmhan”.)
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coilleag
as coilleag with long ‘o’ – fat globules on a liquid.
Origin: Applecross [mother]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coilleag
[kɤlʹɑɡ] Note: when first lifted 4-5 peats are made into a “coilleag”.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coilleag (f)
Notes: first stage in peat ‘lifting’– 4 or 5 peats.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coilleagachadh
Quot.: a’ coilleagachadh. Note: making “coilleagan” [q.v.] of peats when lifted.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coimeas
Quotation: mar choimeas. Notes: example.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coimeata
committee.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coimhead
Quotation: Bha e ris a’ choimhead. Notes: He was attending the cattle (on the common grazings). Tolsta.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coimhead
Quotation: a’ coimhead air fàth. Notes: peeping, watching so as not to be seen.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coimhead
Quotation: Bha mi ga choimhead [xɛ̃əd̪] an raoir.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coimheadaidh
someone who was employed to ensure that sheep did not stray from the hills to lower ground in the village.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coimhleab, coileapach
cohabitation.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coimhlionta
Quotation: Chan fhaigheadh e dh’an àirm bho nach robh e coimhleanta. – He could not join the army because he was not complete (i.e. had some physical defect). Notes: never heard the word used in regard to mental, or intellectual, shortcoming.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coimhtheal
[kɔ̃ĩʔəɫ] Quotation: “Thug e coimhtheal not dha.” Notes: a loan.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coimiseach
adv. : tha mi ~ fhèin diabhalta cinnteach nach dèan; bhiodh e ~ math tioram
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
coingeart
[kɔiŋɡʹɛʴsṯ] Quotation: Chaneil e [kɔiŋɡʹɛʴsṯ] sin a dheanamh. Notes: It is not right to do that. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: South Uist, Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coingheall
Quotation: Thoir dhomh coingheall airgid. Notes: a loan. Used in Ross of Mull (Bunessan). Notes: A. MacKechnie. Date: 1978.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinneabhaineadh
teasing, e.g. as in children teasing a cat or puppy.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinneal
Quotation: Cha robh e soirbh da marsainn agus a’ choinneal a’ gabhail aig an dà cheann.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinneal
[kɤnʹɑɫ] Quotation: coinneal clò. A’ cur a chlò air choinneal. Notes: roll of cloth.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinneamh
Quotation: coinneamh uaircneach. Notes: meeting held on the night of the “Coinneamh Mhios”, which was held [at] midday, and to which only members could come (Free Church).
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinneamh
Quotation: Coinneamh Ràith [kɔnʹirɛ:]. Notes: seasonal meeting.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinneamh
Quotation: Coinneamh Cheisd [kɔnʹiçeʃtʹ].
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinneamh
Quotation: Coinneamh Mhios [kɔnʹivĩɑ̃s]. Notes: monthly meeting.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinneamh
Quotation: coinneamh an t-seisein. Notes: session meeting.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinneamh
Quotation: coinneamh ùrnuigh. Notes: prayer meeting.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinneamh
Quotation: coinneamh a’ bhòrd. Notes: meeting of the congregation board.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinneamh-uaigneach
Notes: church meeting at which only communicant members are present. Still held monthly in some Free Churches in Lewis. Source: Calum Matheson. Date: 1980.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinnethal
a sort of woolen scarf or cravat worn in days gone.
Location: North Uist, Knockintorran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinnich
vb ‘meet’: past: ‘na ch. sibh leatha?
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
coinnle-pianain
variation on ‘coinnle-blianain’, phosphorescence.
Location: Lewis, Back
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinnleag
could be used for an eddy but also applicable for the gurgling of fat.
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinnleag
scum of thick fat on broth. Nach ann air a tha choinnleag. (Scalpay) [NOTES: the quotation on the slip has ‘…a tha a’ choinnleag.’]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinnleirean
[k[oi]lərən] candle-sticks. [NOTES: slipped under ‘coinnleir’ with ‘pl. [k[(õ)(ĩ)]ḻərən]’ as the quotation.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
coinseog
Quotation: pl. -an. Notes: sock – half-calf length – knitted for sale. ?Eng. gum-sock.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coirbte
Quotation: casan-coirpte. Notes: shafts of light under the sun, usually at sunrise – indicates rain.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coirce
Quotation: coirce dubh. Notes: “Bha [spwlıɡʹɑn] dubh air.” [NOTES: slipped under ‘coirce dubh’.]
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coirce
Oats.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
coirce
Quotation: coirce feusagach. Notes: “Beardy oats.” [NOTES: slipped under ‘coirce feusagach’.]
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coirce
oat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
coirce
Quotation: coirc Innseanach. Notes: Indian corn. [NOTES: slipped under ‘coirce-Innseanach’.]
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coirce
Quotation: coirce leasaichte. Notes: the corn that grew in the third year of the five year crop rotation. The farmers or those with big crofts usually fed the “coirce feur” to the horses and the “coirce leasaichte” to the cows, the latter being much better feeding because of other grasses in among it. The small crofters had to use the “coirce feur” as well to feed the cattle.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coirce
Quotation: coirce feur [fiɑɾ]. Notes: the corn that grew in the first year of the five year rotation.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coirce beag
native to Tiree – only type of oats to grow on sandy soil.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
coirce dubh
As coirce beag – small or short oats.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
coirce geal
As coirce mór – tall oats, suitable for sandy soil.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
coirce mór
other forms of oats such as “sandy oats”, “yielder”, “onward”, etc. Imported types. Used for grinding.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
coirce-beag
‘short length of growing oats’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coirce-beag
small oats.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
coirce-madaidh
[kɔɾkəmɑ̃d̪iç] Notes: corn which had turned black due to disease. Sterilisation process (boiling water poured over seed) carried out to prevent it. ([iç] very often for idh at end of word.)
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coirce-madaidh
smut. Oats go black like soot with a fungus disease. Must be dressed with mercury solution to kill it (but not with feeding oats). Soaked in fermaldihide [sic] [formaldehyde?] nowadays.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
coirceid
[k[ɔi]çcɛdʹ] Quotation: Cha do chuir mi coirceid air an duine ud a riamh. Notes: offend, rattle a person.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coire bliannain
a glittering, scaly substance visible on seaweed at night.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coire-cairteadh
for the barking process of nets. Similar [to coire-dath q.v.] but bark added to the boiling [water], or lumps of bark put in the water for barking the nets when dissolved etc.] [SLIP: Cauldron for barking nets.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coire-dath
an iron container where wool was boiled and coloured.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coire-dath
kettle for colouring wool. The wool is boiled in the cauldron, perhaps more appropriate, with dye, vegetable dyes added. [SLIP: Cauldron for dyeing wool.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coire-dubh
[See coire-dath.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coireathallan
[kɔðɔhəɫɑṉ] Note: a piece of wood with a hole at each end which served as a swivel on sheep tethers.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coireathallan-càraid
Note: a piece of wood with three holes in it used as a means of tying two lambs to the one tethering-pin.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cois, an ~
prep. ‘beside’: bha rathad suas an ~ a’ chladaich [DAG]; bha ’n ùirne ’ falbh na ch.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
coite
a skiff (small boat).
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coite
a small boat.
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coitseach
coating. [?] [NOTES: the word is unclear. It looks like ‘coatch’ corrected to ‘coating’ but maybe coaching was meant.] Gabh do choitseach. [SLIP: Coaching (travelling?).]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coitsireachd
coaching. Dé a choitsireach [sic] th’air – in other word travelling. [NOTES: the quotation on the slip reads ‘Dé a’ choitsireachd a th’air? Definition: Travelling.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colaidh
[koɫi] Quotation: Tha a’ mhart ann an deagh cholaidh. Notes: for culaidh. She is in fine condition, of good appearance.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colainn
[kɔɫĩnʹ] Quotation: Chaidh an t-each air a cholainn. Notes: The horse overturned.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colair
Quotation: colair fodrach. Notes: straw collar worn by young horses.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colair
Quotation: colair connlaich. Notes: straw-collar for horses.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colamadh
Quotation: Bhiodh deise cholamaidh air na fir.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colamadh
[ˈkɔɫɔməɣ] Notes: seems to mean the arrangement of threads of different colours to make up a pattern. Used as verb and noun.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colamadh
[kɔɫɑməɣ] Quotation: a’ colamadh. Nach ann agaibh a tha ’n colamadh boidheach. Notes: mixing of differently coloured wools.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colas an t-sàtain
the appearance of Satan.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
colbhag
Quotation: an òrdag, a’ cholbhag, Fionnladh fada, Mac an Aba, [u̜i:dʹʒɑɡ].
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colg
Quotation: Nach ann air a bha a’ cholg. Notes: rage.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colgant
[kɔɫɔɡɑ̃n̪t̪] Quot.: duine colgant. Note: duine a bhiodh a’ coimhead uamhasach fiathaich, borb.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colla-bhigean
Notes: snare for birds. Source: Uist, Berneray. Date: 20c.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
collas
Quot.: “Bha mi far an robh an collas.” Note: hustle and bustle, e.g. at a wedding. Also: “Abair gu robh collas air a’ dol suas a’ rathad.” – in a hurry.
Origin: Caversta
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
colltair
the part that actually cut the soil.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
coltach
Quotation: Tha e coltach ris an uisg. Notes: “It looks as if it is going to rain.”
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coltair
(next sect.) [NOTES: i.e. (b) Parts of a plough in detail; comment added later.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
coltair
Quotation: an coltair. Notes: “coulter” of the plough.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coltas aognuidh air an talamh
applied to land that was barren in appearance.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colthas
Quotation: Bha colthas eagalach oirre. – ‘She was in a terrible flurry.’ Notes: colthas is also used in the normal sense (= coltas). Not in Dw. Source: Lewis usage recalled (D.S.T.) Date: July 1973.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coma
Quotation: beul coma. Notes: loose mouth.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coma
Quotation: Fada gun éirigh ’s coma có ac’. Notes: Couldn’t care less. Lewis – coma co dhiùbh.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coma
Quotation: Ach coma leat, se bun a bh’ann… – But never mind, … Tha e coma dh’an a sin… – He dislikes… Mu tha, ’se tha coma… – does not care.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comach
Quotation: Thuit mar chomach ris an deibh. Notes: ‘on account of’.
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comain
Quotation: Chan ann gun dùil comain a nì an croman fead. Notes: croman – chough.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comaladh
Quotation: Mur e a bh’ann ’se [xɔ̃mɑɫəɣ] a bh’ann. Notes: his likeness.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comanachadh
Quotation: an comanachadh. Notes: Communion.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comanachadh
Quotation: An Comanachadh. Notes: Communion.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comanachadh
Quotation: comhtharra Comanachaidh. Notes: Communion token.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comanachadh
Quotation: “’S fheàrr aon bhanais na dà chomanachadh dheug.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comas
nn ‘ability, power’: nam biodh ~ mo chasan agamas; dh’fhalbh an latha sin: chan eil ~ air ‘cannot be helped’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
comas
Quotation: Chaill e a comas. Notes: She lost the power to do things, e.g. through some illness.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comas tàlaidh
Notes: gravitation.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comha-thràth
Quotation: Thig a steach mas beir an comha-thràth [ɡõ:rɑ:] ort. Notes: belief among us when young that this was a sort of “bogeyman” who came out at nightfall.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comha-thràth
[kõərɑ:] Quot.: “am beul a’ chomha-thràth”. Note: at nightfall.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comha-thràth
Quotation: as a’ [xõhɑrɑ:]. Notes: in the twilight.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhachag
Quotation: a’ chomhachag [əxɔ̃:xɑɡ]. Notes: the owl.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhairle
Quotation: “Bheir do shròn fhéin comhairle ort.” Notes: “If you won’t take advice, you’ll find out for yourself.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comharachadh
earmarking and castrating.
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
comhard
Notes: illustration; comparison (sermon).
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comharra cluais
branding horn with number of the croft and initial letter of township. [NOTES: it is not clear if this explanation refers to ‘comharra cluais’ or ‘saoile’ or neither.]
Location: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
comharradh
ears being marked. The tip cut off or a hole cut through the ear, etc. for identification in sheep.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
comharsba(dh)
Quotation: Na bithibh a’ comharsba riumsa idir. Notes: ? Competing, striving. Could be used by host who has finished eating, but still urges the others at the table to carry on.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhfhailteachadh
Quotation: Có tha comhailteachadh [sic] cò’ (?) riut (?)? Notes: attendant at wedding – male or female.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhlach
[kɔ̣̃ɫẹç] Notes: straw of corn or wheat. [NOTES: slipped under ‘connlach’.]
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhlach
termed generally; comhlach of a lighter quality was used in bed mattresses.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
comhlach-mhor
straw of the strongest for [sic] [form?], literally: big straw, was used in the thatching of houses.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
comhstadh (sic)
[kɔsdəɣ] Quotation: airson [kɔsd̪əɣ]. Notes: for an obligement.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhtharr(adh)
Quotation: “Dé ’n comhtharr’ a bha thu air?” Notes: What was your position (at sea)?
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhtharra
Quotation: comhtharra comanachaidh. Notes: Communion token. Formerly square pieces.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhtharradh
Quotation: “a’ gabhail comhtharran”. Notes: taking bearings at sea.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhtharraich
Quotation: Tha iad a comhtharrachadh. Notes: chickens tapping on the inside of the shell and beginning to crack them.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhtharran
Quotation: [ṉəkɔ:ɾəṉ]. Notes: marker buoys. Pronounced as above but suggested that “comhtharran” was the original.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comlach
[kɔ̃:ləx] Notes: Gen./Dat. [kɔ̃:ɫẹç].
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comunn
Quotation: Comunn gillean na geire – ged bu mhilis an toiseach bu mhosach an deireadh. (from Jessie MacLeod, Ness. 1957)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cona-chruach
Notes: a small stack made on the peat bank when a lot of “rùbhain” are collected together.
Origin: Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cona-mheur
[kɔ̃ṉɑvĩɑ̃ɾ] Notes: the point at the base of an otherwise “unpointed” antler (see cabar-slait).
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conachag
Quotation: conachagan [kɔ̣nɑxɑɡən]. Notes: snails.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conachag-ghiomach
Notes: shellfish with a creature like a small lobster inside the shell.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conachair
long lingering illness, or patient under such condition. [SLIP: Long, lingering illness or a patient suffering from one.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conadal
Notes: sheep that has strayed from its normal pasture, perhaps to another township.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conadal
Quotation: or caora chonadail. Notes: a sheep which has strayed from its own township pasture to another.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conadal
[kɔ̃ṉəd̪əɫ] Note: applied to a sheep found in a township fank or any fank that had strayed from some other township. (Also: beathach conadail.) [Cf. siabhan.]
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conaghadh
Quotation: Ghabh e conaghadh. Notes: over-excitement.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conaltradh-uaigheach
secret conversation.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conamhaireachd
Quotation: Dé an conamhaireachd a th’ort a sin? Notes: spoiling something one is working on perhaps, or deliberately spoiling.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conamhaireachd
[kɔṉɑvɑðɑxk] Quot.: “Dé a’ chonamhaireachd a th’ort a’ sin?” Note: said to someone who was making a mess of what he was doing, either by design or because he didn’t know how to do it properly.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conaroghainn
Quotation: Tha mi ann an conaroghainn. Notes: “in two minds.” Source: Mrs Kennedy, Tiree (via K. Campbell). Date: 1977.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conas
Quotation: Chuir mi conas air. Notes: I annoyed him.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conas
Quotation: Chuir e conas orm. Notes: He annoyed me.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conbhaireachd (f)
mutilation, plundering, etc.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conbhairean
in the sense of a predator. Also in the sense of boys who looked after dogs.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conchlann
metrical device whereby the last word of one line is repeated in the next.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
confadach
Quotation: Na tha sin a chon(a)fadaich bhuidhe ’s gun ith a h-uile h-aon uimhir ri beathach. Notes: Not in Dw., who has confhadh ‘rage, fury’ etc.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
congadh
conked. Tha e air congadh a mach. – he has gone flat out.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conn
Notes: thread used for tying a hank of yarn. Source: Mrs M. MacDonald. Date: 1975.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conn
Quotation: conn an uaireadair. Notes: regulator of a watch.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
connadh
dry peat sods which could be used immediately.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
connadh
peat, fuel for the winter.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
connadh
[kon̪əɣ] Quotation: uair a’ ghille connaidh. Notes: when New Year was held on 12th January, the day had begun to lengthen a little, less than an hour. This gave a person a chance to go out in the late afternoon to gather fuel.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
connarach (adj)
binding, obligatory.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
connlach
Quotation: talamh connlaich.
Location: Coll, Ben Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
connlach
Quotation: talamh connlaich [t̪ɑɫu̜k[ɤu]ɫiç]. Notes: ground where corn grew the year before.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
connlach
Quotation: connlach a’ bhrat. Notes: the covering of straw under the seed in the kiln. (See brat – D.A.M.Q.)
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
connlach-mhór
thatching straw. (Scalpay)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
connochrachan
little peat stacks.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
connspeach
Quotation: cannspach [kɑ̃ũ̜spɔx]. Notes: wasp.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
connstabull
Oifigeach ann an Comataidh a’ Bhaile (Grazings Committee).
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conntraigh
Quotation: isle conntraigh.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conobhair [?]
a person who ate his food hurriedly.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conochdag
[kɔ̃nɔxkɑɡ] Quot.: “a’ seinn na conochdag”, “a’ séideadh na conochdag”. Note: a village horn was used in Bragar and Arnol until comparatively recently (prob. before the war) for a cessation of work outside. Could be for a death or before the weekly prayer-meeting or early on Saturday evening.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conochrachan
pile of peats larger than ‘rubhain’. Would be done when peats were very dry. [NOTES: corrected to ‘con(o)chrachan’.]
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cop
Quotation: cairt-choip [kɑʴsṯxop]. Notes: couping cart. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
copach
Quotation: móine chopach. Notes: spongy peat.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
copach
Quotation: móine chopach. Notes: spongy peat.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
copag
Docken. Disease: on wounds. Part used: the leaf. How prepared: by placing the leaf on the wound and then the bandage on the top – wound ‘air a teannachadh’. Sources of information: traditionally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
copag-Phàdruig
Note: great plantain. (Also cuach-Phàdruig.)
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
copaigeadh
Quotation: cairt chopaigidh. Notes: coup-cart.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
copal
[ko̜pəɫ] Quotation: copal [ko̜pəɫ], cupal [kupəɫ]. Notes: couple in the roof of a house.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
copan
Quot.: “An gabh thu tea?” “Gabhaidh mi copan falamh.” Note: commonly for a cup of tea with nothing to eat with it.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coparan
a small fank where the calves and lambs were placed to separate them from their mothers.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cor
Notes: used in W. Lewis as the state in which a person is, e.g. Ciod e an cor a th’air.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cor thulchain
the middle pole [on the roof of a thatched house].
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cor-eathainn
a simple character of a female, when living beyond her means and reference is made to her extravancy [sic] [extravagancy?] in the home, someone will reply ‘a chor-eathain’ [sic] meaning silly. The term is still current.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cor-fhad
the first peat.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cor-mhagaill
Quotation: Tha a’ lion air a’ chor-mhagaill. Notes: term used when net is pulled so that each mesh closes easily. If pulled the opposite way would not do this. 2" mesh etc. measured “air a’ chor-mhagaill”.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cor-oisein
the corner pole on the roof of a thatched house.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corachd (f)
short “o”; obligation, death-bed entreaty, etc. (N.E.). ? From “cur, cuir, cor” – nì a chuirear air duine, agus fheumas bhith dèanta aige.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coradh
deeping [sic] [dipping?]; moving the head up and down as a swan on a loch. I coradh ri faileas. (An old word if at all used now?)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coradh
first peat taken out of peat bog.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coran sgathaidh
big sickle, hand sickle.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coras
Quotation: Fhuair mi ’n coras an dé. Notes: “code”. Could apply to business or moral code.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corc
Quotation: Corc a’ Mhadaidh Ruaidh. Notes: wild oats.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corc
Quotation: marsanta nan corc. Notes: earwig. (Tiree)
Origin: Tiree?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corc (f)
Quotation: corc fheòir – hay fork. Corc – butcher’s knife.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corca
Oats.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
corca
Quot.: “corca dubh”. Note: a variety of oats, dark coloured.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corca a mhadaidh ruaidh
a white-leafed grass that grew in land that had been ploughed the previous year.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corca dubh
black oats. Ears were completely black.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corca fìrean
oats that grew of their own accord with no seed having been planted. Also called ‘corca coimheach’. [NOTES: ‘fìrean’ corrected to ‘fireann’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corcar
purple colour, or crimson. Dath a’ chorcair.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corfhàdan
thick peats cut from outer edge of bank.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
corghlaich
[kɔɾɔɫiç] Quot.: “corghlaich na mara”. Note: noisy confusion of water.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cork geal
white oats usually the potato oat – a popular variety 50 years ago. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
corkey (f)
oats.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
corp
Quotation: a’ chorp [əxɔ̣̈rp]. Notes: the body in general, also the stomach and intestines.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corp
Quotation: ann an corp na seachdain. Notes: in the middle of the week.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corp
Quotation: Dh’éirich i agus dh’fhalbh i ann an corp na h-oidhche. Notes: at dead of night.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corp
Quotation: Ghabh sinn togail ar cuirp. Notes: We ate our fill.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corp creadha
an effigy constructed with clay from a river and shaped just above the water of that river. Pins were stuck into this and left on the surface. When the river rose the effigy wore away. At that point the pain would be felt by the victim.
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corr fhad
the first peat cut off each layer – the outside peat.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
corr oisean
in thatched houses.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corr thulachain
in the construction of a thatched house this wooden plank or pole extended from the joint at the top of gables, down to the wall.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corr thulachan
in thatched houses.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corr(a)-
adj. ‘occasional’: bhiodh sin aca san òran-luathaidh cuideachd corr uair, bhiodh sin aca corr an uair
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
corr-fhad
[kɔrɑd̪] Note: the outside, weathered, peat in a bank.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corr-fhad
the first peat so cut, i.e. the peat on the face of the bank exposed to the weather.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
corr-fhad
[kɔrɑd̪] Note: the second peat.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corr-fhod
[sic] the first peat cut, i.e. the outside peat, each time (sometimes discarded).
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corr-fhàd
the first peat that is cut at the outside of each row. More rugged that other peats due to the crust being exposed to the elements.
Location: Lewis, Back
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corr-thulachain
[kɔ̣r-hʊɫəxẹnʹ] Notes: the part which is the triangle of the gable, is sloped towards the roof and forms part of it. Used in thatch and slate roofs.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-biod
Quotation: air a’ chorra-biod. Notes: on tiptoes.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-biod
Quotation: Sheas mi air mo chorra-biod. Notes: on tiptoes.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-chnàmh
Quotation: air do chorra-chnàmh. Notes: on all fours.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-chnàmh
Quotation: Bha i air a corra-chnàmh. Notes: ‘Squatting.’
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-chòsag
Notes: slater.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-chòsag
Notes: slater.
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-chòsag
Notes: slater.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-chòsag
Notes: slater.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-chòsag
Notes: slater.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-dearg
[kɔrədʹɛɾɑɡ] Note: hard red berries, inside like pith, growing among the heather. Oval leaf.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-mheur
Quotation: Na cuir do chorra-mheur air.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-mhidheag
[kɔrəˈvĩɑɡ] Note: grows among the heather. Small black berries. Blackberries?
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-sgritheach
Quotation: a’ chorra-sgritheach [kɔrəsɡɾiɔx]. Notes: heron.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-shnìomh
Quotation: Corran a bh’air a chur gu feum a’ deanamh sùgar fraoich.
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corra-spogan
Quotation: Bha e air a chorra-spogan air a’ làr. Notes: on all fours.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corrach
Quotation: rathad corrach. Notes: rough, uneven.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corrach (adj)
of tapered point; hence steep, as pointed hill; hence quick to wrath.
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
corracha-cagailte
salamander. Used to frighten children into doing what they were told to do. “Fhalbh dh’an leabaidh mu’n tig na corracha-cagailte.”
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corrachasan
breed of cattle that were good driving cattle. Had a quality of enduring long distances.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corradaireachd
peeping over the side of a boat at sea. Bha e corradaireachd tha [sic] a cliathaich.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corrag
Quotation: na corragan. Notes: heard this term used for plough handles.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corrag
Quotation: Cha dèan corrag mhilis ìm.
Location: Lewis, Balallan.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corrag
Quotation: An òrdag, ’S a chorrag, ’S a mheur-fhada, ’S nic-an-t-sraididh, ’S lughdag bheag an airgid! Notes: the fingers. Probably the lughdag had the rings of silver before Marriage. Nic-an-t-sraididh – fireworks (!) looking for a ring?
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corraghul
gurgling, could be termed to the gurgling of a stream or the gurgling in the throat. [NOTES: slipped under ‘corra ghul’. Definition: Gurgling (of stream or throat).]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corraiche (f)
quickness to wrath; Bible corruich – wrath.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corraiche fiach
similar to ‘caora bhiagan’. Brambles that grew on heather that could be eaten. [NOTES: corrected to ‘corracha fiach’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corran
Quotation: corran sgathaidh. Notes: the sickle used. (See “sgathadh” – M. MacFarlane.)
Location: Stornoway, Melbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corran
[kɔrɑṉ] Notes: narrow bank as a promontory, submerged at high tide.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corran
Quotation: (Keose) Corran math gealaich am beul a’ chomhar-thràth. Notes: Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corran
Quotation: corran greasaidh [kɔrɑṉ ɡɾɛ:si]. Notes: cobbler.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corran ag eigheach
two of these points can be seen from the Middle District of Uist: one to the south and one to the north. If the north point is roaring then good weather can be expected, whereas the roar of the southern point indicates bad weather.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corran shìolag
a sickle-shaped instrument used to catch sand eels.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corran-sgathaidh
hand scythe.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corrathann
[kɔrɑhən̪] Note: a wooden home-made swivel put on an animal’s tether rope.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corrathann
[kɔðɔhən̪] Note: wooden swivel put on a sheep’s tether.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corrathannan
[kɔɾɑhən̪ɑṉ] Notes: used for tying two lambs together on the one pin.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corrathannan
[kɔrɑhən̪ɑṉ] Note: a swivel made of wood for putting on a lamb tether.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corrfhad
the peat at the face of the bank.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cosanaich math
a good worker.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cosannach
[kɔsə̃n̪ɑx] Quotation: cosannach math. Notes: a good earner.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cosd
Quotation: Ma fhreagras an còta, cosd e.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cosgais
Notes: whisky, cheese and biscuits served at funerals.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cosgais
Notes: whisky, biscuits and cheese at a funeral.
Location: Coll, Ben Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cosgais
Quotation: cart na cosgais. Notes: the cart which contained the spirits, biscuits and cheese, and tobacco, and which followed the remains at a funeral. (Uist)
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cosgais
Notes: whisky, cheese and oatcakes or biscuits given at a funeral.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coslach
[kɔ̹sɫəx] Quotation: coslach beathaich. Notes: skeleton of an animal.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coslach
Quotation: Tha e nas [kɔsd̪ıçə] ris. Notes: It is more like it.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coslas
Quotation: a rèir [kɔsd̪ɑs]. Notes: seemingly, apparently.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cosmhail
[kɔsɑl] Quotation: Bha i cosmhail ri acair an aranach. Notes: He was so careful that he kept his anchor ashore even when he went out in his boat. When he was caught in a storm, he had none to save him.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cosnach
nn ‘workman’: bha an t-Èireannach ag obair dha, duine ~ math [DAG];
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cosnaiche
Hard-working, ambitious, capable, lively. “’Se cosnaiche math a bh’ann.” (Faic na faclairean.) Tha ‘cosnaiche’ againn, cuideachd, airson nam fiaclan gearraidh (incisors) gu h-araidh ann an ainmhidhean, bó ’s mar sin. “Na cosnaichean” – the incisors.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
cost
vb ‘cost’: ‘ gearan na bha i ‘ ~adh a chonnadh; cota-mòr nn ‘overcoat’: bha mi ‘ dol a chur mo ch. orm.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cota dronnaig ()
[masc.] an old skirt or ‘cota’ no longer wearable as such and relegated to a creel pad.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cota drògaid
a coat made up of bits of differently coloured wool. “De an cota drògaid a thoirt [sic] ann an sid?” – said if you had an unsightly piece of clothing on.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cota-bhior
knitted coat, (½) coat as on children.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cota-biorach
Notes: coat with a pointed tail on it.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cota-béin
fur coat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cota-clò
tweed coat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cota-drògaid
Note: long working-skirt worn over a “cota-strianach”. Had a thick waist-band and was pleated. Taken off when inside, only the “cota-strianach” then worn.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cota-gorm
[kɔt̪əɡɔɾɑm] Notes: tweed petticoat, not necessary of a blue colour.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Skerray
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cota-mòr
n. ‘overcoat’: gus an tigeadh agad air an ~ a thoirt dhìot
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
cota-ruadh
great coat, soldier’s great coat. “Cha mhor nach do rinn mi gluasad le mo chota-ruadh dh’an arm”. Perhaps also fishermen in the past have worn such a coat. The above couplet by a fisherman may refer to his own coat, or the coat received at the outfit, ‘soldier’s enlistment depot’. [NOTES: slipped under ‘còta-ruadh’. Quotation has ‘...mhór...’ and ‘…chòta-ruadh…’]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cota-trom
heavy coat of heavy cloth.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cotan
cotton, cotton wool was used in cuts and bruises. The cotton wool put on the wood [sic] [wound?] and bandaged, after the wound was cleansed and Epsom salts used as a disinfectant in cold water, or lukewarm water, tepid, perhaps as likely cold water was more appropriate in the congealation [sic] of blood, to stop the bleeding. Cotton was also used in having it soaked in hot olive oil, and placed in the ear for earache. Drops of hot olive oil were injected or allowed to run off a teaspoon, inside the ear, to soften hard wax in the ear, etc. etc.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
cotan
[kɔt̪ɑṉ] Quot.: cotan a’ laoigh. Note: a small enclosure at the shieling for a young calf born there.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cotan
Notes: ‘a hole in the bruthach, for the calf to lie in, if born at the shieling. Dwelly has cotan ‘small fold for a calf’. (MMcL, Uig, Lewis)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cotan
Notes: small turf enclosure made at the shieling to accommodate a young calf. Usually a semicircle was dug into the face of the bank an closed in with turf divots.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cotan
Quotation: cotan uain. Notes: a lamb-fold.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cotan
[kɔt̪ɑṉ] Note: small turf enclosure for a young calf at the shieling. Usually built into a bank and enclosed with turf divots.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coth roisainn
name given to the wooden planks that formed the gables. [NOTES: noted added above ‘coth roisainn’ – co-roisein.]
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coth roisainn
the tying of a heather rope round the two gables at the top of the house.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cothachadh
gathering.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cothachadh
gathering.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cothaich
Quotation: Tha a’ bhó a muigh ’ga cothachadh fhéin. Tha i math air i fhéin a chothachadh. Notes: feed, graze.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cothaich
Quotation: Cothaichidh a’ bhó i fhéin ann an sin. Notes: getting enough feeding.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cothannach
[kɔhən̪ɑx] Quotation: “Bhiodh e a’ cunntadh naoi stuadhannan agus a’ [xɔhən̪ɑx] a thigeadh bhon an naoidheamh stuadh bhitheadh e na chuir ann am botul agus na chrathadh air fear air an robh ‘barr a’ chinn’.” Notes: a Donald Sinclair from Tiree who is supposed to be able to cure “barr a’ chinn” – a lump or lumps which appear at the back of the throat.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cothrom
Quotation: Fear a bha gu math air a chothrom. Notes: well to do.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cothrom
Quotation: “’S ann aige tha’n cothrom.” – It is he that has the wealth. “Chuir e air a chothrom e.” – He put it on the scales. “A reic air a chothrom” – selling by weight or measure, e.g. fish. “A bhinn chothromach” – the just (proper) judgment. “Dh’fhiarr e cothrom.” – He asked permission. “’S ann a ghabh e cothrom air – … took advantage of … “Chan eil cothrom air.” – It cannot be helped. “Chaill e ’n cothrom.” – an invalid who is helpless. “’S math an cothrom.” – We are well, in good condition. e.g. “Ciamar a tha sibh?” (Reply:) “’S math an cothrom.”
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cothromach
Quotation: gaoth chothromach. Notes: a favourable wind.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cothromach
Quotation: a’ deanamh an fhiodh cothromach. Notes: having the same thickness all along.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cot’-uachair
raincoat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crabhag
miniature peat bank.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
crabhalach
bony, emaciated fellow. [NOTES: note added above ‘crabhalach’ – cnàmhalach.]
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crabhat
Notes: a scarf.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crabhat
[kɾɑˈvɑt̪] Note: used formerly for a scarf.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crabhata
cravat (scarf).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crabhata
cravat.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crabhcan
[kɾɑu̟kɑ̃ṉ] Note: A.C. can’t remember seeing one but was told that it was used originally for twisting flax. Functioned like a “dealgan” but was curved. Latterly used for making rope out of the hair from a horse’s tail. “Crabhcan” also used of people. “Crabhcan grannda de dhuine” – duine camaiceach, lùbach na dhòigh.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crabhladh
[kɾɤ:ɫəɣ] Quot.: Bhiodh iad a’ crabhladh rudan an sud ’s an seo. Note: gleaning, gathering when there is little to gather.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crabladh
collecting material by scrabing [sic] [scraping?].
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cracair
[kɾɑxkɑɾ] Quotation: an cracair. Notes: cricket.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cracaire math
good talker.
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
crachd
Quotation: crachd arbhair. Notes: “hut” of corn.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cradhadh am beul na duilleig
a pain / palpitation in the chest. The ‘duilleag’ was a certain part of the chest which the informant cannot specify. The pain was similar to indigestion but was more acute.
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cragan
Quotation: Chuir e cragan air a’ bhoin. Notes: ball of wool steeped in tar to blunten sharp horns of cows.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cragan feannaig
[kɾɑ̃ɡɑ̃ṉ fjɑ̃ṉɑ̃ɡʹ] Notes: sea urchin found at very low tide.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cragan-tràghad
Sea urchin. Chan eil iad an Nis idir is cha mhotha thachras slige dhuibh [sic] ri duine air an tràigh. Tha iad pailt ri cladaichean Rudha an Tiumpain. Is ann le tràigh reodhart a chithear iad an crochadh ri na sgeirean. Is ann ainneamh a chi thu fear beò os cionn uachdair na mara – bidh iad ris an sgeir mu oirleach no dha fo’n uachdair. Mus tàinig na h-‘ornaments’ gu bhith cho pailt bhiodh cuid a’ toirt dhachaidh feadhainn aca, gan glanadh a mach, a’ suathadh dhuibh [sic] nan gathan is gam peantadh. Rachadh lus a chur annta, gu h-àraidh lus mar seamrag a dh’fhàsadh sios ceithir thimchioll orra agus is minig a chunna mi tri dhuibh [sic] troimh uinneig crochaid mar tri ballaichean ‘pawn-shop’. Chleachd fear mór dhuibh [sic] air a ghlanadh a bhith aig Fuaran Cladach a’ Bhàta, far an togadh tu deoch leis nuair nach ruigeadh tu le do bhus air an uisge.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
craic fuilt
mop of hair. [NOTES: already quoted at the beginning.]
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
craiceann-tarsainn
hard skin. [NOTES: slipped under ‘craicionn’ with ‘craicionn tarsuinn’ as the quotation.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
craicinneach
[kɾɑkĩnʹɑx] Quotation: a’ chraicinneach. Notes: “hidebound” in cattle. Very dry skin. Often occurred in cattle after a poor wintering.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
craicte
cracked, broken, touched, ‘crackers’. (Seldom used on Scalpay if at all. I have heard it from other sources, perhaps visitor coming on the island: it may be used in other places generally.)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
craimp
[kɾɛ̃mp] Quotation: craimp-dùirn – small clamp; craimp-mhór – big clamp. Notes: for joinery work.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
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
crainnseag
the thick, rubbery fat left at the bottom of a pan after melting.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
craiteachan
Quotation: craiteachan mine anns an uachdar; craiteachan salainn air an iasg. Notes: sprinkling (< crath). Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
craiteachan
[kɾɑtʹɑxɑṉ] Quotation: Cuir craiteachan salainn air a’ bhuntàta. Notes: put a sprinkling of salt on the potatoes.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cramalach
Quotation: seann chramalach de bhàta. Notes: a trashy old boat. Cf. crannghail, frame. Also used more generally.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann
Quotation: ’Se croinn fhiudha [krɤ̈nʹ iʔwə] bh’aca toiseach.”
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann
Quotation: Bha iad a’ cur cruinn air an t-iasg. Notes: casting lots, for sharing fish.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann
Quotation: crann na spealadh.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann
Quotation: “Có tha dol a chur a mach na cruinn?” Notes: Who is going to take charge of sharing out the fish? (Stick, pebble hidden in hand.) Check.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann
latch. “Chuir i crann air an dorus.”
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann
Quotation: crann fàldair. Notes: wooden part of scythe.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann
Quotation: crann a’ speal. Notes: the handle of the scythe.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
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
Quotation: an crann. Notes: slip bolt at the bottom of the door – vertical and going into a hole in the floor.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann
Quotation: an Crann. Notes: the Plough (constellation).
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann
Quotation: (1) an crann beag. (2) an crann mór. Notes: (1) the beam on which the cloth is wound in a loom. (2) the beam on which the yarn is wound.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann
Quotation: Cuir an crann air an dorus. Notes: a bolt on a door.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann Gallda
all iron, 2 horse plough with steel mould board (sgiath).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
crann Gàidhealach
all iron 2 horse plough with cast iron mould board (sgiath). Had wooden handles locally made.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
crann ceille
at helm.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann dealatha
same as ‘crann deilbh’.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann iaruinn
Quotation: an crann iaruinn cha b’ionann doigh ’s th’aca diugh.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann nan cat
Notes: constellation like The Plough. Position varies, sometimes standing – sign of bad weather.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann pheasan
a shrivelled brat.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann sathte
an arrow.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann todhaigidh
Small wooden plough used for cleaning and earthing potatoes; drill-plough.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
crann tràigh
“… that the fairy cross was also called crann tràigh.” (page 220)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann ùire
Cultivator.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
crann-a-deas
Quotation: Crann-a-deas, Crann-a-tuath. Notes: the Poles.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann-arain
Quotation: an crann-arain. Notes: ‘The Plough.’
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann-deiridh
mizzen mast. (boat)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann-dùbailte
Quotation: a’ drileadh leis a’ chrann-dùbailte. Notes: double-sided plough.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann-fiodha
Plough: informant, Mrs M Duncan, Oakfern, Longstock Park, Stockbridge. Where remembered: In all parts of South Uist and also in all the islands. When last used: Generally used until around 1939-1940 in S. Uist. One is still used in Frobost, S. Uist by a person named Ronald MacLellan. District over which known to have been used: Whole island of S. Uist. Name of Plough: no specific name – generally known as Crann Fiodh (wooden plough). Names of parts as per diagram: Duirn (pl), Dorn (sing); Fearasdan (wooden supports); Lamhan (pl), Lamh (sing); Soc; Druim; Coltair; Smuisheal (smuishal in the diagram); Slat (made of iron); Bord Uiridh; Peirceil; Anal; Grealag.
Origin: South Uist
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
crann-ruslaidh
Notes: a “gripper” for cleaning potatoes.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann-tarrain
wooden nails for boat.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann-tarreig
wooden nail in a boat. [NOTES: the slip has ‘crann-tarraig’.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann-todhair (m)
Quotation: Fhuair mi mo chrann-todhair bhuaipe. Notes: to get “blazes” (same slang status and intensity).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann-toisich
main mast. (boat)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crannachan
Quotation: a’ deanadh crannachan. Notes: making a “batch” of butter in a churn.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crannachan gallda
more modern churn with a wheel attached.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crannachd (sic)
[kɾɑ̃n̪ɑxk] Notes: wheat.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Irish Cove
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crannadh
sharp, cold, dry weather in winter. Crisp and anticyclonic. NE and N’ly winds.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
crannadh
Quotation: “Tha crannadh a’s a ghaoithe.” – There is withering in the wind.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crannag
a party at Halloween.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crannchur
Quotation: crannchur gill. Notes: lottery.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crannchur
Quotation: Cha sheachainn thu do chrannchur. Notes: You will not escape your fate.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
craobh
Quotation: pl. [krɛvən].
Origin: Arran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
craobh
Quotation: pl. [krœˈən].
Origin: Glenlyon
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
craobh [?] na roinntich
fern leaf pattern in knitting.
Location: South Uist, Geirinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
craobh chaorann
Quotation: craobh chaoran [krööv xöörən]. Notes: rowan tree.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
craobh gharabhaigs (Harris)
(Sprig of a) rowan tree. Also termed in Gaelic as undernoted – craobh chaorunn (?). Disease: earache (greim cluaise – ola chroinn, ola theth), eye-diseases (gulamail – incantation in some cases (cure)). Part used: ** To keep evil influences (as a charm) from the door, a spring [sic] [sprig?] set in a cow’s tail did the job likewise to prevent the cow coming under the spell of evil. Sources of information: my mother. ** traditional noted by Martin Martin (?), etc.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
craobhag
name given to cattle.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
craoiceall
an old, craggy featured man.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
craomh
irritated. “Mar gum biodh craomh air.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
craos
a facial expression depicting someone who was hovering over a plate of food for example. Has greedy connotations.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
craos
Quotation: Chan eil air an aois ach a thigeil (sic) air a’ chraois (sic). Notes: Mack.’s genders tend to be eccentric. Source: Angus MacKenzie, Burncrook, Bayble, Lewis. Date: October 1970.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
craos (m)
Quotation: dorus fosgailte reub a chraois. Notes: wide open.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crataich
Quotation: crataichean a’ chàirn. ’S ann le crataich a shùil a tha e a’ faicinn. Notes: the side of anything. Dw. – see cratach.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crath
vb ‘shake’: past: ch. i às an fheadhain eile; ~ air an each e; mar a ch. e e fhèin
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
crath
Quotation: Có tha sud a’ crathadh as a’ bhus? Notes: wave.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crath
Quotation: a’ crathadh. Notes: making butter.
Origin: Culkein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crath do churrachd air
this would be said when the potato leaves looked like promising a poor crop.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crathadh
the shaking of herring from the net.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
crathadh
the shaking of meshed herring clear.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
crathadh
double echo. This is the correct term.
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
crathadh
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
crathadh inneir
spreading dung.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
crathadh làimh fada bhon taigh
applied to people who were content to wave to you at a distance but who would not welcome you into their household.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crathadh rithe
sails shaking, when the vessel was steered into the wind straight to make the sails furl.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crathadh-làmh
waving by hand.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crathagan
uncertain. Have heard it applied to washing on a line, i.e. crathagan aodaich air an t-sreing. There’s crathtachan – a small sprinkling as of salt or oatmeal, etc.
Location: [Lewis], Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crathannan
shakes.
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
creaban ( krèpan)
[pron.] stool. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cneaban’. Pronunciation: [krɛ̜̃pan]. Definition: Stool. ‘Stòl’ also used.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
creach
Quotation: togail-creicheadh. Notes: cattle rieving.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creach
Quotation: a’ creachadh nead. Notes: stealing eggs from a nest.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creachal
ruin, devastation. “’S bochd an creachal a tha air m’inntinn.”
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creachan
Quotation: (slige) creachain [krɛ̣əxɑnʹ]. Notes: clam or clam shell.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creachan
Clam. ’S e maorach muir domhain a tha so, agus gheibhear cor fhear dhuibh [sic] air an lion-bheag ceithir thimchioll an eilein, ach bidh muinntir Uig agus muinntir nan Loch gan togail le sgumairean ’nan dusain do na h-eathraichean aca aig top reodhart is gan còcaireachd an aon doigh ris a’ mhadadh. Bidh muinntir Uig ga fàgail ann an luin anns a’ chladach agus a’ dol air an tòir as a sin mar a bhios feum orra. As deidh a’ chogaidh mu dheireadh bha campa R.A.F. ann an Ard Uig is bhiodh balaich a’ champa so a’ togail nan creachan na’n ceudan comhdaichte ann an ‘aqua-lungs’ agus ga reic an Steòrnabhagh. Cha robh so a’ còrdadh ri muinntir Uig idir. Bha eagal orra gu gun glanadh iad an grunnd buileach glan, agus mar sin bha iad taingeil gun tug na balaich so an casan leotha nuair a chaidh an campa a dhùnadh bho chionn da bhliadhna. Anns an Rudha na’n togte creachan air lion beag bha an duine leis an robh an lion ga dhleasadh ga fhein. Co dhiù, anns an Rudha bha an creachan ga ithe amh cho luath ’sa thigeadh e air bòrd. Chan fhaca mise iad a’ bruiche chreachan a riamh gus an deacha mi chun na Lochan. Tha e fada na’s blasda amh. ’S e slige a’ chreachain an t-inneal as fheàrr a fhuaireadh fhathast gus an t-uachdair a thogail bho bhainne togalaich.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
creachan
Notes: shellfish. Always in water; caught with a gaff.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cread-mhàthair
[kðed̪vɑ̃:həɾ] Quotation: Chaneil cread-mhàthair air. Notes: “There is absolutely nothing wrong with him.”
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creadhag
[kɾɛɑɡ] Quotation: creadhag a’ bhuntàta. Notes: a white worm which is found in potatoes.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creag
Quotation: Is lom’s [sic] is fuar an sabhal [sɑvɑɫ] a’ chreag. Notes: “Bare and cold the barn is the rock.” Insecurity of fishing.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creag
Quotation: Cho cruaidh ris na creagan. Notes: hard-hearted.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creag
nn : ‘= bata’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
creag
Quotation: iasgair chùl-chreig. Notes: amateur fisherman.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creag
Quotation: Cho sean ris na creagan.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creag
Quotation: a’ chreag dhubh. Notes: fish with a big head – ?
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creagach
Quotation: a’ creagach; aig a’ creagach. Notes: rod-fishing off the rocks.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creamalach
[kɾɛ̃mɑɫɔx] Quotation: creamalach chaorach. Notes: skeleton and remains of a dead sheep. (remains of anything – H. Meek)
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creat
timbers of roof.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creat
a soft cough (half on purpose).
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
creat (m)
frame of house-roof (N.E.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creatachan
[kɾɛxt̪ɑxɑṉ] Notes: churn-stick.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creath
[kɾe:] Quotation: urlar [kɾe:əɣ]. Notes: clay floor.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creathach
Quotation: crocan creathaich. Notes: earthen vessel.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creathachan
black pudding.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creathadh
[krɛ̣ʔəɣ] Notes: clay: gen. and dat. of criadh.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creathail
[See creadhail.]
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creathail
Quotation: a’ tulgadh na creathlach [kðeləx]. Notes: rocking the cradle.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creathall
cradle. Also a table that would sit about eight people.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
creathar (m)
? woodcock (Perths.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creathril
[See creadhail.]
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creedle; croick
2. Creedle for holding line. Made of cane rounded at one end and sloped at other for shooting line. And for easy storing on wooden croick when left after baiting ling prior to going to sea.
Category: Iasgach / Fishing
creideas
Quotation: duine gun chreideas. Notes: unreliable, undependable man.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creim
vb ‘gnaw’: cond.: na fèithean, tha fhios ‘ad, sa choillidh, nuair a chreimeadh iad àrd suas; nuair a bhiodh na beathaichean, nuair a … chreimeadh iad an talamh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
creimisg
Notes: bits left when fat rendered down. Also in sense of ‘wrinkled old woman’.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creineag
a very dry bit of peat broken off the main peat.
Origin: [Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creinnseag
Notes: bits left when fat rendered down. = creimisg.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creiseim (E)
[Changing the arrangement of the threads in the eyes for a new pattern.] Cho fad agus is aithne dhomhsa ’s ann tha seo air a dhèanamh leis a’ chreiseim (faic ‘creiseim’ Dwelly t-d 317). Is ann a’ cur an t-snàth ann an dòigh àraidh air na bacain ud a bha an t-allt (E) a bha gu a bhith air an aodach air a shuidheachadh. ’Se an creiseim a chuala mise air an seo. (Fuaimnich: criseim. Seo mar a tha e againne.)
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
creithire
Quotation: Là Lùnasdail, theid an t-sùghadh as a’ chreithire. Notes: the cleg was supposed to lose its sting on this day. Also said to depend on the weather.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creothar (m)
[See creathar.]
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creutair
Quotation: O chreutair! – O My dear! O My darling! Notes: Is it from this that a drop of whisky is referred to as Bonnaig dhe’n chreutair? Also used as a term of contempt: Na creutairean a tha sud!
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
criannta
[kɾĩɑ̃n̪d̪ə] Quotation: duine criannta. Notes: wise.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crianta
[kɾıən̪d̪ə] Quotation: duine crianta. Notes: mean person.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
criath
clay.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
criath
clay foundation. Also black soil was used.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
criathair
[kɾiɤəɾ] Notes: a riddle.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
criathair
sieve made with hardened sheep’s skin punctured by a white hot poker. Stretched over a wooden frame.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
criathar
sieve.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
criathar
Riddle. See diag [NOTES: probably refers to a diagram provided by the informant.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
criathar
[kriəʔər]
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
criathar
Riddle.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
criathar
Riddle.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
criathar
Riddle.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
criathar
Riddle.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
criathar
Winnow.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
criathar
Riddle.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
criathar
a riddle made of dried cow hide.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
criathar
[kriəhər] Notes: an instrument for separate [sic] grain and chaff, a sieve.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
criathar
Riddle.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
criathar
[masc.] the sieve, or riddle, used in the above process [i.e. rulladh (q.v.)] – made of perforated sheep hide stretched over a round wooden frame.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
criathar
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
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
Quotation: cas circ ann an criathar. Notes: thin-legged woman with big boots.
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
Exactly the same as ‘guite’ [q.v.] but as a ‘criathar’ was made for winnowing, it resembled a sieve. Innumerable tiny holes were made in the skin with a red hot wire. The ‘criathar’ hung up on barn wall.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
criathar
gus an siol a thearbadh bho’n chalg no bho’n mholl.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
criathar
a sieve.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
criathar (m), criathair (pl)
deeper than “fasganadh” [q.v.] – c. 4" and with a perforated sheepskin bottom (done with a red hot knitting needle or ‘dealg’). Airson fras a’ sgeallain a chur as an t-sìol. (Wild mustard – finer than oats or barley.)
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
criathar garbh
Riddle for winnowing.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
criathar mìn
Riddle or sieve used for meal.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
criathar-tholl
Quotation: Tha ’n talamh na chriathar-tholl aca. Notes: riddled with holes (moles).
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
criathar-tholl
Quotation: Rinn iad criathar-tholl dheth. Notes: They riddled it full of holes, e.g. cloth eaten by moths.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
criathar-tomhais
Notes: a “criathar” without holes used as a measure for grain or meal. A bushel.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
criather
sieve. (Stoer, Assynt) Latterly hand-turned fanners were used and merely called by the English name.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
criathradh
winnowing.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
criathradh
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cricket
Quotation: Nach e “chricket” i. Notes: bold girl.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crid
Gun chrid – quite healthy. Gun chrid Mhathar (emphasis again).
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cridhe
Quotation: cridhe mhónadh [kɾıəvɔ̃:ṉəɣ]. Notes: small stacks made on the bank for the winter. “Tughadh” put on with “sgrathan” or “plocan”.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cridhe
Quotation: an cridhe [əŋɡrʹiiʔə]. Notes: the heart.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cridhe
Quotation: cridhe tràghad. Notes: low ebb.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cridhe
Quotation: Cha mhór nach do chuir thu a cochull mo chridhe mi.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cridhe
Quotation: cridhe a’ chinn. Notes: (also adag a’ chinn) the first few sheaves which stood on the top centre of the bottom of a cornstack to start off the top of the stack. Had to be very dry.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cridhe
Quot.: “a’ togail a chridhe”. Note: believed to be a cure for a certain illness. A piece of lead was melted in a pot and poured on the floor. If a heart-shaped piece appeared it was put in water and the water drunk as a cure. The water was bottled. The heart-shaped piece of lead was then thrown into the sea in a place which was always covered by water. If a heart-shaped piece of lead did not appear the first time, it was remelted until it was obtained.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crimeadh
Quotation: a’ crimeadh cnaimh. Notes: nibbling, picking at.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crimeagan arain, buntata bruich
scraps [fed to cattle].
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
criobhall (m)
Quotation: criobhall duine.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
criochail
staying constant bordering at or in the one area.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
criochnaich
Quotation: Dh’fhoighnich e dha co bha a’ criochnachadh ris. Notes: said when talking of a Glasgow policeman. He asked him (the policeman) who was on the beat next to him.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
criomadh
nibbling. A’ criomadh a chladaich – going so close to the shore that the boat almost on the point of nibbling it, steering so close. Scalpay expression, perhaps not so common now. [NOTES: the slip has ‘… a’ chladaich’. Definition: Of a boat hugging the shore.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
criomag
[kɾɛ̃mɑɡ] Quotation: Bha criomag aca ri dhol. Notes: They had a short distance to cover.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crioman
a short distance. “Chan eil e ach crioman sios an rathad.”
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crionag
[kɾĩɤ̃ṉɑɡ] Quotation: a’ chrionag. Notes: little finger. “Lùdag” also used.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crionalach
[kɾw̃ṉəɫəx] Note: applied to an old broken-down object, esp. a boat. “Crionalach de dh’eathar”.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crionan-dearg
Quotation: An crionan-dearg is an liath-cheann anns a’ mhointich chrion thioram. Source: J. MacKay, (Lochaber). Date: 1981.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crios
Quotation: crios na cruaicheadh. Notes: the widest part of the cornstack.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crios fhéillidh
part of a long dress pulled up and tied round the waist to facilitate better movement.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crios-leathair
leather belt.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crioslach
Quotation: a’ chrioslach. Notes: a home-made spear of well-seasoned wood used for spearing fish, c. 5' long.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crioslaicht
kitted out or strapped up as in: “Is iad crioslaicht le acfhuinn a’ dol a staigh dh’an bhatal.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cripidh
[kɾipi] Quotation: an cripidh. Notes: three-legged stool used for milking.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crith
Quotation: crith an orcain. Notes: violent shivering (e.g. in extreme cold).
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crith
Quotation: a’ chrith. Notes: trembling disease in cattle and sheep.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crith
Quotation: a’ chrith. Notes: The “staggers” in sheep.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crith
Quotation: a’ chrith. Notes: sheep’s distemper – shaking is main symptom.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crith
Quotation: a’ chrith. Notes: trembling disease in sheep and cattle.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crith
Quotation: air chrith. Notes: loose.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crith-bheilleag
[kɾıvelʹɑɡ] Quotation: Tha crith-bheilleag orm. Notes: when one’s teeth are chattering with the cold.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crith-bhileag
Quotation: Bha crith-bhileag air leis an fhuachd. Notes: shivering uncontrollably.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crith-thalmhan
nn f. ‘earthquake’: shaoil le m’ athair gur e ~ a bha ann
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
critheamh gorm
an illness affecting cattle, especially heifers.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
critheanach
Quotation: an critheanach. Notes: shaking disease in sheep; loses flesh. Due to a deficiency in diet. (See a’ chritheanach – DMD, Islay.)
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
criudhal
wreck of a boat.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cro
rate of imposing fines for injuries (clans, septs, etc.).
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cro Ghaidhealach
Highland cattle (now very rare in Assynt). (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Crodh / Cattle
cro chàil
cabbage patch.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cro duith
black cattle. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Crodh / Cattle
cro ruadh
red cattle. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Crodh / Cattle
cro snathaid
Eye of needle.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croaties
ground nuts. Cnò.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crobhdan
disease of cattle hoofs.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crocan
Quotation: crocan creathaich. Notes: earthen vessel.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crocan-deathaich
can towards the blow effect in a chimney can, the prevention to a limited access the influence of a blow down, wind blowing down the chimney.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crochadh a’ chruinn
two blocks of wood, again on each side of the boat and located beside the mast seat. Sail ropes were wrapped round this and not tied or knotted so as to enable the quick adjustment or lowering of the sail.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crodh
nn 'cattle': air a' bheathadhach cruidh [vɛ-ux kʰr̻ui̯ç]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
crodh Gaidhealach
Highland cattle.
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
crodh Gaidhealach
Highland cattle, molach anns a chalg.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
crodh Gallda
Ayrshire cattle.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
crodh Gàidhealach
Highland cattle.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
crodh Gàidhealach
Highland cattle.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
crodh breac
Holstein at al.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
crodh breac
black and white or black and red coated cattle.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
crodh dubh
black coated cattle.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
crodh maol
polled cattle.
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
crodh odhar
grey coated cattle.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
crodh-Gaidhealach
Highland cattle.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
crodhadh
getting the cattle housed for the winter, and also getting the harvest in, hence deireadh chrodhaidh.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crog
was the word used when the ewe reached five years and then [was] sold, that is after having four lambs.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
croicean-nam-pollaichean
anti-electrical jar like anti-conductors of electricity on telegram [sic] poles, on which wires are fastened, etc. There is a linesman’s explanation which is applicable...
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croid
anything valuable that you might find/receive. “Nach tu a fhuair a’ chroid.”
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croidh
Quotation: a’ [kɾɔiəɣ]. Notes: taking in the corn to the stackyard.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croighleach
Quotation: croighleach de mhart. Notes: poor, thin beast.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croighleag
[kɾ[ɤı]lɑɡ] Notes: broken bit of peat.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Kilillan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croileagan eoin
a number of birds gathered together. [NOTES: corrected to ‘cròileagan eòin’.]
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croimheach
[krɔ̃ĩʔəx] Quotation: “Tha thu feicinn ’dar a dh’fhiachas esan diubhal tha so a’ gortachach a’ mhairt agus tha i ’ga bhreabadh, higich e leis fiar ithe ach chan fhaod e diubhal.” Notes: an instrument to prevent a calf suckling.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croimheag
[kɾɔıɑɡ] Quotation: a’ chroimheag. Notes: maggot (as in sheep).
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croimheagach
Quotation: caora chroimheagach. Notes: sheep with maggots.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croinn Charinish
Iron plough made at Carinish. [NOTES: spelled ‘crann Chairinis’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
croinnean
Quotation: [əŋᵏɾɔ̃nʹɑnʹ]. Notes: cloven hoof.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crois
Quotation: a’ chrois [əxrɔ̣ʃ]. Notes: instrument for making hanks of wool.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crois
Quotation: a’ croiseadh an t-snàth. Notes: winding wool on the “crois-iarna”. Making hanks.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crois iarna
held in the hand: hand at centre of shaft. Function: to make hanks from balls of wool.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol, Bragar and Uigen
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
crois sgeir
in Frobost, South Uist. At low tide a rock formation is visible which forms the sign of the cross.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crois-iarna
Quotation: Chuir mi an là air a’ chrois-iarna. Notes: I frittered away the day; I didn’t do anything useful all day.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crois-iarna
gu bhi deanamh iarnachan de shnath.
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crois-iarna
distaff. Superstitious belief that a lad growing too quickly could be hit by a distaff and he would stop growing.
Origin: Barra
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
crois-iarna (I)
Device for making hanks of yarn. Bha i mar seo shìos. Deànta de fhiodh. Glé choltach ann an cumadh ri acair eathair.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
croiseadh
a word associated with woollen industry. Means to bind or twist strands of wool together. A variant on ‘toinneamh’.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croiseag
Notes: a small potato.
Origin: Nethy Bridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croisealach
awkward. ’S e rud croisealach th’ann. (Scalpay) Perhaps ‘crisscross form of application’ (etym.), inconvenient.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croisean
(part of gràpa) Cross bit at top (cnag).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
croisean
Quot.: an croisean. Note: on a warping frame, there are two pairs of pegs which are opposite each other (one, I think, at the top right hand corner, the other at the bottom left hand corner), whose purpose is to separate each bunch of threads as they are warped on the frame. The first bunch goes over the first peg, under the second, round it, under the first peg and back on the same route etc. This is the croisean:
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croisean
[kɾɔʃɛ̃ṉ] Quotation: croisean na spaideadh. Notes: cross-piece at the top of the shaft.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croiseil
Quotation: Bha e uamhasach croiseil faighinn thuige. Notes: awkward.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croit
[kru̟ʰtʹ] Quotation: pl. croiteachan [kru̟ʰtʹəxən].
Origin: Arisaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croit
[kɾɛtʹ] Quotation: Tha [kɾɛtʹ] air. Notes: a hunch on his back.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croit (f)
Quotation: duine ’s croit air. Notes: hump, hunchback.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crom
Quotation: (Auntie Bella – Keose) “Dh’iarradh iad (anns a’ bhùth) dà phunnd de dhath donn, agus ùnnsa crom (chrome?) agus ùnnsa tart (tartaric acid?) airson a cheangal.” Notes: (Eng. ‘bomb’.) Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crom-uaigneach
Quotation: Gabh mi nunn gu crom-uaigneach. Notes: I crept over as silently as possible so as not to be noticed.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croma-sgian
Sgian airson a bhith a’ slisneadh broinn mhiosraichean agus nithean de’n t-seòrsa sin. Dheanadh tu i de spàg deamhais no a leithid sin. Is e an gob aice air a lùbadh agus an lùib a bha geur. Bha i mar seo: [see illustration]. ’Se ‘crama-sgian’ mar a chanadh sinne e.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
cromadh
Quotation: Tha i cromadh air an deoch. Notes: She is becoming addicted to drink.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cromadh
Quotation: ’Se man a thug thu orm cromadh chon na h-ùireach.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cromag
Pl. cromagan. Hooks on hames to which the pulling chains are attached. Also breeching hooks.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cromag
Quotation: an cromag. Notes: the straight part of a walking stick.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cromag
special boat-hook for lifting end of ring-net.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
cromag
Notes: the hook at the end of the “slabhraidh”.
Origin: Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cromag na briogais
Hook on ‘traveller’ or slider (on tram) to which breeching is attached.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cromag na gualainn
Hook on ‘traveller’ or ‘slider’ (on tram) to which front draught chain is attached.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cromaisg
[kɾɔ̃miʃɡʹ] Quotation: cromaisg bodaich. Notes: about old man.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croman
Notes: used for hoeing and lifting potatoes.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croman
[kɾɤmɑ̃ṉ] Notes: implement for lifting potatoes.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Blairmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croman
Quotation: Tha mi mar eun a thuit o’n chroman. Notes: feeling washed out, useless. “Croman” is probably the chough, a type of hawk.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croman
a large hook or hooked piece of iron attached to a wooden handle to pull in a large fish which would be liable to get away by breaking the snead or the hook.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
croman
Notes: potato-digging implement.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croman
Quotation: Chan ann gun dùil comain a ni an croman fead. Notes: croman – chough.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croman
A’ coimhead air bho a cheann: [see illustration]. Bho a thaobh: [see illustration].
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
croman-ingneach
Bho a cheann: [see illustration]. Bho a thaobh: [see illustration].
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
cromhan
Quotation: cromhan sgaoilt. Notes: cloven hoof.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cromhan
[ˈkɾõɑṉ] Quotation: cromhan caora. Notes: hoof.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cronachadh
[krɔ̣̃nəxəɣ] Quotation: “air a chronachadh” – bewitched. Notes: bewitching.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crookie
English word describing a hook with a wooden handle used to lift rocks which sat unevenly. Would be levelled by wedges. Some masons called this the ‘cromag’.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cros
Quotation: Bha sin air a chrosadh dha a dheanamh. Notes: He was forbidden to do that.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crosach
prep.: ~ fos cionn an àit’ againne;font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; ‘ dol ~ air a’ chladh; a’ tighinn ~; bha e ' dol ~ bho Eilean Cheap Breatainn; nighean bhochd a chaidh ~ an acarsaid; tha do chreig sa bheinn sin a chuireadh dà causeway eile ~;
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
crosantachd
composition in which prose satire is interspersed with poetry.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crosda
Quotation: duine crosda. Notes: cross man.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crosg
Quotation: … agus crosgadh air a’ rathad-mór ris a’ mhonadh [vɔn̪]. Notes: cross.
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crosgach
[kɾɔsɡɑx] Quotation: Tha ’n eaglais crosgach an rathad. Notes: The church is across the road.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Skerray
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crosgadh
in the sense of gathering the lengths of rope which would be on the floor from one end of the house to the other – “A’ crosgadh suas an trògh.”
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crosgag
starfish. Also found in patterns.
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crosgag-thuathal
Notes: starfish.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crosgag-tuathalain
starfish of the lighter species.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crosgagan
gusts of wind from a north easterly direction. Occurred at the beginning of summer.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crosta
adj. ‘ill-natured’: bha tarbh ~ ann am pàirce
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
crot
Notes: flat piece of wood put on either side of an oar where it passes between the “cnagan” (tholepins) to prevent the oar from chafing.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crot a’ raimh
the re-inforced part (at the fulcrum) which slips backwards and forwards between the tholepins.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crota
Quotation: an crota. Notes: square piece in the middle of the oar where it passes through the rowlock.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crotach
Quotation: an crotach. Notes: the curlew.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crotach (m)
a man’s back (Strathglass, Glenmoriston, etc.); chiurr mi mo chrotach.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crotag
holy water font.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
crotal
nn ‘lichen’: ‘growing on bark’, dath donn [air]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
crotal
dath ruadh trom dark
Location: [Lewis], Arnol, Bragar and Uigen
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
crotal
Dath crotail. Is ann ruadh, gle ruadh, a bha am fear-sa. Is ann bho chrotal nan clach a bha iad ’ga thabhairt.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
crotul
lichen. Crotul-coille neo crotul nan creag was associated with ill-luck when in the form of knitwear. A [sic] crotul-coloured socks on a person going to sea meant ill-luck, pointing to ‘crotul nan creag’ in particular.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
crotul is im
crotul is im an ceann a chéile cuideachd air a ghleachdadh mar achduinn-suathaidh air son losgadh a chuir feabhas (ann an Scalpaigh).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
cruach
Quotation: sguab > sgròthan > adag > tòrr > cruach. Notes: corn-working terms.
Location: Lewis, Balallan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruach
Quotation: cruach fheòir. Notes: circular stack.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruach
Quotation: “Ithidh feadhain na cruachan ’s thig iad suas air na tudanan.” Notes: extravagance.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruach
Quotation: cruach coirce. Notes: cornstack.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruach
[kruəx] Quotation: cruach (fheoir). Notes: a rick of hay shaped like so and thatched on top.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruach
peat stack.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cruach
Quotation: cruach fheur. Notes: haystack.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruach
the second heap made of the peats when lifting them (this one is bigger [than ‘rùghan’ (q.v.)]).
Origin: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cruach
Quotation: cruach mhóine. Notes: stack at the roadside or at home.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruach
peat stack made when the peats are brought home.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cruach
Notes: parts of a stack: Am bun-dubh: the base of the stack where the bases of the sheaves are on the ground or foundation. Am bun: the part from the ground up to the eaves. A’ chailleach: the tent-like arrangement of sheaves when beginning to build. A’ bhile: the eaves of the stack. Am bidean: the very tip of the stack. An t-sreath: the outside row of sheaves. A’ lionadh: the inside row of sheaves.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruach sgorraidh
sgorraidhean deth sgrathan gus a’ ghaoth a’ leigeal a steach.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cruach sreatha
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cruach steidhidh
often of large size and of a pyramidal form. The top about 18" broad was thatched with turf (‘ceap’).
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
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
cruach tighe
peat stack at home.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cruach tughaidh
this was rounded in shape. It kept the peat in excellent condition.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cruachadh
small stacks made out on the peat banks.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cruachadh
stacking the peats on the bank.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cruachadh
fairly big heaps of peat after drying off in the ‘rùdhan’.
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cruachadh
a huge stack was made at the house.
Location: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cruachadh
So a bhith deanamh cruachan beaga air uachdair a’ phuill no air an ath-bhlar. Cha teid a’ mhoine so a toirt dhachaidh, is dòcha, gus an ath earrach no shamhradh.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cruachadh
As déidh nan rùghan bha an cruachadh. A’ mhòine, as na rùghanan, air a deanamh na cruachan móra air bearradh a’ phuill. Ach fada air falbh gu leòir bho an bhearradh airson rum a bhith do na cip airson an tughaidh. Bliadhna a bhiodh neo-chumanta math airson an tiormachaidh, chruachadh tu a’ mhòine as an sgaoiltich. Ach cha b’ann tric a bhitheadh seo.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cruachadh na monadh
gathering for completion of stacks.
Origin: Inbhirnis [Inverness – most probably meant as the county]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cruachan
Quotation: a’ chruachan [əxruɑ̈xɑ˖n]. Notes: thigh or the back of the thigh.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruadal
Quotation: “Chan eil air a chruadal (distress) ach cruadhachadh ris.” Notes: There is no remedy for hardship but to harden against it.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruadalach
adj. ‘fierce’: bha coltas gu math ~ air
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cruadhachadh
drying fish to preserve them. Could be dried inside or out depending on the suitability of the weather.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruadhaich
Quot.: “a’ cruadhachadh an t-sìl”. Note: seed hardened by heating in a pot (prais) over the fire before being milled.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruageinn
short stubby seaweed which could be eaten. [NOTES: corrected to ‘cruaigein’.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruaidh
Quotation: Cho cruaidh ris na creagan. Notes: hard-hearted.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruaidh
Note: stone weighting down one end of the “lion-bheag” or great-line.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruaidh
Quotation: a’ chruaidh. Notes: weight used in lobster pot.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruaidh-aireachas
n. ‘watchfulness’: feumaidh tu ’ bhith nad ch. [xruəi ar´əxəs]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
cruaidh-fhortan
[ˈkɾu̟ɤiɔʴsṯɑn] Quotation: Gheibh thu do chruaidh-fhortan bho d’ athair nuair a thig e. Notes: punishment, “the works”. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruaidh-fhortan
Quot.: “Tha do chruaidh-fhortan thugad nuair a thig d’ athair dhachaidh.” “B’e sin là a’ chruaidh-fhortan!” Note: retribution.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruaidh-theud
the hook on which utensils were hung above the fire in the old thatched houses of past years in the Highlands of Scotland, in other words a bar of iron with both ends bent, for the said purpose, with an end fitting loosely or freely in the chain link hanging from the roof, known as ‘slabhraidh’. It was probably a word of a Harris origin, or rather an early production of literary efforts towards this item on Harris (one definition).
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruib
Quotation: Bha cruib air leis an fhuachd. Notes: huddled with the cold.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruib
Quotation: Beathach ’s cruib air. Notes: hunched up.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruib
Quotation: Bha cruib air. Notes: He was doubled over.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruidh
[kɾwç] Quotation: an cruidh. Notes: rim of cartwheel.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruidh
vb ‘shoe’: past: ch. [xr̻̻ui̯ç] thu tric gu leòr an t-each ‘ tha thall; bha mi ‘ cruidheadh [k hr̻ui̯əɣ] shìos Saint Rose; vbl nn.: thàinig i ‘-nuas a chruidheadh [+ epenth. ə] latha dhan cheàrdaich aig Archie
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cruidh
[kɾu̟i] Quotation: (1) cruidhean toisich [kɾu̟ıəṉ t̪ɔʃıç]. (2) cruidhean deiridh. Notes: (1) toe plates on boots or shoes. (2) heel plates.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruidhear (?)
creator.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
cruidhlig
[kɾɤiliɡʹ] Quot.: “cruidhligean fraoich”. “Bha e na chruidhligean.” Note: tangled bunch, as heather not growing up straight.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruidhneach
remark likewise or (do) [meaning that it has the same meaning as the previous word i.e. sgroiteach?]. [SLIP: Vid. ‘sgroiteach’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruigh
Quotation: a’ cruigheadh a’ roth. Notes: putting the iron rim on the cartwheel.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruimh
Quotation: a’ chruimh [əxɾi]. Notes: toothache.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruimh càil
caterpillar.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruinn
Quotation: Bha m’inntinn cruinn an uair sin (nuair a bha a’ chlann òg) ach tha i ’n diugh a’ falbh air feadh na rìoghachd ’s air feadh an t-saoghail. Notes: Dw. has cruinn in sense of ‘gathered, assembled, collected’, which is close to the above.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruinn
neat, tidy.
Origin: Skye
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
cruinn-leum
neat, complete, etc. Gheàrr e cruinn-leum ás. (Scalpay)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruinn-leum
Quotation: Bha an t-each na chruinn-leum. Notes: at the gallop.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruinn-leum
Quotation: Bha an t-each ’na cruinn-leum. Notes: The horse was galloping.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruinn-luath
collectively fast.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruinneachadh
Tha ciall an fhacail so air atharrachadh a thaobh monach. Ma chanas duine an so, “Bha mi anns a’ mhoine ga cruinneachadh” tha e a’ ciallachadh gu faigh tractar chun nam poll mhonach aige, no gu cuid dhiubh, agus gu robh e a’ deanamh dùin bheaga air na puill gus a bhith deiseil airson an tilgeil do’n tractar a bheir gu rathad làraidh no dhachaidh iad.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cruinneachadh
nn ‘meeting’: bha ~ eireachdail againn __ an latha roimhe an seo
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cruinneachadh
n. ‘gathering’: cha robh anns a’ bhainis ach ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
cruinneachadh
the gathering of netting to create bag effect.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
cruinneachadh
gatherings. Rousing war tune.
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
cruinneachadh
Quot.: “An robh a’ chaora sin as a’ chruinneachadh?” Note: gathering of sheep for the ram.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruinnich
vb. ‘gather’ VBL N. cruinneachadh: bhiodh iad a’ ~ còmhla
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
cruinnich
vb ‘gather’: past: ch. na ceudan dhiubh còmhla[dh]; vbl nn: chruinnicheadh iad nan tigeadh am bàs air duine
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cruinnich
vb. ‘gather’ VBL. N.: ~nneachadh: bha i an uair sin air a ~ ’s air a cur an pòcannan
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
cruinnich
Quotation: a’ cruinneach [əkɾũ̟nʹɑx]. Notes: for “a’ cruinneachadh”. When cutting the corn one job was to divide the swathes into sheaves without binding them. This was mainly done by women.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruisgean
Primitive oil lamp. Consisted of two open shells, an upper and a lower. The lower shell was a trifle larger and longer in spout to catch the drop of oil which at intervals fell from the wick (which terminated in spout of upper shell) when lit.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
cruithneachd
nn ‘wheat’: dhèanadh iad fhèin flùr ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
crumha-cait
Notes: when the tips of the fingers and thumb are brought together, and placed on a soft or dusty suface, they form the imprint of a cat’s paw. This is known as crumha-cait.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crunluadh
Quotation: crunluadh mach. Notes: doubling of crunluadh and the final part of ceòl mòr.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crunluadh
Quotation: crunluadh breabach [krunluə bẹẹbəx]. Notes: singling of crunluadh.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crunluadh
Quotation: crunluadh fosgailte [krunluə ɸɔ̣sɡẹltʹ]. Notes: first crunluadh.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crunluadh
Quotation: crunluadh singilte. Notes: singling of crunluadh.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crup
squat [?].
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruthaidheachd
Quot.: “A chruthaidheachd bheannaicht!” Note: a common exclamation.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cràbhàta
cravat, scarf.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cràgair
[kɾɑ:ɡɑɾ] Notes: the bits at the two ends of a horseshoe which are turned down.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cràgair
[kɾɑ:ɡɑɾ] Notes: the part at the back of the horseshoe which is turned down.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cràgaisg
[kɾɑ:ɡıʃɡʹ] Note: what he calls the stick jutting up from the end of the black-house roof, round which the rope to hold the end-thatch is put.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cràgaisge
[kɾɑ:ɡiʃɡʹə] Note: two of these, one at each end of the ridge of the blackhouse roof. Protruded so that the “sioman” could be anchored round them. Two protruding sticks.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cràic
Notes: bogwood preserved in peat. ‘Giuthas’ in Applecross.
Location: Lewis, Balallan.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cràic
Quotation: an cràic a chèile. Notes: locked in combat, e.g. two cows.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cràiceanach
a squat person.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cràigisgean
Notes: MMK says it is the spot at both ends of the ridge-pole where the roof begins to slope to the wall.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cràigisgean
Notes: the spars extending above the thatch to which the thatching rope is attached.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cràigisgean
a stick protruding at each end of the roof. Heather ropes fixed to these to secure thatch.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cràigisgean
[kɾɑ:ɡʹıʃɡʹɑ̃ṉ] Notes: piece of wood jutting out at the end of the thatch round which the rope keeping down the end thatch was wound.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cràimhseag
[kɾɑ̃:ʃɑɡ] Notes: a patch of corn or barley destroyed by hens.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crèileag
[kɾɛ:lɑɡ] Notes: miniature creel or basket for holding potatoes.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
créiceal
[kɾe:cɑl] Quotation: Bha a’ chailleach a’ créiceal. ’S e fìor chréiceal a th’innt. Notes: complaining, grousing. Adj. – créiceallach.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
créiceallach
[kɾe:cɑɫɑx] Quotation: cailleach chréiceallach. Notes: complaining, grousing.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
créithir
plural of ‘criathar’, more than one riddle, sieve.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crémeas
long-faced (person), face features of a surly impression.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crìgeagan
bobbins on a rope relative to a ring-net fishing net.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crìoch
Quotation: Chan eil crìoch cuin a bhios sin deiseil. Notes: Goodness knows when that will be finished.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crìoch
Quotation: Chrìoch e. Notes: He died.
Origin: Loch Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crìonachd
Quotation: Ùrachd a’ bheithe is crìonachd a’ challtuinn. Notes: suitability of wood for burning.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crìonag
Quotation: ’S e fìor chrìonag a th’innte siod. Notes: a stingy female.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crò
Quotation: crò na snàthaid. Notes: eye.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crò
Quotation: crò bhuntàta. Notes: corner of the barn boxed in for keeping potatoes.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròbhaidh
croaking in speech, crinkling in feature.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròcach
[kɾɔ:xkɑx] Notes: put on calf to prevent it suckling. Usually a leather muzzle with a spike on it.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròcach
[kɾɔ:xkɑx] Notes: apparatus with spikes attached to it which was fitted over a calf’s mouth (or head) to prevent it from suckling its mother.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròcach
Notes: attachment on calf’s mouth to prevent suckling. Also cròcaid.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròcag
Notes: “cleat” on which creels were hung on horses.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròcan
Hook for lifting potatoes.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cròcan
implement for picking potatoes.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cròcan
[kɾɔ:kɑn] Note: implement for digging up potatoes. Had a wooden handle with an iron hook on the end. Also an earmark:
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròcan
spiked instrument [attached to a calf’s mouth to prevent its sucking its mother].
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
cròcan
a rounded piece of iron with a wooden handle used to lift potatoes.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cròcan
[kɾɔ:xkɑṉ] Notes: implement used for potato digging.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròcan
[kɾɔ:xkɑṉ] Note: iron hook with a long wooden handle used for digging up potatoes. Person using it on his knees.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròcan (m)
pot-hook (Strathspey to W. Caithness).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròcan feamad
Hook used for loading seaweed, 18-19th c. – somewhat like ordinary cròcan.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cròchdan (m)
instrument, usually spiked, attached to a calf’s mouth to prevent its sucking its mother.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
cròdach
Quotation: a’ chròdach. Notes: animal rheumatism – sheep, cattle.
Origin: Uig, Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròdhadh
[kɾɔ:u̜] Quotation: a’ cròdhadh. Notes: taking the harvest home.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròdhadh
housing of cattle in winter.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròdhadh
[kɾɔ:əɣ] Quotation: Chuir iad ann an cròdhadh iad. Notes: putting cattle in for the first time in winter. Also applied to the penning of sheep.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròg
Quotation: Calum na Cròige. Notes: this name was given to a person who had a reputation for telling tall stories. The derivation of Cròg is uncertain.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròg
Notes: a leather hand strap for pushing the needle in when repairing shoes.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crògadh
handling the sheep for those that are shearing them.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròicean
[kɾɔ:cɑṉ] Note: potato hook.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròidh
[kɾɔ:] Quotation: Tha iad a’ cròidheadh an arbhair. Notes: “leading”.
Origin: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròileagan
Quotation: cròileagan bheag bhailtean. Notes: cluster.
Location: BBC
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròiseanta
bent with an asthmatic complaint. Bodach beag cròiseanta.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròisidh
[See cròsaidh.] It could also be a matter of different pronunciation, could it? Of course there are the variations in the various districts: this is the Scalpay way of pronouncing it. I do not hear the words so often used now. The hand-knitted goods are not so talked of in the usual, thus words associated with such art and arts are, I am afraid, beginning to be forgotten. [SLIP: Crochet hook.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crònaigil
having lost your sense. “Nach tu a tha air do chrònaigil a chall.” English translation might be ‘losing your marbles’.
Location: North Uist, Grèinatobht [Grenitote]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crònan
Quotation: ’S ann dhith fhéin a ni an cat crònan. Notes: selfish, self-centred.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròsan
wheezing sound in the throat. (Scalpay)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròtaichean
bits of wood added to an oar so that they would be tighter in the rowlocks. Also used for the bows put in a young girl’s hair. [NOTES: corrected to ‘crotaichean’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròtal
a dye obtained from rocks on the croft. Brown in colour. Socks made with the aid of ‘cròtal’ was [sic] considered unlucky for fishermen since the dye was obtained from rocks. It was thought the brown colour might lead the boat onto rocks since they were the original source of the dye. [NOTES: corrected to ‘crotal’.]
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròthadh
Quotation: latha a’ chròthaidh. Notes: putting in of corn.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cródach
Note: illness in cattle involving soreness in the bones. Usually among young animals in bad weather. [Cf. mulachd.]
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cródaich
Quot.: a’ chródaich [xɾo:d̪iç] (not nasal). Note: illness said to be in sheep. They weakened at the “knees” and went about on them. Front legs.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cródh
[kɾo:] Quotation: Bha sinn a’ cródh an diugh. Notes: We were “leading” today, i.e. taking in the harvest.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cródhadh
Quotation: Bha mi a’ cródhadh a choirce. Notes: taking in the corn to the stackyard.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crùbach
Quotation: Bha ceum crùbaich ann. Notes: He had a limp.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crùbag
The edible crab. Tha iad so pailt an Nis. Tha iad ri’m faighinn anns na sgeirean mun Phort, agus b’àbhaist do dhaoine a bhith deanamh feum dhiubh, ach an diugh, bho chuir Comunn na Siorrachd pìoban salachair a’ bhaile chun na mara aig a’ Phort chan eil duine gan toirt dhachaidh. Thachair a leithid so an iomadh àite anns an eilean so. Bidh na h-iasgairean a’ faighean moran chrùbagan anns na lin-leóbag, rud nach toigh leo idir, agus tha iad ag innse dhomh gur e an aon dòigh air bàs obann a thoirt do chrùbaig, spìc iaruinn a chur troimh druim bho thaobh gu taobh. Aithnich tu air dath na crùbaig ma ’s fhiach i a toirt dhachaidh – bidh a slige dealrach ruadh.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
crùbag bhoireann
Crùbag le apran leathainn is car cruinn.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
crùbag eathair
’S e crùbag eathair a chanas muinntir ceann shios an Rudha ri crùbaig mhor ’sam bith, eadhon ged a gheibheadh iad ann an sgor creige i.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
crùbag fhireann
Crùbag le apran caol is na cliathaichean rudeigin dìreach.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
crùbag sgor
’Se crùbag sgor a chanas iad (Rudhaich) ri te mheadhonach no ri te bhig ged a gheibheadh iad air an eathar i.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
crùban
a little portion as: Crùban beag de’n t-seòil (Scalpay) – expression or Crùban beag de’n t-seòl [sic] rithe (boat). [SLIP: ‘A small bit (e.g. of sail).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crùban
Quotation: an crùban. Notes: illness in sheep and cattle said to be caused by cold and damp. Rendered them almost immobile.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crùdan
Quotation: Nach ann oirbh a tha na crùdanan [kɾu̜:d̪ɑṉəṉ]. Notes: used of fingers which are up to mischief, e.g. children’s.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crùib
[kɾ[ɤı]:b] Quotation: Bha crùib air leis an fhuachd. Bha e na sheasamh na chrùib. Notes: huddled attitude.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crùicealachd
Notes: patching or mending old clothes.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crùidh
Quotation: a’ crùidheach [sic] roithean. Notes: putting iron rims on cartwheels.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crùinneagan
broken bits of peats. (Urq.)
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crùisgainn
Miss M. MacKay, Geirinish and Mr R. O’Henley use the word ‘lòchran’ when referring [to] the cylindrical object which is lit beside the tabernacle in a Roman Catholic church. The word ‘cruisgainn’ [sic] to me at least is not so original unless different types of lamp are used. English term is ‘sanctuary lamp’.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crùn
Quotation: crùn a’ chaibe-làir. Notes: triangular cutter of the flauchter spade.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crùsgan
[kru:sɡɑ˖n] Notes: a shapeless, baggy hat.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuach
Quotation: cuach geàrr. Notes: a hare’s nest.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuach
Quotation: Tha e cho math a dhol dhan a’ chuaich. Notes: bed. (cuach – nest)
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuach
[kuəx] Quotation: cuach de shioman, bhiodh ceithir luba(n) fichead orra, mun cuairt do chasan ’s air a’ chùl.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuach
Quotation: cuach fhraoich. Notes: a coil, a coil of heather rope.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuach
Quotation: “Bi mi a’s a chuaich shioman / Ma’s e riarachadh leat fhein e.” Notes: a coil of home-made rope, straw or heather.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuach Phàdraig
(St.) Patrick’s wort. Disease: cuts. How prepared: leaf raw on cut.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
cuach Phàraig
Greater plantain. Disease: piles. How prepared: whole plant (including roots) boiled in water until very little water left. Butter then mixed with finely ground oatmeal. Formed an ointment.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
cuach-Phàdruig
Note: great plantain. (Also copag-Phàdruig.)
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuach-fhraoich
a heather rope.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuachag?
[koʔoɢ] Notes: small wooden vessel holding about one pint used for drinking water.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuachail
[ku̟ɤxəl] Quotation: Cha robh e a’ deanamh càil fad an latha ach a cuachail timchioll. Notes: moving slowly about.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuagach
Quotation: Tha an rathad uamhasach cuagach. Notes: winding.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuagach
Quotation: casan cuagach. Notes: twisted, bent.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuaichean
Quotation: Tha ’n cat na chuaichean aig an teine. Notes: a ball.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuaigreach
curvature.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuail-chnàmh
Quotation: Tha e ’na ch.-ch. – It is reduced to dust (or atoms).
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuaireadh
Quotation: Cuaireadh ort! Notes: mild malediction.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairt
Quotation: Tha dà chuairt aice. Tha dà chuairt gu leth aice. Bhiodh cuairt gu leth de dh’fheamainn aca a’ tighinn. Notes: load, say, of herring, measured in terms of the amount of planking showing above water.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairt
Quot.: (1) a’ chuairt dheiridh. (2) a’ chuairt thoisich. Note: (1) brace-stick in the stern of a boat. (2) brace-stick in the stem of a boat.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairt
Notes: support in the stem of a boat.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairt
Quotation: a’ chuairt mun cuairt. Notes: the wooden circumference of the cartwheel.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairt
a coupling piece of wood fastening the gunwale of a boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairt
Quotation: cuairt na speur. Notes: the horizon.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairt
Quotation: “Tha e dol ma’n cuairt.” – He is going around. “Chuir e cuairt air.” – He went round it. “Tha e gabhail cuairt.” – He is out for a walk (round?). An Cuairtich – Shepherd, who rounds up the sheep.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairt
[ku̜ɤʴsṯ] Quot.: a’ chuairt. Note: angled piece of wood at stern and stem of a boat for strength. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairt (f)
Quotation: Thainig cuairt orm. Notes: feeling faint.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairt-bheòil
Quotation: an cuairt-bheòil. Notes: the top plank.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairteach
Quotation: a’ chuairteach sgàrlaid. Notes: a fever.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Droman
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairteach
Quotation: a’ chuairteach shiataig.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairteach
Quotation: a’ chuairteach sgàrlaid. Notes: scarlet fever.
Origin: Culkein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairteachan
fan, propellent [sic] form of instrument for fanning in warm weather.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairteag
water whorl, a whirl.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairtean móra
Notes: latitude, longitude.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairteanach
Quotation: gaoth chuairteanaich. Notes: whirlwind, eddying wind.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairtear
Quotation: cuairtear criathair. Notes: wooden frame of riddle.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairtich
vb. ‘circulate’: bha iad ga chuairteachadh mun cuairt
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
cuairtich-shiataig
Quotation: an cuairtich-shiataig [ku̜ɤʴsṯıçhɛ:t̪iɡʹ]. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cual
Quotation: cual fhraoich. Notes: a bundle.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cualach
a collection of material or some weight carried. [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cualag
quite a lot. Abair cualag. Tha cualag mhath air. – lot, good lot.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuallach
Quotation: Thug mi leam cuallach math. Notes: a considerable amount.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuallach (-aich)
Quotation: Carson a tha sin a chuallaich mu d’amhaich? Notes: Why are you so muffled up?
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuamhlan
[kũ̜ɑ̃ɫɑṉ] Quot.: “Bha cuamhlan math ann.” Note: There was a good crowd.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuaran
Notes: leather covering on a finger – like the finger of a glove.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuaran
a leather stookie for an injured finger. Like the finger of a glove and tied behind the wrist with a leather strap.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuaran
a shoe of untanned hide. Have personally not heard this previously in this sense, only in the sense of a lint or leather bandage tied to a damaged finger.
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuaran
Quotation: pl. [ku̜əɾɑ̃nʹ]. Notes: bandages on hands or feet. Also used of wrapping on hands when gutting herring.
Origin: South Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuartach-eanchainn
Quotation: a’ chuartach-eanchainn [əxu̜ɤʴsṯɑxɛṉɑxĩnʹ]. Notes: meningitis. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuartag shionnachain
little eddies on the water which fan out when you are rowing. The latter word adds a bright, gleaming flavour to the word indicating the colour of the water.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuartagach
[ku̜ɤʴsṯɑɡɑx] Quotation: gaoth-chuartagach. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuartlan
[ku̜ɤʴsɫɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: a’ cur cuartlan. Notes: making a loop, a circuit. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuat
not sure if this is right spelling. Means girlfriend or boyfriend. “Mi fhéin ’s mo chuat.”
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuat
boyfriend.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuat
a girl friend.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuataireachd (f)
courting.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuch
interj. warning a child who attempts to put dirt into his mouth.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cudadh
Quotation: a’ cudadh nan uan. Notes: polite term for castrating.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cudaig
Quotation: (1) cudaig. (2) smallag (herring size). (3) glasag (small haddock size). (4) glasag dubh or [u̟kʃ] (fully grown).
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Laide, Portnacon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cudan (m)
a wooden tub, or pail (N.E.). It is possible that the name Clach na Cùdainn was originally Clach na gcudan or Clach nan cudan, with lengthening of “u” by Anglicisation, vide Bàrra for Barra.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cudhalaid
collective term for a number of people gathering together to talk. [NOTES: note added above ‘u’ in ‘cudhalaid’ – (a).]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cudht
an expression used to scare off a cat. “Cudht a chait.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cudthrom shiudan
pendulum. The lady who gave these three words [i.e. cudthrom shiudan, bean-uisa and cuilidh] is a native of Laggan. Her father was born in that parish about 1871 and lived for a few years at Dalchully and nearly all his life within a few miles of it and had heard that that was the meaning of ‘cuilidh’. I have not heard the word with my father but doubtless he would have been familiar with it and with ‘bean uisa’. He knew the lady and her father very well.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuglaidh
Quotation: gnothaich cuglaidh. Notes: dicey matter.
Location: Canada, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuibeanachadh
binding the wood [sic] [wool?] to the loom, or more particularly to the ‘slat-fhuidheag’. It is bound by inserting this slat into the first loop of the ‘croisean’ and a string later bound to both ends of the slat is passed through the second loop. The first loop is known in Ardhasaig as ‘croisean ceàrr’ and the second as ‘croisean deiseil’.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
cuibheal ìteachan
the ‘ìteachan’ [q.v.] was loaded by this wooden instrument upon which the informant cannot elaborate.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuibheall-chnò
Notes: a type of toy made from a hazel nut-shell, a potato and a piece of wood. The string was wound round the needle inside the shell, and then pulled. The momentum of the potato kept it in motion afterwards when the string was pulled lightly.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuibhle
Quot.: “cuibhle man ghealaich”. Note: denoted bad weather.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuibhle-iteachan
n.yellow'> ‘spinning wheel’’: cho luath ri ~ cuibhle [ˈku͜i:l´ə ˈiçt´əxan]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
cuibhleadh
[kuilʹəɣ] Quotation: ’gad chuibhleadh air falbh. Notes: forcible removal or genitive of cuibheal. Also [kuilʹək].
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuibhleir
coiler. Tha e ’na chuibhleir againn anns a’ bhàta – a boy hand in a fishing boat as a coiler, for coiling the rope, the tarred rope (spring), to which the nets are fastened.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuibhleir
machine for coiling ropes in a boat especially in a fishing boat; can also be applied to a youth engaged in the work of coiling the length of rope to which nets are fastened, in the process of hauling fishing nets.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuibhteas
Quotation: Tha sinn cuibhteas iad a nis. Notes: rid of (quit).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuibhteas
nn ‘freedom [from]’: bhiodh na foinneachan aige ‘s bha sibhse ~ iad [at]; faighinn ~ fear dha na coin
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cuibhtich
Quotation: Tha iad ’gus cuibteachadh [sic]. Notes: quit.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuid
Quotation: Chaneil cuid na gnothaich aige ris. Notes: He has absolutely nothing to do with it.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuid
Quotation: Bha cuid aca ann. – Some of them were there. Bha do chuid agad dheth. – You had a part in it. Gabhaibh ar leòir de chuid (substance) an duine chòir. Phòs e luid air sgàth na cuid (wealth), / Dh’fhubh a chuid ’s dh’fhuirich a luid. Chan eil dìth cuid (possessions) air na daoine ’tha sud.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuid
Quotation: Cha robh a chuid san fheur. Notes: He wasn’t meant to live.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuideachadh
Quotation: Là a’ chuideachaidh. Notes: i.e. “cuideachadh na bainnse”. Friends and neighbours helping before the wedding.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuideachd
Quotation: ’S fheairrde cuideachd cuis-bhùirt.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuideachd
Quotation: Cha d’thoir a’ cheòl a cuideachd e. Notes: Because of his shyness he would not stand out in a company.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuideam
Quotation: Tha cuideam mór air an speur an diugh.
Origin: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuidhbhil
a sheltered recess for cattle.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuidhe
A walled enclosure on the ‘common’ where cattle were put before milking time.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cuidhe
[ku̟i] Quotation: cuidhe shneachd. Notes: bank of snow.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuidhe
enclosure for a township’s cattle. (Supposed to be Norse.)
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuidich
vb ‘help’: ipv.: ~ thusa mi ris an ùirne!; vbl nn: bha iad math gus iad fhèin a chuideachadh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cuige?
Quotation: Back elder to Catriona Mhór: “Cuige, a bhana-rascail, a thaine tusa a seo gu òrduighean?” Notes: Why? Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuigeal
shaped rather like a tether stake this piece of wood was placed in the wall. On this wool could be twisted to form an accumulation of wool. Could also be used for doubling or strengthening threads.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuigealach
greater horse tail.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuil bhunata
when potatoes are stored in barn.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cuil bhuntata
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cuilc
Quotation: fuaim na cuilceadh gun dol roimpe. Notes: meud mór ’s gun dad agad.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuilc
slat chuilc – bamboo rod. (Harris)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuilc
Quotation: a’ chuilc. Notes: wire frame for large dresses.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuile
Notes: small closet, used for storing potatoes, etc.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuileag
Quotation: a mheanbh-chuileag [əvɛ̃ṉɑxu̟lɑɡ]. Notes: midge.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuileag
Quotation: a’ chuileag mhìn. Notes: midge.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuileagan-buachair
the pale brown back, flies on a cow pat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuilean
Quotation: cuilean sionnaich. Notes: fox-cub.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuilean
Quotation: mathan is cuilean. Notes: bear cub.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuilean
nostril. From ‘cainean’, a different pronunciation perhaps.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuilean
Quotation: cuilean muic. Notes: young pig.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuilean
Quotation: A chuilein! Notes: used as term of respect < cù.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuilean
Quotation: cuilean muc (sic). Notes: piglet.
Origin: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuilean
[ku̟lɑ̃nʹ] Notes: puppy. (With -an ending “n” is usually palatalized.)
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuilean ()
[masc.] a small addition to the main stack – like a ‘lean-to’ or ‘porch’ at the end or side.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cuilean-gréine
Notes: sundog (stormy weather in the offing).
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuileanan
Quotation: na cuileanan. Notes: ankle-bones. Dw. gives cuilean ‘small bone in ankle or wrist’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuileannan
perhaps the word could be attributed to the young of the king-fish – biorach. [SLIP: Young of the ‘biorach’ (uncertain).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuilidh
a good pasture; a pasture on which cattle or sheep “come on”. Dr Alex. MacBain, who was from Glenfeshie, gives the meaning of Dalchully, Laggan as “dale of the hollow or recess” (T.G.S.I. Vol. 16. p. 194). The lady who gave these three words [i.e. cudthrom shiudan, bean-uisa and cuilidh] is a native of Laggan. Her father was born in that parish about 1871 and lived for a few years at Dalchully and nearly all his life within a few miles of it and had heard that that was the meaning of ‘cuilidh’. I have not heard the word with my father but doubtless he would have been familiar with it and with ‘bean uisa’. He knew the lady and her father very well.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuillbhainn
a water spring.
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuillean
[ku̜lʹ:ɑ̃ṉ] Notes: stubble land. (See G. Clark’s.) 2nd year of 5-year crop rotation.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuillein (?)
[ku̟lʹ:ɛ̃nʹ] Notes: 2nd year of five-year crop rotation. Ploughed and root crop planted – usually 2/3 potatoes and 1/3 turnips.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuillidh (f)
a hill pony (Strathspey, Aird, etc.). ? Eng. “filly”.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuilltaigh
the end of an old thatched house where animals were kept. [NOTES: note added above ‘cuill’ – cùl.]
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuilthionn
name given to cattle which came from Skye. Characterised by having large horns – ‘adhaircean fada air a’ chrodh a tha ’sa cheò’.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuimeran
Quotation: Thainig e air le cuimeran a leag fuar e. Notes: ceimeran.
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuimhne
Quotation: Bho ’s cuimhne leamsa. Notes: Ever since I can remember.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuimhne
Quotation: Bho na tha cuimhne agams’… Notes: Ever since I can remember. (Lewis – Bho ’s cuimhne leamsa.)
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuimhne
Quotation: Bha mi a’ deanamh aithne gun chuimhn’ air. Notes: Knew his face but couldn’t place him.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuimhneach
Quotation: Cho fad’s is cuimhneach leam. Notes: As far as I can remember.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuimir
[kɤ̃miɾ] Quotation: duine cuimir. Notes: a person of good appearance, handsome, well-dressed.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuimrichean
[kw̃məɾiçəṉ] Quot.: “Ach, tha esan eòlach air na cuimrichean.” Note: the area round about, the immediate neighbourhood.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuimseach
[kw̃mıʃɑx] Quotation: Bha e cuimseach làn. Notes: somewhat.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuimseach
Notes: good at aiming.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuineastoir
reputation.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuing-analach
Notes: asthma, difficulty in breathing.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuinnag
[pail used to water cattle.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
cuinneag
Quotation: “Millidh aona [lʹebəd̪ɑɡ] a’ chuinneag.”
Location: North Uist, Bayhead
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuip
Quotation: cuip mór. Notes: draining spade.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuip
[ku̜ıp] Quotation: an cuip. Notes: whip.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
vb ‘put’: past: ch. iad mun cuairt; ch. sinn às dha sa mhionaid; cond.: dhèanainn rud sam bith anns an ~inn mo làmh; vbl nn.: bha seo a’ cur air uamhasach;bha e ’ cur sìos air an àite ‘denegrate’;  bha e ‘ cur air nach d’fhuair e an tuagh a chur dhachaigh; cha toigh leamsa cur sìos air duine; chaidh an surgery work sin a chur ormsa aig naoi uairean a dh’ oidhche; tha mi ‘ dol a chur a’ chinn dhiubh; chaidh an ceann a chur dhith
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cuir
Quotation: Cuiridh mi geall dhuit. Notes: I’ll bet you.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: Chuir sibh baile Chul-chinn dheth seòl. Notes: You upset Culkein.
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: a’ cur an greim [ɡɾɤım]. Notes: installing, fixing (used when talking about putting batteries into the wireless).
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: a’ cur na cloicheadh. Notes: putting the shot.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: Cuir thuige an lamp.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
vb. ‘put’: VBL. N.: bha iad a’ cur a-mach pàipearan ai’son daoine; car a’ cur [khur] sìos air --  feadhain a’ choreigin; cha robh thu ’ dol a chur ann am feirg mhòir idir air; ; PAST: ch. [xur´] mi pìos ris an taigh-danns’ aca; COND.:: cha chuireadh e sian orm ceathramh a dhèanamh, cha chuireadh e dad sam bith orm sin a dhèanamh; chuireadh e air anteine
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
cuir
Quotation: uaisle gun chur leis. Notes: a man ostensibly of considerable means but who in fact had little.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: a’ cur a’ chalg. Notes: shedding hair (a beast).
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: Bha iad a cur cruinn air an t-iasg. Notes: casting lots, for sharing fish.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: Chuir e an dà shùil air. Notes: He stared in amazement.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: Bheir dhà rudeigin airson a cheann a chuir seachad. Notes: e.g. if a child was restless and demanding something. Might give him a toy or something to occupy his mind.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: a’ cur a-mach. Notes: vomiting.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: Cuir as an lampa or Cuir an lampa as.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: Bha e air a chuir thuige. Notes: He was sorely pressed.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: a’ cur a stigh druim. Notes: the start of the ploughing – putting in a “back” or “ridge” down the middle of the field.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: cuir na gaoith. Notes: small waves caused by the wind. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cur’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: a’ cuir a mach a’ mhóine. Notes: putting the peats to the roadside.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: An deidh dhaibh a bhi air an gartlan bha iad a cladhach eadar na sreathan agus a’ cur ris a’ bhuntàta. Notes: building up the earth on each side of the potato shaws.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: “Tha cuir na gaoth deas air an fhairge cheana.” Notes: even if the wind was coming from the north, one could predict that it was going to swing to the south if the swell was from that direction. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cur’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: “Tha cuir mhór air a’ chuain.” Notes: The sea is in turmoil. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cur’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: cuir sneachd. Notes: snowdrifts.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: Bha e a’ cur dheth. Notes: He was ranting.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: A cuir an eòrna – sowing. A cuir na dòrnaig – putting the stone.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quot.: “Feumaidh ise a bhi a’ cur an dubhan an aghaidh a’ chrabhcan.” Note: always going against what is said or suggested.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
shoot (a met [sic] [net?]). An do chuir sibh, ’fheara? Iomair mu thuath agus cuir mu dheas (proverb): Row north and shoot south.
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: Chuir e air gu robh urad ann. Notes: It surprised him…
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: Cha chuirinn ite ás. Notes: I couldn’t catch up with him.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir a mach a chruidh
[driving cattle to grazing.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
cuir buntata
planting potatoes [NOTES: originally ‘phuntata’, corrected in pencil.]
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cuir dhachaidh
harvesting term. “An do thòisich sibh air a chuir dhachaidh fhathast.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir is cathabh
mist and snow supported by a strong wind.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir na mònach chun a’ rathad
taking the peats to a convenient road ready for hauling home.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cuir na mònach gu tìr
taking the peats to a convenient road ready for hauling home.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cuir-a-mach
vomiting. [NOTES:  slipped under ‘cuir’ with ‘cuir a mach’ as the quotation. Definition: To vomit.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir-aisde
[ˈku̟ɾɑʃdʹə] Quotation: ’S ann agad fhéin a tha ’n cuir-aisde. Notes: capacity in the sense of comas. Emphasis on “cuir”.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir-amach
Quotation: Tha cuir-amach ann. Notes: He is an entertaining talker.
Origin: Tiree
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
cuir-laoigh
Quotation: Tha cuir-laoigh air a bhó or Tha toiseach cuir-laoigh air a bhó. Notes: The cow is showing, or beginning to show, signs of calving.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir-ri-chùl (sic)
[ku̟ɾıxu̜:ɫ] Quotation: Tha cuir-ri-chùl aige. Notes: He is a man of substance.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir-seachad-aotram
[sic] light entertainment. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cur-seachad’ with ‘cur-seachad aotrom’ as the quotation.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuire
[ku̟ɾə] Quotation: an cuire. Notes: weft.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuireadh
Quotation: cuireadh na bainns’. Notes: wedding invitation.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuireadh
Quotation: Fhuair thu cuireadh a’ phìobaire. Notes: “You can come to the wedding, if you want to.” See Dw.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuirean
Notes: A bowl made of muran, or some such material. Probably used for flour. Not in Dw. (Cf. cuirean, ‘little turn’, etc.)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuirm
a feast. MacCodrum has ‘cuilm’. Dioscorides says that the ancestors of the Britons drank a strong liquor made of barley which they call ‘curmi’. So the word has come down to our time and whisky now so called is an ancient beverage.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuis
Quotation: cuis-bhùirt (q.v.). Notes: laughing stock.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuis-bhùirt
Quotation: ’S fheàirrde cuideachd cuis-bhùirt.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuis-bhùirt
[ku̟ʃvu̜:ʴsṯ] Quotation: Tha thu ’na do chuis-bhùirt. Notes: laughing stock (because of state one is in, e.g. drunk, or because of failing to do something right). [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuise
Quotation: cuiseanan [kʊʃənən]. Notes: arteries.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuiseag
wild mustard. The stem of this plant, when at the stage, the withered stage, was used as a final top pinnacle, point, in the corn-stacks.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
cuiseag
Pl. cuiseagan. Potato shaws
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cuiseag
Quotation: cuiseag a bhuntàta. Notes: potato shaw.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuiseag
Quotation: cuiseag bhuntàta. Notes: potato stalk, shaw.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuiseag
Quotation: a’ togail cuiseag bhuntàt.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuiseag
Quotation: cuiseag buntàta. Notes: shaw.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuiseag
Quotation: “cuiseag luachair”. Notes: single stalk of a plant.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuiseag
Notes: potato stalk.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuit
to fannow, separate seed.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuith (f)
a pit (as potatoes).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cul
Quotation: Thug mi cul an doruis dha. Notes: I put him out of the house.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cul-fraoin
Quotation: (1) De tha thu deanamh a’ sin air chul-fraoin? (2) a’ cumail duine air chul-fraoin. Notes: (1) keeping out of the company, taking a back seat, e.g. a shy person. (2) used of keeping a person out of or away from the centre of things. Often used of keeping a person away from the fire.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cula bhruidhne
talking point, i.e. regarding someone who had made a fool or embarrassment of himself. [NOTES: note added at the end of ‘cula’ – (idh).]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
culach
a person dressed unproportianately [sic] with that much of clothe [sic] as to make a person remark: Bu tu a chulach.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
culagan
little cutlets of meat.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
culaidh
Quotation: Nach ann air a tha a’ chulaidh. Notes: used of a very fat person.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
culaidh
[ku̜ɫi] Quotation: a’ chulaidh. Notes: a boat.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
culaidh
Quotation: Nach ann air a tha a’ chulaidh. Notes: fatness.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
culaidh
[ku̜ɫi] Notes: a boat.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
culaidh stàth
a supportive person, e.g. a son / mother relationship.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
culaidh-sheachant
[ku̜ɫihɛxən̪t̪] Note: a person not to be taken too seriously. Rather than go against what he says, one should let him be. (This is DJMK’s interpretation of it.)
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
culaidh-sheachnaidh
Quotation: ’Se culaidh-sheachnaidh a th’ann. Notes: He’s a person to be avoided.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
culaith eagal
nn ‘wretched [animal, etc]’: am madadh ruadh, ~ do bheathach; ~ do bhethadhach; thug e glomadh às a’ ch. stuth a bha seo
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
culaith-uamhais
nn ‘fearful [animal, etc]’:: tha nathair uisge againn anseo __ ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
culaith-uamhais
n. ‘terrible state’: bha dìreach angnothach a-nuas air do mhuin -- sneachd is uisge ’s ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
culan
fat, e.g. Tha culan math oirre.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
culla sgrath
ugly. [NOTES: note added above ‘culla’ – culaidh; ‘sgrath’ corrected to ‘sgràth'.]
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
cullach
Quotation: banais-chullaich. Notes: a collection of cats wailing at night. (Kilmuir)
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cullach
Notes: a male cat.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cullach
Notes: tom-cat.
Origin: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cullach duine
applied to a cumbersome, rather ignorant man.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cullaidh
[ku̜ɫi] Notes: a boat.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Blairmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cullaig
Quotation: Oidhche Chullaig. Notes: Hogmanay.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
culm
Quotation: Tha [ku̜ɫəm] oirr’ an diugh. Notes: gloomy, overcast.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
culm
[ku̜ɫu̜m] Quot.: Tha culm air an latha ’n diugh. Note: a haze.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cultair
[?] sgian a bhiodh a gearradh an sgrath.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cum
Quotation: Cum fodha! Notes: order to slow boat down by means of the oars. Dug deeper into the water and pressure in opposite direction.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cum
Quot.: “Cum fodha!” Note: tread water. (Put also under fo.)
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cumail cagnadh ris
keeping up an argument or more accurately holding your own in a debate.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cumail-ris
standing up to. [NOTES: slipped under ‘ri’ and ‘cum ris’ with ‘cumail ris’ as the quotation. Definition: To stand up to.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cumail-shuas
keeping up. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cum suas [sic]’ with ‘cumail shuas’ as the quotation. Definition: To keep up.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuman
an oblong wooden box used for washing dishes and scrubbing potatoes. Could also be used for feeding calves.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuman
Quotation: cuman bleoghain. Notes: a small wooden pail.
Origin: Culkein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cumhachd
[kuʔəxk] Quotation: “a leigeil a thuigsinn an cumhachd a bh’aca.” Notes: power.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cumlaig
[kũ̜məɫiɡʹ] Note: the prepared solution of water and detergent for washing tweed. ([ku̜ɫu̜miɡʹəɣ] in Barvas.) Also: “Cia mheud cumlaig a chuir sibh air?” “Chuir sinn aon/dà chumlaig air.”
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cungair
Quotation: cungairean. Notes: ‘implements’. Source: S. Uist, Benbecula. Date: 20c.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cunglach
Quotation: àite cunglach. Notes: narrow, cramped place.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cunnabhalach
working at a steady pace. “Obair chunnabhalachd [sic] fad an latha.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cunntair
[kũ̟n̪t̪ɑɾ] Quotation: an cunntair. Notes: reinforcing piece inside the shoe at the back.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cunntais
vb ‘count, enumerate’: fut.: cha motha nach ~ [kh ɔun̪diʃ] sinn iad; past: ch. [xɔ̃ūn̪diš a] chuile foinne    
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cunntais
Quotation: Bha cunntais dhaoine ann. Notes: a number.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cunntas
Quotation: Tha na Bliadhna Uir anns a’ Chunntas Ur.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cunntas sleamhnain
a rhyme was said whilst a sharp object, usually a knife, was pointed at the eye. Apparently this removed the stye.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cupaill
[kupẹlʹ] Quotation: bonn a’ cupaill laighe air a’ sinach. Notes: couples in a roof.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cupan
goblet (at least for Protestant communion).
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
cur
Quotation: Tha am mart a’ cur. Notes: “The cow is in labour.” In fact, “pushing” out the calf.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cur
Quotation: A bheil e doirbh a chur? Notes: of a bicycle: to pedal.
Location: Berneray
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cur
Quotation: Cur a steach – income. Chuir e steach an each. – he put in … Dol a mach ’s a steach – … out … in …
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cur a bhunata
planting potatoes.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cur a mach
throwing the peats.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cur a’ bhunata
sreath/streath bhunata.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cur is cathadh
nn ‘drifting snow’: an àm a' gheamhraidh 's an ~ 's an cathadh ann
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cur na feamainn anns a streath
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cur ri druim
Quotation: a’ cur ri druim, gan cur ri druim, a’ cur nam plaideachan ri druim. Notes: (Keose) seaming the two halves of a blanket.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cur-a-mach
throwing or spreading the peats on the bank for drying.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
curach
coracle, boat. [SLIP: Coracle.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
curachan
coracle but perhaps smaller [than curach q.v.]. I haven’t heard this two words ever used on Scalpay, not that I am aware of. To my own way of thinking (I think) they originated from the Columba version of his ‘transport’ to Iona? [SLIP: Coracle.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
curachan
small boats. [Cf. cnarrag (-an).]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
curachd
n. ‘cultivation’: a’ choille mhòr a leagail agus ~ a dhèanamh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
curaiste
stamina. Nach ann aice tha churaiste. [NOTES: the quotation on the slip has ‘…a’ churaiste’.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
curan-fiathaich
if you haven’t any word or meaning for this term, with which I am not certain, perhaps you will take it as ‘roots of Rhubarb and Docken’. There is Sealbhag, but I heard this term also used (old form?). I haven’t consulted documents, it was a word I once heard years back.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
curgagadh
two in an engagement to bond in romantic matters, towards marriage, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
curgaigeadh
coupling. ’S math a tha sibh a’ curgaigeadh – some or a couple referred to as looking well matched. At a wedding procession, the bride and bridegroom were followed to church by couples, of male and female partners.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
curra-mhidheag
[ku̜rəˈvĩɑɡ] Note: berry growing among the heather – black. Blackberry?
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
curra-thulchainn
[ku̜rəhu̜ɫuxĩnʹ] Note: the stick jutting up from the thatch at the end of a blackhouse (màs an tighe).
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
currac
Quotation: “Bha currac gheal air an tarruing.” Notes: the ground swell curling up at the top and threatening to break.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
currac-béin
worn by fishermen made from seal-skin etc. etc. [SLIP: A hat made of sealskin and worn by fishermen.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
curracag
Quotation: curracag eòrna. Notes: “hut” of barley.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
curracag
Quotation: Bhiodh na curracagan ud a’ falbh le oiliskin fo an gàirdeanan uabhasach sean. Notes: used of old men. Not in Dw. in this transferred sense.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
curracag
[ku̜rɑxkɑɡ] Quotation: curracag mhòine. Notes: usually six or seven peats on end leaning against each other to dry.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
currachd
Quotation: currachd-sgiubach [sɡʹu̟bɔx]. Notes: peaked cap, cheese-cutter. [NOTES: slipped under ‘currac’.]
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
currachd
[ku̟rɑxk] Quotation: Is iomadh ceann théid an currachd mu’n tig an ath Nollaig. Notes: Many will pass away before next Christmas. [NOTES: slipped under ‘currac’.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
currachd
Quotation: currachd a’ rìgh [ku̜rəxkəri:]. [NOTES: slipped under ‘currac’.]
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
currachd a righ
plated, patterned rounded part of sheep’s stomach used for maragan.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
currachd rath
the extra skin on the head of a new born child. A rare occurrence.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
currachda rìgh
the intestine which is characterised by its pleats. [NOTES: corrected to ‘currachd-an-rìgh’.]
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
curran-fiathaich
Notes: wild carrot. Same shape, colour, smell as a garden carrot.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cusg
(coosg) people in the village of Carishader call the artificial insemination man ‘Bodach na cusg’. I never heard the word until last summer.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cusp
a cut at root of toe.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuta
Quotation: cuta snàth. Notes: hank of yarn.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cutach
Notes: (1) a short and stubby person. (2) a wild, heathenish, irreligious person. “S e cutach eagallach a th’ann.”
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cutag
A knife used for ‘cutting’ potatoes.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cuthaigeadh
Quotation: snàth cuthaigidh. Notes: marl wool.
Origin: Harris [?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Cà robh grunnd [kɾe:] bhitheadh e glé mhath mun a faigheadh e bailc neo tart. Notes: where.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càbaraid
group of men gathered together making a lot of noise. [NOTES: ‘supplied by Torcuil MacRae, North Lochs, Lewis.’]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
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
càbhail
short of breath.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càbhail
Quotation: càbhail [ˈkɑ:vəl] air. Notes: having a chew at.
Location: Lewis, Bernera
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càbhraich
[kɑu̟ɾiç] Notes: the juice taken from oatmeal steeped in water till it turned sour. The juice was used for baking and making puddings as a substitute for milk.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càbraid
chattering. “Bha a’ chàbraid a’ dol a null ’s a nall.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càbrais
chattering.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càdhair
Quotation: [kɑ:əɾ] a’ chrùban. Notes: the flesh of the crab.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càidsear
duine a tha math air iarraidh.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
càil
Quotation: “Chan fhaigh mi càil (anything) bho lamhansan a ni mo chàil (appetite) a ghluasad.” Notes: desire. Cailear – desirable used of persons, appetising used of food.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càil (f)
Quotation: Bha càil a’ latha ann. (morning)
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càileadair
Quotation: càileadair math. Notes: a good weather-prophet.
Location: Spean Bridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càinealachadh
Quot.: “càinealachadh a’ latha”. “Anns a’ chàinealachadh.” Note: breaking of day.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càinealachadh an latha
daybreak.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càir
Quotation: “Tha càir-gheal air an oitir.” Notes: foam on the sea, caused by the spring tide going over the edge of the oitir (q.v.).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càirdeach
adj. ‘related’: bha e ~ do dh’ Angus L. MacDonald
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
càirdeach
Notes: friendly (not “related”).
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càirdeas
n. ‘relationship’: dh’innseadh e dhut cò bha càirdeil ’s dè an ~ a bha eadar-riuth’, gu robh iad càirdeil d’ a leithid seo do dhuine
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
càirdeil
adj. ‘related’: dh’innseadh e dhut cò bha ~ ’s dè an a bha eadar-riuth’, gu robh iad ~ d’ a leithid seo do dhuine
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
càirean
Notes: human palate.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càirich
Quotation: càireadh – mending. Gun càireadh e na brògan.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càise
Quotation: càise baile. Notes: home-made cheese.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càise
Quotation: [kɑ:ʃtʹɛ̃ṉɑɫ]. Notes: cheese made in hot weather. It was left for a while and became yellowish and tangy but not mouldy. Wouldn’t slice very well.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càise
Quotation: càise-baile. Notes: home-made cheese.
Origin: Camusluanie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càith
Quotation: a’ chàith [əxɑ:i]. Notes: the husks. See brochan càith.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càl
Quotation: càl deanntaig. Notes: nettle soup.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càl
Quotation: càl duilisg. Notes: dulse soup.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càl
Quotation: càl deanntaig. Notes: nettle soup.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càl
Quotation: càl duilisg. Notes: dulse soup.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càl
Quotation: Tha e cho math dhuit càl na brochan a dheanamh dheth. Notes: You might as well make anything you can out of it.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càmhraich
oatmeal and gruel steeped in water to be used to alleviate colds. To be found in ‘port a beul’ Ann a Bodaich na ho.
Origin: Uibhist a’ Deas [South Uist]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
càmhsachadh
debating.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cànail
(cànain) n. ‘language’: tha mi ’creidsinn gun atharraich a chuile ~ ri ùine
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
cànalas orra
a kind of curse (don’t know what it means).
Origin: Applecross [mother]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cànan
n. ‘language’: tha a’ chànan [xɑ:nən] air atharrachadh uimhir sin
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
càpraid
Quotation: Tha mi a’ dol a chumail air falbh bho’n chàpraid. Notes: hurly-burly. Often used of a noisy gathering of people by a person who would rather stay clear of it.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càra
Quotation: Bu chàra dhomh a dheanamh. Notes: It would be better for me to do it. (Sometimes heard as bu [xɑ:ʴsə].) [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càradh
Quotation: a’ càradh. Notes: building the outer shell of the peatstack.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càradh an fhoid
Tha cuid ann a tha cho ealanta air tilgeil is gun cuir iad gach fàd air a shliomas ri oir fir eile fada muigh air an sgaoilteach, mar bun a’ ghàrraidh. Tha cuid de phuill ann as an tig tri fòid is caoran, is gus nach bi a’ mhoine air muin a cheile air an sgaoilteach cha bhi an cargur ga thoirt cho leathann.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
càradh na mònach
throwing peats so that they lie in orderly rows starting well out. Sarcastic remark often made by those following person throwing the ‘barrfhad’ [q.v.] if he isn’t throwing them far enough: “Coma leat do chàch; dèan thusa gàradh de’n bharrfhad.”
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
càradh nan ceap
laying them inside the bank with heather side uppermost.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
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
càraich
Quotation: Chàraich e am biodag air. Notes: to aim at.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càraich
Quotation: Càraich air e. Notes: to throw over.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càraid
Quotation: a’ cur a laighe na càraid. Notes: bride and bridegroom undressed by close friends and put to bed. Drams passed round.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càran
Quotation: Tha sinach an càran [əŋɡ̊ɑɑrʹɑ̈ṉ]. Notes: the gum. [NOTES: slipped under ‘càirean’.]
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrd
Quotation: na càrdan [nə kɑɑ˖ʂdən]. Notes: carding combs.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrd
Quotation: card [sic] ìm. Notes: butter pat.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrdadh
carding the wool. ‘Eòlan’ [q.v.] – oil added to the wool at this stage.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
càrdadh
Quotation: a’ càrdadh [ə kɑɑ˖ʂdəɣ(ɡ)]. Notes: carding.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrdadh
Quotation: An ann a dol a dh’ionnsachadh càrdadh do’d sheanamhair? Notes: telling me something I know already.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrn
Quotation: càrn choire. Notes: a “hut” made up of perhaps 12-14 adagan secured by a rope.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrn
Quotation: càrn geamhraidh. Notes: a stack of corn made in the yard.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrn
Notes: In Lewis a cart that wouldn’t cope. The “cairt chopaigeadh” came later.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrn chlach
Quotation: le càrn [kɑ̟:rn̪] air a’ slaodadh as deidh each. Notes: horse sledge, 3'-4' broad, with an attachment in the front.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrn chlach
Quotation: càrn [kɑɑ˖ɾn] chlach. Notes: sledge for drawing stone after a horse, 3 to 4 wide.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrn nam mollachd
a small stone cairn built by Hogmanay boys at any house where no provisions or gift had been given to them.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrnadh
heaping. A’ càrnadh dha fhéin, airgead agus òr. – ‘safing [sic] [saving?] up’. Càrnain air an t-shlighe [sic] – cairns on the way. A brief note: at one time in Harris when a burial was to take place in the churchyard of Luskentyre, the burial party used to build cairns (‘càrnain’) while resting with the coffined remains, denoting ‘càrnain air an t-slighe’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrnag
Notes: a conger eel (Kylerhea). Source: Dr T.M. Murchison. Date: 1967.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrnaich
of cairns, loose stones, stones on ground cairn-fashion, an area associated with stones, as: Seonaidh na càrnaich (Harris).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrnan (E)
Seo e: [see illustration]. Cha chan sinn ‘càrn’ uair sam bith ris an fhear-sa. Càrnan. Is ann a tha ‘càrn’ againne air cnap de chlachan móra ’s mar sin ann an aodann cnuic no aig bonn leothaid, ’s mar sin. Is gann cnoc ’san àite againne gun càrnan ’n a mhullach. Na beanntan faisg air an rud [?].
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
càros
this was the point where the clay foamed or bubbled with heat.
Location: North Uist, Sollas, Malagleit [Malaglate]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrr
A bit of low lying pasture land beside arable and separate from the hill ground.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
càs
Quotation: “Ged nach e bàs a th’ann ’s e càs a th’ann.” Notes: perplexity, distress.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càsaidh
[kɑ:si] Quot.: air a’ chàsaidh. Note: slip made of flat stones on which boats were hauled up.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càth
Quotation: a’ càthadh. Notes: winnowing.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càth
battle tunes. [NOTES: corrected to ‘cath’.]
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
càthadh
Quotation: a’ càthadh. Notes: winnowing.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Cè dhomh e. Notes: ‘Hand, pass it to me.’ Applecross form: cì.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cèabhar
[cɛ:vəɾ] Quotation: Tha cèabhar math air. Notes: He is quite drunk. Cèabharan (dim.) – slightly drunk.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cèbhal
fire, big fire. Bha cèbhal mór tein’ aig air. A derivation probably from ‘géibheal’, gable end of a house. It’s still in current use.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cèibein
caban [sic] (boat). [SLIP: Cabin (boat).] [NOTES: There is a question mark on the slip.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cèibhear
Quotation: Bha ’n cèibhear air an duine an raoir. Notes: drunken state of a person.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cèibhearan
[cɛ:vəɾɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: Bha cèibhearan math air. Notes: He had a good glow in him.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cèiceach
[cɛ:cɑx] Quot.: falt cèiceach, cloimh chèiceach. Note: unruly hair. (I would have thought “matted” would be nearer the meaning – AJS.)
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cèinean
[cɛ̃:ṉɑṉ] Note: a game like “falach-fead” played at night.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
céil
[ce:lʹ] Quotation: A’ bheil thu gabhail [ce:lʹ]? Notes: [ce:lʹ] used in the same way as “fadachd”. Heard from a Lochaber priest.
Location: Vatersay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
céile
Quotation: Bhiodh e duilich dhuinn gach a chéile a leantainn. Notes: It would be difficult for us to follow each other.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
céir
Quotation: céir-tìlleag [ce:ɾtı:lʹɑɡ]. Notes: beeswax.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
céir
Note: wax-like matter in a lobster. (Spawn?)
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
céis
Quotation: Mas deach a’ ghrian na céis. Notes: before sunset.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
céise-bal
[ce:ʃəbɑɫ] Note: ball as used in the game of Cat and Bat (speileaban [q.v.]); sometimes made with rags, sometimes made with the shed hair of cattle in early summer. This was scraped off the beast and made gradually with spits, rolling hair on till it was of the required size. Céise-bal-ghaoisd [ce:ʃəbɑɫɣw:ʃdʹ].
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cìb
[cı:b] Quotation: mòine chìb. Notes: top stringy layer of peat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cìb
Quotation: mòine chìb. Notes: light, stringy peat. Also “mòine chìbeach”.
Origin: Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cìbeach
Quotation: mòine chìbeach. Notes: light, stringy peat.
Origin: Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cìbhrinn
Quotation: cìbhrinn drògaid. Notes: drugget covering (on a bed).
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cìleach
Quotation: caora chìleach. Notes: speckled. (Dw. doesn’t have accent on it.)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cìob (f)
[kind of seaweed.] Reddish in colour and most often found in October. Grows on actual rock. Takes a long time in rotting due to cold weather (winter-time). Good for potatoes.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cìobair
Quotation: Tha ’n cìobair as na blocaichean. Notes: heard on board a boat when the wind whistled in the rigging.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cìoban
[cı:bɑṉ] Note: goile a’ ghuga agus bloinig a’ ghuga na broinn. Bhiodh iad nan crochadh anns an tigh agus nan toirt dha na caoraich as a’ gheamhradh airson mathachadh.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cìochag
used for a plug, e.g. in a basin, bath.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cìr
Quotation: an cìr [ənɡʹiiɾʹ]. Notes: the cud.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cìr
Chanadh na bodaich mu eathar gu robh i na bu bhonnacharaiche na an tè eile, gu robh barrachd ‘cìr’ oirre. Eathar gun chìr oirre: [see illustration]. Eathar le cìr: [see illustration].
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cìreadh
Quotation: a’ cìreadh [ə kirʹəɣ(ɡ)]. Notes: teasing the wool.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cìrean
Notes: ridging on a thatched roof.
Location: Ross-shire, Plockton, Diurinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
círeadh na cloimh
teasing of wool. The wool was pulled apart by hand and all foreign undesirable matter, all foreign bodies (heather, rushes, etc.) picked out.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol, Bragar and Uigen
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
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
còb
a floodgate which usually consisted of a large rock.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còbal
coble, small boat.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còbran
a small yellow limpet which could be used for bait. Shells could be used for decorative purposes.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còcrach
Notes: string used for making or repairing shoes. Becomes streangan when treated with ròsaid.
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còcrach
Quotation: snàth còcrach. Notes: for net-mending.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còig
ord. num. ‘five;’:dh’fhaodte còi’ cheathrannan; ~ bli’n deug
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
còig reach?
a beast that is five seasons old. Pronounced without long à in S. Uist. [NOTES: note added above ‘reach’ – ‘ràitheach’. Mr O’Henley’s note about the pronunciation seems to be a later addition, possibly in response to the suggested spelling of ‘ràitheach’.]
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còindeach
moss. (Scalpay pronunciation)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còir
Quotation: Còir gu robh Màiri aig a’ chèilidh. Notes: ‘So Mary was at the cèilidh.’
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còir
Quotation: duine còir. Notes: quiet, gentle man.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còir
Notes: traditional statement of Gaelic Preacher – “M’as sguir Dia nan Gràs, bi cùpan do chor cho làn ri cùpan do chòire.” Còir – also used in the sense of kindness – duine còir.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còir
Quotation: Tha e gabhail tuilleadh sa chòir de dhànadas … – More than can be justified …
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còir
Mu ainmhidh a bhios solt agus coibhneil mar gu’n canadh sibh mu chat: “Tha e cho còir.” Tha e cho solt, ’s cho déidheil air a bhith ’ga shlìobadh ’s mar sin. Cha tionndaidh e oirbh, ach fada, fada an aghaidh sin. Tha e cho còir.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còir-bàirnich
‘limpet’s right’, no right whatsoever. Cha’n ’eil còir bàirich [sic] aig oirre. (Scalpay)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còmans
wooden uprights inside a fishing boat, in the hold.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còmans
the upper part of the fish hold of a fishing boat or the hold of a fishing boat. (Scalpay)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còmhdach
powder. Tiugh leis a’ chòmhdaich de dhath bh’air a aodann – from one individually [sic] reference to a lady’s powdered face, likely of his own rendering description.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còmhla
Quotation: còmhl’ a bhigein. Notes: trap for catching birds.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còmhla
Quotation: “Mur a bi thu modhail gheibh thu taobh na locrach de’n chòmhla!” – Said to a child. Planed side out. Notes: Other name for a door.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còmhla ri/le
prep. ‘along with’: dh’òrdaich e e fhèin a bhith ~ rithe __ an àite -- an gille ‘ bhith ~ leatha [FMM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
còmhla-bhigein
Notes: board for trapping birds – held on stick, stick pulled by string when birds had gone underneath board for seed.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còmhnaidh
Quotation: Tha e dol a dheanamh còmhnaidh shneachd. Notes: a heavy fall of snow which will lie.
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còmhnaidh
Quotation: Còmhnaidh mhór shneachda. Notes: a fall of snow that lies.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còmhnaidh
Quotation: Tha e a dol a dheanamh comhnaidh. Notes: a heavy fall of snow which is going to lie.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còmhnard
adj . ‘flat’: [k h ɔ͂:nəɽʂ]; tha an ~ a’ fàs leathann [FMM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
còmhraiteach
talkative.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
còp
Quotation: Bha iad a’ cur tuilleadh uisge blàth agus siabunn air gus an còpadh an clò.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còp
Quotation: a’ còpadh. Notes: coping, tipping (a cart).
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còpadh
Quotation: a’ còpadh a’ chairt. Notes: coping.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còpran
grew on large tangles. Yellow, brown in colour and used as decorative beads.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còracha-catha
battle-array.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còrachadh
formation.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còrachd (f)
(1) stipulation, obligation; tha mi ga chur còrachd ort (N.W.). ? From “còir” – ni as còir a bhith deanta, is nach gabh a sheachnadh. ? From “connar, connradh” above with “nn” dropping out before “r” as happens in N.W. only. (2) disguising accent, etc.; chuir e còrachd air a theanga (Argyll). ? còirich, còraich, còrachadh – arrange, organise. Also càraich, càradh – arrange, hence sort (as letters), hence repair (as boats, fences, etc.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còraichean
battalions.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còrd (E), na cùird
[NOTES: slipped under ‘cùird (pl) cord (s)’ with ‘na cùird’ as the quotation. Definition: Part of coffin.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
còrlaigeadh
[kɔ:ʴlıɡʹəɣ] Quot.: Thoir còrlaigeadh as. Note: a piece cut out of material when making an article of clothing in order to shape it. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còrn
Quotation: còrn de chlò. Notes: (Keose) roll, bale. In Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còrr
Quotation: “Na bha chòrr air an dìthead.” – What was left over from dinner. “Cha ghabhadh e’n còrr.” – He would not accept any more. “Cha robh ’n còrr aig’ air.” – He had no more sense. “Agus c’ait an robh ’n còrr?” – Where were the others? “Bi biadh air a bhòrd as còrr mu choinneamh gach tràth.” – plenty.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còrrfhad
the peat nearest face and exposed to the weather.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
còsach
Quotation: móine chòsach.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còsach
Quotation: buntàta còsach. Notes: a shrivelled, dried potato which has had more than its share of sun and air.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còsach
light, brittle kind of peat. “Moine chòsach.”
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còsag
[kɔ:sɑɡ] Note: slater.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còsalach
An siol anns a’ chosalaich [sic] – the seed in the material which could be attributed to the flower, dandelion as one version.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còsan
a rat’s nest.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còt
Quotation: còt uisge. Notes: oilskin coat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còta
Quotation: còta drògaid. Notes: drugget coat.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còta
Quotation: Bha làn a chòta mhóir orm. Notes: drunk.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còta
Quotation: Ma fhreagras an còta, cosd e.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còta
Quotation: còta drògaid. Notes: a striped underskirt.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còta
Quotation: còt’ iochdair. Notes: underskirt.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còta
Note: còta bàn – petticoat. Còta gorm – outer skirt, not necessarily coloured blue.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còta drògaid
skirts that reached down to the ankles. Made of serge material – ‘drògaid’.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còta meadhoin
in a layered or a pleated dress this was applied to the layer which extended from the lower thigh to the heels.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còta-cutaidh
an oilskin coat used by women gutters, at the herring gutting.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còta-drògaid
coat made of drugget cloth material.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còta-linnsrig
[kɔt̪əlʹĩ:ʃəɾiɡʹ] Note: coat for women and girls. Material: “ond” with linseed oil put on it.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còta-ruadh
great coat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còta-ruadh
army great coat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còta-tòin-giomaich
Notes: ‘swallow-tail coat.’ Heard in N. Uist.
Location: Edinburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còthail
hardly existing, ‘pattern’ of frailty. Cha’n ’eil càil ann ach an còthail – being so frail as hardly existing. [NOTES: slipped under ‘còthail (comhdhail?)’. Quotation: Chan eil càil ann ach an còthail. Definition: Used of a very frail person.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Có chuireadh dris no droigheann romhad. Notes: Rev. Morrison, of Baile na Cille, at a communion service in Garrabost.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cóineal
[ko:nʹɑɫ] Quotation: a’ cóineal. Notes: weeping, lamenting in a low voice.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: an cù agus an gala. Notes: fox and vixen.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: cù sheilgeadh. Notes: hunting dog.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: an cù. Notes: dogfish sometimes referred to as “an cù”.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: cù eunaich. Notes: retriever.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: cù strùmach. Notes: a dog with a short, cut-off tail.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Bha a’ lion làn choin. Notes: sometimes applied to “dogfish”. “Biorach” also used.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: cù caoich. Notes: a dog suffering from rabies.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Chan e là marbhadh na féidh là biadhadh nan coin.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: cù cruinnichidh. Notes: a “weirer”. A dog which gathers sheep towards the man. Cf. “cù fuadaich”.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: cù fuadaich. Notes: a “hunter”. Cf. cù cruinnichidh (sic).
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cù a’ roulladh chaorach
a dog gathering sheep but without its master. Therefore means to worry sheep. [NOTES: note added above ‘roulladh’ – robhladh.]
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cù leth choilair
when half the dog’s collar is white. Supposed to be an indication of a good working dog.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùbaid
Quotation: a’ chùbaid bheag. Notes: the precentor’s place.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùbaid
Quotation: a’ chùbaid mhór. Notes: the main pulpit as distinct from where the precentor stands.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùbair
Notes: cooper – in charge of the casks at the distillery.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùil
(a’ bhuntàta) Big box-like wooden structure usually in barn – for storing potatoes.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cùil a bhunata
where potatoes are stored.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cùil bhuntata
Big box-like wooden structure usually in barn – for strong potatoes. [NOTES: spelled ‘cùil a’ bhuntàta’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cùil mhònach
a peat-closet.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
cùil nan òisgean
separate part for housing this year’s lambs in winter.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cùilearachd
Quotation: Dé a’ cùilearachd a th’ort an sin? Notes: snooping around.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùilearachd
[ku̟:ləðɑxk] Quotation: a’ cùilearachd. Notes: observing in a sneaking way; snooping.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùirt
nn f. ‘court': a’ ch. mhòr [xu:ɽʂtʹ v « o:r]; gen.: latha na cùrtach [k h u:rt həx]: court day
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cùirt
Quotation: B’e sin a chùirt! – Some honour! (usually in sarcasm) Thubhairt esan… etc. Reply: Mà be sin a chùirt. – Who cares! A seasamh cùirt – before a court.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùis
nn f. ‘matter’: ’s e deireadh na ~, b’fheudar dhaibh a dhol a-nunn
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
cùis-bhùird
(also) matter of contempt.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùis-chac
disgust. A female living extravagantly or elaborately is termed as: Nach i a’ chùis chac.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùis-dhiachainn
matter of sorrow as: Nach b’e chùis-dhiachainn e.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùis-sgramh
a disgusting matter.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùis-sgrath
object of disgust.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùl
Quotation: cùl nan adharcan [kuuɫ nən öörkʹən]. Notes: back of skull [?].
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùl
Quotation: iasgair chùl-chreig. Notes: amateur fisherman.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùl
Quotation: cùl an tallainn. Notes: the “lobby” in the thatched house.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùl
Quot.: “air cùl a mheadhoin-latha”. Note: after midday. (Put also under meadhon-latha.)
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùl
Quotation: cùl na fiacais. Notes: when someone asks “Dé tha sin?”, “Cùl na fiacais.” is the equivalent of “Never you mind!” Cf. cùl a’ bhìogais.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùl
Quotation: an cùl. Notes: strip at the back of a shoe.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùl
Quotation: cùl a’ mhagaidh. Notes: laughing stock. (or culaidh?) [NOTES: slipped under ‘culaidh-mhagaidh’.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùl
Quotation: cùl a’ mhuineal. Notes: the back of the neck.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùl
Quotation: Cùl an doruis – the outside. Air béul-thaobh an doruis – on the outside of the door. Air taobh muigh an doruis – on the outside … Aig an dorus – at the outside.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùl
Quot.: “cùl na speal”. Note: the thick iron part at the back of the scythe blade.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùl bhacain
back stays on a boat.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùl caise ri grodaig
this would be said of someone who had returned after failing to achieve what he had set out to do. “Thill e dhachaidh ’s cùl caise ri grodaig.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùl na curraige
Quotation: “Thoireadh iad dhaibh e gu cùl na curraige!”
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùl-acdhainn
[sic] ceangailt mun an stiall. Tied around the headpost, to which again was tied smeathag, which was tied around the cow’s neck by cnac (toggle) and drula (loop).
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
cùl-acfhuinn
[ku̜:ɫɑkĩnʹ] Note: the part of the cow’s tether attaching the “smeadhag” [q.v.] to the “stiall” [q.v.] when tied inside.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùl-cinn
a boundary by a croft with an unauthorative [sic] claimant or possessor.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùl-cinn
out-run; cathair a’ chùl-chinn – watch-knoll of out-run.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùl-mònadh
a corner where the peat was kept after being carried home for burning.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùl-nan-cóig
Quotation: Gheibh thu c. Notes: i.e. fist.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùl-taic
The beam which supports the pillar or post on which gate is hung.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cùlag
[ku̜:ɫɑɡ] Notes: turf divot, the bottom part of which was usually peat, dried and used as fuel at the back of the fire.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùlag
Notes: surface sod, of which the bottom part is peat, cut for fuel.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùlag
[ku̜:ɑɡ] Notes: turf divot cut when skinning peat. Put at the back of the fire when dry. [ɫ] not sounded. Probably [u̜] takes its place.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùlag
Notes: divot usually placed at the back of the fire when dry.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùlag
Notes: first peat cut (weatherbeaten on one side). Used for the rounded corners of the stack.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùlaidh
Potato-cellar. [NOTES: spelled ‘cùlaid’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
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
cùlaist
[fem.] a bedroom latterly. Earlier it was a closet or windowless room – requiring to be lit.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
cùlaist
The earliest of the Skye “black” houses had a ‘cùlaist’, or ‘cùl-taighe’, as it was sometimes called. This room was situated beyond ‘bràighe-an-taighe’ [q.v.], next to the gable, and was so narrow that it could only have been used as a store room. I have seen several of these ruins which were so ancient that they were overgrown with turf, yet the dimensions of the ‘cùlaist’ and other rooms were perfectly clear. In my boyhood days only the older people, the 80-90 group were familiar with ‘cùl-taighe’, or ‘cùlaist’.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
cùlan
black wool round a sheep’s neck (nothing to do with disease, just as a matter of interest).
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
cùlan
[ku̜:ɫɑṉ] Quot.: “caora le cùlan oirre”. Note: black patch or collar on sheep on the back of the neck.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùlthaobh
Quotation: Ma chunnaic thu rud riamh ’s a’ chùlthaobh riut. Notes: (or cùlaibh) You should have known what to expect.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùlum
dust at bottom of bucket, i.e. of peats.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùm cainneal ri
Quotation: Cha chumadh an Sàtan a chainneal ris an fhear as òige de chloinn Neilly.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùmhlach
smaller feathers on chickens before developing bigger feathers.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùmhraidh
in the sense of something new or fresh – ‘sgadan cùmhraidh’. ‘Sgadan ùr’ more common and more accurate I would think.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùnadh
sparing. Tha i cho math air cùnadh. (Scalpay) [SLIP: Sparing (sic.).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùpa tì na’d laimh
having tea without sitting at a table, e.g. “An gabh thu tì na’d laimh.”
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùsanach
tranquil, quiet; also stationary.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùta snath
a hank. [NOTES: ‘cùta’ corrected to ‘cuta’.]
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dachaidh
Quotation: Bha a’ bhràthair dhachaidh a India. Notes: His brother was home from India.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dafach
Quotation: an dafach. Notes: mash tin (distillery). [NOTES: slipped under ‘dabhach’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dafans
[ḏɑfəṉs] Note: small lengths of line attaching herring net to the “bàc” [q.v.].
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dail
(f) Field. A large allotment of potatoes 5-10 acres.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
daimh na cliatha
the wooden frame of a harrow.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
daimheil
[d̪ɛ̃:vɑl] Quotation: Bha iad daimheil. Notes: They were related closely, e.g. uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, first cousins.
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
daingead
Quotation: Daingead ort.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
daingealaich
Quotation: Tha daingealaich na mo làmhan. Notes: numbness, due to cold.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dais
Notes: collection of peats on the bank. A few “rùmhain” put together.
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dais
Potato turf-house.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
dais
Quotation: dais fheòir. Notes: loaf-shaped hay-stack.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dais
Quotation: dais fheòir. Notes: loaf-shaped hay-stack.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dais
Quotation: dais fheòir. Notes: loaf-shaped haystack.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dais
Quotation: a’ daiseadh a’ mhoine. Notes: some time after the first lifting the peat would be shifted and put in long narrow strips to allow the wind to get at it.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dais
Quotation: dais móine. Notes: fairly large collection of peats lifted into the one structure to dry. Verb – a’ daiseadh.
Origin: Kinlochourn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dais
Quotation: dais bhuntàt. Notes: potato pit.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dais fheoir, dais staimh
a large oblong accumulation of hay or dry tangles. Like a peat stack but much higher.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
daladh-nan-dallaidhean
blindness of blindnesses, the extreme form of stupidity. Harris expression. Nach ann air a thàinig an dalladh, more than that, dalladh nan dallaidhean!
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dalag mhùlach
[dɑ̟ɫɑ̟ɡ̊ vu:ɫəx] Notes: greater dogfish.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dall bhrat
a blackout.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dall uineag
Notes: window with a bundle of heather or straw in place of wood and glass. [NOTES: slipped under ‘dall uinneag’.]
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dall-an-àth
Quotation: “A’ falbh ’nad dhall-an-àth.” Notes: “Blind man’s bluff” is the meaning of the phrase. But in the above idiom, the meaning is “going about as one in a dose/blinded”.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
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
dalladh
blinding. Treated with ground glass which was put in sheep’s eye. Broke up the film or cataract on the eye.
Location: Barra, Ard Mhinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dalladh
blinding – cataract. Cure: – salt-peter – glaoine air a phronnadh – tobacco spat.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
dallag-fhraoich
some form of creature associated with the heather; it could be luch fheòir species of animal. I am afraid I cannot say exactly in this instance, it could be a bat, it could be a creature newly born in the heather – my nearest definition to it. You may have the word already?
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dallaps
considerable draughts as of drink, beer or such like extra. Ghabh e dallaps mhath dhe. [SLIP: ‘Considerable quantity of drink, beer etc.’]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dalma
adj. ‘stubborn’: daoine gu math dalma [taʁ̫əmə] ’th’ ionnta
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
damacraich
hesitating (Ross-s.); tomhartaich (W. Breadalbane); teabardaich (Uist). The first two seem to be the same word, e.g. E. Ross damacraich; Strathglass damarcaich; Strathspey domarcaich; Brae Mar and Atholl domartaich; E. Brd Alb. tomartaich or tomhartaich; W. Brd Alb. tomhartaich; usually ag damacraich, ’san tomhartaich, ’san teabardaich.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
damaite
adj. ‘damnably’: ~ mosach; ~ math; bha latha ~reòdhte ann
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
damh
Quotation: daimh [d̪ɛ̃f] – plural. Notes: main beam in harrows.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
damh
ox. tarbh air a spòth (castrated [bull]). [NOTES: the last written next to ‘ox’ so it looks like it is part of the definition.]
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
damh
castrated bull.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
damh
[d̪ɑ̃f] Quotation: pl. daimh [d̪ɛf]. Notes: (pl.) the four strong main beams in harrows.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
damh
castrated stirk.
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
damh
Notes: castrated male once it is a year old.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
damh
castrated bull or bullock.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
damh
castrated [bull].
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
damh (m), daimh (pl)
castrated beast (over 2 years).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
damnadh
vbl. nn ‘execrate’: agus rachadh sinn gan damn[adh]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
danma
(damnadh) [tanàmə] n. ‘oath; swear-word;: ’s iomadh ~mòr, brèagha ’ rinn mise anns a’Ghàidhlig
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
dannarran (E)
Duine a dheadh an airde [?] gu buaireadh ’s droch nàdur ’s mar sin gu math aithghearr. ’S a bhiodh mar sin an còmhnuidh. [SLIP: A man with an annoyingly bad temper.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
dannsa
Quotation: Chì mi, chì mi fada bhuam / Fichead mile thar a’ chuain / Fear gun fhuil, gun fheòil, gun anail, / Dannsadh air an talamh chruaidh. Notes: Clachan-meallain. Source: M. MacPherson, Breakish, Skye. Date: 07/1974.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dannsa na suirsde
manipulating the actual flail.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
dannsa-a’-mhuileir
millers [sic] dance. I have heard the question asked ‘An dean thu dannsa mhuileir?’ whatever this referred to. I have heard the question asked in days past. Whatever was meant by this dance? (Harris)
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dannsair
nn ‘dancer’: pl. tha pàirt dhiubh nan ~ean matha [MAE]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
dannsair
Quotation: Na dannsairean. Notes: the “Merry Dancers”.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dannsair dubhan uisge
water spider.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
daobhaidh
[d̪ɤ:vi] Quotation: duine daobhaidh. Notes: perverse.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
daodadh
[d̪w:d̪əɣ] Quotation: a’ daodadh. Notes: slandering, as local bards might do in their songs.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
daolag-chòsach
Note: slater.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
daolag-chòsach
Note: slater.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
daolan-carghuis
larger than the usual beetle and had wings, which were speckled. Only seen at the later [?] season. If killed its insides had an obnoxious smell. [NOTES: ‘carghuis’ corrected to ‘carghais’.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
daorach
drunkenness. Try to make the drunken person vomit by giving him cold tea. If mortal drunk, by pouring cold water on his face, getting the drunken person to put his fingers into his gullet, the two fingers, the pointer and adjacent finger, to make him vomit and get the contents, the liquid, the whisky off his stomach. Salt water, water mixed with salt, was also recommended (this was a past cure of earlier, former days).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
daorach
Quotation: Tha ’n daorach air. Tha e làn daoraich. Notes: He is drunk.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
daorach
Quotation: Bha ’n daorach dhearg air.
Origin: Glenurquhart
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
daord
Quotation: Cha tàinig daord ás.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dara fad
second peat.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach, Stafainn [Skye, Staffin]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
darach-glas
green oak. I have heard of a chair being made on Harris with a seat of ‘green oak’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
darag
[d̪ɑɾɑɡ] Quotation: darag de chraoibh. Notes: a short tree which is full of branches from the ground up – not a good tree.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dararach
Quotation: Thug mi dha dararach de ’n òrd. Chual’ e dararach. Notes: a heavy blow, which makes a loud noise. Often used of gunfire – a “blast” from a gun.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
darbh
[d̪ɑɾɑv] Quotation: or darbh-laimh. Notes: hand-line for fishing.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
darbhadh
[d̪ɑɾɑvəɣ] Quotation: a’ darbhadh. Notes: fishing with a hand-line.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dath
Quotation: Chan fhaca mi a dhubh no a dhath. Notes: I saw neither hide nor hair of him.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dath
Quotation: Chuireadh e na dubhan air na dathan. Notes: He would keep rigidly to a statement which was known to be false.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dath
Quotation: Tha dath maith air a ceann. Notes: said of a beast’s head at shows, etc.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dath a’ bhàis air
colour of death.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
dath sealastair
Chanainn gur h-e dath uaine a bhiodh an seo. “Briogais dath sealastair, dath rinn mo mhàthair, ’S cha robh na bheireadh bàrr oirr’ an Leòdhas.” Chan eil fhios agam ann an as an t-seileastar a tha iad a’ toirt an t-sealastair.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
dath, a’ dath
Dyeing.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
dath-an-aoig
death pale.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dath-aodainn
rouge.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dathadaireachd
the process of dyeing.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
dathadh
dyeing.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber)
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
dathag (f), dathagan (pl)
intestinal worms.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
de
Quotation: a’ deanamh dheth. Notes: making a fuss over something, e.g. patting a dog.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
de
Quotation: Bha e a’ cur dheth. Notes: He was ranting.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deach
comparative of deagh.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deachadaireachd
tithe gatherer.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deadhad
[ˈdʹɛəd̪] Quot.: “Cha d’fhuair iad de dh’iasg na dheanadh [ˈdʹɛəd̪].” Note: the amount that would make one meal. (Different from “diathad” – accent on the [ɛ].)
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deadhann
a rope tying the forelegs of horses so that they would not stray. (Pronounced: de-ay-ann, ‘de’ as in ‘deoch’.)
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
deagh
Quotation: Cha mhisde deagh naidheachd a’ chluinntinn a rithisd.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dealachadh
Quotation: aig dealachadh an dà rathaid. Notes: fork.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dealag
Quotation: ’S math an dealag a chlach gu ruigear i. Notes: anvil. Used also metaphorically of a person, who is helpful only within limits.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dealagan
at one time when houses were being thatched the first layer was a layer of turfs. These turfs were knitted together with small bits of wood called ‘dealagan’.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Trianaid House
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dealaman-dé
[dʹəɫəman dʹɛ̜:] butterfly. [NOTES: slipped under ‘dealman-dé’. No pronunciation.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
dealan
Notes: wooden pin put through loop when securing cattle in stall.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Laide, Portnacon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dealan
Quotation: a’ cuir dealan air an dorus. Notes: bar put across the outside door of a house and tied to the handle of the door with a piece of rope. Often done by boys as a prank.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dealan (m)
door-catch, sneck.
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
dealanach
nn f. ‘lightning’: an ~, teine-adhair, their iad; bha i air e ‘ èillteachadh bhon~ ; teine-adhair: an~,~, their iad; shoillsicheadh an ~ air an druim aige; ò, tha ‘n ~ a’ ruith nan cat
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
dealbh
Quotation: duine gun dealbh. Notes: unskilful, useless man.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dealbh-nan-leisg
a maiden nursing a child in her lap, leaning to one side, depicting a symbol of laziness (local interpretation) on St Clement’s Church Tower, sculptured, in Rodel in Harris.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dealg
Notes: 6" long pointed wooden pin, put into “sgrathan” under the thatch to anchor them.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dealgan (I) agus (E)
Spindle. Mu dhealgan chanadh sinn: “’Se dealgan math tha seo.” “Chan eil i cho math ris an t’éile a bh’agam.”
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
dealgan muilean
a pin associated with a mill. Informant not sure as to its precise function or shape.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dealtag-anmoch
Notes: bat.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dealtag-oidhche
Notes: bat.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deamhnaidh
Quotation: Bha e a’ coimhead deamhnaidh. Notes: e.g. someone dressed in outlandish clothes. (Probably this is near the meaning Dwelly gives – devilish.)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deamhnaidh
[dʹ[ɛ̃ũ̟]ṉi] Quotation: ’Se deamhnaidh beag a th’ann dhiubh. Notes: precious few.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deamhnaidh
[dʹ[ɛ̃ũ̟]ṉi] Quotation: Nach tu tha deamhnaidh. Notes: stubborn.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dean
Quotation: a’ deanamh ri gorm. Rinn mi ri gorm cho luath ’s a b’urrainn mi. Notes: seeking a safe place.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dean
Quotation: Bha e a’ deanadh dheth. Notes: He was coming on, getting over it.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dean
Quotation: “Dean fodha!” Notes: order given when approaching the shore in a boat, to slow down the boat with oars.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dean
Quotation: Dean gu réith. Notes: Take it easy. [NOTES: slipped under ‘dean gu réidh’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dean
Quotation: a’ deanamh dheth. Notes: making a fuss over something, e.g. patting a dog.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dean annlann dhe
to make something last, e.g. supplementing your main course by eating side salads thereby making your main course last longer.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deanadach
Quotation: duine deanadach. Notes: prudent man, always making things for himself.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deanadach
[dʹĩɑ̃ṉɑd̪ɑx] Quotation: duine deanadach. Notes: a thrifty, careful man.
Origin: Tiree
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
deannan
Quotation: “Fhuair mi deannan.” “O chionn deannan bhliadhnaichean.” Notes: a good many. Common in Tiree and Coll.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deannan sgadan
a reasonable catch.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deanntag
Quotation: càl deanntaig. Notes: nettle soup – could be thickened with oatmeal and veg. added.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deanntag
nettle. Nettles were boiled and given to cattle in their feeding contribution. The boiling process meant for one reason the abstraction of the sting, and for another reason moistening and softening the plant.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dearbhallach
Cha chuir mise Beurla air an te so. Tha i na’s motha na coilleag [q.v.] ach chan e an aon cumadh a tha oirre. ’S ann aig Ràinis a bhithinn ga faighinn, is bha muinntir Ràinis uamhasach déidheil orra. ’S e bodach as Ràinis a thug dhomh, ‘Dearbhallach amh le aran corc, Cumaidh giulan latha dol’.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
dearc
Quotation: Cha do dhearc sin a riamh orm. Notes: That never occurred to me.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dearc
berry. Dearcagan a chraoibh chaoruinn – were eaten for a contagion.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dearc
[dʹʒɛɾk] Quotation: Bha i a’ dearcail a mach a gath. Notes: shoot out. (local – Portnahaven and P. Wemyss)
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dearc
Quotation: an dearc luachrach. Notes: lizard.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dearg
Quotation: Aig peileir dearg a bheatha.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dearg
Quotation: am bàrr dearg. Notes: seaweed attached to the “doire”.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dearg
Quotation: sgadan dearg. Notes: kipper.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dearg
Quotation: dearg loromachd. Notes: stark naked. Dearg often used this way, e.g. Bha mi air mo dhearg nàireachadh.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dearg
Quotation: Bha ’n daorach dhearg air.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dearg
Quot.: “Ghabh i dearg eagal a beatha.” Note: “Dearg” used often to stress.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dearg
Quotation: am fiabhras dearg. Notes: scarlet fever.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dearg
Quotation: an uisge dearg. Notes: redwater in cattle. Caused by the “cartain” which carried it.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dearg
Quotation: Dearg mhearlach – a real, notorious thief. Seacait dhearg is féileadh – red-coat and kilt. “Se dearg chunnart a bhiodh a’sin.” – supreme danger. Cha do rinn e deargadh air. – it made no impression on him. Notes: Dearg – used as a superlative, e.g. Chuir e dearg eagal a bheath’ air.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dearg
[dʹɛɾɑɡ] Quot.: “Cha dearg càil air an duine sin.” Note: Nothing will make an impression on that man.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dearg stoirm
an unusual storm force. [NOTES: slipped under ‘dearg’ with ‘dearg-stoirm’ as the quotation. Definition: Storm of unusual force.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deargadh
press? Cha deargadh fhiacail air dad. (I find words indicating meaning likewise. Don’t you?)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deargan trathad
[dʹɛərɡən trɑ˖ʔəd] Notes: sand fleas.
Location: Ross of Mull
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
deargan-tràghadh
Notes: small black insect found under stones below high water mark.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deargann doininn
spot of red, indicating storm to follow.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deargannan tràghad
shore lice. [NOTES: slipped under ‘deargan tràghad’ with ‘deargannan tràghad’ as the quotation.]
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrìgh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
dearmad
Quotation: “Far an tig dàil, thig dearmad.” Notes: Where there’s delay, there’s forgetfulness.
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
deas
Quotation: Tha e deas a dh’fhalbh. Notes: He is ready to go.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deasachadh
Notes: In W. Lewis, the word deasachadh is as far as I know, confined to the preparation of baking, or food, e.g. ‘Bha i ’deasachadh’ – would mean only this one thing.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deasaich
Quotation: a’ deasachadh. Notes: ‘baking’.
Origin: Arisaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deasbaireachd
debating.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deasgainn
Notes: made from the “caolan mór” of the rabbit. The “caolan” was put into a bottle and salt and water added.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deata
chan eil.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
deatam
short period (one interpretation) of trouble, anxiety, irritability. Gnothaich deatamach.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deatamach
anxious or solicitous.
Location: North Uist, Lochmaddy, Crombagh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deathach
smoke inside a black house.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deathach
steam as in ‘bàta deathach’.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deathach
[dʹɛhɔx] Notes: smoke.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deathach
n. ‘smoke’: tha ~ ’ tighinn às; bha e làn~ [t´ehəx]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
deathach
used to mean smoke.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deathach
Notes: smoke.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deathach
smoke.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
deathach
[dʹɛhɑx] Quot.: “Cha do dh’fhàg sinn deathach gun ruith air.” Note: subst. for house.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deathad
[ˈd̪ɛəd̪] Quot.: “’S e a tha a’ toirt mo dheathad [ˈɣɛəd̪] dhomh nach do thill e.” Note: “What puzzles me is that he hasn’t returned.” Applied to something which stretches one’s understanding to the limit.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deathadach
Notes: Used in similar sense to cachdanach, i.e. peeving, disappointing. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deathann
Dean.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deatharra
ugly.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deathorra
dark skinned. (Morag MacKay, Scalpay)
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deich
Quotation: a’ deanamh “deichean”. Notes: making stooks of ten sheaves. 8 sheaves the usual number.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deich
Quotation: deich an t-aon. Notes: ten each.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deideag
neat, tidy woman.
Origin: Barra
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
deidh
Quotation: An deidh sin ’s na dheidh … Notes: Even so …
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deifir
Quotation: Chan eil móran [dʒu̟ˈər] air. Notes: N.B. pron.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deifir
[dʹʒefəɾ] Quotation: Nach ann ort a tha an deifir. Notes: What a hurry you are in.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deigheanach (f)
ice. (‘deitheanach’ – Tiree pronunciation.)
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
deil
spindle. [See the illustration under ‘cuibheal-shnìomh’.]
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
deil
[dʹʒel] Quotation: an deil. Notes: cart axle.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deil
[dʹel] Note: irritation, e.g. on the skin. “Nach ann ort a tha’n deil!” if someone was fidgety, restless.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deil
Note: the stick attached to the lower mill-stone and coming up through the centre hole of the top mill-stone.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deil
[dʹel] Note: itch or tingling sensation. Quot.: “Tha deil na mo chraicionn” or “Tha deil nam fheòil”.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deilbh
Quotation: bocsa deilbh. Notes: bobbin frame used in warping.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deile-bhogan
not sure of precise meaning, only that it was a plank of wood placed on the wall. [NOTES: ‘deile’ corrected to ‘dèile’.]
Origin: [Harris]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deiligneachan
Quotation: cadal-deiligneachan. Notes: pins and needles.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deimhis
[dʹɛ̜̃ˈwiʃ] [SLIP: shears, N.B. pron.] [NOTES: there is another slip with ‘deimhis’ as the catch-word, Mrs MacDermid as the source and ‘shears’ as the definition but it gives different pronunciation - [dʒɑ̃ũˈis].]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
deimhseag
[dɛ̃ʃɑk] crabs with flat, broad claws.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deireadh
Quotation: “De seòrsa eathar a th’ann?” “Tha, te [?] deireadh màsach.” Notes: a square-sterned boat.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deireadh
Quotation: eathar deireadh-masach. Notes: square-sterned boat.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deireadh
[dʹerəɣ] Quotation: deireadh na cartach. Notes: tail board or sticker of a cart.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deireadh
Quotation: deireadh an t-sìl. Notes: very poor seed which rose to the top when using the criathar. Lifted off with the hands.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deireadh
Quotation: an deireadh. Notes: the board at the back of the cart.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deireadh
Quotation: an deireadh leathann [lʹɛʔən̪]. Notes: transom in a boat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deireadh
Quot.: Deireadh long a bathadh, deireadh àth a losgadh.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deireadh bhuainn
refers to the custom of having a few drinks at the local inn after the harvest work had been done.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deireadh chrodh
meant that the harvest had been gathered and the potatoes lifted. [NOTES: ‘chrodh’ corrected to ‘chrò’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deireadh leathainn
the square end at the stern of a boat.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Ceannaraigh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deireadh-bhuana
n. ‘harvest thanksgiving service’: rud ris an canadh iad ~; bhiodh an ~ air a cumail mar a bha -- è ‘celebration’, ’ toir’ taing don Nì Math
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
deireadh-bhuanadh
Notes: usually a small celebration held after the harvest had been taken in.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deise
Quotation: Cha bu lugha na ’n deise chruaidh a dh’fheumadh a bhi ort a’ seo! Notes: suit of armour.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deise
Quotation: Bhiodh deise cholamaidh air na fir.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deisealan
[dʹʒeʃəɫɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: Bheir mi dhuit … mu’n chluais. Notes: cuff.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deiseil airson anail a thilgeil
last breath.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deisginn
not rennet but something that was close to the ‘maodal mór’.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deisimir (m)
an example, a curiosity, a quotation.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deob
talk, clatter.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deocadh
sucking (perhaps both words [i.e. deocadh and seocadh] are someway related in a sense to one another).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deocan
teat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deocan
teat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deoch
Quot.: deoch-bhàn. Note: drink made from oatmeal mixed with cold water.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deoch
Quotation: deoch bhàn. Notes: drink made by first pouring cold water, then boiling water on oatmeal. [NOTES: slipped under ‘deoch-bhàn’.]
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deoch
Quotation: Tha ’n deoch air. Tha e leis an deoch. Notes: He is drunk.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deoch
Quotation: deoch gheal. Notes: same as “deoch bhàn”, oatmeal drink. [NOTES: slipped under ‘deoch-gheal’.]
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deoch
Quotation: deoch [esɑ̃nʹ]. Notes: drink of water and oatmeal mixed.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deoch bhàn
a drink consisting of oatmeal and water. Same as ‘stiùrag’.
Location: Barra, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deoch bhàn
a handful of oat meal in water.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
deoch bhàn
oatmeal drink to quench thirst.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deoch dhubh
for seizure in animals. Not sure what it contained.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Ardivachar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deoch esan
the juice of oats mixed with water. Refreshment.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deoch gheal
water with oatmeal and sugar. Particularly if working outside – spring and harvest.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
deoch porstar
stout or porter. Each house used to get a firkin at harvest.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
deoch-bhàn
Note: a drink made by first pouring a little milk on oatmeal with a little salt added. Stirred and then boiling water added. Put in a mug and put beside the fire to be kept warm. Butter sometimes added.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deoch-bhàn
Note: drink made by pouring hot water on oatmeal.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deoch-sgleap
drinking at another’s expense.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deochraich (v)
differentiate, distinguish between.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deocnadh
to suck from a tight or difficult source, e.g. “Bha e a’ deocnadh na mathair ghura” neo “Seilein a’ deocnadh na meala.” [NOTES: word supplied by R. O’Henley, Garrynamonie, S. Uist.]
Location: North Uist, Lochportan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deocnadh
[dʹɔknw̃ɡ] Quotation: a’ deocnadh. Notes: sucking, e.g. a wound. “Dean a dheocnadh!” – suck it!
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deoghal
Quotation: a’ deoghal a’ bhoin; a’ deoghal sweetie. Notes: suckling or sucking.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deshruthach
derivation.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deugbhail bàis
on deathbed. [NOTES: note added above ‘d’ in ‘deugbhail’ – an t-.]
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deur
Quotation: Bha deur aige. Notes: He had a drink in him.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deur
Quotation: “Bha deur math air.” Notes: He had a good drink in him.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deurach
[dʹɛ:ɾəx] Quotation: Tha deurach ’nan ghàirdeann. Notes: a tingling sensation, such as one gets on knocking one’s elbow.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deàrrsa
[dʹɑ:ʴsə] Quotation: Bheir mi na deàrrsan air an tòin agad. Notes: warning a child that he was going to be spanked. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
deò
Quotation: “Chan eil deò anns an teine.” – life. “Chan eil deò gaoithe ann an diugh.” – breath.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deò
end, rear; deò-là – evening; gu deò (till the end) – for ever; fa-dheòi, mu dheòi – at last, ultimately.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deòin
Quotation: “Am fear nach dean Nollaig le deòin, ni e trasg a dh’aindeoin.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deòstadh
to estimate, evaluate.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deòthanach
Quotation: deòthanach beag. Notes: used, e.g. of a small, feeble trout.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dha phonaigeadh
perhaps from the word padding, a lady powdering herself. It may have derived from the old folk’s attempt at describing the first recollection of Powder.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
dhachaidh
Quotation: Feuch gun teid thu dhachaidh (mach) aig na h-orduighean. Notes: a mach no steach do àite.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dheth
Quotation: Chuir sibh baile Chul-chinn dheth seòl. Notes: You upset the whole place.
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dheth
Quotation: Tha e dona dheth. – He is in poor circumstances. Thug iad dheth an còta. – They unfrocked (deposed) him. Chuir e’n còta dheth. – He put off his coat. If … so and so … “Bithidh tu dheth gu siorruidh.” – You will be ruined forever. (Phrase attributed to Dr Kennedy of Dingwall.)
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dh’eubh i na creachan
Notes: She set up a hullabaloo. Dw. has ag éigheach a creach ‘shouting that she was ruined’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
di-mill
Quotation: ’S minic a [jĩmɑl] fear aig Féill rud bu mhath leis aige fhéin. Notes: denigrate. (Is it di-mill?)
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
di-thallaidh
[dʹiˈhɑɫi] Note: iron rod used for making holes in wood, etc. when heated red-hot.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
di-theallaich
Notes: thin red hot iron for making holes in sieve, etc. Source: Uist. Date: 20c.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
di-theallaidh
[dʹiˈhɑɫi] Note: iron bar whose tip was heated in the fire for making a hole in wood. (Says it’s called “bior-chrith” in Skye.)
Location: [Lewis], [S.] Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diaball
[dʹıɤbəɫ] Notes: the overhang of the thatch.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diaball
[dʹiɤbəɫ] Notes: eaves, the thatch projecting over the top of the wall.
Location: Ross-shire, Plockton, Diurinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diabhalta
adj. ‘marvellous’: bha spite aige dhith ‘ bha ~; bha e ~ math; ‘s e fhios agam ~ math
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
diach
nn [= fiach] ‘worth: tha feadhainn aig a bheil licence nach ~; is math is ~ e e
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
diachdaidh
[dʹiɤxki] Quotation: Tha fios agad diachdaidh math. Notes: used in same way as diabhlaidh or diabhalta in Lewis.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diachladh
[dʹıɑxɫɑɣ] Quotation: Tha diachladh turaidh ann. Notes: a short lull.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diacladh
Quotation: diacladh turaidh. Notes: short respite.
Location: Skye, Camustianavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dialtag
Notes: a bat.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dialtag
Notes: bat.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dialtag
[dʹiəltɑ˖ɡ] Notes: a bat.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dialtag
Notes: a bat.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dian-ròstadh
Quotation: Bithidh iad a’ cainnt air teas ach ’s e a bha sud an dian-ròstadh.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diaradh
bed sheet placed on heather mattress.
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dias
Quotation: Dias againn eòrna! Notes: an exclamation avoiding taking the name of the Lord in vain.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dias
[fem.] as well as meaning an ear of corn, this also meant a fleck of barley chaff. Most irritating to the skin if a ‘dias’ adhered to one’s clothing. ‘Tha dias air mo dhruim’ could be awful. ‘Tha dias ’nam amhaich’ – worse!
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
dias
Quotation: Na diasan. Notes: the straws left when binding corn.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dias
Quotation: Tha ’n coirce tighinn fo dhéis. Notes: “dias” also used of straws left behind on the fields after binding.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diathad
Notes: breakfast; first meal of the day.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diathad
[dʹıɤəd̪] Notes: dinner.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dibhearsain
Quotation: Tha a’ chlann ri spòrs agus dibhearsain. Notes: teasing or imitating a person.
Location: Cape Breton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dibhearsain
[dʹivɛrsẹnʹ] Quotation: “Chan ’eil mi ach ri dibhearsain.” Notes: fun, teasing.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dideis
Quotation: ‘Dè ’n dideis a th’ort?’ Notes: ?Eng. fidget?
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
difir
Quotation: Chuireadh iad difir air a bhith a treothadh le crann is paidhir làmh ris na cruinn ’s na tractors a th’ac an diugh.
Location: Coll, Ben Meadhonach
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
dileag (f)
Quotation: dileag pharaffin.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dinn
Quotation: Bha e a’ dinneadh an amhaich aige. Notes: press.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dinn
Quotation: Dinn sin ’s a’ phoca. Notes: press.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diocair
[dʹwxkəð] Quotation: Bu diocair dhà. Notes: It was to be expected of him (e.g. because of his background, birth, etc.).
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diochd
what a repetition when that was enough, that was enough without a repetition, as this is one meaning from a Harris usage, daily use of the word.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diog
Quotation: Cha bhi mi dà dhiog. Notes: a moment of time.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diogaich
Quotation: Cha dhiogaich e. Notes: It won’t budge.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dioghal
Quotation: “a’ bhith deanamh dioghal a’ chapaill iasaid air rud.” Notes: putting a borrowed article to as much use as possible. [NOTES: slipped under ‘diol’.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dioghmhoir
[dʹw:ɣɔɾ] Notes: stubborn, obstinate strong-headed.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Kilillan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diol
Quotation: Is olc an diol a rinneadh air. – treatment. “Fhuair e an diol-thuaireasdeal…” – perfect payment.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diol-shìthe
peace restored, restoration of peace. Cha tig diol-shìthe air gu bràth gus a fàg e ’n t-àit ud. (Scalpay) [NOTES: slipped under ‘dìol-shìthe’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dioladh
Quotation: Bha e dioladh orra airson … – He was taking vengeance on them for …
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diolar
desolation, extermination; dith-làthair?
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diollaid
Quotation: diollaid marcachd. Notes: riding saddle.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dioltag
[dʹiəɫtɑ̟ɡ̊] bat.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diom-buan
[dʹw̃mɑ̃ṉ] Quot.: “Tha sin cho diom-buan.” Note: (note pronunciation) fleeting, lasting only for a short time.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diomaid
a bit of wood for beating flax.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diomain
Quotation: Bha na tighean agus na teaghlaichean aca diomain (of a family afflicted by illness and ill-luck). Notes: In Dw., sub diom-buan, with cross-ref.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diomhaidh
[dʹĩɤ̃vi] Quotation: obair diomhaidh. Notes: worldly.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diomhain
Quotation: ’S tu tha diomhain – idle. ’S diomhain dha … – futile. “’S uarìgh [?] cleasachd dhiomhain” – worldly. ’S coinneamh stuamachd dhubh nam breugan.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diomhainneach
[di:vɑ̃nʹɑx] Quotation: “Chan e ’n duine diomhainneach as fhaide mhaireas.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dion-shithe
[sic] preservation of peace.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dionach
[dʹʒĩ:ṉɔx] Notes: watertight.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diongalt
[dʹw̃ŋɑɫt̪] Quotation: Boireannach diongalt. Notes: a capable woman.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diongalta
referring to something that had been well completed. “Bha an obair diongalta.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diorra-bhig
Quotation: Cha chuala mi diorra-bhig aige bho dh’fhalbh sibh. Notes: an utterance.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diorras
provoke. Diorrasach – provocative.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diorrasach
obstinate, persistent.
Location: Barra, Glen
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diorrasach
obstinate.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
diosbann
[dʹwsbə̃n̪] Quot.: deasbann. His pronunciation.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diosdadh
Quotation: Gheibh iad an diosdadh. Notes: “They’ll be ruthlessly rejected.”
Location: Lewis, Borve
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diosp
[dʹisp] Quotation: a’ diospadh. Notes: the process of smoothing horn spoons with a bit of glass.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
direach neat
exactly.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diridh-oichinn
Quotation: Dé ’n diridh-oichinn a th’ort? Notes: used of person running about from one thing to another.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dis
Quotation: Feumaidh mi am beathach sin a thoirt a steach – tha e dis [dʹiʃ]. Notes: prone to feel the cold.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dis
Quotation: Tha e dis. Notes: prone to feeling the cold. (“disear” – Lewis)
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
disearr
Notes: chilly (with wet feel in air). Dw. has disear m. ‘susceptibility to cold, delicateness’ (Lewis).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diseases of the head, neck and throat
Origin: Barra
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
dith
Quotation: a’ ditheadh. Notes: press.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dith
[dʹi] Quotation: Dith de’n chrotal agus dith de’n chloimh air muin a’ chéile. Notes: a layer. (Dw. – *Macalpine)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dith-sheothaich
a weed with green stem and a white head. Would bloat an animal’s stomach if eaten.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dithean-mara
sea-pink. I think there was another name for this flower besides dìthean-mara [sic]. I have only this as thinking of it termed like-wise. I am [not?] able to recollect further at the moment. [NOTES: slipped under ‘dithean-mara’. Definition: Sea-pink.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ditheannan
flowers. [NOTES: slipped under ‘dìthean’ with ‘plural: ditheannan’ as the quotation. Definition: Flowers.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dithein
flowers. [NOTES: slipped under ‘dìthean’ with ‘plural: dithein’ as the quotation. Definition: Flowers.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dithis
Quotation: fear na dhithis dhuibh [dhiubh?].
Origin: Blackburn, near Glentarff
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diuluch
[dʹu̜ɫu̜x] Note: growths on the stem of the “mircean” [q.v.] at the base of the leaf.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diùbhraig
[dʹu̜:ɾiɡ] Quotation: Tha e [dʹu̜:ɾiɡʹu̜]. Notes: It differs.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Skerray
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diùcradh
expulsion, proclamation.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diùd
(obstinate), shy, awkward.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diùid
Quotation: duine diùid. Notes: shy, backward person.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diùltach
negative.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diùraidean
[dʹu̟:ɾıdʹəṉ] Quot.: “Maide a thàinig air tìr air a chladach agus e làn dhiùraidean.” Note: small, barnacle-like shells encrusted on wood floating on the sea for a time.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diùraidean
mussel like shells found on wood that was long in the sea. The grub of this shellfish left the wood riddled with large holes bored through it; like wood worm, but on a much larger scale.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dleas
Quotation: “Dleasaidh gobha gual ’s iarrann fuar ga ghreas’d / Dleasaidh ceard spàinn ’s a chur slàn go theach.” Notes: deserve. Said by one who asked for the loan of a spoon.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dlò
after 40 threads taken together and which are divided into two, which are then passed over different sides of the ‘slat-chuibean’ [q.v.] and tied.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
dlòdhan
Quotation: dlòdhan sneachd. Notes: snowflake.
Location: Ross-shire, Plockton, Diurinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
dlùthadh
Quotation: Cha leiginn a leas dlùthadh a dheanamh as a dheidh leis cho math ’s a bha e air treabhadh. Notes: turning the small bits left by the plough.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dlùthadh
Quotation: an dlùthadh. Notes: the “stacking”. Taking the harvest home and stacking it in the yard.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
do
Quotation: “Mar a thubhairt glag-Sgáinn / Rud nach buin dhuit / Na buin dhá. Notes: the W. Lewis saying attributed to the Bell-man of Scone.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
do leath thìgheach
means your jaw. Would be used in fighting terminology. “Feuch nach brist mi do leath thìgheach.” [NOTES: corrected to ‘leath-thìgheach’.]
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Ardivachar
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
dobhran
a white precious patch on a seal’s skin.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dochainn
Quotation: a’ dochainn. Notes: injuring (vb).
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dochar
Quotation: Tha thu dochar. Notes: wrong.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dochart
Quotation: cipean dochairt [cıpɑ̃ṉd̪ɔxɑʴstʹ]. Notes: same as “maide leisg”. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dogan speil (E)
(Fuaimnich ‘dog’ mar ‘dog’ (Beurla) + ‘speil’. ‘Speil’ fuaimnich mar ‘ceil’ (Gàidhlig).) Ri linn m’ athair bhiodh gèim (E) aca a muigh le caman is ball (E). B’ e seo ‘cat and bat’ tha mi deanamh a mach. No faisg air co dhiù. Mur a biodh ball aca air dhòigh eile, dheanadh iad ball le fionnadh a’ chruidh.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
doigh
[dɔ:ç] Quotation: S’e doigh bha sin, [sic]
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
doille
eye disease in sheep. As ‘sgiath air a sùil’ (cataract). The cure was glass broken into powder and inserted in the eye or eyes.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
doille
heather blindness.
Location: Harris, Horgabost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
doille nan caorach
cataract; applied ground glass to remove it.
Location: Harris, Rodel
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
doimhneachan
deeps. Chaidh e ann an doimheachan mora. – as an orator trying to solve a particular subject to an almost confused, if not confused, point…
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
doinidh
hateful, contemptible.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
doirb
Notes: diminutive person or creature; runt.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
doirbh
Quot.: “Ach ’s e is [d̪ɔrə] dhomh nach leur dhomh rud sam bith.” Note: “But what is hardest on me is that I cannot see anything.”
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
doire
[d̪ɤðə] Quotation: pl. doireachan. Notes: large warts growing on the underside of cattle.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
doire
[d̪ɤɾə] Notes: a large wart growing on cattle (also found on horses). Removed by tying a silk thread round its base.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
doire
Quotation: pl. doireachan. Notes: tangle. Thick stalk with the “bàrr-dearg” growing on it. Used for manure.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
doire
Quotation: doire an eathar. Notes: the hull of the boat.
Origin: Uig, Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
doirean
Quotation: na doirean. Notes: ringworm.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
doirean
ankle berries [?]. Found on the back, shoulders of cattle.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dol
Quotation: Dé bha a’ dol leth ris. Notes: What was irritating, or irking him?
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dol
Quotation: Tha e air an dol chian. Notes: He is always moving about, never in the one place for any length of time.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dol
Quotation: dol thuige nan tràth. Notes: twilight.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dol
Quotation: “Nach fiathaich an dol air aghaidh seo!” Notes: What a carry on this is!
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dol an ceann laoigh
Quotation: Tha am beathach ud gus a dhol an ceann laoigh (about to calve). Notes: Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dol a’measad
deteriorating.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dol a’s tighean
Quotation: Rinn e dol a’s tighean. Notes: He made the coming and going (in one day), non-stop.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dol fodha
a bend on end of net, calculated to bear down, on the tidal current, upon a shoal.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
dol-a-dhàir
a cow taking [sic] to a calf, mating.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dol-air-aghaidh
Quotation: Nach fiathaich an dol air aghaidh seo. Notes: What a carry-on this is!
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dolaidh
Quotation: “Leis na dh’òl iad dh’an a’ bhoinne leig iad a dholaidh na laoigh.” Notes: Owing to the amount of milk that they drank they ruined the calves.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dollag
[d̪ɔɫɑɡ] Quotation: Cho ruighinn ris an dollaig. Notes: perhaps from “dallag” – type of dogfish.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dom
Quotation: Bheireadh e an dom dheth an adha agad. Notes: said of a compulsive thief.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dom
[d̪[ɤu̟]m] Quotation: Cho searbh ris an dom. Notes: gall-bladder.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
domblas
Quotation: an domblas [ədọ˖məɫɑ̈s]. Notes: the bile duct or gall bladder.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
domhs
Notes: a safe place for a boat above the tide mark.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
don gnothaich
thankless. Nach ann ort a bha don-gnothaich (if you did a job that was not asked for).
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
don-gnothaich
Quotation: Don-gnothaich ort! Notes: imprecation.
Location: Harris, Gobhaig (Govig on the slips)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dona
Quotation: Ghabh e gu don’ e. Notes: He was offended.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
donachd
mere, as: An donachd sgillinn a gheibh e. (Scalpay) Perhaps of the same ‘effect’ as anacha (Lewis). [NOTES: the quotation on the slip reads ‘An donachd sgillinn gheibh e’. Definition: Euphemistic variant of Donas? Cf. Applecross: an doireas.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
donalaich
[d̪oṉɑɫiç] Quotation: A’ bho a’ donalaich nuair a theid a’ laogh a thoirt air falbh uaipe. Notes: low, mourning sound.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
donn
Quotation: Biast-donn. Notes: otter.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
donnach
name given to cattle.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
donnach
pet name for cattle.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
donnag
Quotation: donnag langa. Notes: a small young ling found inshore in the “tràigh”.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
donnag
Notes: small fish – often under rocks at low tide. Edible.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
donnag
fish that was found inshore beneath rocks. Usually found after high tide.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
donnag
Quotation: Thug mi donnag dha. Notes: a hard blow.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
donnglas
bile duct attached to liver.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorainn
Quotation: Nach tu tha ’nad dhorainn. Notes: panic.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorch
Quotation: Tha ’n dorch ann. Notes: It is dark.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorcha
adj. : tha sibh gu math ~ [‘ignorant’] san taigh, ma ta, an seo
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
dorchadas
Quotation: Tha dorchadas ’san àirde ’n iar. Notes: The west is filling up with dark, heavy clouds.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorchnachdainn
Quotation: anns an dorchnachdainn. Notes: in the gathering darkness.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorgan
Quotation: Cha chluinn thu aige ach an aon dorgan. Notes: monotonous harangue.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorgh
Quotation: Thug e a dhorgh as. Notes: He extricated himself.
Location: Lewis, Balallan.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorgha-leatha
full scope. Leig e ’n dorgha leatha – full reins.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorlach mhath
a goodly amount of scraps.
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
dorran
Quotation: Bha dorran oirre. Notes: grumpiness, annoyance.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorsach
Quotation: Tha ’n àite cho dorsach. Notes: open, full of eddying winds.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
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
dorus
[dɔ̣rəst] Quotation: “gabh an dorus”.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorus
Quotation: dorus-fasgnaidh. Notes: door in barn opened to create a draught for winnowing.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorus
Quotation: Thug mi cùl an doruis dha. Notes: I put him out of the house.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorus
Quotation: dorus na cadhan (?) [d̪ɔɾəsṉəˈkɑəṉ]. Notes: the door leading into the living room.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorus
Quotation: Cha deach mi mach air toll doruis an diugh. Notes: I didn’t go out of the house today.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorus
Quotation: an dorus catha. Notes: the door leading into the living room.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorus
Quotation: Am fear a bhios ag éisdeachd cùl an doruis cha chluinn e nì math mu thimchioll féin.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorus bàis
on the side of your forehead. A hard blow in this area could be fateful.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorus catha
[dɔ̪ɾəs kɑ̟ʔɑ̟]
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorus màs an tighe
a door at the lower end of the house.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
dorus-iadht
Notes: the door of the shieling closed by cip (door facing the wind) < iadhta past. part., with non-palatal t.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorus-iat
the door on the sheltered side of a shieling, sealed up with divots – ‘ceip’. When the wind changed to the opposite direction this door was opened and the one on the other side barricaded up with the ceip. There were two doors on a shieling.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dos
Quot.: dos feur, dos fraoich. Note: a clump of grass, of heather (or bunch of heather – usually used of cut or uprooted heather, grass, etc.)
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dosgaidh
[d̪ɔsɡi] Quotation: “Bha ’n dosgaidh a riamh trom air a chruit a tha sin.” Notes: ill luck with animals, tendency to lose animals.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dosgainn
[d̪ɔɡĩnʹ] Quot.: “A bheil dosgainn anns a’ bhuntàta?” Note: “Is there a disease in the potatoes?” This was usually asked when a potato pit was opened.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dosgainneach
[d̪ɔsɡĩnʹɑx] Quot.: àite dosgainneach air beathaichean. Note: a place where animals are liable to be lost.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dothach
[d̪ɔɔx] Notes: wooden vat which contained the mash in whisky distilling.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dothachadh, dhothachadh
applied to corn that has not been sufficiently dried properly. “Cha robh e air a dhothachadh ceart.” (Supplied by R. O’Henley.)
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drabasdachd
Quotation: drabasdachd de chainnt. Notes: bad language.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drabhach
[d̪ɾɑfɑx] Quotation: duine drabhach; àite drabhach. Notes: dirty, untidy, foulmouthed of a man.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drabhailte
Quotation: an drabhailte. Notes: the hopper in the mill.
Origin: [?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drabhcair
Quotation: drabhcair beag uisge. Notes: a little drizzly rain.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drabhs
sound of burning fat.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drabhsanach
grizzling, as meat on a frying pan.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drac
Quotation: a’ dracadh a’ phuill. Notes: lining the peat-bank along its length and cutting divots before removing them.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
draf
[d̪ɾɑf] Notes: the substance left in the mash tin after the hot water had been poured on the grist.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dragh
lowest horizontal rope on a thatched house. ‘Anchors’ tied to this. This would be the equivalent of ‘màthair shìamain’ in other islands.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dragh
[d̪ɾɤi] Notes: the base rope going round the thatch just above the wall and to which the anchoring stones are suspended.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dragh
[dɾɤɣ] Quotation: an dragh. Notes: rope from horse’s harness to “greallag”.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dragh
[d̪ɾɤɣ] Note: rope round the thatch about two feet above the top of the wall. The weights were hung on this rope and also the rope going over the top was looped round this anchor rope.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dragh
Dragh: [see illustration]. Dragh air a pasgadh: [see illustration].
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
draghachann
[d̪ɾɤəxən̪] Quotation: a’ draghachann ri rud. Notes: struggling, or striving to do something and it wasn’t going very well.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
draghairne
[d̪ɾɤɤʴnʹə] Quotation: ’S fheàrr am beag seadhach na draghairne mi-ghniomhach. Notes: lazy, unproductive man, drudge. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
draghaman
[d̪ɾɤɣəmɑ̃ṉ] Notes: rope, much thicker than ordinary “sioman” along the bottom of the thatch. Anchor stones hung from it.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
draghgant
[d̪ɾɤ:ɡɑn̪t̪] Quot.: “’S e duine beag draghgant a th’ann.” Note: determined, wiry, resilient sort of person. Will keep on no matter what.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
draghganta
[dɾɤ:ɡɑn̪t̪ə] Note: dogged, persevering, determined. Often used of a good worker, someone who is always at something.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
draibh (v)
scatter, dissolve (Arg.); dol gu draibh – go to ruin (N.W.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dramadh
[d̪ɾɑməɣ] Quot.: fiodh a’ dramadh leis an teas. Note: shrinking and cracking with heat. Also: aghaidh air dramadh leis an aois. (Properly dreamadh.)
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dramag
Notes: a little tub of a boat; a broad-beamed dinghy.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dramasgal
Quotation: dramasgal de dh’oran.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drann
Quotation: a’ drannadh t-fhiaclan. Notes: gritting your teeth.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drannadh
[d̪ɾɑ̃n̪əɣ] Quotation: Chaneil drannadh de sgoil aige. Cha ghabh drannadh a chuir ann. Notes: He doesn’t have a whit of education or schooling. (Seems to be confined to knowledge or education.)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drannag
[d̪ɾɑ̃n̪ɑɡ] Quotation: “Bheir mi air do dhrannag ma gheibh mi gréim ort.” Notes: back, or ridge.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dranndan
[d̪ɾ[ɑ̃ũ̜]n̪ɑṉ] Quotation: Bha iad a’ dranndan. Notes: bickering, picking a quarrel, building up for a fight.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dranndan
[d̪ɾ[ɑ̃ũ̜]n̪ɑṉ] Quotation: Bha ’n cù a dranndan. Notes: growling.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
draochann
a dog making a threatening barking noise.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
draoileag
Very small potato.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
drathais
Notes: horse’s breeches.
Origin: Camusluanie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreach
Quotation: Chosg e dreach a shaoghail. Notes: He spent (or wasted) the best part of his life.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreach-dhathadh
(also) rouge.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreag
a falling star seen prior to someone’s death. Would fall close to a particular house.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreallag
Swingle tree (not the main one). (next sect.) [NOTES: i.e. (b) Parts of a plough in detail; comment added later.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
dreamach
Note: furrowed, e.g. the brow; crinkled (clothes). “’S ann gu math dreamach a tha e coimhead.” – someone who was in a bad mood.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreamadh
Quot.: Bàta air dreamadh leis an teas. Note: dried up so that its surface is not as plain as normally.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreanata
nightmare.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
dreannadh
Quotation: a’ dreannadh fhiaclan. Notes: gnashing.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreannadh
ration.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreannag (f)
Quotation: “Bheir mise air an dreannaig agad!” Notes: back.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreas
Quotation: “O’n dreas gus an droigheann.” Notes: from bad to worse.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreas
Quotation: “O’n dreas gus an droigheann.” Notes: from bad to worse.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreathan
[drɛhən] Notes: hawthorn.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreathan
[driʔən̪], Mull [drɛʔən̪], seachagan [?]
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreathan donn
hedge sparrow.
Location: Argyll, Tarbert, Muasdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreathan donn (m), dreathain donn (pl)
wren.
Origin: [Tiree]
Category: Eòin Thiriodh / Birds of Tiree
dreathan dubh
sloes growing on it. Blackthorn.
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreathan-donn
[d̪ɾɔɑṉd̪ɤu̜n̪] Notes: wren.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreathan-donn
[d̪ɾɛən̪d̪ɤu̜n̪] Notes: wren.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreig
meteor. Denoting the approach of death, according to legends of the superstitious nature, or relative to the like subjects. [SLIP: Meteor denoting the approach of death.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
dreug
a sling for throwing stones. Made of string with a bit of leather in the middle to hold the stone.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreuga
Notes: fireball (supposed to portend someone notable’s death).
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
driamlach
applied to an accumulation of hooks, gut used for fishing.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
driamlach
[d̪ɾw̃məɫɑx] Note: line and hook(s) attached to a fishing rod.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
driamlaichean-liunn
na driamlaichean a chi sibh a seòladh eadar da ‘lionn’ neo ‘liunn’. Faic an càirdeas [?]. See at ebb tide. Saoilidh mi cuideachd gu robh na facail dorchan-liunn air a chleachdadh. [SLIP: (Driamlach-liunn) Fishing lines on ebb tide.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drifeagach
[d̪ɾıfɑɡɑx] Quotation: duine drifeagach. Notes: hard-working, go-ahead.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drileadh
Quotation: a’ drileadh leis a’ chrann-dùbailte. Notes: making drills.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drilla
(f) Drillachan. Drill. Potato drill.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
drilla
(f) Drillachan. Drill. Potato drill.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
drinuisg
a slight, thin, pale, fragile male. From ‘dréin-uisge’, shadow from water.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
driongan
[drənɡɑn] Quotation: Chan eil mi ach a’ driongan … Notes: dodging about, not doing anything much. Source: Angus Maclennan, Harris (Scarp). Date: 1983.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
driosg
a drop. Used negatively: “Chan eil driosg agam.” Driosgag (in positive) – “Fhuair mi driosgag.” ‘Driosg’ used by Iain Lom. Is it a co-incidental that the poems in question mention Chanonry and Caiplich – a place of this name in the Aird? (“Fògradh Raghnaill Oig” and “Tilleadh Raghnaill Oig”)
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
driseach
Notes: a place of stunted bushes that never grow beyond a foot to food and a half: sometimes on flat ground, sometimes on slope of a hill.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drith-thothainn
[d̪ɾıhɔhĩnʹ] Quot.: “Chaidh e na [ɣɾıhɔhĩnʹ].” “Tha mi na mo [ɣɾıhɔhĩnʹ].” Note: in a flat spin. Equivalent of “treathail” in Barvas.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
driuchgainn
chaffing between the toes. Athlete’s foot.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
driug
[d̪ɾu̟ɡ] Quotation: Chaneil driug as a’ bhotul. Notes: There isn’t a drop in the bottle. (Prob. from driùdhag.)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
driùdhadh
Quotation: Chaneil driùdhadh ann. Notes: There isn’t a drop left in it.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
driùth
[d̪ɾu̟] Quotation: Chaneil driùth anns a bhotul. Notes: There isn’t a drop in the bottle.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drobasd
[d̪ɾɔbəsd̪] Notes: awkward, problematical.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drobhaireachd
‘drover work’, work in connection with cattle, selling and buying cattle.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drobhan
droves, as of cattle. [NOTES: slipped under ‘drobh’ with ‘pl. drobhan’ as the quotation. Definition: Drove (of cattle).]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
droch
Quotation: ’S ann aige tha ’n droch bheul. Notes: bad language. [NOTES: slipped under ‘droch-bheul’.]
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
droch
Quotation: Thug e droch shùil air or Thug e fìor dhroch shùil air. Notes: He gave him a hostile look.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
droch
Quotation: An droch rud. Notes: euphemism for ‘cancer’.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
droch
Quotation: Tha droch uair gu bhi ann. Notes: The weather is going to be bad (temporarily). [NOTES: slipped under ‘droch-uair’.]
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
droch
Quotation: droch isean. Notes: “a bad stick” – used of a person. [NOTES: slipped under ‘droch-isean’.]
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
droch
Quotation: faoileann an droch chladaich. Notes: see faoileann.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
droch
Quotation: ’S ann ort a tha ’n droch thuair. Notes: poor colour, e.g. after an illness. [NOTES: slipped under ‘droch-thuar’.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
droch fheith anns an rathad
a pothole in the road. [NOTES: ‘fheith’ corrected to ‘fhèith’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
droch ghabhail air iasg
if a hook caught the fish anywhere other than in the mouth, this was also considered as signifying bad weather. [NOTES: note added – gabhail (probably meant to be the catch-word).]
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
droch thràigh
if the tide returns quickly this is taken as a sign of bad weather.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
droch òrdan
bad condition of coat.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
drochaid
Quotation: drochaid an druimeal. Notes: the groove across the top of the saddle which accommodates the back-chain (druimeal).
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drochaid air feith
stepping stones of turfing set across a boggy patch to avoid detour.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
drochfhear
satan, satanic, careless character. (Perhaps ‘trochd’ and ‘droch’ in this case is a derivation.)
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
droigheann
Quotation: “O’n dreas gus an droigheann.” Notes: from bad to worse.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
droigheann
Quotation: “O’n dreas gus an droigheann.” Notes: from bad to worse.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
droighneach
[d̪ɾ[ɤı]nʹɑx] Quotation: droighneach de dhuine. Notes: worthless person.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broad Cove
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drointeadh
making sudden slight attack.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drolla
[d̪ɾɔɫə] Quotation: drolla na poiteadh. Notes: the handle.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drollan (m)
loiterer, sluggard (Strathglass). Drollach (Islay).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dromaileis
[d̪ɾoməleʃ] Notes: chain going over the saddle and attached to the cart shafts.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dromanach
Notes: bent hazel wands (steamed) used for pinning down the strips which were laid horizontally on top of the thatch.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dromanach
Quotation: an dromanach [əndrọmɑnɑx]. Notes: the strap which supported the trams on to the horse.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dromanach
Quotation: “An dromanach, tha sin a bha ’ga crochadh a suas nan trims.”
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dromanach (caol)
slatan caola seilich ùr no calltuinn mu 3' am fad. Bha thu ’gan dèanamh biorach air an dà cheann, ’gan dathadh ’sa’ mheadhon le dreiseag air an teine, ’gan lùbadh gu cumadh prine-fuilt, ’gan cur eadar rungas cathrach ’gan cumail crom. Bha iad aig an tughdair ag cumail an fhraoich ’na àite. Thogadh e gus an ath bhreth iad mar a bha e ag obair. Rachadh am fagail ’sa’ mhullach. Bha thu ’gan dathadh is ’gan toinneamh an seo [see the arrow in the picture] mus bristeadh iad anns an lùbadh.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
dronag
outer shirt gathered into a pad [as a] rest for the creel.
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
drongaireachd
used as part of an expression indicating disbelief and amusement at what was being talked about. “O dhrongaireachd.”
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druaimleach
dirty, contaminated water.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druaip
a catch of rubbishy, unmarketable fish.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
drug(a)
ball of fire, supposed to signify death.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druideadh
moving towards. Sneaking out element hinted at.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druideag
Quotation: an druideag. Notes: starling.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druidsearachd
Quotation: Bha e druidsearachd bho àite gu àite. Notes: going from place to place and not getting much done.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druidte
Notes: watertight.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druidte
[d̪ɾu̟tʹə] Quotation: Rinn e druidte an tigh. Notes: watertight. (From druid – to shut up closely?)
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druim
Quotation: am maide-droma. Notes: ridge pole.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druim
Quotation: an caol druim [əŋɡöldɾ̱ïm]. Notes: part of the back behind the shoulders.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druim
Quotation: caol-druim. Notes: small of the back.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druim
Quotation: Chaidh a cuir as a caol-druim.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druim
the upper rope to which the floats were attached.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druim
top rope to which lines attached.
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
druim
Quotation: druim a’ chrann. Notes: the main shaft of the plough.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druim
Quotation: a’ cur a stigh druim. Notes: the start of the ploughing – putting in a “ridge” down the middle of the field.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druim
Quotation: faradh droma. Notes: roof ladder.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druim
Quotation: an druim. Notes: backbone of the long line.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druim
Notes: keel of a boat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druim
Quotation: druim na cruach. (sic) Notes: top of the stack.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druim
Quotation: a’ togail druim. Notes: making the first drill in the centre of the field.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druim
Quotation: caoldruim. Notes: small of the back.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druim
Quotation: a’ togail droma. Notes: making a ridge.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druim a’ chruinn
the part to which furrow board and earth board are attached.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
druim a’ phuill
top of the bank, to which the ‘face’ is at right angles.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
druim a’ phuill
the top level of the peat bank.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
druim lìn
the rope that runs along the top of the net.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druim sùirn
a bit of wood going across the kiln. The ‘ciullean’ were attached to this.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druim àrca
float rope.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druim-lòin
rheumatism.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
druimeach
[d̪ɾw̃mɑx] Quotation: Chaidh a’ chairt ’s an t-each druimeach air tharrach. Notes: turned turtle. (From druim – back; tàrr – belly?)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druis
Quotation: Chaidh e ann an druis. Notes: He was caught in the act.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druis a’ choltair
some ploughs did not have the aforementioned hole [i.e. toll a’ choltair (q.v.)]. Instead a small vice-like instrument was used to hold the iron pin. Made of two small iron plates through which a screw was tightened to secure the pin – druis.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druiteag
[d̪ɾu̟tʹɑɡ] Quotation: druiteag feur. Notes: a small portion, a small load.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druiteag
Notes: a small load (peats, etc.).
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druiteag
Notes: a small amount of potatoes, etc.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drumag
this was a bigger load than above [i.e. sgùird] – the apron was filled and worn behind with the two bottom corners pinned or knotted at the neck. Had to be stronger and bigger than these of the present day (the aprons).
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
drumanach
elder tree (already noted). When in winter the branches became sapless, children (as already noted) scrabbed [sic] [scrubbed?] the branches with a pocket knife and used the branch as fishing rods. It (the common elder) is a common tree, ‘easy to grow’ in places like the Isles of Scotland where the climate is damp and cold. It is noticeable on Harris growing without or within little distances of houses, or close to a house. If this signifies anything, I am not able to say at the moment. Seemingly it could? … In the ‘superstitious stories of the Isles’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drumannach
wood (us. cattail) which can be cored to make bobbin.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber)
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
drun
ro dhrun ris – at a particular job too long causing tiredness.
Origin: Applecross [mother]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drungan
Tha drungan aice. – a boat slowly making her way in a light breeze of wind [?], under sail. (Harris)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dréibhair
a wooden bat.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drìnganaich
someone who would never finish what he was doing. [NOTES: corrected to ‘drionganaich’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dròag
a cat.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dròbh
[herd or any collection of cattle.]
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
dròbh (m), dròbhan (pl)
herd or collection of cattle.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
drògaid
Quotation: còta drògaid. Notes: ‘drugget’. Dw. has drògaid ‘drugget’, etc. but not còta-drògaid.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drògaid
Quotation: còta drògaid.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drògaid
Quotation: cìbhrinn drògaid. Notes: drugget covering (on a bed).
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drògaid
Quotation: còta drògaid. Notes: a striped underskirt.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dròla
[d̪ɾɔ:ɫə] Quotation: dròla praiseadh. Notes: same as pùlais.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dròs
fine ashes obtained from coal burning fire; finer than peat ashes.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drùdhadh buntata
taking water off potatoes once they have cooked.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drùdhag
Quotation: Tha e trom air an drudhaig. Notes: He’s a heavy drinker.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drùidh
Quotation: Dhrùidh orm. Notes: I was soaked to the skin. Note usage.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drùidh
Quotation: Thug e dreis mas do dhrùidh e air. Notes: It took a while before it (what was said to him) got through to him.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drùim arc
float rope. [NOTES: ‘arc’ corrected to ‘àrc’.]
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drùis
[d̪ɾu̟:ʃ] Quot.: “Tha drùis a’ tighinn as.” Note: water oozing through something.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drùmanach
Barra variation for drone. [NOTES: corrected to ‘drumanach’.]
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
du(bh)chonadh (‘bh’ not pronounced)
soil that was neither peat nor mud.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duainidh
unattractive. Nach i tha duainidh (dun).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duainidh
[d̪ũ̜ɑ̃nʹi] Quot.: “Tha e a’ coimhead gu math duainidh.” Note: off-colour, ill-looking. Can also be applied to faded or dirty cloth.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duaithnidh
Quotation: “Cha do thachair ni a riamh anns a bhaile seo cho duaithnidh.” – so disgraceful. Notes: Probably the same word as duaichnidh (horrible). In Wester Ross, the ch sound tends to be softened into th. Source: Wester Ross.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dual
[duəɫ] Notes: a strand in any rope, e.g. heather rope.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dual
cable pattern in a jersey.
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dual
cable pattern on a jersey. Crosses over like a pigtail.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dual
[duəɫ] Quotation: Bha thu toisinn air fhithe le dà dhual.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dual
Quotation: ceò dual. Notes: heavy mist. [NOTES: in different hand – (? dùmhail).]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dualachas
[duɤɫɑxəs] Quot.: “Gu deimhinn, cha b’e dol a dualachas sin dha!” Note: “Indeed, that was to be expected of him!”
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dualtach
Quotation: Bithidh e dualtach man a bi e ann. – He’ll probably be there. Notes: probable.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duan
Quotation: Duan nam bonnag. Notes: recited by boys going into a house on oidhche nam bonnag.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duan (m)
Quotation: Tha esan air an aon duan. Notes: on his hobby-horse.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duanaidh
[d̪u̜ɤṉi] Quotation: là duanaidh. Notes: a dull day.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duathail
gloomy.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duathail
a worsening of weather conditions, darkening of skies. “Dh’fhàs i duathail.”
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duathal
something difficult to describe or the mixture that it was to describe; obscurity that it was to me… I cannot describe.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duathal
terrible (more extreme than ‘mosach’ [q.v.]).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
duathar
obscurity. Dé an duathar a thàinig air co-dhiù.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duathar
shadow (perhaps from dubhar). Thàinig duathar air co-dhiù.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duathar-neulach
shadow of clouds.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duatharrach
[d̪u̟əhɑrɑx] Quotation: oidhche dhuatharrach. Notes: dark moonless night.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duathasach
grim.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dub
[d̪u̟b] Quotation: (1) Cha do leig e dub leis. (2) Cha d’thainig dub air bho chunna mi a roimhe e. Notes: (1) He never left him alone, never gave him a minute’s respite. (2) Said of e.g. a child who hasn’t gained in stature.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubadaich
Quotation: a’ dubadaich. Notes: Dw. dupadaich – just moving and no more.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh
Quotation: feòil dhubh. Notes: lean.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh
Quotation: a’ spòg dhubh. Notes: see spòg.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh
Quotation: Bha trod an duine dhuibh a sud a-raoir. Notes: i.e. very serious.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh
Quotation: Thug e dhomh mo la dubh. Notes: He gave me the works. (Can be physical or verbal.)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh
Quotation: Chuireadh e na dubhan air na dathan. Notes: He would keep rigidly to a statement which was known to be false.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh
Quotation: Chan fhaca mi a dhubh no a dhath. Notes: I didn’t see hide nor hair of him.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh
Quotation: ’S e an dubh éiginn a thug air sin a dheanamh. Notes: dire necessity.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh
Quotation: Thug mi dhà gu dubh e. Notes: I gave him a good telling off.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh
Quotation: a’ spòg dhubh. Notes: see spòg.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh
Quotation: a’ chreag dhubh. Notes: fish with a big head – ?
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh
Quotation: “Tha ceann dubh air a’ ghealaich.” or “Tha ceann dubh oirre.” Notes: with a waning moon, there is a dark spell in the early evening before it rises.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh
Notes: the colour black; or dark. Also used to describe a black-guard and the works of darkness, e.g. “Ian dubh Cearr (Kerr) / Cha do rinn an ceard / Na dh’fhaodadh e.” The black-guard John Kerr / The tinker did not do what he could.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh fhad
bottom peat.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach, Stafainn [Skye, Staffin]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
dubh fhad
Notes: second peat cut from a bank.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh fhiath
dead calm.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
dubh fhàd
lowest tier of peat bank. (Skye)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh stamh
black tangle used to alleviate indigestion.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh-char
Quotation: ’S fheàrr dhomh ’n dubh-char a chuir as an neo-chàs. (RMP also heard “neo-char”.) Notes: I’d better do the heaviest, dirtiest, most unpleasant task first.
Location: Barra, Bruernish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh-cheannach
Quotation: caora dhubh-cheannach. Notes: a half-bred, blackface sheep.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh-cheannach
Quotation: caora dhubh-cheannach. Notes: black-faced sheep.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh-fhad
Notes: 2nd layer of peat.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh-fhàd
second peat.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
dubh-liath
Note: spleen or pancreas. (?)
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh-liath
[d̪u̜lio] Notes: pancreas (?).
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh-liath
Quot.: “Cuiridh mi dubh-liath na maodail dhiot!” Note: expression of agression. (Dubh-liath – pancreas or spleen?)
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh-liathag
Notes: pancreas (?).
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh-sheanair
great grandfather. (Urq.) This summer a Glenurquhart man spoke of his mother’s great grandfather (who was one of the Seven Men of Glenmoriston, 1746) as “dubh sheanair mo mhàthair”. He gave the names of the fingers as: “ordag, mac an ab’, ceanna fad’, ludag, bhideag”. A near neighbour and contemporary (both families in the district for generations) gave them as: “ordag, bhordag, gille fada, mac an aba, bhideag”.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh-thalamh
Land on which there are cattle but which can be cultivated at any time. See: talamh trom (Tiree).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
dubh-thalamh
Notes: peaty soil.
Origin: Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh-tholl
[d̪uhɤuɫ] Notes: “dark hole in the peat moss.”
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhach
particular type of peat which is found about a foot from the surface of peat bank and which was used for dyeing.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhadh
Notes: blight in potatoes.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhag
Notes: a patch on clothing.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhaganaich
[d̪u̟əɡɑṉiç] Quotation: dubhaganaich na h-oidhche. Notes: night-fall.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhailt
[d̪u̟ɑlʹtʹ] Quotation: dubhailt bùird. Notes: tablecloth.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhain-le-itean
feathered hooks.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhan
Quotation: dubhan dùint. Notes: hook with a closed loop at the end.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhan
hook. Same word used for a cat’s nail.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
dubhan-beòil
a hook in the gunwale of a boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhan-linn-mhor
[sic] size of hook(s) appropriate for great lines (fishing).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhan-slaite
fish hook commonly used with rod and line, also a hook of any size attached to a rock.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhanan
Chanainn gur h-e mu 8 (no mu 9) dubhan an lìn-mhóir. Dubhan anns a h-uile dà aitheamh air an lìon-mhór. Pàirtean an dubhain: [See the illustration above.] Lurga an dubhain. [NOTES: slipped under ‘lurga’.] Bois an dubhain. [NOTES: slipped under ‘bois’.] Gob an dubhain. [NOTES: slipped under ‘gob’.] An ribheag (I). [NOTES: slipped under ‘ribheag’.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
dubhcholl
to describe severe loss of cattle stock.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhchonnadh
surface peat which is dry and which can be used immediately on a fire.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhchonnadh
where the unused peat bog has cracked and you pull off lumps of it by hand. As the lumps are nearly dry they may be used soon after.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
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
dubhthalamh
peaty soil as opposed to machair land. Good soil for crop yields.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duda-leum
Quotation: Thug e aon duda-leum (?dubh de-) as. Notes: (Lewis?) He gave one almighty jump.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dugan
[du̟ɡan] pole cat. (croit an dugain [?]) [SLIP: Pole cat. Also found in place-name ‘Croftintygane’  near Lawers, Loch Tay.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
dugat
[d̩ukɑt̩] Notes: small room, cubby-hole. (< ‘dug-out’?)
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dui, daoigh
expectation. “Tha mi an dui.”
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duilean
Quotation: an duilean. Notes: gift sent to mother when child was acknowledged; or, drink given when a newborn child was visited.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duileasg
Quotation: càl duilisg. Notes: dulse soup.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duileasg
Quotation: stamh earrach, duileasg samhraidh, mircean fobhair, dulach geamhraidh. Notes: kind of seaweed.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duileasg
[d̪u̟lɤsk] Notes: two kinds, one light-coloured, the other darker, the lighter one being more palatable. Can be eaten alone but used also to be boiled along with meat like cabbage. Called “càl duluisg”.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duileasg (f)
dulse (Rhodymenia palmata). Car buidhe agus dearg a-mach a season. Bha caig [sic] duileasg ’nad bhial dìreach mar a fhuair thu an tràigh i.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
duilein
Quotation: an duilein. Notes: N. Uist equivalent of ùrstan in Lewis – celebration of birth. From dubh-leann?
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duilich
Quotation: ’S duilich an car a’ thoirt as an t-seana mhaide.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duillain
an alternative to the ‘bangaid’ to celebrate the birth of a child. [NOTES: note added above ‘duillain’ – duillean.]
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duilleag
Quotation: Fhuair mi am beul an duilleig i. Notes: a piece of cartilage (?) in the centre of the chest between the ribs. Above said when a blow was received on the chest in this region.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duilleag
Quotation: duilleag a’ speal.
Origin: Invermoriston
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duilleagan-seargta
withered leaves, the withered foliage of trees on the ground in late autumn or in winter. (Unless they are used for manure, mixed into compost?)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duillean
(baby-party). [NOTES: the full explanation is given on page 6 of the word list numbered 4. It is copied here.] (I should have explained the meaning of this word I noted on a former page.) It means a celebrity [sic] party (to celebrate) on the arrival of a newly born baby also bangaid, perhaps from the word banquet in English. [SLIP: A party to celebrate the arrival of a newly-born baby.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duin iaruinn
an iron hauler used to pull creels and nets into a boat.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duine
Quotation: used in sentences such as “Chan eisdeadh e ri duine geal” “Cha robh feagal aige bho dhuine geal.” Notes: used with the negative for emphasis.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duine bealach
a talkative person.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
duine carrach
a difficult, obstinate man who is easy to incite.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duine ciatach
a patient person.
Origin: Barra
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
duine ciatach
becoming.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duine coingais air mùir neo tìr
describes a capable and fit man. A fit person is more accurate. [NOTES: ‘coingais’ underlined and a question mark added in the margin.]
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duine crainntidh
a temperamental man likely to snap at the slightest intimidation.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duine doigheil
a good tradesman, someone who is good at his job.
Origin: Barra
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
duine foilleach
an impatient, hurried person. Always trying [to] do things at great speed. [NOTES: ‘foilleach’ corrected to ‘foileach’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duine gun loc
good-natured.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
duine le “dath a bhais”
deathly appearance.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
duine leam-leat
[?] someone who argues with whatever you say.
Location: Harris, Finsbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duine mairnealach
slow, procrastinating person.
Location: Harris, Borisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duine meadhte
thin, delicate person.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
duine meiteadh e meata
[?] [no?]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
duine spàrdalach
a well-built man who when standing seems to be looking afar. Element of superiority attached to this word.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duine stuama
temperate steady.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duine suairce
quiet man. [NOTES: this phrase was supplied by the authors of the questionnaire with a question ‘what does it mean?’.]
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
duine sunndach
happy man. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sunndach’ with ‘duine sunndach’ as the quotation. Definition: Happy.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
duine tomatach
benevolent.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duine truacanta
kind of person who was compassionate towards everyone.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duine tàmhail
used of a large, fat person.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duineadail
Quotation: Tha iad fuasach duineadail. Notes: They are very close to each other, very friendly. “Tha iad duineil d’a’ chéile.” – They are related to each other.
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duineil
Quotation: Tha iad duineil d’a’ chéile. Notes: They are related to each other. See duineadail.
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duis
Quotation: na duis bheaga. Notes: the small drone.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duisleach
Quotation: duisleach móine. Notes: peat dross.
Location: Craignish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duitheamh
[duʔəv] Quotation: a’ duitheamh. Notes: extracting stone.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dul
Quotation: Am biodh móran daoine a’ dul aig an ám sin suas agus sios aig ám na holidays.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dul
Notes: loop of rope used to tether cattle. Also used of smaller [?] loop.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dul (m)
Quotation: dul no [na?] spaide.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dul iaruinn
(of harrow) Draw-chain – attached to the ‘bann’. [NOTES: spelled ‘dul-iaruinn’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
dul-buntàta (m)
tattie-field (N.E.); dal-buntàta (Argyll).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dulach
Quotation: stamh earrach, duileasg samhraidh, mircean fobhair, dulach geamhraidh. Notes: kind of seaweed.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dulag
n. ‘cone’: theireadh iad ~an na spruis, cones. They say that for pulleys on boats
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
dulasg
Rhodymenia palmata.
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dunadh na cruaich
finishing the stack (with the final top peats).
Location: Gearrloch, Achadh a’ Chairn [Gairloch, Auchtercairn]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
dunaidh
Quotation: Mac na dunaidh! Notes: like “mac an uilc!”.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dunaidh
favourite expression if something went against you, e.g. “A Mhic na dunaidh.” Also in sense of a person not getting what he had been expecting, e.g. a person who had hoped for a construction contract: “Rinn iad an dunaidh air.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dunalaich
Quot.: “cù a’ dunalaich”. Note: usually used of the howling of a dog (e.g. at the moon).
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dunc
Quotation: Dhunc a’ sgarbh. Notes: to submerge, dunk (trans.).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dunnaltas
dirt and slime attached to an expectant cow. [NOTES: corrected to ‘dunaltas’.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
durga(nta)
Notes: mu dhuine tha cruaidh na nàdar. Source: Uist? Date: 20c.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
durragan
applied to a dour, chubby person who sits quietly in a corner without contributing to the conversation.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dusd
dust. Tha dusd air choireiginn oirre – weather appearance.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dusd (m)
Quotation: an dusd. Notes: corpse. [?]
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dusgadh
Easing up the potato furrow with fork or spade to make it easier for the ‘croman’. [NOTES: spelled ‘dùsgadh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
dustaidh
[d̪u̟st̪i] Quotation: la dustaidh. Notes: a day of haze in very dry weather.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duthchas
natural to one’s surroundings. Theid duthchas an aghaidh nan creig.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: ’S ann ort a thainig an dà là! Notes: change of circumstances.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Bha dà thaobh a’ rathaid mhór leis. Notes: drunk.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dà shùil a’ chruinn
two hooks, one on each side of the boat to which the sail ropes were attached.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dà stiùir as a dheidh
at a lobster’s rear.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dà-da
child addressing his father. [SLIP: Daddy (child addressing father).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàil
Quotation: Far an tig dàil, thig dearmad. Notes: Where there’s delay, there’s forgetfulness.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàil
flat land beside river. [NOTES: slip not found.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
dàir
Quotation: Tha i fo dhàir.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàir
Quotation: Tha a bhó fo dhàir.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Laide, Portnacon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàir
Quotation: Tha a’ bhó fo dhàir.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàir
Quotation: Bha na féidh a’ dàir a chéile. Notes: rutting.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàir
Quotation: Bha a’ bhó fo dhàir.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàir
heat. Chaidh i a dhàir. – … has been served.
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
dàir air a bhò
[cow] on heat or in season.
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
dàmh-riata
plough-ox.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàmhair
continuation as in this case: Ghabh e dàmhair co-dhiù ann a bhi falbh leis fhéin – expression. (Scalpay)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàn
Quotation: “Ciamar a tha sibh an diugh?” “O, ’s dàn a bhi a’ gearain.”
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàn
Quotation: Bha e an dàn dha. Notes: destiny.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàn
Quotation: Bha e ’n dàin dha. – It was foreordained for him. Notes: Pre-destination in Theology and determinism in Philosophy is in keeping with the metaphysics of the Gael. No other “scheme” will fit the facts.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dànadas
Quotation: Millidh dànadas modh.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dànas
Quotation: “Nach ann ort a tha ’n dànas.” Notes: sport, diversion.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàomanas
a levy which was imposed on possessions. In operation in the days of the Lordship of the Isles. Paid in kind.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàr
heat (also for human beings).
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
dàrna
Quotation: an dàrna [d̪ɑ:ṉɑ] fòid. Notes: the second peat (second layer).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàrnach
Skye for ‘dara’, alternate.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàsannach
[ˈdɑ:səNəx] Notes: audacious. Source: Mrs Iain MacBeath. Date: 1966.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàth ceann caora
singeing a sheep’s head with a red hot iron prong. [NOTES: ‘dàth’ corrected to ‘dath’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàth math
clear sky.
Origin: Islay
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
dè bu sgiallt
what was the cause of …
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dèan
Quotation: Tha mi dol a dhèanamh aran. Notes: used for ‘to bake’. ‘Fuine’ not used, though known by informant.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dèan
vb ‘do, make’ : past: rinn e uamhas airgid; cond.: cha dèanadh spionnadh duine an deamhan a chur air falbh idir; vbl nn.: cha robh e dona idir air a dh.; fear a’ dèanadh a’ rathaid;
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
dèic
deck of a boat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dèim
Quotation: [ən̪ɛ̃:m]. Notes: the lade of the mill, which carries the water to the wheel.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
déadhann
[dʹe:ən̪] Notes: (1) fetter. (2) could be used for what tied an animal to a post.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
déideadh
toothache. Piece of tobacco put into the hole in the tooth, and let it drip from the tooth, into dripping saliva. Also coarse salt similarly. Coarse salt heated on a frying pan, and then transferred into a stocking then placed externally on the cheek nearest the infected tooth. Was recommended towards a relief or cure if it was ‘caused by cold’, etc. (Methylated spirits injected in the tooth, was, is a more modern cure.)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
déidheadh
Quotation: a’ [dʹe:əɣ] “Chaneil i ach air [dʹe:əɣ].” Notes: shrink, as wood in a barrel or boat due to heat.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
déile
Air an déile. After being washed and dressed a dead body was stretched (righeadh) on long planks of wood draped in white linen sheets, pending the arrival of the coffin. At this early stage the corpse was referred to as being “air an déile”.
Origin: Skye
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
déir
[dʹe:ð] Quotation: Tha déir as a’ chraicionn agam. Notes: I’ve got a tingling sensation in my skin.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
déireach
dull, aggravating pain in your gums.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
déireach
[dʹ[ɤi]ɾɑx] Quotation: Bithidh déireach as an tóin agad an ceartair. Notes: a (slightly) painful tingling sensation. Dh’ol mi deoch fhuar ’s thug e déireach as na fiaclan agam.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
déisbeid
[dʹe:ʃbɑdʹ] Note: a fester at the root of the nail. Can come up very quickly and perhaps come to a head the same day.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
déisinneag
[dʹe:ʃĩnʹɑɡ] Note: a type of “portan”, small and greyish. Not eaten.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìdearachd
[dʹı:dʹɑɾɑxk] Quotation: Bhitheadh e a’ dìdearachd oirre. Notes: peeping.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìdearachd
Quotation: Bha e dìdearachd aig an dorus. Notes: peeping in at the door. Also spying, “Bha e dìdearachd orra.” – he was spying on them.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìnear
Quotation: am dinearach [sic].
Origin: North Uist
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
dìobartan
[dı:bərd̪ɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: “Bha e cho luath ris an dìobartan.” Notes: thought to be the sunlight dancing on rippled water. George Moss (N. Kessock) says “air tremble or whirling, over boggy ground on a hot day”.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìobartan
air-tremble near ground on hot day (Strathglass); also “spinning top”. Crith-dhìobairtean (Mull).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìobhair
Quotation: Dhìobhair e rùchd a chaolanan. Notes: He spewed his guts out.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
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
dìobradh
Quotation: Chaneil dìobradh air. Notes: There isn’t even a lull (in the weather).
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìocladh
Notes: cessation in heavy rain – short break; a short, dry interval between showers.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìog
Quotation: An duine bochd a’ dìogadh a mhionaich ach a faigh e còmhradh a nì e ris an t-sluagh. Notes: Common expression, used of ‘pressing’, ‘squeezing’. Does not seem to be in Dwelly. Source: D.S.T. (Lewis usage). Date: 19/12/1971.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìog
Quotation: dìog am putan or dìog air a’ phutan. Notes: press. A’ dìogadh – pressing.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìonach
adj. ‘watertight’: bha i cho ~ ri poit do’l [nuair] a chaidh i air sàile
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
dìonag
Notes: a sheep in its second year. Put to ram about November of second year and becomes a “caora” when it lambs the following spring. (See ath-dhìonag.)
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìorraich
Notes: tingling sensation in the hand and arm, induced by striking a ball with a bad caman. You would say of such a caman: “Tha dìorraich ann.” Not in Dw., who gives dìorr ‘a spark of life’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìosg
Quotation: an diosgadh [sic] [dʹiiəsɡəɣ]. Notes: going farrow (of a cow).
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìosg
[dʹıɤsɡ] Quotation: a’ cur an crodh an dìosg. Notes: letting the cows go dry.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìosgadh
Quotation: Chaidh a’ bhó ’n dìosgadh. Notes: The cow went dry.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìreach
Quotation: an fhèithe dhìreach. Notes: the gullet.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìreach
Quotation: Dìreach sin – just so. Dìreach – straight.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìrich
Quotation: a’ dìreachadh an fhiodh. Notes: make straight (planing).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìth mhòladh
satires.
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
dìthean
Quot.: dìthean a’ bhuntàta. Note: the flower on the potato shaw.
Origin: Scarista
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
dòbhliadhnach
n. ‘two-year old animal’: bhiodh a dhà ’s a trì bheathaichean agam, dòbhliadhnaich
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
dòcha
Quotation: ’S e sin bu dàch [d̪ɑ:x].
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
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
dòich
expectation; dòich – likely, dòcha – more likely.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòigh
n. ‘way’: an ceangal ris air ~ air an t-saoghal; chan eil thu ’ còrdadh rium idir nad dhòighean; dh’ionnsaich mi san ~ chruaidh i; an ~ a bheireadh e air an locair; ach ’ fhaicinn an ~ ’ tha e air a dhèanamh; an ~ -- a dh’obraicheadh e an t-iarann; an ~ ’ bh’ aca air luathadh an seo; an ~ ’ bh’ aca air a dhèanamh; bha ’n ~ fhèin aca air a chuile sian; cha do rinn mise sianmu dheidhinn obair iasgaich riamh do dh. air an t-saoghal; cha bhiodh iad a’ dol an aghaidh a chèile ~ air an t-saoghal; nì iad an-diugh an ~ eile e; anns an ~ bu dhuiliche
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
dòigh
expectation.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòigheil
Systematic.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòineach
unfortunate. [Cf. sòineach.]
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòirneag
[d̪ɔ:ʴnʹɑɡ] Quotation: dòirneag a’ raimh. Notes: handle of the oar. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòlaiste
adj. ‘damnably’: ‘s e daoine ~ math ‘ tha sna Frangaich ‘ tha seo; ‘s e Ruisia àite cho ~ ‘s chaidh e ‘-staigh riamh ann; bha e ~ math
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
dòrlach
handful of oatmeal, grain etc.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
dòrlinn
[d̪ɔ:ɾlʹĩnʹ] Notes: ridge formed by gravel, sand, e.g. between islands. Can walk over it at low tide.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrn
Quotation: Thug mi dòrn dha. Notes: a punch.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrn
Quotation: caol-an-dùirn. Notes: wrist.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrn
Quotation: caol-dùirn. Notes: wrist.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrn
Quotation: na dùirn. Notes: plough-handles.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrn
Quotation: a’ cuir am bogadh an clò agus ’ga fhàsgadh dòrn is dòrn. Notes: hand over hand.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrn
Quotation: caol-dùirn. Notes: wrist.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrn
Quotation: caol-dùirn [kw:ɫ d̪u̜rĩnʹ]. Notes: wrist.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrn
Quotation: a’ toirt a mach an dòrn fhuar. Notes: feat of strength tried when a cow was killed. One of the legs was caught near the hoof and twisted till it broke from the knee, then twisting was continued till the skin broke.
Origin: Uig, Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrn-fhuar
Quot.: a’ toirt a mach an dòrn-fhuar. Note: trial of strength involving the twisting off with the bare hands of the lower part of the cow’s leg at the knee.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrnag
Quotation: a feuchainn an dòrnaig. Notes: putting the shot.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrnag
Tool aig greusaiche. Airson an làmh a ghleidheadh a’ teannachadh gu math an t-sreangain. (A’ fuaigheal bonn bròige ’s a leithid sin.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrnais
Notes: a torch made from a stick covered with rags at one end and dipped in oil. (Also used for a peat lighted at one end and used for the same purpose.)
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrnan
Note: the piece of rope round the “stiall” [q.v.] in the byre, for tying cattle. (“Smidheag” [q.v.] – the part round the beast’s neck.)
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrnan
Quotation: dòrnan na spealadh. Notes: hand-grip on a scythe.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrnan
(m) Pl. dòrnain. Loin strap – attached to hames and ‘traveller’ on trams, i.e. draught-chain.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
dòrrlach
Quotation: dòrrlach choirce; dòrrlach eòrna. Notes: sometimes for “a sheaf”.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrtadh
Quotation: dòrtadh shoithichean. Notes: a downpour.
Origin: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dóbhrag
Quotation: dóbhrag bheag; dóbhrag mhór. Notes: coil of hay.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dólas
worse. Rinn sin an dólas air – that made matters worse.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùbh
Quotation: Nach bu dù e! Nach be dùbh ’cheard e! “’S e dùbh cheard a thann.” Notes: in the sense of complete, altogether, perfect.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùdan
Notes: “smut” in oats (?).
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùgan
dark, peaty soil. Also ‘dùgan a’ gheamhraidh’ – darkest time of winter.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùil
nn f.. ‘expectation’: ‘s gun fhios agaibh air ‘s gun dùil ris
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
dùil
Quotation: na [du̟:ləṉ]. Notes: the elements.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùil
Quotation: Ged tha dùil ris, chan eil gealladh air. Notes: tomorrow. (Quotation?)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùil
Quotation: Chan ann gun dùil comain a ni an croman fead. Notes: hope of reward. Croman – chough.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùmhail
Quot.: Tha ’m broilleach aige gu math dùmhail. Note: There’s a tightness in his chest.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùn
Quotation: dùn na snioghanan. Notes: ant hill.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùn
peat piled at the road preparatory to being hauled home.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
dùn-chladh
moat, boundary ditch, etc.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùnadh
Quot.: “Feumaidh mi dùnadh a chuir dhan eathar.” Note: said when a piece of planking has to be put into a boat for renewal. “Timchioll ùr” if the whole plank is to be put in.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùnadh
‘closing the boats’, the neighbour-boats’ meeting one another having made ring of the net.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
dùnan
Quotation: an dùnan. Notes: the dung heap.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùnan
Quotation: Tha a h-uile coileach làidir air a dhùnan fhéin.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùr
obstinate.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
dùr
obstinate (and/or) stubborn.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
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
dùraigeadh
desire. I have heard it used: Tha ’n dùraigheadh air? – not in Scalpay, not from a Scalpach but there may be another meaning? [SLIP: Desire. Example given was heard by informant, but not from a native of Scalpay.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùrd
Quotation: Cha chuala mi [d̪u̜:ʴḏ]. Notes: in reply to “Dé do naidheachd?” [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùsgadh
Revival (creideamh). Cuideachd ‘dùsgadh’ airson dùsgadh chlach an àirde as an talamh, agus ‘dùsgadh’ airson na sreathan buntàta a dhùsgadh an àirde le gràp.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùth
relating to your ancestry. “Mar bu dùth dhaibh.”
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Trianaid House
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùthaich
Quotation: Do bheatha an dùthaich! Notes: Welcome home!
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
e beiteadh an rathaid
[sic] a drunkard’s walk.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
eabar
mire, i.e. that left by cows gathering at a gate.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eabar
[ebəɾ] Quotation: Tha e na eabar. Notes: churned up mud.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eabar
describes a surface that is muddy, wet. “Tha an talamh na eabar.”
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eacarsaich
[ɛxɡəʴsiç] [?] Quotation: ag eacarsaich. Notes: doing some job in a very lively way, energetically. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eacarsaich (f)
Quotation: ag eacarsaich; dé an eacarsaich a th’ort a sin. Notes: not e.g. [?] – exercise. Bounding about; antics, i.e. frivolous quality.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
each
Quotation: each ursann. Notes: also “mart-ursann”. Beast taken from a widow by the landlord on her husband’s death. (See Dw.)
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
each
often preceded by beathach: beathach eich.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
each a’ spreathadh
a horse bolting caused by excitement.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
each giorragach
a horse that was difficult to control and prone to bolting.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
each-cruidheach
hoof-plated horse. [SLIP: Hooved horse.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
each-uisge
nn ‘water-horse’ ‘s e an t-~ ‘ tha aca air
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
eachan
Quotation: “Coltach ri eachan Mhàiri ribeach, daonnan a’ dol mu’n cuairt.” Said of a person who was never still. Notes: instrument for winding yarn – originally made from suitably shaped piece of tree.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eachan
a big bi-valve, found under the sand. It has a small teat which protrudes from the shell. It is called ‘ainean’ in Tighnabruaich and ‘aineachan’ in Kintyre.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadar
Quotation: Eadar Tom a’ Bhealaich is Motrach d’ Imleig/na h-Imleig. Notes: reported by Hector Maciver, West Side.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadar a làmh ’s an taobh
something that emerges accidentally.
Location: Barra, Ard Mhinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadar ath leann
something that would not sink.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadar dà sgeul is dà chluais a’ chlobha
would be said regarding something which you wanted to keep secret and private.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadar-a-bhì (?)
Quotation: Bha i [ɛd̪əɾɑvi:] nuair a chaidh mi seachad, a faicinn dé bh’agam. Notes: keeking.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadar-a-lunn
Quotation: Tha am bata eadar-a-lunn. Notes: half-submerged.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadar-a-lunn
[ɛd̪əɾɑlɔ̃ũ̜n̪] Notes: almost submerged but still floating. (See lunn – poss. a connection?)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadar-a-shian
[ɛd̪əɾɑhĩɤ̃ṉ] Quot.: “là eadar-a-shian”. Note: a good day in a spell of bad weather.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadar-a-shian
Quot.: là eadar-a-shian. Note: a day of favourable weather in a spell of bad weather.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadar-a-shian
Quot.: “là eadar-a-shian”. Note: a good day in a spell of bad weather.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadar-da-fhrois
Quotation: Theid mi null eadar-da-fhrois.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadar-da-lunn
[ɛd̪əɾd̪ɑlɤ̃ũ̜n̪] Notes: floating but half-submerged. Also used of indecision – “Bha mi eadar-da-lunn.”
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadar-da-lunn
Notes: half submerged but floating.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadar-dha-lìn
Notes: suspended in water.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadar-dha-éile
Note: respite after bad weather but the weather getting worse, if anything, after it.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadar-dà-long (?)
Quotation: Tha ’m bàta [ed̪əɾʔɑɫũ̟ŋɡ]. Notes: common saying in the past. The boat would be almost full of water but still floating. [NOTES: slipped under ‘eadar-dà-liunn’ and ‘eadar (dh)a lung’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadaralong (?)
[ɛd̪əɾɑɫũ̜:ŋɡ] Notes: floating, but with very little of the object above water, as a boat almost full of water.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadaras
[ɑd̪əɾəs] Quotation: (1) Chunna mi a bhó eadaras an tigh dubh. (2) Bithidh e tighinn eadaras trí uairean. Notes: (1) Between here and the black house. (2) Between now and three o’clock.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadarra-dha-lìnn
[ɛd̪əɾəɣɑlʹĩ:nʹ] Notes: half-submerged but floating.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadh
Quotation: Dé an eadh a th’ort? Notes: How tall are you?
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadh
Quotation: ’s eadh, ’s eadh! Notes: said in answer to a statement not perhaps completely accepted.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
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
eadhonadh
attempting, fidgeting.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadradh
[ɛd̪ɾəɣ] Quotation: eadradh maidne, eadradh feasgair; am an eadraidh. Notes: milking time; M says it also could be used of the yield of milk, e.g. morning and evening.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadradh
Quotation: Nach ann aig a’ bhó a tha ’n eadradh. Notes: meaning the quantity of milk yielded at the one milking.
Location: Skye, Camustianavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadradh
milking time at twelve o’clock.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadradh
bleoghann. Bha seo aig seann duine ach thubhairt e gur ann an Srath-Eireann a thog e e ’na òige. [NOTES: it is not clear if the above comment refers to ‘eadradh’ or ‘buarach’.]
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
eadradh
Quotation: tràth eadradh. Notes: milking time.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eag
a notch. Also used for a dimple or an indentation in the chin.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eagal
Quotation: Cha bhiodh eagal orm roimh ghnùis Gaidheal. Notes: I wouldn’t be afraid of my own people.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eagalt
Quotation: Chan eagalt dhut.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eaglais
This is the word I have always heard for a church but it may be interesting to note that there are three farms in this district called Achnahannet. Not very long ago looking through the dictionary I came on the word ‘annaid’ meaning a church, which may suggest that that word was used in the district at one time.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
eaglais
Quotation: An Eaglais Phàp. Notes: R.C. Church.
Origin: Loch Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eaglais chatlaich
Catholic Ch[urch].
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
eaglais choimhthional
Congregational Ch[urch].
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
eaglais phàpanach
Catholic Ch[urch].
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
ealachag chogaidh
someone who took the blame for anything that happened.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ealagol
old peat from walls, used for fuel.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ealagoll
[ɛɫɑɡɔɫ] Note: naturally dried peat which hasn’t been cut e.g. on stony ground.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ealamh
Quotation: ealamh beag [jɑɫəbeɡ]. Notes: a small portion, amount.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eallach
cattle.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eallach
Quotation: an eallach. Notes: bronchitis.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
ealladh
Quotation: bior eallaidh. Notes: an iron rod used to hold lighted peat as a torch. (Harris)
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eallagoll
[ᵉɑɫɑɡɔɫ] Note: peat naturally dried among the rocks. Ready for burning.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ealtag
[jɑɫt̪ɑɡ] Notes: bat.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ealtainn
Quotation: ealtainn bearradair. Notes: barber’s scissors.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eamaid
Quotation: “Fhreumhaich no eamaid cha téid mu do chasan gus an téid thu do’n ghreusaiche leis an t-seice ud” – cailleach ri a fear.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ean-athair
winged bird, able to fly. ’S e ean-athair th’ann – ‘on a wing’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ean-turuis
migratory bird.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eanghlas
a drink consisting of milk and water.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eanstrach
[ɛ̃ṉst̪ɾɔx] Quotation: Eanstrach bho’n àirde ’n ear. Notes: East Coast built boat (Anstruther?). Had a perpendicular stem, stern almost perpendicular.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ear a dheas, an
advb ‘seatheasterly’: stoirm mhòr an ~ ann
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
earachaol
I am not definitely sure of this word. I haven’t heard the word now since years. I take it to mean leanness of spring. I remember hearing it something thus: anns an earachaol – in the leanness of spring, referring to cattle or cow or sheep, beasts in particular.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
earalas
[ɛərəɫəs] Quotation: “Bi t’earalas air a pholisman.”
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
earalas
Quotation: An earalas gun deanadh iad fuaim. Notes: in case.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
earar
Quotation: an earar. Notes: the day after tomorrow.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
earball
Quotation: earball stubach. Notes: lamb’s cut tail.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
earball
[wɾwbəɫ] Quot.: “Fhuair mi earball.” Note: said by a person who came to a house having found a newly-born lamb belonging to that house. Was given half a “breacag” and two eggs.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
earball
[wɾwbəɫ] Quotation: Chaneil [wɾwbəɫ] oir’. Notes: said of a woman with no family, no responsibility.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
earball
Quotation: earball buinnich. Notes: dirty wool cut off the tail of a sheep. Buinneach: equiv. of “spùt” diarrhoea, flux.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
earball-sàile
[wɾwbəɫsɑ:lə] Note: the part of the “muircean” nearest the rock. End part. Not so good for eating.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
earball-sàile
Quotation: Bidh ’n còmhnaidh earball-sàile air a’ chuid obrach. Notes: His work is always unfinished.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
earbsa
[e:rəbsə] Quotation: Nach eil math dhuit earbsa a chuir asda.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
earbull stúuach (stùthach)
[short tail that remains after docking.] [NOTES: ‘stùthach’ added in what looks like second hand.]
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross and Cromarty but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
earchall
[ɛɾɑxɑɫ] Quot.: “Cha robh ann ach an t-earchall.” Note: usually used of the loss of an animal. If one reported a loss to someone, he might say this in response, i.e. that a loss is inevitable sometimes.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
earra-ghoth
[ɑrɑɣɔ] Quotation: an t-earra-ghoth. Notes: the period when the moon is on the wane.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
earradh
attire. “Chan aithnich thu mi ’san earradh seo.”
Location: Barra, Earsharry [Earsary]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
earraicis
Quotation: ann an earraicis, earraiciseach. Notes: makeshift. Not in Dw., who has earrag and earraig ‘shift’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
earrlainn
stern of a boat.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eas
waterfall.
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
eas
waterfall.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
eas
waterfall.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
eas
a cataract on a river. (?)
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
easair
oatmeal and hot water. Drunk to quench thirst.
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easair
an oatmeal orientated drink likely to be used to quench the thirst.
Origin: Uibhist a’ Deas [South Uist]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
easan
[esɑṉ] Notes: oatmeal soaked in water. Water poured off, heated and milk added. For children.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easan
Quotation: deoch [esɑ̃nʹ]. Notes: a drink of mixed water and oatmeal.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easbhuidh
Quotation: Bha mi a coimhead breagha [əjɛsəv] orra. Notes: I looked good without them.
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easbhuidh
Quotation: Chaneil dad [əjɛsi] orm. Notes: I want for nothing.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easchan
[ɛsxɑ̃ṉ] Notes: a small waterfall in a stream.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easg
a bog or natural ditch. A fen.
Location: North Uist, Blàsheabhal [Blashaval]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easg
[ɛsk] Notes: crack or fissure on the face of the peat-bank. When cutting, water spouts out from them.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easgach
Quotation: àite easgach. Notes: rugged, broken ground. Easg: a fissure in the ground.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easgach (adj.)
(also) water under the soil causing unseen softness, thus a person liable to fall into such unknowingly of its presence. [SLIP: Said of soil so moistened by water that a person sinks deeply into it.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easgaich
danger spot in the ground not showing, boglach. [SLIP: Danger spot in a bog which is not at first apparent.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easgan dubh, easgann gheall
66 [Common Eel] Ceann na natharach air an easgann is ceann an eisginn air an nathair.
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easgan-dubh-a-chladaich
conger eel. By the shore, black in colour until the same species enters deep water it takes on eventually the white colour. I have this information?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easgann
Notes: the conger eel caught out in deep water.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easgann-dhubh
black conger of a dark colour until its return to deep water, etc, etc.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easlainte-cham
Note: malady in cattle involving a twist in the neck. Blood let for this.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easlainte-cham
Quot.: an easlainte-cham. Note: disease in cattle and sheep causing a twist in the neck.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eatar-dà-fhrois
in between.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eataras
[ɛt̪əɾəs] Quotation: “Ciamar a tha thu?” “O, tha an eataras.” Notes: so-so.
Location: Canada, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eathannan
fathoms.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eathar
Quotation: eathar deireadh-màsach. Notes: square-sterned boat.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eathar
Quotation: eathar da-claigeann. Notes: Zulu-type boat.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eathar
Notes: boat up to 18' in length.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eathar
Quotation: eathar màsach. Notes: square-sterned boat.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eathar
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eathar gleusd’
a boat that did not make lee-way when tacking.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eathar-mona
boat for [carrying peats.]
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
eathlag
chopping block.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eibhleag
[ȷɤu̟lɑɡ] Note: ember (pronunciation). Also use éibhil [e:vilʹ].
Origin: Balallan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eicheabhal
[eçəvɑɫ] Quotation: Thug e [eçəvɑɫ] as. Notes: He gave him quite a trial. Punishment.
Location: Vatersay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eideas
Quotation: Tha thu làn eideais. Notes: faddy, fussy.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eighe
peat-iron (given by only one pupil – probably from a dictionary!).
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
eighe
[ʔeʔə] Quotation: eighe sàbh. Notes: saw-file (triangular cross-section).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eileabanachd
[eləbɑnɑxk] Quotation: “Dé ’n eileabanachd a th’ort an sin?” Notes: mischief, playing about.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eileach
Note: low wall built across a stream or river with a gap left in the middle where a “cabhall” was put to catch fish.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eileag
Quotation: seachdain [eɫɑk]. Notes: For ‘eile’.
Origin: Arran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eileamaid
[eləmɑdʹ] Quotation: Na bi ag eileamaid mar sin. Notes: playing about.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eileamaid
Quotation: Na h-eileamaidean. Notes: cup and plates at a Communion service.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eilear
[ɛlɑɾ] Quotation: droch [ɛlɑɾ]. Notes: a bad shore (from oirthir?)
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eileatrom
[elət̪ɾəm] Note: a painful cut just behind the ball of the foot due to going about barefoot. Said to be caused by moorland water on tender skin.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eileatrom
Note: wood on which corpse was stretched.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eileatrom
[elət̪ɾəm] Note: funeral bier.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eileir
[ɛləɾ] Quotation: Tha ’n [ɛləɾ] glé dhon’ an diugh. Notes: The shore is very bad today. (oir-thir?)
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eilghe Dwelly 390
First ploughing of land that requires a second to prepare it for seed. [NOTES: this item squeezed between (1) and (2); not clear where it belongs.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
eilgheadh
[elɑhəɣ] Quotation: Bha iad ag eilgheadh an atar. Notes: first ploughing where potatoes or turnips were planted the year before.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eilghidh
[elei] Quot.: ag eilghidh na talmhainn. Note: first ploughing where barley was to be sown – to ease the earth. Then ploughed again later on at sowing time.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eilidriom
Quotation: Thug iad leo an eilidriom. Notes: a hearse for carrying away the remains. Does the first part of the word mean removal? Eilidhriom (?)
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eilitriom
Bho a leth thaobh: [see illustration]. Bhos a chionn: [see illustration]. Bho a thaobh (dìreach): [see illustration]. Tha e coltach gu’n deacha mi ceàrr an seo shuas: cha robh làmhan na h-eilitriom càm idir; bha iad dìreach.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
eilteachdainn
[elʹtʹɑxkĩnʹ] Quotation: “’S mi rinn an eilteachdainn ris.” Notes: showing great pleasure at seeing somebody.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
einneach
[enʹɑx] Quot.: “einneach fraoich”. Note: the stumps of heather in a burnt area.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eireachdail
[eðɑxkɑl] Quotation: Tha e [eðɑxkɑl] math. Notes: good in all respects, exceedingly good.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eireachdail
Notes: magnificent. Of man – well-built, usually ruddy features, healthy and strong. Sometimes suitor of girls.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eireapais
[eðɑpiʃ] Quot.: “Nach ann ort a tha ’n eireapais!” Note: said, e.g. to a child who wouldn’t stay still, say, when his coat was being buttoned. Restlessness due to impatience.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eirmis
Quotation: “Nach e bha eirmiseach.” Notes: able to discern, able to hit the nail on the head. Also applied to intuition which later proved to be right.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eisdeachd
Quotation: Bha iad a’s an eisdeachd. – They were (hearing sermon) in Church. Notes: apparently this word was the one used in the R. C. Church for attendance at Confession. Probably after the Reformation it continued to be used in the Gaelic area to describe a Protestant Service.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eiseach
[e:ʃəx] Quotation: Air acainn machine bha rud a’ dol sios fo’n uraball eiseach a feir [?] iad ris, bha sin airson dar a bhiodh e ruith nach gluaiseadh an t-srathair.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eisear, eisearan
XVII native oyster.
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eisir
Quotation: pl. eisrean. Notes: oyster.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eisle
Quotation: a’ dol a dheasachadh na h-eisle. Notes: eisle used in Tiree of bed where body lies in a house. Normally prepared by close relatives or friends.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eislig
Quotation: Cha robh ann dheth ach [eʃlʹiɡʹ]. Notes: A very thin, gaunt man or beast.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eislig
[eʃlʹıɡʹ] Quotation: Chuir iad an corp air an eislig. Notes: board(s) on which a body was stretched out.
Origin: Glenurquhart
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
eiteach
[etʹɑx] Notes: The bevelled joint between the planks in a boat. (See Dw.)
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eiteach
what is left after heather fires. Black dust.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eiteach
heather stubble.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eiteig (f)
Quotation: Chuir e an eiteig ann leis na thug e dha de shlaicean. An eiteag ann an cearc.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eitheann / eathann
[e̱ʔəṉ] ivy.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eithear-beag
wee boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eithear-caol
long-boat, of an unusual length in proportion to the width; one of these is still in existence on Scalpay. [NOTES: slipped under ‘eathar-caol’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eithear-corrach
an unstable boat. [NOTES: slipped under ‘eathar-corrach’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eithear-lion
boat(s) operating with nets.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eithear-mara
seaworthy boat. Is e eithear-mara dha dh’rìreabh th’innte. (Scalpay expression) [NOTES: slipped under ‘eathar-mara’. Quotation: Is e eathar-mara dha rìribh a th’innte.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eithear-mara
seaworthy boat. ’S e eithear mara math th’innte. – having stability in rough seas.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eithear-mor
big boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eithear-màsach
a yawl, broad stern boat. [NOTES: slipped under ‘eathar-màsach’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eithear-ràmh
oar(ed) boat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eithear-ràmh
rowing boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eithear-sheòl
(literally boat of sails) sailing boat of the fishing class order.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eithear-siùil
(singular) sailboat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eitneach
burnt roots of heather or dried roots. I could check as at the moment I am not quite certain – doesn’t it ‘associate’ with heather or pertain to heather. [SLIP: Burnt or dried roots of heather – unsure.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eitneach
[etʹnʹɔx] Note: stumps of heather left in a place which had been burnt.
Origin: Harris, Bays
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
elatrom
bier. Deilidh or déile. In the death line of words that is words describing [? the word order?]. [NOTES: originally slipped under ‘elatrom (sic)’ then this changed to ‘eileatrom’. Definition: Bier.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eoin a’ falbh na speilean
followed by stormy, windy weather.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eolas aimsir
weather forecasting.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eolas an déididh
mentioned in previous notes. Should be added that it was a prayer that was written and not a bit of prose as I previously indicated.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eolas-an-déididh
prior to the era of dentists a certain member of the community would write some words on a small bit of paper. Thereafter the afflicted person was not to look at this paper but to secretly place it under a rock. As the elements eroded the paper the toothache was supposed to wither away simultaneously.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
errair
(droch errair) heavy surf on the shore. (Stoer, Assynt) Tha fuiam [sic] mor aig a’ “errair” – when the sound of the swell on the shore was heard at a distance. I understand the word is derived from oir a’ tir – the edge of the land. I never heard it anywhere else except in Durness where it is called “ellair” – “Tha a h-ellair olc.”
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
eubhachd
[e:vɑxk] Quotation: ag eubhachd.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eubhachdan
[e:vɑxkəṉ] Quotation: na h-eubhachdan. Notes: reading the banns – 3rd, 2nd or 1st week before the wedding.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Skerray
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eubhais
[e:vɑʃ] Quotation: “Fhuair i eubhais.” Notes: She got a good “haul”, a worthwhile “haul”. Perhaps something found. Not stolen – acquired by legal means.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eubhais
[e:vɑʃ] Quot.: “Tha beag eubhais ort a’ deanamh sin.” Note: “It is pointless / a waste of time for you to do that.” Cf. eubhais (Barvas): “Fhuair e eubhais” – He got a good haul.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eucoireach (m)
Notes: a brat; of older person – someone always teasing people, playing practical jokes, etc.; ‘life and soul…’
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eudach
Quotation: Bha e [ɡʹɛ:d̪ɑx] ri a’ bhean. Notes: doubting his wife’s fidelity, jealous. Perhaps this jealousy would be unfounded.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eudail
[iɑd̪ɑl] Quot.: “Eudail ort!” Note: said when tired of something. Also: “Eudail, eudail, ’s math seachad e!”
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eulaich
[ɛ̃ɑɫiç] Quotation: “An uair a fhuair sinn seachad a cheud [ɛ̃ɑɫiç].” Notes: numbness.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eun
Quotation: Ged stuth eun an fhithich e, is geal ’na sùilean fhéin e. Notes: i.e. in his mother’s eyes.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eun
Quotation: “Tha mi mar eun a thuit o’n chroman.” Notes: feeling useless, washed out. Croman probably meaning the “chough”, a type of hawk.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eun
nn ‘bird’: eoin an t-sneachd a chanas iad leatha
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
eun
Quotation: na h-[ɛwin]. Notes: na h-eòin.
Origin: Arisaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eun
Quotation: na h-eòin ruadh. Notes: grouse in general.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eun
Quotation: na h-eòin bheag. Notes: small birds in general.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eun
Quotation: Cha b’e do na h-eòin e mun a robh am bad air. Notes: bad: tuft on head of a bird. Say a person was forward in company. It was expected of him to be like that, he came from a forward family.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eun
Quotation: A h-uile duine a’ toirt eun a cladach dha fhéin. Notes: Everyman for himself.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eun
Quotation: eun seana-chearc. Notes: the offspring of aged parents.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eun
Quotation: Chan e eun gob dé (sic) a bh’ann, thainig e mach glé thràth ’san Earrach. Notes: He was no chicken. (A’ gobachadh: breaking the shells, hatching.)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eun
Quotation: Eun Dubh a’ Sgadain. Notes: guillemot.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eun
Quotation: na h-eòin. Notes: young chicks.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eun-dubh
sea-bird about the same size as a puffin with black short beak; black of course but for a white feather showing on its wing, its side. [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words. Definition: Sea-bird (same size as puffin with black, short beak and white feathers on side).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eun-ghuireag
Note: seems to be applied to the snipe on the wing from the description of the sound it makes at night.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eun-gur
incubating bird sitting, incubating bird.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
eutroman
Notes: bladder – of sheep, often inflated by children as a balloon in olden days before rubber balloons came on the market. Hence the meaning: wind-bag. Therefore applied to light, unstable persons – filled with hot air!
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eòin
Quotation: na h-eòin. Notes: chickens.
Origin: Petty
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eòlach
Quotation: Bha e cho eòlach ’s a bha ’m brìdean ’s an tràigh.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eòlan
[ɛɔ:ɫɑṉ] Notes: fish oil put on wool before it was teazed in order to lubricate it.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eòlan
[ȷɔ:ɫɑṉ] Note: lubricating oil put on wool.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eòlas
Quotation: “eòlas fairge”. Notes: sea experience.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eòrna
1. Sùgh an eòrna – barley water. 2. Brochan eòrna – barley gruel. ‘Eòrna’ was always associated with kidney or bladder trouble. Disease: in the list as above [i.e. infections, retaining water, cystitis, stones in kidney or bladder, discoloured urine]. How prepared: 1. Simply drinking it after infusion. 2. Mixed into paste with a taste of salt. Sources of information: locally informed generally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
eòrna
Quotation: eòrna Albannach (Scottish); eòrna Lochlannach (Scandinavian, Danish); eòrna Insinneach (Indian). Notes: barley used in whisky making. The Scottish barley was considered the best. The Danish barley was also good. The Indian, although cheaper, was not considered to be as good as the Scottish and Danish.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eòrna
Quotation: tigh an eòrna. Notes: the grain loft in distilleries.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eòrna
Quotation: clach eòrna. Notes: a stone used for pounding barley.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eòrna ceithir sreathan  (or eòrna mór)
’se sin a bu mhotha a bha iad a’ cur an Tiriodh. Also for feeding and for making barley bread and barley porridge – brochan. Also used for malting.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
eòrna dà shreath
used as malting barley and for feeding.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
eòrna mór
[See eòrna ceithir sreathan.]
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
eòrna na gainmh’chadh
Quotation: Tha sin coltach ri eòrna na gainmh’chadh. Notes: You’ll have to wait a long time for that.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
f.
[gender?] cheevitch [?] for covering potatoes.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
facal
Quotation: Bha facal aige. Notes: applied to a witty person, good at repartee.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fach
shearwater; also shelter for the night, fàch oidhche.
Location: Cluer
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
fachach
shearwater. [NOTES: ‘puffin’ added in second hand.]
Category: Eòin / Birds
fachadh bàn
Manx shearwater.
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fad
nn ‘length’: bha i mu chòig troighean a dh'fh.; ceud troigh a dh’fh. Innte; dhèanainnsa barrachd ann an uair ‘s __ nì iad seo am ~ latha
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
fad
[ɸɑd] Quotation: air a shon sin ’s air fad.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fad
Quotation: Bha mi aige fad, fìnn, foinneach [fonʹɑx] an latha. Notes: I was at it the whole day.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fad
Quot.: “Fad bhìnn uaineach a’ latha” [fɑd̪vĩ:nʹũ̜ɑ̃nʹɑx]. Note: all day long.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fad
Quot.: “Fad, fìnn shuaimhneach an latha.” Note: all day long. (Put also under finn [sic] [fĩ:nʹ].)
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fad, pl. fadan or foidean
ordinary peat.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
fada
Quotation: Tha e cho fada ’s a cheann ’s a bha Fionn ’s na casan. Notes: Islay – in the sense of being cunning. Lewis (Barvas) – stubborn.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fada
Quotation: ’S fhada chithinn e mas toirinn cuideachadh dha.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fada-cruaidh
a black cloud in the north indicative of bad weather to come.
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fadachd
Quotation: De ’n fhadachd a th’ann? Notes: length.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fadag chruaidh eireag
nn f. ‘dog’s tooth [weather phenomenon]’: ~, tha e car coltach ri bogha-froisg [sic] ach chan eil e cho fada
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
fadal
[fɑd̪ɑɫ] Quotation: Bha mi a’ gabhail fadal nach robh e tighinn.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fadalach
Quotation: Tha mi fadalach ann a seo leum fhéin. Notes: I am lonely here by myself. Loneliness because one is waiting for someone to come.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fadan uisge
water vole.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fadhal
the channel that is left after high tide. [NOTES: corrected to ‘fadhail’.]
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fadhart
a serious hurt (old word). Fhuair thu fadhairt [sic] – when a boy falls and hurts his knee etc. ‘seriously’. Perhaps it takes the ‘i’ grammatically: I think so.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fadhlais
contrary to other people hitherto questioned, this informant insists that these were not the spokes in a cartwheel, but rather, the sockets in the actual rim of the wheel into which the spokes slotted.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fadradh
[See fatradh.]
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fafan
Quotation: Tha [fɑfɑ̃ṉ] air mo làmhan. Notes: chafing of the hands.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fafanaich
weather-beaten, rough hands. “Bha fafanaich air mo làmhan.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faghach
attempting to do a thing.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faghar
a loud blow, e.g. a boat crashing on rocks. “Nach i a fhuair am faghar.”
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faghus
[fɤɣɤs] Quotation: Tha am facal sin gle [ɤɣɤs] air a’ bheurla. Notes: near.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faic
Quotation: ’S fhada chithinn e mas toirinn cuideachadh dha.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faic
Quotation: Na leig mi faicinn dhuit? Notes: Did I show you?
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faic
Quotation: “Ma chunnaic [hɛ̃n̪ic] thu rud riamh ’s a chùlthaobh riut.” Notes: “You should have known what to expect.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faiceallach
Quotation: Tha e faiceallach ’na chaitheamh beatha. Notes: prudent on account of religious convictions.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faiche
inlets near the shore where lobsters could be caught at low tide. Caught with the aid of a ‘croman’.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faicheil
stately.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faids (f)
Quotation: Thug mi faids dhan a’ leabhar gu ceann thall a’ ruim [?]. Thoir dha faids. Notes: a fling, throw, push or blow.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faigh
[fɛʔə] Quotation: a h uile àite faigheadh tu iad.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faighdeach a’ mhuilinn
a small feeder loch close to the mill which provided the water power to run the mill.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fail
Quotation: Tha ’m beathach sin air faileadh. Notes: a beast which was patchy, some of the hair or wool having come out.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
fail
Quotation: fail-muc. Notes: a pen.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
failbheag
a ring at the end of a rope or a metal hook at the end of a chain.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
failbhean
Quotation: An duine bhios a bhara air falbh, cha shuidh e ach air failbhean corrach. Notes: v. Matheson, An Clàrsair Dall, pp. 209, 227.
Origin: Lewis, Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
failbhean
Quotation: failbhean na glùine. Notes: the patella. Used also of movable, unstable objects, e.g. failbhean corrach.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
failbhoin
Quotation: “Cha do dh’fhailbhoin mi” – I didn’t hear. Notes: Jessie MacLeod reports common in (North) Ness. Cf. failbhean/failmhean apparently used for the lobe of the ear. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
failc
[fɛlc] Quotation: Bha sinn gar failceadh cuideachd. Notes: We were bathing together.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
failceadh
Quotation: a’ failceadh leanamh. Notes: bathing a child.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
failceadh feannaige
dipping head in water up to ears.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faileadh
Quot.: “Faileadh ortsa!” Note: exclamation of displeasure at someone.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faileas
[fɑlɑs] Quotation: Bha faileasan gu leòir ann an raoir. Notes: sheet-lightning.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faileas
Quotation: Faileas na bhrògan. Polish in his shoes. “Chan fhada gu’n caill i a’ faileas a tha sud!” – comment on a bride whose husband had described her as a ruby! Notes: often used in W. Lewis – in the sense of glistening and glory. Glamour.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faileasgadh
[fɑlɑsɡəɣ] Notes: heather fire.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
failich
[fɑliç] Quotation: Dh’fhailich e orm a dheanamh. Notes: I failed to do it. (fairtlich)
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
failich
Quotation: Dh’fhailich [ɣɛlʹiç] e orm. Notes: I failed to do it.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
failm
Quotation: an fhailm. Notes: helm of a boat.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
failmean
[fɛlɛmɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: falman [sic] na glùineadh. Notes: knee-cap.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faing nan uan
when lambs are separated from their mothers.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
fair
[fɛ:əɾ] Note: in the game “speilean” (q.v.), throwing the ball to the batter so that he can strike it again. Only happens if not caught out by a fielder.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fair
[fɑir] Quotation: Fair Ghlaschu [fɑir ɡɫɛsko]. Notes: Glasgow Fair.
Origin: Arran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fairc (sic)
[fɑɾçc] Notes: lobsters’ retreat among rocks.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faircean
crevices under rocks on the shore. Lobsters, crabs can be obtained in these. The word ‘fairc’ is different from ‘faiche’ which is used at the south end of South Uist.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faire
Quotation: Chan fhaic mi fàireadh air an dràsda. Notes: I don’t see a sight of him just now.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faire
Quotation: tigh-fhaire. Notes: a house in which a wake is being held.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faireachdainn
detecting fish, herring by wire dragged by the boat; the herring or fish coming against the wire caused a feel of their presence. Bha sinn dha fhaireachdainn. Now through the meter indicator in the wheel house (boat). [NOTES: the quotation on the slip reads ‘Bha sinn ’ga fhaireachdainn.’ Definition: Detecting herring by means of a wire dragged by the fishing boat.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faireachdainn
Quotation: Tha mi a’ call m’ fhaireachdainn. Notes: I am forgetting myself or I’ve lost track of time.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faireachduinn
detection (fish) with a wire indicator after a vessel.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faireagan
glands. [NOTES: slipped under ‘faireag’. Pronunciation: [fɑˈrɑk]. Definition: Gland (partic. in meat).]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
faireagan
an insect which lodged in the back of cattle. Could be ringworm? [NOTES: corrected to ‘fàireagan’.]
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faireid
Quotation: a’ faireid [əfɑ̟rẹdʹ]. Notes: asking.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fairge
Quotation: am bochdainn fairge. Notes: seasickness.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fairich
vb ‘hear; notice; observe’ : past: dh’fh. e fàladh am bush; dh’fhairich mise duine ‘ gràdhainn; cond.: fairgheamaid blas [ɔ] na clòimhe oirre; vbl nn: ‘s gun e ‘ fairghinn ‘o math; bha an driver a’ fairghinn seo neònach; tha mi ‘ creidsinn gu bheil iad ‘ faireachdainn na h-ùine fada [FMM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
fairichte
[fɑɾıtʹə] Quotation: fairichte man a’ choire. Notes: on the alert, watching. Watching for the kettle to boil.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Kilillan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fairig
[fɑɾiɡʹ] Quotation: “Bha i ga fairigeadh fhéin as an allt.” Notes: bitch splashing about in the burn to clean herself. See Dw.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fairis
Quotation: A’ mùin ’s an aon fhaochaig, cha bhi i fada gun dol fairis. Notes: said of two people who are very friendly for a time. fairis – thairis?
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fairtich
Quotation: Dh’fhairtich e orm a dheanamh. Notes: I failed to do it. (Without the “l”.)
Location: Kenmore, Fearnabeg (Shieldaig? – on one of the slips)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faisg
vb. ‘squeeze’: VBL. N.: bhathas ga fhasgadh às a sin; glè fh. air
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
faisgeanta
Quotation: làr fhaisgeanta [ɫɑ:ɾɑʃɡʹɑ̃n̪t̪ə]. Notes: winnowing floor.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fal shìde
bad weather.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falach
Quotation: falach-fead. Notes: hide and seek.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falaid
flour sprinkled over the baking that was to be put in the oven.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falaid
[fɑɫɑdʹ] Notes: in baking – the dry flour or oatmeal spread out on the baking board, and worked into the “bonnach”.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falair (I)
(’Se “alair” a chanadh iadsan.) Bha an fhalair air sgur mus robh cuimhne aig m’ athair. Bha lorg aige air bodadh Uigeach a bha ag radh ri a mhac a’ dol a mach do an t-saoghal air a cheann fhéin a’ cheud uair, “A nise ma thig duine ort a thaobh athar no màthar, biodh mart na h-alair agad”. Bha cuimhne aig m’ athair uair no dhà nuair a bha e ’na dhuine òg, a bhìth aig tiodhlacadh agus biodh ’ga thoirt seachad.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
falaisg
[fɑɫiʃɡʹ] Quotation: Dh’fhalbh iad a dh’fhalaisgeadh. Notes: vb. set fire to the heather.
Location: Ross-shire, Achnahaird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falaisg
[fɑɫiʃɡʹ] Note: heather fire.
Origin: Harris, Bays
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falaisg
[fɑɫiʃɡʹ] Note: heather fire.
Origin: Harris, Leverburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falaisg
[fɑɫıʃɡʹ] Notes: heather blaze, usually in sprintime.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falaisg
Quotation: gaois falaisg. Notes: broom (usually birch) about 8ft long for extinguishing heather fires.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falaisgear
[fɑɫiʃɡʹəð] Notes: heather fire.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falamh
[ɸɑɫəv] Quotation: Dar tha thu falamh. Notes: short of money.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falamh
Quotation: copan falamh. Notes: used of a cup of tea with no accompanying eats. Source: Prof. D.S. Thomson, Lewis. Date: 1985.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falaraidh
applied to refreshments after a burial whether it be at the cemetery, in the deceased’s house or at an [sic] hotel.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falaraidh
word associated with funeral costs and expenses. “A’ dol a dh’iarraidh falaraidh.” Also used for the cheese, biscuits and drink available after a funeral.
Origin: Uibhist a’ Deas [South Uist]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
falasgadh
Quotation: a’ falasgadh [fɑɫɑsɡu̜]. Notes: setting the heather on fire.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falasgadh
[fɑɫəsɡu̜] Notes: heather fire.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falasgadh
Notes: a heather fire.
Origin: Glenurquhart
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
falbh air a threòraisde fhein
going on his own accord. [NOTES: slipped under ‘treòraisde’ with ‘falbh air a threòraisde fhéin’ as the quotation.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falbh air chialaidh
going out in the morning without having eaten something.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falbh air cuiblichean
[sic] borne on wheels. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cuibhle’ with ‘falbh air cuibhlichean’ as the quotation.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falbhan
[fɑɫɑvɑṉ] Quotation: a’ falbhan. Notes: wandering about aimlessly. (Elgol)
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falbhan
Quotation: cas-an-fhalbhain. Notes: something given on loan which goes its rounds in a village.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falc (-adh)
to bathe, bathing.
Origin: ‘Islay connections’
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falcadh (sic)
[fɑɫkəɣ] Notes: bathing.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falcaire
a bird dipper; in general terms, his characteristics are he dips his head underwater.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falchan
a hidden article, as half bottle of whisky also referred to such subject: Tha falchan agad a badeiginn. (Scalpay) [NOTES: the quotation on the slip has ‘…bad-eigin’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fallaid
flour shaken on a bannock prior to flattening out.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
fallaid
[fɑɫidʹ] Quotation: an fhallaid. Notes: meal or flour on a kneading board.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fallais
sweating. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
fallus
sweating.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., [Lochaber]) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.)
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
falmadair
[fɑɫɑməd̪ɑð] Notes: tiller on a boat.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falmadair
[fɑɫɑməd̪ɑð] Note: tiller in a boat.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falmadair
[fɑɫɑməd̪ɑð] Note: tiller in a boat.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faloisg
heather burning.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faloisg
heather-burning.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faloisg (spelling?)
heather burning.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falus
Notes: sweat.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
famhair
Quotation: Na biodh [fjuʔəs] agad ri famhair [fɛfəɾ] a nead dròlan. Notes: Don’t expect a giant out of a wren’s nest. [NOTES: RÓM: fɛfəɾ looks like an Islay form. Feb. 2012.]
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
famhair
a big man (stature). [NOTES: the slip gives a quotation ‘B’ e famhair e ‘na latha’. Definition: ‘A big man (in stature)’.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
fan
Quotation: a’ fanail. Notes: staying.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fan
Quotation: Co leis a tha thu a fantail [fɛ̃n̪t̪ɑl]? Notes: Who are you staying with?
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fanaid
satires.
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
fanaladh
more or less resting on your oars with the boat hardly moving.
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fang
put into position where the creature can be caught; an enclosure process of getting old [sic] [hold?] of any creature. From ‘faing’, fank.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fang
Quotation: fang-glacaidh. Notes: a small enclosure within a fank for catching sheep.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fang ghlacaidh
catching fank.
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
fanga
Bodach eile, bha e ’n a dhuine nuair a bha m’athair òg (rugadh m’athair ann an 1860), ’se ‘fanga’ a chanadh e ri ‘suincear’ (sinker).
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fanga (?)
Quotation: [fãɣ]. Notes: weight on fishing-line (Norse borrowing). Source: R. Cox, Shawbost, Lewis. Date: 1984.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fannadh
[fɑ̃n̪əɣ] Quot.: “Bha iad a’ fannadh.” Note: rowing very slowly when fly-fishing (ag iulla [q.v.]) from a boat.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fannadh
[fɑ̃n̪ɑɣ] Note: rowing a boat so that it just moves and no more, e.g. when fishing for cod inshore. Also when going against a strong wind. “Cha robh iad càil ach ’ga fannadh.”
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fannag
small plot of cultivated land. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
fannaich
Quotation: Bha mi go fannachadh leis an t-acras. Notes: weaken.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fannaich
Quotation: Tha mi air fannachadh. Notes: weakening, usually from hunger.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faobhar
Quotation: ’Sann le faobhar nan alt a dh’fhalbh e. Notes: He left very reluctantly.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faobhraich
Quotation: a’ chlach fhaobhrachaidh. Notes: joiner’s grindstone.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faoch
I’ve heard this word used by my uncle once for hunting sheep down the face of a hill when they would be gathering for the clipping. The ‘ao’ had the same sound as in ‘fraoch’ but a quicker and more abrupt sound. I would imagine this word was their way of saying ‘fuadaich’.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
faochag
Quotation: siadh fhaochag. Notes: whelk broth. The whelks were boiled, removed from shells, then boiled again with oatmeal. Eaten with potatoes, usually in spring.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faochag
area in forehead of cattle where they can be killed by a blow.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faochag
Quotation: Là Fheill Brìghde brisgeanach, thig an ceann de’n chaitinneach, buinnich an fhaochag air a’ bhàirneach, agus thig nighean Iomhair as an toll.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faochag
Quotation: “A’ mùin ’s an aon fhaochaig, cha bhi i fada gun dol fairis.” Notes: said of two people who are very friendly for a time.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faochag smeòraich
Faochag iomadh dhathach mu mheud faochag dhubh mhor, ach nach eil i cho cruinn ri faochag dhubh – dealrach mar ‘mother of pearl’. Cha chuala mi an t-ainm air na Lochan no an Uig, ach chuala mi anns an Rudha e, agus thug na Nisich dhomh e. Tha iad fearasda am briseadh is bidh na smeòraich gan togail ’s gam briseadh le’n guib is gan itheadh.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
faochagan
whelks. Faochagan dubha ’s faochagan geala in particular, was [sic] known for their medicinal attributes.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
faochagan-geal
medical properties, was [sic] boiled and the water in which they were boiled in [sic] was drank for worms in children (cure).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
faod
Quotation: math dh’fhaoidte. Notes: perhaps.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faodal
[fw:d̪ɑɫ] Quotation: Fhuair mi air faodal e. Notes: I came across it by chance, e.g. found it on the road.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faodhaich
[ˈfɤiç] Quotation: Bha an tràigh air a faodhachadh [ˈfɤɑxəɣ]. Notes: made barren (of seaweed, shellfish, etc.).
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faodhar
[fɤʔɤɾ] Quotation: Bhuail mi [fɤʔɤɾ] air. Notes: I dealt him a good blow.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faodhlaide
amateur.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faofag
Quotation: pl. faofagan. Notes: ‘Squid’.
Location: Applecross, Ard Dhubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faoghal
Quotation: nam faoghlaichean cam, is nan aibhnichean caol.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faoighiche
Quotation: Pl. faoighichean – beggars. “Se faoighiche a bha’nn [sic] dha Dài.” (Dài = the common Lewis pronunciation for Daibhidh, David.) Notes: before the days of the Old Age Pension, those who had no source of income, roamed among the villages as a recognised class, and were so described. The term would seem to have fallen into desuetude after the Act for Old Age Pensions.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faoileach
Quotation: “Trì làithean de’n Fhaoileach ’san Iuchair, is trì làithean de’n Iuchair ’san Fhaoileach.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faoileag
Quotation: cal-fhaoileag [kɑɫw:lɑɡ]. Notes: flock of seagulls, as over a patch of sea where herring are present.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faoileag
Quotation: faoileag a’ tighinn air an fhairge. Notes: white tops on the waves.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faoileag
Quotation: call’ fhaoileag [kɑɫw:lɑɡ]. Notes: flock of seagulls on the surface of the water where there is a shoal of herring.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faoileag
Quotation: faoileag a’ chinn dhuibh. Notes: black-headed gull.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faoileann
Quotation: faoileann mhór a’ sgiath dhubh. Notes: black-backed gull.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faoileann
Quotation: faoileann a’ sgadain. Notes: herring gull.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faoileann
Quotation: faoileann an droch chladaich. Notes: no matter how poor the place in which a person is born and bred, he will always return to it.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faoisgeagan
nuts which easily separate from the husk.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faolaide
a chancer, amateur.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faolmunnas
civilisation.
Origin: ‘Islay connections’
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
far
prep. ‘: bha e air a chur ~ na [fɛ nə] h-oibreach; chan eil e ~ [fɛr] seventy-five; thòisich na h-eich ' dol ~ [fɛr] an rathaid; chaidh an car aige ~ [fɛr] an rathaid; na geamhraichean, sin agad ~ a bheil an stoirm ghàbhaidh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
far-ainm
[fɑɾɑɾɑm] Note: nickname. (Pronunciation.)
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
far-alt
netting stretched or lying ‘across the mesh’, that is lying the opposite way, and so, difficult to mend accurately.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
far-dhath
discoloured.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fara-dhruim
[fɑɾɑɣɾəm] Note: piece of wood put on the keel of a boat when worn.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farachan
tummers of a boat having been steamed and shaped. “Farachan cruinn de mhaide.”
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farachan
Mallet or flat-topped hammer for driving stabs into ground.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
farachan
death watch beetle.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faradh
[fɑ̟rəɣ] Quotation: air faradh os cionn a’ chruidh.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faradh
[ɸɑ˖rəɣ] Notes: a small platform usually reserved for hens above the cattle, in a thatched byre.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faradh
Quotation: faradh droma. Notes: roof ladder.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faradh
Quotation: faradh nan cearc.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farag (-adh)
bathing. “Gad fharagadh fhein” – applied to someone who would go for a swim.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faraidh
Quotation: faraidh nan cearc.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faraidh
[fɑɾi] Notes: slatted shelf under the dresser. “Branndair” also used.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faraileach
remote, isolated. Would be used of a remote house – “Nach e taigh aca sin a tha faraileach.”
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faraire
Quotation: Pige na farairidh. Notes: whisky for use at wakes.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farasach
false stooks of hay. Upright stick inside to allow ventilation.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farasach
Quot.: “na farasaich”. Note: applied to tripod of sticks on top of which a haycock is built. Recent innovation here. Don’t know the origin of the term.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farbhas
[fɑɾɑvɑs] Quotation: Chuir e farbhas orm. Notes: shock, sudden fright.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farg
entrails of sea birds. Dried and used as thread when sowing [sic] [sewing?] soft leather.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farghram
pios a thathar a cuir ris an druim i.e. a dheanamh nas duimhne.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
farmad
Quotation: Tha farmad fir a chéile aca. Notes: Used of two twin lambs that had been castrated. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farmail
Notes: wooden vessel for holding water indoors. Two handles on it.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farmail
[fɑɾəmɑl] Notes: a wooden tub with handles in which water was kept for household use.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farmailt
[fɑɾɑmɑlʹtʹ] Notes: tub for holding water. (H. Meek spells it faramail or farmail.)
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farmal
large pitcher for water.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farmhalach
Notes: < allmharach, with metathesis. In Dw. farbhalach.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farraid
Quotation: Dh’fharraid mi dheth. Notes: common for “ask”.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farraman
a pipe in pottery kiln which carried clay from heating chamber to drying chamber (sorrag tiachd).
Location: North Uist, Sollas, Malagleit [Malaglate]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farsbach
Note: greater black-backed gull.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farspach (f), farspachan (pl)
greater black-backed gull.
Origin: [Tiree]
Category: Eòin Thiriodh / Birds of Tiree
fartaman
[fɑʴsṯəmɑ̃ṉ] Notes: thin line which attaches a hook to the main line. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Kenmore, Fearnabeg (Shieldaig? – on one of the slips)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farumach
[fɑɾəmɑx] Quotation: Bha e gu math farumach; dòigh gu math farumach. Notes: well-known.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farumach
Quotation: bodach farumach. Notes: spry old man.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fasdadh
Quotation: Ghabh mi fasdadh aig an tuathanach. Notes: employment with a kind of contract or agreement involved. Pay promised might be in kind – potatoes, meal, etc.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fasgadair
follows other birds till they drop what they’ve got. Skua.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fasgadair (m), fasgadairean
[pl] arctic skua; great skua.
Origin: [Tiree]
Category: Eòin Thiriodh / Birds of Tiree
fasganag
[ɸɑ˖sɡɑ˖nɑ˖ɡ] Notes: a round instrument similar to a criathar for separating the chaff.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fasgnadh
the process of separating the seed and the chaff.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fasgnag
Notes: roughly similar to “criathar” but very shallow and without holes in the skin.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fasgnag
Notes: riddle (criathar).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fatach
small ram.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross and Cromarty but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
fath-deiridh
haunches.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fath-dhuine
twins.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fath-thalamhainne
[fɑhɑɫɑ̃nʹə] Quotation: pl. [nəfɑhəṉ]. Notes: a mole. Dw. famh.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fathad (?)
Notes: help; assistance.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fathaidh
Quotation: Dath fathaidh. Notes: pale complexion.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fathairt
[See fadhart.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fathallan
Notes: a field mouse.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fathamail
respectful.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fathamas
reprieve, e.g. “Cha ruig thu leas dùil a bhith agad le fathamas bhuam sa.”
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fathamas
[fɑʔɑməs] Quotation: Fhuair e fathamas. Notes: respite, time to think.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fathamhan
[ˈfɑəvɑṉ] Quot.: fathamhan gaoith. Note: a gentle breeze.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fathan
to give a report on a subject.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fathann
a report or rumour maybe. “Chuala mi fathann air an sin an diugh.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fatharr
a rumour.
Location: North Uist, Lochportan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fatradh
shelter.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fatradh
to dip, bathe.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fatradh
[fɑt̪ɾɑɣ] Quotation: Fhuair e fatradh ann. Notes: shelter, accommodation for the night.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feachaireachd
Quotation: Là na feachaireachd. Thug e an fheachaireachd aisde. Notes: April Fools’ Day.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fead
Quot.: “Chan e fead a bhainne a tha ’muigh.” Note: used of wild weather outside. J.M. thinks the comparison is between the sound of the wind and the sound of the milk going into a pail or jug, the milk being warm, the wind cold.
Location: Harris, Northton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fead
Quotation: Tha fead aig a’ ghaoith.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feadag
Quotation: an fheadag [əŋẹdɑɡ]. Notes: the green plover. Said to whistle 24 hours before a storm.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feadail
Quotation: a’ feadail. Notes: whistling.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feadaireachd
Quotation: a’ feadaireachd. Notes: whistling. Lewis feadalaich.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feadan
Notes: a hole in the wall to allow the passage of water.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
feadan
Notes: ventilation hole.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feadan
a narrow passage between two truncated spurs.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
feadan
a small opening at the back of the kiln through which the wind blows for winnowing.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feadan
Quotation: feadan na h-àthadh. Notes: hole in wall opposite the door in the kiln to create a draught for winnowing.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feadan
[fed̪ɑ̃ṉ] Notes: man-made culvert. Also feadan na h-àthadh: opening in wall opposite the door to create draught for winnowing.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feadan
When the foundation of a byre was laid, a square opening was made in the gable end whose chief purpose was to let water (cow’s urine) out and to prevent it accumulating.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
feadan (E)
“Crevice through which the wind whistles” aig Dwelly (6.). Againne faodaidh mi a ràdh fosgladh de’n t-seòrsa aig cnuic. Agus tha am facal beò fhathast ’s a’ chòmhradh chumanta. ’S aithne dhomh a dhà ’s an nàbachd, ann an ainmeannan.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
feadh
Quotation: C’fheadh a tha e air falbh? Notes: How far away is it? (Not usually used of distance in most places, more of length.)
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feadh
Quotation: (1) Dé [nʹɤɣ] a th’air? (2) Dé [nʹɤɣ] a th’ort? Notes: (1) How long is it? (2) What height are you?
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feadraigeadh
at the height of having steam up in the old fishing drifters. The old fishing drifters with boilers being fed by coal fuel. When the fire-men had the boilers well fed with coal and the water in the boiler at the height of boiling point and force of steam, it showed on a dial by what was indicated as a feather – thus feadraigeadh.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feagal
[feɡəɫ] Quotation: Tha feagal air.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fealg
obstructions such as those that clog up drains or streams.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feallag
making fun at someone. “Bha mi a’ deanamh feallag air.”
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feam-fhàd
bottom layer of peat? Not sure of this.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamain chirein
Quotation: an fheamain chirein [ənɛəmẹ˖nʹ çi̜rʹɑ̣˖nʹ]. Notes: serrated wrack. [NOTES: slipped under ‘feamainn chirein’.]
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamainn
Quotation: feamainn chireagach. Notes: ? [NOTES: slipped under ‘feamainn chireag’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamainn
Quotation: an fheamainn dubh. Notes: black seaweed with bubbles on it.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamainn
Quotation: feamainn chireag.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamainn
Quotation: feamainn bhuilgneach. Notes: light yellow seaweed with bubbles in it.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamainn bhuidhe neo buidheagach
loch water running into the sea had the effect of turning the seaweed to a yellow colour. Not very good as a fertiliser.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamainn chirein
serrated wrack.
Location: [Mull], Tobermory
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
feamainn chirein
IV Fucus serratus.
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamainn chìoran, feamainn chìreadh
channel wrack (Pelvetia canaliculata). Even spongier than caraichein [sic – caraichdein above] [q.v]. Dorcha-buidhe. Bha iad ’ga truisneachadh airson leigheas crodh air an robh tart. Gheobhadh tu i air na creagan mar a bha an làn ìseal.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feamainn chìrean
boiled and mixed with Indian meal. Given to cattle and horses to prevent illness and disease.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamainn chìreanach
small curly sea-weed. This used to be boiled and given to cows. They were very fond of it and often went to the shore to eat it of their own accord. Sheep did the same. Each of the above sea-weeds is to be found at a certain level of low-water. Feamainn chìreanach is nearest high-water mark.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamainn dearg
brought on to shore by the incoming tide; also suitable for potatoes as is also for oats and barley.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
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
feamainn dhubh
Notes: the “feamainn dubh [sic]” has globules on it with a water-like liquid inside. Before it is used as manure in Harris, it is left to dry as it is otherwise unsuitable.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamainn dhubh (f)
bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosus). Grows close inshore and has to be cut from the actual rock. Not so fine as “a’chìob” [q.v.]. Tha i anabarrach math airson talamh-buntàta cuideachd.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feamainn dubh
Black seaweed (used for “feannagan”). Types: (a) aona chasach – does not float. (b) feamainn bhuilgeanach – black ‘knotted’ seaweed. (c) feamainn chìreanach – black ‘bubbly’ seaweed. (e) buidheagach – black seeweed which floats sometimes – feamainn bhuidhe. (e) glaobhrach / gleodhrach – seeweed of the ‘black’ type. It floats. [NOTES: ‘feamainn dhubh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feamainn dubh
cut when tide is out. High tide bringing the cut seaweed on to foreshore gathered and spread on machair soil suitable for potatoes.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feamainn shiabaidh
seaweed left at high tide used as potato fertiliser.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feamainn-chìrein
this seaweed ‘plant’ was boiled and the voluminous part and liquid from it, the water in which [it] was boiled, the intermixture and the solid parts of it in other words, was given to cattle in spring. The liquid has tonic attribution [sic] plus the seaweed part or parts boiled counteract the effects of the dry straw and hay, which can be ‘administered’ too frequently.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
feamainn-dhearg
red seaweed (‘mircean’) or ‘gruaigean’ of this species. A variety of seaweed comes into the category of medicinally essence [sic] towards cattle (feeding), etc.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
feamainn-loibhte
rotten seaweed. Was very popular as manure for potatoes. Left to rot, and then placed in drills when planting the potatoes.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamainn-shiabaidh
sea-wrack lying dormant on the shore was used as manure not for the beneficial use of nutrition. Naturally enough fresh seaweed species were considered more closely, to the necessary medicinally [sic] purpose required.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
feamanaich
Quotation: a’ feamanadh. Notes: put seaweed on the ground.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamin dhearg
red ware washed up on beaches. Each part of the shore was divided between every crofter. “Latha rinn na feamin” was a fertile source of bickering and the occasional fight!
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feamin dubh
the bladder and other types of seaweed which was cut with “corrans” and carried up in creels. Frequently went with boats to outlying islands to cut this ware. Always used for potato manure. Many boats lost through overloading.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feanadh
Quotation: a’ feanadh [əɸɛ̱ṉəɣ]. Notes: skinning an animal.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feann
Quotation: a’ feannadh poll mònadh.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feann
Quotation: a’ feannadh na mònadh.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feann
Quotation: “Tha e cho fuar ’s gu feannadh e leóghann [lʹɔ:ɡənʹ].” “Tha feannadh fuachd ann a tha garbh.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feannadh
good resistance. Thug e feannadh math air.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feannadh
turfing the peat-bank or digging squares of the turf to expose softer layer of ground underneath (the actual peat).
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
feannadh
Notes: turfing (peat bank).
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feannadh
Quotation: Gaoth tuath, fuachd is feannadh; gaoth deas, teas is toradh; gaoth ’n iar, iasg is bainne; gaoth ’n ear, meas air chrannaibh.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feannadh
Notes: cutting top off peat-bank: elsewhere rùsgadh. Stripping the turf off.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feannadh (v.n.)
a’ toirt na sgrath far uachdar a’ phuill mus teid a’ mhòine a bhuain.
Origin: Uibhist-a-Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
feannadh sgrathan
Notes: cutting turves. Dw. has the sense under fionn, a’ fionnadh.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feannadh-builg
[fȷɑ̃n̪əɣbu̟liɡʹ] Note: method of skinning a rabbit by cutting the skin on the leg and blowing through the hole. The skin separates from the flesh.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feannadh-builg
[fjɑ̃n̪əɣbu̟liɡʹ] Quotation: a’ deanamh feannadh-builg. Notes: a method of skinning a rabbit or even a sheep (?). A hole was made in the skin. The person doing the skinning would then blow through the hole forcing the skin to rise from the carcase.
Origin: Uig, Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feannag
“Lazy-bed”. A long, narrow ribbon-like strip of ground for growing potatoes and occasionally corn, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with the earth taken out of the trenches along both sides.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feannag
“Lazy-bed”. A long, narrow ribbon-like strip of ground for growing potatoes and occasionally corn, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with the earth taken out of the trenches along both sides.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feannag
“Lazy-bed”. A long, narrow ribbon-like strip of ground for growing potatoes and occasionally corn, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with the earth taken out of the trenches along both sides.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feannag
Notes: a small plot of cultivated land.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feannag
“Lazy-bed”. A long, narrow ribbon-like strip of ground for growing potatoes and occasionally corn, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with the earth taken out of the trenches along both sides.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feannag
“Lazy-bed”. A long, narrow ribbon-like strip of ground for growing potatoes and occasionally corn, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with the earth taken out of the trenches along both sides.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feannag
“Lazy-bed”. A long, narrow ribbon-like strip of ground for growing potatoes and occasionally corn, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with the earth taken out of the trenches along both sides.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feannag
Quotation: ubh cliath feannaig. Notes: a hen’s egg which is much undersized.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feannag
Quotation: bodach feannaig.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feannag
Quotation: fuaigheal chasa-feannaig. Notes: criss-cross stiching in the old days put on the border of blankets.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feannag
Quotation: feannag taomaidh. Notes: lazy-bed.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feannag
Quotation: sporan feannaig. Notes: dogfish spawn? Found on seashore.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feannag
Quotation: cas-feannaig. Notes: sewing in a crow-foot pattern.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feannag
Note: small cultivable patch with a ditch on each side of it.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feannag (f) (chorc)
(general) “Lazy-bed”. A long, narrow ribbon-like strip of ground for growing potatoes and occasionally corn, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with the earth taken out of the trenches along both sides. See ‘taomadh’.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feannag bheag
(general) “Lazy-bed”. A long, narrow ribbon-like strip of ground for growing potatoes and occasionally corn, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with the earth taken out of the trenches along both sides. See ‘taomadh’.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feannag-thaomaidh
Notes: a lazy-bed. About 6' wide. Covered with seaweed. Turf divots turned inwards from the two sides till everything was covered with earth. Holes were made with a dibble and potatoes dropped in. In the autumn the divots were turned back to uncover the potatoes.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feanndag
Quotation: brochan feanndaig. Notes: nettle soup. Nettle leaves put in pot and boiled, oatmeal added. Usually taken in spring.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feanntach
Quotation: an fheanntach; ceap feanntaich. Notes: turf layer (peat).
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feanntach
Quotation: ceap feanntaich. Notes: turf divot (peat).
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feanntach
turf covering the peat (riasg) which is removed when turfing (a’ feannadh).
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
feanntach
[fȷɑ̃ũ̜n̪t̪ɑx] Note: turf on peat.
Origin: Harris, Bays
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feanntach (f)
a’ mhòine fo’n sgrath a bhithear a’ glanadh mus gearrar am barrfhad. Bithear ’ga cur gu feum uaireannan.
Origin: Uibhist-a-Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
feanntach, na sgrath, ceap
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
feanntag
Quotation: brochan feanntaig. Notes: nettle soup.
Location: Coll, Ben Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feanntag-bhrògach
Note: a weed which flowers. Can’t sting. Usually in a cultivated ground.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feansa
nn f. ‘fence’: dat.: a-staigh fon fheansaidh mar seo; bhith ‘g obair air ~; thig thusa gu ‘ leithid seo a dh’fh.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
fear
Quotation: an fhear [än ɛ̜r]. Notes: the one, the man.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fear
Quotation: Uill, fhearaibh, nach eil sin cianail! Notes: used sometimes almost as an exclamation.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fear
Quotation: fear na bainnse. Notes: bridegroom.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fear
Quotation: fear togail fuinn. Notes: precentor.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fear
Quotation: Am fear a tha gun mhodh, saoilidh e gur e am mi-mhodh am modh.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fear
Quotation: Am fear a bhios ag éisdeachd cùl an doruis cha chluinn e nì math mu thimchioll féin.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fear
Quotation: fear na bainnseadh. Notes: the bridegroom.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fear a rugadh a comhar a chas
was reputed to cure backache by standing on the patient’s back, while the patient lay flat on the floor.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
fear an iaruinn (fear air an iaruinn)
man operating the cutter.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
fear a’ phuill (fear anns a’ pholl)
man taking and throwing out peat as cut.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
fear bruidhneach
a talkative man.
Origin: Muile (ceann a tuath) [Mull (the north side)]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
fear cachalaidh
a gatekeeper who ensured animals did not stray into prohibited areas. Prior to the era of crofts when cattle were either kept in the village or on the tack (machair).
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fear sgodail
[sɡɔˈdɑɫ] proud man. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sgodail’ with ‘fear sgodail’ as the quotation. Pronunciation: [sɡɔdal].]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
fear-a-bhùird
a representative of the Agricultural and Fishery Board.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fear-bargain
bargaining associate, contractor.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fear-gearraidh
the person operating the peat-cutting iron.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
fear-na-luathadh
dustman.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fear-sradaidh
the person throwing out the peats as they are cut.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
fear/té tha a’ gearradh
the individual who cuts the peat.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
fear/té tha cur a mach
[?] the person who throws out the peat.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
feara-dhruim
[fɛɾɑɣɤ̃m] Note: an additional piece added on to the keel of a boat.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fearadhaire
two suns. Seen in autumn and taken as a sign of bad weather to follow.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fearagan
tittle tattle.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fearail
Quot.: boirionnach fearail. Note: a woman who is good at men’s work.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
fearann a’ diùc
the state on Tiree.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
fearann-fàs
depopulated land.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fearas beairte
attending to topsails of a boat.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fearna
Quotation: an fhearna [ən ɛɛrnə]. Notes: the alder tree, gives a black dye.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fearsaid
distaff, spindle for twisting wool, operated by hand. (Scalpay)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fearsaid
Quotation: an fhearsaid [ən ɛərsẹdʹ]. Notes: spindle for twisting wool.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fearstan
a small wart of a blackish nature on the skin. (The word is not in use on Scalpay today, but perhaps in other places?)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
feart
Quotation: “Na tabhair feart air.” – Do not believe him: do not accept what he says. Notes: Feart – power.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feart
(1) enclosure (2) grave (3) virtue (4) heed, attention.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feasd
Quotation: Cha bhi an t-sùil am feasd [əfɛsd̪] an rud a bhà i. Notes: ever.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feasda
Quotation: Chan fhaic mi e a feasda. Notes: I never see him.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Kilillan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feasgar
Quotation: … air na feasgraichean blàth samhraidh. Notes: see MacLennan’s Dictionary for this plural form. Source: Agnes MacLeod, Tolsta Chaolais. Date: 1979.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feasradh
fraoch goirid ’ga bhuain air son leapannan. B’e am facal ‘buain’ ach ghlacadh tu bad ’nad dhà làimh car a chur ann ceàrr (no deas a rèir do làimhe) is le grad spìonadh thigeadh e leat.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
feath ( fè)
[pron.] vein. [NOTES: both ‘feith’ and ‘feath’ slipped under ‘fèith’. Definition: Muscle (cattle). Also: vein.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
featha
bog
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feathladair
[fiɑɫəd̪ɑɾ] Quotation: “Agus ciamar a tha am feathladair an diugh?” Notes: Heard an old gamekeeper say this to him once when enquiring about his father, who was a stalker.
Origin: Camusluanie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feic
Quotation: Cha tug iad feic dha. Notes: Paid no attention. Source: Miss MacLean, Cornaig, Tiree. Date: 1971.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feileastair
[feləst̪ɑɾ] Notes: wild iris, sometimes used for thatching.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feilimgeir
partly castrated or its testicles wanting.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
feirmigeach
[fɤðəmiɡʹɔx] Note: a male lamb which can’t be castrated as it hasn’t properly developed. Barvas – [fwlw̃mıɡʹəð].
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feirst
a small channel of sea water on the shore.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feirt
nn ‘heed, attention’: cha chuireadh i ~ [fɛɽʆʨ] air; cha robh na nuns no na nurseichean a’ cur feirt oirrese [ADM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
feisd
rope, made of heather at one time, for tying a cow while grazing. The end was fixed to a stick driven into the ground.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
feisd
Quotation: “Leig e bhó bh’air an fheisd.” – He let the cow of the tether. Feisd na bà buidhe. – The tether of the yellow cow.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feisde
[feʃdʹə] Note: tether for cattle. (Dw. [fe:ʃdʹə] – Lewis.)
Origin: Balallan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feitheamh
[ɸe̱ʔəv̥] Quotation: De feitheamh a th’ort? Notes: watching, observing (very rarely waiting for).
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feitheamh-na-h-uaireach
attending the hours, as workmen, etc.; work-a-day hours, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feithichean
not sure of meaning but used in song context – “Pabaidh ged a dh’fhàg sibh e bu mhath e ceann na feithichean.”
Origin: [Harris]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feocallan
beathach (ferret).
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feoil chruaidh
meat hung up to dry.
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
feoil-reiste
salt meat, hung above the peat fire to dry (riasg - peat).
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
feothalach
Quotation: duine feothalach. Notes: gossip.
Location: Skye, Camustianavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feranadach
nosey [?]. [NOTES: the word ‘nosey’ is one of the examples provided by the authors of the questionnaire. It has been underlined and ‘feranadach’ written on the margin not too far from it suggesting that the two are meant to go together.]
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
fersunnan
worril [sic], on cattle on or in the skin. An ointment of soothing effect was applied. (Already noted.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feuch
Quotation: a feuchainn an dòrnaig. Notes: putting the shot.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feuch
Quotation: Dh’fheuch iad dha. Notes: They showed him.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feuch
[fıɑx] Quotation: Feuchaidh mi dhuit e. Notes: I’ll show it to you.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feudalach
n.‘beast’ : feudalaich, they’re young cattle, cows and horses;bidh gu leòr agaibh air an t-sím seo bliadhna dha na feudalaich?
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
feum
nn ‘good, use’: ach bha i math an union nuair a thàinig i, rinn i feum; dh’atharraich an saoghal bhuaithe sin, air a shon sin, agus bha feum gu na dh’atharraich; cha ro rinn e sian do dh’fheum dhi; chan eil sian do dh’fh. sa chànan acasan dhutsa, ‘s no leis a’ Ghàidhlig againn dhaibhsan  [FMM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
feumaidh
Quotation: “Feumaidh e bhith gur h-e gainmheach a th’ann.” Notes: said when discussing the oitir. “It is necessary that it be of sand” i.e. to be an oitir.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feumanach
Quotation: ’S fhada làmh an fheumanaich.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feunagan
[fĩɑ̃ṉɑɡəṉ] Quotation: Tha feunagan air tighinn anns a’ mhin. Notes: when old meal becomes “mited”.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feur
[fiɑɾ] Notes: lea land. 1st year of 5-year rotation. (See G. Clark.)
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feur
[fıɑɾ] Quotation: [fıɑɾ] as opposed to [fɛ:ɾ]: grass. Notes: No 1 field in five year rotation system. Had been fallow for two years. Now ploughed and sown with oats.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feur air ghréitheadh
hay that was well dried, and thereby easy to work with.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feur-dubh
Notes: meadow or natural grass, usually cut in the late autumn.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feur-loch
[fıɑɫɔx] Note: waterlogged area with grass growing in it.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feurachd
[fiɑɾɑxk] Quotation: Tha an crodh a feurachd. Notes: cropping the grass.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feuraich
[fıɑɾiç] Quotation: a’ feurach a’ chrodh anns a’ mhaduinn agus feasgar. Notes: letting the cows out to graze before and after milking.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feurlannaich
Notes: growths on cattle.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feursaid
[fiɑʴsɑdʹ] Quot.: na feursaidean. Note: warble fly (in cattle). [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feurslan
[fe:sᵊɫɑ̃nʹ] Notes: warble-fly (in cattle).
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feurtan
[fe:ʴst̪ə̃ṉ] Notes: “worms found in the hide of cattle said to be from the warble fly.”
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feusag
[fiɑsɑɡ] Note: “beard” of oats or barley.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feusag
Quotation: feusagan cat [fɛ:sɑɡəṉ kwxt̪]. Notes: cat’s whiskers.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feusagach
Quotation: coirce feusagach. Notes: “Beardy Oats”.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feusaidh
[fe:si] Quotation: pl. [fe:sĩnʹ]. Notes: pheasant.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feusalan (pl. -ain)
worm in cattle.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
feàrr
adj., cpv of math: b’ fheàrr leam gu robh dòigh againn air a dhol a-mach [DAG]; b’ fheàrr na [‘more than’] ceud gu leth bliadhna mun deachaidh am Bill of Rights a chur through [DAG]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
feàrtallan
[fȷɑ:ʴst̪əɫɑṉ] Note: his pronunciation of word for a warble fly. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Harris, Leverburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feòclan
[fjɔ:kəɫɑ̟ṉ] pole-cat.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feòclan
[fjɔ:kɫɑ̃ṉ] Notes: polecat.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feòil
Quotation: feòil gheal. Notes: fat on mutton or beef.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feòil réisgt
meat, salted and dried, suspended from the rafters.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feòil-marbhaidh
butcher meat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feòil-marbhaidh
butcher meat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feòil-marbhaidh
butchered meat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feòil-réisg
Quotation: Doilidh Frógaidh’s prayer: “Cuimhnich air an fheadhainn a tha tinn, air a réisgeadh suas air na leapannan.” Notes: hard dried meat. (Also f.-réisgidh (?)) Dw. has reisgeadh ‘hanging of fish or flesh up to dry (Suth’d)’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feòil-réisg
[fȷɔ:lɾe:ʃɡʹ] Note: meat salted and dried.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feòrlaigean
Quotation: An toir mi leam cliabh a dh’iarraidh feòrlaigean? Notes: Much ado about nothing! Do I need a creel to carry a dormouse?
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feòrlan
[fjɔ:rd̪ɑṉ] Quotation: Chaidh an fheannag do’n tràigh is mharbh i ’m partan, [əviʔə] muir làn mharbh i seachd dhiubh, chuir i cas air an tigh mhóir agus cas air a chaisteal, spùt i bolla eòrna agus [fjɔ:rd̪ɑṉ]. Notes: bushel.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fheusaidh ?
see the song Ailein Duinn o hi shiublainn leat in ‘Sinclars’ [sic] [Sinclair’s?] Oranaiche, attributed to Nighean fear Scalpaigh: the song, or a line in the song says Cha b’e call a’ chruidh ’s an fheusaidh? I am wondering is it a corruption? Or should it be Cha b’e call a’ chruidh ’s a’ chéiteinn. I haven’t heard the word being used on Scalpay, and I am wondering… When you’ll get time to look it up, perhaps you may be able to have a definition for it?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fhiacail
where the stem and keel part meet, joined together (in a boat). [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fhéin
Quotation: Cha robh ann ach mi [hɛ̜:].
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiabhras
Quotation: (1) fiabhras dearg. (2) fiabhras dubh. Notes: (1) scarlet fever. (2) black fever.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiabhras
Quotation: fiabhras a’ bhainne. Notes: milk fever.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiabhras
Quotation: a’ fiabhras dearg [fiɤɾəsdʹɛɾɑɡ]. Notes: scarlet fever.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiabhras dearg
Quotation: a’ fiabhras dearg. Notes: scarlet fever.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiabhras na siulla
women dying at childbirth. [NOTES: note added above ‘siulla’ – siubhla.]
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiabhras-rumatas
[fiɤɾəsɾw̃mɑṯəs] Note: rheumatic fever.
Origin: Stockinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiabhrus
Quotation: am fiabhras [sic] dubh. Notes: typhus.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiacail
Quot.: “fiacail na h-eathar”. Note: the junction or joint between the stempost and keel.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
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
fiacail (f)
Quotation: Tha na fiaclan air deanabh [?].
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiacail-luinge
the bottom part of the stem of a boat fastened to the keel, bolted or nailed.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiacaill sàibh
also a feature in Eriskay patterns.
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiacaill-bàird
a child born with a tooth, indicating him as a future ‘bàrd’.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiacaill-mhara
Notes: short rainbow supposed to portend stormy weather. ‘Dog’s tooth.’
Location: Spean Bridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiacal
Quotation: cliathan meide agus fiacalan de iarunn air a chuir annta.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiacal
Quotation: fiaclan coimheach. Notes: fake teeth.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiacal
Quotation: fiaclan tilgte. Notes: false teeth.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiacal
Quotation: Fiaclan cléithidh. Notes: harrow spikes.
Origin: Bayhead
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiacas
Quotation: cùl na fiacais [fıəxkıʃ]. Notes: when someone asks “Dé tha sin?” “Cùl na fiacais” is the equivalent of “never you mind”. “Fhiacais, tha i fuar” or “Fhiacais, dé nì mi?” also used.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiach
Quotation: a’ fiachainn gu Ceit.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiach
Quotation: (1) Chuir e [mɑɾiɑxəm] air gu robh cuideigin a’ tighinn. (2) Bha e [mɑɾiɑxəm] orm amharc ’na dheidh. Notes: (1) translates, “He made him believe there was someone coming.” i.e. He misled him. (2) translates, “I was obliged to look after him.” [mɑɾiɑxəm] is the same in both.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiach
Quot.: “Bha i aig na b’fhiach i a’ cumail a’ char air a’ rathad”. Note: it took her all her time to keep the car on the road.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiachadh
Quotation: Cha d’fhuair e fiachadh ann. Notes: an invitation.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiachadh an rathaid mhóir
second hand invite.
Location: South Uist, Frobost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiaclan
[See the illustration under ‘cuibheal-shnìomh’.]
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
fiadh
Quotation: Chan e là marbhadh na féidh là biadhadh nan coin.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiadh
Quotation: laogh féidh. Notes: fawn.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiadhaichean
seen hanging from the genital organs of the cow, usually a sign that she needs the bull.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
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
fialtas
calm weather.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiamh
a film on calm water.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fianach
Notes: grass used on top of heather in shieling bed. Dwelly gives as ‘moor-grass’ (from Uig, Lewis).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fianach
[fĩɤ̃ṉɑx] Note: tall grass growing on the moor. Cattle eat it.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fianach
[fĩɤ̃ṉɑx] Note: tall moorland grass, usually growing in soft places. Liked by cattle.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fianlach
warrior; fiantach – mis-translated as “giant”.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiannach
[fĩɤ̃n̪ɑx] Quotation: Bha mi fiannach air a bhó. Bha fiannachd agam air a bhó. Notes: admiration tinged with a bit of covetousness.
Location: Stornoway, Melbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiannach
long, white grass found on moorland in soft, boggy land. Used as horse feed during bad weather when other foodstuffs were scarce.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiantag
(also) a berry, a black heath berry.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiaradh
Quotation: Gun fhiaradh gun innealadh. Notes: of any persistent activity.
Location: Lewis, Back
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiaradh
Quotation: Tha thu a fiaradh na fìrinn. Notes: You are twisting the truth.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiarag
the rope across the corner of a thatched roof.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiarag (-an)
heather ropes used for securing thatch. Would be attached so that they formed a diamond pattern.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiarshùilich
Quotation: Tha fiarshùilich ann. Notes: squint.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiarsnain
a beast / fly that came from the soil and entered the cow’s hoof surfacing in its back. Had to be squeezed out.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
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
fiasgan
Mussel. Tha pailteas de dh’fhiasgain gun taisealadh airson biadhaidh ann an Nis, air an Taobh Siar is anns an Rudha. ’S ann air na Lochan ’san Uig a tha fiasgain a ni biadhadh lin bheaga. Nuair a bhiodh moran eathraichean ag iasgach nan adag a mach a Port-nan-guran le lion bheaga bhiodh na h-iasgairean a’ dol le na h-eathraichean gu Tir Mór, chun na Lochan is do’n Eilean Sgitheanach air tòir luchd fhiasgan a chumadh a’ dol iad fad a’ gheamhraidh ’san Earraich. Bhiodh iad gan cumail ann an lùin anns an tràigh.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
fiataidh
quietly.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiataidh
[fiɑt̪i] Quot.: “Thàinig e gu fiataidh gu a cùlaibh.” Note: stealthily.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiath
tendon.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
fiath
Quotation: Fiath, is gaoth ’n ear. Notes: two opposites.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiath
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
fiath (nan eun)
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
fiath (noun)
fiath nan ian.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
fiath air a’ mhuir
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
fiath nan eun
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
fiath nan ian
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
fiath-lochan
Notes: stagnant pool.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiath-lochan
Notes: a marsh.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiath-nan-ian
dead calm.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiathaich
Quotation: “Nach fiathaich an dol air agaidh [sic] seo.” Notes: “What a carry-on this is.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiathaich (sic)
[fiɤɣiç] Notes: wild.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiathail
[fiɑhɑl] Notes: calm.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiathail (adj)
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
fideach
low lying land near the shore which is covered by the tide at times. Salt marsh.
Location: Lewis, Back
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fideach
[fidʹɑx] Note: tidal flats. [NOTES: note added by Richard Cox – p-n in Knock [ˈfid̥ʹɔx], [əˈNʹid̥ʹɔx].]
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fideach
[fidʹɑx] Note: tidal flats. (Covered by very high tides. Short, very green grass grows on it and is very good for sheep and cattle.)
Origin: Harris, Bays
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fideach
wet grassy flat, by side of river, loch, sea.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fideadh
[fidʹəɣ] Quotation: Cha robh mi dol a thoirt fideadh. Notes: a moment, a very short time.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fideadh
second or minute, uine is lugha. Cha toir mi fideach. (Scalpay) Still in use occasionally but now, shall we say, it means the alternative: fuirich mionaid neo second.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fideag
Notes: Taod air a cheangal mu chas deiridh beothaich ann an eathar.
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fideal
Quotation: a’ fidealadh ri chéile. Notes: e.g. used of tying two nets together.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fideal
water-weed of some kind.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fidealadh
Note: used of the tying together of two beams with rope. Also for the arrangement of the “sioman” at the end of a house.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fidealadh
[fidʹɑɫəɣ] Quot.: “Nach ann ort a tha a’ fidealadh!” “Fidealadh air tóin gun thaisealadh!” Note: fidgeting, restlessness. (Also “sioman fidealaidh” on a thatched house.)
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fidealag
waste pipe. Word originates from similar device on an old pottery kiln which carried out the dregs after making pottery.
Location: North Uist, Sollas, Malagleit [Malaglate]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fidean
sea plantain [?], choice pasture for cattle and sheep.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fidean
[fidʹəṉ] Notes: (usually na fidean) ground on which grass grows and is covered at high tide.
Location: BBC
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fidean
Quot.: na fidean. Note: tidal flats, with a short grass growing on them. Sheep often caught by tide when grazing on them.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fidean
[fidʹʒəṉ] Quotation: na fidean. Notes: tidal flats.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fidheadh-ball-is-corain
a weaver’s pattern, tweed pattern.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fidheadh-nam-ball
weaver’s pattern, design of or on a tweed pattern.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fidheall
[NOTES: added later and not clear if it belongs under 8.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
fidileir
Quot.: “Fidileir fotharlanach gun fhios có agad na bhuat e.” Note: duine an-fhoiseil, bheag stòlaidh.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fifeannach
Quotation: Tha a’ chloinn [xw[oi]ṉ] gu math fifeannach [fifən̪əx]. Notes: nervousness, e.g. of children who are in an excited state. Possibly derived from ‘féitheach’. Used by Barra people. Source: Cape Breton. Date: 1967.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
figeann
[fıɡən̪] Quotation: an fhigeann. Notes: fingernail. [fĩ:nʹə] also used. Pl. [fıɡən̪əṉ]; [fĩ:nʹəṉ].
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fighe craobh a’ sgadain
herringbone pattern.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
figheadaireachd
Quotation: a’ figheadaireachd. Notes: weaving.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fileachan
[filɑxəṉ] Quotation: Tha na fileachan orm. Notes: skin breaking behind the nails.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fine
Quotation: Dé ’n fhine th’aige? Notes: surname.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fine
Quotation: Chaneil fhios agam dé a’ fine a th’aige. Notes: surname.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fineach
(Fuaimnich ‘fionach’ – seo mar tha e againne.) Tha seo againn airson duine mar tha seo shuas [i.e. ain-diadhach]. Duine gun dia mar gu’n canadh tu, heathen. Faic ‘fineachail’ ag Dwelly. “Domhnull Mór ’se fineach a th’ann.” “’Se fineach a th’ann an Calum Ruadh.” [SLIP: Atheist.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
finn
Quotation: fad finn shuaineach an latha. Notes: the live-long day.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
finnach
fishing word referring to operations on R. Ness.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiodag
(interj.) as in the case of a person finding some other person not correct in a debate, or a dispute, will retaliate: fiodag! fiodag! Term more associated with children. [NOTES: the slip has ‘fiodag!’. Definition: Interj. of disagreement in debate or dispute – partic. among children.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiodh
Quotation: fiodh glan. Notes: knot-free wood.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiodh
Quotation: fiodh thar an t-sàbh. Notes: wood straight from the saw.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiodh-marbh
Note: deadwood in a boat.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiodh-stòbhaidh
Note: wood steamed so that it can be curved, e.g. for gunwale of a boat.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiodh-tarsainn
Note: flat floor (see Dw F6 bàta).
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiodhan
[ɸiɣʔɑ˖n] Notes: butter pat.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiodhan
[fjəɣən] Notes: cheese vat.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiodhan
Fiodhan agus an gruth ann airson mulchag a dhèanamh (cudthrom air muin a’ chinn): [see illustration]. Bho a thaobh: [see illustration]. Ceann an fhiodhain: [see illustration]. Tiuigheadan fiodha airson an fhiodhain: [see illustration].
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
fiodhrach
Quotation: fiodhrach tarsuinn. Notes: wooden straps placed horizontally over the rafters.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiodhrach
Quotation: fiodhrach tarsuinn. Notes: the ribs of a boat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiodhrach tarsainn
timbers of a boat.
Location: Barra, Glen
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiofanach
[fwfɑṉɑx] Quotation: “Tha a’ chloinn gu math fiofanach an diugh.” Notes: nervous, skittish.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fionn
Quotation: am fionn faoilidh. Notes: symbolic name for purity, white robe of innocence. Source: ?
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fionna (m)
coat.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
fionnairidh
night watching.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fionnar
fresh, crisp weather.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fionnarachadh
Quotation: fionnarachadh an fheasgair.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fionnaradh
Quotation: Anns an fhionnaraidh. Notes: understood as being roughly the time between nightfall and bed-time.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fior oisg
late of weaning.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross and Cromarty but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
fios na hionaid
did you get word of what you were to receive. [NOTES: note above ‘h’ in ‘hionaid’ – (th?).]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiosachd
[fisəxk] Notes: knowledge of the supernatural.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiosrach
Quotation: Chan fhiosrach mi. Notes: I do not know.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiosrachadh
n. ‘information’: ri m’ fhiosrachadh ’s ann nach robh dad sam bith; cha robh, ri m’ fhiosrachadh gu robh sian eile ann
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
fiosrachail
Quotation: duine fiosrachail. Notes: nosey.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiothadh
[fiʔəɣ] Quotation: “air a fhiothadh”.
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
fir chlisnidh
Quotation: na fir chlisnidh [fıɾxliʃnʹi]. Notes: Northern Lights.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fir-chlis
Quotation: na fir-chlis. Notes: Aurora Borealis.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
firadan (frith-rathadan)
footpath, etc.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fireach
Quotation: Thug e a’ fireach air. Notes: He cleared out.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fireach
Quotation: Tha fireach air. Notes: said of a person showing excitement indicating that something is in the offing.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
firionn
Quotation: laogh firionn boirionn; uan firionn boirionn. Notes: one testicle missing.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiteagan murain
patches of sea bent. [NOTES: note added above ‘t’ in ‘fiteagan’ – d.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fitheach
Quotation: Ged stuth eun an fhithich e, is geal na sùilean fhein e.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fitheadh-cnaimh-a-sgadain
weaver’s pattern, design of or on a tweed pattern.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fitheadh-sùil eòin
a weaver’s pattern, tweed pattern.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiughair
Quotation: (1) Bha fiughair agam ris an raoir. (2) Dé a bha fiughair agad ris? Notes: (1) I expected him last night. (2) What were you expecting? (H. Meek) Also Rinn e fiughair ris: He showed pleasure at seeing him.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiughar
[ɸiuʔər] Quotation: ’S e’d a ni ’n fhiughar riut. Notes: welcome, anticipation.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiullan
Quotation: fiullan nan ceud chas. Notes: centipede.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiurag (-ach)
warm, clammy weather with mist on the hills. [NOTES: corrected to ‘fiùrag’.]
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiurnagan
Notes: sprightly young girls. Source: Uist. Date: 1972.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiùthas (?)
Quotation: ’S e [fjoʔəs] na maraig a feuchainn.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
flagais
[fɫɑɡiʃ] Notes: after a heavy haul of cuddies/saithe in October, a trench was dug and alternate layers of cuddies and peat dross were put into it. This was covered with turf divots. Renewed in late spring and put on lea land where corn was to be sown. This trench was called “flagais”.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
flagais
manure (horse, cattle). Mixed with seaweed and used for oats only. [Corca-flagais.]
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
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
flanain
flannan [sic] [flannel?], material of clothing. [NOTES: slipped under ‘flanainn’ with ‘flanain’ as the quotation. Definition: ‘Flannel’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
flann
dark-red, crimson; flann-chath.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
flapaidean
flaps. [NOTES: slipped under ‘flap’ with ‘plural: flapaidean’ as the quotation. Definition: Flaps.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
flasg-uisge-bheatha
half bottle [of] whisky.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
flat
[flɑt] Notes: saucer.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
flathail
charming.
Location: Glasgow
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
fleachdag
Quotation: fleachdag shneachd. Notes: flake of snow.
Location: Canada, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fleasgach
a bachelor (best man at a marriage).
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fleasgach
Notes: best man at a wedding.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fleat
[flɛt̪] Notes: saucer.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fleat
[flɛṯ] Notes: saucer.
Location: Coll, Arinagour
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fleipeid
piece of cloth over a hole, hinged like for to cover a hole or over a hole, flapping piece of material, a tongue piece of soft flexible material.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fleitige
Notes: Taod air a cheangal ri ceann beothaich anns an eathar – g’ an ceangal ris an taobh-stock.
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fleoga
a two masted boat.
Location: North Uist, Sollas, Malagleit [Malaglate]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fleòdar
this was the old name in Point, Lewis for tin. A tin pail or basin used for milk would be ‘peile fleòdair’ and ‘mios fleòdair’. (Is it conceivable that at one time they had pewter utensils?) I do not hear the word now – if there are any tin pails, etc. – it is ‘peile tiona’, ‘mios tiona’.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
flian
flat. Chaidh e air a flian fodha.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
flineachd
Quotation: -shneachd. Notes: sleet.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fliodh
it grows in potatoes and corn, thickly in potato lazy-beds with emerald leaves, perhaps lighter than emerald leaves with pinkish small flower. ‘Fliodh-a-bhuntàta’, given to cattle for food, not for medicinal factors, purposely.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
fliodh Moire
small kind of chicken wood that grows in water.
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fliona
Notes: what you see coming from the sky. Mixture of snow and rain.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fliopar
Quotation: Thug mi dha fliopar. Notes: “I gave him a flap with my hand.” A type of blow formed by flipping one’s fingers across, for example, a dog’s nose.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fliuch
Quotation: ’S e nach reiceadh a’ chearc air là fliuch.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fliuch bhòrd
in a boat this was the first layer of wood after the keel.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
float
’S e facal Niseach a tha so, is cha chuala mi an t-ainm air an inneal giulain so ach an Nis fhein. ’S e bara-cuibhle fosgailte a th’ann gun chliathaichean no deireadh air, is bheir e leis an t-uamhas do mhoine. Mar as tric ’se cuibhle ‘motor-bicycle’ leis an ‘tyre’ a bhios air, agus tha e math air rathad bog.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
flodach
Quotation: Nach i tha flodach – used of wishy-washy tea. Notes: Dwelly gives flodach as a variant of plodach ‘lukewarm’ etc.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
flodadh
[fɫɔd̪əɡ] Notes: floating.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
flodag
Fhuair mi an t-ainm so a Cros, Dail-o-Thuath is Eòropaidh, ach ’se daoine a Cros a phòs sios do Eòropaidh aig a bheil e sin. ’S e flodag an t-ainm a bhiodh aca air an t-slige chreachain leis am biodh iad a’ togail an uachdair bho’n bhainne.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
flodraich
the licking of water by a loch-side, when the loch is ruffled or windy. If I remember well I think I heard it used thus: flodraich ri na stallachan. [SLIP: The noise of wavelets lapping against the lochside.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
flodraigeadh
slow boiling, or being brought to simmer, as in the case of water, liquid.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
flodranaich
lapping of water.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
flogach
Quotation: Nach e tha flogach. Notes: flattering.
Location: Skye, Camustianavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
flogadaich
[fɫɔɡəd̪iç] Notes: flattery.
Location: Skye, Camustianavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
floisean
Quotation: Bha floisean aige air. Notes: used, e.g., of a baby enthusiastically sucking a drink.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
flosgaidh
[fɫɔsɡi] Quot.: “talamh flosgaidh”. Note: anything that is loosened up and not compressed, e.g. earth, bedding, etc.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
flot
Quotation: Tha i air flot. Notes: of boat – buoy out [?].
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fluichneadh
[flıçṉəɣ] Quotation: fluichneadh shneachd. Notes: sleet.
Location: Ross-shire, Plockton, Diurinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fluir na cuathaige
cuckoo flower.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fluir na cuathaige
lady smock.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
flunsaichean
decorative material on clothing, tapes, strips of cloth in a decorative fashion on clothing.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fluth
Quotation: Fluthan air do chasan. Notes: corn, hard lump. Dw. gives fluth ‘wen’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
flèirich (n)
edge embroidery, perhaps more decorative than ‘flèir’. Yes, as on a hat, a woman’s hat, as one example.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
flòdradh
[flɔ:d̪ɾəɣ] Notes: a very thin layer of water perhaps lying on ice or left by the ebbing tide.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
flùrans
floorings boat [boat floorings?].
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fo
Quotation: Tha a’ bhó fo dhàir.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Laide, Portnacon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fo
Quotation: Tha a bhó a leigeil [fɛ:hə]. Notes: the cow’s udder filling when about to calf.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fo
Quotation: A’ bhliadhna bha mo mhàthair fo’n a’ bhàs.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fo
Quotation: Tha a’ bhó a leigeil foidhpe. Notes: letting the milk down to the udder shortly before the birth of a calf.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fo
Quotation: Leigidh e fon a’ reothadh seo. Notes: This frost won’t last.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fo
Quotation: “Dean fodha!” Notes: order given when approaching the shore in a boat, to slow it down with the oars.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fo
Quotation: Bha a’ bhó fo dhàir.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fo bhuirb
Notes: state of mind when filled with bitterness on account of sorrow. Source: ? Date: 1972.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fo laidh
safe under cover. This may be a Lewis expression. It rhymes with ‘tigh’ as pronounced in Lewis. The ‘l’ is single as in ‘loch’. I’m not at all sure of the spelling.
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
fo-shàl
‘submarine’ part. Tha e coimhead glé mhath fo-shàl. – a ref. to a boat, even when ashore beached away from the sea.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fochaid
Quotation: a’ fochaid. Notes: mocking.
Location: Ross-shire, Achnahaird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fochan (m)
affects young crops of oats, barley, etc., which start wilting away before they mature. Cure to roll over with a heavy roller. (Only occurs in clay soil.)
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
fochann
Quotation: fochann tughaidh. Notes: when corn stalks with seed still on them were left among the thatching, they grew again in summer.
Location: Stornoway, Melbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fochann
Quotation: “Bha fochann a’ bhàis ’na aodann.” (Catriona Mhór) Notes: cf. Silva Gad. 234 “bad fochonn báis doib” – it would be an occasion of death to them. Any connection between these usages? Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fochann
cause, reason, material from which something is made; hence braird of corn, etc.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fodair
Quotation: sioman fodrach. Notes: straw rope.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fodair
Quotation: bonaid an fhodair. Notes: Said of a person who went from house to house in the spring to collect fodder. They would say “Tha bonaid an fhodair air.”
Origin: Benbecula
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fodha
Quotation: Tha na fiasgain fodha sin. Notes: under that.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fodhnachgain
what is responsible for something, i.e. “Chan eil fiosam dè a tha air fodhnachgain do’n duine bhochd sin.”
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foghainteach
Quotation: duine f. Notes: good-looking, strapping man.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foghaintean
[foĩntʹəṉ] Quotation: na foghaintean. Notes: wooden pins in warping frame.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foghar
Quotation: Foghar Clann a’ Ghobhainn. Notes: name given locally to the spell of good weather in November. So called from local family who were always late with the harvest, and took advantage of this spell of weather.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foghar
Quotation: as t-fhoghar. Notes: in the autumn.
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foghar
Quotation: … ’s gun biodh e handaidh anns an [jɔˈər]. Notes: ‘Foghar’.
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foghnadh
Quotation: Foghnaidh an Saoghal dhuit! – The world is one too many for you! More than enough. “Dh’ fhoghainn sud dha.” – That finished him.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foighdinneach
adj. ‘patient’: dh’fheumadh tu bhith gu math ~ ai’son a leithid sin a dhèanamh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
foighidinn
patience.
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
foighidinn
n. ‘patience’: cha robh do dh’fh. agam ach dìreach gum faighinna-mach feasgar
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
foighnich
Quotation: Foighneachd thusa dhiomsa! Notes: Ask me!
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foileadh
[ɸɔ̣lʹəɣ] Quotation: foileadh de dh obair. Notes: useless work. [NOTES: slipped under ‘(f)eocladh’.]
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foileadh
[fɔləɣ] Quotation: a’ foileadh. Notes: rummaging, e.g., a pig working with its snout, or a person hunting for something e.g. in a drawer and leaving it untidy.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foileigean
[fɔlɛɡʹɛṉ] Quotation: Ciamar a tha thu an diugh a’ foileigean. Notes: a pet term for a small boy.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foilidean
Quotation: Seorsa de dh’fheoil. “Sud sibh” ’illean ithibh am foilidean.
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foilidh
gently, patiently.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foill
Quotation: Cho fad’s a bhios sùghadh am bun càil, bi foill air Macphàil.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foill
Quotation: Cho fad’s a bhios slat ’s a’ choill, bi foill ’s a Chaimbeulach.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foilleadh
[fɔlʹəɣ] Quotation: a’ toirt foilleadh air rud. Notes: doing something in a haphazard way. Not doing a thing properly.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foinneach
[fonʹɑx] Quotation: Bha mi aige fad, fìnn, foinneach an latha. Notes: I was at it the whole day.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foinneamhan
[warts?] [NOTES: this term appears in the same line as ‘galairean’ and is not followed by a definition but it seems that it should be translated as ‘warts’ because that’s the first English term in the questionnaire.]
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
foir iath
a sea cruise within sight of land.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foireinidh
[fɔɾˈɛ̃ṉi] Quot.: “’S ann aige a tha a’ [fɔɾˈɛ̃ṉi] air an airgiod.” Note: equivalent of “’S ann aige a tha ’n cothrom air an airgiod.” (Note that stress is on the second syllable – said just like “for any”.)
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foirmealach
Duine foirmealach – a local version of ‘foghainnteach’. The word ‘foirmeigeach’ is a male sheep that cannot be successfully castrated, and is still virile.
Location: [Lewis], Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foirneadh
gate crashing.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foirtheann
[fɔɾɑhɑṉ] Quotation: Tha i air an fhoirtheann [ɔɾɑhɑṉ]. Notes: “It is slack-water.” The period between high and low water when there is no current in a strait.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foiteag
Quotation: foiteag! foiteag! ’se tha fuar! Notes: for heat or cold, usually cold.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foiteag
[fɔitʹɑɡ] Quot.: “Foiteag, foiteag, ’s e a tha fuar.” or “Foiteag, tha e teth.” Note: “foiteag” used in connection with heat usually when touching a hot object. Not used as regards hot weather.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foiteag foiteag!
exclamation to indicate cold.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
folc
an ill-natured person.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
folca
a Sabbath gown, colourful and frilly.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
folmadh
when working with clay this was the process whereby clay was slowly put into the mould for shaping purposes. Had to be careful not to put too much clay in at any one time.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fonn
Quotation: fo fonn latha. Notes: in daylight.
Location: Strathtummel
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fonn
Quotation: Fear togail fuinn. Notes: precentor.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foodlan
swivel. (Stoer, Assynt) The “foodlan” is usually an oblong piece of hard wood 4" x 2" x ½" (bigger for cattle) with two holes. The tether threaded through each hole from different side with an overhand knot on each rope, thus revolving in the “foodlan”. The modern iron swivel was merely called “sweevil”.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
for
Quotation: Chan eil for aige. Notes: He hasn’t a clue.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
for-ord
predestination.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
forais
[ɸɔɾɑ˖ʃ] Quotation: forais air. Notes: news of.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
forbhais
[fɔrɔiʃ] Notes: seeking out information in an indirect way.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
forc
Quotation: pl. forcaichean.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
forc
Quotation: forc móine. Notes: two-pronged fork used for forking peats. Flat prongs.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
forc
Quotation: earmark.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
forc
Quotation: Tha forc (sic) ’nam chois. Notes: cramp.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
forca
Notes: 4-pronged fork used to throw peats further out on the bank to allow space for more.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
forca-shiubhail
B’e seo seòrsa de chàrn-slaoid a bhiodh aig na balaich airson cluiche leis. Agus cha b’ann a’ cluiche leis sin t-seadh sin a bhitheadh, ach a’ faighinn làn toileachadh agus mór-thoilinntinn as. Bha iad ’g a dheanamh de chlàr baraille, no leth-bharaille, mar bu trice fiodh anns an robh lùbadh mar ann an clàir baraille. Ann an cumadh bha e rudeigin mar seo: [see illustration]. Bhiodh e fada agus mór gu leòir airson gu’n suidheadh balach ann. Dheadh iad suas gu mullach cnoc glas feòir anns am biodh leathad mór cas, agus leigeadh iad a nuas an fhorca leis an leathad agus fear mu seach’n a bhroinn. Bhiodh iad a’ deanamh am forca sleamhuinn le bhith a’ suathadh liughag feamann ris. Leis mar a bha na bùird de’n robh e dèanta air an laghadh, cha deidheadh an t-sròn aige do an talamh uair sam bith.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
forca-shiubhail (I)
B’e seo seòrsa de chàrn-slaoid a bhiodh aca againne ro ar n-àm-ne. Dèanta de fhiodh. Clàir baraille anns a’ bhonn aige agus an còrr mar a thuigeas sibh. Gus a dheanamh sleamhuinn bhiodh na balaich a’ suathadh liaghag feamann(d) (feamad) ris. Abair gu’m falbhadh e an uair sin, agus abair gu’m falbhadh! Chan eil ainm àrraid sam bith agam airson nam pàirtean aige. Rinn mi-fhìn fear aca uaireigin, nuair a bha sinn òg, agus theab e ar cur as an rathad.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
fortan
Quotation: Fortan ann a lùib an dòrtaidh, ’s pòsadh ann a lùib a losgaidh.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fortanach
adj. ‘fortunate’: bha thu ~ san àiteach (?), greim a dhèanamh dheth
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
fos
Quotation: fos cinn. Notes: above.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fos
Quotation: Cha d’thainig e riamh fos cinn bùird [fosc[ɤ̃ĩ]nʹbu̜:ʴḏ]. Notes: It never came to light, e.g. information. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fos-leth
[fɔslʹɛ] Quotation: Cha robh ainm fos-leth aca air a’ sin. Notes: They had no special word for that.
Origin: Kilmorack
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fosaidh (adj)
settled, sedate.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fosail
[fɔsɑl] Quotation: duine fosail. Notes: a go-ahead type, always striving.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fosgarra
[fɔsɡɑrə] Quotation: duine fosgarra. Notes: a well-disposed person.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fosgladh
Quotation: pl. “fosglaidhean”. Notes: distant lightning. (Thunder not heard.)
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fosgladh
Quotation: Tha fosglaidhean ann a nochd. Notes: far-off lightning.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fosgladh
(1) fosgladh poll ùr. (2) a’ toirt a cheud fhàd as iochdar a phuill leis a spaid, air son beul-sgathaidh a thoirt dhan tairsgeir.
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
fosgladh na talmhainn
the first furrow that is ploughed in a field.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fosgladh poll-mona
initial opening of new peat-bank.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
fotan
Quotation: fotan (fallain). Notes: seaworthy. Fotan is used to mean ‘healthy’, too, but is the term regularly applied in Brora, Golspie, and Embo for a seaworthy boat. Source: Mrs Margaret MacKay, “Gairlochy”, Main Street, Golspie. Date: winter 1968.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fothallan
[fɔhwɫɑṉ] Notes: a polecat.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fo’n t-sùil
looking at something with a squint.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
fo’n uisge
under (the) water.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frac
[fɾɑxk] Quotation: frac de fheur; frac de fhiodh. Notes: rubbish, useless stuff.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fracas
Quotation: “Cha tàinig càil as ach fracas.” Notes: potato plot – nothing came out of it but small potatoes, i.e. useless refuse.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frachd
[frɑxk] Quotation: [hɑ mi dut gɤs ən uɑrɑn ɔrn frɑxk bu:rn] “I’m going to the spring for a load of water.” Notes: a cearcall-load of water, i.e. 2 pails. Still well-remembered in Embo; recognized as an old-fashioned word in Golspie. Source: Mr and Mrs Kenneth MacKay, 16 Gate St., Embo. Date: spring 1968.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frachd
rubbish, tittle tattle, idle talk.
Location: North Uist, Lochportan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frachd
Notes: refuse, esp. useless potatoes.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frachdaid
wreck, wreck of a boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frafonn
[fɾɑfɔn̪] Notes: “Of the rush family but with a bushy head. Sometimes used instead of “luachair” to cover potatoes in the pit.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraigh a’ bhalla
this refers to the outside wall at the top of a wall [sic]. [NOTES: ‘fraigh’ corrected to ‘fràigh’.]
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
franns
Quotation: Bha mi [fɾ[ɑ̃ũ̟]sə] as a dheidh. Notes: enquiring. Also “frannsachdainn”.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frannsaich
Quotation: Mar a tha e [fɾ[ɑ̃ũ̟]sɑxkĩnʹ]. (Fhrannsaich mi.) Notes: enquiring.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraoch
nn ‘heather’ : thuirt boireannach as na States gur e ‘ fh. gheal a bh’ innte [FMMaclellan]; ‘s e ~ ‘ tha seo, thuirt e
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
fraoch
[ɸrəəx] Notes: heather as a dying agent gives a yellow colour or with indigo gives green.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraoch
heather likewise [i.e. ‘used in thatching sheilings’ like ‘sallastair’ above?], etc.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
fraoch
heather gave a green colour.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraoch
Quotation: fraoch a bhun duibh. Notes: used for thatching, with the stem to the outside. Would last a long time.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraoch
Quotation: torrag fraoich. Notes: clump of heather.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraoch
Quotation: sùgan fraoch. Notes: heather-rope.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraoch
heather.
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
fraoch meagain
[ɸrööx mɛkʹɑ̣˖nʹ] Notes: bell heather.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraoch-crion
Note: withered heather. (Barvas – fraoch-liath.)
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraoch-crionach
Notes: withered heather. (Lewis – fraoch-leath.)
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraoch-easraidh
Notes: heather taken in for bedding for cows.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraoch-fada
long heather.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraoch-geal
white heather.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraoch-geal
white heather, a symbol of luck.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
fraoch-goirid
virgin heather, or short heather.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraoch-sgriach
[fɾw:xsɡɾiɑx] Note: type of heather with a purple flower which burns quickly and very noisily.
Origin: Harris, Bays
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraochan
Quotation: fraochan na bròige. Notes: strip with holes in it across the toe for decoration.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraochan
the pattern or embroidery on brogue shoes (quite common word).
Location: [Lewis], Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraochan
the leather ornamental or decorated impression strip across the toe of a shoe. [SLIP: Leather cap across toe of shoe.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraochan
the decorated part on the nose of a shoe.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraochan
Notes: perforated strip put on the toecap of a shoe for adornment.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraochan
Notes: said it was the toecap of a shoe but more likely the perforated strip put across the shoe at the toecap.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraochran
Notes: perforated strip across the toe of a shoe for adornment.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraoidh
[frɤi] Quotation: [xɔ fošk ri frɤi] used to mean “wide open”, but no one knows what [frɤi] is, or how to use it in any other context. Notes: common to Brora, Golspie, and Embo. Source: Mr and Mrs Kenneth MacKay, 16 Gate St., Embo. Date: spring 1968.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraoill
intoxication.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraon
Quotation: (1) De tha thu deanamh a’ sin air chul-fraoin? (2) a cumail duine air chul-fraoin. Notes: (1) keeping out of company, taking a back seat, e.g. a shy person. (2) keeping a person out of or away from the centre of things, out of the company, e.g. keeping a person away from the fire.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fras (f)
Quotation: fras fheòir. Notes: seed.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frasach
[fɾɑsɑx] Notes: slatted wooden horse-box for feeding in stable. Fixture.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frasach
Note: slatted wooden feeding box for lambs.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frasach
This was fixed on the wall and filled with hay which the sheep pulled through narrow slats and so avoiding waste. Set at an angle to the wall.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
frasachan
A wooden implement with serrated edge used for threshing one sheaf at a time. See diag. [NOTES: probably refers to a diagram provided by the informant.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
frathunn
[frɑʔwən̪]
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frathunn
[ɸrɑ˖ʔuṉ]
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
freac (v)
be present, attend.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
freagair
Quotation: Ma fhreagras an còta, cosd e.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
freagairt
Quotation: a’ freagairt. Notes: suiting. In Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
freanadh
Quotation: “Feumaidh sinn an cù a leigeil a-steach ach an toir e franadh air an fheòil.” (Smith A about Dunfermline digs) “Thug siud freanadh air na bh’aige anns a’ bhanc.” (Keose) Notes: Bragar ‘franadh’. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
freanadh
[fɾɛ̃ṉəɣ] Quot.: Thug mi freanadh air. Note: I gave him a good leathering.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
freasdal
Quotation: Gu sealladh freasdal ort! Notes: For goodness’ sake.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
freòdag
chan eil fhios fhathast dé ’s ciall dhan fhacal-sa – crux interpretationis, mar a their na sgoilearan!
Location: [various]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
friasg
[See riathasg.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
friasg
[fθiɑsɡ] Notes: bait used in rock-fishing – shellfish boiled and then chewed before being thrown out on the water to attract fish.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
friathasg
[See riathasg.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frice-fò
Quotation: Cha mhotha e na frice-fò. Notes: something small; insect?
Location: Harris, Scarp
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fridh-rathad
Quotation: “Tha frith-rathad a dol thuige.” – There is a pathway to it. Used metaphorically of those who go astray from the main road. Ghabh e frith-rathad … – He took a devious path … Notes: a bye way.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fridheann
a ripple of water.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frileag
wavelet. Gun fhrileag gaoithe. Not common on Scalpay, more associated with Uist.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frimean-freamain
Notes: small patch of varicose vein.
Location: Spean Bridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
friodhan
Quotation: Tha friodhan oirre a nis. Notes: said when the wind was rising.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
friodhan
[fɾwɣɑ̃ṉ] Notes: quill attached to the end of string when making shoes to enable the string to pass through the holes more easily.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frioghan
Notes: perforated strip across toe of a boot or shoe.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
friosg bhuan
matchwood.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
friotas
whispering? (Matilda MacBeath)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frith-ainm
derogatory nickname (fri – against).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frith-rathad
Origin: Barra
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
frith-rathad
Notes: foot-path.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frith-rathad
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frith-rathad
short-cut (road).
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frith-rathad
Quot.: frith-rathad nan caorach. Note: sheep-track on the moor.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frithasg
bait cast out to attract fish.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frithasg
the limpets knocked off the stones on the seashore, put in a bucket and boiling water poured over to remove them from the shells and used as bait rock-fishing [sic].
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frithiasg (E)
Tha na dhà-sa againn, ach ’se ‘soll’ as trice a bhios againn. (Frithiasg air fhuaimneachadh againne: ‘friasg’ mar ‘fri’ agus ‘asg’, ‘fri' asg’.) [SLIP 1: ‘soll’. Definition: Slat.] [SLIP 2: ‘frithiasg’. Definition: An aon seorsa slat ri ‘soll’ (q.v.).]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
frithile
impatient.
Origin: Applecross [mother]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frithliosg (m)
Is e sin a bha againn an comhnuidh air ‘baoiteag’ (biathadh). Bha na seann daoine a b’aithne dhomh an còmhnuidh cur smugaid air an deidh chur air an dubhan. [NOTES: the slip has the following note – ‘Check spelling, whether ‘o’ or ‘r’ after ‘f’’. It looks like ‘r’ to me.]
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
frogail
neat and quite lively. Tha e gu math frogail fhathasd dha aois.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
froigh-shnighe
Notes: a slight dripping of water from the thatch after it had been newly thatched.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
froigh-shnighe
Notes: water seeping in at the top of the wall.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
froighneadh
[fɾ[ɤi]nʹəɣ] Quotation: Bha froighneadh air. Notes: He was cross, crabbit.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
froighneadh
Notes: water seeping in through the wall.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
froigne
water from wall.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frois
Quotation: “Sil, séid agus frois!” Notes: an expression of hopelessness. As if to say, “Nothing can be done now.”
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
froisainn
a bit of wood used for taking the ears off corn, oats, etc. [NOTES: note added above ‘ainn’ in ‘froisainn’ – ein.]
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
froiseachan
[fɾɔʃɑxɑṉ] Quotation: “Chaneil sinn ach air an fhroiseachan an diugh.” Notes: (froiseachan: tied bundle of threshed corn) Said to a visitor who happened to come in at a mealtime when there wasn’t much to eat.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
froiseadh
(frois) beating. A’ froiseadh an t-sìl.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
froiseadh
Quotation: froiseadh stocainn. Notes: (verb and noun) running thread pulled from a stocking.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
froiseadh
Quotation: a’ froiseadh coirce. Notes: threshing corn.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
froiseadh
oats stripped of their ears with the instrument below.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
froiseag
[fɾɔʃɑɡ] Notes: a small potato. Usually used in the pl.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
froiseag
Notes: small potato.
Origin: Kinlochourn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
front board decorations
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
frontal
[fɾɔ̃ṉṯɑl] Quotation: duine frontal. Notes: bold. [NOTES: slipped under ‘frontail’.]
Location: Tiree (?)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frosg
Quotation: na fruisg [nɑ˖ ɸruʃkʹ]. Notes: the eyes.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frucant
[fɾu̟kɑn̪t̪] Quot.: Tha e gu math frucant air rud a dheanamh. Note: applied to a person who does a job quickly and efficiently.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frudhan
[fɾu̟ʔɑn] Quotation: pl. [fɾu̟ʔɑ̃nʹ] or [nəfɾu̟ʔəṉəṉ]. Notes: washer on rivets. Cooper “rooves” used as washers on nails in boats.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fruis
[fɾu̟ʃ] Quotation: Chaidh e seachad le fruis. Notes: He went by at great speed.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fruis
[fɾu̟ʃ] Quot.: “Chaidh e suas an rathad le fruis.” Note: at great speed.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fruis
Quot.: “a’ fruiseadh nan cearcan”. Note: driving hens away, scattering them.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frulasg
Quotation: Chaidh na lìn frulasg. Notes: frulasg = troimh-a-chéile.
Location: Lewis, Point, Portvoller
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fràig
children at play causing annoyance.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frìdeag
[fɾı:dʹɑɡ] Quotation: An òrdag, a’ sgròbag, Mairi fada, Mac an Aba, frìdeag. Notes: the little finger.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fròghaidh
[fɾɔ:i] Quotation: (1) guth fròghaidh. (2) Tha a’ wireless cho fròghaidh an dràsda. Notes: (1) a hoarse voice (with a cold). (2) lack of clarity in the sound – full of interference, haziness.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fròin
embroidery? This could be one explanation. Bha fròin ri na cùirteirean-leabadh, froineas. (I am afraid it’s seldom used if at all.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frógh-shnighe
[fɾɤo:nʹiə] Notes: water seeping in through the wall.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuachd
Quotation: am fuachd. Notes: cold, chill (as affecting the nose etc.).
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuadach
Quotation: cù fuadaich. Notes: a “hunter”. Cf. cù cruinnichidh (sic).
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuadaich
Quotation: a’ fuadachadh nan caorach.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuadain
Quotation: fiaclan fuadain – false teeth, foreign teeth. In Medical terms a “foreign body”. Sùil fuadain – a foreign body of an eye.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuadan
Quotation: buntàta fuadain.
Location: Coll, Ben Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuadrag
Notes: used to catch lythe, made of rubber.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaidean
Quotation: fuaidean a chruinn. Notes: the plough handles.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaidean
Quotation: fuaidean a’ chruinn. Notes: plough-handles.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaidreag
[fu̟ədʹʒɾɑɡ] Notes: imitation eel as bait for lythe. Often made of crab and wrapped in wool to keep it together.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaigheal
Quotation: fuaigheal chasa-feannaig. Notes: criss-cross stitching on the border of blankets in the old days.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaigheil
[foɑl] Quotation: a’ fuaigheal na h-eathar. Notes: nailing the planks of a boat together.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuail-lit-mustard
mustard poultice. Used for pneumonia. Mixed with a soft paste of oatmeal and applied to the chest; quite a common effective method of treatment. It was applied hot so in this case, not fuar-lit’, I understand fuar-lit’, termed used cold not to the extremity of heat; it could have soothing effect on burns: scalding in particular.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuailit-lof
poultice made of a loaf for abstraction, abstracting festering matter from a festering wound.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
fuailit’(e)
poultice. (Pronounced without the e.) Instance of the ‘r’ being dropped or dismissed in the pronunciation.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaim
Quotation: fuaim na cuilceadh gun dol roimpe. Notes: “meud mhór ’s gun dad agad”.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaintean
Quotation: fuaintean a’ chruinn. Notes: the handles of a plough.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaireag
Notes: a mixture of cream and oatmeal.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaireas
irritability and stampeding of cattle due to cold weather.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuar
Quotation: Tha e cho fuar ’s gu feannadh e leòghann.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuar
Quotation: a’ toirt a mach an dòrn fhuar. Notes: feat of strength tried when a cow was killed. One of the legs was caught near the hoof and twisted till it broke from the knee, then twisting was continued till the skin broke.
Origin: Uig, Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuar-dhealt
Note: emphasis on “fuar”. Can be seen sometimes in the very early morning on grass and potato leaves. Says it was colder than the usual dew and if it wasn’t away before the sun rose, “bhiodh am feur agus duilleagan a’ bhuntàta air an losgadh”.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuar-lit
Quotation: pron. fuailit. Notes: poultice. Dw. has fuar-lite ‘cataplasm, poultice’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuar-shlatan
Quotation: Dh’fhalbh e ’na fhuar-shlatan leis a’ ghaoith. Notes: something blown to pieces by a strong wind.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaradh
Quotation: Taobh an fhuaraidh. Tha a’ chulaidh air an fhuaradh an dràsd. Notes: weather side.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaradh
non stop, very talkative person. Cha deachaidh fuaradh air o thàinig sinn an seo an diugh – referring to a talkative person. (Scalpay)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaradh
Quotation: Chan eil fois no fuaradh air. Notes: He’s not relaxing or cooling down.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuarag
nn f.: ~, ‘cream and oatmeal’; dat.:bha meas gàbhaidh aige air an fhuaraig; bha e rèidh dhan fhuaraig
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
fuarag
[fu̟ɑrɑk] sour cream (half-churned) and oatmeal.
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
fuarag
given to children at Halloween. Consisted of cream and oatmeal. The last treat of the year since cream would not be readily available thereafter.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuarag
oatmeal and cream.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuarag na Samhna
a delicacy made of meal and churned cream (fuarag, fuarag uachdair). This one in question was different in that a ring was hidden within. Whoever found the ring was said to have luck.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuarag-bharrag
Notes: Carloway – mixture of oatmeal and cream.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaraich
drops of rain dripping through the thatch.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
fuaraich
Quot.: “Fuaraich a’ tighinn troimh’n tughadh.” Note: water leaking in through the thatch.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaraich
Note: water blackened by soot falling from a blackhouse roof.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaraidh
[fu̜ɤri] Quot.: “Tha a’ rum so gu math fuaraidh.” Note: damp.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaran
used instead of the word ‘tobar’. An elaboration.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaran-sgeallain
Wild mustard poultice. Disease: pneumonia, colds, pl [sic] [pleurisy?]. Part used: leaves and stems. How prepared: mixed with hot water to form a kind of paste, and then put between two cloths. Can also simply use cold mustard leaves and stems in a bandage (bànn-arad).
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
fuarraidh
Quotation: taobh an fhuarraidh. Notes: the windward side.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuath
Quotation: Bha iad a’ faireachadh fuathan. Notes: ghosts, alien spirits.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuath
Quotation: “Chan fhaigheadh fuath faisg air àit anns am biodh mionnt.”
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuath duinteachd
claustrophobia.
Origin: ‘Islay connections’
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuatharlan
moth, butterfly.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuathasach
Quotation: Tha e fuathasach fuar. Notes: terribly, awfully.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fudair
Quotation: as croic le fudair.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fudanadh
Quotation: a’ fudanadh ’s a’ furaraich. Notes: expression used of being busy without achieving very much.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuidh
noise, shouting, consternation.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuidheag
Notes: (1) a rag. (2) the fairly thick cord made of strands of woollen yarn. Used to separate threads in hank ready to be woven or to tie folded tweed when being sent back to the mill.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuidheag
Note: piece at the beginning of a tweed and the end of the one in the loom previous to it, where the ends of the yarn are tied. Removed when the new warp is taken through and a piece of it woven.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuidhear, fuidhir
a fugitive, from one clan, who got sanctuary and livelihood (cattle, etc.) in territory of another clan. Unlike the saor-chlanna, who had rights that even the chief could not over-rule, he had no rights (daor-chlanna). Mac an fhuidhir (Macnair, Weir, etc.) sometimes made into Mac Iain Uidhir for reasons of snobbery.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuigheag
[fu̜iɑɡ] Note: piece of waste cloth at the end of a tweed where the next tweed is tied in.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuigheag
Notes: piece cut off at the end of a tweed when taken out of the loom.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuigheagan
threads which were left over at the end of a bit of cloth.
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuil na bothaig
Na bothaig neo na bothaig mhara (not a plant of course) – blood of the lark or sea-lark being taken. Disease: asthma (sac, caoidh). Part used / How prepared: le [?] small quantities, in drops I would imagine… Drinking some of it, a little now and again, I presume. Sources of information: traditionally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
fuile
blood. [NOTES: the slip gives the pronunciation – [fu̟lʹə].]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
fuilteach
[fu̟lʹtʹɑx] Quotation: ’S e duine fuilteach a th’ann. Notes: formidable; intrepid. One who is not put off lightly.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuine aran coirk
baking oatcakes. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
fuineadh
Quotation: a’ fuineadh aodach. Notes: waulking cloth.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuinn
variation on ‘suinn’ meaning ‘heroes’.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuireachail
Quotation: “Bithidh mi nam fhuireachail [nɑmu̟ɾɑxɑl] nuair a bhios mi a’ ceannach tape a rithist. Notes: careful.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Sydney Forks
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuirearach
attentive. (Aird)
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuirich
vb. ‘wait’: PAST: dh’fhuirich iad sin riamh nam inntinn; COND.: ann an seo bhathas a’ tighinn agus -- dh’fhuirgheadh ancrowd mòr, dh’fhuirgheadh an sluagh siud suas ri meadhan oidhche, dh’fhuirgheadh iad fad na h-oidhche
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
fulainn
Quotation: Used to describe the Uig bodach who wanted the “steall math uisge” when his own crops were secured. Notes: An ironic usage (var. of fallain?). Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fullaidhs
[fɤlẹjs] Quotation: dusan spoke [?] is sia fullaidhs.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
funnd (m)
foundation.
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
funnt
said of someone who had an inclination to steal. “Daoine funnt.”
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
furachail
attentive. “Nach tu bha furachail.”
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
furachlas
keeping watch over someone.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
furaileamh
suggestion, instigation; connected with earail?
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
furaraich
Quotation: a’ fudanadh ’s a’ furaraich. Notes: expression used of being busy without achieving very much.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
furm
Quotation: furm gobhlach. Notes: a three-legged stool used for milking.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
furm
Quotation: furm smeuraidh. Notes: stool used when smearing sheep with mixture of tar and butter.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
furm
Quotation: fuirm [sic] greusaiche. Notes: cobbler’s seat – a long broad seat with compartments on each side of the cobbler holding tacks etc.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
furndair
[fɤʴṉḏɑð] Note: Mrs MacA’s pronunciation of “furniture” in Gaelic. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
furrachal
to be attentive. As in a child willing himself to stay awake in case he misses anything.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
furrain
to relate, get on with people.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàd
peat.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
fàd
depth of peat bog. Thig ceithir foidean as – 4 peat length deep. If so, 1st and 2nd layer on top, 3rd layer as gàradh, 4th layer at bottom.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
fàd
an individual peat, i.e. a slab cut out of the peat-bank.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
fàd
the peat as cut by the ‘taraisgeir’ [q.v.].
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
fàd (), plural fòid or fàdan
[masc.] a single peat.
Origin: Ratharsaireach [Raasay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
fàd a choimheadaidh
this refers to the thinnest peat that was cut at the end of each row. Quickest to dry and was used by the grass keeper in his shieling.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàd a’ ghàraidh
second tier of peats.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
fàd a’ ghàrraidh
the tier of peat which is put in the ‘dyke’ – usually the second, but this varies according to the number of tiers.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
fàd a’ mhorghain
where the last layer [of peat] lies on gravel.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
fàd-iomaill
[fɑ:dĩmilʹ] Quot.: a’ fàd-iomaill. Note: the outer peat.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàgail (f)
Quotation: “Nach ann ormsa tha ’n fhàgail.” Notes: failing (usually of memory).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàil
[fɑ:lʹ] Quotation: [fɑ:lʹ] a rathaid [rɔıdʹ]. Notes: the green bank between road and ditch.
Location: BBC
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàil
[fɑ:l] Quotation: fàil mhòine. Notes: peat spade operated by one man (cutting and throwing). (Aon fhàil, dà fhàil, tri fàldan.)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàileadh-an-fhraoich
the smell of burning heather.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàileid
[fɑ:lɑdʹ] Quot.: “Nach ann air a bha a’ fàileid.” Note: “brass neck”. Same as “Nach ann air a bha a’ bhathais”.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàin an latha
the brightest part of the day.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàinne
Quot.: a’ deanamh fàinne a’ cholair. Note: straw part collar made by winding “sioman” round a core of straw, [kɑ̃ũ̜ɫɑx]. When it was long enough, the two ends were brought together so that it formed the shape of the collar. It was judged to be of the right size if the arm fitted into it with fingers outstretched, the elbow resting inside the base and the tips of the fingers touching the top where the two ends met. Probably the core of the collar.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàir
[fɑ:ɾ] Quot.: “Fàir a nall an t-slige-chreachain sin.” Note: bring over that clam-shell.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàire
[fɑ:ðə] Quotation: Thainig e ann a fàire. Chaidh e a fàire. Notes: He came into sight.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàire
Quotation: Briseadh na fàir’. Notes: daybreak.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Laide, Portnacon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàireachadh
“Bha mi a fàireachadh air.” - I was seeing [sic] [looking?] at him without him seeing me.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàireachas
Notes: peering furtively at a person or thing.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàireadh
Quotation: Bha dúil agam nach robh fàireadh air a’ chrodh. Notes: I thought there was no sight of the cows.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàireag
[fɑ:ðɑɡ] Notes: patch in a furrow left unturned by the plough, usually due to the presence of a stone.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàireag
Quotation: Thainig fàireag as an achlais agam. Notes: gland swelling (?).
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàisg
Quotation: a’ cur am bogadh an clò agus ’ga fhàsgadh dòrn is dòrn. Notes: wringing hand over hand.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàisneis
information.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàisniche
an object that makes you shirk, move with fright. [SLIP: Something which sends shivers down a person’s spine.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàl
Quot.: “Tha’n tigh aige ri fàl a’ rathaid.” Note: His house is beside the road.
Origin: Harris, Bays
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàl
Quot.: “Cha deach fàl bheatha ri m’anail an diugh.” Note: I haven’t had a bite to eat today. (Put also under beath.)
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàl
(Skye) Ainm eile airson feusag an rathaid-mhóir, fàl an rathaid. The soft, turf edge or border of a highway.
Origin: [Skye]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàl an rathaid mhóir
side of the road. Possibly the ditch as well.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàladair
[fɑ:ɫəd̪ɛð] Notes: grass that comes up later on in the year in a place which has been grazed in early summer.
Origin: Uig, Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàlasgair
Notes: heather blaze on the moor.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàldair
scythe. (Strathspey) Mr John M. Matheson gave me this word which he heard when living at Nethy Bridge.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàldair
Quotation: clach fàldair. Notes: honing stone used for sharpening scythes.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàman
gentle breeze, breath of wind.
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
fàr
Quotation: “Fàr a sgian.” Notes: Fetch the knife, e.g. said by a shoolteacher to a boy who had taken a knife from his desk.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàradh
Quotation: an fhàradh [ən̪ɑ:ɾu̜]. Notes: funeral bier.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàradh
Quotation: Bithidh sinn a’ fàradh [fɑ:rə]. Notes: working all night when going fishing.
Origin: Carradale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàrlas
When the fire was in the middle of the floor, a hole was made in the roof directly above it, to let out the peat smoke. This hole was called ‘am fàrlas’. This is the Skye pronunciation and spelling.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
fàrn
a watchword.
Location: North Uist, Hoghagearraidh [Hougharry]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàs-fuilt
hair growing well indicates the health and growth of the body. Fàs fuilt fàs cuirp.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàs-nead
Notes: a nest that some birds make, e.g. lapwing, but they don’t lay in it. Perhaps because the place is not suitable or as a decoy. Usually half finished.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàsach
Quotation: Chaneil fhios am fo ghrian an fhàsaich dé tha ceàrr oirre. Notes: I have absolutely no idea.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàsach
Quotation: fàsach chruidh. Notes: place where cattle were put out to graze in May.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàsach
Quotation: “’S mise fàsach do dhuine, / Ann am fàsach na beinne, / ’S cha do fhòghuim mi riamh, / Crioch àraidh an duine.” Reply of a Shepherd to Dr. Ross, Loch Broom – Pre-Disruption. Notes: Fàsach – wilderness. Fasach – empty.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàsag
Notes: bung in a boat.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàsag
Notes: bung in a boat.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàsgadh
Quotation: a’ fàsgadh [ə ɸɑɑ˖sɡəɣ]. Notes: pressing or squeezing.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàth
Quotation: A h-uile fàth a gheibhinn [joĩnʹ] bhithinn na pògadh. Notes: chance, opportunity.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàth
Quotation: a’ coimhead air fàth. Notes: peeping, watching so as not to be seen.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàth
Quotation: Bha e feitheamh fàth air greim a ghabhail air. Notes: an opportunity.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàthachd
hospitality, especially hospitality given to travellers delayed by bad weather conditions.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàthadaireachd
Quotation: a’ fàthadaireachd. Notes: observing so as not to be seen, snooping.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fèannadh
cutting underneath the turf.
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath
Quot.: fèath Faoilich. Note: a calm which lasted only for a very short time – e.g. if a person who was usually noisy and contentious calmed down for a short time. “’S e fèath Faoilich a bha sud.” (Put also under Faoileach.)
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athail
calm. Ma bhìos e fèathail mochthrath.
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fèill
Quotation: reothart mór na h-Fhéill Pàruig (sic). [NOTES: slipped under ‘Fèill Pàdruig’.]
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fèireag
[fɛ:ɾɑɡ] Quotation: Thug e fèireag dhan a bhàla. Notes: one person throws the ball and another hits it with the palm of the hand. In rounders.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fèith
[fɛ:] Note: equates “fèith” with “sùil-chruthaich”.
Location: Harris, Northton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fèithe
Quotation: an fhèithe dhìreach. Notes: the gullet.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
féadhbh
widow (exact cognate); hence faobh above: the widows of the slain being the booty of the victors (old Tales).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
féill
Quotation: tìde féill ròid. Notes: rutting time.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
féill
Quotation: Is samhradh gach geamhradh gu Nollaig agus chan earrach e gu Féill Phàdruig. Notes: Portnahaven: Phàruig. (Neil Ferguson) [NOTES: slipped under ‘Féill Pàdruig’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
féin
Quotation: fhéin [hẹẹ].
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
féithe
[fe:hə] Notes: very soft, boggy ground where cattle or sheep would be liable to get stuck.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìdeach
Quotation: fìdeach fuar.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìdeag dhubh neo gàth dubh
affected small oats. The seed would literally disintegrate into black dust. [NOTES: ‘gàth’ corrected to ‘gath’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìdhlear
[fı:lɑð] Note: sandpiper. Another variety which nests beside fresh-water lochs is ‘fidhlear [sic] bòrd nan loch’.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìdhleir
Quotation: am fìdhleir. Notes: the sandpiper.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìdhleirean
Quotation: Fìdhleirean Srath-Éirinn. Notes: term for strong, piercing east wind.
Location: Spean Bridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìlainn
leaves which were found in a loch. Gathered and given to cattle to prevent illnesses. [NOTES: corrected to ‘fìlein’.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìleadh
[ɸi:lʹəɣ] Quotation: Tha fìleadh a’ tighinn fo bhonn an doruis. Notes: a draught of wind, current of air.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìleadh
Quot.: “’S ann air a tha a’ fìleadh.” Note: said of somebody full of go, working on something at a rapid rate. Same as “duine le collas air”.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìleadh
Quotation: Tha fìleadh fo’n dorusd. Notes: a draught.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìnn
[sic] Quotation: Bha mi aige fad, fìnn, foinneach [fonʹɑx] an latha. Notes: I was at it the whole day.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìogail
[fı:ɡʹəl] Quotation: a’ fìogail. Notes: squeaking. Same as “bìogail”.
Location: Vatersay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìogair
Quotation: Bheir a’ chlach a steach fìogair. Notes: Take the stone in a shade.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìogais
Quotation: a’ deanamh fìogais air duine. Notes: same as “magadh”. Used in Portree school.
Location: BBC
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìor
Quotation: … nuair a bha mi fìor òg. Notes: seems to be common in the informant’s speech.
Origin: Carradale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìor
Quotation: “Ma’s fhìor gu h-e fein a rinn … etc.” Notes: Pretending that it was he himself who did …
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìreag (-an)
stones used to keep thatch in place.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìrinn
Quotation: ’S e sin sgailc mhullach na fìrinn. Notes: That is the absolute truth.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìsig
laxative.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìsig
laxative, medicine used as in the case of constipation, physic.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fòdhlach
a soft grass that grew on the machair, especially in the cattle fold (cuidhe). Of poorer quality than normal grass.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fòghnaich
Quotation: A’ fear a bhàsaich leis an acras, fhuair e ’na dh’fhoghainn dha.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fògrachd
advertisement, proclamation, announcement.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fòid
Quotation: a’ fòid gruinnd. Notes: the bottom layer of peat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fòid
[fɔ:dʹ] Notes: a peat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fòid
Quotation: an dàrna [d̪ɑ:ṉɑ] fòid. Notes: the second peat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fòid
Quotation: a’ fòid uachdar. Notes: top peat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fòid (sing)
[fɔ:dʹ] Quotation: fòid móine. Notes: single peat. Pl. fòidean.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fòidearachd
Quotation: a’ fòidearachd. Notes: could be applied to cutting “sgrothan” for the old tigh-tughaidh.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fòidearachd
Quotation: a’ fòidearachd. Notes: turning with the spade after the plough. (See fòidear.)
Origin: Bayhead
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fòidearachd
Notes: turning with the spade after the plough, i.e. what had been left unturned. (See fòidear.)
Origin: Bayhead
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fòidh
[f[ɔı]] Quot.: “a’ fòidh air feadh nan taighean”. Note: the poor people went round the houses at one time with a small bag collecting food, etc.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fòlag
a word used in the north end of South Uist which means a pin used to hold the wheel on an axle. Same word as ‘sgiofair’ which is used at south end of South Uist.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fòrsamanachd
[fɔ:ʴsəmɑṉɑxk] Quot.: “a’ fòrsamanachd timchioll”. Note: used of a person who takes it upon himself to be in charge and goes about giving directions. Term rather derogatory. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fóthannan
[fo:hən̪ɑ̃ṉ] Notes: polecat.
Location: Ross-shire, Poolewe, Londubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fùdar-cluais
[fu̟:d̪əɾkɫu̜ɤʃ] Notes: a small amount of powder which was put in through a nipple in the side of the gun. This was placed between the cap and the powder in the barrel to make sure that the powder ignited.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fùdraig
Quot.: “Bhiodh iad a’ fùdraigeadh le maide gus an dheidheadh na bradain dhan a’ chabhall.” Note: beating along the banks to drive salmon into the net.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fùidsidh
[fu̜:ḏʃi] Quot.: “Cuiridh e a’ fùidsidh ort!” Note: He will beat you outright, e.g. in any kind of contest.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fùidsidh
[fu̜:dʹʃi] Quot.: “Chuir e fùidsidh orm.” Note: He beat me outright (in a game or contest of some kind). (Also used in Barvas.)
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fùirseach
making a great fuss with someone when it is not very genuine. All the emphasis on ‘fuirs’.
Origin: [Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fùlg
the course set by a sailing boat. “Dh’fheumadh iad cumail ri fùlg cho math ’sa b’urrainn dhaibh.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ga mharbh thu i
Notes: (Catriona Mhór) ‘though you should kill her’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabh
Quotation: a’ gabhail mu’n teine. Notes: banking up the fire at night.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabh
Quotation: Ghabh e gu don’ e. Notes: He was offended.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabh
Quotation: a’ gabhail comhtharran. Notes: taking bearings at sea.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabh
Quotation: feadhainn a ghabhadh [ə ɣɑʔəɣ] fosgladh agus feadhainn eile nach gabhadh [ɡɑ̟wʔəɣ].
Location: Mull
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
gabh
Quotation: Tha i a’ gabhail coilich [əɡɑɑlkɑliç]. Notes: flecks of white foam appearing on the sea as the wind rises.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabh
Quotation: a’ gabhail a’ chaoich. Notes: bolting (horse).
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabh
Quotation: a’ gabhail tìr. Notes: landing.
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabh
Quotation: “Feuch am beil thu air [ɡɑɑl] agad.” Notes: “See that you are well wrapped.”
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabh
Quotation: a’ gabhail a’ spionnadh. Notes: testing the strength of spirit in the spirit vat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabh
Quotation: a’ gabhail a’ bhrath. Notes: taking advantage.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabh
Quot.: “a’ gabhail man a chruaich” or “a’ gabhail uimpe”. Note: finishing off the stack so that it is sufficiently secure.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabh
Quotation: Na ghabh i tarbh? Notes: Has (the cow) been to the bull?
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabh
Quot.: “Tha e cho math gabhail ris.” Note: e.g. if one heard unpleasant or unwelcome news or if something unpleasant happened. “Might as well accept it.”
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabh
Quot.: “Gabh m’a cheann an dràsda.” Note: if one was doing a job (e.g. building a wall) and was finishing off for the day; rounding off whatever one was doing at the time.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabhadh
Quotation: nach gabhadh [ɡɑuʔəɣ]. Notes: it could not be.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabhail ri
Quotation: Chan eil e gabhail rium gu faca mi e. Notes: I am not conscious of (I do not recall) seeing it.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabhann
(1) gossip (Perthshire); gabhannach. (2) a particular herd (fold) of cattle, etc.; gabhann gearr-adharcaich aig Morair Sìm.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabhdanach
poking at something.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabhlach
[ɡɑu̜ɫɑx] Quot.: “gabhlach balaich”. Note: a brat, a boy up to no good.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gach
Quotation: Bhiodh e duilich dhuinn gach a chéile a leantainn. Notes: It would be difficult for us to follow each other.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gad
Quotation: gad iarainn. Notes: an iron rod.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gad
Quotation: Bha iad ann an sàs nan gad. Notes: Locked together in wrestling.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gad
fleet of creels, when attached to a single line.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
gad
home-made fishing hooks with feathers attached.
Location: Barra, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gad
fleet of creels, when attached to a single line.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
gad
Quotation: gad beithe. Notes: rope made from thin birch wands.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gad
fleet of creels, when attached to a single line.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
gad
Quotation: Cha robh air fhàgail agam ach an gad air an robh an t-iasg.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gad
fleet of creels, when attached to a single line.
Origin: Taransay
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
gad-àrc
Note: circle of cork floats strung together. Used as a “puta-sàs” (above).
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gadraich
Notes: miscellaneous bits and pieces (talking about various articles she found on a raft that came ashore).
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gagach
to walk gingerly. “Bha e coiseachd gu math gagach.”
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gainmheach
Quotation: gainmheach bheò. Notes: quicksand.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gairbhean
Quotation: an gairbhean. Notes: the gills of a fish.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gairbhinn
rough weather.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gairm
Quotation: an gairm. Notes: proclamation of banns. Also “Bha iad air an gairm.”
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaisde
[ɡɛʃdʹə] Quotation: gaisde sguabaich. Notes: heather brush. (Or gaisde fraoich.)
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaisde
Quotation: gaisde fraoich. Notes: a heather brush.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaisde
[ɡɛʃdʹə] Quotation: gaisde fraoich. Notes: heather brush. (Also gaisde sguabaich.)
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaiseadh
Note: blight in potatoes.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaiseadh
Notes: blight; potato blight.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaiseadh
Note: blight in potatoes.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaiseadh
potato blight.
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaiseadh (-eag)
great speed, rush.
Location: Skye
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
gaisidh
Quotation: Tha ’m buntàta uamhasach gaisidh. Notes: diseased.
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaistaidh
beathach òg aitigeach.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
gal
Quotation: [ɡɑɫə]. Notes: weep.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gala
Quotation: an cù agus an gala. Notes: fox and vixen.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galair
Quotation: galair nan cearc.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galair an dumalais
the disease whereby the green/blue bile sachet on a liver burst with the result that the animal was poisoned.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galair cearr
caused by the tick and which caused the cattle to limp badly. [NOTES: ‘cearr’ corrected to ‘ceàrr’.]
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galair na gainmheach
translated as pine by the informant. Caused by eating too much sand and lack of dozing. Also called ‘galair a’ mhachaire’ or ‘galair na h-airde’.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galair na mòintich
used to mean the blinding which affected sheep. Thought that this was caused by spending too much time on wet, low level moorland.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galar
Quotation: galar a’ bhuntàt. Notes: blight.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galar
Quotation: an galar [ɡɾɤɣ]. Notes: “strangles” in horses. Infectious.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galar
Quotation: Galar a’ chinn. Notes: disease in horses. Lost sense of direction.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galar
Quotation: an galar buidhe [bu̜i]. Notes: disease in lambs occurring during dry summers and on some types of ground. Scabs round eyes and ears. Sometimes lambs went blind.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galar
Quotation: “galar na beinneadh.” Notes: “scrubs on the eyes and noses of lambs in summer after they have been put to the moor.” Cured with “ola mhilis” – sweet vegetable oil.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galar a bhuntàta
potato disease.
Origin: Bràigh-Lochabar [Brae Lochaber]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
galar nan gamhna
ringworm in cattle, 6-18 months.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
galar-fuail
Note: same as “glasadh-uisge”. Children and animals affected by it (sheep, cattle). “Liath-lus” used as a cure for it.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galar-gragh
[ɡɑɫəɾɡɾɤ] Notes: “strangles” in cattle. (Could it be in horses?) Runny nose, septic throat. Like a bad cold.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galar-nan-coig-oidhche
Notes: fatal illness in newly born children. Died usually about 5 days after birth. Probably due to lack of hygiene at birth – perhaps poison in the navel.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galar-plocach
Quotation: an galar-plocach. Notes: mumps.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galar-plocach
Quotation: an galar-plocach. Notes: mumps.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galghad
Notes: Affectionate address to a girl. Dw. gives only the form galad.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gam iathadh
surrounding.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gamag
stride, though usually in reference to movement of a boat.
Location: Harris, Borisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gamaisean
spats; gamaisean geala nan Sìofartach (N.E.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gamhain ( gawin)
[pron.] stirk (castrated). [NOTES: slip not found.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
gamhainn
Quotation: math-ghamhainn [mɛ̃ɣɛ̃vĩnʹ]. Notes: bear.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gamhainn
[ɡɑvinʹ] Note: Uig pronunciation ([ˈɡõĩnʹ] usually in Lewis).
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gamhnach
Quotation: bó ghamhnach. Notes: in milk but without a calf.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gamhnach
milking farrow (you can milk her, but hadn’t calved that year).
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
ganntair
Quotation: “’S fhearr iomal a phailteis na teis-meadhon a ghanntair.” Notes: scarcity.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ganogs
an iron crosswise fixed over a basket full of herring, with a hook on each end which is inserted into both handles of the basket, a ring in the middle of the bar into which a rope is tied or spliced, thus the basket full of herring being hoisted from the hold of the boat on to the pier – a common portrait years back – the word for this ‘contraption’ is unheard of now, I think; which was ‘ganogs’. Illustration or diagram (the diagram is not too good, it will give you an idea):
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoch!
(interj.) to avoid leading a child into disgust, dirt, or to frighten him, in an attempt, by making him discharge something or spit from his mouth, any item of distaste.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoir
Quotation: Chuir e gaoir nam fheòil. Notes: It gave me the shivers.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoirdean
the part of a cart where you sat.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoirean
a trickle of water.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoirean
dry dung of cattle.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaois
Quotation: gaois falaisg. Notes: broom (birch) about 8ft long for extinguishing heather fires.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaois
Quotation: gaois iaruinn. Notes: iron brush.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaois-fraoich
Notes: heather brush used to wash the fish in sea-water, before being put in a “tuban” of brine and left for a week.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoisid
Quotation: Tha an cù a’ cur na gaoisid. Notes: The dog is shedding its hair.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaol
Quotation: Nuair a thig an acras a steach air an dorus, theid an gaol a mach air an uinneig.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaol
Quotation: Thuit e ann an gaol air a’ nighean.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaolach
Quotation: Tha mi gu math gaolach air. Notes: used when talking about a certain type of food.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaolach
Quotation: Tha mi gaolach air. Notes: I like it.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaorad
[ɡ̊ɤrɑd̥] Quotation: ga chumail car ma’n aon ghoiread.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaorman
[ɡɤ:ɾmɑṉ] Quot.: Tha thu ann a sin na do [ɣɤ:ɾmɑ̃ṉ] grannda. Note: applied to a person who hangs about looking for information.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaorradh
[ɡwrəɣ] Quotation: Na bi na ghaorradh. Notes: press, cram. Involves discomfort or pain in connection with human or animal. ([w] not lengthened)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaosaid
Quotation: gaosaid each. Notes: horsehair. Used in making long lines, the part to which the hook was attached.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaosaid an fhéidh
wispy, pointed clouds pointing away from the sun. Indicative of mild weather. For a couple of days. [NOTES: word supplied by R. O’Henley, Garrynamonie, S. Uist.]
Location: North Uist, Lochportan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth
Quotation: Tha mi a’ faighinn gaoth dheth. Notes: smell. Droch ghaoth: a bad smell.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth
Quotation: muilleann gaoitheadh.
Location: North Uist, Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth
Quotation: bainne gun ghaoth. Notes: made by plunging a red-hot poker into fresh milk and stirring it. Singed taste. Given to a person who had stomach trouble.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth
Quotation: taigh gaothaidh. Notes: wooden frame on which hay is put to dry.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth
Quotation: Gaoth tuath, fuachd is feannadh; gaoth deas, teas is toradh; gaoth ’n iar, iasg is bainne; gaoth ’n ear, meas air chrannaibh.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth
Quotation: Tha a’ ghaoth a’ bualadh. Notes: the wind being diverted from its true course by the mountains.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth
Quotation: gaoth chothromach. Notes: a favourable wind.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth
Quotation: a’ buain le gaoith. Notes: cutting seaweed on [sic] with a favourable wind to drive it ashore.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth
Quotation: gaoth chuairteanaich. Notes: whirlwind; eddying wind.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth
Quotation: “… gus am faigheadh iad gaoth air na h-eòin, agus an sin bha iad a stad.” Notes: i.e. the gundogs.
Origin: Blackburn, near Glentarff
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth
Quotation: (1) a’ ghaoth shios. (2) a’ ghaoth shuas. Notes: (1) the east wind. (2) the west wind.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth
Quotation: Tha fead aig a’ ghaoith.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth
Quotation: ’S fheàrr toit a’ fhraoich na gaoth a’ reothaidh. Notes: said of one entering a house full of peat smoke from the outside cold.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth
Quotation: Fiath, is gaoth ’n ear. Notes: two opposites.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth
Quotation: cuir na gaoith. Notes: small waves caused by the wind.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth
Quotation: “Cha d’thainig gaoth mhór a riamh gun uisge ’na déidh.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth
Quotation: Na trì nithean as fuar ’s an domhainn, gaoth [ɡw:ç] roimh tholl, gaoth fo sheòl, agus gaoth fhuar an àiteamh [ɑtʹʃəv].
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth
Quotation: ioma-ghaothach. Notes: wind gusting round a corner.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth
Quotation: gaoth peithireach [peðəx]. Notes: a very strong wind, a gale. See “peithir”. (Dw. peithir 5‡‡ a thunderbolt.)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth
Quotation: gobhlan gaoith. Notes: swallow.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth na h-Eiphit
Quotation: Bha gaoth na h-Eiphit dheth! Notes: ‘a foul smell.’ Source: Ina MacKenzie, Lochinver. Date: 1978.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth pheathreach
hurricane. [NOTES: note added above ‘pheathreach’ – bheithreach.]
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth tuath na Càsg
Cha robh bliadhna riamh nach robh Gaoth na Càsg ann. Ma thig ceithir là de ghaoth tuath sin, bidh ochd là ann de ghaoth tuath. Tighinn as a tuath – fuar agus tioram.
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
gaoth tuath – fuachd is feannadh
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
gaothach
Quotation: moine ghaothaich. Notes: where there is only a thin layer of turf and peat (i.e. in an area where peat was cut before), it is almost dry when cut.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaothail
Quotation: là gaothail. Notes: windy day, boisterous day.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garach
have more than his requirements, as in the case of eating. Tha e garach air – in other words: Tha e seideadh air.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garach
more than enough in eating process. A’ garach air.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garadh
Quotation: Chaidh e do’n cheardach a gharadh. Notes: welding.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garadh
layer of peats placed on ‘uachdar’ [q.v.] when cutting.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
garadh
Quotation: Coltach ris a’ chailleach a thug seachd bliadhna ga garadh fhein, nuair a chaidh i a mach thug aon oiteag air falbh i. Notes: toasting oneself at the fire. See oiteag.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garadh
[ɡɑɾəɣ] Quotation: an garadh. Notes: otter’s lair.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garadh a’ bhaile
dry-stone dyke enclosing cultivated part of village (about ½ mile from sea-shore).
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
garadh ùir
turf dyke a further ½ mile into the moor (one mile from sea). This dyke protected the cultivation of the river glen. In vicinity of each of these dykes was a pound for stray animals.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
garadh-tàth
[ɡɑɾəɣt̪ɑ:] Notes: welding heat.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garbh
Quotation: magall gharbh. Notes: local name (Melvaig) for sea-urchin.
Location: Melvaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garbhag
iasg (sprat).
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garbhag
sprat (fish).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garbhag
sprat.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garbhag
[ɡɑɾɑvɑɡ] Notes: a spotted flatfish (probably plaice).
Origin: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garbhag
Note: sprat.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garbhag(an)
Sprats about the size of medium cuddies. Aig amannan chleachd sgaothan dhuibh [sic] a bhith tighinn as t-fhoghar gu cladaichean Uig is gan tilgeil fhein air tir anns an fheamuinn. Chleachd na h-Uigich a bhith toirt dhachaidh nam pocannan dhuibh [sic]; gan ithe ùr, is ga sailleadh.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
garbhat
[ɡɤ̈rət] Notes: thickness.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garrabhuic-mairt
a cow pad [sic] [pat?] of a soft composition through the influence of dysentery.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
garrach
[ɡɑrɑx] Quotation: Suidh, a’ gharraich. Notes: an obstreperous boy.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garrach
Quotation: balach garrach. Notes: mischievous brat of a boy.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garrag siol butata
cutting seed potatoes. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
garraiseach
Quot.: garraiseach na Bealltainn. Note: an annual spell of bad weather.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garraiseach
[ɡɑrɑʃɔx] Note: severely inclement weather.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garran
(also) unpopular character, ‘causing’ distaste in boastful attitude towards his age, as a youth declaring an overstatement. (Scalpay)
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
garran-creige
Notes: ‘of cat-fish family’.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garrthadh
Quotation: Tha garr(a)thadh air an aodach/air an fheur. Notes: of clothes beginning to get dry. Cf. Applecross sgiath.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garstan
(gartan) Part of shore where sea-grass grows and is exposed at low tide: pasture attractive to cattle.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
gart
Quotation: Tha a’ ghart a’ tighinn a mach. Notes: young shoots of corn.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gartlan
Quotation: (1) a’ gartlan a bhuntàt (verb). (2) gus am biodh iad deas airson a’ ghartlan (noun). (3) gartlan (noun). Notes: (1) weeding the potatoes. (2) a’ ghartlan – “the process of weeding”. (2) weeds (in general).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gasair
[ɡɑsɑɾ] Quotation: Tha i air ghasair. Notes: bitch in heat.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gasda
Quotation: duine gasda. Notes: nice man.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath
Notes: the barb on a hook.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath
Notes: potato sprout.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath
Notes: sting.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath
Notes: knot in wood.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath
Notes: used of a shooting pain.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath
[kɑ] Notes: sting.
Origin: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath droma
ridge pole of house.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath droma
ridge.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath dubh
Disease of coirce. Can be prevented by mercurial dressing of seeds before planting.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
gath muigh
horse’s mane.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath tìte
a double rope tied to the saddle.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath, gathan
[pl.] Shrimps. “Tha na balaich shios anns an fhadhail a’ breith air na gathan.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath-a-bhàis
sting of death.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath-drama
[ɡɑd̪ɾɑ̃mə] Notes: ridge-pole.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath-drama
[ɡɑd̪ɾɑ̃mə] Notes: ridge-pole.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath-drama
Note: ridge-pole.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath-droma
Note: ridge pole.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath-droma
ridge pole
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
gath-droma
[See maide-droma.]
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath-droma
Quotation: an gath-droma. Notes: ridge-pole.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath-droma
Rooftree.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
gath-droma
Notes: the backbone.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath-dubh
Quotation: an gath-dubh. Notes: ear of oats infested with “smut” – (?).
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath-muing
[ɡɑmũ̜ĩ] Notes: mane.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath-muing
[ɡɑmũĩ] Notes: mane.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath-muing
[ɡɑmu̜i] Notes: mane.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath-muing
[ɡɑmũ̜ṉ] Notes: horse’s mane.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath-muing
[ɡɑmũ̜ĩ] Notes: mane.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath-muing
[ɡɑmũ̟i], [ɡɑmũ̜ĩ] Quotation: an gath-muing. Notes: horse’s mane.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath-muinge
[ɡɑmũ̜ṉə] Notes: horse’s mane.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gath-tìte
the double rope tied to the ‘strathair’, or saddle, from which the girth.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gathach
Quotation: Bha am buntàta gathach nuair a cheannaich mi iad. Notes: sprouting.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gathan
thick bits of wood which came ashore. Not as thick as ‘sailthean’. [NOTES: ‘sailthean’ corrected to ‘sailean’ and underlined, probably to indicate that it should be a separate entry.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gathan
a match.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gathan
[ɡɑhɑṉ] Note: when the spinning-wheel was used to fill “iteachanan” for weaving this was the spindle on which the “iteachan” was put.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gathan gainnisg
dried sedge. Carried as a lighted torch at Halloween.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gathan gainnisg
dried sedge which was used as a lighted torch which was carried at Halloween.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gathan gannaisg
a kind of rough grass with a wheat-like ear. Personally I have not seen this in Uist. Must be present in Skye since Halloween boys gathered bunches of this and threw it at each other saying “Mo shaighead air do shaighead sa”. This was thought to prevent fairies from doing harm during the year.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gathan nan teachdairean teinteach
electricity poles. Whilst on this subject D. W. alludes to a superstition which is rarely heard nowadays. In the days when people were dependent on embers for torchlight, an ember would not be given to a visitor if there was a baby in the house. It was feared that the child would not have any teeth if this was given.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gathan-ganaisg
Notes: rough sedge grass. On Halloween night the young men went around with torches of g-g or put them under women’s skirts – where they could! Supposed to bring fertility.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ga’n gabhail thar a cheile
taking them one by one. [NOTES: originally ‘that’, corrected to ‘thar’.]
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ga’n leigeil a mach gus an t’ sruthan na an abhuinn
outdoor watering.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
gead
Quotation: a’ geadadh leanabh. Notes: being rough to.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gead
Notes: a field, a patch of ground.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geadadh
to beat.
Location: North Uist, Knockintorran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geadadh
to beat someone. “Thoill thu do gheadadh.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geadadh
Quotation: Fhuair e a gheadadh. Notes: He received heavy physical punishment.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geadh
Quotation: Ged a chuireadh tu geadh mu chuairt an t-shaoghal air fad, ’s ann ’na gheadh a thilleadh e.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geadh
Quotation: Geadh Glas. Notes: Grey Lag Goose.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geadhachail
noisy chatter, paraphernalia.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geadhanadh
attempting, endeavouring.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geaghanadh
endeavouring, attempting in a petty sort of way.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geal
Quotation: deoch gheal. Notes: same as “deoch bhàn” – oatmeal drink.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geal
Quotation: Feòil gheal (by contrast with feòil dhubh).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geal
Quotation: used in sentences such as “Chan eisdeadh e ri duine geal”; “Cha robh feagal aige fo dhuine geal”. Notes: used with the negative for emphasis.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geal
Quotation: Chan eil a shamhail a-measg nan daoine geala.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geala-latha
nn.: sa gh. sholaist ‘in broad daylight’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
gealach
Quotation: Tha a’ ghealach a’ dol air a h-ais.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gealach
Quotation: Tha reul ro fhaisg air a’ ghealach. Notes: bad weather sign.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gealach
Quotation: An croch thu do cheap air a’ ghealaich. Notes: if you could, bad weather was supposedly imminent (first and last quarter).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gealach
Quotation: Tha ceann dubh air a ghealaich. Notes: with a waning moon, there is a dark spell in the early evening before it rises.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gealach
Quotation: gealach a’ ruadhain. Notes: same as “gealach an [ɑpɑxi]” (sic).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gealach athairneach foghair
[?] bad weather.
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
gealach ghreannach
bad weather.
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
gealachadh
whitening, perhaps of the form ‘dealachadh’, originating likewise.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gealadh
whitening. Na pocannan an sud a’ gealadh ris a’ ghréin ’s a muigh fo’n uisge. Cloth material losing colour through neglect in the open, outside.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gealbhan
Quotation: ’S e cheud duine thog gealbhan ’s a bhaile seo. Notes: He was the first man to set up home in the place.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geall
Quotation: Cuiridh mi geall dhuit. Notes: I’ll bet you.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geall
Quotation: crannchur gill. Notes: lottery.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geallabhal
An riasg a bhiodh air cruadhachadh ’s air tiormachadh a’ stigh fo na bruthaichean. Connadh math. Is ann ri àm a bhiodh connadh air leth gann a bhithist a’ cur thairis nam bruthaichean airson an stuth-sa.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
geallabhall
[ɡʹɑɫəvɑɫ] Note: name given to a fairly thin layer of peat on stony ground. Hard and dry and can be taken directly home to be burnt. Common in Uig.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gealladh
Quotation: Ged tha dùil ris, chaneil gealladh air. Notes: tomorrow (quotation?).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gealladh
Quot.: “Bheir mise mo ghealladh dhuit…” or “Mise mo ghealladh dhuit…” Note: said in a determined way “I’m telling you – that such and such will be done.”
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geamh
Quotation: Tha iad ann a siod geamh air gheamh. Notes: of verbal sniping: tit for tat.
Location: Harris, Scarp
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geamhrach
wintering. [SLIP: Wintering the cattle.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
geamhradail
Quotation: Tha e gu math geamhradail an diugh. Notes: wintry.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geamhradh
Quotation: Is samhradh gach geamhradh gu Nollaig, ’s chan earrach e gu Feill Phàdruig. Notes: Portnahaven: Phàruig (Neil Ferguson).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geamhraich
Quotation: a’ geamhrachadh a mach. Notes: outwintering.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geamradh
Quotation: anns a’ [jɔ̃rək].
Origin: Arran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gean
Quotation: ’S misde do ghean a bhi gun bhiadh. Notes: good humour. Also greed, rapacity – Cho geanach ris a chù.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gean-math
good cheer.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geanachan
region of face, close to mouth. Cheek? From Latin ‘gena’?
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geannaire
Quotation: geannaire cruinnidh [kɾũ̟nʹi]. Notes: shoeing hammer.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geannaire
Quotation: geannaire ladhrach. Notes: claw hammer.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geannaire
Quotation: geannaire sgleata. Notes: slater’s hammer.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geannaire
Quotation: geannaire ladhrach. Notes: joiner’s claw hammer.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geannaireachd
Quotation: a’ geannaireachd. Notes: hammering.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geard
pocket watch-chain, watch chain, from the breast pocket, worn by the male folk. Cha [sic] fhac thu duine riamh cho eireachdail ris, le geard òir. (old phrase) [NOTES: the slip has ‘Chan fhaca thu…’. Definition: Watch-chain, worn from the breast pocket. Word no longer used.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gearr tan’ i, ruig fad i, cum a’ mach i
these were the three main points to good peat-cutting. Ruig fad i means cut as deep a slice as iron permits. Cum a’ mach i refers to good spreading.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gearr-fhad
3rd peat down. (Not in general use. Few banks have more than 2 peats downward.)
Location: Gearrloch, Achadh a’ Chairn [Gairloch, Auchtercairn]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gearr-radharcach
short-sighted; confused with gearr-adharcach – short-horned (cattle), hence gearr-dhearcach and various other terms.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gearra-bhonn
Quotation: gearra-bhonn leathrach. Notes: leather half-sole.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gearra-bhuinnich
Quotation: a’ gearra-bhuinneachadh nam bròg. Notes: soling shoes.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gearra-breac
[ɡʹɑrəbɾɛk] Notes: oyster-catcher.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gearrachrann
an area, flat part of the ground covered with tree, from ‘geàrraidh chrann’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gearrachuill
[ɡʹɑrɑxu̟lʹ] Quotation: an gearrachuill. Notes: the master-tree or main swingle tree.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gearradh
cutting the surround of a hole ‘on the leg’, that is at an angle, when shaping netting for repair, so reducing wastage.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
gearradh
Quotation: a’ gearradh leum. Notes: taking a jump.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gearradh
cutting the peats.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gearradh
Quotation: a’ cheud ghearradh, an dàrna gearradh. Notes: 4th and 5th years in crop rotation. Not ploughed. Rye grass cut in July and meadow or natural grass (not sown) cut in late autumn.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gearradh a bhuntata
Removing eyes of potato for seed. Cutting potatoes for seed. [NOTES: ‘m’ written above ‘b’ (mhuntata). On the slip spelled: ‘gearradh a’ mhuntàta’.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
gearradh dubh
swelling and inflammation of cattle’s abdomen caused by consuming too many potatoes.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gearradh na mona
cutting peats – very seldom used ‘buain’.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gearradh na mònach
peat cutting.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gearradh-sgathaidh
cutting in the form of scything. Dha sgath.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gearradh-snàit
[ɡʹɑrəɣsn̪ɑ̃:tʹ] Note: earmark. Not clear as to what it was. (Ask Murdo MacLeod.)
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gearraidh buntata
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
gearraiseach
[ɡʹɑɾɑʃɑx] Quot.: “duine gearraiseach”. Note: an argumentative man.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gearran
Notes: 2 yr old male, before it matures. “’S math an gearran a chumas a’ bhraim gu feasgar.” He wouldn’t start to play about until the work was finished.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gearranach
Quot.: “gearranach math tapaidh”. Note: sometimes for “gearran” – a castrated stallion.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geasag
Quotation: “Géill thus do gheasag, ’s géillidh geasag dhuit.” You surrender to sorcery, and sorcery will play up to you! Notes: a kind of proverb to warn young people from placing faith in charms to bring them good luck.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geasagan
[ɡʹesɑɡəṉ] Quotation: Tha e làn gheasagan. Notes: full of superstition.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geasalanachd
superstitions. “Ge be ghèilleas do gheasalanachd gèillidh geasalanachd dha.” In other words, if you believe in superstitions you will be forced to rely on that belief sometime.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geat
yacht.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geat
[ɡʹɛxt̪] Notes: gate.
Origin: Invermoriston
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geat na drobhaichean
drove road.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geat-balaich
toy sailing yacht.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geat-sheòlaidh
sailing yacht.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geata
A gate.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
geata
[ɡʹaʰt]
Location: Perthshire, Fearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geata
A gate.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
geata
gate.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geata na h-iodhlann
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
geata-cluaise
ear-gate. I have heard this termed [sic] used not very long ago.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geata-siùrag
Notes: part of the beairt-dhealbh.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geatadh
butting.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geathadaich
hopping, jogging.
Location: Barra, Glen
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ged
[CAD] [sic] Quotation: “ged bhiodh”.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ged
Quotation: (from Jessie MacLeod, Ness) Ged a chaochail innis cha do chaochail àbhaist.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geer
fat round kidneys. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
geibnidh
talkative, cheery.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geil (v)
graze (eat grass).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geilidh
[ɡʹɛli] Quot.: “’S ann air a tha ’n geilidh.” Note: said of a person in a great hurry or doing something at a fast rate.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geilteach
Quotation: Bha e geilteach dheth a rud. Tha collas geilteach air. Notes: He was guilty of the thing.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geimh-air-geimh
term associated with two unagreeable [sic] [disagreeable? disagreeing?] persons, under a slight effect of anger, irritable, retaliating at one another in a snorting unpleasant conversation. Tha iad ann an shiod [sic] geimh air geimh. – reference to two or more persons.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geimhlich
anchor chain (boat).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geimse
chamois (leather).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geing
Quotation: Thug an t-each geing dha. Notes: a kick, usually with the back of the hoof or with the heel.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geinn
[ɡʹ[ɤi]nʹ] Note: a cold chisel used for splitting stones. Becomes much thicker back from the tip than the “sgathair” [q.v.].
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geinn
Quotation: an geinn. Notes: square wooden pin at the end of the joiner’s bench. Close-fitting but could be hammered up and down to suit the thickness of the wood being planed or chiselled.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geinneanta
wedge form of approach so to speak. I think it’s an abstraction from the root ‘geinn’ – wedge. ’S e duine geinneata [sic] – approaching in a wedge-like approach, say, butting in...
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geir
Quotation: Chan eil iad ach mar gheir is aran eòrna. Notes: of two people who don’t get on well.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geir
abdominal fat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
geir
[fat.]
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
geir
[ɡɛ̟r] fat of animal.
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
geir
abdominal fat.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
geir
abdominal fat.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
geir
fat.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
geir
fat.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
geir (f)
abdominal fat (suet).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
geir (m)
fat.
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
geir féidh
deer fat. [NOTES: all four above slipped together under ‘geir’.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
geir laith
rotted fat. Stored and given to relieve constipation in cattle.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geir martail
[ɡɛ̟r mɑrstʹɑiɫ] beef fat, suet.
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
geir muideal
[ɡɛ̟r mu̟dʹaɫ] mutton fat.
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
geir na loineachan
loin fat.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
geir na maodail
fat on the stomach.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
geir na maodail
abdominal fat. ‘Geir na maodail’ a chanas sinne. Cuideachd, ‘geir na muinne’.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
geobadaich
at a loss for words. Not speechless as such. Not finding sufficient words which are required.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geoc
Quotation: Ma tha an t-easbuig cho dona sin ri leum nam feansan, carson a Dia, nach cuir thu geoc air? Notes: yoke – put round the necks of horses guilty of jumping fences, etc. (Above example from story told on tape.)
Location: Cape Breton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geocaire
cook’s fork. Geocaire feoladh – meat fork.
Location: Harris, Finsbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geodail
Quotation: Nach ann ort a tha a’ gheodail bruidhne.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geodail
chattering (meaningless).
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geodha
indentation.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
geola
(transom stern), eathar beag.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Eathraichean / Boats
geola
Notes: [ɡʹɔɫə] rather than [ɡʹɔ:ɫə] for a boat.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geug
[ɡıɑɡ] Quotation: geug fhraoich. Notes: twig, bunch of heather.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geug-fhraoich
heather branch.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geugaire
[ɡʹe:ɡəðə] Note: something to which a boat-rope is tied at a landing place. Could be a stone or between two stones where they are in contact.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geugan
(Chan è ‘geagan’, mar a th’aig Dwelly.) (Fuaimnich ‘eug’ mar ‘eug’ (death): g + eug + an.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
geugan-fraoich
heather twigs.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geumnaich
[ɡʹe:mɑ̃ṉi] Quotation: a’ geumnaich. Notes: cow lowing.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geumraich
[ɡe:məɾıç] Quotation: Tha a’ bhó a’ geumraich.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geur
Quotation: Bha e glé gheur air gloine. Notes: He liked a dram.
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geur
[ɡɛ̜:r] Quotation: duine geur. Notes: sarcastic. N.B. pronunciation.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geur
[ɡʹe:ɾ] Quotation: bainne geur. Notes: sour milk. (Also “bainne goirt”.)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geuraich
Quotation: Bha mi ’ga gheurach [jıɑɾɑx]. Notes: no “-adh” at the end.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geàrnaidh
[ɡʹɑ:ʴṉi] Quotation: Na bithibh a’ geàrnaidh là na Sàboint. Notes: playing noisily. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geàrr
Quotation: a’ gearradh le gaoith. Notes: cutting seaweed when there is a stiff breeze to drive it shorewards.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geàrr
Quotation: Tha e geàirrte. Notes: when there is a cold, cutting wind.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geàrr
Quotation: a’ gearradh nan uan. Notes: castrate (euphemism).
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geàrr
Quotation: an geàrr. Notes: slot in the staves of a barrel into which the top fits.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geàrr sgadan
Sprat. Gheibhear beagan dhuibh-san [sic] anns gach lon mara.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
geàrr-réis
Quotation: Bheireadh e air geàrr as a gheàrr-réis. Notes: (?)
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geàrraidh
[ɡʹɑ:ri] Note: area of a few cultivated small fields or lazybeds.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geòbadh
Quotation: Nach toir thu geòbadh air an dorus? Notes: an opening (door, window, etc.).
Location: Cape Breton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geòbadh
Quotation: Nach toir thu geòbadh air an dorus. Notes: slight opening of a door or window.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geòcach
Quotation: duine geòcach. Notes: greedy person.
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geòla
Notes: boat up to 12' in length.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geòlaban
[ɡʹɔ:ləbɑṉ] Notes: a very small fish found in fresh-water streams. Look very dark. About the size of a goldfish.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geòpail
Quotation: Tha an t-iasg a’ geòpail. Notes: used of fish which is gasping for breath.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geòta
stagnant mud and water (Islay).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ghabh e anns an Dàil
he was hired at Dall.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gheibh
Quotation: Gheibh cnàimh feòil. Notes: Banntrach Iain Scrochailidh, Bayble, talking about people away in the war: “Bu mhath gun tilleadh iad beò. Gheibh cnàimh feòil.”
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gheibh
vb. ‘get’: FUT.: chaneil sian ann … do’l [nuair] a gheibh thu suas ris; PAST: fhuair iad suas ris a sin; VBL. N.: ach sin do’l [nuair] a bha an gnothach ’ faighinn air a luathadh, dà òran ’s -- bhiodh an gnothach rèidh; agus a’ leigeil beagan eile ris ai’son na bha e [an clò] ’ dol a fhaighinn a-staigh; chan eil strì ann do’l [nuair] a gheibh thu suas ris; gum faighinn a-mach feasgar a dhèanamh rudeigin
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
gheibh
vb ‘get’ :fut. rel.:an fheadhain a ~ suas leatha [MAE];  cond.: gheibheadh e cuid na h-oidhcheadh uair sam bith ‘ fhaighinn; past: ‘n àite ‘ bhith ’na dhotair ‘s ann ’na robair a fhuair mise e; fhuair e an gnothach a dhèanamh oirre; fhuair e uamhasach gasta iad; cha d’fhuair mi ‘ thoirt dha; bha e ‘ cur air nach d’fhuair e an tuagh a chur dhachaigh; vbl nn.: gheibheadh e cuid na h-oidhcheadh uair sam bith ‘ fhaighinn
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
gheir
[fat.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
ghruich-fhuilt
matted crop (mop) of hair, unorderly [sic] [disorderly?] set, perhaps rendered from ‘cruach-fhuilt’. (Harris)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giagalais
Quotation: Dé an giagalais a th’ort? Notes: slow-motion, dawdle. Used of a person. Also a’ giagalais.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gibeach
Quotation: latha gibeach. Notes: a wet, squally day.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gibeach
Quotation: bó ghibeach. Notes: shaggy cow.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gibeach
Quotation: ’S e ’n aon rud am bodach gibeach agus Iain MacDhùghaill. Notes: six and half a dozen.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gibeag
Quotation: gibeag de phlangaid. Notes: ragged piece of blanket.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gibeag
Quotation: gibeag luachair. Notes: a sheaf of rushes, bound with rushes.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gibeag
Quotation: gibeag fraoich – a small bundle of heather, tied with a string. Used by Smith A’s father (Bragar) for keeping sprigs of heather to light his pipe. Notes: He also believed in putting his old pipe out in the grass to rejuvenate itself. Dw. has gibeag ‘bundle, bunch,’ etc.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gibeag
[ɡʹibɑɡ] gibeag fraoich. Note: small bundle of heather.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gibealan
[ɡʹibəɫɑṉ] Notes: sometimes used affectionately for a very young boy.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gibht
Quotation: gibht labhairt. Notes: “gift of the gab”.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gibilish
gabbling. I have heard this word from an individual not on Scalpay, and I am not prepared to say in what place the word was used or if [is] still used, probably, but I think it may have been used on Skye, according to my recollection of hearing it.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gidheaman
[ˈɡʹıəmɑṉ] Quot.: “Gidheaman do-riaraichte gun rian a shàsachadh”. Note: Bithidh e a ghnath ri gearan.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gidhir-thoman
Quotation: usually in pl. gidhir-thomain [ˈɡıəɾ homɑṉʹ]. Notes: area on moor full of small hillocks with deep clefts in between them. Dangerous to walk on.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gidseag
a snatch, snippet. “Cha robh aice dhe’n eachdraidh ach gidseag an sud ’san seo.”
Location: North Uist, Lochportan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gifealais
[ɡʹiɸɛlʹɑ̣˖ʃ] Quotation: “Chan ’eil e ach a’ gifealais co dhiubh.” Notes: trifling work, work of little or no importance.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gigeach
Notes: ‘fat’. (Cf. Welsh cig?) Dw. gives gigeach ‘hard-muscled’ (from MMcL, Uig, Lewis).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gigealan
small in stature, dwarfish. Gigealan beag grànnda. (Scalpay) [SLIP: ‘Dwarfish fellow’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gil
Notes: (Harris word) watercourse running down side of mountain.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gil-géirig
[ɡʹılʹɡʹe:ðiɡʹ] Note: her pronunciation of “diol-déirc”.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gilb
Quotation: gilb chruinn. Notes: curved chisel.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gilb
Quotation: a’ ghilb fhiodh: wood chisel; a’ ghilb chruadhach [xɾu̟əx]: heavy iron chisel. Notes: chisel.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gille
Quotation: gille [mĩlɑ̃ṉ]. Notes: spinning top. (Gille mirean?)
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gille
Quotation: gille [kɾɑɡɑ̃nʹ] (should first ɑ be long?). Notes: spinning top.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gille
Quotation: gille pliobair [plıbiɾ]. Notes: a person who was at everybody’s beck and call.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gille
Quotation: an gille. Notes: best man at a wedding.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gille
Quotation: gille-ceann-séiseadh. Notes: a flunky in a household, e.g. an unmarried man staying with his married brother.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gille
Quot.: “gille para-man-tóin” [pɑɾəmɑ̃n̪ʰõ:nʹ] or “Tha e aige ’na ghille para-man-tóin”. Note: no idea what it means literally. Used of a person who is always hanging about and following people, keen to oblige, possibly in the hope of getting reward of some kind.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gille Brìghde
oystercatcher.
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gille brighde (m), gillean brighde (pl)
oyster catcher.
Origin: [Tiree]
Category: Eòin Thiriodh / Birds of Tiree
gille cas fhliuch
a servant who carried his master across water.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gille ceann beinnge
someone providing moral support at a ‘reiteach’.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
gille pliobair
an underling, to be distinguished from a message boy who had a higher status. The word hints at backwardness and gullibility regarding this person.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gille-mirean
Quotation: Tha thu na do ghille-mirean aige. Notes: Spinning top. Said of someone who is being used by another, always at his beck and call.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gille-nam-fud
? (at the moment)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gille-nan-sad
runaway? (at the moment)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gille-plibire
[ɡʹilʹəplıbıðə] Notes: a person who is at everybody’s beck and call and gets nothing in return.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gillidh-òrams
complicated delicate machinery parts. Reference to it is: Abair gillidh-òrams – numerous gadgets.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gilm
[ɡʹiləm] Notes: rebate plane, used when flooring for getting into corners.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gin
gin. For bladder troubles, for urine, discoloured urine and a patient unable to pass water normally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gingealadh
Quotation: a’ gingealadh. Notes: keeping the coulter of the plough clean from any choking straw, grass, etc.
Location: Stornoway, Melbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giobal (m)
Notes: pejorative – implies impotence of one kind or another.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giodal
[ɡıd̪ɑɫ] Quotation: Tha e làn giodail. Notes: used of a dog showing pleasure.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giodalach
Notes: flattering.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giofaidhear
Quotation: Thug mi dha giofaidhear. Notes: “I flung it away.” A fling. (< Eng. “Give fire”?)
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giofarnadh
[ɉifəɹñəɣ] [?] Quotation: giofarnadh mu’n taigh. Notes: knocking about the house. Source: Sollas.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giollachd
[ɡʹwɫɑxk] Quotation: Thug mi giollachd do’n ghille bheag. Notes: a going over (punishment).
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giollan
a young boy courting and with an illegitimate child.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giomach
Quotation: pron. [ɡʹũ̜mɑx]. Notes: lobster.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giomach a mullach na cleibh
if a lobster was caught on the top of a lobster pot, this was a sign of bad weather. [NOTES: ‘a mullach’ corrected to ‘am mullach’.]
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giomach beag
immature lobster.
Origin: Taransay
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
giomach cearr
a deformed lobster whose features are in total opposition to the normal lobster. Characterised by hairs all over its body. [NOTES: ‘cearr’ corrected to ‘ceàrr’.]
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giomach screigeag
encrustations on back.
Origin: Taransay
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
giomach tuathal
Notes: prawn. (Applecross)
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giomach tuathal
[See giomach-tuathalan.]
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giomach tuathal (m)
Notes: hermit crab.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giomach-tuathail
lobster (the armoured lobster. You will [sic] [find? see?] him inside a whelk (faochag) perhaps, you could say giomach-faochaig. [NOTES: the word is mentioned in Word-list 5. Copied here.] I have mentioned the ‘armoured crab’ being inside the whelk, it’s the hermit crab, isn’t it? And recognised in Scalpay as giomach tuathail as I noted previously. [SLIP 1: Hermit crab.] [SLIP 2: Lobster.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giomach-tuathal
Note: hermit crab.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giomach-tuathal
Notes: hermit crab.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giomach-tuathalan
a lobster inside a whelk.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giomalaid neo broga
a sharp, thin bit of metal attached to a wooden handle and used to make initial indentations in wood prior to the fixing of nails, screws, etc.
Location: Eriskay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giorraisg
inconsiderate, impudent.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giort
[ɡwrt̪] Quotation: an giort. Notes: saddle belly strap.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giort
Quot.: “Dh’fhalbh e air a’ ghiort [ɣwʴsṯ] fhéin.” Note: doing a thing at one’s own behest. (Is it “giort” or “diort”?) [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gios
[ɡʹıs] Quotation: Gios ort! Notes: heard this locally in Portree area for “Greas ort!”
Location: BBC
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giosrag
Quotation: Far am bi saor bi sliseagan, far am bi mnathan bi giosragan [ɡʹısɾɑɡəṉ]. Notes: meaning given for giosragan – charms.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gir
fat. (Angus Henderson)
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
gireach
poor, dry-looking coat. (Pronounced with English ‘th’ sound instead of Gaelic ‘R’.)
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
girean
Quotation: “Hó!, an girean!”, said my Uncle Alex, as he pulled the straggling hair of a girl in front of him in the Kinloch church. Notes: Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gireasail
sneering, laughing in a not too attractive way. [NOTES: slipped under ‘gireasail (?c-). Definition: Sniggering.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
githagan
thistle pattern. [NOTES: corrected to ‘githeagan’.]
Location: South Uist, Geirinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giudail
[ɡʹu̟d̪əl] Quotation: Cha robh e ach a giudail mu’n cuairt. Notes: footering about.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giullachd
in the sense of growing potatoes.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giurnalair
[ɟu̜:ʴṉlɑð] [?] Notes: a big chest for holding two bolls of meal, usually one of flour and one of oatmeal. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giurnalair
[ɡʹw:ʴnʹəlɑɾ] Quotation: giurnalair mineadh. Notes: a barrel for holding meal and flour, sometimes with a partition down the middle. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giurnlair
a meal chest with two compartments, one for oatmeal and one for white flour. Used as a refrigerator since puddings could be kept fresh if stored in this chest. Usually buried beneath the oatmeal since that meal was not used so often as the white meal.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giustalach
an athlete. [Cf. giustal.]
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giuthas
Quotation: giuthas puill. Notes: stumps of trees found in peat.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giùbhrainnean
[ɡʹu̟:ɾɑ̃nʹəṉ] Notes: barnacles usually found attached to the hulls of boats. Also on planks washed ashore.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giùdair
[ɡʹu̟:d̪əð] Note: a person who, due to inexperience, makes a mess of what he is doing, e.g. when killing a sheep, gutting fish, skinning a rabbit, etc.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giùdaireachd
Bha Tormod, am balach beag, air a dhòigh leis an iasg anns an tuba mar a thàinig e as a’ mhuir. Bha e a làimhseachadh is eile mar a thigeadh ris, agus abair gu robh. Mu dheireadh thuirt a athair ris: “Teann air falbh as an sin, a’ giùdaireachd ann an sin mar…” Dh’éirich am facal rium, cuideachd, nuair a chuir an lighiche Barnard an cridhe anns an duine an toiseach. “’Se giùdaireachd eagalach a th’ann air duine.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giùirean
[ɡʹu̟:ɾɛ̃ṉ] Note: barnacles as encrusted on wood which has been afloat for a while.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giùiride
[ɡʹu̟:ɾidʹə] Note: the shellfish encrusted on the underside of boats or on wood that has been afloat for a time.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giùlan
Quotation: an giùlan. Notes: the funeral procession.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glacaich-bhràghaid
Quotation: an glacaich-bhràghaid. Notes: choking disease, croup.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glacaich-cléibh
Note: malformation of the rib-cage (says it is akin to rickets, due to lack of calcium). (Murdo Macfarlane, Melbost – glacaichean-cléibh.)
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glag othaisg
a ewe that would not follow the rest of the flock.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glag-bheairt
Quotation: Seann ghlag-bheairt de thigh a bha tuiteam as a cheile.
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glagach
Notes: doddery. Date: 1971.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glagach
Quot.: duine glagach. Note: prattler.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glagadaich
Notes: rattling.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glagaidh-shomh (?)
Notes: (Keose) a buffoon, fool (used e.g. of a person with a loud laugh and a ‘baw’/‘baa’ face). Not in Dw. Relate to glag ‘horse-laugh’ etc.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glagaire
rattler.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glagaire
[ɡɫɑɡəðə] Note: prattler.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glagaireachd (mhór)
[ɡlɑkərəxk] gossip. Bha iad a’ glagaireachd fad an latha. [NOTES: the slip has [ɡɫakərəxk]. Definition: Gossip. (Also fem. noun).]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
glagan
Quotation: glagan a’ mhuilinn. Notes: an arm inside the mill which was hit by a wheel, making a sound which indicated that everything was going smoothly.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glagan
Quotation: Na cearcan a’ glagan.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glagan
Note: a stick attached at one end to the “bròg” [q.v.] in a grinding mill. The other end lay on the upper grindstone. As the stone turned it caused the “bròg” to vibrate, thus releasing the seed gradually into the “sùil” [q.v.].
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glaine
Quotation: glain uibhe. Notes: egg-cup.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glaine-bhruich
[ɡɫɑ̃nʹfɾwç] Note: term C. used for frosted glass, glass that one can’t see through properly.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glaine-dhathadh
coloured glass.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glaine-gréine
glass to attract sunrays, to attract heat from the sun.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glais-ceap
bits of turf placed on the top of house wall on a thatched house. Prevented drip from thatch entering through the wall. Through time grass would grow through the turf which would be eaten by sheep and cattle if they could reach.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glais-cheap
Notes: the flat divots put on top of the wall inside the thatched house to seal joint of wall and roof.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glais-cheap
Notes: on top of the wall to prevent water seeping in.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glais-cheap (f)
Notes: flat turf divots put on top of inside wall of a black-house.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glais-sheile
[ɡɫɑʃhelə] Notes: water-brash.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glaisean
a white-throated diver.
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glaisean clumhag na Bealltainn
birds huddling together at Beltane.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glaisear
[ɡɫɑʃɑɾ] Note: a grassy patch.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glamaic (v)
eat noisily (as a dog, etc.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glamaire
[ɡɫɑ̃məðə] Notes: clamp used in the building of a boat to hold two planks together.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glamaradh
a wooden clamp which could be adjusted depending on the thickness of what you were working with.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glamaradh
word for castrating animals.
Location: Eriskay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glamas
Quotation: glamas shaoir (wooden); glamas gobha (iron). Notes: vice.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glamhadh
eating your food quickly.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
glamhadh
Quotation: “Thug an cù glamhadh air a’ chat.” Notes: “The dog snapped at the cat.” The meaning of glamhadh is usually the snapping of a dog’s jaws, accompanied by a growl. Sometimes it implies a lunge.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glamhadh
Quotation: a’ glamhadh do bhiadh. Notes: voracious eating.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glamhadh
Quotation: Thug e glamhadh thuige. Notes: a voracious bite, snap.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glamharsaich
barking attitude.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glamradh
A vice. Saor a bhiodh a’ deanamh nan eathraichean againne bha seòrsa de rud aige airson a bhith a laghadh nan timchioll. ’Se ‘glamradh’ a bh’aca air.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glan
Quotation: a’ glanadh a’ phuill. Notes: smoothing the surface of the peat to make it ready for cutting. (After turfing.)
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glan
Quotation: Na ghlan a’ bhó fhathast. Notes: Did she deposit the placenta.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glan
adj ‘pure, unadulterated’ : ach an fhìrinne gh. a bha seo
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
glan
Quotation: a’ glanadh a’ bhuntata. Notes: weeding.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glan
Quotation: glan a bhó. Notes: when it has got rid of the afterbirth.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glan
Quotation: fiodh glan. Notes: knot-free wood.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glan
Quotation: a’ glanadh na h-àlaich. Notes: this was said when a rowing boat cleared her own length with one stroke, in competition.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glan
Quotation: a’ glanadh a’ bhuntàta. Notes: cleaning, weeding.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glan
Quotation: a’ glanadh. Notes: cleaning the surface of the first layer of peat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glan
Quotation: Bha mi bleoghann crodh, ’gam biadhadh, ’s ’gan [ɡwa:ṉ] mach. Notes: “… ’s ’gan glanadh a mach.”
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glan
Quotation: Ghlan a’ bhó. Notes: The cow expelled its placenta.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glanadh
Quotation: Cha dean mi glanadh dheth. Notes: I can’t make head or tail of it. (From Caol-Rónach.)
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glanadh
Bha an cargur ’ga ghlanadh gus a dheanamh na b’fhasa do’n tairsgeir. Feumaidh tuighead mhath a bhith anns a ghlanadh so ann an cuid de phuill, nuair nach eil an talamh air a dhol ’na riasg suas gu bun an rùisg. Ni an glanadh so calcas math eadar na cip no rùsg fo do chasan.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
glanadh
Quotation: an glanadh [əŋ ɡɫɑ˖nəɣ]. Notes: the afterbirth or the covering over the foetus.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glanadh
Quotation: an glanadh. Notes: placenta or afterbirth.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glanadh-mairt
the aftermath of calving.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
glanadh-mairt
the ‘aftermath’ of a birth, a cow after having a calf. (Perhaps I have noted this term already. It does not matter.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glanig a butata
cleaning the potatoes. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
glaodh
Quotation: “Bha iad air an glaodhaich.” Notes: Their wedding banns were proclaimed.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glaodh ’s a’ chluais
Death ring in the ear, a sure portent of hearing news of a death, soon. [NOTES: slipped under ‘glaodh’.]
Origin: Skye
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
glaodh-nam-bròin
a wailing towards a missing person, or rather missing a person. Tha glaodh-air-tighinn – a welcome phrase towards a friend, Scalpay. (This is my definition of it, perhaps you have other explanations?)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glaodhadh
Quotation: an glaodhadh. Notes: glue.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glaodhain
potatoes with roots growing out of them at the beginning of summer.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glaodhain
The part of potato left after ‘eyes’ have been removed for this. These were boiled and fed to cattle. [NOTES: ‘glaodhan’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
glaodhain
The part of potato left after ‘eyes’ have been removed for this. [NOTES: ‘glaodhan’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
glaodhain
excess potato after the useful bits were kept for seed.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glaodhan
The part of potato left after ‘eyes’ have been removed for this.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
glaodhan
The part of potato left after ‘eyes’ have been removed for this.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
glaodhan
The part of potato left after ‘eyes’ have been removed for this.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
glaodhan
Pl. glaodhanan. The part of potato left after ‘eyes’ have been removed for this.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
glaodhan
[ɡɫw:ɣɑ̃ṉ] Notes: (1) pith. (2) part of cut potato with no eye.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glaodhan
[ɡɫw:ɑ̃ṉ] Notes: portion of cut potato without the eye.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glaodhan
[ɡɫw:ɑṉ] Notes: part of cut potato without the eye.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glaodhan
[ɡɫw:ɑ̃ṉ] Notes: piece of potato without the eye.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glaodhan
Notes: old potato, the inside of which has decayed, leaving nothing but outer skin.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glaodhan (-ain)
after taking the eyes out of potatoes this describes what’s left over.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glaoghan
[ɡɫw:ɣɑṉ] Notes: part cut off potato and having no eye.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glaoth
Quotation: Glaoth as mo chluais, cuideigin a’ dol a’ chaochladh.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glas
Quotation: glas a’ chruinn. Notes: clasp which clamps mast on to thwarts.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glas
land that has not been ploughed the previous year.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glas
Quot.: an glas mhór. Note: part of a sheep’s stomach. Thin at one end, getting wider towards the other end.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glas
land that has been ploughed for the first time.
Location: North Uist, Scolpaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glas
Quotation: a’ ghlas. Notes: window snib.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glas
Quotation: an glas cruinn. Notes: semi-circle cut out of stem thwart of a boat to admit the mast.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glas
Quotation: Geadh Glas. Notes: Grey Lag Goose.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glas
Quotation: Na ghlas thu a’ chairt. Notes: locking the cart box in the horizontal position so that it wouldn’t tip accidentally.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glas
Quotation: glas na caorach. Notes: the natural colour of the wool of the black sheep.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glas eile
a grey acidic, bile substance which you sometimes find in your mouth. Excretion originates in the stomach.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glas eile
a human affliction. Usually a combination of vomit and heartburn.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glas-fheur
green grass, thinly, pale, growing in sand by the seaside. Also the green short grass on which cattle feed on the hills, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glas-fheur
green, a (palish) pale green grass, on which cattle feed, of a more pithy essence than ‘sliabh’. ‘Sliabh’ is longer, not so juicy in other words.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
glasach
[ɡɫɑsɑx] Notes: uncultivated, grassy ground.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glasadh
‘greying’ appearance of daybreak, thus: Glasadh an latha. [SLIP: ‘Daybreak’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glasadh an latha
dawn. ‘Soilleirachadh [sic] an latha’.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glasadh na latha
five in the morning.
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glasag
Quotation: (1) cudaig. (2) smallag (herring size). (3) glasag (small haddock size). (4) glasag dubh or [u̟kʃ] (fully grown).
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Laide, Portnacon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glasaid
[ɡɫɑ̟sɑ̟dʹ] Quotation: glasaid a feireadh iad ris. Notes: clod, turf on top of the wall of a thatched house.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glasaid
[ɡɫɑ˖sɑ̣˖dʹ] Notes: clod which goes along the top of the wall beneath and outside the thatch.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glasan
canal lock-gates. (Éir.)
Location: ? [Eriskay – see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glasceap
The very top of a wall, where wall and thatch join. This was where the small windows were made in the old “black” houses.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
gleanndanas
a family relationship that has run its full term. “Nach iad sin a chum an gleanndanas.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gleathadh
Quotation: “Bha e a’ gleathadh [ə ˈɡlʹẹʔə] inn…” Notes: peeping.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gleathadh (sic)
Quotation: a gleathadh [ɡlɛhəɡ]. Notes: wrestling. (or gleac?)
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gleidheadh
[ɡɫẹʔəɣ] or [ɡɫẹʔək] Quotation: “a’ gleidheadh sìth”.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gleidreaman (E)
Rudeigin mar peitealan [q.v.]. Duine a bhiodh a’ deanamh móran á rud gle bheag. Gu math tric a’ deanamh dragha mu chuspairean beaga ’s mar sin, eadhon gu ìre a bhith deanamh miothlachd. [SLIP: A man who makes a mountain out of a molehill, making small matters seem large.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
gleoc (m)
Quotation: Tha ’n t-uaireadair agam (no inneal sam bith) air a dhol ’na ghleoc. Notes: has broken down (implies permanently).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gleodhan
seen hanging from the genital organs of the cow, usually a sign that she needs the bull.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
glib
(clip) vb. ‘trim’: uill, bhathas a’ ~eadh nan duilleagansin
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
glinn
[ɡl[ɤ̃ĩ]nʹ] Quot.: “Chaneil glinn sam bith as a’ bhiadh sin.” Note: There is no substance in that food.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gliogadaich
Notes: rattling sound.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gliogain
Quotation: Bean-an-tighe a’ gliogain, / Bean-an-tighe a’ glagain, / Bean-an-tighe a dh’ith am biadh, / ’S cha deach i riamh a dh’eaglais.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gliogan
Notes: baby’s rattle.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gliogradh
Quotation: “Well, well, tha iad ag innse dhòmhsa nach eil càil ann an tarbh Hàboist ach g’ eil e gliogradh.” Notes: (Habost) Story of the Habost bull-man, on his death-bed, breaking into the comforting and exhortation of two visitors. (A story of Uncle Neil’s, relayed by my mother.) Dw. has gliogradh, See gliongadh, and for the latter ‘tinkling, act of tinkling, clinking or rattling’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
globhair
Quotation: an globhair [əŋ ɡlɔvɑ̣˖rʹ]. Notes: clover.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
globhcais
[ɡɫ[ɤu̟]kiʃ] Note: a “fathead”.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
globhran
[See gluadhran.] The pronunciation on Scalpay. Perhaps the 3 way [sic] of spelling [?] ‘pronunciation’ can be accepted?]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gloc
[ɡɫɔk] Notes: for “glac” – catch. (Also och for ach – but.)
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gloc
[ɡɫɔk] Quotation: Thug e gloc as. Notes: a short, loud laugh.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glocadaich
Quotation: Bha e [ɡɫɔkəd̪iç]. Notes: chortling loudly.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glogaire
Chanadh na bodaich seo ri suaile ’s a’ mhuir. Là a bhiodh am muir lom, rèidh agus gun ghaoth ann, ach luasgadh math ann an déidh sin, chanadh iad gu robh ‘glogaire’ de shuaile ann. (Suaile, no suaibhle, ’s e sin ‘swell’.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gloine na bliadhn’ ùire
prior to the proliferation of alcohol in people’s homes, a small glass was kept which was only taken out at New Year since this was one of the few occasions when alcohol was consumed, the other occasion being cattle sale day.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gluan
part rejected – used for feeding sheep and cattle and sometimes used for the table if potatoes were scarce. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
glug
Quotation: Thug e glug. Notes: plop. As the noise made when a stone is dropped in water.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glug
Quotation: Tha glug ann. Notes: sound of liquid inside anything. Sometimes said of a man full of drink.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glugan
sound indication of a wee drop of liquid in a bottle, diminutive. [SLIP: Sound of water coming out of a bottle.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glumag
a soggy, sodden place which holds water. Used as sites for wells.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glumaradh
the noise of the sea, of wavelets against the hull of a boat. [SLIP: Noise of wavelets against the side of a boat.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glupad
modern cure – pillichean a’ ghlupad. Due to the exercise [sic] of fatness internally, in some cases, it’s kidney infection.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
glupag
puddle of clear fresh water or seawater.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glutach
[ɡɫu̜t̪ɑx] Notes: describing a sky full of threatening rain-clouds.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glutach
Notes: bloated.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glutadh
Notes: packing of earth, gravel, clay between the double walls of the thatched houses.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glutaran
Quotation: an glutaran. Notes: the packing between the double walls of a blackhouse.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glutraigeadh
clay and stones packed between the inner and outer walls of a thatched house.
Origin: [Harris]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glutranadh
Quotation: an glutranadh. Notes: the packing between the double walls of a blackhouse.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glutranadh
cavity wall filled with anything for insulation.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
glèidh
Quotation: Ma ghlèidheas mise beanntan Ùige, / Glèidhidh beanntan Ùige mì. – If I hold on to the Uig mountains (stay in), / The Uig mountains will hold me (i.e. protect me). Glèidh an airgiod sin. – Keep that money safely. Glèidh fhéin e. – Keep it yourself as your own. Ghlèidh e cuid dheth. – He kept some of it (unauthorised) to himself. (e.g. one gathering subscriptions)
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gléidh
[sic] Quotation: Am fear a ghleidheas a theanga, gleidhidh e a chàirdean.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glòmach
Quotation: Tha e glòmach as a’ bhruidhinn. Notes: having a lower pitch of voice than usual, e.g. person with a sore throat. Also used of water if dull or discoloured.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glòmanachadh
Quotation: glòmanachadh an latha. Notes: daybreak.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glòramas
boasting, prattle. [SLIP: Boasting prattle.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glóran (m)
Quotation: Chan eil an glóran air fhàghail agam de mo chuid airgeid. Notes: cluaran?
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glùin
Quotation: a’ ghlùin thoisich – foreknee (?); a’ ghlùin dheiridh – stern knee (?).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glùineach
[ɡlũ̜:nʹɑx] Quot.: a’ ghlùineach. Note: disease in sheep whereby the joints in the legs weakened so much that they went about on their “knees”.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glùineach
Quotation: briogais-glùineach (sic). Notes: trousers fastened below the knee.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glùinean shòp
eighty one ears of corn placed underneath a rock. The person who did this was supposed to say a prayer and not to tell anyone of the whereabouts of the ears. Apparently as the ears rotted, warts were supposed to disappear. This has been proved to be true. [NOTES: ‘shòp’ corrected to ‘shop’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glùn
Quotation: an glùn [ɑŋɡɫuun]. Notes: the knee. [NOTES: slipped under ‘glùin’.]
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gnath-fiosachd
custom associated with witchcraft.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gneachdail
according to nature.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gniomh
Quotation: a’ gniomhadh [əɡɾıɤəɣ] a’ chruaich. Notes: building up the outer shell like brickwork.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gniomh
Quotation: a’ gniomhadh a’ chruaich.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gniomhadh
the building of peat-stack.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gniomhadh
Note: sometimes used for the wall made with the second peat cut.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gniomhadh
preparing the outside edge of the peat stack.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach, Stafainn [Skye, Staffin]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gniomhadh
the ‘masonry’ of the peat stack.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gniomhadh
[ɡðĩɤ̃vəɣ] Note: the outer shell of the peatstack, built to a brickwork pattern.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gniomhadh
cur na fad air am bonn san oir a mach air taobh a muigh na cruaiche air son a deanamh seasgan. Mar so gheibhiste pataran “beul-sgoradh” air a chruaich.
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gnogadh (m)
Quotation: Cha deach gnogadh air D. o bha e sia bliadhna.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gnos
Quotation: gnos muice. Notes: sow-mouth: in sheep, cattle, horses, where the lower jaw is short.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gnos
Quotation: gnos muice. Notes: sow-mouth: in sheep, cattle, horses, where the lower jaw is short.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gnos
Quotation: gnos muice. Notes: sow-mouth: in sheep, cattle, horses, where the lower jaw is short.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gnos
Quotation: gnos muice. Notes: sow-mouth: in sheep, cattle, horses, where the lower jaw is short.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gnos-muic
Notes: sow-mouth. In sheep, cattle, horses, where the lower jaw is short.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gnosach
[ɡrɔsəx] Quotation: Tha i gnosach. Notes: always speaking (esp. scandal).
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gnothach
n. ‘business; treatment’: rinn na Sasannaich an ~ cho dona dhaibh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
gnothach
n. ‘success’: rinn an Camshronach an ~ air ‘beat
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
gnothach
nn ‘matter, business’ : shound an ~ cho [o] aite; rinn mise an ~ orm fhèin [‘killed myself’]; 's e sin a rinn an ~ aire-san; bha e ' dol a dhèanamh a' ghnothaich air Giant MacAskill;
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
gnothaich
[ɡɾõıç] Quotation: Chaneil cuid na gnothaich aige ris. Notes: He has absolutely nothing to do with it.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gnothaicheal
business capability, directing in an interesting [way?], able in a business-like, or business matters. [NOTES: slipped under ‘gnothaicheil’. Definition: Capable in business.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gnuath
sullen.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gnàthladh
small collection, as in the event of collecting berries and asked ‘an t’fhuair sibh gin?’ The answer: ‘Fhuair sinn gnàthladh.’ Still used on Scalpay, Harris in connection with fishing: gnàthladh sgadain – scatter, small scatter.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
gnè
Quotation: A’ bheil gnè thuradh ann?
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gnìomh
Quotation: a’ gnìomh [ɡɾĩ:v] a’ chruach. Notes: building the outside shell of the peatstack.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gnìomh
Quotation: móine gnìomh [ɡɾĩ:v]. Notes: peats suitable for building the outside shell of the stack.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gnìomhadh
dressing the outside of a peatstack.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gnùis
Quotation: Cha bhiodh eagal orm roimh ghnùis Gaidheal.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gnùsd
Quotation: Tha an cù a’ gnùsdaich. Notes: The dog is growling.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gob
Quotation: “Chan e eun gob dé a (sic) bh’ann, thainig e mach glé thràth ’san Earrach.” Notes: He was no chicken. (A’ gobachadh: breaking the shells, hatching.)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gob
Quotation: gob na tuinne. Notes: the water’s edge on the shore.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gob fìdhle (fiodhla)
prow of boat, figurehead.
Location: Benbecula, Creagorry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gob-a’-choillich
salted butter which is heated and used for the same purpose as a poultice.
Origin: Uibhist a’ Deas [South Uist]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
gob-saic
[ɡobsɑiçc] Quotation: an gob-saic. Notes: the snipe.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobach
Notes: sharp-featured; snotty.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobachadh
beginning to (come) form into a point, a break in the clouds. Tha i gobachadh (weather-wise) etc. Could be attributed to a female: Tha i (’g) gobachadh a beòil – (synonym) pursing her mouth. [NOTES: the quotation on the slip reads ‘Tha i a’ gobachadh.’ Definition: Weather: coming to a break in the clouds. Person: pursing the lips.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobag
(also) term used for describing a ‘sharp faced’ or a pointed appearance of a female. (Variation of meaning from the one word.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobag
(already noted) boat version.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobag
Quotation: Chan eil innte ach gobag boireannaich.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobag
a boat of a pointed stern. [SLIP: a boat with a pointed stern.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobag
Quot.: “Gobag mhosach a chuireadh na dubhan air na dathan.”
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobag (f)
Notes: of woman, shrew-featured, sharp-tongued and nosey, or gen. pejorative.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobaich
Quotation: Tha iad a’ gobachadh. Notes: chickens breaking the shells, hatching.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobaidh
[ɡobi] Notes: the oyster-catcher.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobha
[ɡ[ɑu]ʼın] [?] Notes: nominative?
Location: Perthshire, Fearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobha-uisge
Notes: water-ousel.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhainn-dubh-nan-allt
[ɡoĩnʹd̪u̟ṉɑn̪[ɑu̜]ɫt̪] Notes: water ousel.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhal
[ɡoəɫ] Quotation: gobhal a’ chruinn. Notes: space between the two handles of a plough.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhal
Quotation: ann an gobhal a’ chrann. Notes: between the handles of the plough.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhar
Quotation: gobhair arbhair. Notes: a sheaf.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhar
Quotation: gobhar-chinn; a’ cur gobhar-chinn air cruach. Notes: a sheaf of corn opened out at the bottom and put at the top of a stack the ears underneath.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhar
Quotation: an gobhar-bhacach. Notes: the last sheaf of corn bound at harvest time. It used to be adorned.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhar
goat.
Location: Argyll, Tarbert, Muasdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhar
Quotation: an gobhar breac. Notes: snail with shell.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhar-adhair
mating and breeding movement of wings of snipe in air.
Origin: [Tiree]
Category: Eòin Thiriodh / Birds of Tiree
gobhlach
Quotation: furm gobhlach. Notes: a three-legged stool used for milking.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhlachan
great crested grebe.
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhlad
[ɡoɫɑd̪] Notes: the first peat cut, the outside, weathered peat.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhlag
The confusion over “gobhlag” seems to have arisen through a wrong spelling. Did I really have “goblag” in the paper? It is in fact the “graip” of every Highland croft. I was surprised to find it included among the implements used locally because farther north it would be considered “sloppy” work to have to resort to this. (‘o’ as in ‘bó’) [NOTES: the paper Mr MacLeod refers to is most probably the peat questionnaire of Sgoil Achadh a’ Chairn (Auchtercairn School).]
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch, Achtercairn School
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhlag
[ɡɔɫɑɡ] Note: space between two peats in a fire.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhlagan
Quotation: Bha e casa-gobhlagan air a’ bhalla. Notes: astraddle.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhlan
Quotation: gobhlan gaoith. Notes: swallow.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhlan-gaoithe
Quotation: [ɡuɫɑṉ] gaoith. Notes: wagtail.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhlfhad
large unbroken peat, chosen for masonry or ‘gniomhadh’ of the stack. The same terms apply in ‘cruachadh’ as in ‘tiormachadh’, i.e. gniomhadh, sadail [q.v.].
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gobhrachan
Quotation: gobhrachan breac. Notes: snail.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goc
Quotation: goc(hd). Notes: water-tap.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goc
Quotation: ràth > goc > tòrr > sìg. Notes: hay-working terms.
Location: Lewis, Stornoway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goc
stop-cock for water release from a tank.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goc
[ɡɔxk] Notes: used for water-tap.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gocaireachd
[ɡokəðɑxk] Quotation: La na Gocaireachd. Notes: April Fool’s Day.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gocaman
Quotation: gocaman na cuthaig.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Laide, Portnacon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gocaman
Quot.: “Thoir do chasan leat ’s na bi sin na do ghocaman a’ faire air bial dhaoine.” Note: fear-faire.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gocan
Quotation: gocan cuthaig.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gocan
Quotation: gocan or gocan cloinneadh. Notes: a young child.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gocan
Quotation: gocan na cubhaig.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gocan
whinchat.
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gocan
Quotation: gocan cuthaig.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gocan
[ɡɔxkɑṉ] Quotation: gocan na cuthaig.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gocan
Quotation: Chan eil ann ach gocan an naire. Notes: a cheeky so-and-so.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
godhachan
black birds similar to ‘ducair’. Seen on lochs and had its nest near ‘lus-nan-laogh’. [NOTES: ‘ducair’ underlined, probably to show that it should be a separate entry as well.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
godlach
[ɡɔd̪ᵊɫɑx] Quotation: godlach éisg. Notes: dozen or so on a string.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gogadaich
Quotation: a’ chearc a’ gogadaich.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gogaireachd
Quotation: là gogaireachd. Notes: April Fools Day.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gogan
Quotation: Na luing mhór air crionadh ’s na gogain a’ seòladh. Notes: talking of some one who has been in the limelight but who has now been ousted by the younger set.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goic
Quotation: A’ ghoic a bh’oirre! Notes: cocky expression.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goic
Quotation: Chaidh a ghoiceadh a-mach. Notes: unceremoniously thrown out.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goicein (-ein)
torches consisting of cloth and wooden handles which were lit around Castlebay bay when fishing boats came in with their catch. This was in the gutting era when all of the bay was taken up by the trade.
Location: Barra, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goidh
hate. “Nach ann agad a tha ghoidh dh’an duine sin.” [NOTES: note added by Professor Roibeard Ó Maolalaigh (RÓM): goimh?]
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goidhsige
[ɡ[ɔi]ʃiɡʹə] Quot.: “’S e goidhsige bochd a th’ann.” Note: a poor-looking person, emaciated-looking.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goigean
[ɡɔɡʹɑṉ] Notes: woollen wrap (knitted or crochet) coming to a point at each end and tasselled.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goigean
[ɡɔɡʹɑṉ] Note: sort of knitted pixie with long tails which were crossed at the front and tied behind.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goigean
Quotation: Chan eil ann ach goigean beag. Notes: a wee nyaff.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goil
Quotation: Tha ’m pait [ɡɤlhɤɾiʃ]. Notes: The pot is boiling over.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goil
Quotation: Tha ’n coir’ a’ goileadh. Notes: The kettle is boiling.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goil
Quotation: goil chruaidh – potato still raw, goil bhog – potato ready.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goil
Quotation: Na ghoil an coire? Notes: also crowing – Ciod e ghoilich a tha air na daoine ud! Or does it mean boiling over?
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goile
Quotation: goile cearc. Notes: stomach.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goile
Quotation: goile cearc. Notes: hen’s stomach (“giaban” in Lewis?).
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goileach
Quotation: Nigh do léine ann an goileach an uillt. Notes: the ‘swirl’ of the stream. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goileach-gaoith (beag)
made with a small potato and strong feathers. The feathers were stuck in at all angles and it was thrown in a fairly strong wind.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
goileadair
Notes: boiler in a boat.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goileam
loud chatter.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goillean
[ɡɤlʹɛ̃ṉ] Quotation: a’ lasadh ghoilleanan. Notes: a lighted taper.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goimhnean
[ɡ[ɔi]ṉəṉ] Notes: rheumatism.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goin
Quotation: Bun goinean (guinean) maduinn earraich.
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goinigear
Quotation: an goinigear [ə ɡɔ̣̈nʹiɡʹər]. Notes: the supernumerary digits at the back of a cow’s hoof.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goinneal
a type of rock that was brown in colour and liable to shatter easily.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goir
[ɡɤɾ] Quotation: Cha tigeadh e nan goir. Notes: He wouldn’t come near them.
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goir teas
heat haze over the land.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goireach
[ɡɔðɑx] Notes: dull; used to describe the coat of an undernourished beast.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goirisgean
Quotation: “Thig a steach. Dé math dhuit a bhi na do sheasamh a muigh an sin ’na do ghoirisgean.” Notes: a person who is visibly affected by the cold.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goirt
Quotation: ceann goirt. Notes: headache.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goirt
Quotation: iasg goirt. Notes: salt fish. Also “sgadan goirt”.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goirt
sour; coagulate; as milk; mùn-goirt [q.v.]. [SLIP: ‘Sour’ (of milk etc.).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goirt
Quotation: sgadan goirt. Notes: salt herring.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goirt
Quotation: bainne goirt. Notes: sour milk. (Also “bainne geur”.)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goirt
Quot.: “Bithidh goirt an ceannach agad air.” “Fhuair e goirt an ceannach air.” “Cha b’ann gun goirt an ceannach.” Note: He suffered a lot for a comparatively little gain.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goirtainn
a patch of sand on a rocky coastline. [NOTES: corrected to ‘goirtein’.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goirtean
[ɡɔʴsṯɑṉ] Note: used in Barvas for a very small plot on the machair where potatoes were planted. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goirtein muntata [sic]
A small patch of arable land. A ridge of potatoes.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
goirtich
Quotation: Tha ’m bainne air goirteachadh. Notes: The milk has gone sour.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goisdean
hair. Cha’n eil goisdean liath ’na cheann.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goisnean
hair. [See goisdean.] Cha ’eil goisnean liath ’na cheann.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goistidh
godfather. Also gossip.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gol-fhad
be seo a cheud fhàd s ghearrte anns an t-sreath air taobh a muigh a phuill-mhònadh. Bhiodh e na bu ghairbhe gu h’àrd na bhiodh e gu h’iosal.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gol-fhàd
the outer peat in the bank. (Uist)
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
golad
the first peat in every line. On the outside of the line.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
golad
the mossy texture on the outside of a peat bog.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
golamail
relative to the eye complaint.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
golamas
[ɡɔɫɑməs] Quotation: golamas de dh’iasg, golamas de dh’fheòil, etc. Notes: inferior stuff, mixture.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
golan gaoithe
a potato with swan’s feathers sticking out from it. In connection with Halloween but not sure of exact role it played.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goll
Odd-looking, queer-looking etc., creature.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gollag
[ɡɔɫɑɡ] Note: opening in a peat fire. “N a do shuidhe ris a’ ghollaig” also used.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gonadh
Quotation: Gonadh nan calpannan agad! Notes: perhaps to render immobile.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gonadh
[ɡ̊ɔṉəɣ] Quotation: air a ghonadh le … Notes: cursed.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gonadh
Quot.: “na gonaidhean”. Note: growths in the mouths of cattle which prevented them from eating properly. Usually cut with shears.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gonadh
Quot.: “Gonadh ort!” Note: mild imprecation.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gonaig
Quotation: Trì là gearraig, / Trì là gonaig, / Trì là sguabaig – / Suas an t-earrach. Notes: Dw. does not seem to have gearrag or gonag (in this sense), but has sguabag, the 3 days being 7th, 8th, and 9th April.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gonnathalan
a strong, valorous person renowned for heroic feats. This word comes from ‘Duan Na Ceardaich’.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gonsag
[ɡ̊ɔnsaɡ̊], [ɡ̊ɔnsak] Notes: a small portion of any edible thing, particularly bread or meat. Source: Sollas, North Uist.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gorachdail
[ɡɔrɑxkəl] Quotation: Gèadh a’ gorachdail.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goradaireachd
Notes: ‘peering’. Source: Callum Matheson, Stornoway. Date: 1977.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goralais
inane, silly conversation.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goralaisg
foolish chatter.
Origin: Skye
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
gorat
small insignificant person. ‘Urrag’.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gorm
Quotation: Rinn mi ri gorm cho luath ’s a b’urrainn mi.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gormadh
Quotation: gormadh an là. Notes: daybreak.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gormadh
Quotation: Bha ri [sic] gormadh fad na madainn. Notes: scanning horizon looking for individual or object. (Uist word)
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gormaidh (?), gormainn
beam. The loom has three beams which are usually called: 1. gormainn aodaich; 2. gormainn shnàth; 3. what is called the ‘rough’ beam.
Origin: [Lewis], Leurbost
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
gormuinn
Quotation: gormuinn an aodaich; gormuinn an t-snàth. Notes: beams on the loom.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gormunn
[ɡɔɾɑməṉ] Quotation: gormunn-uchd. Notes: the beam on to which the cloth goes before it goes on the crann-aodaich. (Harris)
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gorra-biod
a person standing still like a statue, e.g. Bha e ann a sid ’na ghorra-biod fad, finn, shuaineach an la air tòm. He was there the livelong day, on a knoll. ‘Bhàsaich e?’ ‘Cò?’ ‘Sean Ghorra-biod.’ We used to say this as children.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gorrcad
[ˈɡɔRɔxkəd] Quotation: Thug e gorrcad orm. Notes: a gruff rebuke.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gort
[ɡɔʴsṯ] Quotation: Tha a’ ghort a muigh. Notes: corn. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gos
Quotation: Gos an ciall a chur air a muin. Notes: (South Lochs) ‘in order to frighten them out of their wits’. (Said of a boatman – Habost to Laxay – frightening women when he had a boatload of them.)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gos
Quotation: Co dhiubh a bheil e a dol ann gos nach eil. Notes: whether he is going or not.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goth
Notes: a satirical remark or description.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gothach
Quotation: an gothach [ən ɡɔ̣ʔəx]. Notes: the reed inside the bagpipe drone.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gothadh
jerk when peeping as a boy over the side of the boat and gives a jerk and goes over the side into the sea.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gothadh
[ɡɔhəɣ] Quot.: “Bha gothadh ann.” Note: applied to a person whose posture was such that his head was forward of his body.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gothadh
Notes: biting or satirical remark.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gothail
panting. Previous two words [i.e. gothail and taghanaich] also applied to cattle who experience difficulty.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grabhag
an under-sized peat bank.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
grabhag
(grabhag mònadh) a small peat-bank (common in Harris where peat is running out).
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
grabhag
short peat bank.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
grabhag
a small bank in the drier parts of the moor or alternately poll a tha tighinn gu deireadh.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
grabhag
Quot.: grabhag mhónach. Note: a small, shallow peat-bank.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grabhainn
Quotation: [ɡr[ɑu]win] bheag. Notes: a little while. Cf. ‘grathunn’.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grabht
[ɡɾ[ɤu̟]t̪] Notes: a good portion, usually of bread, e.g. oatcake.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grad
Quotation: duine grad. Notes: a bad-tempered person.
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gradhainn
Quotation: a’ gradhainn. Notes: saying.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
graidleachan
Tha ainmeannan eòin agaibh a cheana. Tha aon fhacail (ainm) agam ann an daimh ri eoin is e sin. It may have originated from graibheal – gravel. That is a bird confined to the gravel shore, where he disperses gravel with his feet (perhaps I have already noted same).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grailleachan
fine gravel. (I am not sure of these two [i.e. graill and grailleachan]. I take it as a matter of guess – grailleachan could be the name of a bird? I haven’t traced their meaning. Perhaps you have the meanings yourself? It could be a bird associated with a gravel habitat?) [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words. Definition: Fine gravel.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
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
gralag, na greallagan
a strong piece of wood with a strong iron band at each end to which the traces are linked. Another of the same in the centre facing backwards and to which the plough or harrow is fixed.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
gramail (adj.)
[ɡrɑmɑil] [sic] firm, stern. [NOTES: the slip does not give the pronunciation.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
gramaire
a fork used for eating.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gramaisean
spats. Short gaiter for instep and ankle.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grannda
Quotation: duine grannda. Notes: nasty man.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grapa-crom
Notes: grape with prongs set at right angles to the handle for pulling manure, seaweed etc. out of carts.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grath
[ɡɾɑ] Quotation: Nach ann oirre bha’n grath. Notes: said of the weather when there’s a very cold wind.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grathais
Notes: killer whale?
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greadh
treatment. Droch-ghreadh – ill treatment.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greagadaich
[ɡɾɛɡəd̪iç] Quotation: Shìn am bàta air greagadaich. Notes: creaking.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greagarra
heat of sun after emerging from clouds.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greallag
Quotation: na greallagan. Notes: the two smaller swingle trees for a pair of horses.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greallathach
[ɡɾɛɫɑhɑx] Notes: rubbish.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greallathaich
[ɡɾɛɫɑhiç] Notes: rubbish.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greamaisg
[ɡɾɛ̃məʃɡʹ] Quotation: greamaisg bhuntàta. ’S e fìor ghreamaisg a tha sin! Notes: used only when lifting potatoes. Potatoes which hadn’t grown to any worthwhile size.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greamaisgleach
[ɡɾɛ̃mıʃɡʹɫɑx] Quotation: Chaidh e na ghreamaisgleach. Notes: It went into small pieces.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greannach
Quotation: Is ionmhuinn leis an fheannag a h-isean greannach fhein. Source: R. Graham, Breakish, Skye. Date: 07/1974.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greannladh
amount of herring in a drift-net. From ‘crannladh’ (cranning) only a variation in pronouncing individually [sic]. (I am noting this word again to make clear how words in this area take on new approaches.)
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greasachd
acceleration.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greasadair
accelerator.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
great
Quotation: Cuir great air. Notes: (Keose) wash lightly (pron. like the English verb ‘grate’ e.g. to grate one’s teeth). Dw. has great ‘soap-sud – Badenoch. Scots, graith – warm water so wrought up with soap as to be fit for washing clothes’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
great
[ɡɾɛt̪] Quotation: a’ ghreat. Notes: soapy water in which clothes have been washed.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
great
[ɡɾɛt̪] Notes: soapy water. (Kenmore)
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greata
[ɡɾeṯə] Notes: soapy water. (Breakish)
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greata
Quotation: Cuiridh mi great air. Notes: a wash.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greathan latha
usually heard at dusk. “Tha greathan latha ann fhathast.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greighear
flock attendant.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greim
Quotation: a’ cur an greim [ɡɾ[ɤi]m]. Notes: installing, fixing. (Used when talking about batteries to be put into the wireless.)
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greim
Quotation: greim cluaiseadh. Notes: earache.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greim
Quotation: gréim [sic] riaghailt. Notes: basting – a kind of stitch.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greim
Quotation: greim cluaiseadh. Notes: earache.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greim (m)
Quotation: an greim mór. Notes: appendicitis.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greim gainchadh
constipation affecting horses who had eaten too many sand based roots – machair land.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greim gainmheach
caused by eating too much sand which would be attached to machair grass, plants, etc.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greim loin
sciatica.
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greim loin
rheumatism.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greim lòin
rheumatism.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greim lòin
rheumatism.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greim lòin
rheumatism.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greim lòn
rheumatic pain.
Location: Harris, Finsbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greim lòthainn
n. ‘lumbago’: bha e gu math
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
greim mór
appendix. Poultices, etc. I’ll attend to this subject in due time, I hope.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
greim-lòin
rheumatic pain.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greim-lòin
rheumatism.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
greim-mionnaich
appendicitis. [NOTES: both slipped under ‘gréim’ (with a tentative mor added by second hand) with ‘gréim mór’ and ‘greim-mionnaich’ as the quotation. Definition: Both – appendicitis.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greim-mór
Quotation: an greim-mór. Notes: appendicitis.
Location: Tiree (?)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greim-riaghailt
when putting a patch on any material this was the first stitch which held the patch in place.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greime-lòin
Quotation: an greime-lòin [ɡɾeməɫɔ:nʹ]. Notes: rheumatism.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greimichean
Quotation: na greimichean [ɡɾɤmiçəṉ]. Notes: the large holes at the mouth of a creel where the “ithris” was tied. Source: D. A. MacQueen, Balgarva, Eochdar, South Uist [?]. Date: 02/1969.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greimire
Quotation: sgian is greimire. Notes: fork.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greipe sgra
[ɡrɛpə skrɛ̜] Notes: for cutting turf off peat.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greithne na latha
daybreak.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greut
[ɡrɛ̜:t] Notes: fire-place; “grate”.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grian
Quotation: buntàta gréineadh.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grian
Quotation: Mas deach a’ ghrian ’na céis. Notes: before sunset.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grian
Quotation: Mas d’thainig a ghrian as a’ bhalg. Notes: before the sun rose.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grian
Quotation: Cha robh nì gréineadh ann. Notes: There wasn’t a thing.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grian
Quotation: Chaneil fhios am fo ghrian an fhasaich dé tha ceàrr oirre. Notes: I have absolutely no idea.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grian
Quotation: “Mar chlach a ruith le gleann, tha ghrian ’na deann, feasgar fann fogharadh.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grian
Quot.: “dà ghrian”. Note: false sun as if clouds formed an image of it. Bad weather to follow.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grian is fara ghrian
when two suns were visible. Indicated bad weather.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grianan
Quotation: grianan math. Notes: good dry spot for drying peats.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
griasach
Quotation: cat-griasaich. Notes: one who seldom moves away from the house.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gribheach
Quotation: an gribheach. Notes: measles.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gribheach
Quotation: an gribheach. Notes: measles.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grigne
a small gathering huddled together.
Location: Killearnan
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
grinn
neat.
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
grinn
Quotation: Bha tìm glé ghrinn againn. Notes: We had a very nice time.
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grinneal
gravel. ’S a ghrinneal ghorm – ‘blue bottom of the sea’. [SLIP: Gravel; (above [i.e. the quotation]:) blue (?) bottom of the sea.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
griobadh
fish ‘communication’ at the end of a line in the fishing operation, (putting it this way) nibbling. Cha do dh’fhairich mi griobadh. [SLIP: Nibbling of fish at hook.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grioban
[ɡðibɔṉ] Note: applied to a person, usually a boy, who is not as developed as he should be physically at his age.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
griobarnach
a cheeky, interfering person, a brat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
griochail
[See criochail.] Same word but for the variation in the accent form of colloquial approach.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
griochaireachd
rock scratching as reference to an inshore or boat that will not go very far from the shore as: Tha iad ann an shid, neo tha i ann a shid, a’ griochaireachd ris a’ chladach.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
griodhadh
fàdan ’nan sreathan air uachdar a chéile taobh a mach na cruaiche móire.
Origin: Borraraig [Skye, Boreraig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
griogais
Notes: small potatoes.
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grioglachan
Quotation: an grioglachan. Notes: Seven Sisters.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grioglaidean
an assortment of fancy ware, china material etc, cups and saucers, pins and needles (so to speak). [SLIP: Grioglaidean (plural). Assortment of fancy ware; china.]
Location: Na Hearadh, 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
grionnas
Pit (potato) covered with earth.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
griosach
[ɡɾiɤsɑx] Quot.: “griosach bhuntàta”. Note: potatoes being cooked on embers pulled out from the fire.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
griosad
Quotation: a’ griosad. Notes: cursing [?]. More old-fashioned than “guidhe” – poss. intenser.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grisichean
[ɡɾiʃiçən] Quotation: “Bha tiormachd uamhasach ann … na barran, móran dhiubh cha ghabhadh iad cuir ann an grisichean.”
Location: Strathtummel
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gritheam (sic)
[ɡɾĩm] Notes: crowdie, ready to be eaten. Fresh milk put in it.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
griupag (I)
Boirionnaich nach eil air leth tarruingeach air dhòigh sam bith. ’N am pearsa, beag. ’S mar sin. Cuideachd nach tugadh dhuit móran (no nì sam bith) mun a faigheadh i uibhir eile air a shon. “’Se griupag a th’innte.” Bha Taillear Eadar-dha-Fhaodhail aig an robh am bus, a’ tighinn eadar Steòrnabhagh agus an t-Acha Mór. Ghoid cailleach anns a’ bhus ball bathair a bh’aig fear de na bh’ann. Nuair a fhuair Pàdruig (an Taillear) a mach có a rinn a’ ghoid ’s e an rud a thuirt e ris a’ chaillich: “A ghriupag ghrànda, nan robh fhios agam-sa gur h-e thus’ a bh’ann.”
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
griurach
Quotation: a’ ghriùrach [sic]. Notes: measles.
Origin: Culkein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
griuthach
Quotation: a’ ghriuthach [əˈɣriəʔəx]. Notes: the measles.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
griuthach
Quotation: a’ ghriuthach. Notes: measles.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
griùireach
[ɡɾu̜:ɾɔx] Quotation: a’ ghriùireach. Notes: measles.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
griùireach
Quotation: a’ ghriùireach [əɣɾu̟:ɾɑx]. Notes: measles.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grobadh
Quot.: “Cha toireadh am mathan grobadh air barrran a’ bhuntàta.” Note: same as “Cha chuireadh e dragh orra.” He wouldn’t touch them, interfere with them.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grobaire
someone who was not good at knitting.
Origin: Skye
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
grobhag
a very small peat bank.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
grobhail
Quotation: “Dhia, nach iad tha grànda grobhail” – Catriona Mhór, on hearing Murdag Mhór’s description of the airmen at Broad Bay. Notes: Dw. has grabhail ‘horrible, causing horror, aversion or strong dislike’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grobhail
[ɡɾɔvɑl] Notes: disgusting, nauseating.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grobhail
Quotation: Tha a’ mhuc a’ grobhail [ɡɾɔfəl]. Notes: grunting.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
groileas
(?) n. ‘filth(?)’, cf. Dwelly: greallach: b’fheàrr leam guntugadh tù do gh. às mo rathad is fuireachd às
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
groond-buntata
potato land.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
grop
Quotation: a’ gropadh [ɡɾɔpəɣ]. Notes: tanning leather.
Origin: [?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grothain
Quotation: an grothain [ə ɡrɔ̣̈ʔɑ˖nʹ]. Notes: split hoof of an ungulate.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gruag
Quotation: prìne gruaige. Notes: hairpin.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gruag
Quotation: a’ ghruag. Notes: wouldn’t use “falt”.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gruagach
Note: supernatural being – could assume any form. Loch a’ Ghruagaich in the locality.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gruaidh na gide
The sloping bank by the side of a gead towards the ditch or clais. The gruaidh would be cut by a sickle rather than by a scythe (frequently).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
gruaigainean
a particular type of cattle noted for their shagginess, hairiness.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gruaigean
eatable seaweed (Harris). With vitamins of the iodoine [sic] [iodine?], helpful as a body-builder.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
gruaigean
[ɡɾu̜əɟɑ̃ṉ] Notes: seaweed which grows far out on the rocks. Long strips with frilly sides. The middle portion could be eaten.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gruaigean
Notes: a flat seaweed.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gruaim
Quotation: Tha gruaim air a’ mhara.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grubair
[ɡɾɤbɑɾ] Notes: The “grubber”. Used to weed between potato shaws. Angle could be altered.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gruidheam
a meal something like black pudding. When cattle had come down from shieling there was a custom of extracting blood since the cattle were healthy enough after their summer pasturage on the shieling land. This blood was boiled and then salted in a container and set aside as an ‘aindeal geamhraidh’. When it was needed it was put in a pot with fat and onions. Eaten with bread like a black pudding.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grunn
Quotation: “na grunnan”. Notes: if it was stormy outside, the fishermen would come up the loch to fish codling in a sheltered spot, “na grunnan”.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grunnan
Quotation: an grunnan. Notes: = grioglachan. The Pleiades.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grunnan math chaorach
a fair number [of sheep].
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
grunnd
Quotation: a foid gruinnd [ɡɾũ̟:nʹdʹʒ]. Notes: the bottom layer of peat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grunnd
Quotation: grunnd a’ bhac. Notes: lower level of the peat-bank.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grunnd
Quotation: a’ ceannach a’ ghruinnd. Notes: buying the portion of land. A custom, which may yet be carried on in Nerebus, of throwing a silver coin into the open grave unnoticed. Said to be an old Irish Catholic custom. There used to be a chapel there which was a branch of Londonderry seminary. G. C.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grunnd a’ bhaic
lower level [of the peat bank].
Location: Gearrloch, Achadh a’ Chairn [Gairloch, Auchtercairn]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
grunnd lathchadh
soft ground.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
grunndail
Quotation: Tha e grunndail fuar. Notes: It is somewhat cold. (Used of the weather.)
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grunn’-fhad
[sic] bottom peat. (Skye)
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gruth
Quotation: (1) gruth a’ bhainne mhilis. (2) gruth a’ bhainne ghoirt. Notes: (1) from fresh milk. (2) from sour milk.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gruth
Quotation: an gruth [əŋ ɡ̊rʊ]. Notes: crowdie.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gràbhag
a small peat hag. (Lewis)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gràbhat
a fisherman’s neck scarf. Gràbhat beag lìn.
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
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
gràgalas
Quotation: ’S ann le fìor ghràgalas a rinn thu siod. Notes: querulous reluctance.
Location: Harris, Gobhaig (Govig on the slips)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gràin
nn ‘hate, disgust’ : ò, tha ~ agam fhìn air an nathair; chan e sin a th’ orm idir ach ‘ tha do gh. agam air a’ __ nuair a thig iad leis na pilleachan mosach
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
gràin
[ɡɾɑ̃:nʹ] Quotation: Gràin dhaoine. Notes: “Quite a few people.”
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gràin an aman
[sic] extreme hate (in connection with the soul). [NOTES: slipped under ‘gràin’ with a note ‘in phrase:–’ gràin an aman (sic – ‘anam’ meant?)’. Definition: Extreme hate.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gràinean
Quotation: gràinean mìn, gràinean tea. Notes: a little; small quantity; a “puckle”.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
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
gràisg
Quotation: gràisg ghille or gràisg ghillean. Notes: rascally fellow, fellows.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gràn
Quotation: Cha robh thu riamh gun do ghràn ’s a’ mhuileann.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gràp
Quotation: na gràpaichean. Notes: revolving grapes in mash tins (distillery).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grèat
range.
Origin: Islay
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
gréidh
Quotation: a’ gréidheadh a’ ghràn. Notes: drying by heat.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gréidheadh
Quotation: Fhuair e droch ghréidheadh. Notes: tending, looking after (of a child, animal, pot, etc.). Used in neg. construction. In Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gréim
Quotation: an gréim. Notes: pneumonia. (Not in Dw.)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gréim
Quotation: an gréim mór. Notes: An old name for what may have been appendicitis. Dw. gives greim-mór ‘pleurisy’ (from DMy, Lewis).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gréim-a-lòin
Notes: used for rheumatism generally. Siataig not known by Ardelve informants. Source: local usage in Ardelve, Kintail (reported by Calum Thomson, Uddingston, after holidaying there). Date: 1969.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grìleag
Notes: a small potato.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grìleag
[ɡɾı:lʹɑɡ] Notes: a very small potato.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grìleag
[ɡɾı:lʹɑɡ] Notes: a very small potato. (Cf. Applecross grùileag.)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grìligean
[ɡɾi:lʹıɡʹɑṉ] Quotation: Chaneil ann dheth ach [ɡɾi:lʹıɡʹɑ̃ṉ] bochd. Notes: a very small person.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grìneas
[ɡɾĩ:ṉəs] Notes: potato-pit.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grìs
Quotation: Bha grìs fhuachd air. Notes: He was shivering with the cold.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grìseach
[ɡɾı:ʃɑx] Quotation: “Tha e grìseach.” Notes: very cold, making one shiver.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gròam
fish seed that floated on the sea’s surface.
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gròb
Quotation: a’ gròbadh an fhiodh. Notes: mould.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gròbadh
piecing together in a not too expertly fashion, mending likewise. ’G a ghròbadh ri chéile. [SLIP: ‘Piecing together in a rather inexpert fashion’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gròbadh
makeshift repair of nets whilst at sea.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gròbadh
Quotation: Bheir gròbadh dhan an uinneig. Tha gròbadh air an dorus. Notes: slightly open.
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gròbadh ri cheile
temporary repair of nets at sea.
Location: [South Uist], South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gròbag
Quotation: Dh’fhàg mi gròbag bheag fosgailt dheth. Notes: a slight opening, of, say, a door or window.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gròcadh
threatening. “Ghròic i orm.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gròchd
Quotation: gròchd air (like “mùigh air”). Notes: threaten him.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grògan
confused. Chaidh e ’na ghrògan orm – in trying to piece an article or vocally when confusion comes into the matter, the term as noted is expressed, to explain… [SLIP: Confusion, whether in trying to piece an article together, or in speech.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gròm
[ɡɾɔ:m] Notes: very small shells like small barnacles which attach themselves to rocks and to hulls of boats.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gròmag
Notes: oatmeal, whisky and sugar.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gròmag
Notes: mixture of oatmeal, whisky and sugar. (Kenmore)
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grùan (atha)
[?] liver.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
grùbhan
[ɡɾu̜:ɑṉ] Quotation: Tha a’ leanabh a’ grùbhan. Notes: moan, whimper.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grùgach
person set aside for a special work, person doing certain work in preparatory work. In St Kildian chores such person was known as grugach [sic], in each case a female. I think myself it’s simply another pronunciation of gruagach, it derived I think from the word or words of a gruagach [q.v.].
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grùgan
palm of the hand of a wee boy. (Perhaps more associated with a boy.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grùilleagan
[ɡɾu̟:lʹɑɡəṉ] Notes: small potatoes.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grùisgainn
a fire which was lit outdoors and used for heating sheep brands or for washing.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grùnn
[ɡɾũ̜:n̪] Quotation: grùnn [sic] a’ mhara thraigh. Notes: point of lowest ebb.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grùthan
Quotation: an grùthan [əŋɡ̃ruu-ɑ˖n]. Notes: the liver.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grùthan
Quotation: an grùthan. Notes: the liver.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grùthan
Quotation: Thàinig an grùthan ann. Notes: He grew tired.
Origin: Barra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gu
Quotation: a’ fiachainn gu Ceit [?].
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gu
prep. ‘to; till’ : chan fhaca mise a-riamh thusa roimhe ~ seo [DAG]; bha na Gàidheil math ~ dannsadh [MAE]; bha iad math gu iasgach ‘s tha iad math gu obair  [MAE]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
gu
Quotation: Tha e gu tinn. Notes: He is ill.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gu bith
[kə ˈbi] adv. ‘whatever’: ~ gu dè ’ th’ ann
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
gu do dheireadh
back-water.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gu dè
interr. pron. ‘what?’ : chan eil fhios ~ bha ann do dh’airgead ’s do dh’òr
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
gu dè
[kə ˈʧe] interr. ‘what’’: ~ gu bith ~ ’ th’ ann
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
guagan
[ɡu̟ɤɡɑṉ] Quotation: Far am bi gìogan bi guagan. Notes: parallel of “Thachair sruth ri steall”.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guaineis
romantic association. “Na daoine ris an robh mi guaineis.”
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gual
a smudge on the hands or face (not of coal as coal had never been in use of old in Point, Lewis). Anyone having a smudge on the face and not knowing of it would be told: “Cuir do làmh far am beil an gual ort agus gheibh thu do roghainn”. ‘Gual’ is also the black formed on the outside of pots and pans exposed to an open flame. Still also ‘gual’ was the name for cold peat embers. Sgùradh le gual – before the advent of abrasive cleansers, a damp cloth dipped in a very finely crushed cold peat ember would be used on metal in place of sand paper or emery paper. And ‘gual’ for something burnt to a cinder – “Chaidh e ’na ghual dubh.”
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
gualain
Quotation: a’ ghualain [əɣuɑlʹẹnʹ]. Notes: the shoulder.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gualainn
literally the shoulders of a boat, i.e. where the boat widens out in the middle.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gualainn
Quot.: Chaidh e as a ghualainn. Note: dislocated shoulder.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gualainn
Quotation: Tha e a’ falbh ’s a theanga air a’ ghualainn. Notes: indiscriminate repetition of what one has heard.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gualainn
“tack” as sailing boat.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gualann
also tack taken by a boat.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gualann
Quotation: pl. guaillean. Notes: shoulder chain.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guanach
[ɡ[ũ̜ɑ̃]:ṉɑx] Quotation: duine guanach na dhòigh. Notes: Dw. fickleness, airyness. Also slow-moving, slow to act in Barvas.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gucag
Quotation: gucagan. Notes: wild roses.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gucag
Quotation: gucag uibhe. Notes: egg-cub [sic].
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gucag
Quotation: guc(hd)ag [ɡu̟xkɑɡ]. Notes: the shell of an egg.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gucag
Quotation: Bha gucagan air bàrr an uisge. Notes: bubble.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gucag
Quotation: gugagan [sic] nan uibhean. Notes: the egg shells.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gucag bhàite
a cupped plant found in lochs, usually in the deepest part of the loch. [NOTES: note added – water-lily.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gucagan, ròs fiathaich
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gug-gùg
unfulfilled call, or reference. ’S fhad’ o chuala sinn a gug-gùg sin roimhe’, or that commonplace reference. [NOTES: the slip has ‘gùg-gùg’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gug-gùg
revisionary statement produced to cause irritation or annoyance as: ’S fhad o chuala mi ’n gug-gùg sin roimhe.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guga
Quotation: a’ ghuga tiortach (sic) [tʹwrtʹɑx]. Notes: the fulmar.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gugaill
Quotation: Bha i ’na gugaill aig a’ rathad. Notes: used of person in crouched position. Source: Mrs K. B. Clark. Date: 1971.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gugaill
[ɡu̟ɡilʹ] Quotation: Tha e na [ɣu̟ɡilʹ]. Notes: He is in a huddled position.
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gugalaghù no fiog-falach-fead
hide and seek. The player who had to ‘seek’ the others had the following to recite after he had finished counting up to the previously agreed upon number: “Gugalaghù air a chathair / Ma tha duine air mo chùlthaobh / No air mo bheulthaobh, / Sgiob air a shon, tha mise ri ’g eiridh.” Anyone trying to take an unfair advantage by staying too close to the ‘cathair’ was thus automatically counted out.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
gugas
[See guga.] Words associated with St Kilda, Suilesgerry. Rock, off the Butt of Lewis, bird sanctuaries etc.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guidhe
Quotation: “Bha e guidheachan ris a chù.” Notes: He was cursing/swearing at the dog.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guigeinach
neat, sweet (girl).
Location: Glasgow
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
guilemanas
not losing control, your cool when at the mercy of a superior force. “Cha do chaill e a ghuileamanas.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guilleag
note made by swans known as whoopers who arrive in this country from Norway during snow and frosty weather conditions. Makes a trumpet like sound.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guilpeanach
oystercatcher bird.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guin
sharp hatred or malice. Tha guin aige dha tha eagallach.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guir
Quotation: cearc guir. Notes: clucking hen.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guir
Quotation: cearc ghuir. Notes: clucking hen.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guir
Quotation: Tha i air ghuir. Notes: hen brooding.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guir
Quotation: (1) Tha a’ chearc air ghur. (2) A’ chearc agus a gur. Notes: (1) The hen is brooding. (2) The hen and her chicks.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guireach
Quotation: cearc guireach. Notes: clucking hen.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guireineach
Quotation: Tha e [ɡu̟rinəx]. Notes: bad-tempered, ‘crabbit’.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guirmean
blue; a chalk-like substance for dying woollen material. Guirmean-cloimhe.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guisaid
a gusset. A tailor would split the waistband of a trouser that was too tight. Would then place an extra bit of cloth in this space thereby widening the waist. Shaped like this. [NOTES: corrected to ‘gusaid’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guit
[ɡu̟tʹ] Note: to their knowledge only used for holding “peardan” from the cards. Like a “criathar” but the skin stretched on the frame was not holed.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guit
[ɡuitʹ] Note: used to hold the “peàrdan” of wool. Like a “criathar”. Holes?
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guit (I)
Chan eil ainm agam [airson ‘baskets or other vessels used to hold the uncombed and combed wool’]. Ach bhiodh ‘guit’ aca airson a leithid seo, ga chur gu feum airson a leithid seo, co dhiù. ‘Guit’ – mar criathar beag ach gun tuill idir ann. Rudeigin mar seo:
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
guitair
a drain around the house to drain off excess water.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guite
a circular wooden scoop. Had an oblong addition at one end. Used as a scoop to put seed in bags. [NOTES: note added – = sgùirt.]
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
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
gula-gug
commotion, consternation. [NOTES: ‘gug’ corrected to ‘gùg’.]
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gulamail
personal complaint not so much attributed to sheep. ‘Doille’ [q.v.] – more connected with sheep.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
gulm
Quotation: gulm na móineadh. Notes: dross.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gulm
Quotation: gulm móineadh. Notes: dross.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gulm (-an)
a cataract, film on eye.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gulm, an
cataract on eye. Also in sense of a dark spot in corn ears.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gulmal
[ɡu̜ɫu̜məɫ] Note: a disease of the eyes (human). Not heard of now as such. (Cataract?)
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gulman
[ɡu̜ɫumɑṉ] Note: cataract on the eye.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gulmann
[ɡu̜ɫu̜mən̪] Note: cataract on the eye. Previously supposed to be cured by “eòlas”.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gulu
(similar) boat [i.e. similar to gobag (q.v.)]. It doesn’t take so long a rake. On the beach the former (gobag) has a shorter keel and beam and a longer rake from the keep to the overall length. [SLIP: A boat with a pointed stern but with a longer keel and beam than the ‘gobag’ qv.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guma
Quotation: (Keose) Guma h-éiseil dhut!
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gumal (m)
a large vehicle of any kind (such as big bus, or cattle-float, etc.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gun
Quotation: ceud mìle gun bhris.
Location: Strathtummel
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gunna
Quotation: gunna spùdan [spu̟:d̪ɑ̃ṉ]. Notes: water pistol.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gunna cnagainn (‘n’ – r sound)
this was achieved by sticking the tubed part of a feather into a potato. When you pulled this out a cylinder of potato would be caught in the feather. This was then let off with the aid of a bit of wood. A toy for children.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gunna steallan
syringe or alternately a water pistol.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gunna-crip
Notes: toy made from bamboo rod cut in half length-wise. Paper pellet at one end, stick lying in the groove, jutting out at the other end. Clapped in with the hand, pellet ejected.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gunna-stillidh
Note: a home-made water-pistol made from the stem of the “stealladair”, a plant like “cuilc”.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gur
Quotation: gur nam fiaclan. Notes: gnashing of teeth.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gurach
a St Kildian word, but if it’s the same meaning [as garach q.v.] I am not prepared at the moment to say.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gurcaidh
a headband or handkerchief used by herring girls. Tied round the head to absorb sweat.
Location: Barra, Eoligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gurra-biod
[ɡu̜rəbid̪] Note: sitting attentively on one’s heels. Quot.: “air a’ ghurra-biod”.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gurrach
a person who sat and listened without making a contribution to the conversation.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gurradh air a cheile
bickering at each other.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gurt
Quotation: “Mar a dean, gabh do chùrt [sic].” Notes: If you want, exercise your privilege/liberty, have it your own way.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gurt na srathrach
[Number 9 on the diagram.]
Location: North Uist
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
gurt na strailleach
Belly-band (of saddle). Dwelly – giort. [NOTES: ‘gurt na strathrach’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
gus
Quotation: Gus am bris an là. – until … Thainig e gus an abhainn. – to … Gus a bhoinneag ma dheireadh. – unto the last drop. Chaidh e gus a faigheadh e mach. – so that he would find out.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gusaid
a knot for shortening cloth or sail. Cuir gusaid air. Shortening method, in pulling a length of material and then knotting it.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gustulach
athlete.
Location: Skye
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
guth-shàmh
Quotation: Thuirt e/i anns a’ ghuth-shàmh. Notes: He/She said pawkily (used of a witty remark; the idea of detachment may also be present). Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guthaich
Quotation: Ghuthaich e oirr’ as a’ Ghàidhlig. Notes: He spoke to them [sic] in Gaelic.
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guthtair
feadan na bathchadh or the claise.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guthte
a criathar without holes, usually used for holding wool in rollagan.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guàna (m)
Notes: phosphate fertiliser.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ɡʹɑ:] Note: (note pronunciation) a long pole with a loop attached to the end for catching gugas.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàbart
Notes: a lighter; large broad boat.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàbart
[ɡɑ:bəʴsṯ] Notes: a flat-bottomed wide boat used principally for transporting sheep and cattle. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàbhaidh
Notes: on its own means awful. Can say: Tha e gàbhaidh math, fliuch, etc. Common in Ins Co.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broad Cove
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàbhaidh
adj. ‘awful, terrible’: cho ~ foghainneach 's a bha e; tha sìde ~ aca; chan eil i cho ~ fuar ri seo; dh’atharraich an saoghal ~; ‘s e bòcan ~ a tha sna skidoos seo
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
gàbhaidh
Notes: menacing. Source: Lochcarron (Mrs E. MacSween). Date. 1967.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàbhaidh
Quotation: ’S e gnothaich gàbhaidh a th’ann. Tha e gàbhaidh math. Notes: awful; awfully.
Location: Canada, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàdag
Quotation: gàdag is ceann sgaoilt’ air (sic)*. Notes: heather rope. (* A rumour, the authenticity of which one is not sure of.)
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàdag
rope used to support bag of peats being carried on the back. (cf. “gàdag ’s a dhà cheann sgaoilte”, metaphorically of assumptions based on dubious premises. Probably a rope of heather originally and if the two ends were ‘loose’ i.e. free to run, the rope would be unsafe.)
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gàdag
rope used to carry peat etc. round your shoulder.
Location: Harris, Finsbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàdag
[ɡɑ:d̪ɑɡ] Quot.: “gàdag coirce”, “gadag eòrna”, “gàdag feòir”. Note: a measure for a quantity of oats, barley or hay. Also applied to the rope itself of length “dà aitheamh ’s dà dhòrn”.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàdruisg
Quotation: (South Lochs) gàdruisg chloinne (a hubbub of children). Notes: Dw. has gàdraisg ‘tumult, confusion; drunken riots’. (The above usage less strong than Dwelly’s.)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàg
Quotation: pl. gàgan. Notes: hacks.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàg
slit at the top of a trenail. Wedge placed here so that the nail expanded like a modern day rawlplug.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàg
a flaw in peat bank.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gàg
Quotation: pl. gàgan. Notes: cracks on the skin.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàg
Notes: (1) cracks in the skin. (2) also used of place in the face of a peat bank where there is a split and patch falls out due to pressure of water behind it.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàgach
hesitatingly. [SLIP: Hesitating.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàilleach
irritating lumps of flesh on the inside of a cow’s mouth. Have to be cut off. Irritated by chewing fodder.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàilleach
Quotation: an gàilleach. Notes: growths in the mouth in cattle; stream of saliva coming from the mouth.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàilleach
Quotation: an gàilleach. Notes: the sewn part from the lacing going towards the heel in a shoe. (See Dw.)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàilleas
[ɡɑ:lʹəs] Quotation: a’ ghàilleas. Notes: septic gums in cattle. Weren’t able to eat when they had this disease.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàin’-an-latha
already noted but to define it was pronounced accented. But the definition point is: gainne-an-latha, gainnead-an-latha – scarcity of day is my definition of it. Lànachd an latha – làn-neairt – deireadh an latha.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàin’-an-latha
daybreak, (or at) sunrise. [See làr-an-latha.] Perhaps the two terms originated from one another. (Unheard now in Scalpay, old terms.) [SLIP: Prob. < gainnead an latha – ‘scarcity of day’. > daybreak, sunrise.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàir
Quotation: Tha an duin’ [ɡɑ:ɾɑxk]. Notes: The man is laughing.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàir
Quotation: A’ caoidh an gàir a rinn thu ’n uiridh.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàire
Quotation: lachan gàire. Notes: loud burst of laughter.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàire
Quotation: A cumail ceol-gàire ris a’ chuideachd. Notes: entertaining the company.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàireach (gàilleach)
palate.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
gàireachdaich
’Se ‘gàireachdaich’ a th’againne. Ach Càrlabhagh ’s àiteachan mar sin sìos an Taobh Siar, ’se ‘gàireachdan’ (gàir’uch gun) agus ‘gàireachdainn’ a chanas iad. Tachraidh seo gu math ri fear na phonetics agaibh, bidh mi cinnteach.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàireachdraich (f)
Quotation: bùntàta ag gàireachdraich. Notes: sp.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàirneal
Quotation: gàirneal mine. Notes: wooden meal chest. Usually had a partition inside it to separate the flour and meal.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàmag
Quotation: Chaidh e seachad is gàmag aige. Notes: a long stride.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàradh
peats laid half on top of each other at inner edge of bank.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gàradh
wall of newly cut peat.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gàradh
Notes: “wall” of peats on edge of bank.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàradh
rows of peats on top of each other at front edge of bank.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gàradh
ventilated wall of peat.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gàradh
arrangement used to dry the peat.
Origin: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gàradh
Quotation: an gàradh. Notes: a small enclosed plot near the house in which early potatoes and a variety of vegetables such as kail, cabbage, turnip, carrot were planted. (Stone wall.)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàradh
Quotation: an gàradh cloiche (pl. gàraidean). Notes: dry-stone dyke.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàradh-bac
Notes: peat-wall.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàradh-cruidh
a structure to prevent cattle from coming on an unauthorised portion of grassland.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàradh-gréineadh
Note: peat wall on the edge of the bank (2nd peat).
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàrnaich
Notes: local pronunciation of gànraich elsewhere.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàrradh
peats arranged along edge of bank in a kind of dyke.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gàrradh
the wall of peat laid stagger fashioned [sic] with holes left to allow the air to circulate and thus dry the peats. The wall could be of 2 or 3 rows.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
gàrradh (m)
Quotation: gàrradh (fhàd). Notes: a wall of drying peats.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàrradh an t-slamain
Notes: Not in Dwelly. The turf wall, within which the cattle must not go for a certain time after returning from the shieling. Slaman ‘curdled milk’ – the milk would have had to be carried home a considerable distance, thus tending to become curdled (?).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàrradh-buntàta
potato plot.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
gèabadaich
[ɡʹiɑ:bədiç] Notes: clearing of the throat.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gèadh
Notes: sgioladh eadar na màsan (aig duine). Date: 1967.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gèilligean (pl.)
Notes: wattles on cockerel.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gèimh
[ɡɛ:v] Note: “Ghabh e gèimh.” – “Ghabh e feagal a bheatha.”
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gèugaire
a very narrow cleft in a rock where a boat could be tied by slipping the rope down through this cleft and a knot tied in the rope at the back, where it came through – same idea as Paddy had when he tied a knot in his pig’s tail to stop it from going through a crack in the fence!
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
géideadh (pronounced)
biting, pricking. Bha e dha ghéideadh. – when two youngsters or [sic] [are?] out of tune, say, one retaliates by a ‘finger stabbing’ approach or movement.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
géids
the guage [sic] [gauge?] by which the grinding stones could be adjusted so that you could get finer or rougher flour.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
géidse
Quotation: singilte, dubailte (for mortice work). Notes: guage [sic].
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
géillinnean
[ɡʹe:lʹĩnʹəṉ] Quotation: Bha iad làn géillinnean. Notes: They were full of superstition.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
géisgeadh
[ɡʹe:ʃɡʹəɣ] Quot.: “an eathar a’ géisgeadh leis an teas”. Note: creaking.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
géugan
Quotation: “An géugan iosal taisgeil.” Notes: a slit below in the left ear (ear-marks of sheep).
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gìogan
Quotation: Far am bi gìogan bi guagan. Notes: parallel of “Thachair sruth ri steall”.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gìogan
[ɡʹı:ɡɑṉ] Note: thistle. (very near dʹ at the beginning)
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gìreach
Quot.: falt gireach [sic]. Note: tousled hair or hair that sticks up and looks uncombed. Porcupine look.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gòcaman
watchman on MacNeil’s castle.
Location: Barra, Eoligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gòmadaich
Quotation: Thug e gòmadaich orm. Bha e ri gòmadaich. Notes: going through the motions of vomiting with no vomit coming.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gòrachd
[ɡɔ:ɾɑxk] Quotation: a’ gòrachd a mach. Notes: peeping. (Or ag òrachd?)
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gòrag
[ɡɔ:ɾɑɡ] Quotation: Dh’fhosgail i ’n dorus ach cha d’thug i ach gòrag. Notes: a quick, sly look.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gòrdag
[ɡɔ:rdɑɡ] Quotation: [ɡɔ:rdɑɡ fe:r] ‘an armload of hay, grass’. Notes: Common to Brora, Golspie, and Embo. (Presumably [?] ‘an armload’.) Source: Mr and Mrs Kenneth MacKay, 16 Gate St., Embo. Date: winter 1968.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
góbhlag
Notes: the open space between two peats in a fire.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
góbhlag
Notes: catapult.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
góblaid
[ɡo:bəɫɑdʹ] Notes: flat-bottomed pot.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gùn iasaid
going back to a time when money was not so available this refers to a wedding dress which could be borrowed within a community. Following verse associated with this practice. “Cuir dhachaidh e, cuir dhachaidh e an gùn iasaid, Cuir dhachaidh e, cuir dhachaidh e mu’n tig teachdaire ga iarraidh.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
h-aoigh! h-aoigh!
interj., hold on! hold on! Also: word of warning. [NOTES: slipped under ‘haoigh’ with ‘Haoigh-haoigh!’ as the quotation.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
hapal
Quotation: Bha hapal eagallach ann. Notes: confused gathering of people, animals, etc.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
higean-hoigean
Quotation: (Park) Bheil feagal Ailean Sheonaidh ort / Gun dean e higean-hoigean ort, Bheil feagal Ailean Sheonaidh ort / Gun teid e ort gun taing dhut. (Ailean Sheonaidh cecinit) Notes: See pp. 132-3. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
hoighlidh
[hɤıli] Note: what they called a goal in shinty.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
hùbhithill
Quotation: Chaidh e gu hùbhithill. Notes: He went nowhere.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
hùp hàp
Quotation: Tha an taigh ’na thùp-thàp. Notes: in disarray, untidy, topsy-turvy.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
i làn
a good or extremely good catch of herring.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
iacladh
Quotation: iacladh turaidh. Notes: short dry spell in a long wet one.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
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
iadh-shlat
woodbine (tree).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iadnach
stoppage, halt. “Cha deach iadnach air fad an latha.”
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ial
Quotation: Chan eil ial sìth eadar iad. Source: R. MacKinnon, Harris. Date: 1967.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iall
[ɑˈiəɫ] Notes: a thong of leather.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iall
Quotation: Iallan fada le cuid chàich. Notes: liberality in giving away someone else’s possessions.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iall
Quotation: Iallan fad’ a leathair chàich. Notes: a proverb regarding those who are generous with other people’s property. Iall – leather boot-laces [sic]: usually cut out of the hide by the greasaich. They were longer when cut out of a hide belonging to others.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ialtag
a bat.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ialtag
Notes: bat.
Origin: Culkein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ialtag leatharich
bat.
Location: Argyll, Tarbert, Muasdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ialtag-oidhch’
bat. [SLIP: Bat (animal).]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
ian (eun)
Quotation: ’Se ian a th’unnad. Notes: What a card you are! Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iar ogha peithir iosgaid
according to informant this is the most extreme relative. Forty second cousin.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iaradh
[iɤɾəɣ] Quotation: Cha deach iaradh air a’ bheul aige bho mhaduinn. Notes: He hasn’t stopped talking since morning. (“Lull”)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iaran monadh
peat iron.
Origin: Inbhirnis [Inverness – most probably meant as the county]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
iarann
Notes: the amount of peats two men could cut in a day.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarann-biorach
Notes: gophering-iron for putting wavy edge on dress mutch. Source: Mrs Nicolson, Sgullamas, Skye. Date: 1978.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarna snath
a hank.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarnachan
(also) hanks. Na linn mhóra air an crochadh nan iarnachan. [NOTES: slipped under ‘iarna’ with ‘plural: iarnachan’ and the above example as the quotation.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarnachan-snàth
yarn hanks. [NOTES: slipped under ‘iarna’ with ‘plural: iarnachan snàth’ as the quotation.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarr
vb ‘ask’: past: dh’~ e __ iad a dhol; dh’~ e air am faodadh e pìosan beaga __ a thoirt leis [DAG]; dh’~ i air an rachadh e dh’obair dhi; vbl nn.:ma gheibh thu ìm gun ~aidh sa mhadainn; dh’fheumadh an t-ìm ‘ dhol air a’ bhòrd gun ~aidh, chan eil math dhut ‘ ~aidh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
iarr
Quotation: Tha i ag iarraidh tairbh. Notes: cow in heat.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarrtas
Air m’ iarrtas. At my request.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iaruinn-stiùrach (pl)
iron brackets holding the steer of a boat to the hull. Iarunn-stiùrach (case [sic] singular) – one iron, for a ‘steer, helm’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarunn
Quotation: iarunn troisgeir. Notes: iron part of peat-cutter.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarunn
Quotation: iarunn móine. Notes: only term used in Glas-na-cille.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarunn
a day’s peat-cutting for two men. (Uist)
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
iarunn
Quotation: Tha tuilleadh ’s a chòrr a dh’iaruinn aige ’san teine.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarunn
= fear ’sa pholl agus fear air an treisgeir. 2 men to 1 iarunn – one cutting – one throwing out peat. 3-4 iaruinn sufficient for a year’s supply.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
iarunn
a peat iron; also this is also [sic] the term used for the unit in a team, viz. a pair – one cutting and one throwing out. This word is used in both these senses in Berneray, Harris, but only in the latter sense in Lewis.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
iarunn
Quotation: (1) an iarunn bonn. (2) an iarunn cliathaich. Notes: (1) the edge plate of the plough. (2) the bottom plate of the plough.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarunn
Quotation: iaruinn [sic] stiùireach. Notes: iron rudder fittings.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarunn
Quotation: an t-iarunn. Notes: iron strip to protect the keel of a boat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarunn
Quotation: an iarunn siubhail. Notes: the iron hook on the wheel axle of spinning wheel.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarunn aig an robh coiseachd (no ceum) math
a satisfactory [peat] iron with a long knife.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
iarunn mònach
peat-iron.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
iarunn mònadh
peat iron or cutter.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
iarunn mònadh
peat iron.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
iarunn mònadh
peat cutting implement.
Origin: Ratharsaireach [Raasay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
iarunn mònadh (m)
Notes: peat iron.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarunn stiùreach
bits of iron associated with the rudder such as gudgeons and pintles.
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarunn-buinn
Notes: soleplate of the plough.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarunn-móineadh
Note: peat-cutting iron.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarunn-stiùireach
Note: iron rod attached to the inside of the rudder and parallel to it which is inserted in brackets on the sternpost when fixing on the rudder.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasad
Quotation: Tha móran obair ann an each iasaid.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasad
Quotation: “a’ bhith deanamh dioghal a’ chapaill iasaid air rud”. Notes: putting a borrowed article to as much use as possible.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasg
Quotation: an iasg gheal. Notes: the salmon was sometimes referred to as this.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasg
Quotation: an iasg gheal. Notes: the salmon was referred to as this.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasg
Quotation: iasg goirt. Notes: salt fish.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasg
Quotation: iasg [pɾɛ̃n̪:tʹʃə]. Notes: fish cut up into small pieces. In Port Charlotte/Porthaven fish and potatoes cut up into small pieces and mixed with butter.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasg
Quotation: iasg mear. Notes: mullet.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasg bruich agus sauis (sabhs)
boiled fish with the water the fish was boiled in. This latter was usually taken before going to bed. Iasg bruich agus sauis (sabhs) le arran cork. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
iasg drioman
a fish that could not be caught by hook. Instead it was caught by holding a net in the air thereby catching the fish when it leapt up. It could jump about 24". A red mullet.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasg glas
lythe, cod, cuddies (cudaigean). [NOTES: a question mark added next to ‘cuddies’. It seems that Mr O’Henley added ‘cudaigean’ as a response to this.]
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasgach
Quotation: crosgag-iasgaich. Notes: frame on which fishing line is wound.
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasgach
Quotation: Iasgach amadan, corra bheathach mór. Notes: saying used by old fishermen. Not clear what it means.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasgach luathaireachd
freelance fishing outside the fishing season.
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasgail
Quotation: Tha na lìn sin iasgail. Notes: good for fishing.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasgair
Quotation: iasgair chul-chreig. Notes: amateur fisherman.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasgarra
Quotation: Tha a’ slat sin nas iasgarra. Notes: better for fishing.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iat
Quotation: Chaidh e gus an dorus iat. Notes: He went to the lower door. I never came across this word anywhere else and do not know what it means: but it was used in this sense of the lower door, or the furthest away.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ibe
pollution, dirt which accumulates at the bottom of the sea and which when disturbed floats up just beneath the sea’s surface. Thereafter occupies a position called ‘eadar dha lionn’, neither sinking nor floating.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
idir
advb ‘at all’ : cha robh e air a dhòigh ~, ~, ~; cha robh e dona ~ air a dhèanamh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
idir
[id̪ər] Notes: N.B. pronunciation.
Origin: Arisaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ilimeachd
[wlõmɑxk] [sic] Quotation: ag ilimeachd. Notes: licking.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
imalag
[iməlɑ̟ɡ̊] Quotation: imalag de dharach ’s i air a tolladh.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
imeach (?) (f)
eadar an dà charcair [q.v.] ach their cuid againn gur e th’ann (a) [refers to the illustration under ‘carcair’]. Chan’eil e agamsa ach “air an imich” agus mar thubhairt mi ’n toiseach.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
imegidh
Area belonging to each holder after division of ‘scat’.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
imleag
Quotation: an imleag. Notes: the hub, or nave of the wheel (cart).
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
imrich
[ĩməðiç] Quot.: “Na chuir sibh a mach an imrich fhathast?” “An d’thug sibh dhachaidh an imrich fhathast.” Note: the clothing, utensils, etc. which were taken to the shieling at the beginning of summer and brought back at the end of the season.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
inbhe duine
Man’s estate.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
inbhidh (?)
Notes: time of cow to calve. Dwelly has inbhidh (from MacAlpine) with ref. to inbheach ‘mature, ripe’, etc.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ingheilt
Notes: (Keose) grazing or pasture. Not in Dw. Dwelly gives inghilt as obsolete, ref. to ingilt and inilt (Armstrong), ‘feeding, grazing, pasture’. The word leasair used in Arran for cattle-grazings, according to my Uncle Angie, who lived most of his life there.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
inigil
Quot.: “Thug thu leat gu math inigil e.” Note: said if one were removing something from a place (e.g. rubbish) and removed it completely. (“Inigil” also means exact.)
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
inigil
[ĩṉıɡʹəl] Quot.: “Chaidh e gu math inigil ris.” Note: He did it very exactly.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
inneadh
[ĩnʹəɣ] Quotation: Thainig an inneadh orm or Tha inneadh air a chlò. Notes: when there isn’t enough weft to finish off the tweed.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
inneal togail bhuntata
Potato lifter.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
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
innealadh
Quotation: Gun fhiaradh gun innealadh. Notes: see under fiaradh.
Location: Lewis, Back
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
innealaich
Quotation: Tha mo làmhan air innealachadh leis an fhuachd. Notes: numbed.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
inneamh
Quotation: A’ bheil inneamh air a’ chlòth? Fhalbh a’ dh’iarraidh inneamh. Notes: Is extra yarn required to complete the tweed?
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
innean
Quotation: Cuiridh mi mo cheann air innean dhuit. Notes: I will put my head on an anvil for you, I am so sure of my point.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
innean
Quotation: an t-innean [ətʹenʹɑ̃ṉ]. Notes: the ankle.
Origin: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
innear
Quotation: a’ cur a mach an innear; a’ sgaoileadh an innear.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
innear-cruidh
cow manure. (Chan e …-chruidh.) The best manure was that in a 2-3 year old “Dùnan” on which grass would be growing.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
innearadh
Quotation: a’ cur a mach na h-innearadh. Notes: dung.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
inneas
Quotation: Rinn e inneas dhomh air a rud a thachair. Notes: account, telling. (-eas as -as in bas ‘palm’) Not in Dw. Presumably from same root as innis.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
inneogh
shortage of wool (for that much which is short).
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
innibh
natural. “Is innibh sin dhaibh.”
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
innis
[ĩṉıʃ] Quot.: “innis nan caorach”. Note: the normal “beat” of sheep on the moor.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
innis
regular beat on the moor.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross and Cromarty but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
innisgich
[ĩṉiʃɡʹiç] Quotation: Bha e dha innisgeachadh. Notes: He was giving him a dressing-down.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
innlinn
a similar levy imposed in same era as that above [i.e. dàomanas (q.v.)]. These taxes paid for upkeep of services in community – doctors, vets, church, transport, etc.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
innsail
telling. (Another form of innseadh.) [NOTES: slipped under ‘innis’ with ‘ìnnsail’ as the quotation. Definition: Another form of ‘innseadh’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
innseadh
Quot.: “Tha sin a’ toirt innseadh dhuit man a bha.” Note: That lets you know how things were.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
innsireachd
tale bearing, e.g. grassing on your mates at school.
Location: Lewis, Back
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
innsreadh
information.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iobradh
Quotation: iobradh beag turaidh. Notes: short dry spell on a rainy day.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iobradh
Quotation: Slainte gun iobradh!
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iochd
Quotation: duine gun iochd. Notes: mercy.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iochdair
Quotation: iochdair an tighe. Notes: the byre end of the blackhouse.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iochdar
lower part of peat-bank.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
iochdar
Quotation: iochdar a’ bhlàir.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iochdar
the bottom of the peat bank.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
iochdar
Quotation: iochdar a’ phuill. Notes: the lower, cut, area of a peat bank.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iochdar
Quotation: còt’ iochdair. Notes: underskirt.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iochdar
Quotation: iochdar na h-àthadh. Notes: the end of the kiln at which the corn was put in.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iochdar a phuill
bottom part where peat are laid out.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
iodhlainn-eithrichean
boat yard. [NOTES: the slip has ‘iodhlann-eithrichean’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iolach sheasg
cutting peat deliberately short.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iolainn-shoithichean
boat yard.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iolaman
piece of skin used to cover milk in bucket and secured by a leather thong.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
ioltag
[iəɫtɑɡ̊] bat.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ioma-chathadh
Notes: whirlwind.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomach
[ĩɤ̃mɑx] Quot.: beathach iomach. Note: glas, odhar gun móran feum. Also used of a person who isn’t worth much.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomachais
enumeration. (Argyll)
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomaillaich mairt
literally what the cow could lick. This was a term used when planting large oats. The seed had to be so thickly laid that the cows could lick it off the ground.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomain
“Buail am port.” “Leigeam leat.” “Iain.” … “Calum.” A button was usually used instead of a penny to decide who was to get first choice.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
iomair
Quotation: rionnag a’ dol air iomraich. Notes: shooting star.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomair
Quotation: (Keose) Iomair, Ailein, fodh’ a Ruairidh, sud a’ phoit a’ tighinn an uachdair – mar a thuirt a Hearach nuair a chunnaic e a’ phéileag.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomair
Quotation: Bha iad a’ tilgeil nan iomairean le sluasaid le cas fhada. Notes: a ridge.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomair
separate fields of corn or potatoes.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
iomaire
plot of potatoes, corn, etc.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
iomaire an fhoghair
strip of croft land ploughed for potatoes which would be consumed by the household. Machair potatoes were kept for seed or for selling. Not convinced this was a widespread practice.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomaire ceannachaidh neo bòrdairean
part of a field characterised by wet, soggy conditions in which grass flourished. Usually found at one end of the field.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomaireag
fight, battle; (lit. skilled action, see aireag).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomairt
vbl. n. ‘moving’: dannsa ’s dol mun cuairt ’s òl ’s ~ -- that’s getting around without a stop
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
iomall
Quotation: na h-iomaill. Notes: edge, used when talking of the edges of a piece of turf.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomall
Quotation: na h-iomallan. Notes: heald, heddle.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomallach
Quotation: àite iomallach. Notes: lonely place.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomallan
a combination of reeds whose movement can be altered to give different patterns of cloth.
Location: Lewis, Keose
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
ioman
driving the cattle.
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
iomchair
Quotation: ag iomchair air. Notes: accusing, complaining.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomdha
adj ‘many [a]’.: chunna mise e, agus ‘s ~ [sumə] fear eile; thig ~ athrachadh air tuilleadh dhiubh; chaidh mise ‘ro ~ rud
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
iomhaidh
statues [sic].
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
iomhaigh
Quotation: iomhaigh a’ choigrich. Notes: false face. (Tiree)
Origin: Tiree?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomhaighean
statues.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
iomlaid
[w̃məɫɑdʹ] Quotation: a’ deanamh iomlaid. Notes: an exchange, exchanging.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomradh
Quotation: Tha iomradh agam air an duine sin. Notes: Tha seòrsa de chuimhne agam air an duine sin.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomram
Quotation: ag iomram. Notes: rowing.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ion
[w̃ṉ] Quot.: “Dearbh, cha b’ion dha sin a dheanamh.” Note: It is proper, fitting for him to do that (i.e. he should do it).
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ionad
n. ‘degree (temperature)’: dh’fhaodte gum biodh ~ an uair sin SEE neo-nì
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
ionann
Quotation: Chan ionann [xɑniənən] ’s mar a b’àbhaist. Notes: not the same as.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ionbhaich
a prematurely born lamb or calf.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ionga
Quotation: ionga a’ dol am beò. Notes: ingrowing nail.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ionghailt
grazing. “’S rinn na beathaichean beagan ionghailt.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iongna
[jũ̜ĩnʹ] Quotation: pl. [jũ̜:nʹəṉ]. Notes: fingernail.
Origin: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iongraich
[jw̃:ɾiç] Quotation: Tha e air [jw̃:ɾəxkĩnʹ]. Notes: it has festered.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ionna
Quotation: ionnachan [iənəxən]. Notes: hank, hanks of wool.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ionnaraidh
night watch.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iosgaid do chois
this is directly behind the knee at the back of the leg. Exactly where the knee is bent.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iothshlat
holly tree.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iris
Quotation: ithris. Note: rope on creel.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iris
the rope attaching panniers to saddle.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
iris ()
[fem.] the creel strap – a two or three inch width of plaited twine with a worked loop at each end. A ‘de-luxe’ one would be of ‘gaoisde’ (horsehair) for the last word in comfort across the chest! Straps of leather or of sacking (iris poca) were inferior makeshifts.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
iron-mona
used for cutting the peats.
Location: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
is
Quotation: ’Se gealach ùr mhath a th’ann, crochaidh tu do bhonaid oirr’. [NOTES: slipped under ‘is’.]
Location: Lewis
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
is
Quotation: Is minic a chinnich fuigheall fanaid ’s a chaidh fuigheall farmaid a dholaidh. [NOTES: slipped under ‘is’.]
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
is broillean
external throat infection. Cure: ‘prènistir’ – sulphur given in water. Also ‘slòcan’ – ‘soft seaweed’ mixed with food from the pail.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
is-sproillean
throat infection.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
isbein ( eespèn)
[pron.] sausage. [NOTES: slipped under ‘isbean’ with pronunciation [iˈʃpɛn].]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
isean
Quotation: isean cat [sic]. Notes: kitten.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
isean
Quotation: isean muc. Notes: piglet.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
isean
Quotation: isean cait. Notes: kitten.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
isean
immature lobster.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
isean
Quotation: isean rabaid, isean geàrr.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
isean
Quotation: droch isean. Notes: “a bad stick” – used of a person.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
isean
Quotation: isean tunnaig, isean rodain.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
isean (m)
Quotation: isean ceàird. Isein [sic] a tha thu ann! Notes: brat.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
isean-deiridh-linn
the last bird to be hatched.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
isean-fionnaidh
fledgeling with the initial development of the feathers, resembling hair. (My own definition: I have heard the term used on Scalpay, but I am afraid not (used) now. (?)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
isean-rodain
the offspring of a rat.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
it
[ĩtʹ] Note: the splicing of two planks in a boat.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ite-na-h-aid
feather in her cap (literally) and (mentally).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
iteach
Quotation: an iteach. Notes: first row put on the creel, at the mouth.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iteachan
n. ‘reel’: an t-~ [əɲ ʧhiçt´əxan]; cho luath ri ~ cuibhle [içt´əxan ku͜il´ə]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
iteachan
Notes: the bobbin that goes inside the shuttle.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iteag
Quotation: air an iteag. Notes: flying.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Laide, Portnacon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iteag
Notes: feather. Iteag maodhair (q.v.): black-backed seagull’s tail feather used [as a fly for fishing].
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iteag
Quotation: Bha rud beag de dh’iteag ann. Notes: He was quite smart.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iteag
Notes: a feather.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iteag-iteag!
exclamation to indicate heat (e.g. fingers in hot water, on embers, etc.)
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ith
Quotation: “Ith do bhagain leasaich agus cuir saluinn air do ghiaban.” Notes: cheeky saying for “away you go”.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ith
Quotation: Ithibh agus òlaibh, tha gu leòir an tigh Sheumais.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ith
Quotation: Chan e a’ mhuc shàmhach as moth a dh’itheas.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
itheadh – leatha fhein no co leis
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
itheadh-an-t-sùlaire
gluttonous eating, down the gullet in a jiffy. [NOTES: slipped under ‘ith’ and under ‘sùlair’ with ‘itheadh an t-sùlaire’ as the quotation. Definition: Gluttonous eating.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iubhrach
boat.
Location: Harris, Leverburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iuchair
Quotation: niuchair [nʹũ̜xəɾ]. Notes: herring roe.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iuchair na cuibhle
knob at opposite end to wheel.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iudhrach
a special type of sailboat. Made from timber originating from yew trees? [NOTES: note added above ‘iudhrach’ – iùbhrach.]
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iulla
[ȷu̜ɫə] Quot.: “Bha sinn ag iulla an raoir.” Note: fly-fishing from a boat, the rod itself pointing downwards into the water, the tip being at the required depth.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iullach
Quotation: Chaidh na h-iullaich an àirde an uairsin. Notes: a howl. Said of a child starting to howl.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iung
[ȷɤ̃ɣ] Quot.: “a’ cur iung ann an aodach”. Note: inserting a piece of material (usually triangular shaped) in a garment to widen it.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iungh
[jɤ̃ɣ:] Quotation: Bha iungh air a thoirt bhon an dàrna taobh agus air fhuaigheal air an taobh eile. Notes: when making shirts out of flour-bags, a long narrow triangular strip was taken off one edge and fitted on the other side to make a more favourable shape.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iùdasach
[ȷu̟:ḏɑsɔx] Note: fear brathaidh, droch bheusach.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
kirra (?)
call addressed to lamb or sheep when inviting it to eat.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
kúrst an dècon
[NOTES: ‘d’ is circled possibly to indicate pronunciation – (nasalisation?).]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
labaisdeachadh
weather beaten.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
labhartach
talkative.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
labhrach
talkative. Àrd labhrach – high pitch of voice.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
labhrach
talkative.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
labhrach
talkative.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lach
Quotation: lach mhór. Notes: eider duck.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lach
Quotation: lach riabhach. Notes: mallard duck.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lachan
Quotation: lachan gàire. Notes: loud burst of laughter.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lacunn
Quotation: duine lacunn odhar.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ladair
Quotation: an ladair. Notes: collection plate.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ladarn
[ɫɑtərn] forward, demanding. [NOTES: the slip has [ɫatərṉ].]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
ladhar
Quotation: ladhar an ùird. Notes: the claw of a hammer.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ladhar
Quotation: an ladhar mór. Notes: toe.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ladhar
Quotation: geannaire ladhrach. Notes: claw hammer.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ladhran
[ɫoorən] [?] Notes: split hoof of an ungulate.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laetran
[sic] lectern – the enclosure in front of pulpit where elders sat. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
lag-maise
Quotation: lag-maise ’na ghruaidhean. Notes: a dimple on the cheek.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lag-na-sleisde
hollow at the back of the thigh.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lagais
Quotation: (1) lagais inneir. (2) Nach tu a rinn a’ lagais dhiot fhéin. Notes: dung-heap.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lagais
[ɫɑɡiʃ] Notes: usually, according to K.F., made up of a layer of dung and a layer of seaweed (brùchd) alternately. Martin MacDonald – could be just dung.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lagh-na-luathadh (noun etc.)
fire-side legal conversation, putting forward a conversation in a sort of legal emphasis; fire-side lawyer.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laghadh
[ˈɫɤəɣ] Quot.: “Bha laghadh ann.” Note: applied to a person whose posture was such that he seemed to be leaning over backwards slightly.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laghadh
[ˈɫɤəɣ] Quot.: “leth-bhotul agus e cruinn air an dàrna taobh agus laghadh ann air an taobh eile”. Note: also used of slight bend at the end of a boat plank where it fits on to the stem.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laghanachd
Quotation: Bha iad le laghanachd air a chéile. Notes: bossing, criticising.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laibhairteach
talkative.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laidhigeadh
the hauling of net aft in preparation for re-shooting.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
laigh
Quotation: a’ cur a laighe na càraid. Notes: bride and bridegroom undressed by close friends and put to bed. Drams passed round.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laigh
Quotation: Chuir mi umhal gun robh an aois a’ laighe air.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laighe
Quotation: ciste-laighe.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laighe siubhla
a woman in state of travail.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laighe-leòiream
Quotation: a’ deanamh laighe-leòiream. Notes: ‘basking in the sun’ (Grimsay, North Uist).
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laighe-siubhail
Quotation: air leabaidh laighe-siubhail. Notes: in labour.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laighe-siùbhla
[ɫɑiəʃu̜:ɫə] Quotation: Tha i air laighe-siùbhla. Notes: woman in labour.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laimhsich
Quotation: Tha i a’ laimhseachadh gu maith. Notes: said of a beast that had good points at shows, etc.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laineachan
kidneys and surrounding fat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
laingear
[ɫɑ̃ĩɡʹɑð] Quot.: laingear Bhràgair, laingear Arnol, laingear Bharabhais. Note: understood as being the area uncovered at low tide, where shellfish were collected, etc.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laiseadh
[ɫɑʃəɣ] Quotation: laiseadh as na creagan. Notes: the sun shining on rocks causing a white reflection. Said to signify the approach of showery weather.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laistreadh
[ɫɑʃtʹɾəɣ] Notes: sound of water against the side of the boat.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lamadh [?] ’sa lobastadh
a phrase describing the deviation of a boat during stormy, rough weather.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lamaisdeachadh
Quotation: Tha e feumach air lamaisdeachadh math a thoirt dha. Notes: a good “pummelling”.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
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
lamaraig
a naturally formed landing place.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lamhchran
that part of a flail which you held in your hand. [NOTES: corrected to ‘làmhchran’.]
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lamraigeach
abounding in landing places by the sea-shore. From ‘lamaraig’ – a pier, jetty, or an appropriate place by or at the sea-shore where a boat could discharge material, anything. (Harris term, hardly used if ever now.)
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lan-aiseag
complete restoration.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lanaig
footpath to a house or on a croft. (Uig)
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lanaig
[ɫɑ̃ṉiɡʹ] Quot.: Bha a’ leanabh air an “Teddy Bear” a’ lanaigeadh gu math. Note: it had been so often mis-handled that it became dilapidated and worn.
Origin: Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lanaig
[ɫɑṉiɡʹ] Quot.: “lanaig a’ chruidh”. Note: a path used by cattle in the township.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lanaig
a footpath.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
landach
[ɫɑ̃n̪d̪ɑx] Quotation: landach bùirn. Notes: two pails full of water as drawn from the well. (Làn dà shoitheach – M. MacFarlane.)
Location: Stornoway, Melbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
langadair
[ɫɑ̃ŋɡəd̪ɑð] Note: kind of tangle in the form of long, oily strips attached to the “duibhean”, a type of “stamh”.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
langadal
Long seaweed growing on far-out rocks. Used for grain crops (barley and oats).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
langadar
Long seaweed growing on far-out rocks – suitable for peaty soil.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
langadar
somewhat similar [to liadhagan]. Big heavy leaves, growing on stalks.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
langaid
[ɫɑŋɡɑdʹ] Quotation: a’ cur langaid air an each. Notes: fetter put on the front legs of a horse. (H. Meek says it was put on sheep too.)
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lann
Notes: rivet used in boatbuilding.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lann
Quotation: tairnean is lannan chopair. Notes: washers.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lann
fence. (The more modern word feansa [q.v.] is the Scalpay version among the present generation.)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lann
Quotation: lannan [d̪ɛ̃n̪əṉ]. Notes: rafters in modern house.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lann
Quotation: lann a’ speal. Notes: blade of the scythe.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lann
She [sic] [’Se?] lann a th’innte. – She’s a good worker, math dà-rìribh.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lannan
[?] planks used for dragging boat along shore (used also for coffins).
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
lannsadh
operate, to cut open a wound.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lannsaid (fhada)
bha cùl rithe, agus mar bu trice brat air chor-eigin.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
lannsraigeadh
an ulcerous wound being lancerated [sic] [lanced? or lacerated?].
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laogh
Quotation: laogh féidh. Notes: fawn.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laogh
Quotation: laogh firionn boirionn. Notes: a calf with one testicle missing. Also “uan firionn boirionn”.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laogh carrach
hairless calf (usually when male mates with his mother).
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
laogh-coiseadh
Notes: calf at foot.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laoichgeann
Quotation: Tha an t-each donn na laoichgeann. Notes: stretched out.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laoichgeann
[ɫw:çɡʹən̪] Quotation: “Éirich a sin, a laoichgeann!” (sp?) Notes: addressed to a person lying like a useless hulk. (Dw. laoighcionn: tulchan – calf, calf-skin.)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laoidh
Quot.: “Laoidh nan cóig rann.” Note: doesn’t know much about it except that it was recited when the cloth was put on the roll. The person reciting it would slap down his hand at the end of the recitation and say “agus mar sin, agus mar sin”. Supposed to ward off evil spirits from the cloth.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laoighnigeadh
lining, keeping or setting an engine in a boat in a direct line so as to run a straight shaft termed as laoighnigeadh.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laoigteir
lighter (boat), oar type of boat, for discharging from a vessel to a pier etc.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laomadh
horse when irritated.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laomadh
[ɫw̃:məɣ] Quotation: a laomadh a’ bhuntàta le cus todhar; laomadh iad le cus todhar. Notes: when too much manure was put on potatoes it resulted in large shaws and very small potatoes.
Location: Stornoway, Melbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
laomadh
Quotation: a’ laomadh a’ bhuntata. Notes: over-manure (vb).
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laosbagan
brogues made by the people of their own leather and sewn with thongs. I have never heard of this word out of Benbecula. I have seen in North Uist a man wearing what were known as ‘brògan tionndaidh’.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lap (pl. lapan)
Quotation: Bha lapan sa bhuntàta far nach do dh’fhàs iad idir. Notes: patches where potatoes had failed to grow.
Location: Applecross, Ard Dhubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lapan
Quotation: Ghabh i lapan leis an fhuachd. Notes: She became benumbed with the cold.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lapanaich
Quotation: a’ lapanachadh leis an fhuachd. Notes: getting benumbed with the cold.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
larach na sìg
‘Foundation’ of corn stack. [NOTES: spelled ‘làrach na sìg’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
las
vb ‘light, ignite’ : vbl nn.:match a ~adh idir no teine a startadh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
las
[ɫɑs] Quotation: Tha na cnàmhan aice a’ fàs las. Notes: said of a cow when her hip-bones become wider apart soon before calving.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lasadan
match.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lasag
Quotation: Tha lasag oirre. Notes: said when the wind rises.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lasaich
Quotation: Tha a’ ghaoth air lasachadh. Notes: the wind has died down.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lasaich
[ɫɑsiç] Quotation: Lasaichidh na cnàmhan [kɾɛ̃:əṉ] aice. Notes: the hip bones of a cow become wider apart just before calving. Pr. pt. a’ lasachdainn. See las.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lasd
[ɫɑsd̪] Quot.: “Chaidh a’ bhó as a lasd.” Note: it dislocated its hip-joint.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lasd
Quot.: Bó a’ dol as a’ lasd. Note: dislocating the hip-joint.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lasgan
Quotation: lasgan gàire. Notes: or lachan gàire.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lateren
impudent.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
lath
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
latha
Quotation: latha nan car. Notes: April Fool’s Day.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
latha
Quotation: fo fonn latha. Notes: in daylight.
Location: Strathtummel
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
latha
n. ‘day’: làithean m’òige-sa
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
latha an traisg
Fast Day, Thursday of communion.
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
latha an trusaidh
sheep-gathering day.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
latha bailceach
showery day. (Bays)
Location: Harris, Borisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
latha buidhe Bealltuinn
so called since traditionally, this day was expected to be sunny.
Location: South Uist, Geirinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
latha druideach
[NOTES: ‘druideach’ corrected to ‘drùiteach’.]
Category: Sìde / Weather
latha dubh
Quotation: An latha dubh. Notes: day of reckoning.
Location: Lewis, Borve
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
latha dubh (m)
Quotation: Thug mi latha dubh air ‘excerteadh’ an dé. Notes: worked very hard at it.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
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 eadar dà shian
weather that is between two extremes.
Category: Sìde / Weather
latha fionnar
Category: Sìde / Weather
latha fliuch
Origin: Lochaber
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
latha na bodich
Friday of the sacraments. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
latha na mhàireach
advb ‘day after tomorrow’ : bha iad na friends
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
latha na seachd sian
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
latha na “chaist”
Friday of the sacraments. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
latha rosgalach
a windy day.
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
latha sgarrach
a chilly, nippy kind of day.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
latha “trasgie”
Thursday of the sacraments. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
latha-dubh
defeating reception; victorious, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
latha-taingealachd
thanksgiving day (in Church circles). [NOTES: slipped under ‘là-taingealachd’. Definition: Thanksgiving day (ecclesiastical).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lathach
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
lathach
Quotation: Tha e air lathach leis an fhuachd. Notes: getting numb.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lathadh
benumbed.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lathadh
Same as ‘léireadh’ [q.v.] in this context.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lathaich
Notes: soft mud, usually on the bed of a pool or loch.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lathais
Notes: slats of wood laid horizontally across rafters.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lathaist
[ɫɑiʃtʹ] Note: lathe in plaster. (Strips of wood laid across walls to hold plaster.)
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
latharach
spot (làrach form). [SLIP: Spot, place.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lathtar
a slating.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lathus
maidean fada caola air uachdar an tughaidh.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
latten
[?] rough / forward person.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
latteren
cheeky boy.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
le
Quotation: uaisle gun chur leis. Notes: a man ostensibly of considerable means but who in fact had little.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
le
prep. ‘during [of weather]’’ : 's e àite uamhasach a tha ann an Chéticamp ~ stoirm; ri marbhadh le sìde thioram; ‘possession’: dhan duine ‘m bu leis am beathach; ‘with’: 2sg.: gu bheil thu air falbh leat dhan taigh mhòr, dhan asylum; 3sg.: bha muinntir na town a’ smaoineachdainn gun toireadh e duine beò leis cho math ‘s a bha e [ADM]; 3m.: thuirt e leis [liʃ] [FMM];Rover a theireadh iad leis;+ mo: lem linnse, nuair a chaidh mise ag obair an toiseach; + a ‘his’: chanadh e le ' phiuthar
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
le
Quotation: “Duine leis am bu leis Tanera.” Notes: a man to whom Tanera belonged.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
le
prep. ‘with’ 2pl. leibh: nuair a bhiodh tu … ’ fàgail an taighe: ‘Latha math ~, oidhche mhath ~ ‘s beannachd ~!’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
le
Quotation: Chaneil Gàidhlig aige-san leis nach eil Gàidhlig aig athair.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
le
Quotation: Thuirt mi ris an fhear a bha leam. Notes: … who was with me.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
le prais (prais-dhath) no le boilear
The process of dyeing.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
leaba
Quotation: brat leapadh. Notes: bedcover.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leaba
Quotation: leaba chaif. Notes: mattress filled with chaff.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leaba laoigh
this refers to an old belief whereby people buried the matrix at a stream. This was thought to result in female calves being born.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabag
[lʹɛ:bɑɡ] Quotation: lion leabag. Notes: flounder net.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabag-an-eithir
a wee bed or lair on the shore for to hold a boat on at ebb tide, a space or ‘bed’ on the shore above water level, just to hold a boat on.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabag-leathainn
I am not quite sure of this one, but I think it was also common once upon a time.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabag-leathainn
halibut (fish).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabaidh
[lʹɛbi] Quotation: “A’ bheil a’ leabaidh rèith?” “A’ bheil am bòrd sin a’ laighe ceart air a’ leabaidh?” Notes: when an additional plank was fixed in the building of a boat, wood was shaved off the one below it to allow an overlap.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabaidh
Quotation: air leabaidh laighe-siubhail. Notes: in labour.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabaidh
Quotation: leabaidh an uain; leabaidh a’ laoigh. Notes: womb.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabaidh
[lʹɑbi] Quot.: leabaidh na tuime [t̪w̃mə]. Note: lowest part of boat where water collects – between the “tobht iomair” [q.v.] and the “tobhta meadhoin” [q.v]. (Put also under taoim.)
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabaidh laighe
night quarters, sheltered dell for cattle to spend the night, sheiling.
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
leabaidh laighe
the moor-bed on which the peats are thrown out for drying.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
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
leabaidh-an-laoigh
Notes: enfolding membrane round calf at birth.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabaidh-na-gréighe
the resting place of deer, sheep and cattle, an roinn dhe’n talamh air a bi ’ad laighe.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabaidh-na-tuime
the bilge of a boat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabaidh-na-tuime or taoime
bilge (boat).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabaidh-ròs
rose-bed, it may have originated from a gardening version.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabhar (m)
Quotation: Chan eil coibhneas anns na leabhraichean aige idir. Notes: not a feature of his behaviour.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabhar fiosrachaidh
catalogue.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabhar-latha
diary.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabhar-phaipeirean
a ‘catalogue’, a collection of wallpaper cut patterns inserted between hardback covers, in book form, displaying in wise the individual paper wished to be chosen.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabhar-phaipeirean
book in which the sample shades, or the various shades, and designs of wallpaper are, in pattern form collectively in a ‘book bound’ volume.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac
Quot.: leac an teinntein. Note: flat stone in front of the fire or on which fire was.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac
Quotation: leac a’ righ. Notes: “Ducks and Drakes”.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac
leac-cadail – wink of sleep. Also leac cloiche – stone slab etc. [SLIP 1: Leac-cadail. A wink of sleep.] [SLIP 2: Leac. a) leac-cloiche – stone slab. b) leac-nigheadh – washing ‘platform’ of stone.] [NOTES: Slip 2 might have a different word-list as its source.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac
Quotation: leac-an-teinnich.
Location: Coll, Ben Meadhonach
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
Quotation: leac nam bonnach. Notes: flat stone put beside the fire for toasting scones.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac
a hard patch or an unusual hard patch on the side of an animal, on the flesh caused by a hurt, etc. Bha e ’na leac air a taobh.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac
Quotation: leac-an-teinnich.
Location: Coll, Beu?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac an t-teinnean
hearth. [NOTES: the last word made unclear by corrections, possibly meant to be replaced by the word underneath it ‘an teinean’]
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
leac na siolla
The flat hook on hames to which the draught chain is attached. See cromag.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
leac struan
a special slab on which the ‘struan’ was baked at St. Michael’s.
Location: Barra, Ard Mhinish
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
flat stone for supporting the bread being baked.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac-chliabh
Note: flat stone used as “cruaidh” in the lobster-creel.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac-doruis
flax [sic] stone [flagstone?], at a door.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac-griasach
fire-slab of stone. A complete flat stone on which a fire was set in the middle of the floor in the old thatched houses, a thin slab of stone chosen (a more modern version from a former endeavour), that is the stone slab a one piece form of improvement.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
leac-nigheadh
washing stone platform.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac-sheisreach
[lʹɛkheʃəɾɑx] Note: pl. [lʹɛkəṉʃeʃəɾɑx]. Flat stones put under the cattle to prevent them from getting stuck in the manure. (At a time when earth wasn’t allowed to be taken in to put under them.)
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac-thachais
Note: upright stone at a shieling for cows to scratch themselves.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac-uirealach
[lʹɛkˈu̟ɾɑɫɑx] Note: an upright stone just inside the front door, between it and the door leading to the living quarters to direct cattle to go their own way.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leaca na spàide
that bit of iron extending from the foot rest and wrapped round the spade’s leg. [NOTES: corrected to ‘spaide’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leaca teithe teintean
skimming flat stones across water surface.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leacach
Notes: flat.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leacag
a flat piece of ‘thin’ stone; tile.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leacan
[liəxkən] Quotation: obair na liocan.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leacnaich (v)
flatten (N.E.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leacradh
putting a thickness of material of [sic] [on?] a flat surface with a trowel. From ‘leac’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leadan
nn ‘litany’ : gen. pl.: b’ fhìor thoigh leatha nuair a startadh iad a ghabhail na h-ùirne, ‘ gabhail nan ~, ‘ bhith còmhla leis __ an fhear a bhiodh a’ gabhail nan ~ [FMM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
leadraigeadh
Quotation: Thug e dhà droch leadraigeadh; a’ leadraigeadh. Notes: leathering.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leag
Quotation: Bha iad a leagail amharus air gu robh e deanamh rud nach robh ceart. Notes: They were casting suspicion on him.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leag
Quotation: Cha do leag mi mo shúil air idir. Notes: I didn’t happen to see it at all.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leag
Quotation: Cha do leag mi mo shùil air. Notes: not a glimpse.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leag
Quotation: a’ leagail a’ bhuntàta. Notes: planting the potatoes – the act of laying them down at intervals in the furrows.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leagail an t-suithe
Stripping the thatch of the cottage and collecting the soot from among the thatch for fertilising. [NOTES: spelled ‘leagail an t-sùithe’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
leagail nan rusg
’S e so a bhith a’ càradh nan ceap feir a’ charcus am broinn a’ phuill dìreach mar a bha iad air an uachdair mus deacha an gearradh. Bha a bhith leagail nan rusg mar so a’ fagail broinn a’ phuill réidh glan bliadhna as deidh bliadhna. Mar an rachadh so a dheanamh bhiodh an ath-bhlar (af-lar mar a chanas iad) pruganach, is ’na chunnart do bheathaichean.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
leam leat
turncoat. [NOTES: slipped under ‘le’ with ‘leam leat’ as the quotation.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leam-leat
Notes: two-faced.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leam-leat
person who would be behind you one minute and the next opposed to you.
Origin: Barra
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
leam-leat
Quot.: “duine leam-leat”. Note: a yes-man.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leamh
[lʹɛ̃f] Quotation: duine leamh. Notes: sarcastic person.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leamhachas
continual irritation as listening to disagreeable speech.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leamhadach
vexatious.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leamhaire
sickening person in a conversation.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lean
Quotation: a’ leanalt [lʹɛ̃ṉɑɫt̪]. Notes: following.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leanagan
Quotation: “Tha leanagan air an t-súil aige.” Notes: conjuctivitis.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leanaltach
Quotation: geamhradh leanaltach. Notes: protracted winter.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leann
Quot.: “leann a’ bheathaich”. Note: home-made beer. Made from treacle, sugar and yeast. (“Beathach” – probably the yeast, moving about.)
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leann
Quotation: leann loisgte. Notes: deposit left in big still after distilling.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leann nan [sic] biast
a home-made beer consisting of water, sugar, treacle and hops.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leann nan biastan
hops which are put in a bottle with sugar and water left to ferment and used to quench the thirst.
Origin: Uibhist a’ Deas [South Uist]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
leantag
[lʹĩɑ̃n̪t̪ɑɡ] Note: a green, grassy patch.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leapaich (-eadh)
literally to secure or bed. Also used in building trade, meaning to bed or settle a stone in the appropriate place.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
learg
black throated diver.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
learg
Note: red-throated diver.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
learg
[lʹɛɾɑɡ] Note: both for black-throated and red-throated divers.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
learg
Notes: red-throated diver.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
learg
red throated diver.
Origin: Taransay
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
leas
dirt on haunches of housed cattle.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leasachadh
Quotation: a’ cur a mach a’ leasachadh; a’ sgaoileadh a’ leasachadh.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leasachadh
Quotation: a’ deanamh leasachadh air duine. Notes: treating a person preferentially.
Origin: Tiree?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leasaich
Quotation: talamh leasaichte. Notes: redland. 3rd year in 5-year crop rotation. (See Gilbert Clark’s)
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leasaichte
Quotation: talamh leasaichte. Notes: 3rd year in crop rotation. Ploughed. Hay seed and clover sown.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leasar
regular beat of sheep on the moor.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
leataran
[lʹɛ:t̪əɾɑ̃ṉ] Notes: area in front of pulpit where the elders sit.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leataran
[lɛt̪əɾɑṉ] Notes: area round the pulpit where elders sat.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leath chas
term used when repairing a square in the net. ‘Leath chas’ would be put here:
Location: [South Uist], South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leath piob
Notes: a half size pipe.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leath uan
twin.
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
leath-tromach
Notes: half-pregnant.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leathach
-dreaste [ʎɛhəx trɛsʧɘ] vbl. adj. ‘half-dressed’: gheibheadh tu e [anclò] ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
leathach-lionaidh
‘half measure’ in the flowing, incoming tide. [NOTES: the slip has ‘leathach-lìonaidh’.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leathad
[lʹɛʔɛd̪] [?] Notes: gentle slope.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leathad na beinne
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
leathadach
[lʹɛhɔd̪ɔx] Quot.: “duine leathadach”. Note: bashful, self-conscious.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leathadh traghaidh
half tide.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leathag
ruffled bit of seaweed attached to tangles. Same as ‘liathag’.
Location: North Uist, Knockintorran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leathag
(Gairm. E. 53. p. 63.)
Location: ? [Eriskay – see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leathann
Quotation: an deireadh leathann. Notes: transom in a boat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leathar bàn
the sole of the shoe.
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leathar gheimse
chamois leather.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leathar-uachdair
top leather part of a boot or shoe.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leathnaich (v)
widen.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leathrach
leather.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leathtromach
Notes: in early stage of pregnancy.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leatraigeis
bhon Bheurla ‘letter-case’ – ‘wallet’. (An t-E. Sg.)
Location: [various]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leibhreagan
[lʹevɾəɡɑṉ] Quotation: leibhreagan a’ fhraoich. Notes: a small yellow flower which grows among the heather.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leibidach
[sic] unfortunate.
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leibideach
Quotation: duine [lʹebidʹɑx]. Notes: small, useless person.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leideag
Quotation: leideag, ceum is leum. Notes: hop, step and jump.
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leidigeadh
Quotation: Nadur de ghreim no siataig – leidigeadh anns a ghlùin.
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leidigean
Quotation: Cha b’ioghnadh ged a dh’fhaisgeadh do mhathair bhochd a dùirn t’athair s e gun eirigh ’san leidigean ’na ghluin.
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leig
Quotation: Na leig mi faicinn dhuit? Notes: Did I show you?
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leig
Quotation: Leig thusa dhuit. Notes: used by older people when they would ask a child to carry out a certain task and he or she didn’t do it. Roughly “Just you wait”.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leig
Quotation: Tha a’ bhó a’ leigeil foidhpe. Notes: starting to let the milk down to the udder before giving birth to a calf.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leig
Quotation: Leigidh e fon a’ reothadh seo. Notes: This frost won’t last.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leig
vb ‘allow’ : fut.: ~idh tu leatha settleadh fad na h-oidhche; cond.: dh’fhaodte nach biodh, nach ~eadh iad leotha [FMM]; vbl nn: ‘s b’fheudar dha an fheusag a ~ eil air; tha mi car ga ~eil seachad
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
leig
Quotation: Bha e direach gu leigeil roimhe leis a’ sgìos. Notes: He was just about giving up with fatigue.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leig
Quotation: Tha a’ phoit a’ leigeil as. Notes: the pot is leaking.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leig
Quotation: Tha a’ bhó a’ leigeil. Notes: said before a cow calves. Is [?] it the udder being let down, or the milk being let down into the udder. Barvas: “Tha i leigeil fòidhpe.”
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leig
Quotation: a’ leigeil [əlʹeɡʹɑl]. Notes: milk.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leig
Quotation: Tha i a leigeil foidhpe. Notes: cow about to calf (letting down the milk?).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leig
Quot.:  “A bheil e a’ leigeil fodha?” or “A bheil a’ là a’ leigeil fodha?” Note: “Is there an improvement in the weather?” e.g. a wet day. (Put also under fo.)
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leigeal
penetrating a (in)fested wound.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leigeas
[lʹeɡʹɑs] Quot.: “Bó a’ cumail leigeas ri t’éile.” Note: “leigeas” – the side of the face. Cattle standing like this, one side of the face towards the other beast, when threatening to fight. Can also be used of the human face. “’S e do leigeas a tha odhar.” – to someone who doesn’t look too healthy.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leigeil an uisge a poll
draining a peat-bank.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
leigeil-roimhe
‘letting it before him’, not eager to participate.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leighis?
Quotation: Na [leviʃ] e? Notes: Did it heal?
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leiristeil
Notes: lazy, lackadaisical, skittish. Source: Skye. Date: 20c.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leirsinn
[lẹ:rsinʹ] Quotation: “Bheil thu call do leirsinn?” Notes: sight.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leis
Quotation: (1) an taobh leis [t̪ulɤʃ]. (2) Tha thu air cladach leis. Notes: (1) the lea side. (2) You’re on the lea shore.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leitear
[lʹetʹɑð] Notes: mattressing on beds, usually a bottom layer of heather with a top layer of rushes.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leitheach
Quotation: “Bhiodh na h-uain ann an àite leitheach.” Notes: the lambs would be in a separate place.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leithsgeul
Quotation: ’S beag a’ leisgeul a bheireadh a’ chailleach do’n chill. Notes: when a person wants very much to go somewhere, given half a chance he will go.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leitir
[lʹetʹəð] Quot.: leitir thana. Note: an area of flat rocks going out into the sea.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leoba
small patch like a feannag.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
leocan
a flat wee stone of a pebble size.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leocan (m)
small flat stone. (‘c’ not ‘chc’)
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leocanach
having small stones, not pebble but small stones as in a quarry where blasting operation take [sic] place. They are more than chip sizes of crused [sic] stone, breakings from other stones. A place where a collection of them are [sic] to be found: ‘àite leocanach’ from ‘leocan’ – a small stone with sharp edges. (Referred to in back numbers of pages.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leogan
[lʹɔɡɑṉ] Note: small flattish stone as used to fill spaces in a stone dyke.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth
Quotation: Dé bha a dol leth ris? Notes: What was irritating, or irking him?
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth
nn ‘half’: gheibh thusa leth a bheathach chaorach a tha an seo
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
leth
Quotation: leth na gealaich. Notes: half moon.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth
Quotation: leth tràghadh. Notes: half-ebb.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth
Quotation: leth lionadh. Notes: half-flow.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth
Quotation: “fear air leth-laimh”. Notes: half a hand.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth
Quotation: “là air leth”. Notes: a special day – particularly good. E.g. “duine air leth”.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth sgodach
unkempt, careless, dilatory.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth(o)ir?
Quotation: Dh’èigh e mach orra as an lethoir. Notes: ?one by one?
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth, air
~ advb ‘special, separate’: beannachadh air ~; cha do chuir thu air ~ do pheasair idir; bha e air ~ air chuile gin, an job a bh’ aige
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
leth-bharaille-lìon
Notes: size of herring net (17 fathoms long x 8 fathoms deep).
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth-chas
Quotation: Chaneil ceàrr an seo ach a leth-chas. Notes: one strand in a mesh broken.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth-chois
Quotation: leth-chois, sinnteag, leum. Notes: hop, step and jump.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth-dhubhag (f)
Quotation: Bheirinn mo leth-dhubhag air. Notes: i.e. one of two.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth-fhacal
Quotation: Tuigidh fear-leughaidh leth-fhacal. Notes: a scholar can understand part of a statement. Applied to cryptic sayings [?]. Source: West Lewis.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth-ghàire
Notes: smug, self-satisfied, cynical smile.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth-laimh
Quotation: ag iasgach air leth-laimh. Notes: going 50-50 with the catch.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Framboise
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth-sgoideach
[lʹɛsɡɔdʹɑx] Quot.: “duine leth-sgoideach”. Note: applied to a person who was unfortunate in some way – perhaps there was something he had to do but couldn’t do it himself and would get no help.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth-sgriob
Quotation: a’ treabhadh air leth-sgriob. Notes: ploughing only in the one direction, e.g. where there is a fairly steep slope.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth-thrath (E)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
leth-uan
when one of a set of twins has died this is applied to the one that remains.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lethbhist
[lʹɛviʃdʹ] Quot.: “a [lɛviʃd] air do chasan tha thu ann!” Note: derogatory term.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lethchar coltach
rather like.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leug
[lʹiɑɡ] Note: scum, e.g. on water.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leugan
Quotation: Dh’fhuirich e leugan. Tha leugan bho chunnaic mi e. Notes: ‘ages’.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leugh
Quotation: a’ leughadh ùghdair [əlʹiɑvəɣu̟:d̪ɑɾ]. Notes: expression used when a lay preacher would read a sermon from a book.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum
Quotation: leth-chois, sinnteag, leum. Notes: hop, step and jump.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum
Quotation: Leum mo shròin orm. Notes: My nose started to bleed.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum
Quotation: ceum leum. Notes: stepping stones.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum
Quotation: léideag, ceum is leum. Notes: hop, step and jump.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum
Quotation: a’ gearradh leum. Notes: taking a jump.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum
Quotation: Thainig leum caoich ann! Notes: he burst into a fit of temper. [NOTES: the catch-word corrected to ‘leum caothaich’.]
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum
Quotation: leum fada; leum àrd, cruinn-leum.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum
Quotation: a’ spàl a’ leum. Notes: the shuttle being diverted from its path, usually due to the thread not running freely.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum
Quot.: “leum a’ bhradain”. Note: twisting oneself into the air from a position flat on one’s back on the ground or floor.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum
Quotation: leum cruinn-leum. Notes: or cruinn-leum. Jumping with both feet together.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum
“Thàinig leum de an t-siataig ’n a mo dhruim.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum droma
slipped disc. There is a tradition which says that a child who was born feet first has a healing power for this complaint. By walking on the afflicted person’s back the complaint is healed.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum luath
finger pulses. These terms derive from harp music, some of which were adopted into piping in the 17th c. [?].
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
leum-drama
Note: dislocation in the spine – slipped disc?
Origin: Stockinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum-dàir
cow mating, and taken to the indication of the necessary results.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum-leoga
flat pebbles, skimming across surface of water.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum-nan-ceithir
Quotation: Bha an t-each aig leum-nan-ceithir. Notes: at the gallop.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum-stall
Notes: step down to the todhar. Not in Dwelly, who however gives stall ‘edge of the floor next the byre in old thatched houses’ (DMy).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum-uisge
waterfall.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leumadair
Quotation: leumadair-an-fheòir. Notes: grasshopper.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leumadair
Quotation: leumadair an fheòir. Notes: grasshopper.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leurach
“The marriage customs were these: When a young pair had got through the leurach, or contract, and had agreed to get married with the consent of their relatives, a night was appointed for the reite, when the friends met and a feast was prepared, of which all were hearty partakers.” (page 199)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leus
cataract on the eye.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leòb
Quotation: Bheireadh tu leòb a t-òrdaig. Notes: a sliver.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leòba
a flat field.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leòcaid
Note: a fat, inactive woman.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leòr, gu
advb ‘plenty’: tha gu ~ do bheinn an siud fhathast
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
leób
[lʹo:b] Note: a piece of cultivated ground. “Feannag” understood here as being narrower than the “leób”.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leóba
[lʹo:bə] Note: pìos leathann de thalamh-àitich. Nas leathann na feannag [q.v.].
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leóbag
Notes: flatfish (flounder, plaice, etc.).
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leóbag-bhrathain
Dover sole (?). It is very round, like a turbot – perhaps a young turbot.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leóbag-bhrathainn
Note: turbot.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leóbag-bhrathann
[lʹo:bɑɡˈvɾɑən̪] Note: turbot.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leóbag-cham
Note: a flatfish (DJMK says it is a witch) which has its mouth and eyes the opposite way to the normal. Yellowish-brown colour.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liabag
Quotation: liabag uisge. Notes: black plaice – check.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liabag
Quotation: brod-liabag. Notes: a spear used for catching flatfish.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liabag chear
a flounder which is deformed in that its mouth is not in the usual location. [NOTES: ‘chear’ corrected to ‘cheàrr’.]
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liabh (sic)
Quotation: [lʹiɤvər[ɑi]v]. Notes: blade of the oar.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liabhach
a word used to indicate coldness of weather. “Latha liabhach fuar.”
Location: Lewis, Back
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liac
batch.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liac
Nuair a chitheadh na bodaich liac de ola air uachdar na mara ann am bàgh no a muigh air muir-mór, chanadh iad ‘liac an sgadan’. Agus dh’aithnicheadh iad nuair a bhiodh an sgadan ann, cho math.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liacradh
Quotation: liacradh an ime, ‘spreading … with finger’; ìm air a liacradh air. Notes: liacradh rather than sliacradh in 2nd instance, since no initial breathing seemed present. Not in Dw. but he gives liacadh ‘besmearing’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liadh
Quotation: liadh a’ raimh. Notes: blade of the oar.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liadh
piece going in water.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
liadhagan
somewhat similar [to langadar]. Big heavy leaves, growing on stalks.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liadhba
plot of potatoes, or piece of land where potatoes were once planted.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liagach
Quotation: liagach fuar.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liagach
Quotation: Tha e liagach fuar. Notes: a nip of cold in the air.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liaghag
seaweed moving to and fro in the sea water.
Location: Milngavie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liaghag
(f) Seaweed used for oats.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
liaghan
Quotation: long, stringy pieces of seaweed which foul the propellers of small boats. Float near the surface.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liaghra ?
1. revolving on floor, 4 arms with holes (2 or more) and pegs on which hank was spread revolving to make a ball for the warping frame. 2. hand ‘crois-iarna’ shape, 24 inches with a cross stick at either end (12 inches long) set at opposite angles; purpose to make hank of the yarn on the pearna (reel) of spinning [wheel?]. [NOTES: it is not clear if the above explanation refers to ‘liaghra’ (blue ink) or ‘crois-iarna’ (black ink) or both.]
Location: [Lewis], Arnol, Bragar and Uigen
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
lianag
[lʹ[ĩɑ̃]:ṉɑɡ] Notes: regular, flat piece of ground, usually grassy; also lianag fhraoich – level heather-covered area.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lianaraich
grass growing out of water.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liannail
something that is common. [NOTES: corrected to ‘lianail’.]
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liannaraidh
the green substance that gathers on the surface of peaty water. [NOTES: corrected to ‘lianaraidh’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lianranaich
a thin layer of a plant, if I may say a plant, on water, a pool, or on a shallow part of a freshwater loch. To my mind it’s something like green moss.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
liantach
[lʹĩɑ̃n̪t̪ɑx] Notes: hoar frost (liath-eigheantach?).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liaradh
used for winding the spun yarn. It had 3 spokes underneath a roundish piece of wood with a spike at the top where two long bits of wood were laid crossways with holes in them and with wooden pins in the holes to keep the hank until it was wound into a ball.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lias
Notes: a glowing peat used as a torch.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lias
[lʹiɑ̟s] Quotation: Cha lèir dhomh lias. Notes: glimmer of light.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lias
[lʹiɑs] Notes: torch made from a stick with a cloth at the end, dipped in oil and lit.
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lias
[ljɑs] Quotation: “Chan ’eil mi léirsinn lias.”
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lias
Quotation: Fhuair e droch ghearradh ’s dh’fhàg e lias air. Notes: a scar.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lias
[lʹɛ:s] Notes: gloss (as on furniture). [NOTES: note in second hand above the catchword – leus?]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lias
[lʹɛ:s] Notes: oil on the surface of the water, after the dogfish have been eating the herring. [NOTES: note in second hand above the catchword – leus?]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lias (m)
(gu sònraichte) bucas (mu 14" gach rathad, 7 mu 6' an doimhne) le glainne ’sa’ bhonn. Troimhe chitheadh tu air a’ ghrunnd an torran beag gainmhich anns an robh an leòbag. (Chitheadh fear eòlach an t-sùil aice.) Bha thu an sin a’ stiuireadh a’ mhorgha oirre. [NOTES: slipped under ‘liàs’.]
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
liatas
lettuce.
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath
the blade of the oar. [NOTES: note added under ‘liath’ – = liagh.]
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath
Quotation: Tha an t-aran a’ liathadh. Notes: The bread is turning mouldy.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath
(also) hero or admired person (still used here). Nach b’e mo liath e.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath
Quotation: an liath. Notes: blade of an oar.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath
[lʹiɑ] Notes: the blade of the oar.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath
Quot.: “Theab i mo liathadh.” Note: She nearly gave me grey hairs (metaphorically speaking).
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath
Quotation: aotrom liath. Notes: light blue (wool-dyeing).
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath
Quotation: trom liath. Notes: navy blue (wool-dyeing).
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath
[lʹıɤ] Note: pl. [lʹıɤhəṉ]. The mill-wheel blades.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath a raimh
Category: Eathraichean / Boats
liath reothadh
Category: Sìde / Weather
liath reothadh
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
liath reothadh
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
liath thruisg
fieldfare.
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath-chearc
“heath-hen”.
Category: Eòin / Birds
liath-chearc
Notes: the grey-hen, female of the black-cock.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath-chladach
An cladach eadar na creagan móra agus am feur. Is aithne dhomh a dhà no trì àiteachan air cùl a’ bhaile againn fhìn anns am bheil liath-chladach.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath-chladach (E)
An cladach eadar na creagan móra agus am feur. An cladach cumanta gheibh am muir thuige dìreach, airson a riasladh uair sam bith. Tha dhà no trì de’n t-seòrsa-sa ’s a bhaile againn fhìn.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
liath-fàil
air son cul an dùirn, bracelet.
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath-luid
a fool.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath-reodhadh
hoarfrost.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath-reodhadh
hoar frost.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath-reothadh
[lʹiɤɾɔɡ] Notes: hoar-frost.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath-reothadh
[lʹiɑɾ[ɤu̟]] Notes: hoar-frost.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath-reothadh
[lʹiɤɾɔɡ] Notes: hoar frost.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liath-reothadh
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
liath-reothadh
(air a’ làr air fad)
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
liath-rothadh
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
liath-truisg
field-fare.
Category: Eòin / Birds
liathag
the leafy seaweed part at one end of a tangle.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liathag
[lʹiɑɑɡ] Notes: trout. Dw. gives it as salmon-trout or grilse.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liathan
pet name for cattle.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liathanach sneachda
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liathas
an item received free like wood on the shore (say) and set aside for to be taken some other time: thence someone else coming and taking it. [SLIP: When an item has been in a place freely for the taking (eg. wood on the shore) and set aside to be picked up at a later date – and then someone else comes along and takes it!]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liathrath
a frame for winding wool. It was composed of two cross pieces of wood (making four arms) revolving on a centre-pin in a three-legged stand. There were pegs in the arms (one in each – adjustable by using different holes in the arms). The hank of yarn was held open and stretched by the pegs – much better than a person’s arms.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liathreadh
used for making balls (cearlean) from hanks.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liathruisgean
[lʹıɤɾu̟ʃɡʹəṉ] Quot.: na liathruisgean. Note: according to Calum, spell in autumn when food was very scarce, before the corn and barley had ripened properly.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liathruisgean
[lʹıɤɾu̟ʃɡʹəṉ] Quot.: na liathruisgean. Note: According to J. N. the lean time in early autumn when the shorter barley growing in shallow ground ripened earlier and was cut to provide food.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liathsgarach
Quot.: duine liathsgarach. Note: a far-sighted person (mentally).
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liathsgaradh
[lʹiɤsɡɑɾəɣ] Quot.: Bha e a’ liathsgaradh na móintich.” Note: going all over the place.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lideadh
[lʹidʹʒu̜] Quotation: Cha chluinn mi [lʹidʹʒu̜] Gàidhlig. Notes: I don’t hear a word of Gaelic.
Location: Sutherland, Talmine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lideadh
Quotation: (1) Chaneil lideadh de sgoil aige. (2) Chuala mi a h-uile lideadh dheth. Notes: He doesn’t have a whit of schooling. Same meaning as “drannadh” q.v. (confined to knowledge, education).
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lidhe
Notes: (Ness) grassy, sloping cliff. Not in Dw. Date: 1963.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lidreachadh
Quotation: Fhuair e lidreachadh math. Notes: He got a good beating.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lidrich
Quotation: Lidrichinn e. Notes: give a good beating.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ligear
[lʹiɡʹɑɾ] Quotation: glaine ligear. Notes: whisky.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lighe
the juice of boiled potatoes. Leighe [sic] a bhuntata.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lighe
Quotation: Tha lighe mhór san allt. Notes: spate.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lingeach
lynx. Type of cat found in Northern hemisphere.
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
linn
[lʹĩ:nʹ] Quotation: (1) Tha mi air linn a chuir sios. (2) Thàinig a’ linn as. Notes: (1) eggs put under hen. (2) eggs hatched.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
linn
nn ‘lifetime, generation’ : lem ~se, nuair a chaidh mise ag obair an toiseach; pl. bha iad bho chionn na ~ean air ais [DAG]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
linne
Notes: deep stretch of water in a river.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
linne
Quotation: linne thuathal. Notes: whirlpool, as at the bottom of a waterfall.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
linnseag
[lʹĩ:ʃɑɡ] Notes: a film, a thin coating.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lion
Quotation: a’ lionadh. Notes: the filling of the casks in the distillery.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lion
Quotation: lion leabag [lʹəṉ lʹe:bɑɡ]. Notes: flounder net.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lion
Quotation: Tha ’n airde ’n iar a’ lionadh. Notes: clouds are gathering in the west.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lion
Quotation: struth lionadh. Notes: flowing tide.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lion
Quotation: a’ lionadh na h-iteachanan. Notes: “filling” the spindles for going into the shuttle.
Origin: North Uist
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
lion suas is sios
a long ‘steep’ in catch solution.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
lion-aoig
colour of death or something of death. I am not too sure of its meaning. Tha lion-aoig air. The expression is rare if at all heard or documented?
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lion-bheag
airson glacadh adagan no cùiteagan ach bithidh am biorach gle thric a’ gabhail a bhiadhaidh. Maorach no feasgan mar bhiathadh air an dubhan.
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
lion-mhòr
acfhuinn air son glacadh throsg, easgann, no langa; adag no sgadan mar bhiathadh air an dubhan.
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
lionadh
support at the front of a boat attached to the keel.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lionadh
Feumaidh tu sgiobadh math gus lionadh na làraidh, ach le bhith dol gu làraidh muinntir eile anns a’ bhaile coisnidh tu iad gus a lionadh dhuit fhein.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
lionadh
Quotation: lionadh toisich; lionadh deiridh. Notes: brace fore and aft in a boat.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lionadh
Quotation: a’ lionadh iteachanan.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lionadh
Quotation: a cheud spùt de’n lionadh. Notes: first surge of the flood tide.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lionadh
Quotation: leth lionadh. Notes: half-flow.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lionadh
Quotation: (a) toiseachd lionadh. (b) leth lionadh. (c) àirde làin. Notes: (a) beginning of flood-tide. (b) half-flood. (c) full flood, high tide.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lionadh
Quotation: a’ lionadh. Notes: the inside row of sheaves in a cornstack; the core of the stack.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lionanaich
[lʹ[ĩɤ̃]ṉɑṉiç] Notes: green slimy weed growing in wells and streams. More noticeable in dry weather.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lionanaich
green soft hair-like weed. The same name is given to a similar weed found in fresh water, e.g. in wells. ‘Tha an tobair làn lionanaich.’
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lionn
beer. For constipation and stomach disorders (drinking beer).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lionn a’ bheathaich
Lionn air a dheanamh le beirm agus bùirn ’s mar sin. (Ma’s e lionn a th’ann.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lionn- or liùnn-na-biast
this word or term came across my mind at the moment, but at the same time I cannot remember the equivalent in English or the meaning in English. [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words. Catch-word: lionn-na-biast.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lionnadh
suppuration. Same as ‘liodhrachadh’ in other dialects. ‘Slànlus’ used to release the puss in such a condition.
Location: Barra, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lior
[lʹwɾ] Quotation: lior de rodain, de dh’fhaoileagan, de ròcaisean. Notes: a collection, usually of animals or birds.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lios
pronounced leas (ie.) leas càil - cabbage garden. Which would have to be walled. [NOTES: this fragment appears between ‘lios’ and ‘athbhull’ but it is not clear to which of the two definitions it belongs.]
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
liotraigeadh
a thrashing, beating. “Fhuair e liotraigeadh.” [NOTES: corrected to ‘liodraigeadh’.]
Origin: [Harris]
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
lireasta
collection; children collectively is [sic] described as or accounted for as: lireasta mhath ann dhuibh [sic]. From ‘litter’ Eng.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lithir
[ˈlʹıəð] Quot.: “Tha e air a dhol na lithir.” Note: e.g. said of ground that was harrowed till it had too plain a surface. (Also place in Carloway called Lithir – O.N. derivation.) [NOTES: note added by Richard Cox – p-n is [ˈLʹi-ið̥].]
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lithseag
cataract. Film on the eye.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lithseag
a film of grease, fat, etc.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liug
Quotation: Liug e. Notes: He avoided meeting someone, he shied off.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liumpanaich
long trailing sea-weed, string-like, which grows in thick patches in the summer. It can be dangerous to bathers. There is none in winter.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liunn
pool of water, melancholia, humours.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liunnachadh
[lʹw̃n̪ɑxəɣ] Notes: suppurating.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liut
[lʹu̟t̪] Quotation: A ’bheil dad a [lu̟t̪] agad air fighe? Notes: skill.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liùg
Quotation: Liùg e staigh. Notes: stink [sic].
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liùgadh
Quotation: a’ liùgadh [lʹu̟:ɡəɣ]. Notes: creeping; stalking a beast by keeping cover.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lobanadh
Quotation: Fhuair e lobanadh. Notes: He “went through the mill” in some way. Usually physical but could be mental as well.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lobhadh
Notes: rot in potatoes.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lobht
[ɫoxt̪] Quotation: lobht an fheòir. Notes: hay loft.
Origin: Kinlochourn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lobht’-a-bhallaiste
the flooring in a fishing boat over the ballast.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loc
Quotation: Bithidh a’ loc fhéin air MacGuaire, bitheadh i cruaidh na bog.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
locair
Quotation: Cha d’fhuair mi locair cadail fad na h-oidhche. Notes: I didn’t get a wink of sleep all night.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
locair
n. ‘plane’: bha locraichean an seo a bha aig m’ athair; locraicheangròbaidh; ~ mhòr do bheithe air neo do mheubail
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
locair
Quotation: (1) locair dùirn: hand plane. (2) locair mheadhonach: jack plane. (3) locair mhór: trying plane or half-long. Notes: plane.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
locair
Quotation: locair droma. Notes: half-round plane with a rounded steel bottom – used by wheelwrights.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
locair
Quotation: locair gròbaidh [ɡɾɔ:bi]. Notes: embraces moulding planes of all kinds.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
locair
Quotation: locair iaruinn. Notes: iron plane.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
locairean (n)
lockers (in a boat, etc.).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loch
Quotation: loch-tàmh. Notes: a pool from which water doesn’t run.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lochradh
such as: Lochradh le fallas – sweating heavily.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
locraich
Quotation: a’ locrachadh. Notes: plane.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lodag
[ɫɔd̪ɑɡ] Notes: soft, reddish-brown fish a bit like the catfish but with two barbels. Found sometimes in lobster creels.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lodair
[ɫɔd̪əɾ] Notes: a wooden collecting ladle used in church. (Seen in church at Aird, Sleat.)
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lodan
Quotation: Tha sin mar reothadh na lodain làn. Notes: It doesn’t last long.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lodan
Quotation: “Cha mhair reothadh an lodain làin.” (Proverb)
Location: Spean Bridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lodan
[ɫɔd̪ɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: reothadh an lodain làin. Notes: something that won’t last. Pool full of water, small crust of ice.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lodarna
Quotation: Tha e [ɫɔd̪w̃ṉ]. Notes: cheeky, forward.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lodragan
a small pool of water, e.g. in an otherwise dry peat bog.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
log(hd)air
locker (boat).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loga (I)
Bha cuimhne aig m’athair a bhith toirt fiodh ciste-laighe as a’ logainn nuair a bhàsaicheadh duine. Agus sin leis an t-sàbh-mhór. Làithean cruaidhe bha siod! (As a’ logainn, mar a chanadh na bodaich. ’Se a chanas sinne an diugh as a’ loga. ’Se còmhradh nam bodach bu chearta.)
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
logaid
locket, chain locket of a pocket watch.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
logais
afterbirth of animals. That of humans always burnt to prevent fairies from stealing babies.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
logais
I’m sorry I can’t identify this one. I remember an old fisherman making reference to it. He spoke about ‘na logaisean muigh as a chuan’ when he went there with the great lines in his youth. Whatever they were, they had a voracious appetite! This summer I heard the phrase ‘Dhitheadh e man logais.’ Perhaps they were a kind of slug – anyway, if the great lines were left too long, the whole catch was eaten.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loidhneachan
ropes that were tied to the bit in a horse’s mouth. Held by the ploughman at the plough’s handles. Used to steer and turn the horse in the necessary direction.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loin
healthy, fluffy coat of hair on cattle as a result of being fed by the above meal [i.e. min laogh (q.v.)].
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loin
Quotation: a’ loineadh eisg. Notes: spoiling food by handling it too much; pawing anything.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loinidh
rheumatics – in old cattle after having been inside all winter.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
loinn
Quotation: Ghabh e loinn dheth dhol air ais. Notes: He took a notion/fancy to go back.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loinneachan
fat round kidneys.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loirceag
female. Could loircean [q.v.] be opposite – masculine. I remember hearing it being used and it was used in its proper context, I think it was. [SLIP: Heard only once – probably female equivalent of ‘loircean’ q.v. – small, fat baby or boy.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loircean
a fat small baby or boy.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loireach
Notes: used e.g. of wishy-washy, ‘dish-water’ tea. Dw. gives loireach ‘soiled’ (Dmy), etc.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loireadh
[ɫɔʔɾəɣ] Quotation: “Nach e a fhuair a’ loireadh.” Notes: a good pummelling.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loireag
female; a female also attributed to Celtic mythology considered a supernatural agent present at various domestic works: at the waulking of tweed etc. It may have derived from loireach – word used on Scalpay still is [sic] thus: Nach e tha loireach – unclean or rather partly cleaned.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loirean
untidy baby. A baby when crawling into some mess is referred to as a ‘loirein bhig’. May have derived from ‘loireach’. [NOTES: the quotation on the slip reads ‘a loirein bhig’. Definition: A baby is referred to as such when it crawls into some mess.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lom
Quotation: Bha am muir lom. Notes: The sea was calm.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lom
lean in flesh, short in coat.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
lom-na-dalach
Quotation: An òrdag mhór air lom na dalach. Notes: part of sole actually on the ground.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loma
skimmed milk; bainne lom (“o” acute, short, not ow; Strathspey, Perth, etc.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lomadair
applied to someone who sheared sheep. Also used in a wider sense indicating that the majority of people in a village were involved in crofting.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lomag
a grassy patch.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loman dearg
edge of deep water, round loch side (Perths. N.E.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lon-chraois
a voracious appetite, e.g. “Uill a’ bhalaich tha ’n lon-chraois ’na do bhroinn.” The explanation I remember given was that there was a beast inside one that ate the person’s food. I was very young when told this by my mother!
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lonaid
Notes: lane for cattle. Dw. has lònaid ‘lane’ (from the Kilmonivaig District).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lonaig
[ɫɔ̃ṉiɡʹ] Notes: a beaten path, e.g. through the croft.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lonaig
Notes: boundary path between crofts.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lonaig
Notes: a path through the croft.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lonaig
Notes: footpath through the croft. (According to MMK it was on the boundary between crofts with a wall on each side to allow passage for cattle without letting them into the corn, etc.)
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lonaig
[ɫɔ̃ṉeɡʹ] Notes: the right of way for cattle going to the “cul-cinn”.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lonaig (f)
grass path between plots, etc.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
long
Quotation: Am fear a ghleidheas an long, gheibh e là seòlaidh.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
long-athair
airship.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
long-fhada
long boat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
long-fhada
(also) long-boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
longag
I am not quite sure of this one either. I know it refers to wood, a ship-model, or a piece of rail-wood, in some wooden implement, a handle part, perhaps of a churn (crannachan). I cannot at the moment say exactly. I have the word: it was used or common in past years. [SLIP: ‘Possibly refers to something made of wood – a ship-model or the handle of a churn’ – informant unsure.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
longag
sling made with leather and two pieces of string. Could throw stones a great distance, but not accurately.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
longag
Clach a bhiodh fo cheann roth na muilne (water mills).
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
longag (I)
(Fuaimnich seo ‘lungag’.) Chan eil ainm àrraid sam bith agam air an leathar.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
lorg
Quotation: Cha d’thainig duine riamh [d̪ɔxuɾɫɔɾɑɡ] air. Notes: No one ever came to claim it.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lorg
Quotation: lorg bata. Notes: straight part of a walking stick.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lorg
Quotation: bonnach luirgeadh [ɫu̜ðiɡʹəɣ]. Notes: formerly given to a person who reported the birth of a lamb, the birth being unknown to the owner. Within memory it was a raw egg or two that was given. (Dw. lorg 15. progeny, offspring.)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lorg
Quotation: Cha lorgainn idir e. Bha i ga lorg fhèin. Notes: ‘blame’.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lormadh
[ɫɤɾəmu̜] Quotation: a’ lormadh nan caorach. Notes: dipping sheep.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loromachd
[ɫɤɾɤmɑxk] Quotation: dearg loromachd. Notes: stark naked.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
losaid
[ɫosɑdʹʒ] Notes: ashet for potatoes.
Location: Coll, Arinagour
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
losaid
[ɫɔsidʹ] Quot.: “bó a’ dol as a losaid”. Note: dislocating the hip-joint.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
losaid
Quot.: “a’ dol as a losaid”. Note: dislocation of the hip-joint.
Origin: Stockinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
losaid
[ɫoswdʹʒ] Notes: a round wooden ashet for holding potatoes at mealtimes.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
losaid
[ɫɔsidʹ] Quot.: “Bó air a dhol as a losaid.” Note: cow with a dislocated hip joint.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
losgadh
Quotation: Bha losgadh anns an uisge. Notes: phosphorescence.
Origin: Carradale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
losgadh
phosphorescence. (Burning, the burning in Tarbert English.) This reveals the presence of herring at night, hence ‘Gheobh sinn iad ’san losgadh.’
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
losgadh brathad
indigestion.
Location: Harris, Rodel
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
losgadh-cas
Notes: caused by dried sweaty socks in summer.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
losgaid
Quotation: pollag losgaid. Notes: toadstool.
Origin: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lot
(f) Allotment; cultivated plot; croft.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
lot
(f) Allotment; cultivated plot; croft.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
lot
(f) Allotment; cultivated plot; croft.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
lot
Quotation: Lot i mi. Notes: She stung me.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lota
Quotation: Tha gàrradh aig bonn na lot(a). Notes: lot/lota ‘croft’. Not in Dw. Source: common Lewis usage (D.S.T.). Date: 1973.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lotachan
Cultivated plots (collectively).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
lotaichean
Cultivated plots (collectively).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
lothach
bedraggled. (Pronounced with English ‘th’ sound, i.e. ‘loth’ as in English ‘cloth’ but with the Gaelic double ‘l’ sound at the beginning of the word.)
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
luachair
bulrushes. Was [sic] used in thatchings, and as an absorbent of fuel oil, liver oil, etc. in giving light.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
luachair
Notes: used to cover potatoes in the pit where it was available.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luachair
Quotation: an dearc luachrach. Notes: lizard.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luadh, luathadh
[ɫuə [?], ɫuəʔəɣ] Notes: noun and genitive of luadh ‘ashes’. [NOTES: slipped under ‘luath’.]
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luaidh
[ɫu̜əi] Quotation: an luaidh. Notes: sinker.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luaidhe
(also) fish-detector, detecting by lead sinker and line. ’G fhaireachduinn leis an luaidhe. [NOTES: the quotation on the slip reads ‘’ga fhaireachdainn leis an luaidhe.’]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luamhgha
[ɫũɑ̃ɣə] Note: part of sheep’s entrails used in the making of marags. A part closed at the narrow end, opening out to a wide mouth. This mouth is stitched across. (This is not a’ ghlas mhór or a’ ghlas bheag. [See glas.])
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luamhsgradh
[ɫ[ũ̜ɑ̃]sɡɾəɣ] Notes: stirring water and making it dirty by causing sediment to be dispersed through it.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luasgan
[ʁ̫u͜əskan] n. ‘great activity (of a crowd)’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
luath
adj : ‘fast’: cha robh mi ‘ drive-adh ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
luath
ash.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
luath
[fem.] ashes.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
luath 1
adj. ‘fast’: ’s a’ bualadh cho ~, dìreach, ris an dealanach
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
luath 2
vb. ‘waulk’: VBL. N.: cha ~adh sin an clò idir; an dòigh ’ bh’ aca air ~ an seo;
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
luath is deargannan
When a person frequented a house, perhaps rather often. ‘Tha e air luath is deargannan a dheanamh ann.’
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luath ri geàrr
as fast as a hare.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
luath ris an neas
as fast as weasel.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
luath-réim
rapid progress.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luathadh
[ʁ̫u:-əɣ] n. ‘waulking’: a dhol sìos ai’son ~ach shin do’l [nuair] a bha angnothach ’ faighinn air a ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
luathair
Quotation: Cha thill e air a’ luathair. Notes: It will be a while before he returns.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luathair
[luʔɑ˖r] Notes: chimney stack inside the house.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luathaireach
[ɫu̜ɤhəðɑx] Quotation: buntata luathaireach. Notes: early potatoes.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luathaireach
Quotation: clann luathaireach. Notes: restless, always on the move and up to something.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luathaireach
early crop. Buntàta luathaireach – early potatoes. (Scalpay)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luathaireach
Notes: restive.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luathbheul
someone who was quick to criticise.
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luaths-analach
“Mu’s do dhìrich mi an cnoc thàinig orm stad dà uair leis an luaths-analach.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luba-dubh
Quot.: “Ceithir lùban-dubha [sic] fichead agus da ìsbean dheug.” Note: what the entrails (other than the stomachs) of a cow consisted of.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luba-ghorm
Notes: the water, urine, etc. seeping from a dung-heap and collecting in a pool.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lubht
[ɫu̜t̪] Quotation: Shuas air a’ [ɫu̜t̪]. Notes: for lobht.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lubraich
[ɫu̜bɾiç] Quotation: a’ lubraich. Notes: splashing about in water.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luchag
Quotation: An làir a’ tighinn faisg air a h-àm – an luchag a’ fas farsuinn.
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luchd
nn ‘crew, company’: agus chòrd seo cho math le ~ ud an soitheach
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
luchd giodail
flatterers. Iain Lom ‘Lament for Sir L. MacLean’.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luchd monadh
boatload usually. (Berneray)
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
luchd-mona
name for cargo of peats in boat.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
luchdaichte
fully filled with cargo, as a boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ludagan nan cliathan
hooks joining two harrows together.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
luga
[ɫuŋɡə] Quotation: Gheibh thu lugaich ’s an tràigh ann an grunnd creadhadh. Notes: lug worm.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luga
Lug worm. Bidh iad so fodha anns a’ ghainmhich nuair a tha am muir a muigh. Bidh tuill shéididh aca, agus chi thu a’ ghainmheach no an làghach a chladhaich iad a mach as na tuill, nam buaileagan cruinn timchioll nan toll. ’Se biadhadh math lin bheaga a tha annta.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
lugais
Quotation: lugais de dhuine. Notes: a clumsy, ungainly man.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lugaisd
[ɫu̜ɡɑʃdʹ] Quot.: “lugaisd de theatha”. Note: used of tea or any liquid which is not very palatable.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luibh bheathaiche
vegetarian.
Origin: ‘Islay connections’
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luibhre
Quotation: an luibhre. Notes: leprosy.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luicheannan (sic)
[ɫu̜çən̪əṉ] Quotation: àm bristeadh na luicheannan. Notes: at the time of budding.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luid
Quotation: luid uisge. Notes: thin covering of water on the ground. (pl. of lod?)
Location: Ross-shire, Achnahaird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luid
Quotation: Phòs mi luid airson na cuid, Dh’fhalbh an cuid ach dh’fhàn an luid. Notes: “slut”.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luid
[ɫu̜dʹ] Quotation: “Bu tu a’ luid!” Notes: clumsy person.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luid
[ɫu̟tʃ] Notes: a woman who was bad at housework.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luideag
Quotation: Meall is caith agus tilg nan luideagan air an dùnan iad.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luideagach
having bits of torn clothes. Le luideagan a suathadh. Dh’fhalbh an ceot’ [?] na luideagan. Bu luideagach e co dhiu.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luidhainn
a wooden board to which a rod would be attached. Situated near the vent at the top of an old house which had a fire in the centre of the room. The board would be adjusted according to wind direction so that the smoke would be carried away. [NOTES: note added above ‘luidhainn’ – luidhein.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luidreadh
messing about as in a child playing in soap suds. Also in sense of being tossed about whilst on a boat. “Bha mi air mo luidreadh a’ tighinn air a’ bhàta.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luidreadh
Quotation: Na bi ’ga luidreadh. Notes: careless stirring of a liquid, especially a liquid which should not be stirred, e.g. cream.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luim
[ɫ[ɤ̃ĩ]m] Quotation: Thàinig luim rodain. Notes: a horde. Often used of unwelcome creatures like vermin.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luin
[ɫũ̜nʹ] Quotation: “Mial-chu féidh ’s a (e?) leum air buinnig ’s a’ luin cha chumadh i fàir air.” Cho luath ris a’ luin. Notes: shimmering heat haze as seen on the horizon.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luireach
[sic] armour, tattered old coat. Lùireach de chòt’ air.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luireagachan
[ɫuirʹikʹɑ̟xɑ̟n] Quotation: luireagachan a f[?]eadh iad nis.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luirgeachan
that part of a tether between the horse’s feet and the swivel.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luiriste
[ɫu̜ɾiʃtʹ] Note: “Te chaol àrd gun aille gun dreach ’s gun rath air a h-obair.”
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luis
water rushing-out.
Location: Ross-shire, Muir-of-Ord
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lunadh
Quotation: ’Se thoill ach a lunadh. Notes: belabouring with a stick.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lungag (bheag)
sling made from a piece of leather, to hold a stone, and two strings, one looped to go on the forefinger and the end of the other knotted to hold between forefinger and thumb. It was swung round the head until sufficient momentum was obtained and then the knotted end was released allowing the stone to fly off.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
lungaid
Quotation: lungaid (Tong); lungag (Lochs). Notes: Dw. has neither but quotes longadh (Armstrong) in sense of ‘casting, throwing’. Habost man who was displeased with small son-in-law: “Chunna sinn’ a là a chuireadh sinn le lungag a-null a Bhaltos e.”
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lunn
that part of the oar which you gripped with your hands.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lunn
air a lunn fàgail – at the point of leaving. [NOTES: the slip has ‘air a’ lunn fàgail’. Definition: ‘On the point of leaving’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lunn
Notes: wooden roller put under a boat, also used for the wooden supports used under the sides of the boat to keep it upright.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lunn
used for waulking and consisting of washing-soda, melted soap and warm water.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
lunn
piece inside boat.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
lunn
the bearing plate.
Location: [Lewis], Leurbost
Category: Muileann Lochlannach / Norse Mill
lunn
Quotation: na lunnan. Notes: rollers put under a boat.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lunn
Notes: roller under a boat; also used for the supporting props put under the boat to keep it upright.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lunn
Quot.: “Rinn thu lunn is latha.” Note: ri duine a bha a’ soirbheachadh gu math. Also used in Barvas thus: “Rinn e a lunn ’s a latha air” of eating more than enough of anything.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lunn
Quotation: na lunnan [ɫũ̜n̪əṉ]. Notes: rollers put underneath the boat.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lunn
Note: roller under a boat.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lunn (pl. lunnan)
joke(s) on which a boat rests.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lunn (pl. lunnan)
Notes: a support for carrying coffin. One fixed at each end. Source: Tiree. Date: 1974.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lunnan
cur fo’n an eathar ’na tarraing.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lunnan
Quotation: na lunnan. Notes: funeral bier.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luntaradh
to beat up, knock about. Similar to ‘liodraigeadh’.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lurach
really handsome (girl), more extreme than ‘grinn’ [q.v.], the ultimate!
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
lurg
Quotation: Bha mi as a’ choille a’ gearradh luirg. Notes: straight hazel wands used for making walking sticks with a horn handle. (Lurg bat: the straight part of a walking stick.)
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lurga-lom
[ɫu̜ɾəɡə ɫ[ɤu̟]m] Quot.: a’ toirt a mach a’ lurga-lom. Note: when a beast (cow) was killed there was a test of strength only the strongest could attempt – that of severing the leg at the knee by twisting the lower part of the leg with the hands. (In Uig known as “a’ toirt a mach an dòrn bhuar”.) There is some confusion as to whether the knee joint or the “ankle” joint  was the one severed – some say one, others the other. Puilean says definitely the knee joint.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lus a’ chorracha-mille
Notes: not in Dw. A fern-like plant with long roots, and globules or nodules on the ends of the roots. Those were dug up, scraped and eaten – or stored and eaten later, like nuts. Found, e.g. at the Ard Fhalasgair, Keose. Cf. MacBain, sub carra-meille (in Dwelly).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lus chrùn
a wreath.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lus-an-laoigh
Notes: plant like the water lily but doesn’t flower.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lus-analach
short-breathed. [SLIP: Short of breath.]
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
lus-na-caitheamh
Notes: meadowsweet. People afraid to take it into house – thought to disseminate TB.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lus-nan-laogh
a drink made of a green leaf. Boiled and given to calves for constipation. Also used to alleviate throat complaints.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lus-nan-laogh
Calf plant. Disease: bad blood, e.g. boils. Part used: the whole plant’s infusion. How prepared: boiled in water, and then the water drunk, a little occasionally. Sources of information: traditionally. A lady still living on Scalpay told me her father drank it for boils on the skin, and he was cured likewise. It was traditionally referred to here (Scalpay) that the plant of which the medical curable properties, [sic] necessary for the patient’s cure, was within a little distance of the house he lived in.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
lusan
herbs. [NOTES: slipped under ‘lus’ with ‘pl. lusan’ as the quotation. Definition: Herb.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lusan-garbha
a collection of strong plants of various species like nettles and thistles growing on a neglected patch of land. Tha e air a dhol fo lusan garbha.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lusgainn
[ɫu̜sɡĩnʹ] Quot.: “Cho geur ris a’ lusgainn.” Note: could be said of a knife. Doesn’t know what “lusgainn” is or was.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luspach
clumsy, not alert female. A luspach a bha thu ann. – what a slow person you were when you did act (lit. meaning).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luspardan
applied to a castrated animal. Also applied to humans in a derogatory sense implying uselessness and effeminacy. “Chan eil unnad ach luspardan gun fheum.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luth-luath
the shiver above the fire in the open on a hot day.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luthair
an athlete.
Location: North Uist, Lochmaddy, Crombagh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luthasachadh
Notes: ‘permission; licence’. Source: Argyll. Date: 20c.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Là nam Bodaich. Notes: Friday of Communions.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Droman
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Thug e dhomh mo là dubh. Notes: He gave me the works. (Can be physical or verbal.)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: là cuileagach. Notes: i.e. when the barley (to feed the bannock) was ripening, in August and September, – a bad time for midges.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Là na strùthan. Notes: Michaelmas – 29 September.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Là na Ceist. Notes: Friday of Communions.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Droman
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Là a’ mhartair a’ dh’fhuiling. Notes: St. Swithin’s Day (?). (Weather connection.)
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: là bàillidh. Notes: the day the rent was paid.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Là Taingealachd. Notes: Monday of Communions.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Droman
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: La [sic] roimh’ ’n dé [ɫɑ:ɾɔnʹdʹe:]. Notes: the day before yesterday.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: là na gogaireachd [ɡɔɡəɾɑxk]. Notes: April Fool’s Day.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: La [sic] ullachaidh. Notes: Saturday of Communions.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: là sgathaidh. Notes: see “sgathadh”.
Location: Stornoway, Melbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: là biathadh a’ bhannaich. Notes: i.e. when the barley (to feed the bannock) was ripening, in August and September, – a bad time for midges.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: ’S ann ort a thainig an da là! Notes: change of circumstances.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: là na gocaireachd. Notes: April Fool’s Day. Barra – Là na Feachaireachd.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Là Tràsgaidh. Notes: Thursday of Communions.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Droman
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Là Taingealachd. Notes: Monday of Communions.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Chuir mi an là air a’ chrois-iarna. Notes: I didn’t do anything useful all day; I frittered the day away.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Là Ullachaidh. Notes: Saturday of Communions.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Droman
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: là roimh ’n dé [ɫɑɾɔ̃nʹe:]. Notes: the day before yesterday.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Là traisg. Notes: Communion Thursday.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: “Bha là eile aig fear buain na mòna.”
Location: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: duine gun dà là, duine gun là idir.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: là do dhunaich. Notes: the day of your disaster.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Là na Taingealachd. Notes: Thanksgiving Day. Not in Dw., though taingealachd is. Source: Lewis usage (D.S.T.). Date: 1972 (recalled).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: La [sic] na sàcramaid. Notes: Communion Sunday.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Là gogaireachd. Notes: April Fool’s Day.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: ’Se sin a’ là thigeadh gad iarraidh. Notes: used as a warning to a person who was threatening to do something.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Là fosgladh an t-sealg. Notes: 12th August.
Origin: Blackburn, near Glentarff
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Là na traisg.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Chan e là marbhadh na féidh là biathadh nan coin.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Cha b’e an là am fear nach tigeadh.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: ’S e nach reiceadh a’ chearc air là fliuch.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: La [sic] ribeach, robach, citheach, ceothach, gun ghaoith, gun thioradh, gun uisge. Notes: heavy day with low cloud.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quot.: “là eadar-a-shian”. Note: a good day in a spell of bad weather.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: an ceann-là. Notes: calving date.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Là na gogaireachd. Notes: April Fool’s Day.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
là iasaid
Là air leth math agus freagarrach airson nì fhaighinn air a dhèanamh.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
là-fèille
Quotation: Gheibh e a làithean-fèille. Notes: He’ll get a row, telling off.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
là-iasad
[ɫɑ·iɤsd̪] Quot.: “O, ’s e là-iasad a bh’ann an diugh!” Note: if one got a fine day in a spell of bad weather. Would say this if it looked threatening again at the end of the fine day.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làdachd
fullness. Thug e as làdachd. Fhuair i làdach [sic] ud. – volley as a battleship hitting another. Ex-navy men [sic] telling how in a sea battle, was heard saying describing the scene: Fhuair i làdach [sic] ud air a teis meadhonn. (Harris) (one meaning)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làdhadh
rutting in cats.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làgaraid
Note: a tidal wave, most noticeable in a shallow inlet. Doesn’t occur with every tide, or not noticeable. Often precedes bad weather.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làghail
knowing their rights, argumentative. [NOTES: corrected to ‘laghail’.]
Origin: Skye
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
làgraid
the forward and receding tidal movement of the sea over the usual ebb and flow, signifying or a sign of approaching unsettled or stormy weather. (Word still in use.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làidir
Quotation: talamh làidir. Notes: ground which has lain fallow for a number of years.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làipseach
Quotation: Thoir dha làipseach mhath. Notes: a big plateful.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làir
Quotation: bainne na làireadh. Notes: given to a person who had asthma.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làir ghlas
Notes: falmar [sic] [fulmar?]. Source: Port Hood, Nova Scotia and Arisaig, Scotland. Date: 20c.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làir-bhreabach
Quotation: làir-bhreabach [ɫɑ:ðəvðebɔx] (sic). Notes: swing.
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làmh
Quotation: air an làmh bhàn. Notes: (heard in Lewis) a hire purchase, deferred payment.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làmh
Quotation: làmh riut. Notes: beside you.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làmh
power, authority. “Tha làmh mhath aige.”
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làmh
Quotation: làmhan a’ chruinn.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làmh
Quotation: Siubhadaibh, siubhadaibh, lamhan [sic] oirbh! Notes: said, for example, when a crew is filling a lorry full of peats and beginnnig to slacken a bit.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làmh
Quotation: Cha làmhadh [ɫɑ̃:əɣ] e air a dheanamh. Notes: equivalent of “Chan fhaigheadh e air a dheanamh”.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làmh
Quotation: S’ fhada làmh an fheumanaich.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làmh fhuar
Quotation: ’Se duine b’fheàrr ann an Uibhist air an làmh fhuar. Notes: tearing off limb from cow’s carcase by hand.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làmh-na-bucaid
handle of the bucket used in a boat for drawing water from the sea.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làmhach
adj. ‘greedy’: bha an Sasannach gu math ~ [ʁ̫a͂:-ux]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
làmhach[d]
(làmhthuagh) [ˈɫ̫ɑvˌux ] ‘tongs’: bha ~ aige, a bheireadh air a sin (‘an instrument for catching’, tongs); shin agad an ~ a bh’ agad (‘anything you have to catch in your hand to do something else with’)
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
làmhaidh
[ɫɑ̃:fi] Notes: hatchet.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làmhaidh
[ɫɑ̃:fi] Notes: hatchet.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làmpa eolain
a lamp lit with the aid of seal oil or any other fat.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làn
adj. ‘full’ : bha e cho ~ le na breugan 's gu robh e ' faighinn air adhart leatha
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
làn
Quotation: àirde làin. Notes: high tide.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làn
Quotation: Bha e cho làn ri muc. Notes: drunk.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làn
Quotation: Bha làn a chota mhóir orm. Notes: drunk.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làn
Quotation: luma-làn. Notes: as full as is possible.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làn dith
fill of. “Làn dith do bheatha.” Surprisingly not in Dwelly.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làn dùrna
handful of oatmeal, grain etc.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
làn siubhal
a vessel travelling at full speed.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làn-a-chnàmhan
full capacity, as reference to a well-proportioned female partner, fat, etc. Tha làn a chnàmhan aige. [SLIP: ‘Used of a well-proportioned female partner’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làr
Quotation: làr fhaisgeanta [ɫɑ:ɾɑʃɡʹɑ̃n̪t̪ə]. Notes: winnowing floor.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làr
Quotation: Chaneil cho fad o chaidh sin mu làr. Notes: It is not so long since that came to an end.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làr
Quotation: Am fear nach eil a’ làr [əɫɑ:ɾ]. Notes: “He who is dead” or “He who was here but is now dead”.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làr an latha
daybreak.
Origin: [Harris]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làr creatha
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
làr-an-latha
daybreak, (or at) sunrise.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làr-cheapa
[ɫɑ̟:rçẹp̊ə] Notes: spaid beag airson buain sgrath.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làrach
Quotation: làrach na cruach (sic). Notes: foundation area of stack.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làrach a’ mhulain
stone foundation (corn). Only in damp clay ground. Wooden tripods only used in the field – i.e. with rucannan-achaidh [q.v.].
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
làrach a’ ruca
stone foundation (hay). Only in damp clay ground. Wooden tripods only used in the field – i.e. with rucannan-achaidh [q.v.].
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
làrach na sìg / cruaich
Foundation of stack.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
làrach-at-a-bhuinn-duibh
a mark left after the disappearance of the swelling, festering wound.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
làrach-na-banachaig
mark left after inoculation.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
làraichean
foundations (plural).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làthach
mud; mud flat covered by high tide, or floods.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làthaireachd
atmosphere. Bha làthaireachd mhiorbhuileach anns an eaglais.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lèana
[lʹĩɑ̃ṉə] Note: a grassy patch.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lèana
a flat field.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lèanag
[lʹɛ̃:ṉɑɡ] Notes: a green patch of ground.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ataran
[lʹɛ:t̪əɾɑṉ] Notes: area in front of the pulpit where the elders sat.
Origin: Culkein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atran
[lʹe:t̪ɾɑṉ] Notes: area in front of the church where the elders sit.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Balvoolich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
léibhidh
not totally sure of this but informant thinks this means either a soum of land or the amount of animals appropriate to pasture on amount of land.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
léideag
Quotation: léideag, ceum is leum. Notes: hop, step and jump.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
léig-chruthaich
Notes: soft, bouncy piece of ground – layer of water underneath top skin.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
léig-chruthaich
Note: a bog with a layer of water underneath making the surface layer bouncy.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
léine
Quotation: léine chriomaidhean [xɾw̃miɑ̃n]. Notes: grey striped shirt, collarless, as worn by the ‘bodaich’ (originating from Crimean War?).
Location: Stornoway, Melbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
léine
Quotation: léine-gheal. Notes: the skin inside the shell of an egg.
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
léine
Quotation: léine bhàis. Notes: winding shroud.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
léirsinn
Quotation: “Ciamar tha thu ’léirsinn ’s an dorchadas?” Notes: to see.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fat that settles on surface of soup after cooking with meat.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oil of herring on surface of cooking water.
Location: Harris, Horgabost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lʹı:] Note: a thin film, e.g. oil, on the surface of water.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lìbhrig
gave up. Librig [sic] e’n deò. He gave up the ghost. [NOTES: the slip has ‘lìbhrig’ as the catch-word, with the quotation: ‘Lìbhrig e’n deò’ and explanation: ‘He gave up the ghost’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lìgh
an oily surface indicating the presence of herring. [NOTES: corrected to ‘lìth’.]
Location: [South Uist], South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lìnn chlach
nets with stone weights attached to the bottom rope.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lìobhrachdainn
Quotation: Tha e a’ lìobhrachdainn [lʹi:ɾɔxkĩnʹ] na litrichean. Notes: he is delivering the letters. Lìobhraig.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lìobhragach
[lʹi:vɾɑɡɑx] Notes: green slimy growth found in wells, streams, etc. during dry weather. Also applied to green growth on slates or on wood cast ashore.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lìogaire (E)
Duine lìogach. (Faic MacGhillfh.) (lìgeach) Duine slaodach, cuideachd a bhiodh a’ lìogaireachd. Cha b’ann gu taobh molaidh a bhiodh ‘lìogaire’ a’ claonadh uair sam bith. [SLIP 1: A slow-moving person, deliberate in gait.] [SLIP 2: lìogaireachd. Definition: Verb of ‘lìogaire’ q.v.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
lìon
the netting. Attached to base by marlin twine – sreanganan (strings).
Origin: An Ros Muileach [Ross of Mull]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
lìon
Quotation: “Tha ’n àirde ’n iar a’ lìonadh.” Notes: threatening clouds gathering in the west.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lìrean
[lʹi:ɾɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: or lìrean uaine. Notes: green growth which grows in wells and in the sea. Very noticeable in wells in dry weather. (Probably “lionanaich”.)
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lìte
taken at supper time. Made with oatmeal or Indian meal.
Origin: Uibhist a’ Deas [South Uist]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
lìthseag
a skin like covering on cattle’s excrement. Indicates that the beast is not in good health.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lìthseag
black stripes appearing in cattle’s excrement. Taken as a sign of impending poor health and especially as a sign of constipation.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lòban
a sledge with wickerwork sides to drag peats, dung, etc.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lòchradh
shining; lòchradh le fallas – shining with sweat (N.E.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lòchran
located in Roman Catholic chapels. Usually located beside the tabernacle. A red coloured glass cylinder with a candle burning inside at night.
Location: South Uist, Geirinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lòdachadh
Quotation: a’ lòdachadh an àth. Notes: loading the kiln with grain.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lòdadh
Lòdadh a mach le fallus. “Chan eil Donnchadh glé mhath (’na shlàinte). Thàinig air suidhe ri taobh an rathaid, agus lòd e a mach le fallus.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lòg
fee (Beaton’s MSS).
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lòin
rheumatism.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
lòineachan
Faic lòinean Dwelly t-d. 596. 2. (D.M.K.) ‘The fat covering of the kidneys of beef or mutton (Caithness).’ Tha againne lòineachan. “Tha geir mhath air na lòineachan aige.” ’Se seo a’ gheir a tha ris an druim aige a’ bheathach. Nuair a tha an t-ainmhidh marbh agad air a’ dhruim, tha am muinne air uachdar agus na lòineachan gu h-ìosal, ’se sin ris an drùim.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
lòineag
Note: a piece of fluff, as on a jacket when the hairs on it gather together.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lòinidh
refers to the healthy glow of an animal’s coat of hair.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lòinidh
rheumatism / sciatica. Cured by seal’s oil which was either rubbed in or drunk.
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lòinidh
[ɫɔ:nʹi] Notes: rheumatism.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lòinidh
Quotation: gréum a lòinidh. Notes: backache. (Lòn – the kidney.)
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lòinn
heat shimmer. (Lewis)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lòinne
nn ‘rheumatism’ : tha leigheas air an ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
lòn chraois
a fly floating in water. Considered to be contaminated and dangerous to drink.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lònaire
a person inclined to be extremely prone to have material gain, busybody. ’S e lònaire duine th’ann.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lóbhradh
Quotation: air lóbhradh seachad. Notes: passing into unconsciousness, especially of sleep.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lóthunn
a descriptive word for an untidy, neglected boat. [NOTES: the slip has ‘lòthunn’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lù(i)m
[ɫũ̜:m] Quotation: Tha an [ɫũ̜m] [sic] o’n deas. Notes: a swell from the south.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lùb
Quotation: a lùbadh an fhiodh. Notes: bend wood (as in boatbuilding).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lùbach
hinge at bottom of a door.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lùiginn
I would wish, desire. [NOTES: slipped under ‘lùig’ with ‘lùiginn’ as the quotation.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lùm
[ɫũ̜:m] Notes: water used for cooking, e.g. water in which potatoes are cooked.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lùm
[ɫũ̜:m] Quotation: Cuir a’ lùm rithe. Notes: a wooden support used for keeping boats on an even keel on the beach (usually lunn).
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lùrach
Quotation: Tha i cho lùrach. Notes: lazy, not doing anything in the house.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lùth-luath
[ɫu̜:ɫu̜ə] Notes: shimmering seen above an outside fire.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lùthag
[ɫu̜:ɑɡ] Note: a device put on a sheep or lamb to slow it down – a tight piece of rope round the leg at the upper joint. Also applied to pieces of string of [sic] [or?] rope tied by some round the trouser legs just below the knee to keep them up.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mabailte
[mɑ̃bılʹtʹə] Quotation: iasg mabailte. Notes: on the turn, going bad.
Origin: Barra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mabair
Quot.: “Mabair nach cuir tuath ri tàth.” Note: duine glugach, manntach.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mac
Quotation: Mac na dunaidh! Notes: like “mac an uilc”.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mac
Quotation: Mac an anraidh! Notes: used like “mac an uilc”.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mac
Quotation: Mac an uilc! Chaneil ann dheth ach mac an uilc. Notes: The rascal!
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mac na sad
Notes: used as a term of abuse, either in recall or directly. A’ mhic na sad – of a person who has annoyed one intensely (yet it is fairly mild). Sad ‘dust etc.’ is masc. Source: Lewis usage recalled (D.S.T.). Date: April, 1973.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mac-mallachd
Quotation: Chan eil ann ach am mac-mallachd. Notes: he’s an absolute rogue. Usually refers to Devil.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mac-mallachd (m)
Quotation: Mac-mallachd air! (drat him!) Chan d’fhuair mi am mac-mallachd (i.e. nothing).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mac-samhail
[mɑ̃xksɑ̃ũ̜ilʹ] Quotation: ’S e mac-samhail an fhear sin a th’ann. Notes: He is that man’s very likeness.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mach
Quotation: “Tha e cho glic mach o nach eil e a’ bruidhinn.” Notes: “He is so wise he almost talks.” Said of an animal.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
machaire
beat of a sheep on the moor.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
madadh
Horse mussel. A large overgrown mussel, but they don’t grow in big clumps like the mussels. Tha iad math ri ’n itheadh. Bidh muinntir Uig a’ toirt dhachaidh nan cléibh dhuibh [sic], ga slaopadh, is an deidh sin ga ròsdadh an geir air a’ phana. Chan eil iad anns an Rudha no ’n Nis, is e cor fhear a gheibhear suas an Taobh Siar.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
madadh
Notes: clam. Collected only at very low tides in the spring.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
madadh
dog. Nach b’e madadh e. – as in the case of a person acting in a rude, unsophisticated way.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
madadh alladh
nn ‘wolf’: [matə ̍kaʁ̫əɣ]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
madadh allaidh
Quotation: am madadh allaidh. Notes: wolf.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
madadh grèine
sun dog – sign of bad weather, seen in front of sun, also moon.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
madadh ruadh
nn ‘fox’: am ~ culaith eagal do bheathach; bha iad ga faighinn sin air madaidhean [-içən] ruadh, na rabies
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
madadh ruadh
Quotation: Corc a’ Mhadaidh Ruaidh. Notes: Wild Oats.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
madadh ruadh
Quotation: am madadh ruadh. Notes: fox.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
madainn
n. ‘morning’: ceò na maidinne [mat´iɲə]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
madhair
[məəɾ] Notes: hook with a piece of wool attached for catching mackerel or lythe. Had to be the right size. Sometimes a very small piece of red thread was added to attract the lythe.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
magadh
Quotation: cùl a’ mhagaidh. Notes: laughing-stock.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
magaid
Quotation: “Tha e làn magaidean.” Notes: whims.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
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
magaid (f)
Quotation: Tha magaid ’na cheann. Notes: whims, irrational behaviour.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
magaireachd
poking fun at someone.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
magairneach
imitator.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
magall
Quotation: magall gharbh. Notes: local name (Melvaig) for sea urchin.
Location: Melvaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
magenta
Bho dhath na bùtha, tha mi smaoineachadh.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
maghair
Quotation: a’ maghaireadh airson liughannan. Notes: fly-fishing for lythe.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maghar
[mɤəɾ] Quotation: ag iasgach a’ mhaghair. Notes: fly.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maghraichean
home-made fishing flies. Made from the feathers of a swan or from dog’s hairs. [NOTES: note added above ‘maghraichean’ – maghair.]
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maghung
whey. I think there are the various ways of pronunciation with this word also? In the different approaches to it.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide
Quotation: a’ dol mar am mhaide. Notes: going in full swing. (?) Source: C. Robertson, Skye. Date: 1967.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide
Quotation: maide buinn. Notes: the “foot” of the cas-chrom.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide
Quotation: ’S duilich an car a thoirt as an t-seana mhaide.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide
Quotation: Cha chuireadh maide nam pàirt. Notes: ‘He couldn’t hold a candle to them.’
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide bhuntàta
Notes: potato masher.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide bhuntàta
Notes: potato masher.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide buntata
potato masher.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide chas
a wooden block in front of the rowing seat and used as a support when rowing.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide dhroma
[mɛdʹə ɣromə] Quotation: a’ dol dh’ionnsaigh a’ mhaide dhroma. Notes: ridge pole.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide eich
a twitch used for controlling a horse when it was being shod. Made of a wooden handle with a rope at one end attached to the horse’s face. When it was twisted, it tightened so as to hurt the horse.
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide frassaidh
a length of wood with edges cut in teeth like manner by which the sheaf is threshed by light beatings.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
maide leisg
Domhnull Mòr Taileir [?] agus Iain Mhurican [?] bhris spaid ùr eatóra leis a mhaide leisg.
Location: Leodhas [Lewis], an taobh siar
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
maide mairt
at the end of a stall in a byre. Once the beast had entered the stall this wooden door was lowered to prevent straying out of the stall.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide plocaidh
used for mashing potatoes.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide pronnaidh
instrument for mashing potatoes.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide suidhe
wooden seat at front of a cart.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-broillich
Quotation: am maide-broillich or am broilleach. Notes: bracket at joint between stempost and keel.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-bulg
[mɑ̃dʹəbuɫuɡ] Note: bilge-keel or bilge-piece in a boat.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-droma
Quotation: am maide-droma. Notes: ridge-pole.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-eàrraidh
[mɑ̃dʹəȷɑ:ri] Note: a stick with prongs sticking out at either end for keeping tweed stretched from side to side while in the loom.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-feanaig
the tips on each end of the roof of a thatched house.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-feannaig
Notes: stick which projects at the end of the ridgepole to secure the rope tying down the thatch.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-feannaig
Note: the piece of wood protruding from the thatch at the end of the “gath-droma”, round which the thatching rope went to cover the end of the house.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-feannaig
Note: the stick protruding from the end of the thatched roof of a blackhouse. Thatching rope anchored round it.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-feannaig
enabled ropes and thatch to be secured.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-feannaig
Note: stick protruding from the thatch serving as a peg round which the “sioman” is put.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-feannaig
a stick used for planting potatoes.
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-fithich
stick running through thatch at either end.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
maide-fithich
Note: the stick jutting up from the thatch at the end of a blackhouse (ceann an tighe).
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-mairt
Notes: wooden arrangement for tying Highland cattle – a V-shaped piece of wood below the neck and a V-shaped piece coming down from above to lock the head and horns in.
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-marbh
Note: deadwood in a boat.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-milis
Notes: root that’s good for chewing.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-prop
Quotation: Tha e cho righinn ris a’ mhaide-prop.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
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-ramasagaidh
(yes) battering ram.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
maide-ramasagaidh
a wooden plunger, on end, to burst open a door (perhaps relative to the day of the wooden sailing boats or… I remember hearing it). [NOTES: the slip has ‘maide-ramasgaidh’. Definition: A wooden “plunger” (battering-ram?) to burst open a door.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-ri-froigh
[mɑ̃dʹəɾifɾɤi] Notes: a length of wood on the wall in front of the cattle. It ran the length of the stalls. Cattle tied to it.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-ruim
Notes: maide air a dheanamh daingean anns a bhalla aig ceann bathcha.
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-slathaig
[mɑ̃dʹəˈsɫɑıɡʹ] Note: a stick used in thatching for arranging thatch in a place one could not easily reach with the hands.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-stalcaidh
a stick for forcing material tightly together such as sand in a hole, by simply striking the sand with the end of the stick or rod.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-starraig
at each end of the roof of a thatched cottage.
Origin: [Harris]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-starraig
Note: stick jutting up at the end of a black-house. Thatching rope put round it.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-tóin-eich
Notes: stick fixed behind the horse with ropes from it attached to baskets or bags hanging on pack saddles to prevent them from swinging forward when going downhill.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-uilt
[mɑ̃dʹu̟lʹtʹ] Quotation: maidean uilt. Notes: two thin sticks used to separate threads when tying in.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maidh
cowrie shell. (Sleat)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maidse
nn ‘match’ : rinn an aon mh. sin a startadh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
maighdealag
Chan eil moran an Nis. Corra the [sic] air an Taobh Siar ach tha iad na’s pailte air taobh a’ tuath a’ Bhràighe anns an Rudha, ach chan eil iad pailt an àite ’sam bith as aithne dhomsa. Leanaidh rath riut ma gheibh thu tri ri taobh a cheile. ’S e ‘boidealag’ no ‘boitealag’ a chanadh sinne riu an Ard an Rudha.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
maighdean
Quotation: na maighdeanan. Notes: uprights supporting the flyer axle in a spinning wheel.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maighdean
Quotation: a’ mhaighdean phòsda. Notes: the bridesmaid.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maighistir
Leis a’ ghuirmean [q.v.], bha iad ’ga dheanamh le maighistir agus le na h-uibhir de uisge. Linne guirmean a chanadh iad. “Anns an linne ghuirmein”. Chan eil fhios agam am biodh am maighistir aca ri na dathan eile no nach bitheadh.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
mainnsear
Quotation: am mainnsear. Notes: the manger (stable).
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mairg
Quotation: ’S mairg a dh’earbas ris san. Notes: Pity anyone who trusts in him.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mairighe
Quot. “Mairighe tha!” [mɑ̃ˈɾıəhɑ] Note: stress on the second syllable. Exclamation used when agreeing wholeheartedly with someone. [NOTES: the following note added by Professor Roibeard Ó Maolalaigh (RÓM) – (< Ma-Ruibhe (< Mael?) i.e. the Applecross saint. RÓM – cf. CPMS, p. 288.)]
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mairsin
lasting. Cha ’eil e mairsin. [NOTES: the quotation on the slip reads ‘chan eil e ’marsin.’]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mairt
I’ve heard this word used in connection with cattle and rather think it was a cow with calf at food but would not be quite sure.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
maise-mhullaich
Notes: ‘baldness’ (an ironic usage). But note the earlier usage, of a luxuriant head of hair, e.g. Ort a dh’fhàs a’ mhaise mhullaiche … Maise gruaige dualach duinne i. (Heb. Folksongs II, 1568-70) Source: Lewis usage recalled (D.S.T.). Date: 1979.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maistreadh
Quotation: a’ maistreadh. Notes: making butter.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maitse, pl. maitseachan
match; match for lighting etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maitse, pl. maitsichean
match.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mala
Quotation: a’ mhala. Notes: forehead.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mala
Quotation: pl. [mɑɫiçəṉ]. Notes: eyebrow.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mala
Quotation: Cha b’e sin mala na gruaim. Notes: That was not the surly countenance.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
malcadh
pressing with the hands. [NOTES: Slipped under ‘malc’. Quotation: a’ malcadh. Definition: To press with the hands.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
malcte
Quotation: sgadan malcte. Notes: just off.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mall
Quotation: Mall ort! Notes: mild imprecation.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mam
infested wound cured by incantation (etc.).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
man sìthean an eòrna
Quotation: Bha e dìreach man sìthean an eòrna. (Catriona Mhór – of fair-haired person (?)/handsome.)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
manaidhean
a premonition, always something that was heard.
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
manaig
a ramshackle, makeshift implement, e.g. gate.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
manaig
wooden handle of ‘cas chròm’. Also used in the context of an old gate ready to fall apart. Former definition is prevalent at the north end of South Uist, esp. Lochcarnan, whilst the latter definition is found at southern end of the island.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
manntag
gap in teeth, mistranslated “lisp” which was just a side-effect of above.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maodal
Quotation: a’ mhaodal.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maodal
Quotation: a’ mhaodal mhór. Notes: the large stomach in animals.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maodhar
a home-made fishing fly made with hen’s feathers.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maoidh
vb ‘threaten [with]’ : vbl nn: rachadh ‘bodach an tin’ a mhaoidheadh ormsa, ’o [o]  [= cho] cunnartach is a bha e, nam binn dona gun tigeadh e
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
maoidh
threaten.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maoidhireachd
fishing with a rod, plying a rod by swinging the line attached and dragging it with the fly-hook fastened to the line and skimming on or pulled near the surface. (Pronounced: magh thar ri theachd.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maoidhteach
threatening.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maoileas
incoperating [sic] [incorporating?] friendship, or my friendship with you or for you. Bu tu maoileas. It may have come through the ‘channel’: m’ aoigh leatsa… I think so. Perhaps it’s occasionally heard on Scalpay yet.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maois
rectangular shaped net used for holding freshly cut seaweed. Grid pattern.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maois
Notes: (Lochs) a ‘maois’ of seaweed is formed by laying down a square of rope, and filling in with criss-crossed ropes. The seaweed is then piled high on this framework, and towed by a boat. The above definition more precise than Dwelly’s.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maois
[mw̃:ʃ] Quot.: “maois feamainn”. Note: heap of seaweed towed behind a boat.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maois
[mw̃:ʃ] Notes: the seaweed, or quantity of seaweed, dragged after a boat, after collecting it.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maois
[mw:ʃ] Quot.: “maois feamainn”. Note: a quantity of seaweed with ropes round it and under it towed behind a boat. (Cf. ràth.)
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maol
I’ve heard this term applied either to a sheep or a cattle beast without horns.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
maol
Quotation: caora mhaol. Notes: Cheviot.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maol Moire
Mary’s brow? Fattish green plant used for plasters and poultices.
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maol-mhullaich
Quotation: Tha maol-mhullaich air. Notes: He has a round bald patch on top of his head.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maol-mhullaich
Notes: bald patch on the top of one’s head.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maoladh a chluasan
like a horse showing anger by flattening the ears.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maolaidhean móra
large rolling waves which were characterised by the fact that they did not break.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maolan crathaidh
shock absorbers.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maor-cladaich
Notes: he regulated the distribution of seaweed.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maorach
Quotation: òrd mhaorach. Notes: hammer for knocking them [i.e. limpets] off the rocks.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maorach
Quotation: bascaid mhaorach. Notes: oval-shaped basket used for collecting limpets.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maorach-ealaidh
Quotation: Tha mi a’ dol dhan an tràigh a dh’iarraidh maorach-ealaidh. Notes: limpets release themselves from rocks as it gets dark and start to move. Could be picked easily then. (?)
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maorsainneachd
[mw̃ʴsnʹɑxk] Notes: regulating the affairs of a crofting township. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maothachan
tranquiliser, sedative.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maothan
the tender bit at the bottom of a horse’s foot. Could be painful if a horse was badly shod.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maothan
[mw̃:hɑṉ] Note: where two pieces of planking in a boat are joined together, the end of each being bevelled.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maothan
where both ends of a plank in a boat are nailed (also young twig). [SLIP: a) young twig. b) the place where both ends of a plank in a boat are nailed together.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maothar (mathar)
gaoisid gheal coin no ite bheag gheal ceangailte ris an dubhan airson iasgach sùithean, no runach [sic], no liutha.
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
mapaid
a brush made with animal hair and used for tarring boats.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mapladh
messing a thing, especially something being eaten.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mar
Quotation: Tha iad mar nach olc. Notes: They are well.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mar fhéin!
Notes: exclamation of wonder/surprise. Source: Mrs Nicolson, Sleat. Date: 1970.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mar muc le feòil
as fat as a pig.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
mar-a-bhitheadh
here as noted to me indicates: flawless.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
marag
Quotation: ’S e [fjoʔəs] na maraig a feuchainn. Notes: see fiùthas.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
marag
Quotation: Ge b’e bhios a’ roinn na maraig, bith’n ceann reamhar aige fhéin.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
marag
Quot.: “marag a’ bhuachaill”. Note: small, round, attached to the “maodal”.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
marag choirce
mealy pudding, oat meal and onions.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
marag dhubh
maodal, blood, onions, oatmeal, flour and pepper.
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
marag dhùthcha
the entrail that carries excretion.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
marag mhaduinn
oatmeal, flour, onions, lard, salt and pepper. Mixed together and baked in a cake tin. Left to cool till morning, then fried and eaten with the usual breakfast.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maragan-fala
black puddings. When a sheep was killed, on the point of being killed rather, when her throat was or is cut, the blood fresh the beast [sic] running into a jug or basin is kept uncongealed by a sprinkle of coarse, curing salt in the utensil for the blood to be used for the making of black puddings (maragan-fala).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
marann (-an)
looking at the darker side of things, e.g. “Tha i dol a shileadh a maireach Iain.” “Och eisd tha thusa làn de na marannan.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
marbh
Quotation: Tha e duilich a mharbhadh. Notes: it is difficult to digest.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
marbh
Quotation: “Chan fhac e (a) mharbh ’s cha do dh’fhàiltich e (a) bheò.” (Catriona Mhór) Notes: He did not see him dead and he did not welcome him alive.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
marbh
vb ‘kill’: vbl nn : ‘bidh mo bhèo ‘s mo mharbhadh ri Cloinn ‘Ill-Eathain’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
marbh
Quotation: amaisir marbh. Notes: heavy, sultry weather.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
marbh-shruth
slack water before tide turns.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
marbhadh a’ bhodaich
a game for boys. The player stretched face downwards on the floor and put his two clenched fists, one beyond and touching the other at his own head, thus measuring his own length plus the breadth of two fists. This was marked – one mark at his toes and the other at the second fist. A wooden peg was set up at the ‘fist’ mark and the player took up position at the other mark (where his toes had been). He was given two short pointed pegs – one in each hand – shaped like the ‘dealgan’ used for twisting yarn [see illustration below] and balancing his body forwards on these lifting one at a time, he had to stretch his full length and knock the ‘bodach’ down, without overbalancing and collapsing on the floor. The crucial point came when he was about fully stretched. He was asked “Càite bheil thu dol?” He replied, “Tha mi dol a mharbhadh a bhodaich.” “De fhads’ a tha thu dol a ruighinn?” and balancing on one peg the poor player had to lift the other one and point to one ear, and putting that one down and balancing on it, he had to do the same with the other peg. While he was doing this he replied, “Tha gu na cluais ud, agus gu na cluais ud.” Not many could finish the game!
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
marbhanach
wool that is taken of a dead sheep.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
marbhannach
[mɑɾɑhɑ̃n̪ɑx] Note: (1) dead beast found on the moor. (2) the skin, with wool on it, of a beast that had died.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
marbhannach
Notes: fleece of wool gathered from dead sheep.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
marbhphaisg
Quotation: Marbhphaisg ort!
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
marcaich
Quotation: diollaid marcachd. Notes: riding saddle.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mart
Quotation: mart ursann. Notes: “each ursann” [sic] in Dwelly. See Dw.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mart
seldom if ever used, except in relation to beef: “marstal”. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Crodh / Cattle
mart
cattle in general.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
mart
after 3 years once 1st calf born. Tha i ’na mart airson an corr de ’beatha.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
mart
Quotation: mart gamhnach. Notes: a farrow cow – may have had a calf at one stage.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mart seasg
dry cow (also sometimes in Victoria, one that hasn’t yet calved).
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
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
mart-fheoil
Quotation: mart-fheoil a’ chuain. Notes: ling sometimes referred to as this.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mart-lamhaig
a cow that was fit for killing. [NOTES: ‘lamhaig’ corrected to ‘làmhaig’.]
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mart-làmhaidh
a cow fattened for slaughter.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
martair
Quotation: Là a’ mhartair a dh’fhuiling. Notes: St. Swithin’s Day. (?) (weather connection?)
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maruisg
an ogre, man-eating monster.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mas
[NOTES: added later, not clear what it refers to.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
mascul
flattery.
Origin: Barra
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
masgadh
Quotation: Tha iad a masgadh. Notes: mixing barley and water for fermentation purposes.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mat
mat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
matag
[mɑ̃t̪ɑɡ] Notes: pick-axe.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
matan (m)
ray of light.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
math
Quotation: Chan eil Seonaidh gu [mɛ].
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
math
Quotation: math dh’fhaoidte. Notes: perhaps.
Location: Canada, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
math
nn ‘good; use’ : cha robh ~ dha stepadh nuair a bhiodh e ‘ tilgeil an ùird; cha robh ~ dha ‘ bhith ‘ leum … bho àite gu àite ga thionndadh; cha robh ~ dhaibh [‘it didn’t work’]; chan ei’ ~ dhomh; chan eil ~ dhut ‘ iarraidh;
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
math
adj. ‘good’ : ma bhios tusa cho ~ ‘s gun coimhead thu, gheibh thu an tuagh; ‘like’: muran dèanadh iad an rud bu mhath leotha ‘ dhèanamh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
math
adj. ‘good’ SUPLTV.:fheàrr: bha iad a’ fuireach anns a’ choillidh, mar s b’ ~ a b’ urra dhaibh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
math
Quotation: Gu robh math [kɔrɔmɛ̃] (agad). Notes: Thank you.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
math
Quotation: Gu robh math agad! Usually [kɔrɔmɛ̃]. Notes: equivalent of “Thank you!”
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
math
Quotation: Olc air mhath. Notes: Whether or not.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
math-ghamhainn
[mɑ̃ɣɑ̃vĩnʹ] Notes: bear.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathach
to put seaweed on the ground (North Uist phrase).
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathachadh
[mɑ:xu̜] Notes: farmyard manure.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathachadh
Fertiliser (general).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
mathachadh
this is said regarding land being ploughed after being fallow for a year.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathachadh
[mɑ˖ʔəxəɣ] Notes: improvement.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathachadh
(also) arguing.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathachadh
when someone was maintaining that he was always right, even though he might be wrong. “Tha an duine sin cho math air mathachadh.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathachadh Gallda
Artificial fertiliser.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
mathachdainn
Notes: manure.
Location: Ross-shire, Achnahaird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathachdainn
(m) Fertiliser (Generally).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
mathadh
[See màdh.]
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathair ghuir
the root of a boil. [NOTES: ‘mathair’ corrected to ‘màthair’.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathair ghuire
puss in the centre of a ‘guiran’.
Location: Harris, Rodel
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathair na Gaelic
[?] a chatterbox (female).
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathair na cuainne
a cow that was renowned for bearing female calves. Therefore held to be the mother of all the stock.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathair shiamain
thick rope made from sea bent tied round the top of the wall all round the house. Other ropes attached to this main rope to secure the thatch.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathair shiomain
The rope round the girth of stack. [NOTES: ‘mathair shioman’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
mathair shiomain
a thick rope made of heather circulated round the wall of a thatched house. Secured at the bottom of the thatch. Other ropes were attached to this which went across the back of the house.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathair uisge
a water spring.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathair uisge
main river with tributaries running into it.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathair uisge
a large ditch which carried the water of other drains/ditches towards the sea.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathair-aobhair
Note: applied to the core of a boil.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathair-shiomain
Notes:
Location: Coll, Ben Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathair-shìomain
[sic] Quotation: a’ mhathair-shìomain. Notes: rope horizontally round the bottom of the thatch.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathan
exceptional[ly] strong person. ’S e mathan ann. Tha e mar am mathan. – signifying strength.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathan
Notes: bear.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathant
merciful.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathar-shùgain
Notes: rope or wire round thatched roof near the top of the wall. The ropes going over the ridge were attached to it.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathas
goodness. Cha robh mathas air.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathsluig
obese, a huge [sic].
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathsluig
obese.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
meabalais
foolish, rubbish conversation.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meacharan
wee cuddies (old reference occasionally heard today: if heard at all). [SLIP: Small cuddies – old-fashioned word, seldom used now.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meachranach
a word used in the context of wood that is prone to cracking.
Location: Lewis, Back
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meadal
Quotation: Rinn an cù meadal rium. Notes: showed pleasure at seeing me, e.g. wagging tail.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meadalach
[mɛ̃d̪ɑɫɑx] Quotation: Bha e a meadalaich rium. Notes: showing pleasure e.g. at meeting somebody (usually used of a dog).
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meadha
refers to the width of the peat bog having been turfed. Usually consisting of a width of seven peats.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meadhannan
[ˈmɛ̃-əNən] Quotation: Chaidh i as na meadhannan. Notes: ref. to some discomfort or injury arising when carrying a creel?
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meadharra-theach (?)
Quotation: Ged nach eil mi ’m Beàrnaraigh Bheag / Na creid nach eil e air m’ ùidh, / B’fheàrr leam na meadharra-theach / Bhi faicinn nan clach air an Stùidh. Notes: explained by Catriona Mhór as ‘stòras’ or ‘saidhbhreas’. Source: Catriona Mhór, from her telling of the story of the Norse Princess.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meadhon-latha
Quot.: “Tha mi a’ dol a null a Steòrnabhagh as a mheadhon-latha.” Note: about midday.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meadhon-là
Quotation: Tha e sa mheadhon-là aige. Notes: used of a child supposed to be sleeping – as wide awake as though it were mid-day.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mealaich
Quotation: Mhealaich e. Notes: die of exposure.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mealghan
[mjɑɫɑɣɑṉ] Quotation: duine làn mealghan. Notes: used of a person who is always grumbling and trying to stir up trouble.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meall
Quotation: meall gaoth [mjɑ̃ũ̜ɫɡw:]. Notes: a gust of wind.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meall
Quotation: Meall is caith agus tilg nan luideagan air an dùnan iad.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meall
Quotation: meall gaothaidh. Notes: a gust of wind.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meall
Notes: sometimes used for a waterfall.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meall
for an accumulation or a batch of some commodity or other. More often this would be expressed as ‘tonn’ in Uist. “Fhuair mi deagh thonn mònadh dhachaidh an diugh.”
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meall
hill that interrupts view.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
meall
Quot.: “Meall is caith e ’s cuir a-nall an ath-aodach.” Note: said to one who has just bought or got new clothes.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mealladh-mula-mhàgaig
Notes: Chewn [? chewed?] against sting by frog. Put into water, as the mealladh-nathrach [q.v.].
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mealladh-nathrach
Notes: a piece of round perforated jet dipped in water, and water applied to udder of cow when stung by an adder. Made to Celtic measures.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mealltair
Quot.: “Mealltair na truaighe, ’s mairg a latha dh’fhuaraicheas a chasan.” Note: “fear cealgach, foilleil, carach”.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meallthìreach
submerged roots found in dry peaty soil especially in embankments. These roots were used to make ropes.
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meanachaladh
gravelly, peebley [sic] [pebbly?] ground. An t-àit’ a’s fhèarr airson am faotainn. Dh’fhaodadh grunnd creagach a bhi a cheart cho math.
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree] (Rugadh Daibhidh ann an Glaschu ach chaidh a thogail ann an Tiriodh bho’n a bha e trì bliadhn’ a dh’aois.)
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
meanachdainn
[mɛ̃ṉɑxkĩnʹ] Quotation: Fhuair e [mɛ̃ṉɑxkĩnʹ] leis an fhuachd.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meanbh
neat, i.e. after drinking a small whisky: “Bha sud dìreach meanbh.”
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meanbh-chlachan
small stones. [NOTES: slipped under ‘meanbh-chlach’ with ‘meanbh-chlachan’ as the quotation.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meanbh-chrodh
[mɛ̃ṉɑxɾəv] Notes: small stock. Used of cattle or sheep.
Origin: Kinlochourn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meanbh-chroinn
shrubbery. Perhaps similar to meanbh-chrodh, of the lighter series of growth and cattle distinction.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meanbh-chuileag
Quotation: a’ mheanbh-chuileag [əvɛ̃ṉɑxu̟lɑɡ]. Notes: midge.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meanbh-lusan
termed likewise are a more delicate species.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meanbhlach
[mɛ̃ṉɑɫɑx] Notes: he says this is applied to a collection of small potatoes. Is it used for any collection of small objects? e.g. stones.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meanluath
slow-moving, deliberate.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meanmhainn
[mɛ̃n̪ɑvĩnʹ] Quotation: Tha meanmhainn orm. Notes: “I have an itchy nose” – as when one feels someone is thinking about one.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meann
the young of a goat.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meann
[mjɛ̃n̪:] Notes: goat-kid.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mear
Quotation: iasg mear. Notes: mullet.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mearaig
[mɛ̃ɾiɡʹ] Quotation: Tha mi air [mɛ̃ɾiɡʹəɣ] leis an fhuachd or Tha mi air mo [vɛ̃ɾiɡʹəɣ] leis an fhuachd or leis an t-acras. Notes: perish.
Origin: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mearcadan
Quotation: pl. na mearcadain. Notes: eggs laid on the hair of horse’s legs; licked by the horse; lodge on the wall of stomach until fully fed. Seems to be eggs of the horse bot fly. Horse sometimes given “bralais” and then purged with a mixture of turpentine and linseed oil.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mearral
where fresh water and salt water meet.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
measgadh
Quotation: tigh a’ mheasgaidh. Notes: (distillery) the mixing room, where the grist was put into a big metal tin and scalded with hot water.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
measgaich
Quotation: Bha e air a’ mheasgachadh. Notes: in the distillery, the crushed meal was mixed in the mixing room.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
measrachadh
milk poured into large basins so that cream could be obtained.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meata
finely built.
Origin: Skye
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
meatag an t-sionnaich
[SLIP: Foxglove. Cf. also ‘Meuran nan Daoine Sithich’.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
meatagan
[mɛʾtɑ˖ɡən] Notes: gloves.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meatagan
gloves.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meataich
Quotation: Tha e air meatachadh leis an fhuachd. Notes: chilled, numbed.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meath
Quotation: Tha meath anns a’ bhuntàta. Notes: blank space in potato field, where seed has failed to grow.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meath-chasad
slight cough.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meath-theine
weak fire.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meathlag
rough dried fibrous material found in sand-banks and used for scrubbing wooden surfaces. Very effective!
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meidh
Quotation: “Cia mheud fàd a’ mheidhe a tha thu toir as?”
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meidhleag
peat that disintegrated when it was thrown from hand. “Cha robh innte ach meidhleag.” [NOTES: note above ‘meidhleag’ – ‘maidhleag’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meig
‘It does not make meaning, does not matter’.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meigeach
not exactly stable, putting his chin out, his voice or cry not causing interest, his personality or features. Duine meigeach.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meigeadaich
[mɛ̃gʹəd̪iç] Notes: bleat of a goat.
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meigeadaich
[mɛ̃ɡʹəd̪iç] Quot.: “Chaneil fhios am dé a’ mheigeadaich a th’air.” Note: nonsensical chatter.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meighe (m.)
leud na sgrath. Ma tha ‘meighe’ mór agad tha barrachd fhòid ann agus tha iad na’s duilighe ’n tilgeil chun an uachdar. Bha ‘meighe mór’ ’na chomharra air neart an luchd buana.
Origin: Uibhist-a-Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
meileachadh
[mɛ̃ɫɑxəɣ] Quotation: Bha mi gus mo mheileachadh. Notes: I was nearly numb (with the cold).
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meilich
[mɛ̃liç] Quotation: Bha mi air mo mheileachadh leis an fhuachd.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meilich
[mɛliç] Quotation: Bha e gu meileachdainn leis an fhuachd. Notes: “He was almost numbed by the cold.”
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meilich
[mɛ̃liç] Quotation: Tha e air meileachadh leis an fhuachd. Notes: benumb.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meilich chaora
bleating.
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
meilleag (-ean)
wattle of cock.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mein-àridh
two small boards with steel [?] pins at each end laid across the woven tweed on the ‘gorm-an-ìuchd’ [q.v.] to keep the tweed edges straight.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meinneidearan
miners. [NOTES: slipped under ‘mèinneadair’ with ‘plural: meinneidearan’ as the quotation.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meirc
uncultivated stretch between fields.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meirgeal
Quotation: Gad a rachadh a mheirgeal cam. Notes: physical frame, body.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meithe
the width of the peat bank.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mend
Quotation: Am mend thu e? Notes: Will you manage it? (Attributed to Islay usage by Angus MacKinnon.)
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meoil a bhuntata
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
meud
Quotation: meud mhór is bochdainn. Notes: applied to someone who had little money but tried to keep up appearances. Or boasting without justification.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meud
Quotation: meud mhór. “Tha e làn meud mhór.” Notes: haughtiness.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meudachd
nn ‘size’ : bhathas ag ìnnse mu mh. na [sic] Titanic
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
meug
Quotation: Bàrr na meuig [bɑ:r ṉə mĩ:ɡʹ]. Notes: top of the “meug” taken with porridge if there was no milk.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meur
Quotation: meur an troighsgeir. Notes: the cutting blade of the peat-cutting iron.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meur
[mɛ̃:r] Quotation: pl. [mjɔ̃:ɾəṉ]. Notes: a finger.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meur
[mɛ̃:ɾ] Quotation: am meur. Notes: blade of the peat spade.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meuraiteach
Quotation: duine meuraiteach. ’S ann meuraiteach a tha e ga ithe. Notes: eating food without enthusiasm.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meurlan
[mjɤ:ɫɑṉ] Quotation: meurlan iarach, meurlan uarach or àrd. Notes: right-angled piece cut off at the tip of a sheep’s ear.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meurlan
Quotation: meurlan iochdrach, meurlan uachdrach. Notes: earmarks. Back half and fore-half.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mhathasach
(from good). Kindly also. [NOTES: the slip has ‘mhathasach (lenition included)’. Definition: ‘Kindly’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mheanachag
injection. A bheil a mheanachag ort. [NOTES: slipped under ‘meanachag’. Quotation: A bheil a’ mheanachag ort ?]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mhoine-bhàn
moine aodram, chòsach, ruadh san dath.
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mhàdar
matter as: Cuiridh mi do mhàdar asad.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mhàin
Quotation: a mhàin [əvɑ̃:ṉ]. Tha mi dol a’ mhàin. Notes: down from a height or down in fortune. [NOTES: slipped under ‘bhàn’.]
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mi-bhaigheil
Notes: unsympathetic.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mi-chininn
mishap, misadventure. (Mid. G. cineamhuinn – fate, etc.)
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mi-fheart
negligence, lack of attention.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mi-stiùrrachd
[mĩ:ʃtʹu̜:rɑxk] Quotation: Dé a mhi-stiùrrachd a bha thu a deanamh? Notes: mischief.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miabhadh
rough treatment.
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miabhail
[m[ĩɑ̃]vilʹ] Quotation: Tha ’n cat a’ miabhail. Notes: mewing.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miach, meich
a bag, a boll, a measure (S.W.). (mioch – bushel of oats, etc. Ir. [?])
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miagail
as in a cat mewing.
Location: North Uist, Blàsheabhal [Blashaval]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miagail
[mĩɑɡəl] Quotation: a’ miagail. Notes: cat mewing.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miagail
Quotation: a’ miagail. Notes: mewing.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miaghail/miadhail
[mĩə̃ɣɑl] Quotation: [mĩə̃ɣɑl] dhan a’ laogh. Notes: loving towards the calf
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mial
Quotation: a’ mhial. Notes: disease in horses. Upper gum extends downwards; can be cut.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mial
Quotation: mialan a’ bhuntàta. Notes: worms in potatoes.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mial
Quotation: a’ mhial. Notes: gum disease in horses.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mial
Quotation: a’ mhial [əvĩɑ̃ɫ]. Notes: disease in horses. The upper gum extends downwards.
Origin: Arisaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mial
Quotation: a’ mhial [əvĩɔɫ]. Notes: ailment in horses which involves the top gum extending downwards. Has to be cut or burned.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mial
Quotation: a’ mhial [əvĩɑ̃ɫ]. Notes: disease in horses causing the top gum to extend downwards.
Origin: Invermoriston
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mial-chraogais
used on Scalpay, but not now. I am not prepared at the moment to say what it means. Of the louse species? Perhaps. You may have a clue yourself. I have heard it ‘as a boy’. I may have noted its meaning years back. I think it’s one of the compound words of which I haven’t discovered a meaning or its meaning rather. [SLIP: Not used any longer. Uncertain at to precise meaning but some kind of louse.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mialaich
[mĩɑ̃ɫiç] Notes: bleating of sheep.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mialan-tràghad
all the variety of the smallest creature found on the sea-shore. I can only remember having this term vaguely. The reference sounds quite healthy I think?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miamhail
[m[ĩɑ̃]vilʹ] Quotation: an cat a miamhail. Notes: mewing.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miapadh
Notes: an unfortunate accident, mishap.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miaraide
[mĩɑ̃ridʹə] Quot.: “Ith do bhiadh, a’ mhiaraide bhochd.” Note: someone who lacks appetite, picks at his food. Poor specimen.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miaran
yawn. According to pronunciation, Harris, unless a corruption.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miaran-na-cailleachan-marbha
foxgloves. Named because of the resemblance of thimbles, which grows [sic] in line along the stalk, not as one flower but a few one beside the other. I saw them in growth in steep braes and on patches of soil on rock faces. (Harris)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miaranaich
yawning. According to pronunciation, Harris, unless a corruption.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miarsam
[m[ĩɑ̃]ʴsəm] Quot.: “pìob mhiarsam”. Note: a pipe made of meerschaum (a creamy clay used especially for pipe bowls (Dict.)). Commonly used at one time. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mias
Quotation: ’S math lionmhorachd na làmh ach mu’n mhias.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miasdadh
[m[ĩɤ̃]sd̪ɑɣ] Quotation: De am miasdadh a th’ort a’ sin? Notes: In Dw. “mischief done by cows and horses that have broken loose in corn, etc.” With us, applied more to mischief done by children.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miastadh
Quotation: Tha iad sud ’sa mhiastadh a rithist. Notes: destruction.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miathta
soft as lamb mutton, easy to chew. ’S e feòil mhiathta th’innte. Have originated from ‘miath’, or vice versa.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miathtadh
beginning to get softer and more easily [sic] to chew as mutton, lamb, boiled lamb.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mih [sic]
a balance used for measuring amounts of wool. A simple bit of wood with a hook at each end placed on a wooden stand.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
milcean
[mĩlkʹɑ̃ṉ] Notes: seaweed which grows quite far out on the rocks. Smallish strips which can be eaten.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mileachadh
Quotation: Tha mi air mo mhileachadh leis an fhuachd. Notes: I am benumbed by cold.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mileachadh
Quotation: Bha mi air mo mhileachadh leis an fhuachd.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mileathart coin
sharp bark of a dog.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
milis
Quotation: Cho daor ris an aran mhilis.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
milis
Quotation: guth milis. Notes: a sweet voice – not ‘guth binn’ in Perthshire.
Origin: Loch Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
milis
Quotation: ola mhilis. Notes: a sweet vegetable oil, used sometimes to cure scrubs on the eyes and noses of lambs when put to the moor in summer.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mill-eàrraidh
[mĩlʹɑ:ɾi] Note: two pieces of wood separate but tied together with string, can be arched at the point where string is attached, the nails at each end put through edges of cloth in loom, then pieces of wood flattened. To keep cloth stretched. “Mìr-earraidh” in S. Lochs.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
milleadh comharra
when someone tried to earmark sheep that were not his own.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
millearach
does not know English equivalent. This substance used to come ashore, and was used as a substitute for straw, especially in mattresses. Stringy, dry substance.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
min
Quotation: min an t-sàibh. Notes: saw-dust.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
min choirce is burn
oatmeal mixed with water as a soft drink (in former days, Harris).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
min laogh
brown meal mixed with hot water and some salt added. Stirred and left to thicken overnight.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
min-mhin
fine cut oatmeal.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
minchruth
miniature.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mineach
[minʔəx] Quotation: am mineach. Notes: intestines in general.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mineachadh
Quotation: Tha mi gus mo mhineachadh leis an fhuachd.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mineadh
Quotation: Mineadh ort! Notes: term of endearment towards a child.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mineadh
Quotation: Mineadh [mĩṉəɡ] ort! Notes: used in the same way as “m’ullaidh ort!”
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Kilillan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mineag
Quotation: Mineag ort! Notes: affectionately to a child.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mineagradh
decorating, ornamenting. (eagair?)
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ming
pronunciation of miùg (whey) at Melness.
Origin: Applecross [mother]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miniceag
[mĩṉicɑɡ] Notes: skin of dead lamb put on another so that the dead lamb’s mother would take to it.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
minidh
Awl. Minidh-buinn: [see illustration]. Minidh-beag: [see illustration]. Agus mur a h-eil mi dol ceàrr, cha chreid mi nach canadh iad minidh dearcaidh, cuideachd, ri minidh-beag. Dearcadh – pàirt de an bhròig (de uachdar na bròige).
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ministear
Quotation: … nuair a bha esan ’na [vĩ'iʃtʹər].
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miodal
[mĩd̪ɑɫ] Quotation: a’ miodal ris a’ leanabh. Notes: being playful towards a child.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miodalan
[mĩd̪əɫɑṉ] Note: duine da-bhialach, leam-leat.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miodar
Quotation: miodar-bleoghain. Notes: small wooden tub with handle used for milking.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miodar
a small wooden vessel for holding liquids e.g. milk for a calf, miodar a’ laoigh. Also held ‘bree’ from boiled salt herring, herring bones, potato peelings etc. given to the cows.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
miolair(e)
Notes: watercress.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miolaire
[mju̜ɫəɾə] Notes: watercress.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mion-éisdeachd
Quotation: Tha mion-éisdeachd ann. Notes: He is dull of hearing.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mionaid
nn ‘minute’ : ‘at once’: chuir sinn às dha sa mh.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
mionna
nn ‘oath': thug am fear sin ~ [mjɛ̙mə] nach itheadh e biadh; pl.: ~n
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
mionnaichte
Quotation: (1) Bha mi mionnaichte nach deanadh e e. (2) Mhionnaichinn gu robh e ann. Notes: (1) used by AME in the sense “I was determined that he wouldn’t do it.” (2) I would swear he was there.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mios
Quotation: Coinneamh Mhios [kɔnʹi vĩɑ̃s]. Notes: monthly meeting.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mios crochadh nan cliabh
a saying indicative of bad weather at the beginning of May. As a result the creels were not used and subsequently hung in rows.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mios crochadh nan cliabh
May. Weather would be so poor that horses had to be kept indoors and the large carrying baskets hung up.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miosa
Quotation: Chaneil i cho miosa ris a’ ghaoth eile. Notes: It isn’t as bad as the other wind.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miosa
Quotation: Ach gu mìle miosa, ’s ann a bha an duine sin roimpe. Notes: but a thousand times worse (than that)…
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miosaradh
Quotation: Nall am muidhe ’s an ceann ann (3) / Fiach an teann am miosaradh. Notes: Dw. has measradh (from DMy) in sense of ‘churning’, etc. Source: Banntrach Iain Aonghuis Bhig (from Calanish) used to sing this when churning (in Keose).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miotagan-leathair
‘kitt’ gloves.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miotalach
a flatterer.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miothal-mothal
Quotation: Tha h-uile dad miothal-mothul aca. Notes: referring to disarrayed furniture of people who had newly moved house, cf. mothal, odds and ends. Source: Mrs A. Beaton. Date: 1968.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miothlachd
[mĩɔ̃ɫɑxk] Quotation: Chaneil miothlachd sam bith ann. Notes: harm.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mircean
[miðkʹɑn] Quotation: stamh earrach, duileasg samhraidh, mircean fobhair, dulach geamhraidh. Notes: kind of seaweed.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mircean
the tail of which is earbull-sàil (not eaten – too salty). Cas-dhubh – stalk. Tulch – the leaves on it. The centre part of the mircean was eaten, the rùsg thrown away. ‘Mircean Earraich, duileasg Samhraidh, tulch Foghair ’s stamh Geamhraidh.’
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mirceil
[mĩɾcɑl] Quot.: “Bi mirceil air do ghnothaich.” Note: be particular about what you are doing.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
misde
Quotation: Cha mhisde deagh naidheachd a’ chluinntinn a rithisd.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
misiridh
butter making, mistreach [?] [NOTES: it is not clear if this is part of the last definition or a separate entry.]
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
mitheach
Quotation: form of address to a girl: A mitheach/bitheach. A mitheach ort. Notes: bitheach used in Keose, Lochs. Dw. has bithe ‘female, of or belonging to the female sex (Armstrong) (an adj.). Source: Lewis usage recalled (D.S.T.). Date: July, 1973.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mithealach
unfortunately.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miulaire
[mju̜ɫəɾə] Notes: watercress.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mnathan cnamhaidh
nuns. [NOTES: note added above ‘cnamhaidh’ – [c]ràbhaidh.]
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mnathan cràbhaidh
nuns.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mo chomatadh
my equivalent.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mo chompraich
my belief, fate. Not sure of this. On tape. Could mean protection.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mo dhiombach agad
I am annoyed at you.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
mobhsgaideach
a lazy, feckless person without any initiative.
Location: North Uist, Lochmaddy, Crombagh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mobhsgaideach
Quotation: Tha iad uabhasach mobhsgaideach ma dheidhinn sgrìobhadh. Notes: (Keose) unforthcoming. Not in Dw. Date: 1966.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
moch-eirigh
Quotation: Am fear ainm na moch-eirigh, faodaidh e cadal gu meadhon-la.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mochthrath (m.)
Mochrath [sic] maith dhuit = madainn mhaith dhuit. Thà mi dol a chur mo cheann far am faigh mi e mochthrath.
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
modh
Quotation: Millidh dànadas modh.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
modh
Quotation: Am fear a tha gun mhodh, saoilidh e gur e am mi-mhodh am modh.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
modha
change. Could be money or a change in the weather, fortune, etc.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mogain
socks which were open at the front.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mogan
Quotation: Tha fhios gun do dh’fhàg e sud mogan. Notes: said of a person who would be likely to have left quite a bit of money. (mogan – a purse)
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mogan
Quotation: Saoil thu dé thig as a’ mhogan? Notes: used for a purse occasionally. Small roundish object.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mogan
whiskey distilled from oats, or anything other than barley.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mogan-salainn
a cut end of a stocking for serving as a heat conductor in applying it to a swollen mouth, inflammation, say in the case of a gum-boil, or what could be thought of as being caused by exposure to cold. The salt, as already referred to earlier back, made hot on a fry pan, put into the ‘bag’ while hot, and the salt having its own ‘beneficiaries’ [sic].
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
moganach
[mɔ̃ɡɑṉɔx] Quotation: moganach beag. Notes: a small, tubby man.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
moggaich
blisters or irritation of the skin.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
moglaich
Quotation: “Tha e air a’ mhoglachadh.” Notes: (the fish) has been enmeshed.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
moguis chlùdach
bits of cloth used as unconventional shoes. Fastened with strips of leather.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mogul
Quotation: Cum a’ lion air a’ mhogul. Notes: when hanging net on poles – so that the mesh folds naturally.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mogul
Quotation: a’ ruith air a’ mhogul. Notes: when net tears in straight line.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mogul
Quotation: lion mogul. Notes: mesh net.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
moighlean
[m[ɔ̃ĩ]lʹɑṉ] Notes: bundle of hay or fodder given to beasts. “Cuiridh seo sgillinn air a’ mhoighlean” – a saying used when snow came: cattle would need more feeding.
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
moighlig
[m[ɔ̃ĩ]lʹiɡ] Note: moghligean (pl). Sleeves (possibly of old oilskin coats, etc.) put on by fishermen when pulling in the lines.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
moine amh
peats that had not dried well and had a softish or ‘raw’ core.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine bhan
usually soft, light and not so good. (The word used in Kintyre to describe this kind of peat is ‘phozy’.)
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine bhan
turfy peat.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine bhàn
Moine aotram dhonn-bhàn bhog, nach eil ’na fior réisg idir. Chan eil móran blàths innte ach tha pailteas luath innte is ged a bhuaileadh fad dhith ort aig lionadh na làraidh chan eagal duit.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine chiobach
porous type [of peat]; not durable in fire bur easier to dry.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine chosach
porous type [of peat]; not durable in fire bur easier to dry.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine 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
moine dhubh
hard, black peat, best for burning.
Location: Gearrloch, Achadh a’ Chairn [Gairloch, Auchtercairn]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine dhubh
heavy black type [of peat]. Sometimes also moine bhalbh dhubh.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine dhubh
mòine tha cruaidh dubh, bristeach nuair tha e tioram, ’s anabarrach trom, ach fior mhath go gabhail.
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine dhùbh
black peat.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine fhraoich
this has an ad-mixture of roots – mostly heather roots – usually the top layer from the bank.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine phlòiceach
big spongy slabs that had absorbed water.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine phronn
brittle type of peat – usually black.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine phronn dhubh
Mun a tig a’ mhoine so dhachaidh mus bi i buileach tioram theid i ’na smùr air na puill. Tha i  trom, is tha moran teas innte, agus ged a rachadh i ’na smur aig an tigh tha an smur so mar an gual ann an stòbha. Mar as trice ’se luath anabarrach dearg a ni i mar gum biodh moran iaruinn innte. Tha i so air a buain ris a’ chruadhlach.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine shlàn
this is the more manageable and stronger type of peat.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine tasgaidh
Fadan móra tiugh a chuirear air an druim dìreach do’n luath aig am dol a chadal gus an cum iad an teine beò air a shocair gu maduinn. Tha ploicein math air son so.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine tasgaidh
peats suitable for banking the fire overnight – mòine amh or mòine phlòiceach were preferred for this.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine-bhàn
mòine dhomain gun móran teas agus dualach an t-uisge ghabhail an deigh an tiormachadh. [NOTES: “mhoine-bhàn” and its definition appear at the bottom of page 3 and “moine-bhàn” and its definition at the top of page 4; they may be meant to be just one item.]
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine-cloiche
this is the lowest layer of peat – lifted of the ‘stone’ – always coal-black and often ‘pronn’. (Berneray, Harris)
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mointeach bheò
peat to be cut.
Location: Gearrloch, Achadh a’ Chairn [Gairloch, Auchtercairn]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mointeag (-an)
a name applied to cattle that came from Mull.
Location: South Uist, Geirinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
moirich
[mɔɾiç] Quotation: Fhuair mi air a mhoirich e. Notes: the green grass just up from the beach. (Could be [bɔɾiç].)
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
moit
Quotation: Tha a’ sgadan sin moit. Notes: on the turn, or just turned (with herring, if they hadn’t taken the salt). Also aimsir mhoit, là moit. Used mostly for fish.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mol
Quotation: clach mhoil [vɔ̃l]. Notes: rounded stone on seashore. (“Clach mhuil”, “clachan muile” in Barvas.)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
molach
Quotation: Bha am muir glé mholach. Notes: The sea was very rough.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
moladh
nn ‘recommendation’ : sin am ~ a rinn mise air
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
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
molltair
mould. Cumaidh sin ’na mholltair e. – That will keep him in his frame of mind. (Scalpay) [SLIP: Mould. Ex: That will keep him in his “frame of mind” (calm?).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
molt
castrated male.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect)
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
molt
castrated.
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
monabar
Quotation: “Bha e monabar air son sud…” Notes: complaining.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
monadh
Quotation: ceum monaidh. Notes: a beaten path through the moor.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
monadh
Quotation: ris [ə vɔn̪].
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
monadh
Quotation: Tha na h-amsain dol do’n mhonadh agus na coilich dhubh a’ dol do’n chuan. Notes: see amsan.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
monagnaidh
[mɔ̃ṉɑɡṉi] Quot.: “Tha an fheòil seo monagnaidh.” Note: beginning to deteriorate.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
monaid (f)
heed, attention (N. Ins.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
monaids
moorings boat. [SLIP: Boat mooring.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
monaiseach
[mɔ̃ṉɑʃɑx] Note: having an easy-oasy, couldn’t-care-less attitude.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
monaiseach
[mɔ̃ṉɑʃɑx] Note: having a couldn’t-care-less attitude.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
monaitch
(pronounced like ‘monage’ in English) moorings, moorings of a boat. (Scalpay)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
monasg
Quotation: Bha fon a’ bhial aige ’na mhonasg (of cat hit by car). Notes: pulp, mash. Source: John MacRae. Date: 1967.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
monobar (sic)
[mɔ̃ṉɔbəɾ] Quotation: a’ monobar. Notes: carrying on a whispered conversation.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mont
Quotation: aig mont. Notes: out courting.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
monusg
mush (always used for overdone potatoes – Tha ’m buntàta ’nam monusg).
Origin: Applecross [mother]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
morbhach (f)
coastal flat; sa mhoroich (dative case); mur + magh or faich.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
morghath
[mɔrɔ] Notes: morghath in Dw. for fishing spear, trident. D.R. says it is a triple hook for catching salmon.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
morran
[mɔrɑṉ] Quotation: ceap morran. Notes: used as a seat in shielings because of its toughness. Morran – a very tough grass.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
morran
[mɔrɑṉ] Notes: very tough grass found growing in peaty soil.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
morran
Note: short very coarse grass growing on the moor. “Ceap morran” used as a seat in the shielings.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mortaigeil
[mɔrṯiɡʹəl] Quotation: am mortaigeil. Notes: a strap joining the haimes to the “giort”. Went down the breast and in between the forelegs. Was done up attractively for shows.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mosach
adj ‘dismal, hateful’. : bha i [an t-sìde] an-dè; nathair mh.; bha oidhche mh. stoirmeil ann [FMMaclellan]; nam biodh iad air fad car ~ ri chèile [MAE]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
mosach
Quotation: Tha i mosach an diugh. Notes: only common in Tiree and Coll as a comment on the weather.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
moscaid (c – hard sound)
monster. [See mosgaid.] I think this is a better spelling as to the pronunciation.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mosgail
Quotation: Laigh e ’s gun sgiuch ann; mhosgail e sin as a shuain.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mosgainn
Quotation: Peant brèagh air maide mosgainn.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mosgan
deterioration in wood; dry rot.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mosgan
[mɔ̃sɡɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: maide mosgain. Notes: rotting in wood due to wetness.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
moth
male; moth-chat – tom-cat.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mothaich
Quotation: cion a’ mhothaich. Notes: Lewis “dìth mothachadh”.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mothalanachd
Quotation: a’ mothalanachd [ˈmɔ̃əɫɑṉɑxk]. Notes: working for nothing for the likes of the landlord, e.g. building dykes.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mothas
[mɔ̣̃ʔəs] Quotation: “Tha e mothas làn, trom, teth,” etc. Notes: excess of anything.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
motrum
a useless creature (Perthshire).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
moughtainn
this was the name given to the miller’s fee or payment. Everyone that used the mill had to pay a fee according to the amount of flour they left with. [NOTES: note added above ‘moughtainn’ – mobhdainn.]
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
moull
oatmeal and water. Given to horses for nourishment. [NOTES: corrected to ‘moll’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mu
Quotation: Tha fear aca ma seach fhathast. Notes: one of them is still living.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mu
Quotation: Chaneil cho fad o chaidh sin mu làr. Notes: It is not so long since that went out of existence, came to an end.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mu dheimhin
Quotation: Sgeulachd a chuala mi mo mhàthair ag innis mu dheimhin [mə jɛ̜:vinʹ] té bha fuireach ann a Gleann Lìomhann.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mu dheireadh is mo dhiù
at long last.
Location: Barra, Eoligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mu réir
Quotation: “Leig an cù mu réir.” Notes: “Let the dog loose.”
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muabradh
mumbling kind of conversation which is difficult to understand.
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muadhalaich
lowing of cattle.
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muadhlanaich
the lowing sound of cattle.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muallan
lowing of cattle. [See nuallan.] An attentive hear [sic] [ear?] could also find this pronunciation with some.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muaraladh
this would be applied to the splinters that would fly about after a blast had been let off. “Nach e a rinn a’ muaraladh.” Similar to spruilleadh – smattering.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muc
Quotation: mucan-bearaich [muxkəbɛrẹç]. Notes: porpoises.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muc
Quotation: gnos muice. Notes: sow-mouth. In sheep, cattle and horses where the lower jaw is short.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muc
Quotation: muc a bearraich [muxkəbeərẹç]. Notes: porpoise.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muc
Quotation: Nach e a fhuair a’ mhuc air a’sgian. Notes: getting something “on a plate”.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muc
Quotation: cuilean muic. Notes: young pig.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muc
Quotation: gnos muice. Notes: sow-mouth. In sheep, cattle and horses where the lower jaw is short.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muc
Quotation: gnos muice. Notes: sow-mouth. In sheep, cattle and horses where the lower jaw is short.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muc
Quotation: Bha e cho làn ri muc. Notes: drunk.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muc
Quotation: Chan e a’ mhuc shàmhach as moth a dh’itheas.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muc
Quotation: gnos muice. Notes: sow-mouth. In sheep, cattle and horses where the lower jaw is short.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muc
Quotation: cuilean muc. Notes: piglet.
Origin: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muc-fàileag [mũkfɑ:lɑɡ]
Quotation: pl. mucan-fàileag. Notes: plant like a small rose-bush; prickly, with pink blossom and big red berries. Rosehip syrup made from it, acc. to JML.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muigh
Quotation: Tha thu a’ muigheadh [m[ɤ̃ĩ]əɡ] sin dhomsa. Notes: You are grudging me that.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muighlean
[m[u̟i]lʹɛ̃ṉ] Quotation: muighlean feòir. Notes: a bundle of hay for a cow.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muilchinn (f)
Quotation: Chaidh e ’na mo mhuilchinn. Notes: not munighinn.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muileann
Quotation: muileann gaoitheadh. Notes: windmill. (Pl. na muiltean.)
Location: North Uist, Baleshare
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
muileann
Quotation: Cha robh thu riamh gun do ghràn ’s a mhuileann.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muileann-tóin-ri-làir
Notes: old type of mill with water wheel in a horizontal position.
Location: Ross-shire, West Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muiltean
Quotation: car a’ mhuiltean. Notes: somersault.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muing
Quotation: muing na coise. Notes: the hair growing behind the horse’s leg.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muinne
‘tallow tripe’ agus ‘stomach’ a th’aig na balaich anns na faclairean. Le na cantanasan [?] a th’againne bidh e coltach gur ann air na caolanan a tha ‘muinne’. “Geir mhath air a’ mhuinne aige.” “Lùb-mhuinne.” “Anns a’ mhuinne aige.” Agus mar sin.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
muinne
[mũ̟nʹə] Quot.: “muinne caorach”. Note: the fat round the entrails of an animal.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muinntir
[mɔ̃ĩnʹtʹəɾ] Quotation: “Bha muinntir dhiubh ann.” Notes: applied in Durness to “several” of anything.
Location: Sutherland, Talmine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muinntir
Quotation: “Eisdibh, ’s iad ’gar cluinntinn thar seachd mhuinntrichean.” Notes: said when people are making too much noise.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muinntir an Aonidh 1969
United Free Church and Established Church of Scotland (1930). U. F. Continuing. Those who did not join the 1930 Union. [NOTES: the last comment on U. F. added later.]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
muinntir deisir
[dʹɛ̜ʃər] people of north [sic] side of Loch Tay. [NOTES: slipped under ‘deisir’ with ‘muinntir deisir’ as the quotation. Definition: People belonging to north side of Loch Tay. (cf. also tuatharach).]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
muinntir tuatharach
[tu̜ərəx] people of south [sic] side of Loch Tay. [NOTES: slipped under ‘tuatharach’ with ‘muinntir tuatharach’ as the quotation. Definition: People belonging to south side of Loch Tay. (cf. also ‘deisir’) Saying of informant’s mother: ‘Bodaichean tuatharach, is tuath Gleann Dochairt, Mionnasgan Chillfhinn agus daoine grinn na Sràid Ghlais (in Killin) Barran Gleann Lòcha agus brod deisir [sic].’]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
muir
Quotation: Bha am muir lom. Notes: The sea was calm.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muir
Quotation: Chuir e na muirean sin dheth. Notes: voluble complaining. Source: Mrs N. Morrison, Kenmore. Date: 1970.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muir
Quotation: Bha am muir glé mholach. Notes: The sea was very rough.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muir
Quotation: an tinneas mara. Notes: seasickness (Jura).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muir
Quotation: tinneas mara. Notes: seasickness.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muir bhuachaill
great northern diver.
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muir na fiath
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
muir uisge
salt water.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muir-chas
steep choppy waves of a lighter sort of motion, from the deep ocean roll, say of the Atlantic.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
muirghean, -in
mermaid; (mur + inghean); also morfhuath.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muirsgean
(Muirsig – muirsigean anns an Rudha, muisgean ann an Nis.) Razor fish. Chan eil iad an Nis ach gheibhear moran dhuibh [sic]  air na Lochan, ann an Uig, is tha iad pailt pailt [sic] an gainmheach an Loch a Tuath mu Mhealbost is Stéinis is air an taobh a deas aig Tolm. Chi thu an t-srùp aca aig amannan os cionn na gainmhich agus ma bheireas tu air gun greimeachadh air an t-slige fàgaidh e an t-srup ’na do laimh is ni e fhein gu doimhne. Aig amannan bidh tràigh an Loch a Tuath a’ bristeadh is theid mìltean dhuibh [sic] a thilgeil gu tir. Tha iad ag radh gum brist i a chula seachd bliadhna, ach cha do bhrist i mór bho 1953 – tha e nis 1967. Chaidh innse dhomh – ge bi air bith a bheil e ceart -  gur e gaoth làidir is tide mhara lionaidh làidir an aghaidh a’ cheile a tha sluaisreadh na gainmhich ’sa toirt na muirsgean chun an uachdair is tha na suailichean gan tilgeil gu tìr.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
muirte
oppressive heat.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muirteach
can hardly draw your breath.
Category: Sìde / Weather
muiseal
Quotation: am muiseal. Notes: plough muzzle.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mula-mhàgag
Quotation: sgeth na mulaichean-màgag (sic). Notes: frog-spawn.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mulachag
Quotation: mulachag chàis. Notes: a round of cheese.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mulachag Bealltuinn
a portion of cheese made on the first day of May and kept in the house till the same debt [sic] [date?] next year. Old people believed this would prevent the dairy produce (toradh) being bewitched.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mulachan
Quotation: mulachan càis. Notes: round of cheese.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mulachd
[mũɫɑxk] Note: another term for soreness of bones among young animals (cattle) in bad weather. [Cf. cródach.]
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mulan
Quotation: also b) mulan feur. Notes: stack of sheaves. b) haystack.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mulan
corn-stack in stack-yard. An ceann (thatched with seileasdair (iris) or [sic]: – Am bodach (½ doz sheaves). – Bann. – Crios. – Sìoman-sgéith. – Am màthair shìoman. An cal(a)ba. An t-sreath (outer row of sheaves). (Ears of adag to centre.) Biadh a’ mhulain (inner row of sheaves).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
mulcach
[mũ̜ɫkɑx] Quot.: “Tha e air fàs gu math mulcach.” Note: He has grown stout, become well-rounded.
Origin: Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mulcadh
Note: a’ mulcadh also used when a person is so wrapped up in clothes that one gets the feeling he is about to suffocate. Quot.: Bha e air a’ mhulcadh le aodach.
Origin: Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mulcaire
(also) a rude angry (of little consideration towards his fellow men, etc.) person. Perhaps the same ‘symptoms’ could be noticeable towards a bird, for the name to be adopted. [SLIP: A person who is rude and generally inconsiderate towards his fellow human beings.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mulchag
[mulaxɑk] geir feidh [sic] [deer fat] in a mould (endowed with healing powers – any wound or baby’s navel). [NOTES: slipped under ‘mulchag’ with ‘mulchag geir feidh’ as the quotation. Definition: Deer fat in a mould. Endowed with healing properties – for a wound or was rubbed on a baby’s navel.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
mulconain
conical suppurating sore.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mullach
Quotation: mullach na conntraigh, mullach na reothairt. Notes: highest tide.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mullach
Quotation: mullach a phuill. Notes: uncut area beside bank.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mullach
Quotation: mullach conntraigh. Notes: highest point of neap tide.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mullach
Quotation: mullach reothairt.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mullach
Quot.: “Bha iad ann am mullach nan ad.” Note: They were in heated argument.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mullach (m)
Quotation: ’na shuidhe am mullach an teine. Notes: not quite.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mullach a phuill
top part where peat are laid out.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mullach a’ bhaic
higher level [of the peat bank].
Location: Gearrloch, Achadh a’ Chairn [Gairloch, Auchtercairn]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mullach làn àrd
moon at its height.
Category: Sìde / Weather
mullach-camhlaich
straw-thatched roof.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mullach-claiseach
corrugated roof.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mullach-fraoich
heather-thatched roof.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mullach-na-leisge
the very pith [sic] of laziness. [NOTES: slipped under ‘mullach’ with ‘mullach na leisge’ as the quotation. Definition: The very epitome of laziness.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mullachagan
made with animal fat, put in bowl, a mould.
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
mullaich
(verb) lowing of cattle.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mult
a castrated male a year old and over (wedder).
Location: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
mult
castrated male (rare).
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect)
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
mult
this was the general term given to a castrated or wedder lamb after he had been clipped for the first time.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
mult
Quotation: sia-raitheach mult, da-bhliadhnach mult.
Origin: Kinlochourn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mun cuairt
advb ‘around’: bha nathair ’ suaineadh ~ [maŋguərst];  ~ air prep.: chuir iad ròpa clìor ~ air na casan aige
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
munan
Spout fish eile coltach ri eachan [q.v.]. Steallaidh e do’n adhar ma shuathas tu ann.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
muntata [sic] atharnaich
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
muntata atharnaich 5. (1b)
[NOTES: added later.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
muntata carrach
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
muntata uaine
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
murabhlach (m.)
muirbhuachaill, great northern diver. (Tarbert)
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
murabhuchaille
[ˈmu̟ɾəvu̟xilʹə] Note: great northern diver.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muran
sea bent used for thatching.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
muran
sea bent used for thatch.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
murrag (-an)
driftwood or indeed anything that might be found on the shore. It is a tribute to the wiliness of Hebridean people that they always refer to such a find as a ‘murrag’, even when it was a crate of whisky or rum. No one elaborated on what they had found except to say that they had found a ‘murrag’.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
murrainneach
Quot.: “tìde mhurrainneach”. Note: close, oppressive weather. (Same as ‘bruthainneach’.)
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
murt
coarseness in the chest, asthmatic effect in the chest. Tha murt air mo bhroilleach. (Harris)
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
musal
[mũ̜səɫ] Notes: muzzle at the head of the plough.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
musgan-caol
prawn. I have already noted this rendering for prawn, which I have discovered to me I am doubtful as its appropriateness or did it ever be the interpretation of the word prawn… the giomach-cuain is the nearest?
Location: Harris, Scalpay
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
muthadh
Quotation: fàileadh muthaich. Tha e muthaidh. Notes: musty. Used adjectively.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muthan
a plant found amidst iris. Characterised by having nine shoots (naoidh allt). The following verse was said in connection with this plant but not sure as to the exact circumstances. Must have been some kind of charm or plant of good fortune. Will check on this. “Buainidh mis muthan beag, lusan nan naoi allt; buainidh agus beannaichidh dh’am athair ’s dhan mhac; chan eil duin’ uasal neo iseal na sagart beag nan seachd gràdh nach leamsa bhuaidh agus a bheannachd ’s mo lùs bheag nam làimh.”
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Ardivachar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màbadh
Quotation: a’ màbadh air duine. Notes: talking ill (of someone).
Location: Skye, Camustianavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màdar
matter.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màdh
trumps at cards.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màgail
Quotation: tonnag a’ màgail. Notes: a duck quacking.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màgan
Quotation: a’ falbh air a’ mhàgan. Notes: going on all fours.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màgan
nn ‘toad’ : chunna mi nathair 's greim aice air ~ na beul
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
màgan
Quotation: Bha e air a’ mhàgan air an ùrlar. Notes: on all fours.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màgaran
[mɑ̃:ɡəɾɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: leanabh air mhàgaran. Notes: crawling on all fours.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màilaid
used of a large fat woman.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màilich
mauling, battering. Thug e màilich air.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màireach
[mɛ̣ɛ̣rəx] Quotation: “Leat an diugh ’nad aghaidh am màireach.” Notes: tomorrow.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màirnealach
Quotation: duine màirnealach. Notes: lazy, slow to do anything.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màirnealach
[mɑ̃:ʴnʹɑɫɑx] Quot.: “tìde mhàirnealach”. “Tha i màirnealach.” Note: close weather. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màirnealaich
Quotation: a’ màirnealachadh. Notes: weather forecasting.
Location: Barra, Bruernish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màl
Quotation: Tha thu na do mhàl. Notes: said to someone who was very busy. Impression of a lot of movement involved.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màl
Quotation: Tha mi nam mhàl. Notes: (Lewis) ‘I’m really busy.’
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màlanach
sub-tenant of tuath (tenants of uachdaran N. Ins.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
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
màm
ulcerous wound, infesting, externally under the auxter. 2. Gaelic ‘at’ – festing [sic] [festering?] wound approached by an expertee [sic] who used to act with an axe head towards the wound and reciting [sic] a chant, etc. for cure. Have heard of it (orally).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
màm
boil on the skin of the festering nature. [SLIP: A festering boil on the skin.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màm
Note: (1) a swollen gland, e.g. under the armpit or at the top of the thigh. (2) also used for rounded hills on the moor.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mànaidh (could be bànaidh?)
Quotation: Bha a’ leanabh air a mhànaidh [vɑ̃:ṉi] ag iarraidh a mach. Notes: in a worked-up state.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mànran
Quotation: Bha e ag obair air a’ mhànran fhéin. Notes: working on his own.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mànran
alone, at own will, retired, on holiday.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màrach
this would be said of a cow that could never get her fill of food or water.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màrach
used of a cow that cannot be satiated, satisfied.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màrlspàic
an iron spike tapering at one end. Used for splicing wire. Also had wooden equivalent for splicing rope.
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
màs-leathainn
square-stern.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màsach
Quotation: “De a’ seorsa eathar a th’ann?” “Tha te deireadh màsach.” Notes: square-sterned boat.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màsach
Quotation: eathar deireadh-màsach. Notes: square-sterned boat.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màsach
Quotation: eathar màsach. Notes: a square-sterned boat.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màthair
Quotation: màthair uisge, màthair an tobair. Notes: source.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màthair
Quotation: [mə vɛ̜:r]. Notes: ‘Mo mhàthair.’
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màthair
Quot.: “mathair [sic] a’ fhraoich”. Note: heather that grew back in a burnt area. (Put also under fraoch.)
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màthair a’ mhaoraich
encrustations on back.
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
màthair mhòna
na fàdan anns a’ cheud sreath air tarsuinn a’ phuill.
Origin: Borraraig [Skye, Boreraig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
màthair-ghuir
Notes: the source of inflammation in a boil or swelling.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màthair-ghuir
Notes: “The foundation of a boil which comes out after the pus, as if it were the roots of the boil.”
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màthair-mhóineadh
Notes: the outside peat.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màthair-shiomain
Notes: the thick rope from which stones were suspended near the base of the roof of a thatched house.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mánran
Quotation: ’Shíne dhonn na’m buadhan blátha, / ’Sann deam fhein bu bhinn do mhánran / Ach a nis bho rinn thu m’fhágail / Chaidh mo chláirseach as a h-altan. Notes: used in the sense of delightful melody. By a local poet about a hundred years ago, of a neighbour “nightingale” whose voice in church served as an organ.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mèaruid
Notes: a small insignificant creature, usually a girl. Dw. has meuranda ‘weakly, delicate, tender; tiny’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath
shyly, timid (uncomplimentary).
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
ath
Quot.: “talamh mèath”. Note: rich soil.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atha
the width of peat bank to be cut.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mèile
[mɛ̃:lə] Notes: the bleat of a sheep or lamb.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mèilich
Notes: bleating.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mèilich
bleating.
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
mèilich
Notes: bleating.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mèilich
Notes: bleating.
Location: Coll, Arinagour
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mèilich
Quotation: a’ mèilich. Notes: bleating.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mèilich
Notes: bleating.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mèinich
Quotation: Tha e ri [mɛ̃:ṉɑxɑ̃ṉ]. Notes: yawn.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mèinneadair
nn ‘miner’ : pl.: ~ean matha
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
mèireag
[mɛ̃:ɾɑɡ] Quotation: mèireag de shnàth. Notes: ball of wool. (meurag?)
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Droman
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
méillcheadan
chilblains. Potato cut in half and applied to soothe the burning feeling.
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
méistir
urine. Also used in dyeing process. Informant says this prevented the dyes from running together. This observation might need to be examined closer since many informants tell me sorrel or ‘sealbhag’ was used for this purpose.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mì-chuis
Quot.: Nam bhiodh duine ann le droch stamag ’s docha gum biodh mì-chuis aige ri biadh air chor-eigin. Note: notion, fancy for something, in particular to eat. A certain food.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mì-shealbh
Quotation: Fhuair mi mo mhì-shealbh [mĩ:hɑɫəv]. Notes: I got a good “going-over”.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mì-shealbh
Quotation: Mì-shealbh ort. Notes: drat.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mìlleag (-an)
refers to a stage in butter making when the cream had been whipped to the extent that it became small fragments – ‘mìlleagan’.
Location: North Uist, Hoghagearraidh [Hougharry]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mìn
Quotation: a’ chuileag mhìn. Notes: midge.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mìn
Quotation: bùrn mìn. Notes: drizzle.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mìn
Quotation: cìr-mhìn. Notes: fine tooth-comb.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mìn-fheasdrach
brown flour which was mixed with hot water like brose. When it thickened it was eaten like porridge. [NOTES: corrected to ‘min-pheasdrach’.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mìos
Quotation: mìos crochadh nan cléibh. Notes: February.
Location: South Uist, Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mìr
Quot.: “’S e mìr a beul na béist a bh’ann.” Note: said when something was done just in time before the onset of bad weather. (Put also under beul and biast.)
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mìr
Quotation: mìr arbhair, mìr fheòir. Notes: a quantity inside the barn.
Origin: Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mìr-eàrraidh
[mĩðȷɑ:ri] Note: sticks (2) with nails stuck in them at either end to keep the cloth stretched broadways as it was woven.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mìreadh
Cromain, picean, ’s nithean de’n t-seòrsa-sin, air an geurachadh ’s air an leasachadh mar a bhiodh feum air. Bha iad air am mìreadh. Aig a’ ghobha. Bidh lorg aig Murchadh MacLeòid, Southend, gu math air dé a bh’ann ‘mìreadh’. ’Se gobha a bha ’n a athair. Gobha nan Uigean a chanadh sinn ris.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mògais
[mɔ̃:ɡiʃ] Quotation: Cuir dhiot na mògaisean sin! Notes: big boots.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòghlanachd
villeinage. Unfree peasant attached to lord to whom he paid dues and services for his land.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòigh
[m[ɔ̃ĩ]] Quotation: Mhòigh mi air gun a dhol a mach. Notes: threaten, warn. Dw. muigh.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòin(t)each ()
[fem.] peat moor.
Origin: Ratharsaireach [Raasay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine
Quotation: mòine ghaothaich. Notes: where there is only a thin layer of turf and peat (i.e. in an area where peat was cut before), it is almost dry when it is cut.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòine
Quotation: mòine bhargain [vɑɾɑɡɑ̃nʹ]. Notes: peats cut on piece – work for the distilleries or farms.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòine
Quotation: mòine chìb. Notes: top stringy layer of peat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòine
Quotation: mòine cheòsach [çɔ:sɑx]. Notes: spongy peat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòine
Quotation: mòine chìb or chìbeach. Notes: light stringy peat.
Origin: Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòine bhuidhe
spongy peat.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine bhàn
brown peat. It is light coloured and light in weight.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine bhàn
spongy type of peat.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine bhàn
light brown peats.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine bhàn
light coloured fibrous peat.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine bhàn
light, brown peat of the hilltops.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine bhàn
[peat] from the softer bogs.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine chailc
the peat glows but has no flame and it remains as chalk.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine chailc
chalky [peat].
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine chailceach
peat mixed with clay.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine chalcais
[kind of peat] probably where the plant roots were still in a good state of preservation.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine chaoranach
broken peat.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine chinn
[peat] often cut roughly with a spade. Live vegetation still forms part of it.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine chiopach
soft peat. Same as ‘mòine chòsach’. [NOTES: ‘chiopach’ corrected to ‘chìbeach’.]
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòine chreadha
mòine dhubh, throm, anns a bheil criadh – agus móran luatha.
Origin: Borraraig [Skye, Boreraig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine chriadha
[peat] usually from the bottom stratum. Clay in some measure is still attached to the peat.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine chruaidh dhubh
black peat (Uist and Harris).
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine chruaidh, dhubh
hard, black type of peat.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine chràic
Notes: (Keose) used of peat in which tree stumps, branches, etc. were found. Flared up quickly and burnt well. A patch behind the gàrradh in Keose. Not in Dwelly.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòine chràiceach
peats containing bits of old trees.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine chràiceach
[peat] composed mostly of dead trees. ‘Cràic’ is used for rotting stumps and branches. ‘Giuthas’, still in a good state of preservation, is used on the mainland to describe the tree roots preserved by the peat.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine chòsach
spongy peat.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine chòsach
spongy type of peat.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine chòsach
a stringy type of peat which has bent many a ‘sgian’; ‘còsach’ was smoked by the bodach when he had the ‘carathas’ – the craving for tobacco: this out of ‘ine crùbaig’!
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine dhearg
peat where you have iron mixture and you get red ashes.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine dhubh
black peat.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine dhubh
black peat.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine dhubh
black peat.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine dhubh
black peats.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine dhubh
generally the last strata of peat next to the rock-formation.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine dhubh
heavy, bluey-black peat of the marshlands.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine dhubh
black good quality peat usually from sloping ground where the peat formation is slower and the vegetation stronger.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine fhraoich
peat which is made up of undecomposed heather fibres.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine fàs
[peat] spongy and suffering from runlets and channels caused by running water.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine gharbh
peat cut very big.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine luath-deirg
Cha bu chaomh le na bodaich idir a’ mhòine-sa agus gun chàil cèarr oirre ach gu robh an luath aice dearg. Mar a’ mhòine bhàn bha i aotrom ri a tarruing.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine phrann
crumbly, brittle, black type of peat.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine riabhach
peats that are a little darker [than mòine bhàn q.v.].
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine riabhach
(brindled) [peat] halfway between ‘mòine dhubh’ [q.v.] and ‘mòine bhàn’ [q.v.] in colour and quality.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine thaiseallach
slow-burning or long-lasting peat.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine tholltach
[peat] spongy and suffering from runlets and channels caused by running water.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine, G. mònadh
peat.
Origin: Ratharsaireach [Raasay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine-bhristeadh
fragile peat, easily broken.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòine-bhàn
light peat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòine-bhàn
generally the first two or three layers of peat next to the virgin moorland.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine-chalcais
peat in which there is a certain amount of moorland grass and heather fibres.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine-chruaidh-dhubh
dark hard peat (quality of peat).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòine-chòsach
absorbent peat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòine-dhubh
Dh’fheumadh tu a gearradh tiugh. Bha i pronn. ’Se connadh math a bh’innte. Bha i trom ri a tarruing air an druim.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine-fhiadhe
peat in which there is decayed wood embodied.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine-phrann
broken peat; moinne-phrann nature of peat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòine-ùr
this year’s peat.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòineadh-bhàn
light quality peat, of a mossy essence.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòinteach
general area, moorland, where peat is found.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòinteag
name given to cattle.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòintich-an-fhraoich
heather-clad moorland void of arable patches or cultivation.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòr
adj. : + cha ‘almost’: b’fheudar dhi cha mh. sgian ‘ fhaighinn; cpv. as advb.: chan eil tuillidh ‘s a’ chòir de theas math [mahə] (+ epenth. ə) nas motha
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
mòr-bharail
n. ‘firm opinion’: ’s e mo mh. fhèin na Ruisianaich a tha ’ seo gur e daoine gu math dalma [ta style='mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>ʁ̫ə`mə] ’ th’ ionnta
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
mòraidhean
fertile land in the moorland on the eastern side of the island which was divided between the villagers, who received about an acre each. This land was ploughed and used to supplement croft land. Nowadays it is used for peat bogs.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
móine
Quotation: móine chopach. Notes: spongy peat.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
móine
Quotation: móine chopach. Notes: spongy peat.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
móine
Quotation: móine spaideadh. Notes: peat cut with an ordinary spade.
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
móine
Quotation: móine riabhach [mɔ̃:nʹəɾiɤɤx]. Notes: stringy peat.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
móine
Quotation: ràth móine. Notes: longish line of peats lifted up to dry.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
móine
Quotation: móine chòineach [xɔ:nʹɑx]. Notes: mossy peat.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
móine
Quotation: móine chruaidh. Notes: black peat.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
móine
Quotation: móine phlòiteach. Notes: spongy peat.
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
móine
Quotation: móine chòsach. Notes: light, stringy peat.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
móine
Quotation: móine gnìomh [ɡɾĩ:v]. Notes: peats suitable for putting in the outside shell of the peatstack.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
móine-spaid
Notes: turf divot with the bottom part of peat.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
móinteach
[mõ:nʹtʹɑx] Quotation: a’ cur dhachaidh a’ mhóinteach. Notes: peats, collectively.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mór
Quotation: “Nach i tha mór aiste fhéin.” Notes: full of pride. [mɔ̣r ɛ̜stʹə he]
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mór
Quotation: a bheag no mhór.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mór
Quotation: cas mhór. Notes: see cas.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mór
Quotation: Tha e mór as a’ mhart. Notes: proud of.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mór
Quotation: sgarbh mór. Notes: cormorant.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mór
Quotation: lach mhór. Notes: eider duck.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mórasda
stately, static.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mórchuisean
another type of cattle renowned for yielding milk in great quantities.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
móthan
Ladynut. ‘Braonan’ in Mull. (Used to eat them.)
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
mùdan
Quotation: ag amharc fo na mùdan. Notes: looking up from under the eyebrows.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùgach
Quotation: (1) solus mùgach. (2) duine mùgach. Notes: (1) a dim light. (2) a sullen-faced, frowning man.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùgach
hazy, dim, as weather, light, etc.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùig
Quotation: a’ coimhead air fo na mùigean [mũ̟:ɡʹəṉ]. Notes: looking at a person from under lowered eyebrows, with head lowered.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùig
liquid that is left after making cheese.
Origin: Uibhist a’ Deas [South Uist]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
mùin
Quotation: A’ mùin ’s an aon fhaochaig, cha bhi i fada gun dol fairis. Notes: said of two people who are very friendly for a time.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùirneach
Quotation: Tha e mùirneach aca. Notes: They like him.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùiseagail
fearful of, threatening.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùla
Mùla MacSgiathain (Islibhig).
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
mùn dearg
red-water.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
mùn-goirt
urine under the ‘congelation’ [sic] effect of age. ‘Maighstir-goirt’ used in the making of tweed, Harris tweed in particular. If congelation [sic] is the right word in this instance (sour effect).
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùn-goirt
urine collected in a tub, left aside for a period of time ‘to sour’ in the preparation of the tweed waulking process.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùngait
an untidy kind of person who does not care too much about his appearance or about what people think of him. [NOTES: corrected to ‘mungait’.]
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùntadh
this was the term applied to all the dressing that was needed in preparing a coffin. Included nails, handles, linen, brass plates, etc. [NOTES: corrected to ‘muntadh’.]
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùrach
Quotation: mùrach anns a ghainmhich. Notes: digging in the sand.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùran
[mũ:ɾɑ̃ṉ] Notes: sea-bent, sometimes used for thatching.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Skerray
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùrdach
[mu̜:rd̪ɑx] Notes: kingfish. (Not sure what fish this is – check.)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùsgan
[mũ̜:sɡɑn] Notes: found in the sand, ejects water from a tube.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùt
a vat in old salt making machines.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùt
water dropped into this as salt.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
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
mún-dearg
Notes: redwater in cattle.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
na
rel. pron. ‘all that’ : ~ bha an siud do chreig
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
na Chestin
the Shorter Catechism. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
na beathaichean
[herd or any collection of cattle.]
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
na blocaichean
the pieces of wood separating trams from axle.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
na ceannachragan
ceangal an tobhta ri cliathach an eathar.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
na chnapan dearga
means it [i.e. herring] being thickly congregated on the point of breaking into playful practice or movement – reference ‘an t-uamhas dhe cliucheadh [sic]’.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
na cuairtichean
sheep-gatherings.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
na eolan dearg
inflammation of gums or the scalding effect of a burn. Refers to the reddening of the skin. [NOTES: ‘eolan’ corrected to ‘eòlan’.]
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Ardivachar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
na fathan
to be left in poverty, e.g. “Nuair a bhitheas an gràn uladh bith sinn aig na fathan.”
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
na féithean
flat boggy land from which cattle had to be extricated from time to time.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
na gaidheachan
guys (for preventing horses from separating too much in two-horse ploughing).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
na géibheals
ropes at end of net.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
na h-Athaisich
The Conservatives.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
na h-abh
the Atlantic Ocean. From the Old Norse word Haf.
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
na h-iarann stiuireach
used to attach above [i.e. falmadair] to boat (i.e. like a gate).
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
na h-iomalan
piston like instruments in a loom. Wooden at the top and bottom with the rest consisting of wire. These kept the colours apart when weaving.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
na hems
hames (tied at top with hemp).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
na laidhe leath mharbh
Origin: [in the card index: Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
na laighe ann an neul
lying in a dazed state.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
na lathichean
[nə lɑʔiçən] Notes: the days.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
na làmhan
[NOTES: slipped under ‘làmhan’ with ‘na làmhan’ as the quotation. Definition: Parts of coffin.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
na lòineachan
fat round the kidneys.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
na lòineachan
fat round kidneys.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
na minigeadanan
Notes: (Keose) small butter. Not in Dw. Date: 1965.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
na mnathan-luaidh
The waulking group.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
na pagaisean
The privates (na buill dhìomhair). (males) Females: Dh’fhaodadh gu’n cual mi uair e mu females ach ’s ann do an fheadhainn eile, saoilidh mi, a bhuineas an t-ainm. ’S ann riutha a bhitheadh e.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
na ruifeanaich
Quotation: frayed skin at cuticle-edge on fingers. Source: Lewis usage recalled. Date: noted 14/05/1983.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
na sgliadan
the slates.
Origin: Bràigh-Lochabar [Brae Lochaber]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
na sglog fiath
[?]
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
na sgrathan
These were square pieces of green sod or turf thinly cut with a sharp kind of spade called a ‘caibe-làir’. There was an art in the cutting of a ‘sgrath’ and an ordinary spade would not do. The ‘sgrathan’ were laid on top of the rafters, ‘taobhain’ [q.v.] and ‘maidean-ceangail’ [q.v.] in a very methodical way, so that every inch of wood was covered. Finally the thatch, rushes or heather, was carefully spread on top of ‘sgrathan’ and held down by heather ropes, ‘sioman fraoich’, in criss-cross pattern. To the ends of these ropes, which dangled over the top of wall below, heavy stones called ‘acraichean’ were attached to keep thatch secure in place in time of storm. If the least flaw was detected in a ‘sgrath’ after it was cut, it was at once discarded as unsuitable for the roof of a building.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
na sgrathan,
[sg.] sgrath [fem.] the large flat slating divots were placed over the ‘taobhain’ [q.v.].
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
na séistir
at their peak. Referring to the prosperity of the kelp industry.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
na taobhain,
[sg.] taobhan [masc.] the laths nailed across the ‘casan ceanghail’ [q.v.] to support the thatch.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
nad dheannruith
at full speed.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
naidheachd
Quotation: Cha mhisde deagh naigheachd [sic] a’ chluinntinn a rithisd.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
naimheal
[n̪ɑ̃ĩɔl] Quotation: Tha e naimheal. Notes: “It is bitterly cold.”
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
naimheil
[n̪ɑ̃ĩɑ̃l] Quotation: duine naimheil. Notes: a very spiteful, nasty person.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nan crannchur
in their situation.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nar
near. (Strathglass) “Fuireach nar dhomh.”
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nasg
Quotation: nasg a’ chriathair. Notes: hoop of riddle.
Location: Stornoway, Melbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nasg
Quotation: Chaneil ann ach a’ nasg. Notes: skeleton.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nasg
Notes: rim of “criathar”. Nasg caora: sheep’s skeleton, e.g. as found on the moor.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nasg
chan’eil am facal againn a nis ach ann “air an nasg” i.e. ceangailte gun bhiadh fad an latha.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
nasg
Quotation: nasg a’ chriathair. Notes: wooden hoop.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nasgair
treaty-maker, bargain-maker.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nasgan
tie rope for cattle.
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nathair
nn f. ‘snake’: bha ~ [nehir] ’ suainneadh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
nathair
Notes: snake.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nathair
Quotation: an tarbh-nathrach. Notes: dragonfly.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nathair-neimh
[ṉɑ̃həʴnʹɛ̃] Notes: snake. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nathair-uisge
nn f. ‘water snake’: tha ~ againn an seo
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
natures of ground (e.g. soft, hard)
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
nead
Quotation: fàs-nead. Notes: nest that some birds start to make but leave unfinished. They don’t lay in it. Perhaps the place is unsuitable or it is used as a decoy.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nead bramaige bleoghain
cow pat.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
neamhall
[nʹɛ̃vəɫ] Quot.: “’S e brod neamhall a bh’annsan.” Note: brat, rascal.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
neas bheag
stoat.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
neasg
[n̪ɛ̃sɡ] Notes: rope of rushes for tying cattle inside. (nasg)
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
neathalaich
pins and needles (cold fingers placed on something hot).
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
needlach
fishing word referring to operations on R. Ness.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
neimh
Quotation: ceò neimh. Notes: mist on the surface of the water as the ice was about to form.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
neo-mathach
Quotation: Chan fhaca mi duine ’riamh cho neo-mathach ris. Notes: so ruthless.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
neo-shunnd
[nʹɔ̃hən̪] Quotation: Ghabh a’ bhó neo-shunnd. Notes: e.g. a beast which had eaten too much.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
neo-shunndach
Notes: not feeling up to scratch. Not “mi-shunndach”.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
neothadh
[nʹɔ̃həɡ] Quotation: a’ cur an crann gu neothadh. Notes: when the plough is adjusted to turn a narrower furrow.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
neothann
feeling after over-eating.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
neo’r-thaing
advb: ~ nach: ‘of course’: ~ nach robh an duine math gu pàigheadh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
neul
Quotation: Tha neul a’ bhais ’na aodann.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
neul
[nʹĩɑ̃ɫ] Quotation: Tha neul ’nam cheann. Notes: dizziness.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
neòil duathal
grey and heavily overcast.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
neònachas
Quotation: Chuir e neònachas orm. Notes: It puzzled me, made me think; I thought it strange (perhaps).
Location: Canada, Christmas Island, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ni
[nĩ] Quotation: Cha robh ni gréineadh ann. Notes: nothing.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
niamhair
nimh form or nimheil. Gath na natraichean nimhe – sting. [SLIP 1: Niamhair. Same as ‘nimheil’ qv. – poisonous.] [SLIP 2: Nimh. Gath nan nathraichean nimhe. Form of ‘nimheil’, poisonous.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nigh
Quotation: [ṉiç] mi m’ aodann. Notes: I washed my face.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nigheadaireachd
Quotation: sòda nigheadaireachd. Notes: washing soda.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nigheadaireachd
Quotation: sòda nigheadaireachd.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nighean
Quotation: La Fheill Brìghde brisgeanach, thig an ceann do’n chaitinneach, buinnich an fhaochag air a’ bhàirneach, agus thig nighean Iomhair as an toll. Notes: nighean Iomhair: snake.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nimheil fuar
nippy, biting weather.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
niodhlag/niùdhlag
[ɲj̃ũɫaɡ] [?] Quotation: niodhlagan bhuntàta carrach (from Duan Callainn – Lewis). Notes: a small potato. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nios-bhàn
[nʹĩsvɑ̃:ṉ] Notes: stoat.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nith
Quotation: na nith. Notes: cattle (old usage).
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nith gun riaghailt
applied in the sense of something that was rare, i.e. “Dh’ith mi nith gun riaghailt an diugh.” – referring to a rare treat such as ‘ceann cròpaig’. [NOTES: ‘nith’ corrected to ‘nì’.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
niuchar
Quotation: niuchar a’ speal. Notes: the wire supporting the blade. (Also, more commonly, “snàthad a’ speal”.)
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
niùgail
Notes: small (glass) marble. Not in Dw. Source: Angus MacKenzie, Burncrook, Bayble, Lewis. Date: October 1970.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
niùlag
[nʹũ̜:ɫɑɡ] Notes: a very small potato.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
niùlag
Niùlag de dh’adhairc oirre. Niùlag pìoba aige (p. thombaca). Adhaircean cumanta: [see illustration]. Niùlagan: [see illustration]. Pìob chumanta: [see illustration]. Niùlag: [see illustration].
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
niùrstan
[nʹũ̜:ʴsṯɑṉ] Note: Mrs. MacA’s pronunciation of the word for the celebration drink given on the birth of a child. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
no cromadh a’ bhrochain
Bhiodh am brochan (chan è lite, ach brochan na feòla) aca a muigh aig buain na mòna. Dithis mu’n toirbhsgear bhiodh iad ag atharrachadh as déidh a’ h-uile biadh – na’m biodh tu a’ leagail, as déidh a’ bhidh dheadh tu a thilgeil. Bhiodh strì am measg nam bodach airson faighinn a thilgeil an toiseach airson faighinn a leagail as déidh a’ bhrochain. Bhiodh iad cho làn agus cho dùmhail as déidh a’ bhrochain agus gu robh e mòran na bu chomhfhurtail a bhith a’ leagail na a bhith a’ tilgeil.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
no date
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
noc
Quotation: Dé ’n uair a tha e air [əṉɔ̃k] sin? Notes: formerly used for “clock”.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nocuileat
[ṉɔculʹet] Notes: inoculate.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nodaich (v)
meditate.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nodan
[n̪ɔ̃d̪ɑṉ] Quotation: Tha e a deanamh nodan cadail.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
noigean
Quotation: bodach beag nan noigeanan. Notes: playful term of endearment.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
noigean
Quotation: [n̪ɔ̃ʔɡʹɛ̃nʹ], sometimes [n̪ɛ̃ʔɡʹɛ̃ṉ]. Notes: a wooden communal dish for holding potatoes, porridge, etc.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
norran
Quotation: norran cadail. Notes: forty winks.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
not
Quotation: [ṉɔṯfɑ:ɾo]. Notes: not sure of the meaning of this, possibly a counterfeit note.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nuadal
tittle tattle; gossip.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nuair
Quotation: “Dar [dɑ˖r] tha thu falamh.”
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nuair
Quotation: Nuair a ruigeas tu ’n t-iar-ogha, na bi ’g iarraidh a’ chàirdeis.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nuair
Quotation: Nuair a dh’fhàsas am falt tana cha chòmhdaich e cùl a’ chinn agus clàr an aodainn.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nualaich
(verb) lowing of cattle.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nuallan
lowing of cattle.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nuallanaich
Quotation: Bha e a’ nuallanaich. Notes: bellowing.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nuathallan
giving an account of something.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
null
Quotation: Bha e null ’s a nall. Notes: he was non-committal.
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nàdar
nn ‘nature’ : tha coin ann, tha ~ marbhadh nan caorach ionnta;cha thaobhainn fhèin ban-Èireannach na tè sam biodh droch ~ [re. Walter Scott MacFarlane]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
nàdarra
adj. ‘natural’: nach i as ~ dhomh?
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
nàisein
nn ‘nation’ : gen. pl. nuair a tha thu ‘ dol am-miosg ~ean heile [FMM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
nèisde
now (or Harris pronunciation).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Gu sealladh nì math ort!/orm!/oir’! etc. Notes: For goodness sake!
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: Cha robh nì gréineadh ann. Notes: There wasn’t a thing.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quot.: “Theirig a dh’iarrraidh a’ nì.” Note: used formerly of cattle. Says that the form [nʹıç] was also used in certain instances. Not too clear about it but he thinks one would say “aig a’ nich”, “chon a’ nich”.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nòisean (m)
Quotation: Bha nòisean aige do Cheit. Notes: a fancy for. (slangy)
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nòs
Quotation: a’ cur bàta dhan a’ nòs [n̪ɔ̃:s]. Notes: a sort of nest made for boats. Could be [ɔ̃:s].
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nòs
[nɔ:s] Quotation: Tha ’m bata [sic] as a’ nòs. Notes: the channel at the top of a beach into which a boat was hauled. [ɔ̃:s] in Skye. George MacKenzie connects it with Norse “noust”.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nòsa
[n̪ɔ̃:sə] Notes: the “dock” into which a boat is put up on the shore.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nòta
Notes: illustrative anecdote in sermon.
Location: Lewis, Point, Bayble
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nós fiathach, gucagan
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
obag (-an)
said of a child displaying parents’ characteristics. “’S obagan d’athair agad.”
Location: North Uist, Sollas, Malagleit [Malaglate]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
obair
Quotation: Robh obair trom [opər trom] anns a’ speal. Notes: masculine in Arran Gaelic.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
obair
Quotation: Fhuair thu obair! Notes: (Skye) ‘Some daft idea that!’
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
obair eallaich
work that involved carrying heavy weights on your shoulders.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
obair iaruinn
B’e sin sia fichead slat a bhuain agus leud an rùsgaidh dà throigh airson poll dhà fhad, agus troigh gu leth airson poll thrì fàd. Mar “Moine an tigh-mhóir (an Luige [?]) fichead obair iaruinn.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
obair is ath obair
double the work.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
obair shaoghalta, mhi riatanach
work that could be done on another day. Applied to work done on a Sunday.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
obair snasail
neat (?) job.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
obair-lion
[sic] net work, associated with nets, or a sort of woven process in like mesh form, communicating likewise or associating.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
obh obh
denotes a mourning implication.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
obraich
vb ‘work’ : vbl nn: bha i ’n deoghaidh obrachadh cruaidh [‘hard at it’]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
och
Notes: for ach – but. (Also gloc for glac – catch.)
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
och! och!
expression, or words collaborating with sadness etc. = series. [SLIP: Interj. conveying sadness.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ochdnar
Quotation: “Deanamaid ùrnaigh, is gabhaidh Dòmhnall Aonghuis Bhig òran, is bidh rìdhl’ againn, ’s bidh ochdnar againn.” The Rev. Donald MacCallum, presiding at a concert in Keose. Notes: eightsome reel. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ocstar
supports under seats at stern and stem. In older boats this extended right round the boat.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Ceannaraigh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
od od
a remark when a person is not prepared to accept what is said. [NOTES: the slip has ‘od-od’.] [SLIP: Vid. ’ud-ud’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
odhaisg rùid
up to 1 year old. (The ‘r’ in ‘ruid’ is aspirated.)
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
ogh-aiseag
complete restoration.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oide aidmheil
Father confessor.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oidhche
Quotation: oidhche nighe-nan-cas. Notes: the custom of washing the feet of the bride and bridegroom the night before the wedding.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oidhche
Quotation: beul na h-oidhche.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oidhche
Quotation: oidhche Chullaig. Notes: Hogmanay.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oidhche
Quotation: as t-oidhch’. Notes: at night.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oidhche
Quotation: Dh’eirich agus dh’fhalbh i ann an corp na h-oidhche.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oidhche na h-imrich
Notes: the final night at the shieling, the eve of returning home, a night of feasting, singing, dancing, courting (e.g. the youth of Achmore and Luerbost would gather at the Keose shielings, between Soval and Cliascro.) Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oidhirp
n. ‘attempt’ [ɤrɤp]: thug e ~ air a dhèanamh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
oighreachd
estate.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oighreachd (f)
Quotation: oighreachd Amhuinnsuidhe (Harris). Notes: an estate.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oilean
[elɑṉ] Quotation: “Nach ann air a tha an droch oilean.” Notes: bad-mannered.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oilpeig
some kind of revelation, belonging to same period as above word [i.e. “pre-Christian times”].
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oir
[ɔrʹ] Quotation: oir a’ bhuird.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oir na tuinnaibh
water’s edge.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oir-thir
[eɾəɾ] Quotation: “Tha fuaim mór air an [eɾɛɾ] [sic] a nochd.” “Tha droch [eɾəɾ] ann.” Notes: probably “the shore”. [NOTES: slipped under ‘eirthir’.]
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oireabach
diligent. “’Se gille gu math oireabach a th’ann.”
Location: Barra, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oisnean
[ɔʃnʹən] Quotation: airson nan oisnean. Notes: corners.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oiteag
Quotation: Coltach ris a’ chailleach a thug seachd bliadhna ’ga garadh fhéin; nuair a chaidh i a mach thug aon oiteag air falbh i. Notes: puff of wind. (A man who had painstakingly amassed a fortune and blew it at one go, or who died and his sons squandered it.)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oiteag
Notes: puff, light gust of wind in summer that dies out quickly.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oiteag (f)
could also be a whirlwind as experienced at springtime and harvest-time.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
oitir
a good fishing location.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oitir
Notes: underwater shelf or bank. Can be rocky ledge or gravel/sand bank.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ola
Quotation: ola sgadain. Notes: used in oil lamps.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ola
Quotation: ola mhilis [ɔɫəvɛ̃liʃ]. Notes: oil put on wool before it was spun.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Droman
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ola
Quotation: ola mhilis. Notes: sweet vegetable oil, used sometimes to cure scrubs on the eyes and noses of lambs when put to the moor in summer.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ola chroinn ola
Olive oil. Disease: rheumatism. Part used / How prepared: rubbing it on the affected part. Sources of information: traditionally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
ola-dhubh
used oil, as in a crankcase and unrefined oil, diesel oil used in fishing boats.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ola-min-fhras-linn
linseed oil. Given to cattle for its beneficial products [sic] in giving the animal a shiny coat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
ola-nan-einseans
engine oil, lubricating oils.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
olc
Quotation: Mac an uilc! Chaneil ann dheth ach mac an uilc. Notes: The rascal!
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
olc
Quotation: Tha iad mar nach olc. Notes: They are well.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
olc
Quotation: olc air mhath. Notes: whether or not.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
olcag
mischievous little brat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oll
big, great (tall, etc.); òigfhear oll; oll-ghuthach – loud voiced; compar. oille. (“o” acute short, not “ow”, E. and S. always before ll, nn)
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ollghlòr
bombast; oll [q.v.] – great.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
omhail
[ɔ̃həl] Quotation: ag omhail. Notes: grunting, as a beast after eating too much.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
omhan-fuar
[ɔ̃əṉfuəɾ] Notes: warm milk with rennet added left outside in frosty weather.
Origin: Culkein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
omhan-fuar [ɔ̃əṉfu̟əɾ]
Notes: warm milk with a little rennet added, allowed to set in cold water, then switched.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
onatha
recede (as of the sea), surge. Onatha na mara. [NOTES: slipped under ‘onfhadh’. Quotation: Onfhadh na mara. Definition: Surge of the sea.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
onathadh
[See onatha.] (Scalpay pronunciation)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
onathadh air a’ mhuir
increasing noise and swelling of waves.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
onfhais
[[ɔ̃nɔ̃]hɑʃ] Quotation: Cha mhór nach do leig e ’bhean leis an onfhais a bh’air. Notes: agitated motion. Used above of a man praying in public.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
only
Quotation: ’S mi ’n only té òg a bh’ann.
Origin: Loch Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
orasda
another word I am not certain of; I heard [it] being spoken but I am not at the moment prepared to say what is its true definition, but I suggest (to me) it’s the place on which dung is placed when discharged from the byre or shed, or material put aside for convenience or some other reason. (It was pronounced with the [?] long accent?) As hear [sic] I note it to be oir aisde – air a chuir air an oir aisde. I am afraid the word is not used now with us.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ord
Quotation: a tilgeil an ùird. Notes: throwing the hammer.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ord snaighidh
a dressing hammer one end of which had the same shape as a hatchet.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ord-bhàirneach
Bha an t-uidheam-sa [NOTES: ‘inneal’ written above ‘uidheam’] air a dheanamh aig a’ ghobha. Bha e airson a’ bhàirneach a chur bharr na carraige, agus dhèanadh e sin gu math sgiobalta. Bho a thaobh: [see illustration]. Dòigh eile bho a thaobh: [see illustration]. A coimhead air bhos a chionn: [see illustration].
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
oreallach
this is a word I am not certain of. I heard it colloquial. I guess to have originated from oir bheallach or oir beallaich – edge of a brae or slope.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
os cionn
Quotation: … agus fos cionn sin …
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
os cionn (?)
Quotation: [əsɡiṉ] [ɫɑpi].
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
os-cionn-nam-bòrd
deck cargo. This was a term in connection with sailors of the schooner days at sea, which became obsolete, yes, the term. Na bha os cionn nam bòrd – the hull.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
os-nàdurra
supernatural.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
osan
Quotation: osan a’ chléibh ghiomach. Notes: the entrance. (Harris)
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
osanan
Not used in our area since about 1944. Had dual function (a) to keep skin fair (only men should be tanned!) and (b) to save the calves from the rough brush heather lying across parts of the ‘frith rathad’. ‘Osan’ (from ‘hose’?) was specially knitted, or formed by cutting foot part from woollen stocking.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
osann
a door at one end of a creel which is opened to remove the lobster. [NOTES: corrected to ‘osan’.]
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
osdairean
[ɔ̣ɔ̣sDɑrən] Quotation: “’s nan osdairean air fad.” Notes: hoteliers.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oslaig
[ɔsɫiɡʹ] Quotation: oslaig de dhuine or oslaig de bhoirionnach. Notes: a large person.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ostal
Quotation: na h-ostail. Notes: the apostles.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
othaisg
Quotation: othaisg mhuilt. Notes: a year-old wedder.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
othannach
said of cattle lacking inclination for food.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
othannach
used of cattle who lose their appetite.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pab
Quotation: a’ pabadh. Notes: giving blows.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pacaid
ferry boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pacaid-ime
½ lb packet of butter. [NOTES: slipped under ‘ìm’ and ‘pacaid’ with ‘pacaid ìme’ as the quotation. Definition: Half-pound packet of butter.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
paidearan
Quotation: Chaidh a’ sreang na paidearan. Notes: used of a string or fishing line getting all tangled up. [NOTES: slipped under ‘paidirean’.]
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
paidheadh
Quotation: paidheadh-[mɑ̃ɾi]. Notes: occurs in a song. Taken to mean “change”. [NOTES: slipped under ‘pàigheadh’.]
Location: Vatersay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
paidhir
Quotation: Bha mi le stocainn as gach paidhir orm. Notes: having two unmatched socks on.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
paidhrigeadh
a term in road building. Refers to the gravel and debris that would accumulate at the side of a road as traffic passed through. Workmen used to shovel this gravel back into the middle of the known [sic]. Maybe this is a borrowing from ‘repair’ in English.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
paileirìn
(Morvern) Dh’ith e iomadh rud nach inns [?] mi / Bh’air an ròpa aig Catrìona / Aodach anairt a bha prìseil / Dh’ith e trì dhiubh, is paileirìn.
Location: [various]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pailleart
[pɑlʹɑrt̪] Quotation: Bheir mi pailleart ort. Notes: a light blow.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pailt
adj. ‘plentiful’ : bha e latha agus bha e __ ~ an seo
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
painndeag
Quotation: painndeag bhraochgach (bhreacach) [pɛ̃nʹdʹʒɑɡ vɾw:xkɑx]. Notes: cowrie shell.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
paipear-latha
fill in form for weekly benefits, dated for one day, paipeirean an ‘dole’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
paipeir-latha
daily paper.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
paipeir-shugarats
cigarette papers (Rizla, etc.).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pairc
for cultivation.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
pais (f)
Quotation: Bi modhail no gheibh thu pais. Notes: a slap (pat [?] to a child).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
paisean
Quotation: Chaidh e ann am paisean. Notes: faint.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
paisean
[pɑʃɑ̃nʹ] Quotation: Chaidh e ann am paisean. Notes: He fainted.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
paitse
patch. [NOTES: slipped under ‘paidse’. Definition: Eng. ‘patch’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
paitseadh
patching.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
palla
Quotation: “Thuit a chaora ann am palla.” Notes: “The sheep fell into a cleft of rock.”
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
paltag (f)
a cloak, a (sheepskin or leather) coat.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pannt?
Tha e cho math dhuit chuir dh’an phannt, pawn (pawn shop).
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pap-cheannach
matted hair.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
partain
ticks. [NOTES: slipped under ‘partan’ with ‘pl. partain’ as the quotation.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
partan tuathalan
Tha iad so pailt far am bheil gainmheach bhàn no airgeadach (silvery). Brittle white crab. Tha gath ann a tha nimheil, is leanaidh an goirteas uine mhor. Tha mi a’ creidsinn gur e sin a dh’aobharaich an sean-fhacal – ’S fheàrr am partan tuathalan na bhith gun duine (Nicolson’s Proverbs). Tha na partain so pailt anns na geòdhaichean gainmhich deas air Ceann an Tiumpain.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
partan-céire
Partan leis an uichair no spana (spawn) fo apran. Tha na h-uighean so gle mhath amh.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
partan-tuathal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pasgadh an lìn
[NOTES: slipped under ‘pasgadh’ with ‘pasgadh an lìn’ as the quotation.]
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
pat
a bruise.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
pat
[pɑt̪] Quot.: “Bha aodann ’na phatan dubh.” Note: a bruise. “His face was full of black bruises.”
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pat / patht (with pre-asp.)
Notes: a bruise, black-and-blue mark. Dw. has a verbal form pat ‘bethump’. Source: Lewis usage (D.S.T.). Date: 1971.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pat, patan
blobs, blisters.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pathair uain
[twin lambs.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
patraigeadh
(also) packing between the lining of a coat, cuttings for the making of a suit or coat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
patraigeadh
packing between the lining of a jacket and the outer part of the garment. Also the packing of a quilt, that is the material packing between the inside part, or between the inner or [sic] outer part or between the outer part and under part, in between, in other words.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peabladh (-aich)
as in a person being messed up, e.g. being subjected to having mud thrown at him – “Bha mi air mo pheabladh.” A useful word in connection with traditional activities at ‘stag’ nights.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peachadh
panting for breath.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peadrachan
a garland. Peaderan buidhe: large yellow flowers that grow in cornfields.
Location: [Lewis], Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peallag
Quotation: doormat (made of heather).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peallaidh
water sprite.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peallan
Notes: home-made tar brush, made from a piece of stick with layers of cloth wrapped round it at the end.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peallas
“Dè bu pheallas dha.” – what was the reason for that.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peam a’ bhaile
this refers to the people in a village who dealt with administrative and land questions. The more intelligent in a village. [NOTES: ‘peam’ corrected to ‘pèam’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peannt-ite
feather pen, goose quill pen. Peann-oir – pen with a gold nib. Peann-airgid – with a silver nib or (one of gold and silver) wholly of silver.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pearcal
Quotation: a’ pheircil [əɸerʹkilʹ]. Notes: lower jawbone.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pearda clomh
this was a quantity of wool stretched flat on the card, prior [to] the actual carding.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peardachan
when carding this was the amount of wool laid flat on the card.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pears’ anama
a prayer said immediately after a person had died.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pearta
after carding this word could be applied to an amount of wool that had been carded. [NOTES: corrected to ‘peàrta’.]
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peasair nan luch, peasair fheathaich
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peat othaisg no caora
[pet ewe-hogg or sheep.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
peat uain
[pet lambs.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
peata
pet ewe or hogg.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
peata (m), peatachan (pl)
pet cow.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
peata (uain)
pet lamb.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
peata caora
pet ewe-hogg or sheep.
Origin: Ross of Mull
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
peata uain
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
peata-caillich
old woman’s pet.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peatadh
petting.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peatan
wee pet.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peatan-muileachla
waistcoat (with ‘hands’) covering the hand to the wrists and buttoned in front.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peatan-roin
(of the dress list of words) waistcoat made of seal-skin.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peate oaisg
[sic] [peata?] pet ewe-hogg or sheep.
Origin: Ross of Mull
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
peathach
(?) nn ‘mud’: chaidh e na ph. [fe:-əx]; pl.: na pheathaichean [fe:-içən]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
peathairean
young children. “Nach eil peathairean aice a nì an obair.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peatraid
[pet̪əɾɑdʹʒ] Notes: partridge.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peat’-uan, peatan
[pl] pet lamb.
Origin: Ross of Mull
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
peice
1 peck. A round barrel with a division in the middle which could be inserted so you could get a half peck. This was the instrument which the miller used to calculate his fee.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peiceall
Cha chuala mi am facal a riamh ’s chan fhaca sgrìobhte e, a bharrachd. Ach chan eil càil a dh’fhios nach ann bho an t-soitheach peic (an tómhas) a thàinig e. Smaite gur h-e eathar air bheag cumaidh, no rudeigin ann an riochd eathair, a bh’aig a’ bhàrd leis an tug e a chasan as. Chan eil fhios againn mur a tionndaidh rudeigin an àirde a chuireas soilleireachadh air a’ chùis. Cho fada ’s a tha m’ eòlas-sa a’ dol bha an soitheach peic rudeigin mar seo ann an cumadh. Fiodh agus cearcaill. Clàir ann.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peicill
‘muiseal’ [q.v.] is attached to this on the plough’s body. Attached with an iron pin.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
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
[peeʔinʹ] Quotation: Fhad s a bhios peighinn ’s a phoca cha chuir [?] an t-osdair cul riut.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peile beag
[pail that] held about two or three quarts.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
peile caol
a narrow, tall pail holding double that of the the peile beag [q.v.].
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
peile zinc
[pail used for] watering [cattle] inside.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
peile-sgudail
pail in which ‘leftovers’ are, from whence a cow eats.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peile-strùbach
bigger than the peile mòr [q.v.]. It had a spout on it. (All these pails were bought from the tinkers (except the ‘ceada’ [q.v.]). They were usually supplied complete with tin lid shaped like a flat cone.)
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
peilear
Quotation: ag obair aig peileir a bheatha; ag obair aig peileir dearg a bheatha. Notes: peithir?
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peilear
[pelɑð] Quot.: “Tha e ag obair aig peilear a’ bheatha.” Note: He is working at full steam.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peileastair
stone throwing competition. Targets were set up, usually flat stones, the winner being the one who knocked down the most.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peileastar
a game of marksmanship. A flat stone was put up in a prominent position, perhaps on a boulder. The competitors lined up at an agreed upon range, with so many stones apiece. Each in turn tried to hit the target, known as ‘geal’. This game usually took place on the shore where there was plenty of ammunition!
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
peileir
pith [sic] or fastness, etc. Bha e ’g oibreachadh aig peileir a bheatha. (Scalpay)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peileir
Quotation: a’ tilgeil a’ pheileir. Notes: putting the shot.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peilicean
particular type of cattle. Short backed and stout.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peilig
Quotation: Bha peiligean ann. Notes: porpoise (?) but much faster than ‘muc-a-bioraich’ q.v.
Origin: Carradale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peilistear
[peliʃtʹɛɾ] Quotation: a’ cluich pheilistearan. Notes: playing quoits.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peindeal
a trap made of rope for catching birds.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peinig
[pɛ̃ṉiɡ] Quotation: pl. [pɛṉiɡʹəṉ]. Notes: small stones used for filling in gaps between larger stones in a dry-stone wall.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peinnteall
a snare made by horse hair on a frame to catch small birds.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peinteall
trap for catching birds, made with horse hair in a frame.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peirceall
[peɾcəɫ] Quot.: “peirceall poll mónach”. Note: sometimes used for the face of a peat bank.
Origin: Harris, Bays
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peiricleadh
[pɛɾicləɣ] Quot.: “Tha na [pɛɾicləṉ] air.” Note: death throes.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peiteag
[petʹɑɡ] Notes: waistcoat.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peiteag
Notes: a buttoned waistcoat.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peitealan (E)
Duine gun chonn. A bhios a’ leum bho rud gu rud ’s mu shròn dhaoine. ’S a’ miodal ’s a’ brosgul ’s mar sin mar a shaoileadh sibh. [SLIP: A senseless man who jumps from one thing to the other, annoying people. Also ingratiating.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
peitean
waistcoat.
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peitean
Quot.: peitean-beag. Note: sleeveless waistcoat.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peitean-beag
Note: ordinary waistcoat as in a three-piece suit.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peithinne
Notes: brat.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peithir
Quotation: a’ pheithir [əvɛhəð]. Notes: the chain-lightning that would strike a house.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peithir
Quotation: ’S ann a tha e coltach ri àite as an tigeadh peithir. Notes: thunderbolt. (Hole in the ground.)
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peithireach
[peðəx] Quotation: gaoth peithireach. Notes: a very strong wind, a gale. See “peithir” on slip. (Dw. 5‡‡ ‘a thunderbolt’)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pell-mell
pal mal (another version of the former already noted). [NOTES: should ‘pal mal’ be the Gaelic headword and ‘pell-mell’ the English explanation?]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peubhaigeadh
paving as stones, flat stones being set in pavement form. [SLIP: Stone paving.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peursa
[pjɤ:ʴsə] Notes: a pole (1) stuck on a rock in the sea to warn boats, (2) put up by seaweed watchers to let the people of the village know it was ashore. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peursa
a signal pole fixed on the highest hill in a village. Villagers gathered when it was lofted.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peursa
signal pole in a village which would be raised to gather the villagers. Usually placed on a hill.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peursaid
[piɑʴsɑd] Quotation: na peursaidean. Notes: warble-fly. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
phlait
flat. Cha [sic] e ’na phlait air an làr.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
phlian
fell flat. Colloquial on Scalpay. Thuit e ’na phlian air an làr. (Scalpay) [NOTES: slipped under ‘plian’. Definition: Of falling flat.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
phéilipeanachadh
pilferating [sic], not full heartedly involved in doing work, only meddling. [SLIP: Not wholeheartedly engaged in doing work.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
phónadh
phoning (Scalpay). New word, while I termed others as old words if you will accept such terms at the moment. [NOTES: slipped under ‘phón’ with ‘a’ phónadh’ as the quotation.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piantaich
Note: fear a tha a ghnath a’ sàs. Quot.: Piantaich bochd nach gabh air a shocair e.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piatan
pet lamb.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piatan
[pıɑt̪ɑṉ] Note: a young calf reared on the bottle or given milk in some way other than by suckling.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piatan
pet.
Origin: Barra
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
piatan
Notes: pet lamb.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piatan
pet lamb.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
piatan
pet lamb.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross and Cromarty but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
piatan (E)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
piathlain cachda
would be said of an annoying pet or person always clinging onto you.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
picket
Quotation: aig picket. Notes: out courting. Source: Uist, Harris usage. Date: 1980.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pige
Quotation: pige na farairidh. Notes: “piggy” of whisky for use at a wake.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pill
Quotation: a’ cur as a’ phill. Notes: a cloth slung over the shoulder and used for carrying the seed while sowing. Sower walked in a straight line. A boy replenished the “pill” from a sack in the middle of the field.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pill-chriathraidh
[pɤılʹˈxðiɤði] Note: sheet put on the ground when using the “criathar”.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pillean
Notes: a straw mattress.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pillein
a covering made from sea bent (muran) and placed under a horse’s saddle. Prevented irritation of the horse’s skin. This word is a variant for the more widespread word – ‘plàta’.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pillein (or -an)
[pilʹɛ̃nʹ] Notes: a small mat which went under the cart saddle (srathair Ghaidhealach).
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pineadh
on a sharp or pointed seat. May have originated the root from ‘pin’ in English. E na shuidh’ air pineadh. (Scalpay) (‘not so often heard now’)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pinne, pl. pinneachan
Quotation: pinne fiodh. Notes: wooden pins joining ties and rafters.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pinnteachadh
the act of putting salt in butter. Was then left to mature in a crock ‘cròga ruadh’.]
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pinntich
Quotation: a’ pinnteachadh. Notes: making cheese.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piob
[sic] Quotation: a’ phiob [əɸiḅ]. Notes: any tubular vessel; smoking pipe, water pipes or bracchia [sic] [bronchi?] or oesophagus.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piob chliostar
a large metal syringe-shaped instrument used for relieving constipated animals.
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piob-a-stillidh
home-made squirter (for squirting water) made from the bamboo-like stem of above [i.e. stealladair] by means of a thin stick, one end of which was wrapped with rags for use as a plunger, and a section of the stem of the stealladair as the cylinder of the squirt.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piob-uisge is tuba airson a chruidh
water tap and tub for the cattle.
Origin: Bràigh-Lochabar [Brae Lochaber]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
piobar
pepper. Disease: sore tonsils. How prepared: put on tonsils with spoon-handle. Sources of information: parents and people around.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
piocaid
[pjwxkɑdʹ] Quotation: a’ phiocaid. Notes: pick.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piocas
Quotation: am piocas. Notes: chickenpox.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piochdach
Quotation: piochdach cruaidh. Notes: dried saithe or stenlock.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pioghaid
Quot.: “Pioghaid gun nàire nach teid tàmh air a bial.” Note: te bhriathrach, chabach.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piolasg
mischievous boy; a small switch or button attached to metal. Cha’ eil agad ach do làmh a chuir air a phiolasg ud ’s a thionnadh [sic]. [NOTES: the slip has ‘Chan eil agad ach do làmh a chur air a’ phiolasg ud ’s a thionndadh.’ Definition: 1. Mischievous boy. 2. Small switch or metal button (as in above quote).]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piollagach
shabby, in tattered clothes.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
pionnd
mint. (Cha robh fios aige an e ainmear f. no b. a tha seo.) Disease: ceann goirt. Part used: every part, dried. How prepared: mint-tea. Sources of information: parents and people around.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
piorraid
a disapproval name given to a female. [SLIP: A pejorative name given to a female.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piorraid
a conicle [sic] [conical?] shaped hat.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piorsa
The iron band at ends of swingle trees. See diag [NOTES: probably refers to a diagram provided by the informant.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
piorsa
[pjwrsə] [sic] Notes: the iron band with the loop on it at the end of the swingle-tree.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piosgaireachd
Notes: tearing to shreds, laceration.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pis-eù-is-ù
(interjection) for calling a kitten or cat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piscuit!
(interj.) as in the case of frightening a cat from some mischief.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piseach
Quotation: Piseach ort! Notes: a New Year wish.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pitchers
A’ cheud ghèim a tha cuimhne agam-sa riamh fhaicinn ’se ‘pitchers’. (’Se seo a th’aig na balaich mhóra air.) Is ann le leacan [?] freagarrach a bhiodh iad ag obair air. Roimhe ’n seo aig an fheadhainn a th’ann romhainn bha na peileastairean (‘Peilistearan’ aig Dwelly.) Bha an gèim-sa faisg air an aon seòrsa ri na pitcher-an aig na balaich. Mur a h-e an aona ghèim a th’ann! ’Se gèim de’n t-seòrsa-sa a’ cheud ghèim a tha lorg air a bhith anns na h-Eileanan Breatunnach.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
piullach
Notes: ragged, tattered. Peallach in Dw.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piullag
Quotation: Bha an aodach aige na phiullagan. Notes: rag.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piullag
Quotation: piullag chloimh. Notes: pluck of wool.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piullidh
Quotation: “Se obair phiullidh a tha sud.” Notes: It is the work of Satan that it is.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piunndadh
to confiscate, or to steal. I think ‘steal’ is a bit strong. Perhaps the word ‘pound’ might be more accurate?
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plabag
a baby girl indicating; ‘plabadh’ and perhaps ‘plabadaich’ in the form of movement of hands.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plabhtraigeadh
Notes: scalding, by pouring boiling water over something.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
placadh
plating, plaster. Phlac e air a mhuin e. (Scalpay) [NOTES: slipped under ‘placadh’ and ‘plac’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
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
plad
[pɫɑd̪] Notes: fleet (of boats). (?)
Origin: Carradale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plaid
Quotation: Chuireadh oir na plaide srianaich ris. Notes: He was chucked out!
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plaid agus strathar
saddle for two creels. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
plaids
Quotation: Thuit e le plaids. Notes: a thump, as of something heavy and solid falling.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plaistig
plastic material.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plait
dead flat. Cha [sic] e na phlait air uachdar na mara. [NOTES: the slip has ‘Chaidh e ’na phlait air uachdar na mara.’ Definition: Used of falling dead flat.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plamach
Notes: soft, discoloured, fatty, like meat of poor quality.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plamadh
Quotation: Tha plamadh gu bhi ann. Cha chreid mi nach bi sinn ri falbh. Notes: a lull in the strength of the wind. Heard mostly used by fishermen.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plamaranda
a haymaking term meaning that the hay is in between being wet and dry, but not dry enough to be made into ricks. “O chan eil e ach plamaranda gu leòr an diugh fhathast.”
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
planc
Quotation: am planc abhras. Notes: the plank nearest the keel in a boat.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plangaid
Plaide bheag, no pìos de phlaide chumanta. Plaide a chuireadh tu air creathall aig naoidhean.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plannach
fatty. (Gairm. E. 53. p. 81.)
Location: ? [Eriskay – see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
planndais
[pɫɑ̃ũn̪d̪iʃ] Quotation: planndais de chàl. Notes: young plants.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
planntaisean
plants. [NOTES: slipped under ‘planntais’ with ‘pl. planntaisean’ as the quotation. Definition: Plant.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plaoisgeach
bit simple person, brittle (originated from plaosg). Tha i plaoisgeach – referring to a female. (Scalpay)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plaomach
[pɫɤ:mɑx] Quotation: duine plaomach. Notes: bungling.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plaosg
Quotation: a’ plaosgadh ubh. Notes: shelling an egg.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plaosg
potato-skin.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plaosg
Quotation: plaoisg buntàta. Notes: potato peelings, after potatoes had been boiled in their jackets.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
platack
3. When lines were hauled they were stored in a rush mat called a platack. 4. Platack. Roughly 5' x 4'. When the fisherman got home he untied his platack and red his line into a herring basket or cotton sacks all ready for baiting with either lug worm, limpit [sic] mussel or herring according to time of year. Mainly lug in the summer months.
Category: Iasgach / Fishing
plathadh
a flash, glimpse.
Location: Barra, Glen
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plathadh
glimpse. Plathadh a dealanaich.
Location: Harris, Borisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plathadh
glimpse.
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plathag
a small gust of wind, a sudden faint impulse of wind.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plathairt
a heavier smack.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plathart
slab [slap?], slab [slap?] in the face.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pleadhaigeadh
Quotation: Bha e ’na mo phleadhaigeadh. Notes: (Barvas) he was bothering me. (from plague?)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pleasgan
patches.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pleat
“Nach ann air a bha pleat.” – used for a showy person.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
pleatach
[plɛt̪ɑx] Notes: splay-footed.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pleatha
playtime for schoolkids.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pleathag
[plɛhɑɡ] Notes: a flat piece of wood used to fill in the hole made by the dibble.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pleideag
[plɤdʹɑɡ] Quotation: Chaidh e seachad le [plɤdʹɑɡəṉ] air. Notes: rags, tattered clothing.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pleistear
plaster; a plaster of gelatine explosion on a rock, for breaking it.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pleòtadh
[plɔ:t̪u̜]] Quotation: a’ pleòtadh a’ chéile. Notes: destroying, e.g. of “a’ sgriosadh”.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pliacaid
Quotation: Bha e a laighe ’na phliacaid air an talamh. Notes: lying in an untidy heap – used of a person.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pliasdan
Quotation: pliasdan de dh’fheur. Notes: a green grassy patch.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pliathach
Notes: splay-footed.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pliathach
splayfooted.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pliathach
Quotation: casan pliathach. Notes: foot that causes misshapen shoe/boot through extending outwards.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pliathach
Notes: splay-footed.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pliathach
[pliɤhɔx] Notes: splay-footed.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plibire
Quotation: gille-plibire. Notes: a person who is at everyone’s beck and call and gets nothing in return, a “dogsbody”.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pliobair
[plibiɾ] Notes: a person who was at everybody’s beck and call.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pliutal
hobbling kind of walk. Also pronounced as ‘pleatail’.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pliùd
Quotation: pliùd ròin. Notes: seal flipper.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ploc
Quotation: ploc buntàta. Notes: potato masher.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ploc
Quotation: am ploc. Notes: mumps.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ploc
Quotation: am ploc. Notes: liver fluke. Said to be sometimes caused by a plant which grows in water, its leaves spread out on the surface, called [ən̪t̪o:b].
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plocach
Quotation: a’ phlocach. Notes: “Illness in lambs whereby the ears dry up and harden and the wool comes off.”
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plocan
Notes: (Kershader) toy boat, made of a solid bit of wood, shaped. Dwelly does not have this sense for the word.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plocan
Notes: potato masher.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plocan
a block of wood with three protruding wooden or iron prongs used for levelling off lazybeds after the potatoes had been planted.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plocan
potato masher.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plocan
for mashing potatoes.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plocan
Notes: wooden potato-masher.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plockan
‘batty’ for knocking out fish. For mashing/chapping potatoes?
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
plodag
Notes: a gruel made of oatmeal, milk, water and sugar or salt and boiled water. Given to someone sick.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plodraigeadh
(also) simmer (as of water slowly boiling). [NOTES: Slipped under ‘plodraig’ with ‘plodraigeadh’ as a quotation.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ploitrigeadh
Quotation: Tha ploitrigeadh math orra. Notes: half-dried – of clothes.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plom
Quotation: plom uisge. Notes: a plump of rain.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plop
imitating word for the sound of a cork pushed out or pulled out of a bottle. [SLIP: To express the sound of a cork being pulled out of a bottle.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plosg de dhuine
a wobbly fat man.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
plubail
[pɫu̜bəl] Notes: plopping sound of water.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pluban
[pɫu̜bɑṉ] Quotation: “An robh e ciuin a muigh?” “Cha robh, bha pluban beag oirre.” Notes: presence of slight choppiness.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pluc
Quotation: am pluc. Notes: mumps.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Droman
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pluc
Quotation: am pluc. Notes: mumps.
Origin: Culkein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plumach
Quotation: oidhche phlumach fhliuch. Notes: a dark, wet night. Also “anns a’ phlumachdainn”.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plumach
Quotation: Bha e car plumach. Notes: slight swell.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plumach
Quotation: aodann plumach. Notes: chubby.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plumachdainn
Quotation: anns a’ phlumachdainn. Notes: “In the darkening”.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pluman
Quotation: Bha pluman ann. Notes: There was a slight swell.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plump (m?)
Quotation: plump uisge. Notes: short, heavy shower.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plunndraigeadh
floundered. (boat) [SLIP: To flounder (boat).]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plàparsaich
in this instance used to describe weather conditions – “Tha plàparsaich de thiorramachd orra.” – meaning a little dryness.
Location: North Uist, Hoghagearraidh [Hougharry]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plàt
Quotation: plàt a’ srathair. Notes: blanket put under the saddle.
Origin: Culkein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plàta
a plaid underneath the saddle which prevented the baskets from cutting the skin.
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plàta
Quotation: plàta chliabh. Notes: large mat put on the backs of horses when carrying panniers.
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plàta
Quotation: plàta fasgnaidh.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plàta
se seorsa de phlaide shiomain a bha dol air druim nan each ga chumail socair fo’n da chliabh-monadh – fear air gach taobh den “strathair”.
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
pléistireachd
pleasuring, boating or boating for pleasure.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pléit
cheeky, plate. [SLIP: Cheeky.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plìotair
[pli:t̪əð] Quot.: “Am plìotair nach sìn a lamh ach gu càch a shuathadh ’s a thachais.” Note: duine gun duinealas.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plòicean
big thick, and usually wet peats.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
plòigean
[pɫɔ:ɡʹɑṉ] Notes: a small, fat person.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plòiteach
Quotation: móine phlòiteach. Notes: spongy peat.
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plòitean
fibry, brown material in peat. Pockets of it are sometimes found in quite hard peat. It used to be smoked in home-made pipes by boys. The pipes were either made of potato hollowed out with a stem of ‘cuiseag’ (docken plant) or of a section from a cabbage stem (the tough part above the ground was best) with the ‘cuiseag’ stem: piob phuntàt and piob chàil.
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
plòitean
[pɫɔ:tʹɑṉ] Note: stringy peat, same as “calcas”, sometimes smoked by boys.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plòtan (m and f), plòtain (pl)
chocks (separating trams from axle).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
plùch
[pɫu̜:x] Quotation: a’ pluchadh; plùch am putan. Notes: squeezing.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plùisg
Quotation: a’ plùsgadh. Notes: squeeze, press.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plùmair
the large buoy which was at the end of the creel rope.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pobull
people. Nì e pobull toileach. Word seldom used colloquially; spoken, relative to the Bible.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poc
Quotation: am poc. Notes: liver fluke in sheep.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poc
[pɔʰxk] Quotation: poca buntàta. Notes: bag, sack; ‘sack of potatoes’.
Origin: Arisaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poca-buidhe
Note: fat on the “maodal” of the deer.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poca-na-buisrichean
a bag in [sic] which witchcraft is associated. (Scalpay) [NOTES: slipped under ‘poca-nam-buisrichean’. Definition: Witches’ bag.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poca-stobaidh
Quotation: poca-stobaidh làn sgoltainnean [sɡoɫt̪ɛ̃nʹəṉ]. Notes: a bag slung round the shoulders with slices of seed potatoes for planting. See stob (Islay).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
point
Quotation: aig point. Notes: out courting. Source: Harris usage. Date: 1980.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pois
palatial (posh).
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poisean
Quotation: Thoir dhomh poisean. Notes: request for a kiss, addressed to a child.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poisean
Quotation: “Thoir dhomh poisean.” Notes: term for “kiss” when speaking to a child.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poit
Quotation: Cha tig as a’ phoit ach an toit a th’ innte.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poit
Quotation: poit phràiseach. Notes: cast-iron pot.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poit
Quotation: poit a’ roth. Notes: the water channel at the bottom of the mill wheel.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poit
Quotation: a’ poiteadh [pɔitʹəɣ]. Notes: used when talking about mending ragged old clothes; “patching up”.
Origin: South Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poite
Quotation: a phoite ghlaodhaidh. Notes: glue-pot.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pol-mona
peat bank.
Location: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
polag (f), polagan (pl)
potato pit. About 3' deep, 3' wide, up to 20' in length, 2' high (above ground level). Potatoes covered with layer of hay. Then covered with “ùir”. Then covered over by “sgrothan”, which had been cut with a “lair-cheab”. Better if potatoes were allowed to breathe as they sweat – toll beag no dhà mura biodh reothadh ann. Ma bha coltas reothadh ann, dh’fheumadh tu an dùnadh.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
polaraich iomraidh
gentle rowing movement to hold boat steady whilst net being lowered into the water.
Location: Benbecula, Creagorry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
polastarachd
prowling. Tha iad a polastarachd ann a shid aig a’ chladach. – as referred to a fishing boat. (Word still in use, Harris.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poll
Quotation: aghaidh a’ phuill. Notes: the face of the peat bank.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poll
Quotation: iochdar a’ phuill. Notes: see “iochdar”.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poll
Quotation: poll-buirean [p[ɤu]ɫbu͎:ɾɑṉ]. Notes: a patch of ground churned into mud by the stamping of deer at the rutting season.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poll
peat bog or bank.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
poll
[pɤu̜ɫ] Quotation: poll buntata. Notes: potato pit.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Blairmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poll
Quotation: poll buntàta. Notes: potato pit.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poll
Quotation: poll buntàta. Notes: potato pit. “Toll buntàta” also used.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poll
Quotation: poll mònadh. Notes: peat bank.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poll
Quotation: uachdar a’ phuill. Notes: see “uachdar”.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poll
Quotation: poll buntàta [p[ɤu̜]ɫbwt̪ɑ:t̪]. Notes: potato pit.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poll
peat bank.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
poll
an t-slochd sa bheil a mhòine ga cladhach. (Eng. peat bank.)
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
poll iochdar
after about forty years or so a new peat bog can be opened on the original site of a prior bog. This is on a lower level than the original bog.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poll monach
Peat bank.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
poll mòna
a peat bank.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
poll mònadh
peat bank.
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
poll trì fòid
a peat bank out of which three layers of peat can be cut.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
poll uachdar
is the bog opened at a higher level to ‘poll iochdar’ [q.v.].
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poll ùr
Ri fosgladh poll ùr anns a’ bhlàr (1) Feumaidh e bhith cóig slat dheug bho pholl fir eile. (2) Mas e aon fhàd a thig as a’ pholl ùr chan fhaod barrachd air da throigh a leud a bhith ann gus an tig aig caora a leum. (3) Ma thig da fhàd as feumaidh tri troighean de leud a bhith ann air a char as lugha gus a faigh caora air tionndadh ’na bhroinn, agus feumaidh earball a’ phuill a bhith air a dheanamh air dhòigh is gun coisich caora a mach as.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
poll-buntàta
[pɤu̜ɫbwt̪ɑ:t̪] Notes: potato pit. In this area dug in sandy ground, like a grave.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poll-buntàta
Notes: potato pit.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poll-mona
peat area.
Location: Gearrloch, Achadh a’ Chairn [Gairloch, Auchtercairn]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
poll-monadh
an t-slochd sa bheil a mhòine ga cladhach. (Eng. peat bank.)
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
poll-mòna
peat-bog.
Origin: Camaschros an sgìre Shléite san Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
poll-mònach
peat bank.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
poll-mònach
fairly long peat bank.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
poll-mònadh
peat bank.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
pollag
Potato pit.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
pollag
Quotation: pollag buntàt. Notes: potato pit.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pollag
Notes: potato pit.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pollag
Notes: a potato-pit.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pollag
Quotation: pollag buntàta. Notes: potato pit.
Location: Coll, Ben Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pollag
Potato pit.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
pollag
a small size peat bog, not more than two depths.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
pollag
Notes: potato pit. (Moidart)
Origin: Carradale area
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pollag
[poɫɑɡ] Notes: potato pit.
Origin: Kinlochourn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pollag
Quotation: pollag losgaid. Notes: toadstool.
Origin: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pollag
Quotation: pollag bhuntàta. Notes: potato pit.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pollag
Quot.: “Pollagan a Chinn a Tuath” – in Bragar. Note: a boggy place which never dries due to spring water (bùirn-éirigh).
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pollag
small peat-moss; tattie pit.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pollag na Samhna
at Halloween a hole was dug in the ground by which your future fortune could be judged. If on the next day a worm was found in the said hole this indicated good luck. However, if the hole was empty this was a sign of bad luck.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pollag-bhuntàta
tattie-pit, dug out, partly underground. [Cf. brìg]
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pollainn
a common fellow. “Bha e math gu leor airson pollainn mar tha thusa.”
Location: North Uist, Lochportan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pollaireachd
[poɫəɾɑxk] Quotation: Is toigh leis a bhi a’ pollaireachd. Notes: used in connection with a person who liked to muck about on the loch, fishing, but not venturing too far out.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pollaran
a tiriat? A small, grey bird seen on the shore.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ponair
[pɔ̃ndər] Notes: beans. N.B. pronunciation.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pongail
Quotation: duine pongail. Notes: handy, knacky man.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
por buntata
Seed potatoes. [NOTES: spelled ‘pòr buntàta’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
port
Notes: stone walls built to accommodate a boat.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
port
Quot.: “port an daruis”. Note: when boys would start to get noisy in a céilidh house one might say “’S e port an daruis a th’agaibh a nis!” indicating they would have to leave.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
port (E)
Far am bithear a fàgail ’s ag acrachadh nan eathraichean. Agus ’g an tarruing.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
port a rathaid
drain on the roadside to allow water to run off.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
port marghain
a gravel, shingle bank at one end of a loch.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
port tionail
[pɔ̣ʂt tinʹɑ̟lʹ] [sic] Notes: a gathering tune.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
port-Eoghainn
port; beach ref[erence?] to Ewen or any personal name indicating some connection for identification. With us (Scalpay) it’s common.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
port-cam
a makeshift beach for a boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
portair
stout. For tonic, in moderation of course. Drinking it moderately, a small glassful daily, say.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
portan-tuathail
Note: (hermit crab); truaghan a’ phòs te airson a cuid. “B’fheàrr am portan-tuathail na bhi gun fear-tighe.” (?)
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
portan-tuathalan
(Tha seo air a fhuaimneachadh againn: porsdan n huathallan. Cha chan sinn idir glan geàrrte: portan tuathallan.) (Tuigibh sibh fhéin, agus cha bhith sibh fada uime, mu an nì àrraid a tha ’n a leithid seo.)
Origin: Lewis, Uig an Iar
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
post
Quotation: a’ cadal ris a’ phost. Notes: sleeping at the outer edge of the best [?]. Same as “a’ cadal ris a’ bhòrd”.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
posta
Quotation: (1) am posta deiridh. (2) am posta toisich. Notes: (1) sternpost (boat). (2) stempost (boat).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pot
[pɔt̪] Notes: a natural deep hole in the ground.
Location: Ross-shire, Achnahaird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
potag
[pɔt̪ɑɡ] Quotation: potag mhine. Notes: a ball made from oatmeal rolled with a little water – given to cattle and sheep.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poul butata
pit – it was constructed by digging an oblong area about two yards long and 6" deep and two to three ft wide. Potatoes built up to a sharp point and covered with turf “scranan” – the heather side to the potatoes – and then covered by about 12" soil. About 3' high. In some sandy ground a round circular pit was dug about 5' deep and 3' dia. Took about 10 creels of potatoes. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
prabach
talkative in a silly way.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
prabag
Quotation: prabagan [prɑ˖bɑ̟ɡən]. Notes: very small ricks put up when hay is not dry enough to be ricked.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
prabagach
Quotation: sùil phrabagach. Notes: eyelid encrusted with matter coming out from the eye.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
prabalais
Quotation: Thog i prabalais de Ghàidhlig. Notes: ‘smattering’.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
prais
Quotation: dròla praiseadh. Notes: the handle of a pot.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
prais dhath
[black ink] 3 legged pot, large, larger, very large. (Two monsters in Lemreway.)
Location: [Lewis], Arnol, Bragar and Uigen
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
prais-dhath
Prais mhór, mhór. 21 galan an tè bu mhotha a chunna mi a riamh.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
prannabhiata
fed by crumbs; crumb-fed (not voluminous) crumb-eater fed like fish among broken shellfish, particles of shells floating in the brine on which fish is fed, being thrown from a boat. In other words ‘biadh air a phrannadh’.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pranndan
[pɾɛ̃n̪:d̪ɑ̃ṉ] Notes: crushed crab, limpet, potato for bait.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
prasgan
Notes: brat.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
prathaig
Quotation: Cruinnichidh imirich prathaig. Notes: little things, odds-and-ends.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
preas dhath
preas mhòr le tri casan.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
preasa nan luch
an inferior type of grass considered to be of poor weatherproof quality. Therefore it was always put at the bottom of a haystack and never at its top.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
preasan
a wonderful person if I may say as a word of unappreciated sense. The two words [i.e. peasan and preasan] meaning something similar perhaps, pessimists. [SLIP: A wonderful person “of unappreciated sense”. Also: pessimist (?).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
preasan (m)
Quotation: “Nach ann a sin tha ’m preasan!” Notes: present. E.g. on seeing a dog’s calling card. Usually sarcastic.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
preasbataridh
presbytery.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
preasg
a bit of tin used as a patch in the event of a leak in a boat.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
preig (m)
Quotation: preig duine.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
prenistir is bainne
Sulphur and milk. Disease: to prevent the blood from gushing through the bandage, with healing abstraction, qualities. Part used / How prepared: mixed together. Prenisteir [sic] is bainne air a measgadh. Sources of information: traditionally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
priach
[pðiɑx] Note: his pronunciation of the word we have as “briachd” [bɾiɑxk]. A soft place on the moor where sheep or cattle are apt to get stuck.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
priobaide
[pɾibidʹə] Quotation: Cosgaidh sin priobaide dha. Notes: a fair amount.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
priocadh
[pɾwkəɣ] Quot.: a’ priocadh a’ bhuntàta. Note: weeding potatoes with a hoe.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
priomhain
a religious office. Pre-Reformation era. Prior?
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
priongalaid
trouble. ‘Priongalaid’ relates to anyone getting into trouble of some sort.
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
priosgadh
Quotation: Ma bheir thu priosgadh air na calmain. Notes: an act of startling. Var. of briosgadh. Source: Rev. D. MacRae, Tarbert (Uig, Lewis). Date: 1979.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pristeal
[pðıʃtʹɑɫ] Quot.: a’ chlann a’ cluich le pristealan. Note: bits of broken cups, plates, saucers, etc.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
proidhseach
[pɾ[ɤi]:ʃɑx] Notes: made for the sterilisation of seed to be planted. A coil of straw rope [su̟:ɡɑṉ] was made on the ground, this was filled with seed, another coil put on top of the first, more seed put in, etc. Pots of boiling water were then poured over the seed. Hay was put on top to keep the steam in.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
proiteadh
Quotation: a’ proiteadh a mach a’ bhuntàta. Notes: casting bait in handfuls to attract saithe.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
prompaichean
Quotation: Theid sinn a dh’fheuchainn prompaichean. Notes: a game like quoits. A stick was driven into the ground and flat stones used to see who would land nearest to the stick.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
prongo
promto [sic] (American term?). Came into use ‘through’ invented [sic], perhaps by mispronunciation. [SLIP: From slang ‘pronto’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pronn-bhiadh
[ˈpɾɔ̃n̪ɔvəɣ] Note: mashed bait thrown out to attract cuddies.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pronn-bhiathadh
[pɾɔ̃n̪ɔviɤhəɣ] Note: mashed bait thrown out to attract saithe when rock-fishing.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pronn-mhaorach
[pɾɔ̃n̪ɔvw̃ɾɑx] Note: chewed “maorach” thrown out for bait to attract saithe.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pronn-mhiosg
[pɾɔ̃n̪ɔvw̃sɡ] Note: bait, such as mashed potatoes or bits of dogfish, thrown on the water to attract saithe (cuddies, etc.)
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pronnadh
crumbling peat.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
pronnasg
Quotation: Tha a’ mhóine ’na pronnasg am bliadhna. Notes: fragments of any sort; small pieces.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pronnastan
sulphur. Used to make a poultice. Applied to humans as well as animals. Used for rashes, boils, warts. Also given to young people to keep potential diseases at bay.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
prug
Quotation: prug, prug! Notes: call to a calf. (Also prugan.)
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
prugan
[pɾu̟ɡɑṉ] Quotation: prugan, prugan! Notes: call to a calf. (Prug also used.)
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pruidh-eidh ( prooee-ay)
[pron.] call to calf. [NOTES: the slip gives the pronunciation: [pruiˈɛ̜:].]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
pràbadh
grab, attempt to seize.
Location: Skye
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
pràig
scatter of children.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pràisde
sea bent rope tied round the thatched house at horizontal intervals. “Thig còmhla rium a chuir pràisd(e) air an taigh.”
Location: North Uist, Grèinatobht [Grenitote]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pràiseach
Quotation: ’S ann air a tha ’n aghaidh phràiseach. Notes: said of a forward, bold person.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pràthainn
pride. Specific reference to a son maintaining the family line by taking over from his father – “cumail pràthainn ’san teaghlach”.
Location: South Uist, Milton
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
préisteadh
[pɾe:ʃtʹu̜] Quotation: a’ préisteadh [ə pɾe:ʃtʹu̜]. Notes: preaching.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
prìne
Quotation: prìne dubailte. Notes: safety pin.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
prìne
Quotation: prìne anairt. Notes: clothes peg.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
prìne
Quotation: prìne gruaige.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
prìne
Quotation: prìne banaltruim. Notes: safety pin.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
prìob (-aid)
small trivial matter.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
prìobag
“Bidh sin prìobag dhut.” – That will cost you something. Mrs P. MacDonald, Applecross, 1967.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pròic
[pɾɔ:c] Quot.: “Tha cailleach Mhealaiseal a’ cur nam pròic mun teine.” Note: turf-like peat which hasn’t been properly dried. (This was said when mist was seen on Mealaiseal, a hill in Uig.)
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pròisichean
another breed [of cattle] so called due to their proud, posturing appearance.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pròs
brose. Pros [sic] air a dheanamh teth air a’ gheideil [sic] was recommended for stomach troubles. Brose on a bandage was applied to infested wounds for the abstraction of festing [sic] [festering?] matter. It was of a coarser componement [sic], dryer, for to absorb more.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pròs
brose. Recipe: brose was simply oatmeal with a pinch of salt, little sugar, a tea spoonful, boiling water poured on and mixed not into too soft a paste – and eaten.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pucaidean na roth
bits of wood on the actual mill wheel which caught the descending water and helped in the revolving process. Like wooden steps.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pudharan
a black stalk of corn in a field of growing oats.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
pufair
puffer (vessel). [SLIP: Puffer (boat).]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
puidseadh
a game played by any number of people, although usually limited to ten. Each had a minimum to [sic] two old pennies. The object of the game was to get the pennies as close as possible to the stake in the ground – ‘spideag’. Whoever was nearest gathered all the pennies, shook them in his hand and threw them all up into the air. He kept all the coins that landed on their heads. Then the second closest person picked up the coins that were left (tails) and threw them up into the air and so on till the coins had been distributed. [NOTES: note added above ‘puidseadh’ – padhdseadh (from pitch?).]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
puighs
a glimpse. “Chaidh mi a null a thaigh Iain ach cha robh puighs ann.” Further to previous definition this can also be applied to an immature person who has not yet seen the light. “Cha’n eil puighs aig an duine sin.” [NOTES: note added above ‘puighs’ – paidhs’.]
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
puilleach
Quotation: Balach puilleach ’s loth pheallach. Notes: A ragged boy and a shaggy colt. Two that ought not to be despised because both will grow into better coats.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
puilm-shruth
Quot.: “puilm-shruth anns an allt”. Note: when the water goes so fast that it bubbles over the stones.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
puilmean
[pu̟lu̟mɑṉ] Note: a bubble in water as when a spring bubbles up.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
puineag
sorrel. Eatable; by children, simply picking and eating them without preparation.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
puingreadh
Quotation: puingreadh de chnatan. Notes: bad doze (e.g. of cold). (Word known in Skye.)
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
puinneag
[pũ̜nʹɑɡ] Notes: a small type of “sealbhag” found growing among potatoes.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
puinnsean-rodain
warfarin, rodent poison. [SLIP: Rat poison.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
puiseant
a Gaelic version of the word ‘puissant’, meaning domineering, having great power.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
puist-feansa
fence posts. [NOTES: slipped under ‘post’ and under ‘feansa’ with ‘puist-feansa’ as the quotation.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pulaidh
[pu̟li] Quotation: ’S e pulaidh mór a bh’ann. Notes: a fighter.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pumalair
bully, awkward person, of a rude disposition and over the average stature. Nach ann an sud a tha pumalair.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pumalair
a fat, rambling kind of person.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pungail
Notes: well gathered together; tidy; fastidious.
Origin: Loch Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
punndadh
pounding straying cattle.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
punnt-bàn
Note: a grass like rye-grass. Seen often in a fallow field where oats had been planted.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
puntata luathaireach
purple.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
puntata na rusg thiugh
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
puntàta reamhar
a big raw potato was obtained and the top cut off. This was set aside. The inside of the potato was scooped out and the bits of meat (salt.) substituted. The ‘lid’ or top of the potato was then fixed on by means of a wooden skewer. The ‘stuffed’ potato was baked in an open fire.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pupaill
stone verandas attached to some churches and stately buildings.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
purp
[pu̟ɾp] Quotation: Cha robh am purp sin innt. Notes: heard a Balemartin man use this for “gumption”.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
purraich
[pu̜riç] Quotation: Bha i a’ ruith purraich air tharraich [hɛriç]. Notes: helter-skelter.
Location: Coll, Arinagour
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
purraich
Quotation: Chaidh a h-uile rud a bh’ann purraich air tharraich. Notes: hurly burly.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
put
Quotation: clach putaidh. Notes: size of stone suitable for shot putting.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
put
Quotation: a’ putadh na cloich. Notes: putting the shot.
Location: South Uist, Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
put
Quotation: putadh a’ bhuntàta. Notes: loosening soil.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
put
vb. ‘push’: VBL. N.: bha thu … ga phutadh bhuat
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
put
[pu̟t̪] Note: the buoy marking the end of the small-line or great-line.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
put-iarbaill
tail-buoy of a fleet of drift nets, that is the one farthest away from the boat, when the nets are set.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
puta
Bha puta air a dhèanamh de chraicionn caorach. Bha ceann a’ phuta air a dheanamh de phìos fiodha – fiodh math, fallain. Is ann leis an tàil a bha e air a shnaidheadh agus air a thoirt gu fìor-chumadh. Bha toll air a dheanamh ann airson am puta a ghaothadh agus is e bìdeag de shreing – òrd beag dhi – a bhatar a’ cur san toll. Is e an ‘calcas’ a chanaidh iad ris a’ bhìdeig-sa. Nuair a bha thu a’ gaothadh a’ phuta, bha thu a séideadh agus a’ cur do theangaidh ’s an toll; a séideadh a rithist agus a’ deanamh an nì cheadna; mar sin gu am bitheadh am puta làn gaoithe agus teann. Air an t-séideadh mu dheireadh bha thu a’ cur a’ chalcais ’san toll agus ’g a dheanamh cinnteach. ‘Put’ – seo mar a chanas sinne e.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
puta
Quot.: putan buntàta. Note: small patches of potatoes planted, e.g. between boulders or cairns.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
puta-coin
a fisherman’s handmade float, not necessarily made from a dog’s skin but taking the shape of a dog.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
puta-craicinn
a float made of skin, sheep skin or cowhide, for nets.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
puta-leathair
leather buoy or float.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
puta-suab
Note: marker buoy on fishing lines. Always floating. “Puta-sàs”, the one at the end of the “bràighe”, might be underwater.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
puta-sàs
Note: float perhaps 15 fathoms down tied to the “ceann” [q.v.] of the great-line or small line. Often made here of a circle of rope with corks on it right round. (Sometimes puta-sàs known as sàsair.)
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
puta-sàs
Quot.: am puta-sàs. Note: small buoy at the end of the “braighe” [sic – cf. bràighe above], or rope from the end of the small- or great-line, keeping as directly above the “cruaidh” as possible. Sometimes underwater. “Puta suab” larger, a marker-buoy.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
putach
Quotation: duine beag putach.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
putach
Quotation: duine beag putach. Notes: fat and stocky.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
putag
dibble. [SLIP: ‘Dibble’. Applecross: Hole-pin of a boat.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
putag
a wee push; (also) a (slow) fat female (Scalpay): could do with a ‘wee push’ so to speak. (already noted?)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
putag
a ‘buttish’ female, small and fat, child female. [SLIP: A small, fat girl.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
putag
a little fat girl.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
putag
Notes: tholepin in a boat.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
putag
Quotation: am putag. Notes: rowlock.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
putagan
Notes: tholepins in a boat.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
putaichean
floats, made of sheep skin an [and?] tar.
Origin: Taransay
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
putair
one who breaks up soil ahead of those who pick potatoes.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
putair
for putting down potatoes when soil is already turned and ploughed. An ordinary wooden shaft with one end somewhat pointed to make the holes more easier [sic].
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
putan (m)
Quotation: fear nam putan bhuidhe. Notes: police.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
putharan
a disease which affected corn and oats. Ears of the crop would be white in colour and prone to disintegrate when shaken or touched.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
putharan
[pu̟həɾɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: Tha siol a’ phutharan ann. Notes: applied to a person of dark or swarthy complexion. (Putharan – blackened ear of barley.)
Location: Stornoway, Melbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
put’-glaine
glass float for a trawl, a fishing trawl. [NOTES: slipped under ‘puta-glainne’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
put’-iarrain
trawl galvanized float for nets. [SLIP: ‘Galvanized float’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pàigheadh
nn ‘pay’ : gen.: air oidhche latha pàighidh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
pàileid
Quotation: Nach ann air tha a’ phàileid. Notes: ‘What a brass neck he has!’ (Stronger than ‘Nach ann air tha ’n aghaidh.’) Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pàilidh
[pɑ:li] Notes: a pet term used for a small creature.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pàirc
(f) Park. Enclosed field – for cultivation or pasture.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
pàirt
Quot.: “Tha iad ag obair ann am pàirt.” Note: said of people sharing work, e.g. communal work such as peat cutting, sheep-shearing, fishing, etc.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pàisde
Quotation: pàisd. Notes: a nursed child, male or female.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pàll-màll
pell-mell. Thuit e ’na mhàll [sic] [phàll?] màll leis an leathad.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pàpanach
Catholic (occasionally catlaich).
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
pèitean
big peats.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
péiteag mhuilichinneach
waistcoat with sleeves.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
péiteanach
[pe:tʹɑṉɑx] Note: the fibres which can be pulled from dry spongy peat, sometimes smoked by boys. Known in Barvas as “calcas”.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pìc e
in the game ‘speilain’ this phrase meant to catch the loose ball and hit it back as close as possible to the stumps, or more accurately the hole in this case.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pìchgean
[pi:çɡʹɑṉ] Quotation: Chaneil ann dheth ach pìchgean de dhuine. Notes: miser.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pìob
Quot.: “pìob buntàta”. Note: a pipe, the bowl of which was fashioned out of a potato, the stem being a length of the shaw. Used by boys for smoking “calcas”.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pìob
Quotation: Bha ’m pàisd a’ cur suas na pìoba. Notes: ‘setting up a wail’. (?provenance).
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pìob chliastar
the tube used for this operation [i.e. cliostair ‘enema’].
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pìobaire
Quotation: Fhuair thu “cuireadh a phìobaire”. Notes: “You can come to the wedding if you want to.” See Dw.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pìobaireachd
on its own does not mean you play ‘ceòl mór’ [q.v.]. Would need to add that you were – ‘a’ pìobaireachd ceòl mór’.
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
pìobaireachd
the playing of pipes; the profession, or performance of the piper. Not used in sense “Ceòl Mór” by native speakers. That usage, in Eng. only, originated among Eng. speaking collectors of pipe music. Urlar – the theme, or ground. Leagadh – variation – Anglo-Irish “a falling”. Lùdh (lùth, lùgh) – fixed group of notes and grace-notes peculiar to pibroch. Caslùdh – grip (piper’s jargon). Bàrludh, barr-lùdh. Leumlùdh. Taorludh [sic]. Crùnlùdh. Siubhal or iùl-lùdh, etc.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pìochan
Quotation: am pìochan. Notes: hoarseness, chestiness.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pìos
Quotation: pìos math. Notes: “a nice bit of stuff”.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pìos
attractive female (also).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pìos
Quotation: pìos an t-aon. Notes: a bit each.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pìos (càil)
Plot of corn, potatoes or vegetables.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
pìos-marbh
Note: piece of deadwood in a boat.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pòca
[pɔ̣ɔ̣xkə] Notes: nominative and dative of pòca ‘pocket’.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pòiteach
Notes: spongy (of turnip, potato, etc.).
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pònaigeadh
Notes: beautifying < ‘bonny-ing’. Source: current in Uist/Skye. Date: 20c.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pòs
Quotation: Pòs an Éirinn, agus siubhail an Ìle. Notes: “Alba” usually instead of “Ìle”. Local version.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pòsadh
Quotation: seirbhis phòsaidh.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pòsda
Quotation: a’ mhaighdean phòsda. Notes: the bridesmaid.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pòsda
Quotation: an t-òganach pòsda. Notes: the best man.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pòsta
adj. ‘married’ : tè ‘ bha ~ aig cousin dha m’ athair
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
pùdraigeadh
[pu̟:d̪ɾiɡʹəɣ] Note: when setting the “cabhall”, beating with sticks to drive the fish into it.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pùireadh
Quotation: Tha e a’ pùireadh uisge. Notes: it is pouring rain (local).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pùnnd
Quotation: Cuir ann am pùnnd. Notes: ‘pound’ (of cattle). Cf. Anglo-Saxon pund ‘fold’. Dw. has punnd ‘fold to confine cattle that trespass’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pùnntadh
kept in an enclosure. I have heard an old lady referring to her hens: Iad air a punntadh ann a shid (enclosure) ’s nach iad a mach – at seed-planting time. [NOTES: slipped under ‘pùnndadh’.] [SLIP: Kept in an enclosure.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rabhaill
extremity of an island. Rabhail a deas, rabhaill a tuath.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rabhan
species of long grass, grows on muddy flats by river, etc.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rabhann
great horse tail.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rabhartach
prone to ‘fibs’, creating false announcements. [NOTES: the slip has ‘ràbhartach’. Definition: ‘Given to exaggeration’.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rabhdair
Quot.: “Rabhdair bochd gun mhath gun lochd nach bi na thosd.” Note: fear a bhios ri cainnt gun bhun gun bhàrr.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rabhladh
fair amount. Tha rabhladh math ann! – Fishermen having a look in their drift-net(s): of fish. [SLIP: Fair amount. Used by fishermen when having a look in their drift-nets.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rabht
[r[ɑu̟]t̪] Quotation: Na bi ag innse na rabhtan sin. Notes: a tall yarn. (Dw. – idle or nonsensical talk.)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rabhtach
Quotation: duine rabhtach. Notes: given to tell distorted or exaggerated stories.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
racaid
term used in describing an old boat. (Harris)
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rach
Quotation: A bheil esan a’ dol gu Beasa an drasda.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rachd
the traveller on boat used to hoist the sail.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rachdan
[rɑxkɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: pl. rachdainn. Notes: remains of tree stumps found at the bottom of the lower layer of peat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rad-aileasas ?? (f)
Quotation: Fhuair mi rad-… bhuaithe. Notes: severe ticking off.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
radan
Notes: rat.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
radan
rat.
Location: Argyll, Tarbert, Muasdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
radan uisge
water rat.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rafag
Quot.: “Nach ann ort a tha a’ rafag.” Note: could be said to someone who is working on something but is too impatient to finish it.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rafagach
weeds in static water.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rafagan
yellow reeds which you find when cutting peat.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rag reamhar
rolling fat.
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
rag-mheàrlach
a great thief.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ragaich
Quotation: Bha mi gus mo ragadh leis an fhuachd. Notes: stiffen.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raichd
[rɑ̣̃˖içk] Notes: loud shout of uncouth nature.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raid
Notes: plant growing in peat moss – like miniature willow.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raide
[rɑdʹə] Notes: small, broad-leafed plant which cattle won’t eat.
Location: Ross-shire, Achnahaird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raidh
[ˈRɑ-i] Quotation: Tha e le raidh. Bha sinn a’ raidh. Notes: boastful talk; chatting.
Location: Applecross
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
raing
[rɛ̃ŋ] Quot.: na rangan [rɑ̃ɣəṉ]. Note: rib in a boat.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raing
[rɛ̃ŋɡ] Note: rib of a boat. (Plural – [rɛ̃ɣəṉ].)
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
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
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
rainneach
[rɛ̃ṉɔx] Note: bracken. (Pronunciation.)
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raispais
food that has dribbled down onto a baby’s bib or food sticking to a man’s moustache such as after taking soup or drinking milk. This was long ago when men wore heavy moustaches. Both the ‘is’ and the ‘ais’ as in ‘lavish’, the English word, or as in ‘follais’.
Origin: [Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raith
Quotation: Bha e làn raith. Notes: bombastic prating.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rall
Quotation: Bha an t-àite na rall. Notes: the place was in an absolute mess.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ramaiseadh
[rɑ̃mɑʃəɣ] Quotation: Thug e [rɑ̃mɑʃəɣ] mhath dhi. Notes: improper handling of a woman.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ramalaig
Quotation: Nach ann a siud a bha an ramalaig. Notes: of a person who sings a song badly, not even knowing the words.
Location: Cape Breton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ramh an fhuaraidh
the oar on the windward side of boat.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ramh-sgollaidh
having lost one oar the remaining oar was placed in a V shaped indentation at a boat’s rear. The oar would be moved from side to side bringing the boat to shore. [NOTES: corrected to ‘ràmh-sgolaidh’.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ramhaic
Quotation: “Bha e a’ ramhaicheadh [rɛ̃viçci] rium.” Notes: He was bawling at me.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rampairean
Notes: bars of grate.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rampairean
grating of a fireplace.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rang
[rɑ̃u̜] Notes: rib of a boat.
Location: Sutherland, Golspie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rangais
[rɑŋɡiʃ] Notes: the strap running the length of the boat on which the seats rest on each side.
Origin: Uig, Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rangais
[rɑŋɡiʃ] Notes: the strap running the length of the boat on which the seats rest on each side.
Origin: Uig, Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rangan
asnaichean an eathair.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Eathraichean / Boats
rangas
[rɑ̃ŋɡɑs] Note: stringer, in a boat, on which the ends of the seats rest.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rangas
a boat rib or part. (Scalpay) [SLIP: A boat rib or part (?).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rangas
piosan air a bheil na tobhtaichean a sineadh, bòrd air fad an eathair.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
rangas
piece of wood nailed to the ribs from stem to stern for extra strength. The seats rested on it.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rangas (s.n.) (masc., beag)
piece [?] on which tobhta lies also where you rest your feet on bottom of boat.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
rannaire
songster, a person applicable to verses, singing verses, verse or two of different song not having the complete song. Rannaire uamhasach h-ann. Something like duanaire, perhaps similar but not quite. Duanaire is a most adjustable and a more stationary in this musical category.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ransach
a snell wind. Ransach de ghaoith a tuath.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ranuns
Quotation: (1) “Thug mi dha ranuns.” (2) “ranuns na loinne”. Notes: (1) “I gave him a telling-off.” (2) “a really good telling-off”.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raodan
[rɤ:d̪ɑṉ] Note: the worm which eats holes in wood floating on the sea.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raolaigean
a toy item made to roll, or something made to roll. Chaidh e ’na raolaigean sios am bruthach. [SLIP: A toy which rolls – extended to anything that rolls.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raopair
[rɤ:pɑɾ] Notes: heavy piece of lead attached to a string. Had a hook perhaps 2" from lead with or without bait. Pulled up and down. Fish supposedly attracted by the lead.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raopaireachd
[rɤ:pɑɾɑxk] Quotation: a’ raopaireachd. Notes: working with the “raopair” q.v.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rapach
Quotation: Nach e tha ràpach [sic]. Notes: untidy.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rapach
Quotation: là rapach. Notes: wet, squally day.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rapadaich
Quotation: rapadaich aimsir. Notes: wet and squally weather.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rapadaich
Quotation: Tha rapadaich gu bhi ann. Notes: it’s going to be wild and wet.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rapas
Notes: used mainly for slovenliness in eating food, on face, clothes, table.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rasall mór
[rɑ̟·səɫ] Quotation: ‘Tha sin an rasall each.’
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rasanta
[rɑsɑn̪t̪ə] Quot.: “Tha ’m balach sin gu math rasanta.” Note: aggressive in his manner.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raspars
Quotation: Chan eil a sud ach raspars. Làn raspars. Notes: pride, showing off.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ratan
in a tizzy. “Nach ann an a tha ratan.” Must be a French connection here.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rath
Quotation: rud gun rath. Notes: something without much substance.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rath
Quotation: cas gun rath [kɑsɡərɑ]. Notes: useless person.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rath
Quotation: (1) Cha robh móran rath ann. (2) duine gun rath. Notes: (1) There wasn’t much substance in it. (2) man of no consequence.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rath
[rɑ] Quot.: “Chaneil rath air.” Note: said of a person lacking in grace and manners. Uncouth person.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rath-dorch
Note: the dark period in the moon’s cycle.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rath-dorch
Note: period consisting of the last few days of the moon’s wane and the first few days of its return plus the time it is not seen at all.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rath-shuileach
aghaidh shalach.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
rath-spars
[rɑspɑʴs] Notes: impudence, e.g. of a young child. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: BBC
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rath-thiodhlaic
lair.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
rath-thiodhlaic
Lair in a cemetery.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rath-thiodhlaic (I)
Chanainn gur h-e “réilig” a bhios anns a’ chuid mhór de dh’àiteachan.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
rath-thiodhlaig
Notes: family plot in a graveyard (or rath-thiodhlaigeadh).
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rath-thiodhlaig
Note: lair in a cemetery.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathad
[rɑ˖ʔəd] Quotation: Thig iad a rathad dhaoine. Notes: to come to a peace.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathad
Quotation: Cha deidheadh e ’na rathad idir. Notes: He wouldn’t go near him at all.
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathad
Quotation: Cha ghleidh an rathad e. Notes: “The road will not hold him.” Said of drunk man.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathad
nn ‘road’ : a’ dol suas ~ Mhabou no àit’ a’ choreigin
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
rathad
Notes: way, method.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathad
Quotation: rathad nan caorach. Notes: sheep track.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathad
Quotation: Bha dà thaobh a’ rathaid mhor [sic] leis. Notes: drunk.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathad
Notes: An rathad-mór – the highway, the main road. Ceum-cois – a footpath. Frith-rathad – a built bye-road of uncertain width. Rathad-cairteach – a road on which a cart can go. Rathad-beag – a joint road, or branch road (although actually as broad as the main road).
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathad goirid
short cut.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathad nan caorach
Origin: Barra
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
rathad-beinne
a moorland road.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathad-cam
a road with turnings.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathad-eiginn
[rɑəd̪iɡʹəṉ] Quotation: Tha e rathad-eiginn neònach. Notes: used in some instances. Would not say “Tha e rathad-eiginn mór or beag.” Would use rud-eiginn.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathad-monaidh
moorland road, or a road across a moor.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathad-mòineadh
peat road.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathad-tearradh
road surface with tar macadam.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathadach
Quotation: duine rathadach. Notes: a man of substance. (?)
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathadach
in Gaelic folklore these were taken as lucky signs whereas ‘rosadach’ were unlucky signs.
Location: Barra, Ard Mhinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathadach
Quotation: ’S e duine rathadach a th’ann. Notes: capable, able; go-ahead.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathadach
Notes: ingenious.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathadan
nn ‘path’ : bha ~ beag, caol, caol a’ dol ’ron chladh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
rathaich (v)
notice, observe, take warning.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathail
Notes: yarn-spreader.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathail
Quot.: “’S e duine rathail aig nach bi sin ri phàigheadh.” Note: in the sense of fortunate.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathar
[See ràr.]
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rathtic
a dirty looking person.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ratulaich
[Rɑˈtəliç] Quotation: Thug e ratulaich oirnn. Notes: a dressing down, verbal onslaught.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ratunsach
[Rɑˈtunsəx] Quotation: Thug e ratunsach oirnn. Notes: = ratulaich [q.v.]. Source: Ina Murchison.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reabh
feat, trick; reabhraidh – coll. n.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reachd
sound done as when clearing the throat. [SLIP: Sound as if clearing the throat.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reamhar
adj. ‘fat’ : chan itheadh iad feòil ~ muiceadh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
reamhar
fat.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
reamhrad (m)
fat.
Origin: Ross of Mull
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
reang
Quotation: reangan stòbhaig [rɛ̃ɣəṉsṯɔ:viɡʹ]. Notes: ribs put between the “urlair”. Laid across the boat, steamed and stood on.
Origin: Uig, Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reang
Quotation: reangan stòbhaig [rɛ̃ɣəṉsṯɔ:viɡʹ]. Notes: ribs put between the “urlair”. Laid across the boat, steamed and stood on.
Origin: Uig, Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reanga
rib of a boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reath
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
reatha
ram.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reathachas
Origin: Barra
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
reathal
confusion.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reathan
Location: [Lewis], Arnol, Bragar and Uigen
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
reatich
illegitimate.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
reibseach
[rɛbʃɑx] Notes: a slovenly woman who didn’t care about what she did or said.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reic
Quotation: ’S e nach reiceadh a’ chearc air là fliuch.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reic
Quotation: a’ creic cearcan.
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reiliseadh
a good attendance. “Bha reiliseadh math de dhaoine aig a’ choinneamh.”
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reip
[rɛp] Quotation: Tha reip air fhagail air a phoit. Notes: a dirty scum.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reiteach
Notes: match-making.
Location: Cape Breton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reiteachadh
cleaning and unravelling as preparation for the next baiting.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
reithp
a tide mark left round the mouth after eating, e.g. Tha reithp air gu dha chluais an deidh a bhi ag ithe na feòla.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reothadh
Quotation: Tha sin mar reothadh na lodain làn. Notes: It doesn’t last long.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reothadh
Quotation: reothadh an lodain làin. Notes: a thing that doesn’t last. Pool full of water, small crust of ice.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reothadh an lodain-làir
(gu math tana)
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
reothadh-liath
Notes: hoarfrost.
Origin: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reothart
Quotation: reothart mór Fhéill Phàruig. Notes: also known as “reothart mór nan eun” – the sea birds wouldn’t nest until it was over.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reothart
Quotation: reothart mór na h-Fheill Pàruig (sic). Notes: the biggest spring tide in the year (27th March – old reckoning, 17 March – new reckoning).
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reothart
[ˈroəḏ] Quotation: [t̪ɔpˈroəḏ]. Notes: the height of the spring tide.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reothart
Quotation: Reothart [ˈroidʹ] ’na buille. Notes: high tide (24 hours after new moon and full moon).
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reothart
Quotation: [rɑvɑrtʹ] (rabhairt). Notes: spring tide.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reothart
Quotation: mullach reothairt.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reub
Quotation: Tha an dorus fosgailte reub a’ chraois. Notes: wide open (‘eu’ as in ‘beul’).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reudan
[re:d̪ɑṉ] Note: the insect which bores holes in wood which floats on the sea.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reòdh
vb ‘freeze’ : vbl adj.: bha latha damaite ~te ann
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
reòtach
herring scales on the sides and deck of a boat (giving an impression of reodhadh). Fhuair iad sgadan – tha reòtach oirre.
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ri
Quotation: ’S e a’ rud a tha a’ dol a stigh rium. Notes: What is annoying me is…
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ri
prep. ‘to; at;: bhiodh esan ~ uinneagan, dhèanadh e uinneag; cha bhiodh fhios agam-as fo Dhia na Glòrach dè an dòigh a rachainn ris; tha sin ri dhèanamh aige fhathast
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
ri
Quotation: Cha deidheadh tu stigh ris air airgiod. Notes: You wouldn’t get one over him / fool him as far as money is concerned.
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
Quotation: Cha robh te a Sasainn a sheinneadh rithe… Notes: rithe = as well as her.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ri
Quotation: “Bha iad ri sionnaich.” Notes: They were after foxes.
Origin: Blackburn, near Glentarff
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ri
Quotation: beul ri tigh Alasdair, beul ri fichead bliadhna. Notes: near, almost.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ri
Quotation: Bha iad a cladhach eadar na sreathan agus a’ cur ris a bhuntàta. Notes: building up the earth on each side of the potato shaws.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ri g’éilaidh, leagal na’ h’éilaidh
beginning of spring work; rough turning of soil with spade preparatory to sowing with barley seed. When manured, turned or ploughed again and then sown. The last crop put down in the season except perhaps veg., cabbage etc.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ri mir an uisge
at the height of the rain.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riabh
Quotation: riabh buntàta. Notes: row of potatoes.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riabh
Quotation: riabh buntàta. Notes: row of potatoes.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riabh
[riɤv] Quotation: riabh buntàta. Notes: a row.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riabhach
darkish brown with rough coat.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
riabhach
Quotation: lach riabhach. Notes: mallard duck.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riabhach
Quotation: Tha iad cho riabhach. Notes: ‘at daggers drawn’.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riach
Quotation: a’ riachadh a’ bhaic. Notes: lining the peat bank.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riachd
Quotation: Dean riachd ann. Notes: a cut when cutting the ground, e.g. lining a peat bank.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riachdail
Quotation: Dé a’ riachdail a th’ort? Notes: Why are you hesitating?
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riachdail
croaking sound, as a person clearing his throat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riachdalach
Quotation: duine riachdalach. Notes: hesitant, indecisive.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riachdalachd
Quotation: a’ riachdalachd. Dé a’ riachdail a th’ort? Notes: showing indecision, hesitating.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riadh (-adh) [sic]
tearing a person limb from body tied between two horses. “Air a’ riathadh, riaghadh.”
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riadhan
after peats had been made into ‘rubhain’ they were made into larger long stacks so that they would be easier to reach when they were being taken home.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riagail
Quotation: a’ riagail fo [sic] àite go àite. Notes: scurrying about from one place to another.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riaghailt
Quotation: gréim [sic] riaghailt. Notes: basting – a kind of stitch.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riaghailt
Quotation: bean riaghailt. Notes: midwife.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riaghailteach
Quotation: Tha sin riaghailteach math. Notes: That is reasonably good.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riaghladh
Quot.: “a’ riaghladh a’ bhùird leis an uisge-bheath”. Note: serving drink at a wedding.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riamalach
[r[ĩɑ̃]məɫɑx] Quotation: duine riamalach. Notes: slow-moving, slow-acting. Or riamach.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riamanach
Notes: tardy. South Uist pronunciation.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rian
Quotation: Cha ghabhadh e rian, ’S cha ghabhadh e sion, ’S ’nuair chunnaic iad sin, ’Spion iad anam as. Notes: advice. Supposed to have been said by a tinker in regard to an unruly member of the tribe. Rian – way, means. Chan eil rian agam air a sin a dheanamh.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riarachadh
Notes: bread or biscuits, cheese and whisky given to mourners at a funeral.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riarachadh
Notes: serving out drinks at weddings, funerals, etc.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riarachadh inntinn
Intense mental pleasure and satisfaction.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riarachdainn
Quotation: an riarachdainn. Notes: biscuits, cheese and whisky given to those who attended a funeral.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riaraich
Quotation: a riarachadh [riɤɾɑxu̜] nam bùird. Notes: serving at the Communion tables.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Balvoolich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riaraichte
Served up at table.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rias
soft muddle indentation.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
riasach
Quotation: Tha ’n aghaidh agad gu math riasach. Notes: streaks or patches of dirt on it.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riasaire
Quotation: “A-mach á seo thu, a riasaire an diabhail.” Notes: Domhnall Liath, Keose, to Dùghall, brother of Rev. Donald MacCallum, whom he was helping aboard a smack in Loch Erisort. Dùghall had hurt his leg, and had to be slung aboard in a sling. Riasaire < rias, cf. riasach ‘dirty’ (especially about the face). None of these forms in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riasbail
[riɤsbɑl] Quotation: Tha mi uamhasach riasbail. Notes: I’m in an awful guddle.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riasg
the soft peat.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
riasg
[rɛ:sɡ] Notes: raw peat.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riasg
Notes: coarse grass that flourishes in the spring.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riasg
sedge or peat-moss, which is cut and dried for fuel.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
riasg
[See riathasg.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riasg
peat.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
riasg
land that was difficult to plough.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Ardivachar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riasg
peat soil. (Lewis)
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
riasg
peat as it is in the peat-bank before being cut.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
riasg
raw peat.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
riasg / sgrath
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
riaslach
[riɤsɫɑx] Quotation: Tha mi uamhasach riaslach. Notes: untidy, the house in disarray, etc.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riaslaiche
a person making little progress despite his efforts and having got knack of things, as we relate sometimes.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riatanach
[riɤt̪ɑ̃ṉɑx] Notes: same as “feumail” – useful.
Location: South Uist, Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riath
ram. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
riathall
Notes: a rag. Cf. pl. in Applecross.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riathasg
boiled limpets for bait for a fishing rod. (I am not sure of the spelling – one of the two is correct, I think.) [NOTES: it is not clear if the ‘two’ refers to riathasg vs. friathasg or rather riathasg/friathasg vs. riasg/friasg.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ribeach
Quotation: là ribeach. Notes: squally day.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ribeach
Quotation: Là ribeach, robach, citheach, ceothach, gun ghaoith, gun thioradh, gun uisge. Notes: heavy day with low cloud.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ribheid
Quotation: Bha ribheid na dhà aige. Notes: He had a drink or two in him.
Location: Canada, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
richeanach
ragnails, ragged skin at base of finger-nails (N.E.); rifeineach (Uist); righinneach (Arran, Kintyre, etc.). Slender “ch” commonly reduced to gh.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rideais
[ridʹɑʃ] Quotation: Tha na h-uain a’ [ridʹɑʃ]. Notes: gambolling.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rig
partly castrated or its testicles wanting.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
rig
partly castrated ram.
Origin: Ross of Mull
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
rig (English), rigeachan (pl)
partly castrated ram.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
rige
tha seo againn. Ach cho fada ’s a lorg agam-sa ’s ann airson ‘partly castrated male’ a tha ‘rige’ againn. Againne air fhuaimneachadh mar a chanadh Leòdhasach no a leithid sin, ‘rig’ ann an ‘rig-out’, rig + e, rige.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
rige
ram only partly castrated.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
rigg
partly castrated [ram].
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
righ-damhna
king material, royalty; damhna = fochann = adhbhar (aobhar).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
righle
Quotation: Righle Thuluchainn. Notes: Reel of Tulloch.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rinndeal
[rĩ:nʹdʹɑɫ] Quotation: “Tha e san rinndeal.” Notes: (Rental.) (Dw. – sphere, extent, limits, boundary, territory.) L. MacLean gave “rinndeal” as “rent roll”.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rinneachadh
means a long drawn out walk. As in the saying: “Rinneachadh bò chaol a’ tighinn gu baile feasgar fann foghair, rinneachadh bò chaol a’ tighinn gu baile.” Implies casualness, paying no attention to time, etc. [NOTES: note added in pencil: ?righinneachadh.]
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rioba
the finer rope to which the corks were attached.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
riobag shonais
refers to the hair growing on a woman’s chin. Alternately it may be called ‘riobag chonais’ – hair of temperament.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riochd (m)
Quotation: ’ga cuir fhein as na riochdan. Notes: wearing latest and wildest fashions.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riochdachadh an tobair
at Easter different flowers placed round the well for the purpose of keeping evil spirits at bay.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riochdaire
representative.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riofanaich (na)
Notes: loose ends of skin about base of fingernails (especially common in boys!). Not in Dw. Source: Lewis usage recalled (D.S.T.). Date: 1974.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riomball
[rĩmbɑɫ] Quotation: Tha riomball ma bheul. Notes: ring left round mouth after drinking, say, milk.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riomhag
in the sense of being a relative to someone.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rionnach
formation of clouds resembling the stripes or pattern on the mackerel (fish).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rionnach
(latterly)
Origin: Taransay
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
rionnach clabach
Notes: = cnàmh-rionnach. Source: John MacInnes, Daliburgh, South Uist. Date: 1978.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rionnag
[rũ̜n̪ɑɡ] Quotation: rionnag thuiteamach. Notes: shooting star.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rionnag
Quotation: rionnag a’ dol air iomraich. Notes: shooting star.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rionnag
Quotation: sgiath-rionnaig. Notes: shooting star.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rionnag
[rũ̜n̪ɑɡ] Quotation: rionnag ag atharrachadh. Notes: a shooting star.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riopair
a towel consisting of an old sack. If you had been eating a meal such as herring you would clean your hands in this so as not to leave its smell on a cleaner towel.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ripa
the rope between the buoy and the float rope. [NOTES: corrected to ‘ribe’.]
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ripa mór
the rope that extended from the buoy to the bottom of the net. About 18 [sic]. [NOTES: ‘ripa’ corrected to ‘ribe’.]
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ris
Notes: Thubhairt mise ris. – to him. Leig e ris dha. – he revealed to him. Tha e ris an deoch. – addicted to drink. Co bha ris? – Who was at him? (injuring him, words or blows) Tha an talamh ris. – seen (in time of snow). Leig e e féin ris. – he unclothed himself (e.g. when going to swim). Chan eil math a bhi ris. – There is no use arguing with him. Bha dùil aige ris. – he was expecting it. Bha càirdeas aige ris. – he was related to him. Bha e ag radh rithe. – he was saying to her. Feuchaidh e ris. – he will attempt to do it. Chuir e ’n t-aodach ris an teine. – at the fire. ’S math a chaidh e ris. – he dealt with him in a becoming manner! Cha bhi gnothuich agam ris. – I will take nothing to do with it.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ris a’ mhòine
cutting the peats.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ris a’ mhòine
engaged in peat work.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
riseag
[riʃɑɡ] Notes: a potato too small to be planted.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rithisd
Quotation: Cha mhisde deagh naidheachd a chluinntinn a rithisd.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rithisd
Quotation: a rithisd.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ro-spors
Quotation: ’Sann a bha iad ga dhèanamh le ro-spors. Notes: ‘show-off’. Both o’s short. Heavy accent on second part of word. Not in Dw. Source: John MacArthur (Bayble, Lewis). Date: October 1970.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
robach
nasty, foul. Tha latha robach ann.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
robhas
[rɔəs] Quotation: Chan fhaca mi sgeul na robhas air.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
robhas
[rɔəs] Quotation: Chaneil robhas agam air. Notes: “Chaneil sgeul agam air.”
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roc
Notes: a rocky patch where tangle grows.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roc
Quotation: na ruic [ruiçc]. Notes: patches covered with seaweed where lobsters are to be found.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roc
Seaweed and tangle growing on rocks often cut and spread as fertiliser on peaty soil.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
roc-làir
seaweed broken off submerged rocks were [sic] washed ashore, and would lay for that length of time on the shore – thus pithless in some cases.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
rochd
[rɔ̣xk] Notes: tangles: large species of seaweed which grows in deep water.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rodail
Quotation: Seall a’ rodail a th’air an duine sin, nach e tha dìchiallach. Notes: applied to a person who works extra hard to provide well for his family.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rodhaigeadh
Quotation: a’ rodhaigeadh. Notes: winding (a clock or watch).
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rodhanaich na Samhna
the calm period at the end of autumn.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rog-gaoithe
sound of roaring wind. Cha’n ’eil càil ann ach ro-gaoithe [sic] (Scalpay) – reference to a loud talkative person.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rogal
Notes: a loose-fitting shapeless (knitted) garment, a knitted garment that had lost its shape.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roic
a lot of beef for eating. Tha roic agabh [sic].
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roid
bog myrtle. Used for stomach related problems such as worms.
Location: Barra, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roid
running fast for a few yards etc. preparatory to jumping.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roid
Quotation: Thug e roid as. Notes: He made a spurt.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roid
[rɔdʹ] Quotation: roid eòrna. Notes: a barley sheaf with two bands.
Location: North Uist, Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roid
Quotation: Theid mi ann airson roid bheag. Notes: I’ll go there for a brief visit.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roid
bog myrtle. Soaked in hot water and used as a laxative.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roid (f)
Quotation: Thainig e steach le roid. Notes: rush.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roidhl (f)
Quotation: roidhl ma bheul na bà. Notes: Dwelly – ròil.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roidire
taking a run and a jump at something, e.g. jumping into a large load of hay.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roileag
rolled wool; roylock [sic] [rowlock?] (boat). [SLIP: 1. Piece of rolled wool. 2. Rowlock of boat.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roileag
Notes: lair in graveyard. Local pronunciation of ‘réileag’.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roilean
Notes: roller put under a boat.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roileir
[See the illustration under ‘cuibheal-shnìomh’.]
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
roill
Notes: used of strong-smelling ooze from fish which has been lying for a time (even a few hours). Also of thick spittle at cow’s mouth. Hence roilleach. Dw. has ròil ‘slaver’ (from DMy, Lewis). Also roille-chraos ‘slavering mouth’. Source: heard in conversation with Murdo Ferguson of Portvoller, Lewis. Date: 10/05/1969. (Also John MacArthur, Bayble – October 1970)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roill
[r[ɔi]l] Quotation: a’ [r[ɔi]l] a’ bhàrr dhearg. Notes: said by G.C. to be abbreviation for ‘ruaimleadh’ – the effect the ground swell had on the tangle at the time of the Equinox. It stirred it up. (Heard in Tiree as roill.) [NOTES: the note in brackets in second hand.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roilleach
Notes: slavering at the mouth.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roilleadh
Quotation: “Bha roilleadh anabarrach air a’ chuan.” Notes: the sea was heaving terribly or extremely rough.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roimh
Quotation: Bha e dìreach gu leigeil roimhe [ɾɛ̃ə] leis a’ sgìos. Notes: He was just about giving up with fatigue.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roingleis
[rɔ̣iŋɡlɑ̟ʃ] Notes: a pussy, infected throat, a dirty cold.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roinn
nn f. ‘some, a share’ : bidh sinn a' faighinn ~ de shneachd ann; rudan a chaidh às mo chuimhne … ~ do naidheachdan; ~ dha na __ sgrìobhtichean; bha sinn gu math eòlach air ~ dhe na Sgitheanaich [MAE]; dh’fhàg e ~ dha na Gàidheil
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
roinn
Quot.: “roinn mhic is athair”. Note: Fair deal. (Barvas – Roinn mhic is mhàthair.)
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roinn an eisg
dividing the fish. One turns his back (falbh do’n chùil) while another points to each share saying each time “Whose is that?” (Co aige bi sud?).
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
rois
Quotation: [ərɔʃəɣ] an t-sìl. Notes: threshing.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roiseag
Notes: a small potato.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roiseag
Notes: small potato. More commonly used in plural.
Origin: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roiseagan
Very small potatoes.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
roiseagan (pl)
Notes: small potatoes.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roisean
[rɔʃɛ̃ṉ] Quotation: Bhiodh roisean air a’ bhriogais aige. Notes: mire on the bottoms of a man’s trousers, e.g. after ploughing.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roisean
Notes: a flail made up of a wooden handle, a leather thong and a piece of heavy rope saturated in Archangel tar.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roisein
Flail for oats. [NOTES: ‘roisean’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
roisgean
[rɔʃɡʹɛ̃ṉ] Quotation: roisgean fhliuch. Notes: wet or muddy hem of a garment.
Origin: Kinlochourn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roladh (an fheòir)
an deidh a thaghadh [q.v.] agus a chrathadh, le ràcan.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
rolag
rowlock of a boat.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
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
rolair tuill
hauling roller (on large, steam or motor drift-net boats only).
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
roll
Quotation: Bha am fochann air a [ɾɤu̟ləɣ]. Notes: with a roller.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rollagan cloimh
what was left after carding.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rollaisteach
confused, mixture. [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words. Catch-word: rolaisteach.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
romag
Atholl brose. (Stoer, Assynt) Romag was usually made by mixing a handful of oatmeal with about ½ pint thick cream and then 1 gill of whisky, preferably malt whisky. I heard of honey being in the recipe but I never saw that. Honey was not common in the west coast.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
rong (m)
Quotation: Chan eil air [duine] ach gu bheil an rong ann. Notes: spark of life?
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rongach
Quotation: Nach e tha rongach. Notes: duine bhiodh fadalach.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ronng (‘ow’ sound)
Means a deterioration or worsening in condition. “Ciamar a tha a bhò agad an diugh?” “O chan eil i ach a ’s fhior dhol an ronng.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rooch
to strip of money. Applied to winning at marbles, etc. ‘Rùisg’.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rooia
inflammation of the udder. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Crodh / Cattle
rop-toisich
[sic] painter (ship’s lifeboat). [NOTES: slipped under ‘ròp-toisich’. Definition: Painter (of boat).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ropa
Quotation: ròpa [sic] brùghnaich [rɔpəbɾũ̟:ṉiç]. Notes: belly rope on a horse. (From “brùgh”?)
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ropa ceangail an t-siul
can’t be knotted [?] [NOTES: both the definition and the accompanying illustration unclear.]
Category: Eathraichean / Boats
ropan-naidhlions
nylon ropes. [NOTES: slipped under ‘naidhlon’ with ‘ròpan naidhlions’ as the quotation.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rosd
Notes: could be used alone of a person. Often used of a boy: “rosd balaich” – a brat.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rosg
Quotation: pl. ruisg. Notes: eyelash.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rot
sickness in cattle due to overfeeding.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rot
Quotation: (1) rot balaich. (2) Tha e ’n deidh rot a dheanamh. Notes: (1) a big boy. (2) he has grown up to be a big boy.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rot
Quotation: Tha thìd agad am balach sin a rotadh dhachaidh – seall an uair a tha e.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rot (m)
breac-donn de mheud is fhiach a chumail. Rot cuideachd air son beathach cuimseach air bith, rot muilt.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
rotach
Quotation: Thàinig e le rotach. Notes: He came at speed.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rotach
Quotation: Rotach Bealltainn. Notes: strong ground swell which drove the seaweed ashore.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rotach
Quot.: rotach na Caingis [k[ɑ̃ĩ]ɡɑʃ]. Note: spell of bad weather.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rotadh
forced. Cha [sic] a rotadh a mach ás an tigh. [NOTES: the quotation on the slip has ‘Chaidh…’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roth
Quotation: roth mu’n ghrian. Notes: circle round the sun – a sign of the weather breaking.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roth
Quotation: an roth. Notes: cart wheel. Cuibheall or cuibhle not included by Dw. under “cairt”.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roth air a’ ghrian
treis mhór de shid’ mhath.
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
rothail
[rɔhəl] Quotation: Tha rothail gu leòir ’san fhear sud. Notes: flattery.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rothainn
Quotation: Cuiridh an rud as lugha dhe a rothainn e. Notes: ‘The least thing will disconcert him, or make him lose his mental equilibrium.’
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rothlais
Quotation: duine rothlaiseach. Notes: malapropism.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rothtach
Quotation: Tha rothtach math gaoithe ann. Notes: there’s a good gale of wind. Dw. has rotach ‘rush, etc…; storm (Suth’d)’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruabais
Quotation: (1) Tha ruabais air. (2) Ruabais de dhuine. Notes: (1) dirty face when eating. (2) a person who is dirty – more dirty than untidy.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruadh
any inflammation, esp. milk-fever (V. [Victoria?] ruaidhe).
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
ruadh
Quotation: na h-eòin ruadh. Notes: grouse in general.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruadh
Quotation: am madadh ruadh. Notes: fox.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruadh-ghlas
Quotation: a’ ruadh-ghlas. Notes: erysipelas.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruadhan
Quotation: Téa ruadhain. An fheòil air a dhol ’na ruadhan le cus bruich.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruadhan
tea that has been boiling on the stove all day.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruadhan
Quotation: gealach a’ ruadhain. Notes: same as “gealach an [ɑpɑxi]” – sic.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruagadh
to gather, e.g. a dog gathering sheep or hens.
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruagairneach
Quotation: ruagairneach or ruagairneach ghille. Notes: young, strong, lively lad.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruaidh
illness affecting the flow of milk in cattle. Cured by heating a pebble (mollag). Milk from the cow’s udder was splashed on to the stone. This was done accompanied by a prayer. Could only be done by a particular person. Also affected mares when they had given birth. Whisky was rubbed into the udder. Its heat relieved the blockage.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Ardivachar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruaidh
disease (of the rheumatism form).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruaidh
[ru̜ɤi] Quotation: a’ ruaidh. Notes: chill in the udder of cows causing inflammation. The milk doesn’t flow so freely.
Origin: Kinlochourn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruaidh
disease in a cow’s udder. Needed to be continuously milked to alleviate the problem.
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruaim (f)
flush (red); ruamna na feirge – flush of wrath; also ruamhna, ruaimleach.
Origin: [Strathglass]
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
ruamhair
Quotation: a’ ruamhair le spaid. Notes: turning with a spade.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruamhair
Quotation: a’ ruamhair a’ ghàradh (sic). Notes: digging up the enclosed plot near the house.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruamhar
Quotation: Nuair a bhios Ruairidh ’na thàmh, bi [sic] e a ruamhair. Notes: when he is not engaged in paid work he always finds something to do.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruar
Quotation: mo ruar; also mo ruaran. Notes: used when addressing somebody not necessarily close to the speaker. Much the same as “a’ ghràidh” is used in Point, Lewis. (Only heard old people using it – AJ.)
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Droman
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruathair
the spreading of a contagious disease.
Location: Lewis, Back
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruathair
[ruɤhɑð] Quot.: “Tha a’ ruathair a’ dol an dràsd.” Note: stomach upset involving diarrhoea.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rubh-ràth
Quotation: Tha ’n àite na rubh-ràth. Notes: in disorder.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rubhainn
after lifting the peats, they were then made into bigger heaps known as ‘rubhainn’.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruchairt
a different pronunciation of ‘luchairt’ – a castle. [NOTES: corrected to ‘rùchairt’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruchd
Quotation: ruchd fheòir. Notes: stack of hay.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruchda
Quotation: ruchda fheòir. Notes: a haycock.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rud
Quotation: an droch rud. Notes: euphemism for ‘cancer’.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rud
Quotation: rud gun rath. Notes: something without much substance.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rud
Quotation: Chuir e rud orm. Notes: It offended me. (?provenance)
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rudha
Notes: headland (wide and flat).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rudhadh
making small stooks of six or more peats, placed in vertical position – this is the initial stage of drying.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rudhadh na mona
gathering [peats] into heaps.
Location: Gearrloch, Achadh a’ Chairn [Gairloch, Auchtercairn]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rudhadh na monadh
gathering in bigger stacks.
Origin: Inbhirnis [Inverness – most probably meant as the county]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rudhainn
Quotation: Cha tig e nall air an rudhainn. Notes: He’ll not cross over [?] the vicinity, environment.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rudhan mona
a heap of peat on the bog.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach, Stafainn [Skye, Staffin]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rug
mat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rughan
secondary heap [of peats], smaller than stack.
Location: Gearrloch, Achadh a’ Chairn [Gairloch, Auchtercairn]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rughan Frangach
“Rughan Frangach” is more complicated. It would seem to be the “learner’s” or “stranger’s” or “foreigner’s” way of making a “rughan”. These amateurs would use the easy method of laying the peat lengthwise instead of on end as in the proper “rughan”. So a child might be told when his “rughan” keeps falling in – “Dean rughan Frangach”. The name is not in common use now however. (I find the local staff know it – delete last sentence.) [NOTES: again, the term appears in the above-mentioned peat questionnaire.]
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch, Achtercairn School
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rughan Frangach
(Not in common use but one child brought the phrase without being able to say quite what it was!) [NOTES: see also Duncan MacLeod’s comment in his letter of 29/8/67 (under ‘rughan Frangach’).]
Location: Gearrloch, Achadh a’ Chairn [Gairloch, Auchtercairn]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ruic (f)
unwelcome flattery; ruiceach (adj); ‘c’ not ‘chc’ – E and S as always.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruicke (reige)
partly castrated.
Origin: Barra
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
ruid
Quotation: Thainig e le ruid. Notes: ‘rush’. Dw. has ruite ‘revelry, rioting’ and also ruideas ‘frisking, leaping’. Source: Lewis usage recollected (D.S.T.). Date: 1974.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruideal
[ru̜dʹɑɫ] Notes: riddle (like criathar).
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruideil
[ru̜dʹəl] Quotation: Bha e a’ ruideil thall ’s a bhos na do lorg. Notes: scurrying.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruidhal
a round wooden hoop covered with a preserved sheep’s skin and perforated like a sieve used for separating of corn seed and chaff.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruig
Quotation: Tha ’n duine ud ga mo ruighinn mar a bhios e cho bragail. Tha mi air mo ruighinn aig… Notes: anger, irritate.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruigeann
half-castrated bull.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
ruigeann
half-castrated.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect)
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
ruigh
a run or sloping piece of moorland ground for cattle. In shieling era.
Location: North Uist, Blàsheabhal [Blashaval]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruighinn
Quotation: Cho ruighinn ris an dollaig. Notes: “dollag” – probably “dallag”, type of dogfish.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruighinn
Quotation: Cho ruighinn ri gad seilich.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruighinneachadh
[ru̜iəṉɑxəɣ] Quotation: Tha sin a ruighinneachadh air an teine. Notes: taking a long time to cook. [NOTES: slipped under ‘righnich’.]
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruileagan
Small potatoes.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ruilleadh
Quotation: a’ ruilleadh le criathar. Notes: winnowing.
Origin: Gigha
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruinnse
[rɤ̃ĩʃ] Note: the projection at the end of the spine.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruisealachadh
rushing, haste in housework. Bha mi ruisealachadh a stigh, leis an obair – ref. from a female at home.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruisg
Notes: twelve beum’s of barley stood on end. Cf. Dwelly sub ruisg-eòrna. He gives ‘Twelve sheaves of barley in a semi-circle instead of six pairs of sheaves of oats in a straight line.’ (Lewis) (DMy)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruisg
Quotation: a’ rusgadh a’ phuill.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruisg
Quotation: ruisg eòrna. Notes: a single line of six sheaves standing on end.
Location: Stornoway, Melbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruisgean
Quotation: na ruisgeanan. Notes: eyelashes.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
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
ruit
partly castrated ram. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
ruith
vb. ‘run’: ~ i air [rinn feum de] triùir no cheathrair dhiubh anoidhche sin; ~ mise [r̜ui̯ miʃə] romham
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
ruith
run. Tha ruith anns a mhuir. – the sea coming forward and receding, noticeable, more than usual, immediately coming forward and then receding. Perhaps it could be termed ‘làgraid’, but of a more demonstrable effect.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruith
Quotation: Tha e a’ ruith air mo theangaidh. Notes: It’s on the tip of my tongue.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruith
Quotation: Tha ruith mhór air a’ chladach seo. Notes: movement of the tide over a considerable distance on a shallow shore.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruith
Quotation: “Tha thu ruith a mach builleach [?] a nis.” Notes: exaggerating, using hyperbole.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruith
vb ‘run’ : vbl nn: ò, tha ‘n dealanach a’ ~ nan cat ‘s nan con; tha i [= a’ Bheinn] a’ ~ a- mach caol [FMM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
ruith
Quotation: Tha ruith ’na chainnt. Notes: He stammers.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruith bheag, mhór
specified distance for horse races set out on appropriate machair land.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
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
rumach (adj)
Notes: muddy, miry as a place where cattle have been churning the ground to mud with their stamping.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rumastaireachd
Notes: (a favourite word of my mother’s) rooting about for, searching for something. Not in Dw. (Norse?) Date: recalled 1971.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rumatas
[rũ̜mɑṯəs] Note: rheumatism.
Origin: Stockinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rumball ( roomble)
[pron.] rump. [NOTES: slipped under ‘rùmball’. Pronunciation: [ruˈmbəɫ]. Definition: Rump of cattle.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
runnag
[rũ̜n̪ɑɡ] Quotation: Chunnaic mi runnag a’ tuiteam. Notes: I saw a shooting star.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
runnag
Quotation: runnag air imrich. Notes: a shooting star.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rupalachd
selling rubbish. I think this meaning for this word is authentic as selling rubbish, unless you have a far more authentic version. It originated from ‘rup’ – sell out (Harris).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rusgadh
Peeling potatoes (after boiling). [NOTES: slipped ‘rùsgadh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
rusgadh
the process of taking off the turf so as to enable one to reach the peat.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rusgadh
Air tus gearradh a’ bhlair le spaid, agus na dheidh sin a to’airt air falbh nam plocan uachdrach le cablair. Turfing – first cutting long ways and crossways by spade, after which the turf is removed by flatter-spade, sketch of which is shown. Tha nis an t-ullachadh deanta arirson buain na moine le taraisgil – aon fhear a’ gearradh is fear eile a’ sgaoiladh [sic] mach na moine air a’ bhlar. The way is now prepared for cutting and casting the peat by tusk – one man cutting and another spreading out the peat on the moss.
Origin: Cataobh [Sutherland – probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rusgan
Notes: the genitals, either male or female, on attaining the age of puberty.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rutas
[ru̜t̪əs] Quotation: Seall a’ rutas a th’air an duine sin. Notes: greed, e.g. a person trying to get more than his fair share of something such as when collecting seaweed.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruth na rath air
neither prosperity or grace.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruthadh
[ru̜həɣ] Quotation: Tha ruthadh anns an aodann aige. Notes: ruddiness.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ràbhardach
Note: given to exaggerated talk.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ràbhartach
Notes: talkative, entertaining.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ràdh
Quotation: ag ràin [əɡɑinʹ]. Notes: saying or speaking.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ràfordach
[rɑ:fɔʴḏɑx] Note: full of exaggerated talk. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ràinich
Quotation: cù a’ ràinich. Notes: a dog whimpering or moaning.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ràis
Quotation: “Chuir e a cheann a-mach air an uinneig, ’s chuir e ràis dh’a theanga mach air a bhial.” Notes: my mother, telling story of Dr Alex Matheson’s action to the driver of a car following him on the Bayble road. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ràis
[rɑ:ʃ] Quot.: “ràis feamainn”. Note: heap of seaweed towed behind a boat.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ràith
[rɛ:] Quotation: Coinneamh Ràith [kɔnʹirɛ:]. Notes: seasonal meeting.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ràmh
Quotation: Bha sinn air an t-aon ràmh. Notes: We were cooperating, seeing eye to eye.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ràmh
Quotation: O, a’ ràmh! Notes: said to a person talking a lot on nonsense.
Location: Sutherland, Talmine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rànaich
Quotation: a’ rànaich. Notes: crying. (Barvas – a’ rànail)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ràr
field out of cultivation, under grass; ràrach – pasture; ràraichean (radharaichean) – places of pasture, but fields, not hill-ground. (E. Ross, N. Ins.)
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ràs [?]
trail of moving object in water.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ràs-gaoithe
strong breeze of wind. The description more inclined to the east wind, as in this instance: Bha ràs de ghaoith-an-ear ann le turadh. Turadh na mòine – a peat drying remark. The east wind is a very effective agent in drying peats on Harris.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ràth
Quotation: ràth > goc > tòrr > sìg. Notes: hay-working terms.
Location: Lewis, Stornoway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ràth
Quotation: ràth feamainn. Notes: heap of seaweed towed after the boat.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ràth
Notes: (Lochs) a ràth of seaweed is formed by making a large circle of rope, twining seaweed round it, and then simply filling in the centre with seaweed. The whole ràth can then be towed by a boat, but it is very heavy to tow. (Dwelly gives ràth, ‘circle, raft’.)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ràth
Quotation: ràth móine. Notes: long line of peats lifted to dry. [NOTES: note added in second hand above the catch-word – (ragh).]
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ràth
Quot.: ràth feamainn. Note: a quantity of seaweed with a rope round the sides but not under it, towed behind a boat. (Cf. maois.)
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ràthail
[rɑ:hɔl] Quotation: tigh ràthail. Notes: very untidy.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Quotation: rè an t-samhraidh. Notes: during.
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rèic
glutton, uncontrollable sense of eating or drinking. Dh’òl thu mar rèic. [SLIP: Glutton of eating or drinking.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rèidh
adj.’finished’: chan eil e ~ fhathast, tha sin aige ri dhèanamh fhathast da’ [nuair] ’bhiodh tu ~ dheth; feasgar da’ bha thu ~ a dh’obair; ga dhèanamh ~ gus an coisich iad a-staigh; spliotadh e cho ~ ri -- ghlaine
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
rèidh
adj. ‘finished; straightforward’ : nuair a bha e ~ leis an tuaigh; bha e ~ dhan fhuaraig; gabh an rathad fada ~ an àite ‘ghabhail an rathad goirid, ’ chabhsa [xãũsə] [FMM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
rèileadh
Quotation: a’ rèileadh. Notes: “spreader” on loom. Equal number of threads between every two nails. Yarn spread over width of the “gormuinn”.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rèimhe
before. (Scalpay pronunciation)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rèineach
[rɛ̃ṉɑx] Quotation: [rɛ̃ṉɑx] mór de thigh. Notes: a big rambling house. (Cf. Applecross rèileach.)
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rèip
[rɛ:p] Quotation: Dh’fhàg e [rɛ:p] sios air a’ bhroilleach. Notes: untidy mess on clothes.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rèipeag
a child with a mark of his eating excess on his lips; or [?] rather the sign of an untidy eating process on his lips, such [as] in the case of eating chocolate etc. [SLIP: A mark left on a child’s mouth after eating eg. a bar of chocolate; pos. the child himself.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rèipsteal
This word meant poor condition also [(cf. ràmag)] but was more inclined to be used for a beast of bad conformation such as being long legged instead of being thick and deep of body. ‘ei’ as in ‘nèip’.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
rèiteach
a party held in the week prior to a wedding. Distinct from the ‘rèiteach’ where the groom asked his father in law for his daughter’s hand in marriage.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rèiteach (E)
“A’ rèiteach an lìn-bhig.” A’ rèiteach: ’ga chur rèidh gus a bhith deiseil airson a bhiathadh.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
réibean
(Uist) Beard. Dwelly has moustache, but the old Cape Breton people I knew in the early thirties (whose ancestors emigrated from Sollas) told me the word meant the whole beard, particularly a long beard.
Origin: [Skye]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
réibeid
[re:bɑdʹ] Notes: groove in the stempost of a boat into which ends of planks are fitted.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Sgir Dhubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
réidh
when satisfied, e.g. after eating. “Air dhi bhi réidh.”
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
réidh
Quotation: Dean gu réidh. Notes: Take it easy.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
réim
course (as ship), career; luath-réim – quick progress.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
réir (sic)
Quotation: (1) Fhuair an t-each ma réir. [mɑ̃:ɾe:ɾ] (2) Tha a’ chonnlach ma réir. Notes: (1) The horse broke free. (2) The straw is loose, untied.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
réiteach
Quotation: oidhch’ a réitich.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rìachadh
the initial cutting through out the bank preparatory to skinning the turf.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rìgh
nn ‘king’ : gen. pl.: [their] sinne ‘Latha nan Trì Rìghean’ leis a sin [FMM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
rìgh
Quotation: leac a’ rìgh. Notes: “ducks and drakes”.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rìgh
Quot.: “A’ rìgh eudail!” Note: exclamation.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rìleadh
Quotation: “’S tu tha feumach air rìleadh bhreabaidh a thoirt ort.” Notes: a good thrashing.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rìomair
calculator.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rìomhadh
ornate.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròbh, robhaichean (pl)
fleet of creels, when attached to a single line.
Origin: An Ros Muileach [Ross of Mull]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
ròcaideach
Quotation: bodach ròcaideach.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròd
Quotation: ròd buntàta [rɔd̪]. Notes: potato drill.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròd
Quotation: ròd buntàta, ròd thùirneap. Notes: a row of potatoes.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròd
Quotation: ròd buntàta. “Sin agad ròd math.” Notes: a row of potatoes.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròd
Row (of potatoes).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ròdhanaich na Samhna
have described this previously. In addition to that, sea bent (muran) was ripe at this time of year and large amounts of this would be cut and taken home.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rògach
Quotation: Tha i fàs rògach. Notes: ‘coltas a’ gheamhraidh a’ tighinn oirre’. Source: North Uist, Barra usage. Date: 1988.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rògach
blustery as weather.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rògach
[rɔ:ɡɑx] Quotation: oidhche rògach, àite rògach. Notes: eerie.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròghanaich na Samhna
calm, dull, hazy weather. Usually have a period of such weather before the onset of winter.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròic
[rɔ:çc] Quotation: Bha ròic againn air buntàta is sgadan. Notes: a feast.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròic
a great stir and excitement. ‘oi’ as in ‘roimhe’, ‘c’ as in ‘cnoc’.
Origin: [Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròid
Quotation: tìde féill ròid. Notes: rutting time.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròinag
a hair lying on fresh meat.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròlaisdeach
Quotation: duine ròlaisdeach. Notes: yarn spinner. Ròlaisd: tall yarn.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròmach
rough. (Aird) A building at Belladrum, with very jagged stones, was known as “an taigh ròmach”.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròmag
Notes: whisky, oatmeal and sugar.
Location: Sutherland, Stoer, Culkein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròmag
Notes: mixture of oatmeal, whisky and sugar. (Harris)
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròmhan
[rɔ̃:ɑṉ] Quotation: Leig e ròmhan as. Notes: “ròmhanaich” used of the roaring of a bull. Above used of a man.
Origin: Kinlochourn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròmhanaich
[sic] Quotation: Romhanaich na Samhna. Notes: applied to quiet period at the end of autumn.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròn
Quotation: sgeith ròin. Notes: jellyfish.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròn
Quotation: Nuair a bhios na ròin a’ nuallanaich bi [sic] bàs sa bhaile. Notes: local (?) belief.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròp
Quotation: ròp barraich. Notes: a rope made from plaited strips of birch (prob. “thatching rope”).
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròp
Quotation: ròp anairt. Notes: clothes line.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròp
Quotation: Na bi ’g innse na ròpan. Notes: tall yarns.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròp
Quotation: ròp anairt. Notes: clothes line.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròp (f)
Quotation: ròp ghuidheachan.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròp toisich
for tying a boat to the pier.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròp-iochdair
sole or bottom of net, and rope if any attached.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
ròpa
Quotation: ropa [sic] ruadh. Notes: hemp rope.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròpa trom
the rope at the bottom of the net.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròpach
Notes: given to telling distorted or exaggerated yarns.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròs
Quotation: a’ ròs. Notes: redness of the skin.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròs feathaich , gucagan
[fiəwiç]
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròsaid
Note: resin for putting on cord used in stitching leather.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
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
ròt
Quotation: Tha thu na do ròt an sin. Notes: a stretched out figure.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròth
[rɔ:] Quotation: Mar a gheibh iad suas air a’ ròth e. Notes: where the sea leaves a deposit of seaweed. (H. Meek – “Fhuair mi anns an ròth e.”)
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròth liasraidh
the water powered wheel in a mill.
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rósaidh
cattle quite often came under the name ‘rósaidh’. When called upon, they would answer to the name, and make their way home, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rù-rà
Quot.: Nuair a thainig mi dhachaidh bha ’n tigh ’na rù-rà. Note: in a disorderly state, untidy.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùbhadh
[ru̜:əɣ] Note: first lifting of peats. [NOTES: corrected to ‘rùghan’ on the slip.]
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùbhadh
[ru̜:əɡ] Notes: lifting peats.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùbhan
Quotation: (1) rùbhan beag. (2) rùbhan mór. Notes: (1) first lifting of peat. (2) made if weather was wet.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùbhan
consisted of five peats.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùbhan
Quotation: rùbhan mòine.
Location: Ross-shire, Plockton, Diurinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùbhan
Notes: small stack of peats with 6-10 creels of peat in it (according to WMacD).
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùbhan
[ru̜:ɑṉ] Notes: first lifting of peats.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùbhan
[ru̜:ɑṉ] Note: 4-5 peats lifted into the one small structure.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùbhan
[ru̜:ɑṉ] Note: several “coilleagan” [q.v.] of peats put together to form a “rùbhan”. [NOTES: corrected to ‘rùghan’ on the slip.]
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùc
throat, wheeze. “Dh’fhalbh an rùc as.”
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùcair
a nosey person, probing into what he can get materially.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùcan
[ru̜:xkɑṉ] Notes: small temporary stack made on the field. Only made if the weather was rather wet.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùchan
gullet, throat.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùchd
Quotation: Dhìobhair e rùchd a chaolanan. Notes: He spewed his guts out.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùchdadh
[ru̜:xkəɣ] Quotation: a’ rùchdadh an fheòir. Notes: coiling grass.
Origin: Gigha
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùchdadh
Quotation: a’ rùchdadh a mhòine. Notes: gathering together the “curracagan” – perhaps about 20.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùchdan
[ru:xkɑ̃ṉ] Notes: several stooks of corn made up the rùchdan. It was a miniature stack built out on the field if the weather was wet.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùchdan
Notes: about a cartful of peats heaped together – c. 20 “curracagan”. Size depended on how dry the peats were going into them: “rùchdan beag” or “rùchdan mór”.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùd
partly castrated ram.
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
rùda
Quotation: uan-rùda. Notes: tup lamb or young ram.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùdach
Quotation: duine rùdach. Notes: a dirty person.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùdachd
Quotation: a’ rùdachd. Notes: searching, rummaging.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùdan
Notes: rattle for frightening horses.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùdhadh
Notes: stacking peat.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùdhadh
(verb) building or making small heaps of peat. A rudhadh na mònadh. (The way we say it.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùdhadh
standing the peats on end to dry.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rùdhadh
lifting the peats.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
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
turning the peats again and making bigger piles of them in a cairn-like group. ‘Rùdhan beag’ and ‘rùdhan mór’ so produced.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rùdhan
a small heap of peats.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rùdhan
after the peats had been allowed to lie on the bank for a considerable time they were made into piles of different sizes. The first pile is the ‘rùdhan’ and usually consists of 6 peats and 1 on top.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rùdhan
Notes: a medium size peat stack (smaller than cruach).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùdhan
grouping of peats (about 5 or 6) to dry.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rùdhan
a small peat stack. (Skye)
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rùdhan
an indefinite number of tinnteinean in a rounded stack according to dryness of peat.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rùghadh
’g a cuir air a casan. The first lifting of the peats – into small heaps – three or four peats up-ended and one laid across the top – am fàd mulaich.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rùghan
the first heap made of the peats when lifting them.
Origin: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rùghan
a small heap of peat.
Origin: Ratharsaireach [Raasay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rùid
[ru̜:dʹ] pl. [ru̟:dʹə̃ṉ] Notes: run of water up a beach after a wave has broken.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùid (sing)
[ru̜:dʹ] Quotation: na rùid (pl). Notes: a wave. (Tiree)
Origin: Tiree?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùiligean
very very small potato(es), immature sizes of potatoes. Cha eil annt’ ach rùiligein.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùisgte
Quotation: Air do chasan ‘rùis’.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùm
Quotation: in phrase ‘fo rùm’. Notes: ‘under deck’. (< Norse) Source: Lewis usage recalled (D.S.T.). Date: 1976.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùm
Quotation: (1) a’ rùm shuas. (2) a’ rùm shios. Notes: (1) sitting room. (2) living room.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùm-amair
bathroom.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùsg
Quotation: Bha mi aig an rùsg. A’ rùsg nan caorach. Notes: at the clipping of the sheep (no ‘adh’ at the end).
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùsg
Quotation: rùsg briste. Notes: patchy fleece.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùsg
Quotation: rùsg marbhchannach (sic) [mɑɾɑxɑ̃n̪ɑx]. Notes: fleece taken off a carcase.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùsg
Quotation: rùsg cloimheadh. Notes: wool fleece.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùsg
Quotation: cas-rùisgte. Notes: barefoot.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùsg-cloimhe
fleece of wool; was used as a mat through the process of cleansing by alms, alm [sic], etc.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
rùsgadh
removing the turf to get at the soft peat.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rùsgadh
Quotation: a’ rùsgadh a’ phuill. Notes: removing the divots from the peat bank.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùsgadh
Quotation: Thug a’ bhrog rùsgadh air na casan aige. Notes: chafing.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùsgadh
skinning the turf of the peat bank.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rùsgadh
Quotation: rùsgadh nan caoraich uain or rùsgadh nan caoraich bhainne. Notes: the clipping of sheep with lambs.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùsgadh
Quotation: rùsgadh seasgach or rùsgadh an t-seasgach. Notes: yeld clipping.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùsgadh muinneal
a rash, peeling on the inside of the throat.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sabh
[sɛv] Notes: aroma, e.g. of herring at sea when the oil comes to the surface after the dogfish have been at them.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sabh-mór
Sàbh-mór – Two-handed saw for use in a saw pit. (Dwelly) Sàbh-mór – Whip-saw. (MacLennan) Whip-saw – A narrow saw for dividing timber lengthwise, usually set in a frame and often worked by two persons. (Chamber’s Twentieth Century Dictionary, 1960) [NOTES: the following comment copied from Mr MacLeod’s letter of 29/04/1968] Chan eil fhios agam am biodh sàbh-mór aca ’ga oibreachadh anns a’ Chomraich. Có dhiù bhios cuimhne leibhse. Bha cuimhne aig m’athair a bhith toirt fiodh ciste-laighe as a’ logainn nuair a bhàsaicheadh duine. Agus sin leis an t-sàbh-mhór. Làithean cruaidhe bha siod. (As a’ logainn, mar a chanadh na bodaich. ’Se a chanas sinne an diugh as a’ loga. ’Se còmhradh nam bodach bu chearta. Loga (I).)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sabhach
[sɑfɑx] Quotation: a’ sabhach. Notes: handle of peat-cutting iron.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sabhach
Quot.: “sabhach an taireisgeir”. Note: the wooden shaft of the peat-cutting iron.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sabhal
Quotation: “Is lom ’s is fuar an sabhal a’ chreag.” Notes: “Bare and cold the barn is the rock.” Insecurity of fishing.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sabhal
Quotation: sabhal brachaidh [sɑvəɫ bɾɑxi]. Notes: malt barn in distilleries. (see sheets)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sabhs
[sɤu̜s] Notes: water in which fish is boiled.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sabhull
Quotation: sabhal [sɑuɁəɫ]. Notes: barn.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sac
[sɑxk] Quotation: Bha sac mór air an each. Notes: load.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sac
Quot.: Tha sac oirr. Note: said of close, warm weather.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sac
[sɑxk] Quotation: an sac. Notes: asthma.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sacan
a strip cutting from a sack. (I am not quite sure of this one at the moment.) [SLIP: Uncertain – but probably a strip cut from a sack.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sacart
priest (in address always “Maighstir Dain” etc. or “Athair”).
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
sad
Quotation: taigh na sad ort!
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sadadh
throwing the peats.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sadail
throwing of spreading the peats on the bank for drying.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sadail
removing the peats from lower part of bank to the upper part, where they are more likely to dry quickly.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sadan
Satan.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
sadharcan
Quotation: a’ sadharcan. Notes: peewit. (from “adharcan”)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sadrach (-aich)
sprinkling, beating off dust.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saghan
Quotation: Bha saghan air. Notes: disgruntled, angry-looking.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saghan
Quotation: Thàinig e ’s saghan air. Notes: an angry appearance.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saibhair
a channel to carry water under a road.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saibhlean
[sɤıləṉ] Quotation: Tha saibhlean math aige. Notes: used in general for a steading – byre, barns, stable etc.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saibhs
(sùgh chuideagan ’s min neo gràinnean mineadh na cheann ’s uinneanan). Recipe – water where cuddies (fish) is boiled, with oatmeal, sprinkle of oatmeal is added and onions, and left to boil, etc., etc. [SLIP: Meal made by mixing oatmeal and onions in water in which cuddies have been boiled and then the mixture itself is boiled.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saic
a basket on each side of a horse. Used for carrying peat.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saic mhònadh
a load of peats carried in creels.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saidhbhair
hollow trench in byre where excrement accumulated.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
saidhseadh
[s[ɤı]sɑɣ] Quotation: Nach ann ann a tha/bha ’n saidhseadh. Notes: also pronounced [sɣsɑɣ] [sic]. “Wasn’t/Isn’t there a lot of hard work or pulling and pushing.” The word seems originally to have meant the process of removing turf from the sides of ditches.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saigeanta
Quotation: duine saigeanta. Notes: a stockily-built man.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saighdeachan (pl.)
Quotation: na saighdeachan [sɑ:dˈʒɑxəṉ]. Notes: upright staves in creel. Made from hazel because of strength.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saighdear
Quotation: na saighdearan. Notes: uprights which supported the wheel axle in the spinning wheel.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saighdear
Quotation: na saighdearan. Notes: game usually played on the sand. Two teams. Two rows of stones planted in the sand, one in front of each team, the teams facing each other. One team would try to knock down the stones of the other team.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saighdear siteig
“Chocolate Soldier”.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saighead
Knot in wood. Dual in Breasclete and down that way. Tha e làn shaighdean. (Faic gath.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sail
(in that order)
Category: Eathraichean / Boats
sail-aotrom
Quot.: “an t-sail-aotrom”. Note: this regulated the coarseness of the meal by adjusting the clearance between the two mill-stones.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saill
Quotation: Saill gu math e. Notes: Overcharge him!
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saill
[fat.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
saill (f)
fat.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
saill no geir
[fat.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
saills
or salts. Was [sic] used in connection with a few ailments, ‘sore-head’, headache, constipation, squeamishness and blood disorder.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
sainich (v)
differentiate, distinguish between.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sainnseal
Quotation: Gheibh thu sainnseal. Notes: unexpected shock, something you don’t bargain for.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sainnsearachd
Quotation: Bha iad a’ sainnsearachd ri chéile. Notes: ‘whispering’.
Location: Lewis, Point, Bayble
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saipleis
[sɛplɛʃ] Notes: soapy water left after washing.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saipleis
[sɛpliʃ] Notes: soapy water. (Elgol)
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saipleis
[sɛplɛʃ] Notes: soapy water.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saireathas
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
salach
Quotation: beul salach. Notes: see “beul”.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
salainn
Quotation: “O’ cha b’e sin an salainn saor!” Notes: said of anything that is dear.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
salainn
salt. A handful of coarse curing salt thrown after a crew member of a fishing boat while on the way to embarkation is a token of luck.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
salainn-rousaigidh
salt thrown on fish as a temporary preservation until the actual curing process is done or undertaken. [SLIP: Salt sprinkled on fish as a temporary preservation method.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
salamandar
Quotation: Thug mi dha salamandar. Notes: a heavy blow, which makes a considerable noise.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
salamantars
giving unruly blows. Thug i na salamantars sin oirre – referring to two boats in collision, the one or the stoutest coming at speed and giving the other na salamantars.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sallastair
iris. Was used in thatching sheilings (airighean) and byres.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
salpiodair
saltpetre. Given to cattle to alleviate bladder disorder.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
samanadh
examining. This is perhaps an invented word from the English word examining; perhaps also a case in an attempt in pronunciation: that is a Gaelic approach to it?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
samhach
the wooden leg in a peat iron. “Samhach na trèisgeir.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
samhchar is duathar
peace and quiet.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
samhnag
a bonfire which was lit at Halloween. Not sure as regards its purpose.
Location: Barra, Ard Mhinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
samhradh
Quotation: anns a [tɔ̃vrɑk].
Origin: Arran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
samhradh
Quotation: Is samhradh gach geamhradh gu Nollaig, ’s chan earrach e gu Féill Phàdruig. Notes: Portnahaven: Féill Phàruig. (Neil Ferguson)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sanndaich
Quotation: Chan fhac’ a shùil nì a riamh nach do shanndaich e. Notes: covet.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sannt
[s[ɑ̃ũ̜]n̪t̪] Quotation: a’ cur an crann gu sannt. Bha ’n còrr sannt air a’ chrann. Notes: when the plough is adjusted so as to turn a wider furrow.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saod
attempt.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saodadh
driving cattle to and from grazing.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
saodaich (v)
drive cattle, etc. (N.E.); drive a car; O.G. sétugad carpait.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saoghal
Quotation: Dé a’ saoghal a th’aice? Notes: How is she?
Location: Canada, Rear Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saoghal
Quotation: Ann an ceann saoghal. Notes: Long, long ago.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saoghal
Quotation: Cha bhi a shaoghal buan. Notes: He will not last long.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saoghal-bràth
[sw:vəɫbɾɑ:x] Quot.: “Bha saoghal-bràth dheth ann.” Note: no limit to the amount. (Note pronunciation of saoghal.)
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saoghal-bràth (m)
Quotation: Tha a’ saoghal-bràgh [sic] de chofaidh am Brazil.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saoghalta
Quotation: Duine saoghalta. Notes: ‘wordly, materialist.’
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saoidhainn cruaidh
after being salted the fish was dried above the fire. It was then put in sacks and eaten during the winter.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saoil’ no saighl’
“Is mi a shabhail nach robh saoil’ (no saighl’) orm” (air làimh no air cois). – I was lucky that I wasn’t cut badly (laceration).
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saoireadh
Quotation: Bheireadh tu do shaoireadh gu robh e marbh. Notes: You would swear that he was dead.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saor
nn ‘carpenter’ : ~ uamhasach math
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
saor
Quotation: Far am bi saor bi sliseagan, far am bith mnathan bi giosragan.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saor-shruth
[sw:ɾu̜] Notes: eddy; a current of water running back contrary to the main stream. Occurs about half-flood.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saothadh
[sɤ:həɣ] Quotation: 1. “Chaneil saothadh ’s an duine a tha so.” 2. Gu de a’ saothadh a th’aige sin? Notes: 1. drive, vigour, strength. 2. essence.
Origin: Barra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saothair
Quotation: saothair an [dɤhə]. Notes: a pointless task, “obair gun fheum”.
Location: Barra, Bruernish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saothair-chloinneadh
Quotation: Boirionnach ri saothair-chloinneadh. Notes: a woman in labour.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saplaisg
Note: soapy water.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saplaisgean
[sɑpliʃɡʹəṉ] Notes: soapy water.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sath
as the question asked: Am bheil e math cha’n eil neo sath. Still current on Harris.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sathadh
pushing as a boat from the beach to the sea.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sathadh-cridhe
heart fill [sic] [heart’s fill?]. Also: Nach e a gheibheadh sathadh a chridhe dhe.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saus’
fish soup. The water in which fish is boiled is re-boiled with further amount of water added to a boiling continuation, and onions and oatmeal added, and salt.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
sbàrr , sparra-ghaoith
[?] cross-piece at the top of the casan-ceangail [q.v.].
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
scalpaich
dandruff; natives of the island of Scalpay in Harris. I have heard of paraffin being used shampoo-like as a preservation item, keeping the hair retaining [sic] its health and crop.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
scalpan
oat chaff. (Point, Lewis)
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
scara
the swath.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
scat
The area of ground to be divided among the holders in the township.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sceamp
Quotation: A’ deanamh sceamp – showing off. Notes: < scamp. Retains the sc-, rather than sg-. Not in Dw. Source: Lewis usage (D.S.T.) Date: 1972 (recalled).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sclateran
flukes in liver. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
sclànrachd
a battle of words. ‘Trod’. It may be a form of the Scottish “Sclander”.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
scobhsa
Notes: stones at side of fire, sometimes whitened with lime.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
scolag
cat’s wash. Feumaidh mi scolag.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
scramh
reference to an eye-sore; a sentiment of an eye-sore of a boat etc. [NOTES: the original ‘scramh’ has been changed to ‘sgramh’ possibly by the person preparing slips.]  
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
scramhag
an undesirable covering on a melted potion [sic] of fat when in the process of being melted, thus advisable as: thoir dhe’n scramhag th’air uachdar.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
scrathadh
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
scrathan
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
screagag
encrustations on back.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
scroid
(scryj) an untidy woman; a large flat button.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
scràbadh
Quotation: “Nuair a bha iad a’ scràbadh airson d’athair bha thusa fiachainn seotal na ciste” (to the son of a drowned man). Notes: (Keose) The grappling irons were called scràban (?). Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
scràbag
quite a fair amount as: Fhuair sinn scràbag mhath.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
scròbag
a scratch.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
scròcail
croaking. I think this word was adopted years back, could be from ‘rocail’ and formed from the conjunction ‘agus…’ thus ‘is rocail’, something to this effect. It may again be a matter of pronunciation, but it’s obsolete, I am afraid. I am rather vague on this one. It’s a corruption? If you have the word, or a word like it, it may lead you to understand if it’s quite appropriate to use it?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
scud a cur nan seòl
bad weather followed by flat calm conditions.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
scuidsaireachd
messing about almost, similar to ‘luidreadh’. Heard this being used in the context of women making tea at a whist drive – “Bha mi a’ scuidsaireachd aig tì.” [NOTES: there is (g) added above ‘c’ in ‘scuidsaireachd’. Not clear if this refers to a variant spelling or pronunciation.]
Location: North Uist, Hoghagearraidh [Hougharry]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
scumar
(scoo-mar) a small net on a circular piece of wire at the end of a long pole for lifting clams.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
scummar(n)
an instrument used for catching clams. Long wooden handle with net at end giving a bag effect. [NOTES: note added in pencil: sgumair.]
Location: Barra, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
scàrlaid
Quotation: an teasach scàrlaid. Notes: scarlet fever.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
scéile (f)
Quotation: scéile guail. Notes: 112 lbs [?]. [NOTES: slipped under ‘scèile’.]
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seabhag
attributed to a female who is observant etc. [SLIP: ‘Observant female’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seacaid
Quot.: “Rinn mi mo sheacaid air an t-soup.” Note: ate a lot of it and enjoyed it – a phrase used by Arnol people. This was said after a wedding meal by one.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seacaid
[ʃɛkɑdʹ] Quot.: “Rinn mi mo sheacaid air an fheòil.” Note: used by someone who has eaten a lot of a particular food. Filled himself up with it.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seacaid tonn giomaich
swallow-tailed coat.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seacanaich
Quot.: seacanaich na Samhna. Note: a calm spell of weather in November. Houses were thatched at this time. (Put also under Samhainn.)
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seacanaich
[ʃɛkɑṉiç] Quot.: “seacanaich na Samhna”. Note: period of good weather in the late autumn. Indian Summer.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seacanaich na Samhna
Notes: A spell of dry weather which frequently occurred early in November. Neither seacanaich nor the phrase in Dw. Source: Lewis Scrapbook (DST). (Father and mother) Date: Nov. 1962.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seach
Quotation: a’ dol ma seach leis an deoch. Notes: staggering.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seach
Quotation: Tha fear aca ma seach fhathast. Notes: One of them is still living.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seach
Quotation: Bha e na shuidhe cas ma seach air a’ bhalla. Notes: astraddle.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seachad
Quotation: Bheir dhà rudeigin airson a cheann a chuir seachad. Notes: e.g. if a child was restless and demanding something might give him a toy or something to occupy his mind.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seachad
Quotation: Theid mi [ʃɔt̪] ort. Notes: pron. [ʃɔt̪]. [NOTES: slipped under ‘seot’.]
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seachad
Quotation: Thainig mi seachad air anns an dradhair. Notes: I came across it in the drawer.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seachainn
Quotation: Cha sheachainn thu do chrannchur. Notes: You won’t escape your fate.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seachd
Quotation: Seachd slatan anns a’ phlaide phailt. Notes: (Keose). Date: 1962.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seachd
Quotation: Bha mi seachd sgìth dheth. Notes: I was sick tired of it. (Dw. says seac-sgìth.) Also used – seachd mìle sgìth.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seadadh
A’ dealachadh nan caorach bho chèile. Aon, no dhà, no trì, no aireamh eile a mach bho chàch. “Tha e math air an seadadh.” (an cù) [SLIP: Separating one, two or several sheep from the main flock.]
Origin: Leòdhas, [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Stuigeadh Coin / Encouraging a Dog
seadh
[ʃɤɣ] Quotation: duine air bheag seadh. Cha robh moran seadh as na thiubhairt e. Notes: substance, essence.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seadhar (m)
Quotation: seadhar gàirdeanach. [NOTES: slipped under ‘seuthar’.]
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seagal
rye. Used for feeding. Only stuff that would grow well on sandy soil.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
seaghan
[ʃɤɣɑṉ] Quot.: “Bha seaghan math air.” Note: He was panting hard. (Perhaps “seadhan”.)
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sealadach
alternate, by turn.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sealbh
Quotation: Có a b’fheàrr sealbh air? Notes: Who had the better claim to it?
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sealbhag
ruadh dath ruadh light
Location: [Lewis], Arnol, Bragar and Uigen
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
sealbhag
sorrel. Found in old lazy beds. Prevented the dye from running in material.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sealbhag
Notes: when dyeing with “guirmean” it was put in with the urine and left with the wool in a tub for a few days. Then the “sealbhag” was gathered, boiled and the resulting liquid put into the tub. This made a fast dye. (Left for a day or two.)
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sealbhag [ʃɑɫɑvɑɡ]
Notes: A weed growing among potatoes. Red seed. Long root.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sealg
Quotation: Là fosgladh an t-sealg. Notes: 12th August.
Origin: Blackburn, near Glentarff
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sealghan
[ʃɑɫɑɣɑṉ] Quot.: “Cha teid mìr dheth ri do shealghan.” Note: You won’t get a bite of it to eat.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seall
[ʃeɑɫ] [?] Notes: look! imperative of a’ sealltainn.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seall
Quotation: Chaidh mi ga shealltainn. Bha mi ga shealltainn an raoir. Notes: I went to see him. I visited him last night.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seall
Quotation: Tha na neòil a’ sealltainn grannda.
Location: Coll, Arinagour
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seall
Quotation: Tha na neòil a’ sealltainn glè throm.
Origin: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seall
Quotation: Tha thu a’ sealltainn gu math. Notes: You are looking well.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seallach
spectator.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sealladh
[ʃiɑɫəɣ] Quotation: Sealladh air fiaradh. Notes: sight, scene.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sealltanas cruidh
cattle show.
Origin: ‘Islay connections’
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seamasan
[ʃɛ̃məsɑṉ] Quotation: a’ seamasan. Notes: idle talking, gossiping.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sean
Quotation: cho sean ris na creagan.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sean
that. (Scalpay, the term mostly used)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
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
sean reath
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
sean-mhaor-eòlach
(Gaelic term, Scalpay) ‘old acquaintance’ with work, or well acquainted with work, noticeable with a person approaching some work, with which people don’t know what until he shows he can master it: thus described in this.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seana-chearc
Quotation: eun seana-chearc. Notes: the offspring of aged parents.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seana-ghille
Quotation: Seanaghille [sic] ’s e a’ fàs, ithidh e mar bheileas a’ bhrà. Notes: boy in early teens.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seana-mhoine
last year’s peat.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
seanachara
Quotation: duine seanachara. Notes: an old-fashioned person.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seanachas
n. ‘conversation’: cha robh math dhut dad do sh. a dhèanamh a-muigh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
seanachta
old material, antiquities.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seanamhair
Quotation: [mə hɛnəwir]. Notes: pron. of old people from Aberfeldy.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seang
Quotation: an t-seang. Notes: the instep of a shoe.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seang
Quotation: seang na cois. Notes: the instep.
Origin: Strontian
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
seannlachadh
Quotation: Bha mi gu seannlachadh leis an acras. Notes: ‘famished’ with hunger. (? seann + lathachadh)
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seannsair
[ʃiənʃɑ̣˖r] Quotation: a practice chanter.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
searachan
[See searathan.]
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
searathan
nicky-tams.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
searbh
Quotation: Cho searbh ris an dunialas [?].
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
searbh
Quotation: Cho searbh ris an dom. Notes: dom – gall-bladder.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
searbhan
Quotation: Chuireadh e searbhan ort. Searbhan! Notes: disgust, esp. in reaction to pomposity or boastfulness.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seareadair-fallais
sweat (rag) towel.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seargadh
when the potato leaves had withered.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
searmon-traisg
fast day sermon at a communion festival.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
searrach
Quotation: capall-searraich. Notes: a mare which has foaled.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
searrachan-taois
[ʃɑrɑxɑṉt̪w:ʃ] Notes: oval bannock, made from oatmeal, hot water and salt, and given to cattle.
Origin: Camusluanie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
searsadh
menacing attitude.
Origin: [in the card index: Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
searsanach
Notes: a large potato. (Lewis)
Location: Edinburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seascot
[ʃɛskɔt] Notes: waistcoat.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seasg
Quotation: caora seasg o reithe. Notes: applied to a sheep which hadn’t been to a ram.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seasg
like sea bent (muran) but taller. Found by rivers and boggy, marshy land. Used for thatch.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seasg
Quotation: Tha a’ bho seasg. Notes: barren, not carrying a calf.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seasg
Quotation: capall seasg. Notes: a mare which has never foaled.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seasgach
dry cow (also sometimes in Victoria, one that hasn’t yet calved).
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
seasgach
Quotation: a’ rùsgadh seasgach. Notes: yeld clipping. Or “Rusgadh [sic] an t-seasgach”.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seasgann
water sedge. Used for stuffing mattresses.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seasgann neo bogannach
grew in boggy land especially near rivers. Used for thatch. Long grass – green. [NOTES: ‘neo’ crossed out. Not clear if this means that rather than being two different names of the same plant the two words should be treated as one name ‘seasgann bogannach’.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seatha
“Thug mi seatha dha.” – Cheek, telling-off, standing up to him. (Fuaimnich ‘seatha’ mar ‘ràdh’.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seathair
nn‘chair’: pl.: ~ichean [ʃe:riçən]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
seathal
shawl.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seathamh
[ˈʃɛhu̟] Quot.: “Tha mi a falbh chon a’ mhóintich.” “Chaneil sin seathamh dhuit là dhan t-seòrsa-sa.” Note: refers to the advisability of doing something or going somewhere on a day of very bad weather, when one would be exposed to it.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seathan
spitting as in a wild cat or fox. (Skye)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seathan
gentle rolling noise of waves heard from a distance. “Seathan socair na mara.”
Location: Benbecula, Creagorry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seathan
protection.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seathan
[ʃɛhɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: Bha seathan air. Notes: He was panting.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seathan
panting.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seathanach
breathing heavily.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seathd
a group, e.g. of people. “’Se droch sheathd a tha sin.” [NOTES: note added above ‘seathd’ – seat.]
Location: South Uist, Geirinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seib
jib sail in a boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seib
[ʃeb] Note: Gaelic pronunciation for “jib”.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seiblis
soap water, suds. Colloquially spelt in Scalpay – seiplis.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seic
Quotation: seic a’ bhuntata. Notes: skin.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seic
Hide bag for carrying potatoes. [NOTES: ‘seice’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
seic shioman luachrach
Woven sack of dried rushes used for carrying potatoes. “Gràn a seiceannan ’s siol am pocannan.” [NOTES: ‘seice shioman luachrach’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
seice
Notes: skin on “criathar”.
Location: Stornoway, Melbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seiche
Quotation: “Sin agad an toll a mhill an t-seiche.” Notes: “That is the rock on which we perished.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seid
[ʃedʹ] Quotation: “Tha e air seid.” Notes: a “shakedown” on the floor.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seid de chabhlaich
a bed of straw used by dogs and cattle.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seideadh
overdose, overeating. Air seideadh air.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seideanta
Quotation: bodach mór seideanta. Notes: a fleshy person.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seidhig
“’S ann agad-sa tha an t-seidhig.” Ainm a tha aca ann an Dail-o-Dheas air crubaig mhór mhath.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
seidhir
[sic] Quotation: séidhir gaoirdeanach [ʃe:əɾɡɤ:ʴdʹɑ̃ṉɑx]. Notes: arm chair. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.] [NOTES: slipped under ‘seuthar’.]
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seilbh
[ʃeli] Notes: cattle (collect.).
Origin: Camusluanie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seilbh na h-oighreachd
the traditions of an estate. “Bha clann Mhic Ic Ailein a’ leantail seilbh na h-oighreachd gus an do cheannaich coigreach i anns a naoidheamh linn deug.”
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seilch (an t-)
Quotation: Beiridh an t-seilch ort (used by mothers as threat to children who ventured too near loch with water-lilies). Notes: Not in Dw. Monster reputed to live in lochs on which water-lily grows. It was supposed to suck people down into the loch. Cf. seilcheag ‘snail’. Scots selchie, a kind of enchanted seal.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seilcheag
[ʃɛ̜:liçək] snail. Chunnaic mi seilcheag air an lice lom; chual mi chuthag gam miar mo bhroinn; chunnaic mi an t-searrach ’s a chùlaobh rium, is dh’aithnich mi nach robh bhliadhn’ dol leam. [NOTES: the saying was slipped under the catch-word ‘seilcheag’ so it has been placed here. The slip gives only the phonetic transcription of the word spelled ‘miar’ in the questionnaire: [iər].]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
seile
[ʃelə] Quotation: Cha do rug i an t-seile fhathast. Notes: afterbirth (cattle or sheep).
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seileach-uisge
Quot.: said to be in water in order to prevent children from swimming.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seilean
Quotation: (1) seilean dubh. (2) seilean ruadh. Notes: (2) has nest deeper in the ground and has more honey.
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seilleach
willow. Its branches used in the making of creels for carrying manure and peat (etc.).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
seillean
Quotation: seillean dubh, seillean ruadh. Notes: two types of bee.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seimhig
[ˈʃɛ̃iɡʹ] Quot.: “Rinn e seimhig dheth.” Note: an object of derision, by beating the person in some way very decisively.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seimhig (?)
[ˈʃɛ̃ıɡʹ] Quotation: Bha na balaich a’ deanamh seimhig dheth. Notes: The boys were making a complete fool of him.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seipean
Quotation: siuga seipein. Notes: pint-sized jug.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seipleis
[ʃɛplɛʃ] Notes: soapy water.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seiplis
soapy water.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seiplisg
[sɛpliʃɡʹ] Notes: soapy water. (Harris)
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seirbhis
Quotation: seirbhis bhuidheachais. Notes: Thanksgiving service on Sunday evening after the Communion service.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seirbhis
Quotation: seirbhis phòsaidh.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seirbhis
Quotation: seirbhis bhaistidh.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seirg
[ʃeðeɡʹ] Note: a sheep in poor condition and because of some deficiency won’t fatten. (Pine in English.)
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seirmige
[ʃeðəmiɡʹə] Note: a ram in such poor condition that he’s not allowed near sheep.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seise
[ʃɤiʃə] Note: long wooden seat with a back on it.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seise
a bench. Variation on ‘beinngidh’.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seiseach
[ʃ[ɤı]ʃɑx] Notes: wooden seat.
Origin: Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seisean
Quotation: cléireach an t-seisein.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seisean
Quotation: tigh seisein.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seiseant
[ʃeʃɑ̃n̪t̪] Quotation: seiseant ort! Notes: fairly mild chiding expression. Not commonly used now.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seisg
a cow that is not in calf. Can also be applied to sheep. [NOTES: corrected to ‘seasg’.]
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seisgean
Quotation: Fhalbh ’s cuir aodach ort ’s na bi ann an sin na do sheisgean. Notes: name applied to a person, usually a child, who is [sic] has no clothes on.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sen
that. (Harris)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seobhag
Quotation: a’ seobhag-ghorm. Notes: peregrine falcon.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seocadh
material like soil falling into place gradually to its original context.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seorsaich
associate.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seostadh
to attract.
Location: North Uist, Sollas, Malagleit [Malaglate]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seot
[ʃɔt̪] Quotation: Bha an saoghal aige air a sheot. Notes: He had everything at his disposal.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seot
rejected sheep ([pron.?] shoat).
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect)
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
seotadh
Quotation: a’ topadh agus a’ seotadh nan uan. Notes: separating the first and second quality.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seotaire
Quotation: Nach b’e seotaire. Notes: lazy, idle person.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seotal
[ʃɔt̪əɫ] Quotation: seotal na ciste. Notes: a small compartment at one end of a chest under the lid. It was about 6" deep for keeping jewellery, etc. in it.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seothan
[See seathan.]
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seurachd
[ʃɛ̜:raxk] Quotation: … agus bha ceithir croitearan agus seurachd ann. Notes: Or: … ‘agus seurachdan’. Shareholders? (Mentioned previously in English.)
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seursadh
[ʃɤ:ʴsəɣ] Quotation: a’ seursadh. Notes: urging people to go and to [sic] something. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seusdair
[ʃe:sd̪əɾ] Quotation: seusdair sruth reothairt. Notes: spring tide at the height of its power – surge.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seusdar
at its peak, e.g. a business venture. “Bha e aig a sheusdar.”
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seàrr
Quotation: Bha thu ga do shearradh [sic] fhéin. Notes: stretching yourself.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seàrsach
interesting amount. Fhuair e seàrsach mhath dhe. [SLIP: A good amount.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seòin
[ʃõ:nʹ] Quot.: “a’ deanamh seòin air rud”. Note: eating more than enough of anything.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seòl
Quotation: seòl stròineadh. Notes: lugsail.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seòl
Quotation: Chuir sibh baile Chul-chinn dheth seòl. Notes: You upset the whole place.
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seòl
Quotation: ’S àrd a sheòlas an ceàrdaman ach is ann anns an t-salachair a thuiteas e.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seòl
Quotation: “Tha seòl-mara [ʃɔɫmɑɾə] math ann.” Notes: (It is a favourable time for fishing, owing to the state of the tide.)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seòl na speal
piece of canvas mounted on a wire behind blade at snathe to ensure that all grass was swept forward.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
seòl-ràmhainn
Quotation: Nach e tha dorcha – ’se seòl-ramhainn [sic] a dh’fheumas a bhith an seo. Notes: prodding about with an oar when in shallow water to find out how close to shore one was.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seòlaid
a calm stretch of water between two land points.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seòlaid
Notes: a natural course between rocks which allows boats to pass.
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seòlaid
harbour. (Very seldom heard if at all in conversation now.)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seòlta
adj. ‘ingenious': eòlach, ~ [eu̯əx ʃɛu̯htə]; ach bha mi car ~; feumaidh sibh ‘ bhith ~ you got to watch yourself
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
seòlta
Quotation: Tha e cho seòlta ri sionnach.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seòrsa
Quotation: Gàidhlig de sheòrsa ’s as bith. Notes: any kind of Gaelic.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seòrsadh
Quotation: a’ seòrsadh nan uan. Notes: sorting lambs according to quality for the sale. (gan topadh – 1st quality ’s gan seotadh – 2nd quality)
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seòsag
Quotation: seòsag de chat. Notes: “a little wizened creature” – animal or human. Source: Sister Margaret MacDonnell. Date: 1977.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seóbaileag
Quotation: sìobaileag-seóbaileag. Notes: term used for a see-saw.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seóbhraich
Quotation: Tha am biadh agad a [ʃo:ɾɑxəɣ] air an teine. Notes: food drying up on the fire after being kept warm.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seóin
[ʃo:nʹ] Quot.: “Rinn e seóin air an fheòil.” Note: [He] made a feast of the meat.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seól
Notes: bung in boat. Source: N. Uist. Date: 20c.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgabaisteachadh
scattering, breaking apart. ’G a sgabaisteachadh ás a chéile.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgabaisteadh
scattering.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgabhan
Quotation: an sgabhan [əskɑ˖vɑ˖n]. Notes: the lungs. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sgamhan’.]
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgadan
Quotation: Nuair a bhios a’ sgadan m’a thuath, bi Donnchadh Ruadh m’a dheas. Notes: never in the right place.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgadan
Quotation: sgadan dearg. Notes: kipper.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgadan
was given to cattle. Cooked herring, fish-meal.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
sgadan
Quotation: sgadan bhuntàta. Notes: herring caught for home consumption.
Location: Kenmore, Fearnabeg (Shieldaig? – on one of the slips)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgadan
Quotation: sgadan goirt. Notes: salt herring.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgadan
Quotation: Eun Dubh a’ Sgadain. Notes: guillemot.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgadan athair
herring sluggish and so unlikely to mesh in drift-nets.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
sgadan malcaidh
herring de-scaled through excessive contact with rain or seawater in hold.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
sgadan-gréine
herring split and laid out to dry on a rock in the sun. Roc An Sgadain-Ghréin’: an underwater rock. The markings on it resemble split herring.
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgadan-làn
‘gut-poke’ herring, that is, herring full of feeding.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
sgadaradh
scattering.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgag
Quotation: Tha e air sgagadh leis an teas. Notes: cracking through drying up, e.g. skin, peats, etc.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgagach
Quotation: Tha e sgagach. Notes: He stammers.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaid
a good catch. “Nach tu a rinn a sgaid a raoir aig an iasgach.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaid
to destroy, spoil. “Nach tu rinn a sgaid an diugh.” Also in sense of doing a great deal of work. “Nach tu rinn a sgaid obrach an diugh.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgailc
Quotation: “Man a tha na mnathan-luaidh sin gu bhith fàgail duine ann a sgailc” – reported by my mother (1961) as the sort of remark her mother would sometimes make about the waulking women, if they did not turn up in time. Notes: (Keose) quandary. Not in Dw. in this sense.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgailc
Quotation: ’S e sin sgailc mhullach na fìrinn. Notes: That is the absolute truth. Sgailc – pate.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaileag
Quotation: sgaileag(an) a’ bhuachair. Notes: mushrooms. Donald Archie MacDonald’s form: sgalagan-buachair also known as sgalag a’ bhuachaille.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaileartaich
[sɡɑlɑrt̪i] Quotation: a’ sgaileartaich. Notes: bawling.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgailligean
[sɡɑlʹıɡʹɑṉ] Quot.: “Chuir e na sgailligean e.” Note: He broke it in smithereens, e.g. a plate.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaimeic
Quotation: sgaimeic (hd) – pronounced as if with -hd. Notes: stressed syllable has /ɛ/ sound. Has general meaning of ‘a mess’. Could be used of foods mixed together which aren’t usually mixed. Phrase ‘Rinn e s. dheth’ could be used of someone who’s messed some job up. [NOTES: on this slip ‘Broadford’ was crossed out and replaced with ‘Breakish’.]
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaimhleach
[sɡ[ɑ̃ĩ]lɑx] Quotation: cù sgaimhleach. Notes: restless, not able to stay in the one place for very long.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgainndeach
[sɡɛ̃:nʹdʹʒɑx] Quotation: a’ sgainndeach. Notes: rheumatism.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgainndeach
[sɡɛ̃:nʹdʹʒɑx] Quotation: a’ sgainndeach. Notes: rheumatism.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgairt
Quotation: Bhrist e a sgairt. Notes: rupture? Happens through lifting too heavy objects.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgairt
[sɡɑrtʹ] Quotation: “sgairt shoirbheas” sometimes. Notes: dry wind.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgairt a’ falaich
used for a hiding place. Especially used in the sense of straying cattle. “Chaidh a bhò sgairt a’ falaich orm.” [NOTES: corrected to ‘sgairt-a’-falaich’.]
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgairt-phaìtich
a breeze of wind, blowing from the North or West, of a keen drying nature. [SLIP: A drying breeze from the north or west.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgairteal
Quotation: duine sgairteal. Notes: nimble, quick at doing things.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgait
[skʰɑ̟xtʹ] skate.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgait
[sɡɑdʹʒ] Notes: skate.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgait
skate.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
sgait
skate.
Location: Uibhist a Tuath, Ceann a Bhàigh [North Uist, Bayhead]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
sgait
[sɡɑtʹ] Notes: skate.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Blairmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgait
[sɡɑdʹʒ] Notes: skate.
Location: Sutherland, Golspie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgal
Quotation: Ghabh e sgal mu ’n obair. Notes: He had a craze, strong liking for …
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgal
Quotation: Chuir e sgal orm. Notes: He gave me a fright.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgalairt
Quotation: Tha ’n cù a’ sgalartaich [sɡɑɫɑrṯi]. Notes: The dog is yelping. [NOTES: ‘a’ sgalartaich’ in the quotation corrected to ‘a’ sgalairtich’.]
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgalathadaich
[sɡɑɫɑhɑd̪iç] Notes: shouting loudly, making an awful din by shouting.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgall
nn ‘bald pate’ : cha robh pioc do dh’fhalt air an fhear a bha __ ~ air ‘without hair’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
sgalla
a flat rock found on croft land.
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgalla
a large, predominantly flat rock.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgallach
Quotation: duine sgallach. Notes: a bald person.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
sgalltadh
Quotation: a’ sgalltadh [sɡɑu̜ɫt̪əɣ]. Notes: washing with hot water.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgalltraigeadh
Notes: scalding, by pouring boiling water over something.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgalpan
Notes: oat chaff.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgalpan
Quot.: sgalpan air a’ choirc. Note: corn chaff (oats).
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgamaichdidh
Quotation: Sgamaichdidh mi thu! Notes: ‘I’ll hammer you’ or (verbally) tear off a strip.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sganart
combat, i.e. of soldiers.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaoich
[sɡw] Quotation: pl. sgaoichean. Notes: movement on the surface of water caused by squalls.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaoil
Quotation: a’ sgaoileadh an fheur. Notes: after it has been cut in swathes.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaoil
Quotation: a’ sgaoileadh an innearadh. Notes: spreading the manure.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaoil
Quotation: sgaoil na mòin’. Notes: spreading the peats.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaoil
Quotation: Tha e ma sgaoil. Notes: He is free.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaoilteach
area over which peat is spread to dry (sgaoilteach mhath, droch sgaoilteach, etc.)
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgaoilteach
plain, level ground appropriate for spreading clothes on to bleach. Tha e muigh (clothes) air an sgaoiltich. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sgaoilteach (noun)’. Definition: ‘Level ground appropriate for bleaching clothes’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaoilteach
where the peats are laid out – above the peat bog.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaoilteach
Notes: area on top of peat bank where peats are spread out to dry.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaoilteach
Notes: newly cut peats spread out on the surface of the bank to dry.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaoilteach
the appearance of the thrown peats.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgaoilteach
ground on which peat is spread out.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgaoilteach
peats thrown out on top of upper bank and scattered round the ‘garadh’ [q.v.].
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgaoilteach
Quotation: sgaoilteach lion. Notes: A place for putting out nets to dry.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaoilteach
where the peats are thrown on top of the bank.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgaoilteach
cut peat not in ‘gàradh’ [q.v.].
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgaoilteach
the ground on which the peat is dried.
Origin: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgaoilteach
Note: area on higher level where peats are spread to dry.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaoilteach
Notes: level top of the peat-bank, where peats are dried.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaoilteach
spreading (drying) place (clothes, peats, etc.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaoilteag
Half potato used for planting.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgaoimail
applied to a horse that was excitable, frightened. [NOTES: corrected to ‘sgaoimeil’.]
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaoiman [sic]
applied to a horse that was unwilling to pull a cart. A horse that always wanted to break loose.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaoimear
[sɡw̃:mɑð] Note: gealtaire meath-chridheach. Fear aig a’ bheil eagal roimh fhaileis.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaoirt
squash. Cha [sic] e na sgaoirt. [NOTES: the quotation on the slip reads ‘Chaidh e ’na sgaoirt’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaolan
[sɡw̃:ɫɑṉ] Notes: “skull” – a basket made of wire with a handle at each end. Used for turnips, potatoes, etc. “sgùlan” in other parts.
Origin: Nethy Bridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaomaire
a feather-brain?
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgapaisteachadh
scattering.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgar
Notes: a “scarf” in the planking of a boat.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgar
[sɡɑɾ] Notes: a swathe.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Balvoolich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgar
Notes: swathe.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgar
Quotation: sgar an t-slait. Notes: middle part of fishing rod.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgar
Notes: joint in woodwork, or where two planks join in a boat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgara-chreachan
[sɡɑrɑxðɛxəṉ] Quotation: Leig i na sgara-chreachan aiste nuair a chunnaic i a’ luch. Notes: loud screams.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaradh
Quotation: Mo sgaradh! Notes: same as “mo chreach!”
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgarbh
Quotation: A h-uile duine a’ toirt sgarbh a creag dha fhéin.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgarbh
Quotation: Sgarbh Beag. Notes: shag.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgarbh
Quotation: Sgarbh Mór. Notes: cormorant.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgarbh air tìr
if a cormorant is ever sighted inland this is an indication of forthcoming bad weather.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgarbh reamhar
Tha an t-ainm-sa againn ann an dà àite ann am Beannaibh Uige. Sgarbh Reamhar aig a’ Bheinn-a-deas anns na Beannaibh Meadhonach agus Sgarbh Reamhar Theinniseal ann am beannaibh Eadar-Dha-Fhadhail. Sgarbh Reamhar, b’e seo cnap de an bheinn (an cnap as fheàrr dhi tha mi ’n dùil) ag éirigh as a déidh fhein mar seo: [see illustration]. Chan eil fhios ’am am bheil an t-ainm-sa an àite sam bith eile.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
sgarbh topanach
cormorant with one single black feather sticking out of its head.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgart
Quotation: briseadh-sgart. Notes: hernia. Source: Murdo Morrison, Paisley.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgat
a portion of machair land.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgat
Notes: skate.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgat
[sɡɑt̪] Notes: a block of “iomairean” in the run-rig system.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgat (righinn)
Origin: An Ros Muileach [Ross of Mull]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
sgath
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgath
utter destruction, without [sic].
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgath
[sɡɑ] Note: a swathe of corn.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgathach
fresh milk drunk from the pail.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgathach
Quotation: Tha móran sgathaich so an duine sin. Notes: boasting, exaggerated talk.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgathadair
a greedy, ravenous dog who would eat anything.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgathadair
Sgilb-fhuar. ‘Sgathaire’ ann an àiteachan. Ceann-shuas Uig an Iar againne ’se ‘sgathadair’ a chanas iad. An còrr de an sgìre ’se ‘sgilb-fhuar’ a chanas iad.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgathadh
Notes: the barley was pulled up by the roots. The sheaf was cut in two with a special sickle – the root half being kept until the house was stripped of thatch – “Bun dubh” used for thatching.
Location: Stornoway, Melbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgathadh
Cutting edge of divot with spade. Dwelly 817.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgathadh
Notes: cutting the earthy ends off the barley stalks. They were left on for some time. In Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgathadh
Quot.: a’ sgathadh an eòrna. Note: cutting the barley sheaves to remove the lower part (with the roots for thatching).
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgathadh bhunan
cutting the base and roots off barley sheaves with an old scythe blade and shaking all down into a thorough mixture for thatch.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgathair
[sɡɑhəð] Note: cold chisel, for cutting iron.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgathair
wood chisel.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
sgathair
chisel. Thicker than carpenter’s chisel – ‘gilb’.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgathair
Notes: a cold chisel.
Location: Vatersay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgathair
[sɡɑhəð] Notes: a cold chisel.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgatht
a piece of land, no specific measurement.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgatraigeadh
scattering.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgealb
Notes: part of potato planted.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgealb
Quotation: sgealb de ghille. Notes: a “lump” of a lad; a youth.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgealb
Quot.: a’ sgealbadh a’ bhuntàta. Note: cutting potatoes for seed.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgealbadh
Quotation: a’ sgealbadh a’ bhuntàta.
Location: Coll, Ben Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgealbadh
cutting the eyes out of potatoes.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgealbadh
Cutting potatoes for seed. [NOTES: ‘sgealbadh a’ phunàt’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgealbadh
cutting the potato leaving an eye in each part.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgealbadh a’ phunàt
Cutting potatoes for seed.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgealban
Portions of potatoes used for planting.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgealban
Pìosan buntàta. Agus na pìosan a bhithist a’ cur ’sa talamh as t-Earrach airson fàs, b’e sin sgealban, cuideachd. “C’àit am bheil d’athair?” “Tha e ri sgealbadh.” – Tha e ag ullachadh a’ bhuntàta airson a chur.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeallan
a yellow flower growing amidst corn crops and small oats.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgealpadh
[sɡʹɑɫpu̜] Notes: cutting, e.g. potatoes for planting.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgean-imleig
‘navel knife’. (I am not sure if it’s the same instrument: I remember hearing it, but cannot say exactly what kind.) [NOTES: the slip has ‘sgian-imleig’. Definition: Navel-knife.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeap
[skɛɛʼp] [?] Quotation: “sgeap bhechain,” “sgeap shelan”. Notes: a swarm of bees, also a bees’ hive.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeap
[sɡʹɑp] Note: bag of woven straw, slung at one’s side, for cuddy-fishing.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeapag
[sɡʹɑpɑɡ] Note: te luideach, leathainn, chruinn gun loinn gun chumadh.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgearbhadh
scarfing joint. Special angle joint in timber. Indentations made here [NOTES: see arrows in the illustration] so that the timber slotted together.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeathair
spawn of frogs.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeathartaich (f)
Notes: loud sneezing (part. of animal).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeids
[sɡɛtʹʃ] Quotation: Thàinig [sɡɛtʹʃ] air. Notes: when a person loses everything.
Location: Vatersay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeift
skiff (boat).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeil
[sɡʹɤl] Notes: tin vessel with a long handle for taking water out of a well.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeil
Notes: prattle, small talk. Gabble in Dw.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeileichdan
[sic] reduced an item, an article by breaking it against a stone to the condition of ‘sgeilèichdan’, to a diminutive form, or breakage. Diminutive form of the word ‘sgeilèichd’ [q.v.], may have originated from ‘sgailc’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeileid
[sɡelɑdʹ] Notes: long-handled pan used for taking water out of a well.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeileid
talkative female.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
sgeilp
nn f. ‘shelf’ : dat.: saoil thu an ann air sgeilpidh [sgɛl̥p hiç] a bha e
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
sgeilp
foot rest on a dibble or peat iron.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeilpean airson na mìosan-bainne
shelves to accommodate the milk-basins.
Origin: Bràigh-Lochabar [Brae Lochaber]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgeimheadh
[sɡɛ̃fəɣ] Quot.: Thug an cù sgeimheadh thuige. Note: lunged at him, snarling.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeimpeil
Notes: < Eng scamp. Applied to precocious child, or self-willed female. Source: Ness. Date: 1974.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeip
Notes: pail-shaped when opened with handles on it. Made of grass or “muran”. Rather like what is called “seic” in Lionel Q.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeipt
skiff (boat).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeir
Quotation: Tha thusa ’na do sgeir airgid (you are worth a mint of money). Notes: idiomatic use of sgeir. This usage not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeir
Notes: rock above the tide at low water.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeir-iasgaich
Quotation: a’ dol a ionnsaidh a’ sgeir-iasgaich.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeir-mhòine
Notes: peat-bank.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeir-nicDhuinn
place-name, name of a sea rock at Scalpay (MacQueen’s rock). (I have given an example of place-names at Scalpay, hereon, to show how words came to be applied likewise, which is attributable generally, and perhaps could point to some findings that could lead us to understand the variety of ways words were used.) [NOTES: slipped under ‘sgeir’ with ‘Sgeir Nic Dhuinn’ as the quotation. Definition: MacQueen’s Rock (Scalpay).]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeir-reamhar
‘fat rock’?; place-name, a sea rock at Scalpay.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeir-thràghad
Notes: rock which is sunken at high tide.
Location: Skye, Camustianavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeit
[sɡɛtʹ] Note: skate.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeit-bhàn
Note: a type of skate which, he says, has a tail with no spikes on it. Very good to eat.
Location: [Lewis], [S.] Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeit-ghoirt
[sɡɛtʹɣɔʴsṯ] Note: skate put in a cloth and left for 4-5 days without salting. Said to be good for someone with a bad stomach. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeith
Quotation: sgeth [sic] ròin. Notes: jellyfish.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeith chloich
the skimming action of flat pebbles flung across a stretch of water.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeith runnaig
a shooting star indicating bad weather. Could be seen in the late afternoon or at night. A shower of bright sparks would follow this star.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeith-runnag
a shooting star. Caused by bad weather.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeodadh
a piece of underwear appearing over the outside apparel. Tha pios dhe’n léine a’ sgeodadh a mach. Perhaps from sgòdadh. [NOTES: the slip has ‘…pìos…’. Definition: Particularly of a piece of clothing that should not be seen, appearing, peeping out.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeodal
prattle.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeoilm
story. From ‘sgeòil’ perhaps ‘sgeul am’. (Seldom used if at all now in Harris.)
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeollag
[sɡʹoɫɑɡ] Notes: yellow flower found among corn and potatoes.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeth
Quotation: sgeth na mulamhàgag. Notes: frog spawn.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeth
Quotation: sgeth na mulaichean-màgag (sic) [mũ̜ɫiçəṉmɑ̃:ɡɑɡ]. Notes: frog-spawn.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeth
Quotation: sgeth mulamhàgag. Notes: frog spawn.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeth
Quotation: sgeth nan cràigean. Notes: tadpoles. (?)
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeula-sìnidh
a story running in a one direction without variations, that is corrugation, etc. Tha sgeula-sìnidh air. Now obsolete, an obsolete term, if not obsolete, a rarity word or term.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeòbadh
jutting, as cloth protruding or material in like fashion. [SLIP: Used of something protruding, as a piece of cloth.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeòt
Quotation: falbh far sgeot [sic]. Notes: to go off the straight when cutting cloth e.g.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiabadh
[See sgiabataich.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiabadh
breaking gently apart as a cloud formation. Tha i toiseachadh air sgiabadh – clouds in inclement weather. (Scalpay) [NOTES: the quotation on the slip has ‘… tòiseachadh…’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiabadh
peat-cutting crew.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgiabataich
apart [sic] actions as in clouds, clouds breaking apart.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgialag
small short story. (Seldom used if at all now in Harris.)
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgialt
Quotation: Chan eil sgialt aice.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiamhach
fat with shiny coat.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
sgian
the cutting blade, the lower edge (faobhar) of which cuts the inner and larger plane of the individual peat, while the ‘sàil’ [q.v.] (at right angles to the ‘sgian’) cuts the narrower edge.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgian
Notes: the blade of a peat-cutting iron.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgian
Quotation: sgianan lianraith. Notes: blades of the wool-winder.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgian
Quotation: Nach e a fhuair a’ mhuc air a’ sgithinn [sɡʹıınʹ] [?]. Notes: Getting something “on a plate”.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgian
Quotation: sgian mhóine.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgian
Quotation: sgian tharraing. Notes: the draw knife – predecessor of the spoke-shave.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgian
Quotation: sgian sgleàta [sɡw̃ṉsɡlɛ:t̪ə]. Notes: slater’s knife.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgian
Quotation: sgianan lianraidh. Notes: the blades of the wool-winder.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgian cubaireachd
used for cleaning out the gaps between the wooden straps in a barrel. For example salt would be removed from barrels used for curing fish by this implement. Sharp circular blade at one end with a wooden handle. [NOTES: ‘cubaireachd’ corrected to ‘cùbaireachd’.]
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgian sgliat
slater’s axe. One end used for cutting the slate, tile; the other for breaking it.
Location: Eriskay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgian-imeleig
for cutting umbilical (I am not sure if I have the word correct, my memory only serves me) cord. I have already [noted?] as uncertain as to its meaning: this is it, in medical operation, or maternity operation.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgianach
a small slice of meat, fish, etc.
Origin: ‘Islay connections’
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiansgaradh
threatening overhead conditions with rain clouds about to break.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiath
Iron part of spaid mhór.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgiath
Notes: the “wing” of the plough.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiath
pios a tha dol dhan uisge.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
sgiath
[See sgian]
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgiath
(a’ chroinn) Furrow board.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgiath
cataract. Sgiath air a shùil.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiath
[skiɤ̈] [?]
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiath
‘Winged’ part of sock. See diag [NOTES: probably refers to a diagram provided by the informant.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgiath
Notes: blade of scythe.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Balvoolich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiath
Note: the blade of the peat-cutting iron.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiath
fin. Sgiath a chearbain.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiath
Notes: fin.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiath
Quot.: sgiath éisg. Note: fish’s fin.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiath
Quotation: Dh’fhalbh an ùin’ [ũ:nʹ] air sgiath na cabhaig. Notes: quotation?
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiath
Notes: fin of a fish.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiath
Quotation: Sgaoil e a’ sgiathan cho fada gus an sgàinn [sɡɛ̃:nʹ] e. Notes: He tried to take on too much at the one time.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiath
Quotation: sgiath na faochaig. Notes: one black skin on top of whelk meat.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiath
faic os cionn seo. [i.e. tairsginn].
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgiath (f), sgiathan (pl)
the furrow board or mould board.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgiath an t-suic
Pl. -an. ‘Winged’ part of sock.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgiath an t-suic
the “winged” part of the sock.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgiath dhearg
redwing.
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiath dhubh
I am not sure of this one: only very vague, was it a birthmark or a mark of ill luck, wasn’t the term “Tha sgiath dhubh ort” used? I think so.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiath-an-fhichich
I am not sure of this one either. Some ailment approaching someone, misfortune. Bhuail sgiath an fhichich ort.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiath-rionnaig
Notes: shooting star.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiatha
wing as in a building. Sgiatha ’mach as a chùl aige (house).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiathachadh
Quot.: “Tha sgiathachadh turaidh ann.” Note: rain progressively lessening to no rain at all.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiathag
small wing (bird).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiathag
refers to the old chimney vent when the fire was in the middle of the floor. The ‘sgiathag’ was the board which you shifted according to wind direction.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiathag
a wooden lid for a water tub.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiathag
a wooden lid.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiathalaich
‘winging’. Dé sgiathalaich th’air mar sud.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiathalaich
also applied humanly [sic] as: De a sgiathalaich th’air ’n duin’ ud – here and there and everywhere. [NOTES: the quotation on the slip reads ‘dé a’ sgiathalaich th’air an duin’ ud’. Definition: Fluttering about.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiathalaich
[sɡʹıɤhɑɫiç] Quot.: “Bithidh e a’ sgiathalaich thall ’s a bhos.” Note: wandering here and there.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiathan
the wings of the net.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
sgiathan
pet name for cattle.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiathan a chroinn
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgiathan air cairt
sometimes to make a cart more commodious an extra board would be fixed to each side.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgiathan beag air fodha
“swimmers” on underside.
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
sgiathanach
referring to a timid, nervous animal or person.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgigean
[sɡʹiɡʹɑṉ] [?] Quotation: sgigean fheòir. Notes: a small portion.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgil
Quotation: Chaidh e thar mo sgil. Notes: It went beyond my understanding.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgil
Quotation: a’ sgileadh an t-sìl. Notes: “shelling” the grain in the mill.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgil
here talkative. Tha sgil oirre.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgil
layer of flesh, e.g. “Cha robh sgil air na beathaichean aige.”
Location: South Uist, Milton
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
sgileid
[sɡʹilɑdʹʒ] Notes: tin mug sold by tinkers. Used for drinking tea and for filling the “bucaid” at the well.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgileil
[sɡilɔl] Quotation: Tha e sgileil air… Notes: He is good at
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgilin
a shilling; but sgilin Albannach = peighinn Breatannach (is Sasunnach); tastan Albannach = sgilin Sasunnach (is Breatannach); but “shilling” is the meaning of the word sgilin at all times; when applied to British “penny”, it does not mean “penny” but “Scots shilling”.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgillaid
refers to a person you could not trust with information. A telltale.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgimileid
sharp, or a female of a sharp penetrating speech.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sginidh
perhaps I have noted this one already: it doesn’t matter anyway. Sgin [sic]; derived from sgian, skin etc. Sginnidh mi thu.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgioba
a band of workers for peat-cutting.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgioba
the peat cutting crew.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgioba
Quotation: (peat) 1. A h-aon a’ buain. 2. A h-aon a’ sgoradh. 3. A h-aon a’ socrachadh (putting the peats in place). Notes: Two on the second peat and two on the third. It was usually a boy for 3. socrachadh.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgioba no sgiobadh
Peat cutting crew. ’S e criudha buain mhonach a tha am facal so a’ ciallachadh an diugh. Cha chuala mise a riamh e shios againn fhin ann an Rudha, far am bheil moran eathraichean fhathast, no ann an Uig a’ ciallachadh sgioba bàta no eathair.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgioba-coise
an old reference to peat cutters on foot, making their way to a peat bank.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiobadh
Nuair a bhiodh grunn mór thoirbhsgearan de mhuinntir eile a bhaile agad a buain na mona. Bhuaineadh iad i ’s an aon latha. Bhitheadh tu fhéin a rithist aca-san air là an sgiobaidh aca. Chan eil fhios agam dé cho tràth ’s a thòisich an obair-sa, an sgiobadh. Iomadach uair do dhuine leth-làmhach a rinn sinn a bhuain dha ’s an aon latha. Cha chanadh sinn sgiobadh ris an seo idir.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgiobadh-buain-na-mònach
the peat cutting team.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgiobhadh
tremble, alternative perhaps [see sgiofadh]. Cha do gheàrr e crith.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgioblach
Quotation: a’ sgioblach. Notes: afterbirth.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgioblaich
Quotation: Sgioblaich i. Notes: She expelled the placenta.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgioblaidean
‘gatherings’. Cuiridh mi mo sgioblaidean ’na mo sgùirt [q.v.]. Perhaps from sgioblachadh (likely).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiol
skinny, as: Cha’n ’eil sgiol air – a term denoting thinness, slimness of a person. [NOTES: the quotation on the slip has ‘Chan eil…’ Definition: Used of a very thin person.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiolamag
a wee lie, ‘innocent’ incorrect statement.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiomalagach
[sɡw̃məlɑɡɑx] Quot.: “duine sgiomalagach”. Note: couldn’t be believed, like “rabhtach” – dealing in exaggerated or inaccurate statements.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiomalagach (adj)
Notes: used of a person who tells lies but not in a deliberate, harmful way.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiomalair
[sɡʹw̃məlɑð] Quot.: Bhiodh ceithir sgiomalairean anns a’ bheart. Note: the four arms activated by the tappets at one end and attached to the bottom of the heddles, pulling them down.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgion an iaruinn
the blade of the peat iron.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgionnscrach
Notes: (Keose) hard-working (the sense is similar to that of sgoinneil). Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiorras
precipitate action.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiot
shelf (boat).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiot
skiff (boat).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiot-dheiridh
a seat in the stern or a shelf (boat).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiot-thoisich
a forehead shelf in a boat or a seat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgitealaich
[sɡʹitʹɑɫiç] Quotation: a’ sgitealaich. Notes: skimming. Used of a flat stone when sent skimming over the surface of water.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiter-sgatar
skitter scatter. Formation or deriving (sgitrigeadh).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgitheag
Notes: Islay word for droigheann-dubh ‘blackthorn’. Source: Neil Thomson, Muasdale. Date: 1987.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgitheal
Notes: used of demountable units at Portree High School. Cf. sgritheal. (Heard in Broadford.)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiubach
[sɡʹu̟bɑx] Quotation: currachd sgiubach. Notes: cheese-cutter (cap).
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiuch
a fair share as in robbery. Thug e sgiuch mhath leis.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiuch
Fhuair e sgiuch mhath ann – he got a good portion there. Thug e sgiuch bhuaipe.
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiuch
good portion. Fhuair e sgiuch mhath ann.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiuch
[sɡʹu̜x] Quotation: Laigh e ’s gun sgiuch ann. Notes: He lay without moving or uttering a sound.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiul
[sɡʹu̜ɫ] Quotation: Chaneil sgiul air na cnàmhan aige. Notes: not a morsel on his bones. Lewis ‘spiul’.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiul
Quotation: (a) Tha i a’ sgiulladh. (b) Tha i air sgiulladh. Notes: (a) The (hen) is moulting. (b) The (hen) has moulted.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiurrghail
[sɡʹu̜ru̜ɣəl] Note: applied to the noise of a lot of people talking at once (babble) or, e.g. the cackling of hens.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiurrulaich
[sɡʹu̜ru̜ɫiç] Note: applied to the noise of a lot of people talking at once (babble) or, e.g. the cackling of hens.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
sgiùd
excessive excrement in cattle which resulted from having consumed too much cold water.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglamhadh
[sɡɫɑ̃fəɣ] Quot.: “Thug e sglamhadh thuige.” Note: a voracious lunge, as a dog after a cat, without actually touching it.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglamhadh
[sɡlɛfəɣ] Quotation: Thug e sglamhadh orm. Notes: He turned on me and spoke sharply and offensively.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgleant
Quotation: “Dh’fhalbh e le sgleant.” Notes: He went with a rush.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgleapaid
phlegmatic substance, like phlegmatic liquid. [SLIP: “Phlegmatic substance”. Does he mean ‘phlegm’?]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgleatar
[sɡliɑt̪ɑɾ] Notes: slater.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgleip
flattery. “Cha robh e ach a’ sgleip.”
Origin: Barra
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
sglent
[sklɛ̈nt] Quotation: gabhail sglent a mach. Notes: a short trip, cuairt bheag. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sgleant’.]
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgleogach
effeminate.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
sgleubadh
[sɡle:bu̜] Quotation: a’ sgleubadh, a’ toirt sgleubadh air an duin’. Notes: scolding, ticking off.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgleutag
[sɡle:t̪ɑɡ] Notes: slater.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgleutair
[sɡle:t̪ɑɾ] Notes: slater.
Location: Sutherland, Golspie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgleò
as in drawing a veil over a conservation [sic].
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgleò
[sɡlɔ:] Quotation: pl. sgleothan [sɡlɔ:əṉ]. Notes: a cloud.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgleòraichean
see ‘sgùrraichean’ or ‘sglùraichean’. They may have generated [sic] from one another.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgleòtag
Notes: a variety of fish. Source: Mrs Margaret MacLeod, Point, Lewis. Date: 1989.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgliat
slate. Sgliat Baile Chaolais.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgliat
[skliɑ˖t] Notes: slate.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgliat
colourless, feckless character.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgliatadh cruach mhònadh
arranging peats on the top of a peat stack so that it looks as though it has been tiled.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgliatag
[sɡliɑt̪ɑɡ] Notes: slater.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgliatair
slater. Dòmhnall sgliatair.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgliugach
Quot.: “boneid sgliugach”. Note: said of a cap that was getting old and the peak coming down over the eyes. Also: “sgliugaire de bhoneid”.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgliungaide
Notes: catarrhal mucus.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgliurach
an untidy housewife. [NOTES: the word provided as an example by the authors of the questionnaire and ticked by the fieldworker most probably to show that the informant used it.]
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
sgliurach
unworthy woman. Perhaps hinting at moral depravity.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgliuthach
slut, slattern. (Waternish)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglobaire
a person who is always foaming at the mouth.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgloban
hanging thickness of fat under the chin, or thickness of mutton under the chin of an extra fat person. [SLIP: Hanging fat under the chin.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglodaig
a large gulp i.e. of water, whiskey etc.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglog fhiath
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
sglog ’san lethcheann
[sɡlɔk sən lʹɛ̜:çən] slap on jaw. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sglog’ with ‘sglog ‘san lethcheann’ as the quotation. Definition: Slap on the jaw. Separate slip for ‘lethcheann’ – jaw.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
sglogach
flattery.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglogach
patter.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglogaid
female flatterer.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglogaireachd
flattery.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgloid
[sɡɫɔ:dʹʒ] Notes: big, fat, useless woman.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglomag
[sɡɫɔmɑɡ] Notes: matter coming from running nose.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgluidseach
a large button used in oilskins and overcoats.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgluis
(also) thick liquid, or a mixture of a soft matter like dough and mixing into a form of a sticky nature. [SLIP: Thick liquid or doughy mixture.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgluis (f)
Notes: Orig. melted soap/water solution used in fulling. A mess; rubbish; used of persons, strongly pejorative.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglungaid
[sɡɫũ̜ŋɡɑdʹ] Notes: spit with greenish yellow matter in it.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglurach
slut, slattern.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglàbair
[sɡɫɑ:bəð] Note: fear ri cainnt shalach, innisgeach. Cha bhlais teanga sglabhair [sic] air càil ach an t-suaraich. [NOTES: the headword has been corrected from ‘sglàbhair’ to ‘sglàbair’ so it seems that this spelling should be used in the quotation.]
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglàir
Quotation: sglàir dhaoine. Notes: a crowd of people. Source: A. MacLeod, Ness. Date: 1973.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglàmhal
abusive. “Bha iad gu math sglàmhal ris.”
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglèap
phlegmatic. [SLIP: “Phlegmatic” – phlegm?]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglèat
n. ‘slate’: bha e cho beag gum biodh dìreach ~ ann
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
sglèatag
[sɡlɛ:t̪ɑɡ] Notes: slater.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglèatag [sɡliɑt̪ɑɡ]
Notes: slater.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgléib
Note: applied to a person who would go into a house, eat and leave immediately afterwards. (Also sgléibire.)
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgléibeadair
[sɡle:bəd̪ɑð] Note: applied to a person who would go into someone else’s house, eat his fill, and then go.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglòpan
a lump underneath a sheep’s chin. Indicative of fluke. [NOTES: ‘sglòpan’ corrected to ‘sglopan’.]
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglòpan
Notes: hen’s wattle.
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglùrag, sglùragan
[pl.] thin layer of cloth. Nach cuir thu dhiot na sglùragan tan’ sin or na sglùragan sin. [NOTES: quotation on the slip: Nach cuir thu dhìot na sglùragan tana sin.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgob
[sɡob] Quotation: “Sgob i mi.” Notes: It stung me.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgobadh
Notes: nibbling of fish at hook.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgobadh
vigour, strength. “Feuma gur ann bho’d athair a fhuair thu an sgobadh sin.”
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgobadh gàillich
cutting off protuberances on gums of cattle.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgog
Quotation: Dé a tha thu a deanamh a’ sin na do sgog? Bha e na sheasamh ’na sgog nan coimhead. Notes: said of somebody standing like a post looking on.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgogadh
overdoing it as when eating. When trying to eat further through eating ‘appetisingly’ a person finds he cannot eat more, continue, thus: Tha e air sgogadh air. (Harris)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgogaireachd
hesitation in speech.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoic
forceful entreaty.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoil
nn f. ‘education’, schooling’ : cha robh cus ~ eadh aice; chan eil guth ~eadh agam; cha robh aon fhacal ~eadh aige; cha robh greim ~eadh aige
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
sgoil-sheòldairean
navigational class for seamen.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoilearachd
Quotation: Chaidh e seachad air mo sgoilearachd. Notes: He/It is past my understanding.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoiltean
[sɡolʹtʹɑ̃ṉ] Notes: part of cut potato with the eye in it – for planting.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoiltean
[sɡolʹtʹɑṉ] Notes: part of cut potato with eye in it.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoiltean
[sɡoltʹʃɑ̃ṉ] Notes: the half of a potato with an “eye” in it. Planted.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoiltean
Notes: the seed slice of a potato.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoladh (m)
Quotation: Thug e dha/Fhuair e sgoladh dha theangaidh. Notes: tongue lashing.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgolag
a little wash. Cuir sgolag air t’ aodann. [SLIP: Cat’s lick – little wash.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgolag
(as already referred to) cat’s wash.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgollabaichean
a plywood overlap at the top of a dresser had these wavy designs running across it. Also applied to a similar design at the bottom of dresses.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgollachan
a bird newly hatched. (Jura)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgolladh
[sɡɔɫəɣ] Quotation: a’ sgolladh. Notes: sculling.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgolladh
a large groove at rear of a boat. ‘Ramh sgollaidh’ placed here.
Location: Barra, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgolladh
Quotation: a’ sgolladh [əsɡoʔɫəɣ]. Notes: propelling with one oar at the stern (sculling?).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgolladh
Note: sculling a boat.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgolopigeadh
Quotation: Ni ise sgolopigeadh orra. Notes: said of one with a sharp tongue who married into another village. Is this the Greek word “sgolop” II. Corinthians. 12. 7. “a thorn in the flesh.”
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgolpaigeadh
(also) sculpturing. Sgolpaigeadh air – sculpture design on material, like wallpaper etc. [SLIP: Sculptured design on certain materials, eg. wallpaper; sculpturing.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgolpan
Notes: in winnowing context = moll? Source: Rev. W. MacLeod, Uig, Lewis (Barvas). Date: 1979.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgolt
Quotation: ’S e spealg dheth fhéin a’ sgoltas an darach.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgolt
Notes: split (fish). Dogfish, mackerel, cod, ling, saithe, etc. – from the tail down. Flat fish. Cut in the fish, when salting.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgolt
Quotation: Nam bitheadh am bàta a’ sgoltadh leis a’ ghrian chuireadh iad siabunn neo cris oirre. Notes: crack.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoltadh
Quotation: Bàrr is sgoltadh. Notes: earmark.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoltadh
disembowelling (fish) but Cha ’eil sgoltadh aige de a their e – he does seem to break apart from telling such ‘fictitious’ matter or untrue verbal matter. [NOTES: the quotation on the slip reads ‘Chan eil sgoltadh aige dé their e.’ Definition: 1. Disembowelling of fish. 2. (above) “he does seem to break apart from telling such ‘fictitious’ matters”!]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoltag
Notes: half a seed potato.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgonn
Quotation: sgonn de ghille. Notes: a “lump” of a lad; a youth.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgonn (f)
Quotation: sgonn mhór nighne/lof.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgonna
water-tap.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgonnan
Quotation: Cho luath ri sgonnan. Cho crosda ri sgonnan.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgonnan
Quotation: sgonnan na coise-cruime. Notes: the foot-rest of the cas-chrom.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgopadh
Quotation: Nach ann aige bha a’ sgopadh! Notes: person bought something in a weak moment which was very dear.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgor
Quotation: Bha sinn a’ sgoradh an eathar. Notes: putting supports, usually flat stones piled one on top of the other, under the bilges of a boat to keep it upright.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgor
Quotation: a’ sgoradh a mhóine. Notes: forking the peats out further on the bank to make space. A special job for one of the crew. “A’ sgoradh as an fhàil” – all the crew working on the third peat with an iron each.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoradh
Quotation: Chuir mi sgoraidheannan fon an eathar. Notes: supports, usually flat stones piled one on top of the other, put under the bilges of a boat to keep it upright.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoradh
Quotation: a sgoradh na h-eathar. Notes: putting supports under the boat.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoradh
Quotation: dà sgoradh. Notes: earmark.
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgot
Quotation: Chan eil sgot aige. Notes: He hasn’t a clue. (sgot, or scot)
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgot
Quotation: See quotation sub bliam. Notes: ‘sense’. Not in Dw. Source: Lewis usage recalled (DST). Date: 1976.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgot
Quotation: Chaneil sgot aige. Notes: He’s got no sense.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoth
small sailing boat.
Location: Harris, Leverburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoth
eathar de’n t-seorsa a tha air an togail ann an Nis gu h-araidh, gu math leathann le clagan deiridh.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Eathraichean / Boats
sgoth
Notes: larger type of boat, e.g. over 18' long.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoth fhosgailte
a particular type of sail boat.
Location: South Uist, Geirinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoth-Gheàrrlach
boat built in Gairloch, Scotland. [Cf. sgoth-Niseach.] Identical by their shape, a particular mould of boats, known by their structure.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoth-Niseach
boat built in Ness, Lewis. [Cf. sgoth-Gheàrrlach.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoth-sheòlaidh
Notes: sailing boat.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoultair
shellfish. It has a stingy [sic] effect on the skin when handled, it leaves an after effect of sting. Fishermen use lubricating oil on their hands for a soothing formula when after having contact with them from their nets. As an emergency, engine oil is used by the fishermen, when any other oil isn’t available.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrabaire
Manx shearwater. (St. Kilda)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgraing
Quotation: Nach ann ort a tha an sgraing. Notes: facial expression.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgraing
Quotation: Sin a’ rud a chuir sgraing air. Notes: loathing.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
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
sgramag
coating of fat on broth.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgramag
coating, as: Tha sgramag air uachdar.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgramh
(also) disgust (in connection with an old boat, etc.) Co ás a táinig a scramh [sic]. [NOTES: The quotation on the slip reads ‘Có ás a tàinig a’ sgramh?’ Definition: Disgusting old hulk of a boat.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgramh de dhuine
a disgusting person. [NOTES: there is (M) next to this item possibly to indicate that it was provided by Morag MacLennan.]
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
sgramhalachd
disgustfulness. (Scalpay pronunciation)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
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
sgratchadh
scratching.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrath
Notes: flat turf divot put on top of “fiodh-coilleadh” on blackhouse roof.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrath
Pl. -an. A large thin divot.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgrath
[sɡrɑ˖h] Notes: brush wood or the word ad foliage of any small tree, usually calltuinn or beithe.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrath
Notes: divot.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrath
Notes: turf divot under the thatch.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrath
a divot. Also ‘sgrath chuileag air druim na ba’, ‘sgrath air druim an eathair de sgreaganaich [q.v.] (barnacles)’, sgrath am broinn piob, i.e. the carbonisation in the bowl of a pipe.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrath (f.)
an rusg talmhainn a theid fheannadh air uachdar a’ phuill.
Origin: Uibhist-a-Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgrath (mhór)
air a buain le caibe-làir.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
sgrath mhullaich
The top turf on ‘dais’ of potatoes.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgrath-mhór
heron.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrath-nighidh
superficial wash.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrath-sùla
cataract.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrathach
flaky (as of the skin peeling off the face or the face showing somewhat patchy or flaky). [SLIP: Flaky (as of skin flaking).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrathach
‘sod(dy)’, of sods, turf.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrathadh
paving with sods. A’ sgradhadh [sic] taobh an rathaid (old form). [NOTES: the quotation on the slip has ‘A’ sgrathadh…’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrathadh
[sɡrɑ̟ʔəɣ]
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrathadh
Quotation: a’ sgrathadh [ə skrɑ˖həɣ]. Notes: laying down a layer of scrath beneath the thatch of a building.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrathail
Notes: awful, disgusting.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrathail
[sɡɾɑɑl] Notes: terrible.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrathan
the flat pieces of turf under the thatch.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
sgrathan
nuair a bhios a’ chruach mhór ullamh bidh sgrathan fada réisg air an cur tarsuinn air a mullach air an aghaidh fodhpa.
Origin: Borraraig [Skye, Boreraig]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgrathan
na pluic-fheannaidh leis a robhar a tughadh na “sgrathadh” na cruaiche.
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgrathlach
[See sgrothlach.]
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreab
[sɡɾeʔb] Quotation: na sgreaban. Notes: impetigo, scabs.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreablach
type of soil that is light and thin. Used for growing oats.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreadag
[sɡðed̪ɑɡ] Notes: “… an rud ghiar a bha ’s an uachdair nuair a bha thu ’ga chuir do’n chrannachan.” (not sure what this is)
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreafag
Quotation: Chaneil air a’ bhainne ach sgreafag uachdair. Sgreafag talmhainn. Notes: a very thin layer.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreagag(an)
Tiny acorn barnacles that grow side by side on all rocks. Tha miltean ann dhuibh [sic] ri taobh a cheile. Gort air do chasan luirmeachd.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
sgreaganaich
barnacles, on boats or rocks.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreamh
[sɡɾɑ̃f] Quotation: a’ gabhail sgreamh de rud. Notes: when one gets so tired of something that it becomes distasteful. (sgreamhal [sic] – adj.)
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreamhail
[sɡɾɛ̃ılʹ] Notes: a small spade-like instrument made from wood; used for gathering cockles, spoutfish, etc.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreat
[sɡɾɛt̪] Quotation: a’ gabhail sgreat air rud. Notes: loathing, disgust. (Skye.)
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreatach[d]
nn f. ‘loathing’ : ò, bidh ~ aig duine rompa
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
sgreatachadh
Notes: shame.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreataidh
expression of disgust, abhorrence. Heard this in context of someone complaining of stifling, humid conditions – “O nach robh e sgreataidh a staigh an sud.”
Location: Barra, Eoligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreataidh
Notes: shameful.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreigagan
encrustations on old lobsters.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
sgreithe
cracks in the boards of a boat.
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreubhadh
refers to the drying of wood to the extent that it cracks.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgriab (f), sgriabadh
scratching, scratch.
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
sgriabadh
scratch, at the moment but eventually the mark disappears.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
sgriachan
[sɡɾiɑxɑṉ] Notes: scraper for pots made from heather twigs tied with string.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgriathlach
[sɡɾıɑɫɑx] Note: scree.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgriob
scratch.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
sgriob
[sic] drag, as: Fhuair e sgriob mhath anns an tàbh (spoon-net). Also a winding on a hill, footpath on a hill. (Harris) (Already noted this instance of interpretation. Various meanings, var[iety?] of meanings to words.) [NOTES: slipped under ‘sgrìob’.  Quotation: Fhuair e sgrìob mhath anns an tàbh. Definition: 1. A good haul (as above). 2. A winding footpath on a hill.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgriob
foot-path or a winding foot-path on the face of a steep hill. (There are other meanings common to the word: sgriob le tàbh – ‘a drag or lift off [of?] a spoon-net’. [SLIP: Winding footpath on the face of a steep hill.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgriob a’ ghlanaidh
when lifting potatoes every second furrow was ploughed since potatoes were not planted therein. This made it easier to lift the potatoes since only one furrow was left to be turned over by hand.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgriob drama
having an itchy upper lip meant that one would get an unexpected dram.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgriob drama
an itch just above your upper lip. Indicates that you are about to receive a drink from someone.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgriob-pòig
in connection with romance. Thàinig sgrìob [sic] pòig orm. (I am afraid the expression isn’t used at all at all now in Harris.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgriobadh nam preasan
phrase that was used if it rained on a wedding day.
Origin: [Harris]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgriobag a butata
running the grubber or the hoe between rows. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgrioban
airson glacadh adagan agus cuiteagan agus morbhair (Jerusalem haddocks or saltwater bream).
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
sgriogal
[sɡɾiɡəɫ] Quotation: “Ciamar a tha thu?” “O, tha mi nam sgriogal grannda ann an seo.” Notes: useless worn-out person.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrios
Quotation: Sgrios bhi ort! Notes: Could be said meaningfully or in fun. “O, sgrios!”: equiv. of “O, dash it!”
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrios
Quotation: Sgrios obainn gu robh ort! Notes: heard one tinker wife say this to another when chiding her for drinking all the milk they had just got.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Kilillan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrios
Quotation: a’ sgriosadh a’ bhac. Notes: cleaning the surface of the first layer of peat after turfing. (See also glanadh.)
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgriosadh
prior to cutting but after turfing a thin layer was taken off the surface so that the peat would be softer and easier to cut.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgriosadh
‘slicing last portions before coming to peat proper’. (Barra)
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgriosadh
Quotation: a’ sgriosadh. Notes: cleaning the top of the skinned peat-bank.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgriosadh
slicing the last portions before coming to peat proper.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgriosan uisge
Mar gum biodh fras uisge ann an latha math.
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
sgriothal
emaciated person, bag of bones. Especially used of a female.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgriutha
screw, propeller (boat).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrobadh
scratching, scraping.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., [Lochaber]) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.)
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
sgrobag
a scratch on the skin, a wee cut.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrobag
a wee cut or scratch on the skin.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrobag (f)
Notes: a scratch.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrobhtaichean
when high tide erodes the machair land this word describes the turf that falls once the sand beneath it has eroded. [NOTES: corrected to ‘sgrotaichean’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrog
Quotation: Tog sgrog. Notes: Eat up! Have something! (Attributed to Islay usage by Angus MacKinnon.)
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrog e bhonaid mu cheann
to place the bonnet rather carelessly on your head.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrogadh
[skrɔ̣ɡəɡ] Quotation: a’ sgrogadh. Notes: hitting in a rough manner or chewing loudly.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrogadh
[sɡ̊rɔɡ̊əɣ] Quotation: Air an sgrogadh leis an òrd.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrogag
Quotation: sgrogag na coise-cruime. Notes: the foot-rest on a cas-chrom. (also sgonnan)
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrogag
Quotation: a’ sgrogag; na sgrogagan. Notes: the pieces of wood extending out behind the cart to prevent it from tipping too far.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrogag
Notes: an old battered hat.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrogag
Quotation: biast na sgrogaig. Notes: huge animal in African forest with horn on its snout.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrogag (-an)
two bits of wood protruding from the end of a cart. These were used to facilitate the tipping of loads.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrogaid
old hat or cap.
Location: Lewis, Bragar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgroig
Notes: an old-fashioned, rather ill-favoured female. Dw. has sgroig (MacEachan), see sgroigean, see sgruigean neck of bottle etc.; short-necked person (in ridicule).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgroitseach (f)
Quotation: Phòs e s. de chailleach.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrot
a wee or small patch of earth or soil, or a small croft; a place-name (Harris).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrotadh
[sɡɾɔt̪əɣ] Quotation: a’ sgrotadh. Notes: taking shelter. (“Chaneil iad a’ deanamh càil ach a’ sgrotadh” – said of people who avoid work – shirking.)
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrotadh
Quotation: Na caoirich a’ sgrotadh. Notes: (Skye word) gathering to take shelter from inclement weather.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgroth
a covering or layer. Similar to ‘sgrath’.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgroth
Quotation: sgroth barraidh. Notes: divot of top turf layer in a peat-bank.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgroth
Quotation: sgrothan mòine. Notes: turf divot as used to cover potatoes.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrothach
a plant. Planntais sgrothach – could be applied generally to any plant showing a crusty appearance, the same with a tree, the bark-like accumulation of perhaps I could say fungus? Perhaps you could also term like [?] which I think you could term such like growth on tree as a plant form of ‘sgrothach’. Don’t you think I am right? That is ‘sgrothach’ of its various species…
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrothlach
scab, covering of matter on material which can be chiselled off. Bheir dhe a sgrothlach th’air uachdar. Origination, etymological – ‘sgrath-lachdunn’.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrut (m)
contemptible person, useless idle creature.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgràbair
scraper; associated with a person continually of [sic] collecting anything he may lay hands on.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgràthan
turfs put on roof with thatch.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgrèachail
[sɡɾɛ:xəl] Quotation: a’ sgrèachail. Notes: screeching, yelling in a high-pitched voice.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgréidheadh
[sɡɾe:əɣ] Quotation: fiodh air sgréidheadh leis an teas. Notes: shrivelled. “Sgréidht”: past part. passive.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgréitheadh
when the tummers of a boat come apart and begin to leak it is said to be ‘sgréitheadh’.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrìd
[sɡɾı:dʹ] Quot.: “Tha e cho beag sgrìd.” Note: lacking in push, initiative.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrìllig
[sɡɾı:lʹiɡʹ] Note: very small potato.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrìob
[sɡriib̥] Quotation: air sgrìob man cuairt. Notes: a trip to somewhere.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrìob
premonetary [sic] [premonitory?] sensation on lips, e.g. “Tha sgrìoban do phòg orm.”
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrìob
Quotation: each as a’ sgrìob ’s each air a bhàn. Notes: when ploughing.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrìob
Quotation: Tha sgrìob drama orm. Notes: I feel the desire for a drink.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrìob
nn ‘quick trip/ visit’ : tillidh sibh, thig sibh ~ fhathast
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
sgrìob
“Chuir e air falbh air sgrìob e.” “Bheir an cù agam-sa sgrìob cho math ’sa thug cù a riamh.” Sgrìob:
Origin: Leòdhas, [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Stuigeadh Coin / Encouraging a Dog
sgrìob
Quotation: 1. sgrìob pòige. 2. sgrìob drama. Notes: 1. an itching about the lip portending meeting somebody. 2. a dram of whisky.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrìob
Quot.: “sgrìob feòir”, “sgrìob coirce”. Note: a swathe.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrìoban
[sɡɾı:bɑṉ] Note: pole with three hooks in triangular fashion at one end, used to recover fishing lines or nets.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrìoban
car coltach ri ràcan ach nas giorra agus nas gairbhe. ’Se am feum a bha ann, gu lìonadh nan toll anns an cuirte buntata ann an feannaig no ann an achadh beag no gàradh. Seo an obair a dhèante le cliath air achadh nas motha.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgrìosan
[sɡɾi:sɑṉ] Quotation: Ma tha ise a’ pòsadh bithidh a’ sgrìosan aice a nis. Notes: trousseau. (Dw. – sgriosan – Arran.)
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrò
covering, accumulation of matter covering as skin. Thoir dhe ’n sgrò sin th’air uachdar. (Scalpay)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgròb
Note: scratch. A’ sgròbadh – scratching.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
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
sgròbag
Quotation: An òrdag, a’ sgròbag, Mairi fada, Mac an Aba, frìdeag. Notes: the index finger.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgròbag
[sɡɾɔ:bɑɡ] Notes: a scratch.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgròban
the red bit of flesh under a cockerel’s throat.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgròban
a throat.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgròth
covering of rust on iron, covering of mould on rock or any item, lichen on rock. Thoir an sgròth chrotuil sin dhi (rock or stone). Perhaps from sgrath (turf). [NOTES: slipped under ‘sgroth’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgròthan
Quotation: sguab > sgròthan > adag > tòrr > cruach. Notes: corn-working terms.
Location: Lewis, Balallan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrùd
Quotation: Bha a h-uile rud air a sgrùdadh air falbh as a’ gheòla. Notes: cleaned out (talking about a boat that came ashore with certain things in it).
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguab
Quotation: sguab > sgròthan > adag > tòrr > cruach. Notes: corn-working terms.
Location: Lewis, Balallan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguab
Quotation: sguab deireadh buanadh.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguab
Quotation: a’ sguabadh a’ làr. Notes: sweeping the floor.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguab fhraoich
a brush made of heather used to sweep the sand of the floor every Saturday night to be replaced by new sand. On having done this the house was then said to be – “air a dhreasaigeadh”.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
sguab-fhraoich
heather hand broom.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguab-leis-an-t-siol
reference to nutrition for cattle.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
sguabach
Quotation: sguabach fhraoich. Notes: heather brush for sweeping the floor.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguabach-fhraoich
Notes: heather brush.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguaic
plaster amount, as cow pat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguaic
plaster. Sguaic buachair – a large cow pad [sic] [pat?].
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguaic-buachair
cow pats.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguaid
[sɡu̟ədʹ] Quotation: duine a’ dol seachad le sguaid. Notes: someone walking past in a hurry; at a good pace.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguaraigeadh
menacing attitude of two standing opposite each other ready to fight. ‘Sguaraigeadh’ againne a b’òige, dìreach ‘square’ (Beurla) agus ‘aigeadh’ as a dhéidh. Aig an fhìor sheann fheadhainn, ‘square’ air a chantainn ‘sguar’, mar a chanas Ileach ‘fuar’ (foo ar). (foo-ar-aigeadh, fuaraigeadh, sguaraigeadh)
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
sgubair
opening in a boat’s side by the gunwale to allow the water to run from the deck back to the sea, as in the event of the boat taking spray or seawater on board when in as storm; scupper.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguch (v)
move; hence ‘sguich’ – movable property (cattle, etc.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgud
Quotation: Sgud e troimh a’ bhaile. Notes: to take a short cut. Eng. “scud”?
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgudail
‘leftovers’, what’s left over from food, after eating.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgudail glan
pulled off without hesitation. Thug e as e sgudail glan.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgudal
oatmeal, herring, salted herring or fresh herring or both kinds, bread, cheese, a composition of a variety of eatables for cattle.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
sgudalach
Quotation: tè sgudalach. Notes: used of weak, watery tea.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgudalaich
Notes: messing about in water.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgudalaireachd
[sɡu̟d̪əlɑðɑxk] Quotation: a’ sgudalaireachd. Notes: messing about with water.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguglach
private parts (male).
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguidealaireachd
[sɡu̟dʹəlɑðɑxk] Note: messing about with water.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguidseach
Quotation: sguidseach de nighean. Tha i na sguidseach math. Notes: a half-grown girl.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguidseadh
Quotation: a’ sguidseadh le buailtean. Notes: the act of threshing a sheaf with a piece of wood.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguiligeadh
sculling (a boat).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguit
(also) a shelf in a boat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguit
‘shelf’ in boat or seat, in the stern or in the fore part etc.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguite
Quotation: a’ sguite dheiridh. Notes: seat in the very stern of a boat.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgulathartaich
[sɡu̟ləhɑʴsṯiç] Notes: squeaking or shrieking, e.g. seagulls. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgumaire
‘scummering’, a person involved in the process of netting salmon or any fish, small fish, by applying a spoon under it in the water or sea to lift [it] on to the boat or embankment.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgur
vb. ‘stop’: cha do ~ i, tha Gàidhlig air a bruidhinn fhathast
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
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
sgurag
biadh a bheireadh tu leat na mhonadh, no a’ dol a-mach ann am bàta. (Nis)
Location: [various]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgurag
Notes: packed lunch for boat, or hill.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguran
Cultivated lots (collectively). [NOTES: spelled ‘sgurran’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgurral
squirrel (animal). English abstraction and English from? [sic] or vice versa, etc. etc. The species as such is not to be seen, perhaps seldom (if at all) in Harris. The word may have its etym.?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgurran
Cultivated lots (collectively).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sguta
Quotation: a’ sguta deiridh. Notes: loose board used as a seat at the stern, rested on the “taobh-shlat”.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàig/sgàigeach
Notes: revulsion, having a revulsion towards something. Source: Ness and Skye. Date: 1974.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàile de chòmdach
[sic] came into existence from a writer describing a lady’s face being powdered (padded) and rouge (dreach dhathadh) adapted.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàile dreach dhathadh
rouge.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàileadh de fhodar
when hardening seeds on a kiln a covering of fodder was placed on the wooden straps (ciuillan [sic]), which stretched halfway across the circle at the top of a kiln. This prevented the seed from being burnt.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàindeach
Notes: rheumatism.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàindeach
[sɡɑ̃:nʹdʹɑx] Note: uncut peat which is dry enough for burning. Also applied to a dried cow’s dropping used for fuel.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàinteag
Quotation: a’ trusadh sgàinteagan. Notes: a cow’s pancake which has been dried by the sun, and which can be lifted for burning.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàinteag
Notes: of ‘pats’ of cow-dung, used in Tiree for fuel for fires. Source: Mrs Mabel MacArthur (of Tiree origin). Date: 1971.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàir
a large, wide bay. Example at Stoneybridge.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàl
Notes: pour hot water on, scald.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàl
Quotation: Bha a’ maorach air a sgàladh. Notes: scald, put in v. hot water.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàrlaid
Quotation: a’ chuairteach sgàrlaid. Notes: scarlet fever.
Origin: Culkein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàt
13, 14, 15, 16 Ray [Starry Ray; Thornback Ray; Common Skate; Shagreen Ray].
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàt
13, 15 ,17 [Starry Ray; Common Skate; Long-nosed Skate].
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàth chlach
this was a stone wall built on the outside of the barn next to the aforementioned hole [i.e. feadan (q.v.)]. This wall would be built if the wind was not blowing directly through the hole. This wall was an attempt to guide the wind more directly through the hole in the wall.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàthan-guaille
Quotation: ’S ged bu dubh le càch thu / Bu tù mo sgàthan-guaille (Eilean Fraoich, 77). Notes: Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgèile
Quotation: “Bha sgèile gu leth ann am baraille.” Notes: a hundredweight.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgèireadh
Notes: the bevelled jointing between two planks in a boat.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgéift
skiff, boat.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgìth
Quotation: Bha mi seachd sgìth dheth. Notes: I was sick tired of it. (Dw. says it should be seac-sgìth.) Also “Bha mi seachd mìle sgìth dheth.”
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgòbadh
pointing, showing pointingly. Etymological, ‘gob’ as a sail of a boat. Also gobadh.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgòd
a rope at the lower end of the sail. Tied round one of the seats and loosened accordingly when the wind rose.
Location: Eriskay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgòdalachd
an article left in a careless attitude or rather left say in a shabby [sic], through a shabby unattended outlook.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgòid
Quot.: “Bha sgòid mhór air an aodach aice.” Note: said if there was a piece hanging down from the hem of a coat or skirt.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgònnan
a bit of wood on a dibble, on which pressure was applied when making a hole for the potato seed.
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgòrdan
[sɡɔ:rd̪ɑ̃ṉ] Notes: throat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgòrnaich
violent coughing attempting to bring up bile that has gathered in the linings of your throat.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgòrnan
a throat.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgòrnan
the throat.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgòrnan
the throat.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgòrnan
Quotation: Ubhal a’ sgòrnan. Notes: Adam’s apple.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgòrr
Notes: support put under a boat to keep it upright – usually a pile of stones. (sgoradh)
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgòrsaireachd
Quotation: Dé a’ sgòrsaireachd a th’air? Notes: watching what other people are up to. (When a person is present for no better reason than to see what is going on.)
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùd
Quotation: “Tha sgùdan dubh air an adhair.” Notes: dark, gloomy cloud.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùdladh
messing about in water. [NOTES: corrected to ‘sgudladh’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùil
[sɡu̟:l] Quotation: sgùil buntàta, sgùil lion mhóir. Notes: basket made from willow wands.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùil
Bha an sgùil deanta mar seo: cearcall iaruinn agus lìon, agus am biadhadh air sreing ann am meadhon na sgùile. Bha àrc bìdeag an àirde bho an sgùil air sreang a’ bhiadhaidh airson am biadhadh a dheanamh faicsinneach do an ghiomach. Nuair a bhatar a’ tarruing na sgùilean, bha thu ’g a tarruing cho luath agus a dheanadh do làmhan agus do bhodhaig dhuit. Nuair a bha an giomach am broinn na sgùile, agus a bha i air a gluasad bho’n ghrunnd agus air a’ tarruing troimh an fhairge gu cabhagach, bha an giomach ag greimeachadh ris an nì a bh’aige agus cha charaicheadh e, gu’m beireadh am fear-tarruing air. Nam biodh an sgùil air a tarruing slaodach, bha e toirt cothrom do an ghiomach smaoineachadh de bha tachairt, agus an sgùil fhàgail. Chanadh iad na ‘cearcaill’ ann an àiteachan ris an t-seòrsa uidheam-iasgaich-sa. Tha eachdraidh nam ball-sa gu mionaideach aig Niall M’Dhòmhnaill, fear raoin Chùil-fhodair. Cumadh na sgùile: [see illustration]. An sgùil air a’ ghrunnd: [see illustration].
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
sgùile
Quotation: pl. sgùileachan. Notes: ‘net’ made from hide.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùile
[sɡu̟:lʹə] Note: a net on an iron frame let down into the water, hanging from a stick by strings attached to the rim. For cuddies.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùileach
misty patches of drizzle, weather condition.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùilean [sɡu̜:lɑṉ]
Notes: a type of basket that could be used for carrying peats, potatoes, fishing lines, etc.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùilich
(also) patchy misty weather with drizzle.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùird
Quotation: Thug i a steach làn a sgùird de mhóine. Notes: bottom of apron pulled up and resulting bag filled.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùird
a lapful. Women would carry things in their apron or in the lap of their dress, skirt… Since then could also be applied for a knitting bag, a bag for seed planting. Can also be applied for a satchel used to hold fish. A satchel which was strapped to the shoulders. “Làn sgùird de liapagan.” [NOTES: ‘liapagan’ corrected to ‘liabagan’.]
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùirt
lap. Thoir leat ’n a do sgùirt e.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùlan
[sɡu̜:ɫɑṉ] Notes: basket with a handle, often used to carry potatoes.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùlan
[sɡu̜:ɫɑṉ] Notes: basket made of willow wands, used for potatoes, willow wands etc.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùlan
[sɡu̜:ɫɑṉ] Notes: a basket for holding potatoes.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùmban
top of a raised part of croft land. Not quite flat but rather like a raised plateau.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùraichean
showers, patches of misty showers coming over the high hills; ‘sgùrr’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùrr iseal
Cultivated lots further from shore.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgùrr àrd
Cultivated lots directly above shore.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgùrraich
Quotation: a’ speur a’ sgùrrachadh. Notes: clouding over, threatening.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùt
[sɡu̟:t̪] Quotation: a’ sgùt dheiridh. Notes: the stern seat in a boat.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
shadhadh
retaliating, retaliating for an injury, in speech…
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
shaglan
fishing line used for lythe fishing, of the material. [NOTES: slipped under ‘siaglan’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
shathaigeadh
scolding.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sheafaraidh
horses tied on a tether in this bit of land which could be on the croft. Would be tethered here at night. [NOTES: corrected to ‘seafaraidh’.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
shemigeadh
shemming. [?] [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words. Catch-word: seimigeadh [SE:m].]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
shinnan
teats. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
shiolaidh
quietly. Shiolaidh e air falbh. He quietly passed. Also sieving. [NOTES: the slip has ‘sìolaidh’ as the catch-word, with the quotation: ‘Shìolaidh e air falbh’ and explanation: ‘He passed away quietly. Also “to sieve”.’]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
shisacot
[?] waistcoat.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
shit
sheet, (sail of a boat), the ‘stern’ rope of a sail at the point where it is pulled in in the stern to tighten the sail, 1. or at the point of the bottom edge of the sail in the stern of the boat, 2. at the point between the outer edge of the sail and the bottom edge in the stern of the boat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
shodan
tuft of hair or few feathers sticking apart (toban). [NOTES: Slipped under ‘toban’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
shó
chew piece of tobacco. Tobacco chewing was common among the islanders of the Scottish, or the Outer Isles of Scotland, from the, or at about the beginning of the present century, or the late 19th century.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siab
Quotation: “Bha e a’ siabadh.” Notes: He was casting with a rod.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siaba
[ʃiɤbə] Quotation: siaba na mara. Notes: the foam (?) of the sea.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siabadh (m)
cur am [sic] mach driamlaich [q.v.] leis an t-slait. “Is math a shiabas e.” Chuala mi tric e ach cha chluinn an diugh ach ‘castadh’. [NOTES: the slip has ‘cur a mach’.]
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
siabain
[ʃiɑb̥ənʹ] Notes: a spindrift which forms a column and connects with a cloud i.e. a water-spout.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siabanaich
floating by the shore as sea-weed. Siabanaich ris a’ chladach. Fiamainn shiabaidh.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siabhan
Quotation: Tha a’ chaora air an t-siabhan. Notes: The sheep has strayed from its usual pasture.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siablach
[ʃiɤbɫɑx] Notes: rubber eel trailed behind the boat.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siachaire
a person of ill repute. [See siathaire.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siachaire-cladaich
shore (person) scroucher [sic] [scrounger?], also a bird species associated to the same term.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siachcladh
subsiding. Tha siachladh [sic] a nis ann. (‘nèis’, Harris [NOTES: is this supposed to represent the Harris pronunciation of ‘nis’?]) In the event of a boisterous day and now taking on the aspect of ‘siachcladh’.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siadh
[ʃiɤɣ] Quotation: siadh fhaochag. Notes: whelk broth. The whelks were boiled, removed from the shells, then boiled again with oatmeal. Eaten with potatoes. (Usually in spring.)
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siagail
Quotation: Dé a’ siagail a th’ort? Notes: sneaking.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sialtag
An odd one, ’s mar sin. Dòmhnull: “An robh an t-iasgach gu math an raoir?” Tarmod: “Bha na h-uibhir de chudaigean ann, agus an dràsda ’s a rithist thigeadh sialtag de shaoithean.” Agus saoilidh mi gur h-e fear no tè nach biodh glé mhath a bhiodh air a chiallachadh le ‘sialtag’.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siamachadh
(Eochdar) selecting. Tha mi siamachadh an iomaire seo airson buntata a chur ann.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siamalaich
weaving like movements. Tha e siamalaich timchioll. The word originated from ‘siaman’, and ‘sniomh shiamain’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siaman
Notes: Siaman Theàrlaich* = buidhe-ròp. Siaman fraoich – heather rope. (cf. Scots simman, rope of heather etc. used in thatching.)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siaman-barraich
gus na cuail a cheangal, slatagan beaga caoil (’se sin barrach beithe). Dà dhual mar bu trice.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
siamanachadh an taighe
securing the thatch with heather ropes.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Trianaid House
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sian
Quotation: siantan de dh’uisge. Notes: sheets of driving rain.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sian
weather.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sian
Quotation: Chaneil sian ann. Notes: sianadh also used.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
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
siantaich
[ʃĩɤ̃n̪t̪iç] Quot.: “C’àite an robh thu? Tha do bhiadh a’ siantachadh air an teine.” Note: drying up and deteriorating.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siap
Quotation: a’ siapadh leis an t-slat. Notes: action of pulling the rod over the shoulder.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siapaire
[ʃiɑpəɾə] Quotation: siapaire gille. Notes: lazy, slow-moving.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siaradh
Quotation: Thug sinn siaradh na dhèidh. Notes: We chased after it. (?provenance)
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siataig
Notes: rheumatism.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siataig
[ʃe:t̪iɡʹ] Notes: rheumatism.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siataig
Quotation: a’ chuairteach shiataig.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siataig
Quotation: an t-siataig. Notes: rheumatism.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siataig
Notes: rheumatism.
Origin: Culkein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siataig
Notes: rheumatism.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siataig
[ʃɛ:t̪iɡ] Notes: rheumatism.
Origin: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siataige-caoich
[ʃiɑt̪ıɡʹəkw:ç] Note: very severe rheumatism. Some people come out in sweat during a bad bout.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siataige-caoich
Note: form of rheumatism which affected the nerve, causing twitching.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siathaiche
a hapless, useless person. [NOTES: ‘hapless’ corrected to ‘helpless’.]
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siathaire
a person of ill repute.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siathamh
ord. num. ‘sixth’: agus sin agad (an] ~ agus deich air fhichead caora
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
sibhse
Notes: used formerly for addressing a married woman, no matter what her age.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sic (f)
a snatch; thug an cù sic air.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
side – mhath
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
sidhg
a large hole in the strand filled with salt water.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sigeach
[ʃıɡɑx] Quot.: Tha ’n t-iasg sin gu math sigeach. Note: when a fish loses its firmness – limp.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sigeann
[ʃiɡʹən̪] Quotation: duine gun sigeann. Notes: an unpleasant man.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sil
Quot.: “Bha clò air fhàgail air a phasgadh fad na h-oidhche ’n deidh a nighe gus a sileadh e a’ bhoinne”. Note: Tweed, after being washed in a stream and folded was left all night until it shed the surplus water. Then it was spread out to dry.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sil
Quotation: “Sil, séid agus frois!” Notes: an expression of hopelessness. As if to say, “nothing can be done now”.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siladh
a wooden seat at the rear of a boat which could be removed when it was being baled (taomadh).
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sile
Notes: piece of flooring at the stem of a boat.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sile
[ʃilə] Notes: pl. na silichean. Pieces of flooring in a boat. Usually applied to the piece which fits into the stem.
Origin: Tiree
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
sileadh
a small seat in the back of a boat which was used by the man who baited the creels.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sileadh
[ʃiləɣ] Notes: piece of flooring fitting into the stem [?] of the boat.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sileadh a bhainne
teats dripping with excessive milk.
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
sileadh-sùidh
[ʃiləɡsu̟:hi] Notes: water leaking in through the roof of a thatched house.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sileagan
very seldom used in Harris. As ‘juga mór sileagan’, I have heard it used. Seemingly it’s a tinkers’ term, a quotation from the tinkers when they used to visit Harris, but otherwise the descriptive term as here is alien to Harris, especially, as we say: ‘in our day and age’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sileagan
Notes: ‘jam-jar’. jelly-can (?) Not in Dw. Source: Lewis usage recalled (D.S.T.). Date: Aug. 1975.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
silidh
an extra seat at the back or front of a boat.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
silidh
Notes: ‘jam’ < jelly. Not in Dw. Source: Lewis usage recalled (D.S.T.). Date: Aug. 1975.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
silteach
Quotation: Bha an t-aimsir car fuar agus silteach. Notes: wet.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Irish Cove
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
silteachd
distillation.
Origin: ‘Islay connections’
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
simean fraoich
[ʃimɑ˖nɸrəəç] Notes: a heather rope made by twisting strands of long heather together. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sioman fraoich’.]
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
simean tarsuinn
[ʃimɑ˖n tɑ˖rsu̜nʹ] Notes: the vertical ropes on thatched house or a mullann [?]. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sìoman tarsuinn’.]
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
simean-sgiathadh
[ʃi̜mɑ˖n sɡiəʔəɣ] Notes: the horizontal ropes on a thatched house.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
simid
[ʃĩmidʹ] Notes: potato masher, shaped like a baseball bat.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
simid
[ʃĩmid] Note: (1) potato masher. (2) barley beater.
Origin: Balallan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
simide
[ʃĩmidʹə] Notes: wooden stick used for beating clothes when washing them. “Simide” used elsewhere for a potato-masher – shaped like a baseball-bat.
Location: Lewis, Borve
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
simide
[ʃĩmidʹə] Notes: potato masher.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
simide
[ʃĩmidʹə] Notes: wooden potato masher.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
similear-crochaidh (m)
canopy over fire (on floor at end of room).
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
simileir fosgailte
an open fire with no grate.
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
similidh
to leave someone without a word to say for himself, to quiesce [sic]. “Tha iad gu math similidh an diugh.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
similinn
Quotation: ceann similinn. Notes: gable end.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sin
that. [See sean.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sin
Quotation: Chaidh ar togail an tin [dʒin].
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sine
teats.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
sine
teat.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
sine (f), sinean
[pl] teats.
Origin: Ross of Mull
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
sine (f), sinean (pl)
teats.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
sine (f), sinean (pl)
teats.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
sineachan ( sheenachan)
[pron.] teats. [SLIP: (pl.) Teats of cow.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
sinean
teats.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
sinean
teats.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
singealadh
Notes: (? or singealachadh) Putting potatoes and manure in the drill when planting.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
singealadh
setting the tubers (potatoes) in the drill.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
singealadh
[ʃĩŋɡʹɑɫəɣ] Quot.: a’ singealadh. Note: a Berneray (Harris) word. As seaweed was gathered in the wintertime it was spread on the ground. It settled down and when the ground was ploughed in the spring the seaweed had to be raked into the furrows. This was “a’ singealadh”.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
singilte
Quotation: Nach tu tha singilte! Notes: thin.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sinn-seanair
[hĩ:] n. ‘great-grandfather’: bha mo sh. aig iasgach
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
sinnteag
Quotation: leth-chois, sinnteag, leum. Notes: hop, step and jump.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sioban
[ʃibɑṉ] Quot.: “sioban de fheòil bog”. Note: used of soft, limp meat.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sioblaich
Quotation: a’ sioblachadh. Notes: rowing forward with three rods extended over the stern. Flies on each rod.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siocaire
[ʃıkəðə] Quot.: Chaneil ann dheth ach siocaire grannda. Note: a person who is lazy, good for nothing but impertinent at the same time.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siochaire-tuill
planting potatoes by making holes in the ground and dropping the cumber [?] in; a person employed likewise.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siocladh
a slight break of [sic] [or?] abatement in a storm.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siog
[ʃiɔɡ] Quotation: [ʃiɔɡ]!, [ʃiɔɡ]! Notes: call to a calf.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siogach
[ʃıɡɑx] Quot.: duine siogach, beathach siogach. Note: tana, bochd.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siogan
[ʃiɔɡɑṉ] Notes: affectionate name for a calf.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siogan
[ʃiɔɡɑṉ] Note: call to cattle in general.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siol
Quotation: deireadh an t-sìl. Notes: very poor seed which rose to the top when using the criathar. Lifted off with the hands.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siol
Quotation: Toll an t-sìl. Notes: opening on the underside of a fish through which it spawns.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siol buntata
Seed potatoes. [NOTES: spelled ‘siol buntàta’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
siol-cuir
Notes: seed potatoes.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siol-cura
Seed potatoes.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
siol-dubh
Notes: the decayed seed that went through the riddle.
Location: Skye, Stein
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
siol-shìthe
germinating peace, peace. Cha tig siol-shìthe gu bràth air.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siola
plug. [SLIP: Plug (on boat).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siola
chill. Siol’ uisge bheatha.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siola-na-h-easgainn
Entrails of an eel. The spawning part in particular. The earliest form of cure. Disease: rheumatism. Part used: spawning part. How prepared: freshly applied. Sources of information: traditionally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
siolachd
Quotation: Tha siolachd oirre. Notes: mare in heat.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolachd
Quotation: Tha ’n t-siolachd oirre. Notes: for a mare in heat.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolag
Notes: small potato.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolag
Quotation: oitir-shiolag.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolag
Quotation: corran-shiolag. Notes: sickle used for digging for sandeels.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolagan
Very small potatoes.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
siolagan
Very small potatoes.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
siolagan
Notes: second grade seeds (corn, etc.). (Probably potatoes, too.)
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolagan (pl.)
Notes: small potatoes.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Blairmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolaich
Quotation: Nach e th’air siolachadh sios. Notes: sea or day quietened down.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolaich
Quotation: a’ siolachadh. Notes: straining.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolchur innealta
artificial insemination.
Origin: ‘Islay connections’
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolla
Quotation: na siollaichean. Notes: haimes.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolla
a quarter bottle. I think this is an elaboration on the original meaning of ‘siolla’ – a gill.
Location: Eriskay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolla
Quotation: pl. siollachan. Notes: haimes.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siollachan
Notes: muzzle at the head of the plough.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolladh
Quotation: siolladh bàta. Notes: floor board in the stem of a boat.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siollag
equivalent of ‘dàir’ in cows. Desire for mating. “Bha siollag air an làir.” [NOTES: corrected to ‘sìolag’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siollt
propagator. [NOTES: corrected to ‘sìolt’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
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
siolpag
[ʃu̜ɫpɑɡ] Quot.: “Leigeadh e siolpag leatha.” Note: of someone exaggerating when telling a story or saying anything.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolpan
a baton.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolpan
maide goirid leis an toireadh tu frathadh air sguaib (gun ach beagan sìl a thoirt dhith).
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
siomal
not an iota of a difference as: gun siomal a dh’atharrachadh (Harris expression).
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sioman
Quotation: sioman Sassunnach. Notes: prob. hemp.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sioman
rope of heather.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sioman
Quotation: sioman fodrach. Notes: straw rope.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sioman
a heather rope above the fire used to dry clothes or fish.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
sioman fodair
a rope made of twisted straw carrying a stone as a weight and used for securing the thatch on the stack.
Origin: Bràigh-Lochabar [Brae Lochaber]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sioman fraoich
heather rope used to tie down the thatch.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
sioman fraoich
rope for tying down the thatch.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sioman sgiathadh
[ʃi:mɑn sɡiəʔəɣ] Notes: lateral ropes.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siompair
Notes: Maide bh’air a chleachdadh gu bhi putadh sios buntata a bhiodh air stad ann an amhach beathaich.
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sionnach
Quotation: Cho seòlta ri sionnach.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sionnachan
Quotation: Tha mi a’ faicinn sgadan air an t-sionnachan. Notes: phosphorescence. The herring would leave a trail through it. Identified as herring on account of the density of the streaks.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sionnan
teats.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
sionnan
teats.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
siorram-siùid
Quotation: Tha siorram-siùid air an duine sin a tha eagalach. Notes: of an exceptionally talkative person.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siorruidheachd (f)
Quotation: a’ cuir duine dhan t-siorruidheachd.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sios
Quotation: a’ ghaoth shios. Notes: the east wind.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siosa-cot
[ʃısɑkɔt̪] Notes: waistcoat.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siosacalt
sleeveless waistcoat.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siosacot
[ʃwsəkɔt̪] Note: a dress waistcoat as in a three-piece suit.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siosacot
[ʃisəkɔt̪] Notes: tailored waistcoat.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siosacòt
a waistcoat.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siosar
Quotation: siosar chaorach. Notes: shears.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siosar
Quotation: siosar chaorach. Notes: shears. (deamhais unknown)
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sioscot
[ʃiskɔt̪] Notes: waistcoat.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sioscot
[ʃiskɔt̪] Notes: waistcoat.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siotacot
[ʃıt̪əkɔt̪] Notes: waistcoat.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siotal
Quotation: siotal a’ chiste. Notes: small compartment to one side of chest under the lid.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sir
[ʃiɾ] Quotation: ’S mi nach eil ga [ʃiɾəɡ] am màireach.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sir
Quotation: Na tri nithean a thig gun shireadh: an gaol, [ənʹtʹʃe:d̪ɑx] agus an [tʹʃɛɾəɣ].
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sireach
a scout; Sirich Lòbhatach – Lovat Scouts; Marcaichean Mhic Shimi.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sireap
syrup. Syrup and hot water mixed was used for cold, drinking it before retiring at night.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sitearraich
Quotation: a’ sitearraich [əʃitʹɾiç]. Notes: neighing.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sith
Quotation: sitheadh runnach, sitheadh ròn, sitheadh na muca-mara mór, ach giomach beag nan casan cama, bheir e rudha thar an t-sròn.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sithchridh
hibernation.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sitheachaire tholl
one who planted drill potatoes.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sitheadh
[ʃiəɣ] Quotation: a’ dol seachad le/aig sitheadh. Notes: going past at a good speed.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sithean-a’chait-fhiathaich
Note: dandelion.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sithne (m)
teat.
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
sitig
Notes: area outside the kitchen where dirty water was thrown.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sitig
Quotation: Tha e a muigh air an t-sitig an aiteigin. Notes: He’s away out somewhere. Also used for hollows among shingle (or sand?) where a person deposited seaweed.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sitig
Quotation: Thainig e dhachaidh na shitig. Notes: He came home wet and bedraggled.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sitig
Notes: patch outside where the ashes, dirty water, etc. were thrown.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sitig
a layer of dung manure and seaweed alternately put together during late winter and early spring; good for all crops.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sitir
Quotation: sitir eich. Notes: the neigh of a horse.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sitrich
[ʃit̪əɾiç] Quotation: Tha an each a’ sitrich. Notes: neighing. Sitrich (n): a neigh.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siubal
Quotation: Thigeadh i dhachaidh agus siubal oirre. Notes: water and mud sticking to the hem of women’s long skirts. (C. MacLean, Kyleakin pronounces it [ʃo:pəɫ].)
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siubhal
Quotation: Bha siubhal sith aice. Notes: some were supposed to have this power. If one glanced away for a very short time from looking at such a person and then looked again, they seemed to have covered an incredible distance for such a short time.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siubhal
Quotation: Pòs an Éirinn, agus siubhail an Ìle. Notes: “Alba” usually instead of “Ìle”. Local version.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siubhal
Quotation: an iarunn siubhail. Notes: the iron hook on the axle of the spinning wheel.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siubhal
Quotation: Shiubhal e. Notes: He died.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siubhal
Quotation: Ghabh e na shiubhail e. Notes: He took the hint.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siubhal dublachd
Notes: double variation in ceòl mór.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siubhal singilte
[ʃiuʔəɫ sinɡilʹtʹ] Notes: single variation in ceòl mór.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siubhal sith fo thiodhlagadh
difficult to catch up with a funeral procession.
Origin: Barra
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
siubhal sìtheadh
a vision whereby the participants did not touch the ground. A common example of this would be a funeral cortege seen days or weeks prior to a death. Only seen by certain people.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siubhal-na-h-òrdaig
variation.
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
siuch
[ʃu̜x] Notes: small drain opened round the stack to keep the water from seeping underneath.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siud
Quotation: “Carson a rinn thu e?” “Airson sud fhein.” Notes: never mind. What’s it to you? Dismissive.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siug
[ʃu̟ɡ] Quotation: siug, siug! siugan! Notes: call to a calf.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siuga (m)
Quotation: siuga seipein. Notes: mug. Not jug.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siugan
[ʃu̟ɡɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: siug, siug! siugan! Notes: call to a calf.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siullagan
sand eels. Eaten by the gannet and by herring. [NOTES: corrected to ‘siulagan’.]
Location: [South Uist], South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siurdan
rattling, also idle talk.
Origin: [Strathglass]
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
siutal
Quotation: Siutal de bhoireannach. Notes: ‘a galivant.’
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siùbhlaichean
Quotation: na siùbhlaichean. Notes: the variations.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siùcar-ruadh
the sugar before being finally granulated.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siùla
[ʃu̜:ɫə] Quot.: “Thug mi an t-siùl as an eathar.” Note: plug in the bottom of a boat.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
skooking at
staring at one.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slabhcan
[sɫɑu̟xkɑṉ] Quotation: An gabh thu slabhcan? Notes: black, dulse-like seaweed boiled with oatmeal.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slabhcan
[sɫɑu̟kɑṉ] Note: fine type of seaweed scraped from rocks. Boiled and eaten. Eaten by invalids. Akin to “duileasg” but finer.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slabhraidh
the pot hook attached to the chain.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
slabhraidh
[fem.] the hanging chain above the fire on which pots were suspended. I think it was also the name for the elongated iron hook at the end of the chain.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
slabhraidh-ceannsaich
control chain as a chain running from the wheel house of a vessel to control the rudder. [NOTES: slipped under ‘slabhraidh’ with ‘slabhraidh-ceannsaich’ as the quotation. Definition: Control chain – eg. which runs from a boat’s wheel-house to control the rudder.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slabustar
a large amount, e.g. “Seall thusa an slabustar a dh’ith an duine sin.” Usually associated with avarice and greed.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slacadh
slackening the lime. Slacke [sic] – adding water.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
slacan
[sɫɑkɑṉ] Note: potato-masher.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slacan
Notes: Wooden board fixed to the horns of Highland cattle to prevent them from fighting. Fixed over the forehead. When they started to run, the board would start flapping, making the animal stop.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slacan
Note: when the tweed was ready for washing it was taken down to a stream. The “slacan” was the stick used for beating it.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slacan
used by women to beat the blankets when washing them on rocks.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slachdan
a type of rolling pin rounded at the bottom for mashing potatoes. Slachdan an laimh òinsich – any dangerous instrument.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
slachdan
Notes: wooden bat used for beating clothes.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slachdraich
the noise of battle.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sladhag
Notes: Am droinn adhairc. (The inner sheath, not outer as in Dwelly.) [NOTES: slipped under ‘slabhag’.]
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaic
[sɫɑiçc] Quotation: Tha sinn aig slaic. Notes: heavy work. We are being kept at it.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaim
a bout, a “doze”, a quantity; slaim cratain; perhaps slam for snowflake is a misunderstanding and means a “quantity” of snow.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slainte
Quotation: Slainte gun ìobradh!
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slais
Quotation: Gheibh thu do shlaiseadh. Notes: shank.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slamag
Quotation: Dh’òl e slàmag [sic] mhath. Notes: “a good slug”, when drinking.
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slamairean
Big rough leather slippers.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slamar
Quotation: Fhuair mi slamar. Notes: a great amount of something.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slamhcan
a drink similar to ‘camhraich’. Consisted of water, milk and oats. Small measure of milk as opposed to water.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slamhcan
something like Irish moss. Found on rocks on the shore. Heated in milk and eaten as a sweet, pudding. Not sure as to its exact composition.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slamhcan (m)
[kind of seaweed.] (Enteramorpha intestinalus). Sleamhainn. Makes pudding – not very good. Green weed / fungus on rock. Brackish water.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
slamman
spoonful of rennet added to milk and left to settle. Eaten as a sweet or blancmange.
Location: Barra, Ard Mhinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaod
Quotation: Bha a chota slaodadh [slw:d̪ə] ris. Notes: trailing.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaod
Quotation: Bha a’ chòta slaodadh ris.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaod (f)
Quotation: slaod mhór duine.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaod-chairt
Quotation: slaod-chairt. Notes: horse-drawn sledge. Essentially the same as a cart with no wheels.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaodach
Quotation: an t-slaodach. Notes: long, yellowish-brown seaweed with bubbles on it.
Location: Ross-shire, Poolewe, Londubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaodach
Quotation: còta fada slaodach. Notes: trailing.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaodach
‘Serrated’ seaweed – used for potatoes. All the dark green kinds of seaweed.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
slaodach
Notes: long tangle, narrow stalk with thicker crop of seaweed growing on it. Used for potato manure.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaodadh
Quotation: Tha iad a’ gradhainn gum bi e leigeil a làmh slaodadh ris. Notes: inclined to pinch things.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaoic
a portion of material or meat being pulled to a fair size. Slaoic dhe neo dhi.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaop
Quotation: “a’ slaopadh a’ mhaorach”. Notes: putting hot water on them.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaopadh
shellfish(ing), especially limpets being rinsed in boiling water in the preparation. [SLIP: Used of limpets being rinsed in boiling water.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaopadh
[sɫw:pəɣ] Notes: process of pouring boiling water on shellfish and shaking until the shell and fish separated.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaopadh
Slaopadh a fhrith-iasg – limpets being wringed in boiling water.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaopadh
putting boiling water on limpets, loosening their contents from their shells and leaving it appropriate for insertion on the hook.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaopadh
warm water poured over bait to make it more tender and opens shell.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
slaopadh
Quotation: a’ slaopadh a’ mhaoraich. Notes: heating limpets to remove them from shell.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaopadh a’ mhaoraich
covering [limpets] with water and heating sufficiently – and only just – to loosen the shells.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
slat
a weaver’s yard being 7 feet in length. The weaver is paid by the number of these 7 feet ‘yards’ in tweed.
Location: Lewis, Keose
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
slat
Quot.: slat figheadair. Note: weaver’s yard.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat
rod.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
slat
Quotation: cabar-slait. Notes: his name for a stag which had antlers with no points on them, except, perhaps, for one at the base.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat
Quotation: cabar-slatach.
Location: Ross-shire, Plockton, Diurinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat
rod.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat
the big rod.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
slat
Quotation: cabar-slait. Notes: stag with no points on its antlers. (Cf. James Clark, Morvich: “slat-chabrach”.)
Origin: Camusluanie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat
Quotation: a’ slat beòil. Notes: piece of wood, one on each side of cart. ??
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat
Quotation: Ma chi thu slat ’s a choill bheir leat e. Notes: seize the opportunity when presented.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat
Notes: yard.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat
Quotation: slat iasgaich. Notes: fishing rod. See: bun, bàrr, sgar.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat
penis.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
slat (caol)
(A)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat Ghaidhealach
the length of wool that fills the ‘crois-iarna’ [q.v.] once (about 9 feet).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
slat Ghaidhealach
Notes: weaver’s yard – 8 ft long.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat an tairbh
the penis.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
slat bheoil
the rod round the top of the creel.
Origin: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
slat bhuinn
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Eathraichean / Boats
slat dhùbailte
2 fills of the ‘iarna’ (18 feet).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
slat mhor
the big rod.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
slat mhudhair
the big rod.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
slat r(h)ipidh
small rod.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
slat shingilte
slat Ghaidhealach [q.v.].
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
slat shiudain
Pendulum.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat shuil
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Eathraichean / Boats
slat thomhais
Quotations: an t-slat thomhais. Notes: constellation in form of a line.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-beoil
(One boy produced this as the upmost cane, locking the creel. I know it only as boat-gunwale.)
Location: Gearrloch, Achadh a’ Chairn [Gairloch, Auchtercairn]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
slat-bheoil
The upper hoop in creel.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
slat-bheòil
the upper part of a gunwale of a boat, a ‘rod’ fastened to the gunwale. Chaidh i direach air a slait-bheoil [sic] – boat under sail listing heavily.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-bheòil
Notes: wooden slat running along the top edge of a sleigh runner.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-bhiathaidh (I)
Slat a bhiodh iad fhéin a’ deanamh. Tè bheag, ghoirid airson a bhith ’g oibreachadh le biathadh. An cumantas dà phìos anns an t-slait: am bun, am bàrr.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
slat-chabar
Note: a pointless deer antler.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-chabrach
Notes: stag with no points on its antlers.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-chabrach
Note: a deer with pointless antlers.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-chabrach
Notes: a stag with no points on its horns.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-chaol
light rod (fishing rod, etc.).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-chreagaich
rock-fishing rod.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-chuibean
the rod on which the ends of the wool are tied after passing through the ‘slìn’ [q.v.].
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
slat-chuilc
willow rod, willow fishing rod.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-chuilc
bamboo fishing rod.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-chuiteagach
a rod, fishing rod for fishing ‘light fish’, cuddies, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-chuitigean
[See slat-chuiteagach] as expressed by individuals in the two various examples.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-druimeanaich
fishing rod of a branch off the alder tree. [SLIP: Fishing rod made from an alder branch.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-fhaireachaidh
feeler.
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-iasgaich
fishing rod.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-iasgaich
slat chuilc airson iasgach mara.
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
slat-iasgaich
a fishing rod.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-iasgaich
a fishing-rod.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-iasgaich
(Ri a chrìochnachadh.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Leabhar Deilbh / Drawing Book
slat-iolla
fly-fishing or trolling rod (much longer than slat-chreagaich [q.v.]).
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-mhaghair
fishing rod.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-mhara
[sɫɑt̪vɑɾ] Notes: tangle.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-mhara
Notes: tangle.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Laide, Portnacon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-mhara
Notes: tangle.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-mhathair
fishing rod.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-mhór (I)
Slat a bhiodh iad fhéin a’ deanamh. Bha trì pìosan innte: am bun (E), am pìos-meadhon (E), am bàrr (E). A mach anns na 30’s thòisich na slatan cuilce airson slatan-móra. No roimh na 30’s.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
slat-phulam
palm.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
slat-shiudain
pendulum.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-shiùdain
Notes: pendulum.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-shiùil
the gaff of the sail.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-shiùil
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-thomhais
Notes: rule.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-tomhais
the measuring stick or other device used when setting up.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
slat-tomhais
measuring rod.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slatag
Notes: horizontal slat on lobster creel, lying across hoops.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slatan
rods before and after bending and fitting to base.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
slathag
Quotation: slathag shneachda. Notes: snowflake.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slathag
Notes: small horns inside main covering [?] of horn of cow. Pl. – slathagan.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slathagan
snowflakes.
Location: North Uist, Scolpaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slathagan
snowflakes.
Location: Barra, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slathais
[sɫɑhɑʃ] Notes: strips of wood horizontally laid on the thatch and pinned down by the “dromanach”.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slathug
Notes: the base of the horn where it enters the skull of a cow.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slathug
[sɫɑ̟ʔuk̥] Notes: cow’s horn.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slatraich
grovelling in the mud.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sleabhag (f)
small mattock.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sleagh-dubha
Quotation: sleagh/sleaghan-dubha. Notes: leech, leeches.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sleamhnadh
sliding, skating.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sleamhnagan
stye. Treated by rubbing it with a gold marriage ring, or any ring, with a little incantation reference.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
sleeshacks
fried mashed potatoes.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
sleigh
nn f. ‘sleigh’ : dat.: seventy-five miles air sleighidh [sle-iç]; pl.:chaidh mise a thoirt ar cùl ~eachan, chaidh mise … ann an ~eachan
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
sleighe
[ʹsleə] Quotation: sleighe-connaidh. Notes: sledge used for hauling firewood.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sleisdeanach
as appears in traditional panegyric description of a chief or appropriate person. Refers to large and muscular thighs.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sliabh
Notes: the peat moss.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Balvoolich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sliabh
Rocky an stony ground where cattle graze. “Common grazing”.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sliabh
heath, rough grazing on mountain slope.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
sliabh
beat of a sheep on the moor.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
sliabh mònach
peat moor. Air an t-shleibh-mhònach - out tending the peat.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sliabh-spianaidh
Notes: “Deer Grass”. Used for thatching. Found on hillsides; pulled up by the roots.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sliasaid
Quotation: an t-sliasaid [əntliiəsɪtʹ]. Notes: front of thigh.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sliasaid
Quotation: sliasaid, sleisdean [slʹiəsẹdʹ], [slʹẹẹsdʹən]. Notes: outside of the thigh.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sliasd
[slʹiɤʃdʹ] Quotation: pl. na sliasdean. Notes: thigh.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sliath slighinn
hill of safety.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slibhag
attached to peddle to work wheel.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slibheag
(or slifeag) See plèag. [NOTES: added later.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
slibheag (f)
Quotation: a’ cur a’ bhuntàta leis an t-slibheig. Notes: with stick (hand-drill?).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slifeag
[ʃlʹifɑɡ] Notes: potato dibble.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slifeag
[ʃlʹifɑɡ] Notes: flat piece of wood used for digging for “muirsginn”.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slige
Quotation: slig’ a chreachain. Notes: ribbed clam shell used for taking cream off top of milk in bowl or basin.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slige
shoe that has been cast and used again.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
slige
Quotation: slig’ an amadain. Notes: The pancreas. (?)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slige
Quotation: slige ugh. Notes: shell of an egg. “Spealg” in Barvas.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slige
[ʃlʹıɡʹə] Note: shell of a boat.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sligean baintighearna
small delicate shells like clam shells.
Location: Barra, Earsharry [Earsary]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slighe na croise
stations of the cross.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slighe na croise
Stations of the Cross.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
sligh’ mharbh
death way, depressing journey, on the way to a churchyard.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sligneach
Quotation: Leth ma leth de shneachd is uisge. Notes: Dunvegan, Skye.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slignean chruidhean
horseshoes that were well worn. Used when peats were being taken home.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slinndair
a long flat stone used as a bridge across a ditch or river.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slinnteach
[ʃlʹɤ̃ĩnʹtʹɑx] Notes: long thin pieces of wood laid on top of the taobhain going from the tobhta to the gath-droma. Source: D. MacLeod, Lemreway, Lewis. Date: 1972.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slinnteach
[ʃlʹɤ̃ĩnʹtʹɑx] Note: long thin pieces of wood laid on top of the “taobhain” going from the “tobhta” to the “gath-droma”.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sliobach
[ʃlʹibɑx] Quot.: (1) iasg sliobach. (2) buntàta sliobach. Note: (1) very soft, watery fish. (2) watery potatoes.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sliochd
Quotation: sliochd an teinntein. Notes: slab in front of the fire. Formerly a slab of slate.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sliofag
another word other than ‘pleathag’.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sliosbord (m)
side-planks (of boat, or anything).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slip
a slippery sort of a character, who gets away, slips out of trouble, etc. unscathed, gets away with things as termed, locally.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slip
Quotation: an t slip iosal [ədɪli̜b̥iiʃəɫ]. Notes: lower lip. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sliop’.]
Location: Ross of Mull
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
slis
Part of potato with ‘eye’.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
slis
Quotation: dà shlis. Notes: earmark. (Harris)
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sliseag
Quotation: Far am bi saor bi sliseagan, far am bi mnathan bi giosragan.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slisnean
potato cut in two and used for seed.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sliubach
Quotation: sìde sliubach. Notes: very wet weather.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sliubach
wettish weather.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sliuchadan
a flat stone thrown for to slither on the water. [SLIP: A flat stone thrown to ‘skite’ across water.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sliuchdadan
ni air a thilgeal pios de sglart [?] (slate) gu bhi srucadh air uachdar na mara neo air an uisge.
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sliuchdadh
slithering in between as a flat thin stone under a big one when building a wall. ’G sliuchdadh a stigh eadarra – between the big stones.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sloc
Quotation: sloc bhuntàta. Notes: outside pit. (tòrr also used)
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sloc
Quot.: sloc bhuntàta. Note: potato pit.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sloc
Quotation: sloc bhuntata. Notes: potato pit.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sloc
Quotation: sloc iasgaich. Notes: a suitable rock to fish from.
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sloc
Quotation: sloc bhunàta [sic]. Notes: potato pit.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sloc
Quot.: sloc bhuntàta. Note: potato pit.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sloc
Sloc buntàta. Sloc a bhithist a’ deanamh anns an talamh airson gleidheadh a’ bhuntàta. Thatar ’g an deanamh fhathast, cuideachd.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sloc bhuntata
Potato-pit. Made of leacan, rainneach, sgrathan, ùir. [NOTES: spelled ‘sloc-buntata’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sloc buntata
long and thin since this made it easier to turf.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sloc sàbhaidh
this was the place where two men would cut large beams of wood. The wood would be placed across a stone wall. Then on each side there was an indentation in the ground where each made [sic] [man?] stood, so as not to move when they were sawing the wood. Ensured that it was a reasonably straight cut.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sloca-linn
[sɫɔxkəlĩ:nʹ] Notes: hole in ground filled with water to soak flax for linen-making.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slochd
used to preserve seed potatoes.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
slochd bhunata
potato pit. To make a potato pit, preferably where oats were grown clean, according to quantity to be put in 20-30 creels for example, 9 feet long 4 ft wide and six inches deep covered with firm sods of earth termed sgrathan and covered with the surrounding earth 9 inches thick formed into a shapely mound.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sloinneadh
Quotation: a’ sloinneadh. Notes: going into someone’s genealogy.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sloinneadh
Quotation: Chan [ɑ:çɑç] mi mo shloinneadh ged a b’e MacIllemhoire e.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sloinnteir (-ean)
lazy, unworthy people. Cropped up in context of being asked to share what you had worked hard for with other people who had made no such effort. “Iarrar orm mo chuid a roinn ri sloinntearan gun nàire.”
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slopan
dangling fat; or loose flabby flesh dangling underneath the mouth of an extra fat person. Slopan ris an sgòrnan aige.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sluagh
Quotation: an sluagh. Notes: congregation.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sluagh iul run na duthcha
Nationalists.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sluaghadh
mobilisation.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sluaisreadh
the movement of the sand on the ebb-in heavy seas; or the action of the sea on the sand – the heavy seas, the waves curling over it, ‘shovelling’ it back and fore? (My own definition at the moment.) [SLIP: Movement of sand by sea.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
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
sluasaid
Quotation: Bha iad a’ tilgeil nan iomairean le sluasaid le cas fhada.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sludraich
digging foundation, for building.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slug an amadain
a red ‘sporran’ attached to maodal.
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
slugaid
a large hole which was very deep and full of water.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slugaisd
[sɫu̜ɡɑʃdʹ] Quotation: Dh’òl e slugaisd mhath. Notes: He had a considerable amount to drink.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slugaiste
admirable receipt. Tha sluaiste [sic] mhath aice. – when a boat takes more than was expected, or by filling a void which doesn’t seem to show the expection [sic] [expectation?] of a fill, slow to show. In this instance, the person recording it with a feeling of wonderment.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slugaisteadh
tonnage. (boat) Tha slugaisteadh mhath aice.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slugan
taking more than what is considered. Nach ann aige tha slugan. – (‘pre-noted’) gullet. ’S anns an t-slugadh a tha e…
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sluigeil
[sɫu̜ɡʹɑl] Quotation: a’ sluigeil. Notes: swallowing.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sluisdearachd
Quotation: a’ sluisdearachd. Notes: messing about with water or any liquid.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sluisearachd
[sɫuʃəɾɑxk] Notes: area of muddy water.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broad Cove
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sluisrich
Quotation: a’ sluisreadh. Notes: working with water, washing dishes, etc.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sluitraigan
flat stone used for skimming across surface of water.
Location: Harris, Horgabost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slup
slip, slip away. Thug iad am bata gu’n t-slup, air an t-slup.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slupach
sucking noise of liquid, mixing in slush, slushing. [SLIP: Sucking noise made by liquid or slushy material.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slupadaich
movement in mire. [SLIP: Sloshing about in a mire or mucky material.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slupaichean
holes full of water such as old peat bogs. [NOTES: corrected to ‘slubaichean’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slupraich
Quot.: “a’ slupraich”. Note: eating in a noisy, messy way.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slupranaich
e.g. slupranaich air bainne gort. ‘Slocking at sour milk.’
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slàinidh
Quotation: “Cuir strìochag ann airson slàinidh agus fàg Beathag gus a ruig thu d’athair.” Notes: Registrar’s son taking note of two girls’ names in South Lochs. (Related by my Uncle Willie, Registrar, Keose, in 1963.)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slàinte
nn f. ‘health’ : tha si’ pèin a’ faighinn ur ~ math; a bheil a chuile duine a’ faighinn an ~?
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
slàirig
Quotation: slàirig / slàirigeadh. Notes: Smacking, hitting (often with something hard, e.g. wood.) The l neutral. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slàn
Quotation: Slàn-treothadh dhuibh! Notes: said by someone coming into a newly built house for the first time.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slàn
adj. ‘hail’ : ~ leat! ‘goodbye’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
slàn
Quotation: O slàn ort! Notes: exclamation used by someone who has just been told of a death.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slàn iomradh leat
when someone was leaving home, this was said as a parting gesture.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slàn-lus
cut into small pieces. Mixed with butter and heated. Used to heal cuts.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slàpair
[sɫɑ:pəð] Note: Bithidh a bhus as a pholl. Chaneil nì ris a suath e nach tig tuar an t-salachair air.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sléiteach
Quot.: “Tha an coirce ’na shléitich.” Note: flat on the ground. “Sléiteach” also said to be an illness in cattle. Not sure what it was.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slìgeach
Notes: ‘slow; impunctual’. Of colours: ‘slìgeach liath’ = pastel shade of blue.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slìgeach
Quotation: a’ gluasad slìgeach (i.e. slaodach); duine slìgeach (sly or slow); glas, uaine slìgeach – pastel shades.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slìn
a similar contraption after the heddles through whose ‘sùilean’ the wool passes, either with one or two threads to each ‘sùil’ as the pattern requires.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
slìobaire
character of a flattery disposition, confined to males.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slìom
slime. Slìom na seilcheig – the slime left by a snail in her trail indicates her direction, her detection as the other leaving her belly-marks on the grass. I am rather hazy in informing you that the snail’s slime had the potential qualities of medicine, or curable influences – I can’t say if it was for burns. All I can say is having heard of it having some purpose towards a remedy for some subject, that is again hazy…
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slìs
bit of wood widening at its foot and used for stirring porridge. [NOTES: corrected to ‘slis’.]
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slòc bhuntàta
2 feet 6 inches deep, 2 feet wide and 10 feet long. There was another potato pit in the stackyard where potatoes for domestic use were kept. This was shaped like a rooftop and was 4 feet in height and 2½ feet wide. Potatoes were built up in this rooftop shape. Thereafter threshed corn was used to cover the potatoes. This kept them dry. Finished off with a layer of turf.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slògag
[sɫɔ:ɡɑɡ] Notes: “slates” made up of small sheaves of corn. The seed was removed and the sheaf tied at the top of the stalks. The bottom part was then spread out like a fan. This was done in autumn. They were then laid in “bundles” of a dozen over the winter. By spring they were placed flat. Put on roof like slates.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slóragan
Notes: boots that are the worse of wear/age. Worn through – too fine to begin with.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smalamas
titbits, appetising attraction in the order of food. Bheil smalamas agaibh?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smalgair
the fat that lies between the skin and the flesh.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smallag
Quotation: 1. cudaig 2. smallag (herring size) 3. glasag (small haddock size) 4. glasag dubh or [u̟kʃ] (fully grown).
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Laide, Portnacon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smathaid
[smɑ̃hidʹ] Notes: for is math dh’fhaoidte.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smeachan
foot rest on a peat iron.
Location: Lewis, Back
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smeachan
step of the peat iron (not in common use – probably a Lewis importation).
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
smeachan
the ‘step’ of the peat-iron.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
smeachan
[smɛ̃xɑṉ] Note: foot rest of the peat-cutting iron.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smeachan
the step, on the peat cutter, for the foot to exert pressure on the blade so as to cut the peat. [See tairsgeir.]
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
smeachan
a wedge like piece of wood which served the dual purpose of attaching the shaft to the blade and of providing a place for the foot to exert pressure on the blade to force it through the peat.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
smeachan
the step on the peat-iron, for pressing it down through the peat.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smeachan an iaruinn
the foot rest on the [peat] iron.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
smeadhag
[ˈsmɛ̃ɑɡ] Note: arrangement for tying cattle indoors.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smealamas
Notes: titbits of food; also (slangily?) used of courting. Source: M. A. MacLennan, Scalpay, Harris. Date: 1970.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smealamas
sweetmeat.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smealandachd
attractiveness.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smeallag
spent herring. Meant that its eggs had been planted. Used for bait and usually found in September.
Location: [South Uist], South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smeallamus
a good thing of any description. “An cat a’ glanadh aodann is duil aige ri smeallamus.”
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smeathac mart
neck tie.
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
smellig
Quotation: Cha do smellig e i [?]. Notes: of a good goal [?] at football.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smeuch
[sm[ĩɑ̃]x] Quotation: Cha robh smeuch aige. Notes: said of a person who was so drunk or out for the count in some way that he couldn’t utter a sound.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smeuradh
Quotation: stòl smeuraidh. Notes: stool or trestle on which sheep were put when they were being smeared with tar and butter.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smeuradh
Quotation: tuba smeuraidh. Notes: tub used when smearing sheep with a mixture of tar and butter.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smiach
(also) breath (note). Cha’n’eil smiach aige.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smiag (pronounced smeeag)
a piece of wood with three holes, one at each end and one in the middle. The rope forming the lamb’s collar went through the two outer holes and were fixed by means of a knot. The tether went through the centre hole and [was] kept from running through by a knot on the end.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
smiarach
to feel your way around the house without the place being late [sic] [lit?]. Would also be said of a blind person.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smiathag or perhaps smiag
again, I think this was the piece of rope which was tied round the [cow’s] neck.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
smidheag
[ˈsmĩɑɡ] Note: the piece of rope round the cow’s neck in the byre. (“Dòrnan” [q.v.] – the part attached to the “stiall” [q.v.].)
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smior-cailleach
Note: thought of as being back-bone marrow (spinal cord?). Not for eating.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smiorcadh
[smw̃ɾku̜] Quotation: Chaneil smiorcadh aig an duine sin. Notes: sense.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smiotadh
[smĩt̪əɣ] Quot.: an cat a’ smiotadh. Note: blowing through its nose. Can also be used of humans doing the same.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smiuchan
Notes: a gnome, with pejorative connotation.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smiùil
neat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smiùir
Quotation: a’ smiuireadh [sic] [smjũ̟:ɾəɣ] na caoraich. Notes: tarring the sheep as a method of disinfection.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smod
[smɔ̃d̪] Quotation: a h-uile smod dheth. Notes: piece, particle.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smodaig
used of an attractive, handsome man.
Location: Barra, Eoligarry
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
smonaigeadh
smoked. Dha smonaigeadh fhéin – a boat in a spray, in a ‘smoke spray’. Bi thu air do smonaigeadh – smoked.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smonchar
[smɔ̃ṉɔxəɾ] Quotation: Tha smonchar airgid aige. Notes: a little.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smuais
Quotation: Tha móran smuais ann. Notes: There is plenty of energy/go in him.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smugach
Notes: damp (of weather).
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smugach
misty. Latha smugach.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smugaid
Quot.: “Chan e balach le smugaid air a’ mhuinichill aige a tha seo idir.” Note: Meaning that he wasn’t backward, the more backward types being inclined to wipe their noses on their sleeves.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smuid mhath gaoithe
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
smuigeid-na-cuthaig
literally, the spit of the cuckoo bird, seen on the heather.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smuir
the finest of broken peat.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
smuiseal
[smũ̟ʃɑɫ] Quotation: a’ smuiseal. Notes: The “muzzle” of the plough. The chain from the main swingle-tree was attached to this. Had different settings to alter the position of the plough.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smur
peat-dross.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
smurach
peat dust. (Skye)
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
smusail
Quotation: an smusail [əsmuʃɑ˖ɫ]. Notes: the height and width adjuster on a master tree. [NOTES: slipped under ‘smuiseal’.]
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smutag
Note: te le sròin leathainn liabhach.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smàglach
an amount of seaweed which you can lift on a graip (gràpa). Could also mean an amount of hay lifted on a pitch fork used at harvest time – “Cuir smàglach neo dhà eile air a’ chairt.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smàglach
a small heap or handful as in putting handful of peat on fire.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
smàilleag
[smɑ̃:lʹɑɡ] Quotation: “Chaneil smàilleag aig an duine sin.” Notes: sense.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smàl
Quotation: Chaidh e ’na smàl. Notes: It went into smithereens or it went on fire.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smàl
Quotation: a’ smàladh an teine. Notes: bank up the fire at night. Barvas: “a’ tasgadh an teine” or “a’ cuir tasgadh dhan an teine”.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smàl
Quotation: a’ smàladh an gealbhan. Notes: covering up the fire.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smàladh
Quotation: a’ smàladh an teine. Notes: banking the fire.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smàladh
Quotation: a’ smaladh [sic] an teine. Notes: banking the fire.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smàladh
Quotation: “smàladh an teine”. Notes: same as “tasgadh” in Lewis.
Location: Craignish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smàladh
Quotation: Fhuair e smàladh. Notes: extreme physical punishment.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smàladh
Quotation: Cuir smàladh air an teine.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smèideadh
[smɛ̃:dʹu̜] Quotation: The e [əsmɛ̃:dʹu̜] orm. Notes: winking.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smèileabanachd
[smɛ̃ləbɑṉɑk] Quotation: Sguir dha do smeileabanachd [sic]. Notes: interfering, usually with the hands, and annoying people.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smèileabanachd
[smɛ̃:ləbɑnɑxk] Quot.: “Tha iad a’ smèileabanachd air a chèile.” Note: interfering with each other, at cross purposes.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smèileag
a good blow, not deadly. “Thug e smèileag mhath dha.” (Supplied by D. MacKillop, Berneray.)
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smìgleadh
reference to cattle nibbling at their fodder. “Dh’ith i smìgleadh dheth.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smóraigeadh
Notes: fumigating the house after the occurrence of an infectious disease.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smùdan
Quotation: Smùdan uisge. Notes: ‘drizzle.’
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smùg
Quotation: “Tha e air na smùgan.” Notes: said of a child crawling on hands and knees before it starts to walk.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smùid
intoxication.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smùid
Quotation: Tha smùid air. Notes: He is drunk – general.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smùid
(also) drunk, intoxicated. Ghabh e smùid ann an dé. (Scalpay)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smùid
at an extra working pace as: Smùid aige le sùist air an arbhar.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smùid
Fo bhuaidh an uisge-bheatha. Fo bhuaidh deoch-làidir. “Bha smùid air.” “Bha smùid mhath air.” An cumantas is ann toilichte bhios duine nuair a chanas sinn gu bheil smùid air. Nuair nach ann toilichte a bhitheas e ’se a chanas sinn: “Bha an deoch air.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smùid
Quotation: Cuiridh sinn smùid a’ mhoncaidh asda.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smùr
peat dust. (Uist and Harris)
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
smùr
fragments of peat at the bottom of creel.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
smùr
peat-dust, i.e. peat that gets broken into very small particles due to exposure to the weather or through rough handling.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
smùr
powdered peat.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
smùrach
Quotation: smùrach na moine.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smùsaich
Quotation: Tha e a’ smùsach “sweetie”. Notes: sucking a sweet.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snagadaich
(also) teeth striking against each other, as when a person shivers in the cold. [SLIP: Teeth chattering through cold.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snagadaich
chattering.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snagadaich
a movement of teeth, striking against one another as in the cold. [SLIP: Chattering (of teeth with the cold).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snagail
Quotation: fiaclan a’ snagail leis an fhuachd.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snaidheadh
Quotation: Nach i tha snaidheadh ris an uair. Notes: cutting it fine.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snaidheag
Notes: latch.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snaidhmleadh
Quotation: a’ snaidhmleadh dhubhanan. Notes: fixing the hook on to the line.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snaidhmlich
Quotation: Bha na h-easgainn bheaga air an snaidhmleadh air dubhan airson fuaidreag a dheanamh. Notes: string or thread wound round the two.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snaighichean
[sn̪ɛ̃ĩçɑ̃nʹ] Quotation: snaighichean cailc. Notes: chalk line made by a piece of string with chalk on it.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snaighichean
Quotation: snaighichean an fhiodh. Notes: with hard wood if a splinter is pulled it runs straight. Thread in wood.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snaile
marag, made inside the carcass, containing oatmeal, salt, liver, kidneys, blood, fat, pancreas.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
snaim rathad
where two or more roads join up.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snaim-ceangail
point of attachment of one piece of netting to another, a rope and an eye.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
snaod
a trail left on the water’s surface by an otter as it crosses a loch. Apart from its nose, which leaves this trail, the rest of an otter’s body is submerged. “Snaod na biast dhubh.”
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snaodh
[sn̪w̃:ɣ] Quotation: Bha snaodh mór ann an sud. Notes: a lot of people, a throng.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snaoidheadh
Quotation: Cha shnaoidheadh e a ghàirdean. Notes: Dw. has snaoth and snaothadh in sense of ‘jerk, twitch’. Source: Lewis usage (DST).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snaoidheadh
Quotation: Chan fhaighinn snaoidheadh. Notes: twisting or jerking motion of the body.
Location: Applecross, Kenmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snaoisean
Quotation: Gheibh thu snaoisean. Notes: a sudden accident or calamity, cf. sainnseal.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snaoisean
snuff. Considered valid for catarrh, that is the taking of snuff. 2. tobacco dried a little to the point of breaking it into powder when dry; the Highland bogie roll quality, then a little quantity of it inhaled into the nose, or a bit of tobacco injected, caused the sufferer of catarrh in a little while to sneeze, etc. etc. (one way)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snaoisean
Quotation: Chaidh e na shnaoisean air a’ làr. Notes: It went into smithereens on the floor.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snaosalan
a flat piece of machair land. Thinks it was a measure of land. Example of this on the machair between Stoneybridge and Penenerine [sic] [Peninerine?]. [NOTES: question mark added next to Penenerine.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snaoth
[sn̪w̃:] Quotation: an t-snaoth. Notes: funeral bier.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snaruinn
nervous fear that sets in after you have been badly shaken. “Bhuaill snàruinn e.”
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snasaich
Quotation: Shnasaich e an dà mhaide ri a chéile. Notes: two pieces of wood morticed together.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snasail
neat.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snasail
Note: neat, elegant.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snasmhòr
neat.
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
snath càraidh
mending twine.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
snath còcrach
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
snath garbh
coarse mending twine.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
snath mìn
fine mending twine.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
snath truisidh
making a garment out of the wool of another garment you have taken apart. [NOTES: ‘snath’ corrected ‘snàth’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snath-còcrach
net twine.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snathad
Pl. snathadan. The perpendicular iron bars which hold box (of cart) on to axle.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
snathad an duine mhairbh
skeleton.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snathad camaraig
a needle used for silky or expensive clothing. [NOTES: ‘snathad’ corrected to ‘snàthad’.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snathad choilear
the needle for sowing a horse’s collar.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snathad chàiridh
the mending needle.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
snathad chàraidh
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snathad lion
an earmark. Same shape as the needle used to mend nets.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snathad lion cliabh ghiomach
bha i mor seach snathad lion sgadanach [q.v.]. [NOTES: slipped under ‘snathad’ with ‘snàthad lion cliabh-ghiomaich’ as the quotation. Definition: Bha i mór seach snàthad lion sgadanach.]
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
snathad lion-sgadanach
[NOTES: slipped under ‘snàthad’ with ‘snàthad lion-sgadanach’ as the quotation.]
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
snathad lìnn
needle for mending nets.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snathad-fuaigheil
mending needle. [NOTES: slipped under ‘snàthad’ with ‘snàthad-fuaigheil’ as the quotation. Definition: Needle for mending.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snathad-lion
needle for mending fishing nets.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snathadan-lion
netting needle.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
snathaidean
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sneachd
Quotation: Tha e a’ spianadh an t-sneachd. Notes: snow falling very lightly and sparsely.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sneachd
Quotation: Chan uisg’ ach uisg’ o’n tuath ’s cha sneachd ach sneachd o’n deas.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sneachda
Quotation: sneachda biorach. Notes: small-flaked, powdery snow.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sneachda
Quotation: sneachda buidhe. Notes: snow, having lain for a long time and becoming yellowish.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sneachda
Quot.: “sneachda na Càisg”. Note: a “rotach” (spell of bad weather coming about Easter). Comes with a north wind.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sneagadaich
[ʃnʹɑ̃ɡəd̪iç] Quot.: fiaclan a’ sneagadaich. Note: teeth chattering.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sneathardaich
[sn̪ɛ̃hɑʴd̪iç] Notes: sneezing. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sneed; cheepick
1. Line. Consisted of 10-12 strings, 72 hooks per string. Hooks attached to main line. Every 6ft. By means of a thin, cotton string called a sneed and a horsehair cheepick both approx. 18" long.
Category: Iasgach / Fishing
sneic
[sṉɛ̃c] Note: for opening a door by pressing a lever down with the thumb outside making a length of flat iron, hinged at the inner end, to lift from a slot on the doorpost.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sneicean
flat stones used to fill gaps when building stone walls.
Location: Eriskay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sniagail
Quotation: a’ sniagail. Notes: sneaking.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snidhe-dubh
dropping of soot falling from the rafters of a thatched house. (Harris)
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snigean
… snigean air. A person used to pat someone on the shoulder and interj. or it was perhaps? and he would say ‘snigean air’? It’s obsolete, the word. I have not the meaning at the moment. You may have it?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snighe
water seeping down walls.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snighe
[ʃnʹĩə] Notes: water leaking in through the roof.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snighe
[ʃnʹĩə] Notes: water leaking through the roof.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snighe
sooty water from the roof.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
snighe
Quotation: an t-snighe dhubh. Notes: drip from the roof in the old thatched houses.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snighe
Quotation: an t-snighe dhubh. Notes: drip through the roof in thatched houses.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snighe
Quotation: an t-snighe. Notes: the water coming through the thatch of a blackhouse.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snighe-dubh
Notes: water coming in at the chimney.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snioghan-iteach
Notes: ant that flies and makes a whistling noise.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sniomh
(also) a winding, a grassy winding path in a rock face. [SLIP: A grassy, winding path on a rock face.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sniomh
a track in a cliff-face, of a grassy nature.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snithe-dubh
soot droppings from the inside of the thatch of a [sic].
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snoat?
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
snoc
neat, dainty.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
snodha
Quotation: Rinn e snodha [sn̪ɔ̃ə] gaire. Notes: a chortle.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snodha-gàire
Quotation: Rinn e [osnɔ]-gàir’ [?].
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snodhach
Notes: shoots from a sprouting potato.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snodhach
The sprout on potato.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
snoigiseach
[sn̪ɔ̃ɡʹiʃɑx] Quotation: duine snoigiseach. Notes: huffy, touchy man.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snothach
[sn̪ɔ̃ʔɔ̃x] Notes: shoots growing on potatoes before planting.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàgail
Quotation: Bha am bàta ri snàgail. Notes: slow movement.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàil marag
Mixture: oatmeal, suet, salt etc., kneaded inside the cavity made while carcase was still warm. Skin of marag was the anal canal turned inside out and thoroughly washed. Mixture was pressed into anal canal which was kept moist and warm in basin of hot water.
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
snàilean
Quotation: snàilean siochaidh. Notes: thread used in curing a sprain.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàinean
Quotation: snàinean-biathaidh. Notes: parallel pieces of twine, placed from top to bottom in the middle of the lobster creel, with two sliding loops on them to secure bait.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàithnean
Quotation: snàithnean biathaidh. Notes: the string from top to bottom of a lobster creel which holds the bait.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàth
Quotation: an t-snàth. Notes: Used of a herring-net by Neil MacLeod (Kershader). Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàth
Quotation: snàth còcrach. Notes: used for net-mending.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàth
Quotation: snàth cuthaigidh. Notes: marl wool.
Origin: Harris [?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàth-cògrach
net mending twine, or fishing net mending twine. [NOTES: slipped under ‘snàth’ with ‘snàth-cògrach’ as the quotation. Definition: Twine for mending nets.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàthad
Quotation: snàthad cliùchdaireachd. Notes: net-mending needle.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàthad
Quotation: snàthad na speal. Notes: wire from “crann” of scythe to the blade.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàthad
Quot.: snàthad a’ bhiùirne. Note: axle through pirn with hole at the end. (spinning wheel)
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàthad
Quotation: snàthad na spealadh. Notes: the wire supporting the blade of the scythe.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàthad
Quotation: an t-snàthad. Notes: the pin fixing the shafts to the box of the cart.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàthadh
to eat as in cows eating grass. “Shnàthadh iad sin feur gu leor.”
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
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
snàthla
previously described. Can add that the person needing this ‘snàthla’ was not to speak to anyone on the way to and from his destination. Naturally there would be much fun as people tried to break the code of silence.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàthlus
a thin leaf boiled with fresh butter and wax to give it a solidified state. Used as an ointment for cuts.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snèip
Quotation: toll shnèip. Notes: turnip pit.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snéicear
a peeping Tom or a keyhole Kate.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
snìomh
Quotation: “Chuir e snìomh ’na chois.” or “Shnìomh e a chois.” Notes: He twisted his leg or foot.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snìsair
not sure of meaning but had something to do with boats. [NOTES: corrected to ‘snisair’.]
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snòd
Quotation: snòd spealadh. Notes: the piece of wire from the blade to the shaft of a scythe.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snòd
[sn̪ɔ̃:d̪] Quotation: a’ toirt tuilleadh snòd dhan a’ lion. Notes: about one fathom length of rope between the top of the herring net and the bolla.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snòd
Notes: the length of thin line attaching the hook to the main line.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snòt
Quotation: a’ snòtadh. Notes: hinting. [NOTES: slipped under ‘snòtadh’.]
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snòt
[sn̪ɔ̃:t̪] Note: the piece of line attaching the hook to the “druim” of the small-line or great-line.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snòt
[rope] to which hooks attached.
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
snòt
cast or gut to which hooks attached.
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
snòth
Quotation: snòth gàire [sn̪ɔ̃:ɡɑ:ɾə]. Notes: a smile. [NOTES: slipped under ‘snodh’.]
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snòthaid
a trap for catching birds.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snòthdachadh
sniffing at something with your nose touching the commodity, e.g. a cow sniffing at water.
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snótail
[sn̪õ:t̪ɑl] Quot.: “Tha i gu math snótail.” Note: snooty, haughty.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
so-bhiadhta
Quot.: “Chan fhaca mi beathach a riamh cho so-bhiadhta ris.” Note: easy to feed, would eat anything.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sobhadh
satisfaction.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sobhal
used to store hay and potatoes.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sobhrach
Primrose. Disease: infested heel wound (at a bhuinn duibh). Part used: the leaves only. How prepared: the leaves placed on the wound with poultice of oatmeal, placed as hot as the patient could accept. Sources of information: my mother doing it.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
soc
(a’ chroinn) Plogh sock. (next sect.) [NOTES: i.e. (b) Parts of a plough in detail; comment added later.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
soc-luinge
prow of boat or ship.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
socachadh
going into place as a boat in a pit, making her bed so to speak from ‘socadh’, another form of the word.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
socag
[sɔxkɑɡ] Quotation: Tha socag mhath a’ seo. Notes: said to be what is lifted by the grape from the one shaw of potatoes. A grapeful. (rocag mhath – good yield)
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
socair
Quotation: Air do shocair ort. Notes: Just a minute.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
socharach
Quotation: Is miosa an t-socharach na mheàrla. Notes: The man who is easily led would be liable to give everything away.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
socrach
Quotation: duine ciùin, socrach. Notes: a quiet man.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
socraich
Quotation: a’ socrachadh na fòid. Notes: there were usually two men and a boy on the first peat (see SGIOBA). The boy did the “socrachadh” on the top of the bank, i.e. putting in place the peats thrown by the one who was forking.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sodal
flattery.
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
sodal
[sɔd̪əɫ] Quotation: Rinn an cù sodal rium nuair a thàinig mi. Notes: It showed pleasure by making a fuss.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sodalan
Note: cealgach, dà-bhialach, leam-leat. “Cho caochlaideach, seachranach ri beachdan sodalan.”
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sodarra
Quotation: Tha a ghaoth ag eirigh. Bi e gu math sodarra anns an t-eilein an diugh.
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sodhla
flooring in a boat.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Ceannaraigh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sogamas
Quotation: Rinn e sogamas ris. Notes: greeting [?].
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sogan
used when someone is in good fettle. “Bha sogan math air an diugh.”
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sogan
Quotation: Bha sogan math air. Notes: happy mood.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sogh
air sogh – for joy; fa shogh – at ease, in comfort.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sogladh
means to have a good chat and some refreshment. “Thig a staigh is ni sinn sogladh.” A Barra word.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soic
[sɔiçc] Notes: upturned nose as that of a pig.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soiceadh
[sɔicəɣ] Quotation: Bha e a’ soiceadh timchioll. Notes: rummaging, nosing about.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soideanach
a big sturdy man or a creature of more than the ordinary size. Nach b’e soideanach e.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soilleir
Quotation: buidhe soilleir. Notes: bright yellow. (Wool-dyeing.)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soillt
fat of a herring (blonaig). (Melness)
Origin: Applecross [mother]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soirbhean
[sɔɾɑṉ] Notes: a small door at the back of a barn used for creating a draught for winnowing.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soirbheas
[sɤðɛəs] Quotation: Tha soirbheas math ann airson càthadh. Notes: There is a fair breeze for winnowing.
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
soisgeal
whereabouts, redemption. Cha fhaca mi càil dha soisgeal. [NOTES: in the example ‘soisgeal’ was originally spelt ‘shoisgeal’ but then ‘h’ was crossed out. The quotation on the slip reads: ‘Chan fhaca mi càil dha shoisgeal’. Definition: Wherebouts.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soitheach
Quotation: soitheach an laoidh [söʔəxəlʹööç]. Notes: the womb.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soitheach
Quotation: soitheach dà bhòrd. Notes: (Kershader) toy boat: top board, shaped like boat deck [and] keel (piece of lead fixed to it). Not in Dwelly.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soitheach
Quotation: anairt shoithichean. Notes: dish towel.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soitheach
Quotation: dòrtadh shoithichean. Notes: a heavy downpour.
Origin: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soitheach
Quotation: soitheach an laoigh; soitheach an t-searraich. Notes: womb.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soitheach-chnap (I)
Dèanta à cnap fiodha agus air a cladhach. Cumadh oirre, agus broinn innte, dìreach mar eathar mór.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
soitheach-chuairt, soitheach-thimchill (I)
Soitheach agus broinn innte – dìreach mar eathar ceart, agus timchill oirre. Dèanta de fhiodh tana a ghabhadh lùbadh. A h-uile càil oirre dìreach mar eathar mór. Ach ’s e corra dhuine de na balaich a bhiodh cho làmhcharach agus gun dèanadh e tè.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
soithean
Quotation: cudainn, céiteinneach, piocach, soithean, ucsa.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
solach
[ˈsoLəx] Quotation: a’ solach air bainne. Notes: gulping down greedily.
Location: Lewis, Bernera
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
solaraich
Quotation: Feumaidh an duine ud solaradh airson a theaghlach. Notes: earn, procure by hard work.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soll
Note: bait thrown out to attract cuddies when rock fishing. Boiled potatoes, mashed, often used.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soll
mussels, limpets, crabs, in fact, any shell-fish, mashed up with a stone and thrown into the sea to attract fish. Boiled cold potatoes, crushed in the hand were sometimes used when enough shell-fish could not be had.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soll
[sɤu̜ɫ] Notes: mashed shellfish thrown out to attract fish.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
solladh
crushed crabs, limpets etc. to attract fish to the rock.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
solladh
[soɫəɣ] Quotation: a’ solladh. Notes: breaking down shellfish for bait.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sollais
[soɫɑʃ] Quotation: Rinn e sollais air an fheòil. Notes: He ate a lot of meat, more than he would normally have eaten.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sollais
[soɫɑʃ] Quot.: “Ghabh e sollais dheth.” Note: He ate a lot of it. Also: “Rinn e sollais air.” – He made a feast of it.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
solta
patient.
Origin: Skye
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
solus
Quotation: solus biorach. Notes: phosphorescent light seen in soft places on the ground.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
solus
Quotation: solus-putan. Notes: button wrapped in a piece of cloth, put in a dish of tallow and lit.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
solus
Quotation: Chaneil biug soluis anns a lampa. Notes: There isn’t a glimmer of light in the lamp.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
solus
Quotation: a’ solus ùr. Notes: the new moon.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
solus
Quotation: solus mùgach. Notes: a dim light.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
solus gealbhan
[ɡʹaɫəvɑn] death lights. [SLIP: the slip has [ɡʹaɫəvaṉ]. Definition: Death light.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
solus no lias
airson iasg a mharbhadh air aibhnichean is uillt aig àm claidh [?]. [NOTES: ‘morgh’ and ‘solus no lias’ are enclosed in a brace but it is not clear what the relation between them is and whether the illustration and definition refer to both of them.] [NOTES: no slip for ‘solus’ or ‘lias’ found. The slip with ‘morgh’ contains only the illustration.]
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
solus-slàn
reference to the full moon. [See solus-làn.] The term, I am afraid, is hardly used, if at all, now, if I may say, anywhere?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
son
[sɔ̣n] Quotation: air a shon sin ’s air fad.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sonc
direct. Chaidh e sios sonc. – when anything falls into the sea, the remark is made, in other words without a ‘slither’. Pronounced like the word ‘song’ in English but for the ‘c’ at the end which gives a ‘hard’ sound. It’s not obsolete – still in current use.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sonn-chathair
strong city.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sonn-chrith
great trembling.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sooan
sowans: made from the sids after corn was at the mill.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
soogan
heather and/or straw ropes.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sop
Quotation: sop arbhair; sop fodair. Notes: a single straw.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sop as gach seid
similarly [cf. ath sgeimail] used of a person changing jobs frequently.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sop-suiridhe
Quot.: “Ach, ’s ann a bha e sadail sop-suiridhe ort!” Note: said by my grandfather to my mother when she’d come home from home [sic] complaining that a boy had been throwing clods of earth at her.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sopachan
Notes: heather dish and pot scourer.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sopag
Notes: a bundle of heather only or heather filling a hazel framework as a door.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sopag
[sop̊ɑɡ̊] Quotation: sopag de fhraoich; de fhraoich no de challuinn [sic].
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soplais
[sɔplɑʃ] Notes: soapy water.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sorachan
a rock upon which you sat when shearing sheep.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sorachan
a creel stand built up of turf or flat peats. With the loaded creel rested here it was easy to get it on to one’s back. A later version made of wood had the advantage of being portable. This was nicknamed (in Point, Lewis) ‘Seonaidh’.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sorachan
a pile of peats on which the people sat at any interval.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sorachan mònach
a stack of peats for sitting upon.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
soran
Notes: a small opening or door in the wall of a barn opposite the main door, to create a draught for winnowing.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sorchair
to illuminate. “Shorchair thu sgeul dhomhsa.”
Location: Barra, Ard Mhinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sorn
the platform of the kiln.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sorn
a platform with a hole in its centre. [Cf. sorrag.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sorn
raised stone platform beside the fire. Also used for the wall inside a kiln.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sornan
[sɔ:rṉɑ̟ṉ] small skate.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sorochan
a rough and ready seat made with stones or peats – two or three piled on top of one another. Sorochan mónadh. Sorochan chlach.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sorrachan
a rock upon which you would have a rest, breather.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
sos
quite a portion. Fhuair e sòs [sic] math, cuibhrionn mhath.
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sos
[sɔs] Quotation: Thoir a’ sos dhan a’ chù. Notes: scraps, mixed-up food, as for a dog.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sotal (sic)
[sɔt̪ɑɫ] Quotation: Rinn an cù sotal rium. Notes: adj. sotalach [sɔt̪ɑɫɑx]. Sodal.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sothadh
having a good go at something, belly full.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soubhester
souvester [sic] [sou’wester?], headgear worn by fishermen in rainy and stormy weather.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soucein
instrument, usually spiked, attached to a calf’s mouth to prevent its suckling its mother.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
sound
vb ‘sound’ : past: sh. e uamhasach math
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
spac (f)
a “match”, a game; spac iomain, spac ghleacaidh, etc. (N.E.)
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spad
Notes: to kill? Usually only in threats – spadaidh mi e ma chì mi e.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spad-mhór
Notes: spade used for lining turf on peat-bank.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spadag
Notes: a nasty aspersion; not quite as strong as defamation, alladh. Can also pass for innuendo.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spageitean
invented word for spaghetti? I am afraid I am hazy about this word. I am afraid again I cannot give you a quotation in connection with its use. I’ll enquire!
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spagh
[spɤɣ] Notes: swathe.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spagh
[spɤɣ] Notes: a swathe.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spagh
Notes: swathe.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spagh
[spɤɣ] Notes: swathe, e.g. of corn.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spagh
[spɤɣ] Note: swathe.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spaid
Quotation: spaid riachadh [spɑdʹrıɤxəɡ]. Notes: rutting spade.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spaid
spade, used usually for turfing the peat-bank.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
spaid-riachaidh
[spedʹriɑxi] Notes: rutting spade for lining the peat bank.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spaideadh
barley placed in a tub and beaten with a spade until the caulk came off.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spaidsearachd
Quot.: “Seall air a’ spaidsearachd ann a sud!” Note: applied to a person striding about rather full of himself. (Also spaidsear.)
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spaigh
[spɤi] Notes: swathe.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spainn adhairc
a spoon made from cattle’s horn.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spainneadh
Quotation: Thug i spainneadh orm. Notes: She snapped at me (verbally).
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spairidh (?)
[spɑɾi] Quotation: Cha robh móran [spɑɾi] aige. Notes: furniture. Sparraich (Dwelly): household furniture – Islay.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spal-dubh
Quotation: Bha spal-dubh air a’ ghualainn. Notes: black round spot on the fleece of sheep. (Ball-dubh?)
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spalaic
[spɑlɑc] Quot.: “Chaidh e sios a’ rathad ’s abair spalaic!” Note: said of a person full of himself and very conscious of his appearance. (Also: duine spalaiceach.)
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spalpadh piob
playing bagpipes with great zeal and enthusiasm.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spannadh
a drop of milk or water. Usually heard as – “Cha robh spannadh bainne aice.”
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spaoiligean
[spwliɡʹɑṉ] Quotation: spaoiligean salainn. Notes: a pinch, say of salt.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spaoiligean
[spwlıɡʹɑṉ] Quotation: spaoiligean sìl. Notes: a seed.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spaoiligean (?)
[spwlıɡʹɑṉ] Quotation: Bha [spwlıɡʹɑṉ] dubh air a’ choirce dhubh. Notes: grain?
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spar-deiridh
Notes: cross-piece at rear end of cart.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spar-feannaig
wooden spar at each end with the ropes going round it.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
spar-fheannaig
Quotation: An spar-fheannaig. Notes: rope securing thatch goes round the “spar-fheannaig”.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spar-gaoitheadh
Notes: the “ceangal” at the end of a black-house which protruded.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spar-toisich
Notes: cross-piece at front of cart.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sparchas
(also) feet spars, wooden support to the feet in rowing a boat. The wooden 2x2 or 3x3… was crosswise putting your feet against it while pulling at the oars.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sparr gaoithe
a small beam between both couples in a thatched house. This small beam was almost next to the ridge.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sparradh (?)
Quotation: a’ sparradh [əspɑrə]; pl. na sparrannan. Notes:
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sparran
four of these were attached to both sides of the cart frame. A small frame was then secured to these – beul na cairt [? – ‘beul na cairt’ appears as the next catch-word but it seems to follow from this definition.]
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sparran gaoithe
bit of wood that ran across the couples.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sparts
leather etc. (leg) covers, buttoned or with brace or shoe-string fastenings.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spat-tò
dandy; a well-dressed, immaculate male.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spathal
[ˈspɑəɫ] Notes: shuttle.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spathalag
[ˈspɑəɫɑɡ] Notes: big wooden spoon.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spatogha
a well-dressed man, a ‘swell’.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spatò
dandy, well dressed. I used to hear this word from an old lady, now deceased. She used to say: Nach bu tu ’n spatò ’n diugh, abair spatò! [SLIP: Dandy; a well-dressed person. (rare now)]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
speal
Quotation: a’ speal Ameireaganach. Notes: a scythe which just had the one shaft with two pegs on it.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spealadairean
wee boats in the 20 feet keel sizes, were termed as ‘spealadairean’ when engaged in the herring fishing at Scalpay, in Harris.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spealeatrom
a session, such as: Thug e spealeatrom air a phiob or Thug i spealeatrom air trod.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spealg
Quotation: ’S e spealg dheth fhéin a sgoltas an darach.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spealg
Quotation: spealg ubh. Notes: egg-shell.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spealtan
Splinters. Disease: broken bones. How prepared: strips of wood adjusted against the injury, and kept in position by strips of cloth secured firmly round and round the splinters and tied, knotted. Sources of information: local.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
spearchal
rustling, scratching sound made by a mouse. “Luch a’ spearchal thall an sud.”
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spearrach
rope or string used to tie the legs of a hen to stop it scratching.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spearrach
Notes: hobble on sheep and cattle.
Origin: [?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spearrach
[spjɑrɑx] Note: device put on a sheep to prevent it from straying. A piece of rope attached to the back and front legs on the same side.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spearreach
This was a piece of rope tied round ‘iosgaid’, what we called the hough, this was put on a sheep for three or four days to stop it from jumping into corn or going where she should not go. I’ve never seen anything put on cattle. The string or whatever was used could not be left on too long as it would cut into the leg, I’ve often seen that happen.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
speideas
[spedʹɑs] Quotation: Cha d’thug iad móran speideas dha. Notes: They didn’t take much heed of what he had to say. They didn’t lay much store by what he said.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
speideas
[spedʹɑs] Quot.: “Chaneil duine a’ toirt speideas dha.” Note: Nobody takes heed of what he says (because it’s not worth listening to).
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
speil
taking a turn at anything.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
speilbheis
Quotation: Nach ann annad a tha an speilbheis. Notes: “duine bhiodh fadalach ag ithe”.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
speileaban
[speləbɑṉ] Note: game of “Cat and Bat”. See speilean (Dw.).
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
speileabhais (?)
[speləvɑʃ] Quotation: “Dé a’ [speləvɑʃ] a th’ort?” “Na bith [speləvɑʃ] ris.” Nach ann annad a tha a’ [speləvɑʃ]. Notes: said to a person picking at his food, having very little appetite.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
speilean
[spelɑ̃ṉ] Quot.: “a’ cluich speilean”. Note: A game somewhat akin to rounders. A small hollow was made in the ground and a line drawn about 15 yards from it. The apparatus consisted of a ball or cork float (usually the latter), a stick about 9" long (speilean) and a bat like a putter bat (caman) – a flat board about 1 ft long and about 5" wide with a handle attached. Two opposing teams were chosen by two captains. The first side to “bat” was chosen by drawing lots (a’ cur crann). The other team was spread out behind the line, as “fielders”. The “speilean” was put into the hollow at an angle with one end sticking up and the cork float lying on the end in the hollow. The first to bat would shout “Ready?” The other team would say “Tha” and the batter would strike down the protruding end of the “speilean”, causing the cork to be ejected into the air. The batter would then hit it as far as he could. If the cork was caught by a member of the opposing team before it hit the ground, he was out and the next member of the team batted until all were out. If it is not caught the first fielder to reach it gives the batter a “fair” [fɛ:əɾ], throwing it to him so that he can strike it again. If it is caught, he is out. If not, the first fielder to get it rolls it from that spot trying to get it into the hole or as near as possible. This is called “a’ spìocadh” [spi:kəɣ]. If it is holed or comes to rest within a bat’s length of the hole, the batter is out. If it is outside this range, the distance from the hole is measured in bat lengths, the number of lengths being the number of points scored by that player. He carries on until he’s out, then the rest of the team bat in turn until all are out. The other team then bat and all the points totted up, the winner being the side with the highest points.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
speilean
a game like cricket. A hole a few inches deep was dug with heel and a stump was placed there. The ball was made with cow’s hair being rubbed on the cow’s back till a sufficient size was attained. Hereafter the ball was placed in the aforementioned hole. Now with ten people on each side the stump was hit by a ‘caman’, a process which caused the ball to shoot up out of the hole. Once this happened the ball was met on the volley with the ‘caman’ and hit as far as possible. Play continued like this until the ball was caught.
Origin: [Harris]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
speilean
game played with bat and stick which hoisted ball from hollow (cat and bat?). I have forgotten the rules.
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
speilipan
See attached slip. [NOTES: the following copied from the attached piece of paper.] L – Lever, which was hit with a bat, cromag [?] stave etc., which flung the ball into the air. From then the game was similar to cluich air house i.e. rounders. When the players were few, the catcher had the privilege of wielding the bat. There was quite an art in playing the ball in the hole: central, or to the left slightly or to the right slightly depending on how the field was set. Also the wielding of the bat gave room for the display of skill. Hit for 4, hit for 6 or interval for trot.
Location: Leodhas [Lewis], an taobh siar
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
speilm
Quotation: Tha speilm agam air. Tha dà speilm agam air, etc. Notes: scoring a point over an opponent in sport.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
speirbhiseach
[spɤðɤviʃɔx] Quot.: duine speirbhiseach. Note: a dapper man (neat and tidy).
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
speur
Quotation: cuairt na speur. Notes: horizon.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
speur dearg
’Sa mhadainn – comharradh gu bheil droch shìde a bhi againn. ’San fheasgair – comharradh math air an t-sìde.
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
speur dearg
Ma tha e ri ’fhaicinn tha fiughair ri gaoth an eara-dheas gun dàil. Speur dearg anns a’ mhadainn trath anns an Earrach bha fiughair ri an-shìd gun dàil.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
spian
[spĩɤ̃ṉ] Quotation: Tha e cho tioram ris a spian. Notes: completely dry.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spian
Quotation: Tha e a’ spianadh an t-sneachd. Notes: snow falling very lightly and sparsely.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spianagan
when pulling wool or material which when pulled apart shows fragmentary bits from the effect blown in the wind thus from the ‘spianagan’ due to the ‘wee pulling’. 2. (also) whirlwind effect in the wind, sudden gusts, from ‘spianadh’ – giving a strong jerk.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiantag (pl. spiantagan)
what is pulled from a tweed material in the form of wool.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spideag
a delicate or slender creature. “Tha spideag air.” – Tha an deoch air.
Location: Harris, Borisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spidean
Quotation: a’ cluich spidean. Notes: pitch and toss.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spidean-spaidean
prim and neat person. Now I am not sure of this term: but I think you may use it as noted above. Vaguely, I presume this to be as such reference dispense: Nach bu tu ’n spidean-spaidean? (old usage)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spidein
skimming stones across a stretch of water. Others call this ‘struitairachd’.
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiocaid
[spjwxkɑdʹ] Quotation: spiocaidean buidhe. Notes: yellow rivets used in soling shoes.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiodean
statue like frame of a person, not fragile, stiff, immovable.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spioglaich
a person gives a wee shake to himself when on a point of departure, say with someone else while in conversation; shuggle [?], chuckle [sic] [was shuggle meant?] with touch up or touch to the dress.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiol
Notes: Sense of ‘picking meat off bones’ is not made clear in Dwelly. Source: Lewis usage (D.S.T.).
Location: Lewis
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
spionadh
[sp̊i:ṉəɣ] Quotation: a falbh agus a’ spionadh a’ fhraoich.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spionadh
Spionadh na circe – defeathering a bird.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiondral gél
weather conditions rapidly approaching gale force conditions. Blustery, windy conditions.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spionnadh
Quotation: a’ gabhail an spionnadh. Notes: testing the strength of the spirit (whisky). Done by excisemen.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiorachcadh
swearing at.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiorad
Quotation: spiorad air a thilgeil air. Notes: Mgr. Moraidh’s (Garrabost minister) theory that every blade of grass between midnight and 3am had a “spiorad air a thilgeil air,” acc. to Catriona Mhór.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spioraich
[See spioglaich.] Chuckle [sic] (only). (Scalpay pronunciation)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiorsaid
an unpopular, authoritative female. [SLIP: An unpopular, authoritarian woman.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spitheag
Quotation: A’ caitheamh spitheagan air na cearcan. Notes: raking up muck about someone.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiucaid
[spjwxkɑdʹ] Notes: bung (boat). Toll a’ spiucaid: bunghole.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiul
Quotation: a’ spiulladh cearc. Notes: plucking.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiulag
Quotation: O spiulag ort! Notes: addressing someone who’d had some accident, e.g. had just dropped a cup, or something like that.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiulg
[spu̜ɫu̜ɡ] Quot.: (1) “a’ spiulgadh buntàta”. (2) “a’ spiulgadh ubh”. (1) breaking the shoots of potatoes which have been in for the winter. (2) shelling a boiled egg.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiullag
Quotation: Cha do dh’ith mi spiullag bithidh an diugh.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiùnn
[spiũ̜:n̪] Quotation: Cho tioram ris a’ spiùnn. Notes: a tinderbox for catching sparks.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
splaidheagan
falling flat on your front. “Thuit mi air mo splaidheagan.”
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
splaidse
a bald patch.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
splatsair
a person going about throwing everything all over the place. Perhaps from splashing. [SLIP: A person who throws things about.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spleog
Quotation: Thuit e ’na spleog. Notes: He fell flat on his face.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spleogaigeadh
Quotation: nighean gu spleogaigeadh fhein airson an dannsa. Notes: applying to cosmetic arts.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spliachd
a big spread, e.g. a large spread of food at a wedding or other social function. Also used for extensive news coverage of an incident.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spliachdadh
to stare or gaze at something or other. “Bha e a’ spliachdadh ùine mhór ’san uinneag.”
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spliadh (f?)
Quotation: spliadhan móra chasan. Notes: spleadh – Dwelly. Splay feet.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spliathach
splay footed. Same as ‘pliathach’.
Location: Barra, Eoligarry
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
spliongag (f)
Notes: bouncing flat stones on water. Splionag [sic] is the stone or one cast (e.g. se spliongag mhath a tha sud).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spliucach
drizzly, miserable weather. [NOTES: corrected to ‘spliugach’.]
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spliutarachd
Quotation: a’ spliutarachd air bàrdachd. Notes: dabbling in the composing of poetry.
Location: Stornoway, Melbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spliùcan
[splu̜:xkɑ̃ṉ] Notes: tobacco pouch; leggings, spats.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
splog
[spɫɔɡ] Quotation: Tha [spɫɔɡ] air. Notes: said of a dour or grim-faced person, e.g. when lower lip is turned down.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
splogaig
Quotation: Bha i na splogaigeadh fhéin. Notes: splog.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
splug
Quotation: “Nach ann oirre bha splug.” “A splugadaich ’s a caoineadh.” Notes: sobbing.
Location: Craignish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
splugan (pl)
Notes: wattles on a hen or cock.
Location: Craignish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spluitrigeadh
Quotation: Dé an spluitrigeadh a th’ ort? A’ spluitrigeadh anns an oidhche. Notes: walking aimlessly.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
splèacan
hoe or mattock (Perths.). (spleadh-ag-an?)
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
splòcan
[spɫɔ:kɑṉ] Notes: swollen throat in cattle.
Origin: Arisaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
splòic
mumps. Traditional word instead of ‘at busach’.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
splòic
[spɫɔ:ıçc] Quotation: a’ splòic. Notes: mumps.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spochadh
a retort. Leig mi spochadh thuige. – an abrupt shout to frighten a person who may [be] doing something or attempting to do something he shouldn’t do.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spochadh
angrily threatening someone.
Location: Benbecula, Creagorry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spog-dhubh
the skin becoming black, perhaps through the blood circulation from the disease thrombosis. Birds wouldn’t, will not eat from, disdain to eat the dead carcase.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
spoileagadh
operation.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
spolt froise / thairneanach
mass, lump, great quantity.
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spoltadh
carve up into pieces, e.g. meat, fish.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spor iomraidh
a wooden block in front of the rowing seat which served as a support for the person who was rowing.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sporadh
Quotation: a’ sporadh an eich. Notes: goading on the horse.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sporadhalan
making a noise in the house. “Sporadhalan shios ’sa chlòsaid.” [Cf. sporra thiathadh.]
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sporan
Quotation: spòran [sic] cas feannaig. Notes: skate’s pouch.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sporan
Quotation: sporan feannaig. Notes: dogfish spawn? Found on seashore.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sporan-feannaig
egg of skate or dogfish.
Location: Uibhist a Tuath, Ceann a Bhàigh [North Uist, Bayhead]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
sporan-fithich
Note: skate’s pouch.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sporan-stàrraig
the spawning pouch from which the early stages of the dog-fish maturing process is attributed thus: [see illustration]. [SLIP: The spawning pouch (dog-fish).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sporra thiathadh
same meaning as ‘sporadhalan’ above.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sporran feannaig
skate egg case.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spoth
this word was used in Harris thus: An t-sùil (evil eye) nach do bheannaich e dh’amhairc i giar air ’s bheireadh i ’n toradh á spoth nan ean-fiathach.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spoth
castration.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
spoth
castration.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect)
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
spoth
castrating. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
spoth
Quotation: a’ spoth nan uan. Notes: castrate.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spoth
[spɔ] Quot.: “spoth a’ chullaich”. Note: dropping stones into the water. A pastime.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spoth
castrate. Tha mi dol gam spoth.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
spoth an fhoid
a backward tilt to the iron after the downward cut: to enable the peat to come off clearly.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
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
spoth an tairbh
skimming stones across a stretch of water. Others call this ‘struitairachd’.
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spoth a’ fad
Cut the peat clean and neatly off the iron with a flick of the iron.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
spoth chullaich
sink head foremost, anything that sinks rapidly.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spoth-an-tairbh
Note: picking a very flat stone and throwing it into the water so as not to cause a splash.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spoth-neimh
when a stone was thrown straight up, it came down with great force, entering the water without a splash. The sharp report it made was called ‘spoth-’ or ‘sgoth-neimh’.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sprachdail
Quotation: duine sprachdail. Notes: duine bragail.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sprat
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sprat (f)
Notes: pl. – sprats.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spratan
knife for removing limpets.
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
spreadh
Quotation: a’ spreadhadh iasg [spɾeəɡ]. Notes: triple hook attached to a line and pulled through a shoal of fish. (acfhuinn spreadhaidh)
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spreadhadh
[spre-ək] Quotation: Chan eil móran spreadhadh innt’ airson airgead. Notes: used of a person not too willing to spend money.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spreadhadh
Quotation: acfhuinn spreadhaidh. Notes: triple hook attached to a line and pulled through a shoal of fish.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spreadhadh
[spðɛɑɣ] Quotation: a’ spreadhadh. Notes: bursting.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spreadhadh
[spðɛɑɣ] Quotation: Thug e spreadhadh as. Notes: He took a sudden fright, jump.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spreidh
herd or any collection of cattle.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
spreig
Quotation: a’ spreigeadh [əspɾeɡʹəɣ]. Notes: to spur something on.
Origin: Barra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spreigean
[spɾeɡʹɑṉ] Notes: a match.
Location: Coll, Ben Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spreigein
[spɾeɡʹɛ̃nʹ] Notes: a match.
Location: Vatersay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spreot dhall
jib-boom on a sail boat.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spring
the string by which buoy is attached to back-rope.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
spriotag
Notes: Not in Dw. Splash (of the order of a drop or two). Pl. spriotagan. Vn. spriotagaich, spriotagraich. Source: Lewis usage recalled (D.S.T.). Date: March, 1973.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spriotag
“Chaidh Dòmhnull beag a losgadh le spriotag bho an phrais lite.” – A throw-out bho an phrais nuair a bhiodh i a’ goil, ’sa’ goil gu math. Is iomadh uair a fhuair sinn dathadh bho an nì a bha seo. Timchioll mu an teine le na casan lomnochd.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spriullag
toes of deceased tied together with string or a strand of corn. “Spriullag ortsa.” – this would be said to a person who would be arguing or debating with you.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spriullag
[spðiu̜ɫəɡ] Notes: broken crockery. “A’ spriullag”: breaking crockery. O! [spðiu̜ɫəɡ] ort: mild imprecation.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spriullag
[spðiu̜ɫəɡ] Quotation: Spriullag ort! Notes: mild imprecation. Used e.g. when a person was given a sudden fright.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sprod
splinter of wood. An t’fhuair thu cail? (wood). Cha t’fhuair sprod. [NOTES: the quotation on the slip has ‘d’fhuair’ and ‘càil’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sprogan
Quotation: “A! chan eil càil as fheàrr leam na sprogan math air boireannach.” (The Piseag, Keose, to my Auntie Bella, who had one such.) Notes: Dw. has sprogaill in sense of crop, dewlap, double chin and sprogan ‘small tuft of hair under chin of deer’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sprogan
loose flesh between the two front legs of a cow extending down from its throat.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Ardivachar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spruis
Quotation: spruis ghlas. Notes: fir.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spréidheach
Having a number of cattle.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
sprògan
a lump on the body of cattle, caused by a cold in the udder, which followed calving. [NOTES: corrected to ‘sprogan’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spuadag
[shinty] A hit at the ball. It also meant a blow given to a person. “Thug mi spuadag air.” – ‘I gave him a blow.’
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
spudraisg
[spu̟d̪ɾiʃɡʹ] Quot.: “spudraisg de bhrochan, de lit”. Note: a thin, watery mixture.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spuilg
Quotation: Fhuair e an t-ubh spuilgte dha. Notes: He got something on a plate, without much effort. Sometimes “sgealpte dha”.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spuilgean
crux interpretationis eile.
Location: [various]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spuilleag
a term associated with a wee boy or girl, ’spiller’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spuir
[spu̟ɾ] Quotation: pl [spu̟ɾəṉ]. Notes: hard growth on the inside of a horse’s knee.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spuir
[spu̟ð] Note: two iron prongs attached to the rudder and fitting into the iron loops on the sternpost. Functioned as hinges.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spuir-eòin
I am not sure of this as being a birthmark at the moment. I think you could be quite safe in noting likewise, that is if you haven’t any other definition.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
spulgadh
[spu̜ɫəɡəɣ] Quotation: a’ spulgadh chnomhan. Notes: shelling.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spung
[spɤ̃ũ̟ɡ] Quot.: “Chaneil spung aige.” Note: He has no sense whatever.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spungaid
[spɤ̃ũ̟ɡɑdʹ] Note: a fire-spill; also formerly applied to a match.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spuraic
Quotation: Bha spuraic air. Notes: He had an aggrieved, surly look.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spurtadh
waulking of tweed (St Kilda); or the word was something as here noted [i.e. spurtu], more nearer I think? One of the women folk throwing a folding across the bench, would recall (spurtu), ‘their colloquial’ [sic]. They had another pronunciation: Do mhangair – it was nothing less than their pronunciation for Do mhathair (Your mother). Cia mar a tha do mhangair, which was their pronunciation of mathair. You may have the word more correctly yourself, as I am only trying to recall it from memory or to memory.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sputaraich
Notes: liquid, or any thin mixture, which has been spattered about. Can also be applied to the mixture.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sputh
Swath.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
spàg
Quotation: spàg, spàgan. Notes: handles of plough.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàgach
Quotation: Nam faighte griasaich gun a bhi briagach, ’S nam faighte tàillear gun a bhi spàgach, Chuírte an crùn air an rìgh gun aon bhuille. (from my Uncle Donald) Notes: A snatch, presumably, from a folktale remembered from youth. Dw. has it in sense ‘having awkward legs or feet’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàgach
Quotation: duine spàgach. Notes: splay-footed man.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàgail
Quotation: Dé a’ spàgail a th’ort an sin? Notes: What are you groping about there for? (not walking)
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàideil
very neat.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
spàigean
applied to a baby whose early attempts at walking. [sic] [Cf. spàgach.]
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàin
Quotation: spain [sic] fhiodha. Notes: wooden spoon.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàin
Quotation: Ni mi spàin neo millidh mi adhairc. Notes: I’ll do one thing or the other. It’ll go one way or the other.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàin
Quotation: spàin ìm. Notes: wooden spoon used for cutting butter.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàin
Quotation: spàin aoil. Notes: trowel (normal size).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàin
Quotation: a’ spain [sic] bheag. Notes: small trowel for filling in.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàin
Quotation: spàin adhairc. Notes: horn spoon.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàinn (f)
Quotation: Chan eil làn spàinneach (de chiall) aige.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàl
Quotation: a’ spàl a’ leum. Notes: the shuttle being diverted from its path, usually due to the thread not running freely.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàlag
Notes: spirtle, or stick used for digging shellfish. Source: Mr. W. MacLeod, Glenelg. Date: 1970.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàlag
unstable boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàlag
wee unsteady boat, unstable small boat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàlag
an unsteady, unstable small boat on the surface of the sea.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàrr
Quotation: a’ sparr [sic] tarsuinn. Notes:
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàrr
spar or rafter. There was the expression ‘luath mu spàrr’, e.g. Cha chuir e sud luath mu spàrr. – He will not cause any great stir or commotion.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
spàrr
Quotation: a’ spàrr bheag. Notes: the uprights on the sides of a cart.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàrr
Quotation: spàrr – a cross beam of a roof coupling. Spàrr – “Spàrr e an clobha dh’an an teine.” Sparradh – warning. “Thug e sparradh dha gun e dhol ann a rithist.”
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàrr-gaoithe
a rafter in an old thatched house, of olden times. (Harris)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spèic
Quotation: na spèicean. Notes: the planks of wood used to carry the coffin.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spèic
spoke; spoke in a wheel, as an old salt used to put it: Bu mhath a nis a bhi air spèic bhuidhe – it would now be good to be at a yellow spoke, literally, etc. meaning in other words, or wishing being at sea steering a vessel.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spèic
[spɛ:c] Quot.: “Tha spèic mhath eadar so ’s an eaglais.” “Tha e spèic mhath as.” Note: a good distance.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spèicean
[spɛ:çcəṉ] Notes: device for securing cattle inside the byre. Two upright posts, one fixed, the other hinged at the base to allow the head and horns to pass through. It was then put upright and fixed so as to lock the head in.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spéic
Quotation: na spéicean. Notes: the 12 spokes of the cartwheel.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spéil
[spe:l] Quotation: Bha mi a’ spéileadh air an deigh. Notes: sliding.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spéileag
Quotation: Chaidh i ’na spéileagan dha’n iarmailt. Notes: ‘Small fragment’. Source: ? Date: 1975.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spéileagan
bits. Cha [sic] i na spéileagan dha’n iarmailt. [NOTES: slipped under ‘spéileag’. Quotation: Chaidh i ’na spéileagan dha’n iarmailt. Definition: ‘Small fragments’.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spéiligeadh
Quotation: a’ spéiligeadh iasg. Notes: splitting fish by cutting it down the back close to the bone.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spéis
Quotation: Cha tug e spéis dhomh. Notes: He didn’t heed me.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spéur
Notes: ‘fly’ of trousers. Sc. ‘spare’, v. SND. Used by Rob Donn: ‘Bha toll air a speathar ’s bha tuathas air.’
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spìdeag
Quotation: spìdeag(an). Notes: small particles of anything.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spìonag
[spĩə̃ṉɑɡ] Notes: an undernourished creature (Skye). In Dw.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spìsneach
Quotation: Am pòrach spìsneach nach dìbir. Notes: mighty pillar or prop. Source: ? Date: 1972.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spòg
Quotation: a’ spòg dhubh. Notes: disease peculiar to sheep whereby the skin becomes like jelly and turns black. The animal becomes blown up.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spòg
Quotation: spòg ghiomach [sic]. Notes: claw of lobster.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spòg
Quotation: ‘bha na spogan [sic] car goirid far robh thu breith air.’ Notes: spòg, spògan. Handles of a plough.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spòg
Quotation: spòg an trùsair. Notes: trouser leg. (Kenmore)
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spòg
Quotation: a’ spòg dhubh. Notes: disease peculiar to sheep whereby the skin becomes like jelly and turns black. The animal becomes blown up.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spòg an eoin
connected with the above [i.e. clòmh bàn (q.v.)], this means the criss cross pattern made when underwear was being sewn together.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spòg a’ chait
the cat’s paw.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spòrs-deise
sports suit. (A modern version or translation I take this to be or a literal translation.)
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spùdan
Quotation: gunna spùdan [spu̟:d̪ɑ̃ṉ]. Notes: water pistol.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spùidear
[spu̟:dʹɑr] Notes: landing-net. Source: Cowal. Date: 04/1968. [AJ Smith?]
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spùidsear
[spu̟dʹʃɑð] Quot.: used for a baler in Ness. Boat baler.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spùilleadh
[spu̜:lʹəɣ] Quotation: “Mo chreach ’s mo spùilleadh.” Notes: a spoiling, a scattering.
Location: Vatersay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spùinneadairean
pirates.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spùisil
pòcaid ann an cliathaich còta drògaid. (Uige Leódhais)
Location: [various]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spùisil
[spu̟:ʃilʹ] Note: “Pòcaid ann an cliathaich còta drògaid.”
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spùt
Quotation: Chaneil spùt aige. Notes: He has no sense. (Dw. “spùt céille” also used in Lewis.)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spùt
Notes: “scouring” in cattle or sheep.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spùt
Notes: ‘diarrhoea’. Dòmhnall Iseabail to Màiri Bheag: “An aon uan a th’agad-sa a’ dol dh’an t-sloc leis a spùt, ’s cha toir thu beathachadh dha le do làimh.” Dw. has spùt ‘diarrhoea in cattle or sheep’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spùt
Quotation: Nach uamhasach a’ spùt a th’aige. Notes: said of a garrulous person.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spùt
Quotation: spùt uisge. Notes: torrential rain.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spùt
Quotation: a cheud spùt de’n lionadh. Notes: the first surge of the flood tide.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spùt
Quotation: Chan eil spùt aige. Notes: He has no sense.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spùt
Quotation: Chan eil spùt aige – he has no idea, no sense. Be sin a spùtaidh – it is him that is the squirt. Notes: Is this a translation of squirt – an insignificant person? Or did the English copy it from Gaelic?!
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
srac
Quotation: Chan fhaigh thu sud ged a shracadh tu (a’ rànaich). Go sracadh (le gàireachdraich).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
srac-bheòil
Notes: top plank in a boat.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
srad
Quotation: Cho tioram ris an t-srad.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sradadh
Quotation: A’ sradadh na bà. Notes: A term used in milking. Not in Dw. Source: Lewis usage recalled (D.S.T.) Date: 1972.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sradadh
Quotation: “Tha thìde agad a dhol a shradadh na bà.” Notes: (Bayble) ‘milking’. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sradadh
Quotation: Tha sradadh sneachd ann. Notes: a “scattering” of snow.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sradag
Quotation: Chaidh e na shradagan. Notes: He flew into a rage.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
srang bhiathaidh
bait-holder.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
srang bhiathaidh
bait-holder.
Origin: Taransay
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
srang chlèibh
fleet of creels, when attached to a single line.
Origin: Taransay
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
srannachan (E)
mar seo shìos. Dèanta de leathar no mar sin.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
srathair
Cart-saddle.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
srathair
Quotation: an t srathair [əntrɑ˖hẹrʹ]. Notes: gen. is srathrach. The belt which is used as a girth.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
srathair
(m)
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
srathair
Cart-saddle.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
srathair
Quotation: an t srathair [əntrɑ̟ʔẹr]
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
srathair
[sɾɑ̟həɾ] when cart was attached.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
srathair
Cart-saddle.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
srathair
Cart-saddle.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
srathair
Quotation: srathair sac-droma. Notes: saddle used for panniers.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
srathair
[sra:ər] pad on back of work-horse, saddle. [SLIP: pannier-saddle on work-horse.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
srathair
Quotation: srathair shaic. Notes: used, as well as “srathair chléibh” for a pack saddle.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
srathair
Quotation: srathair chléibh. Notes: pack saddle.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
srathair (f)
saddle.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
srathair mheurach
[sɾɑ̟həɾ vĩɑ̃ɾəx] for hauling things along the ground.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
srathar
nn ‘straddle’: gen.: an t-~ [ən dra-ir´]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
srathar
[sɾɑhəɾ] Notes: cart-saddle.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sreang bhiathaidh
bait-holder.
Origin: An Ros Muileach [Ross of Mull]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
sreannachan
propeller, disc revolving at a fast rate.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sreath
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sreath
(f) Drill, row, furrow.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sreath
a row of vegetables sprouting up in your garden. “Tha an t-sreath air a’ chàl.”
Location: North Uist, Grèinatobht [Grenitote]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sreath
(f) (Also streath) Drill, row, furrow.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sreath
Notes: outside row of sheaves in the bottom of a cornstack.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sreath
(f) Drill, row, furrow.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sreath
Notes: the outer row of sheaves in the base of a cornstack.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sreath
Quotation: an t-sreath. Notes: the outside row of sheaves in a cornstack.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sreath bhàn
The drill, row or furrow in which potatoes were not planted.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sreath buntata
Drill, row, furrow. [NOTES: spelled ‘streath buntàta’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sreathan
drills of potato.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sreathart
[srɛ̈ʔəʂt] Notes: a sneeze.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sreathart
Quotation: a’ [sɾɑiɑrt̪i] or a’ [sn̪ɑiɑrt̪i]. Notes: sneezing.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sreathart
sneeze.
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
sreathartaich
[srɛ̈ʔəʂtẹç] Quotation: “De sreathartaich a th’ ort?” Notes: sneezing.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sreathartaich
[sɾɛhɑʴsṯiç] Notes: sneezing. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sreith
Quotation: “Tha i a’s an t-sreith.” Notes: average. Probably borrowed from army language: “in the ranks”. Also a furrow – “a buain na sreith chlaisean”. Sreith bhuntát – a drill of potatoes.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sreotnaich
[sɾɔt̪ṉiç] Quotation: a’ sreotnaich. Notes: sneezing.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sreud
[srɛɛd̥] Notes: cattle, sheep, farm animals in general.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
srian
Quotation: an t-srian. Notes: the bridle of the plough. (See also cluasag – DMM.)
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
srian
Quotation: srian gaosaid. Notes: reins made of horse hair.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sriuchdain
little wounds, skin breaking, etc. between [sic] of children; and also dryness of sea-salt caused by seawater drying, exposed to a dry wind, etc. etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sron-chòra
[sic] [sɾɔ̃:ṉxɔ:ɾə] Notes: waterspout caused by a whirlwind at sea. (sròn-chobhaire?)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sruabanach math bric
good trout.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
srulais
mixture of material of a distasteful approach: Cha’n eil an sud ach srulais. Srulais gu leoir aige (gossip).
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sruth
Quotation: sruth tràghadh. Notes: ebbing tide.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sruth
Quotation: sruth lionadh (not lionaidh). Notes: flowing tide.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sruth
Quotation: an taobh-shruth. Notes: current near the shore running opposite to the “cuilsean” q.v.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sròin
Quotation: sroin [sic] an innein. Notes: pointed end of anvil.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sròinich
(?) Mac-an-t-sròinich – a notorious character of the late nineteenth century who roved in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, as a crucial, decisive rather, murderer.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sròn
Quotation: Leum mo shròn orm. Notes: My nose started to bleed.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sròn
Quotation: Bheir do shròn fhéin comhairle ort. Notes: “If you won’t take advice, you’ll find out for yourself.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sròn ’s an athar
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
srònach (f), srònaich (pl)
strap across nose (leather).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
srùbag
nn f. : ~ tì ‘that’s a few drops’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
stabag
mixture of oatmeal, cream and sugar.
Location: Harris, Scarista Post Office
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stacach
stiff. As in an old wheel which needs lubrication.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stad
Quotation: Tha stad ann. Notes: He stutters.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stad-mhaighistir
cured by standing feet in warm water.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
stad-uisge
cured by standing feet in warm water.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
stadh
The swathe as it lies after the scythe..
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
stadhadh
[stə-ək] Quotation: A’ stadhadh a th’ann gho chùl! Notes: a stiffly erect posture of the body.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stadhar
[ˈst̪ɑəɾ] Quotation: stadhar chaorach. Notes: sheep track.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stadhar
Quotation: stadhar chaorach. Notes: beaten track made by sheep.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stadhar
[ˈstɑəɾ] Quot.: stadhar chruich. Note: usually means here an area of churned mud caused by the passage of cattle.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stadhran
[st̪ɤɾɑṉ] Notes: stepping stones or complete path over a burn.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stagh
Quotation: feur air a’ stagh. Notes: swathe. Cut a lying in swathes because of bad weather.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
staigh
Quotation: Thig e staigh air. Notes: He’ll suffer for it yet.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stail
[sṯɤl] Quotation: [sṯɤləspju̟ɾɑdʹʒ] also called [əsṯɤlveɡ]. Notes: spirit still.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stail
[sṯɤl] Quotation: [sṯɤlvo:ɾ] or [sṯɤləxw:xɑ̃nʹ]. Notes: wash still.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
staingean ruighinn
tough patches [of peat] to cut.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
staipleis
[st̪ɛplɛʃ] Quotation: staipleis de lit. Notes: porridge not properly made.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stair
[st̪ɤɾ] Notes: stepping stones or temporary bridge, e.g. across a burn or peat-bank.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stairean
[st̪ɤɾɑṉ] Notes: stepping stones over a burn or over a patch of soft ground; a stone path.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stairseach-mhonadh
small paths made of stones and turf leading from peat-bank to wherever peats are to be carried.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
stall
[st̪ɑu̜ɫ] Quotation: Chuir i suas stall mhath dhe fhéin. Notes: in the sense of “steading”.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stalla
a large flat rock. Pronounced as ‘scalla’ in South Uist.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stalla
[st̪ɑɫə] Notes: a big stone that couldn’t be shifted.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stallachdach
Quotation: Cha robh e stallachdach an dòigh sam bith. Notes: halting in speech; lacking in fluency.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stallag
Quotation: Thug e stallag mhath as a’ bhotul. Notes: a good “slug”.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stallan
a horse that has not been castrated.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stamag-laoidh
’s ann le stamaig laoidh (calf) air a tiormachadh ’s crimeagan air a chuir dh’an a bhainne dhi a bha iad (bhatar) a’ deanamh deasgainn (curdling). Bainne-deasgainn – curdling milk.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
stamasan
[st̪ɑ̃mɑsɑṉ] Quotation: a’ bhó a’ stamasan air feadh na stàla. Notes: restlessly moving about in the stall.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stamh
Quotation: stamh earrach; duileasg samhraidh; mircean fobhair; dulach geamhraidh. Notes: kind of seaweed.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stamhaireachd
[st[ɑu̜]ʴəɾɑxk] Notes: hesitating, indecisiveness. [NOTES: I use the turned r for the symbol which is unclear in the original. It may be an h.]
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stampail
[sṯɑ̃mpɑl] Quotation: duine stampail; boirionnach stampail. Notes: of upright, handsome appearance.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
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
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, stainge (f)
a ditch of stagnant water (N.E.); ma bhios ruith air an uisge, cha “stang” i.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stangalaich
[st̪ɑ̃ŋɡɑɫiç] Quot.: a’ stangalaich. Note: moving about impatiently; used of a person or beast that couldn’t be still in the one place for a second.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stann (-ain, -annan)
sea water drawn into these vessels [i.e. claisean tiachd (q.v.)?]. Regulated flow of salt into the vat.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stannta
sedate, steadfast. Chan eil stannadh air.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
staoigcreiche
this was a tax levied upon rievers who needed passage through someone’s territory. Landlord of that area extracted this levy from rievers.
Location: Barra, Ard Mhinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
staon
[st̪w̃:ṉ] Note: a plant rather like “lus na corracha-mhidheag” [q.v.] found in dry areas. Has a wooden root.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
staorgaid
[stɤrɤkatʃ] noise.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
staoth
[st̪ɤ] Quotation: Bha iad a’ gearradh air a’ [st̪ɤ]. Notes: cutting the corn, hay etc. in swathes.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stapag
a drink consisting of oatmeal and cream.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stapag
oatmeal mixture, mixed to a paste-like form. Rinn thu stapag dhe.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stapag
Quotation: stapag bharra [st̪ɑpɑɡvɑrə]. Notes: mixture of oatmeal and cream.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stapag
a mixture of oatmeal and water, accepted as a medicine for constipation.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
stapag
stapag uachdair. For softening hard skin, caused by sea-spray drying on the skin. A primitive form, the ointment form of procedure serving as ointment. Consisting of crowdie mixed with cream, cream, [sic] say, snow-fire may have originated likewise.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
stapag
Quotation: stapag gus am bi ’m pròs deis. Notes: Keose saying.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stapag
Note: raw mixture of sour milk (bainne tiugh) and oatmeal.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stapag
Notes: in Applecross it consisted of oatmeal, sugar and whipped cream (taken from churn).
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stapag
Notes: a mixture of oatmeal and cold water.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stapag
Note: mixture of oatmeal and cold water. A stiffish mix.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stapag – brochan
cream and oat meal.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
stapag-uachdair
Notes: oatmeal and cream.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stapal
an iron latch with an eye in one end. Slipped onto a similar eye in the door frame and secured by a wooden wedge.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
starabhaigheadh
chipping off parts so as to fit the required thing. So to speak ‘starving’, to me it could have derived from such word by its sound. It is colloquial star a… [NOTES: second ‘a’ underlined.] [SLIP: Chipping off parts of an object so that it can fit into the container.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
starach
remnant. Bunan starach – reference to decayed teeth. [NOTES: the slip gives as a quotation ‘Bun an starach (or: bunan starach?)’. Definition: Remnant.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
starachdach
Quotation: duine starachdach. Notes: a perverse man; a man not easy to get on with.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
staran
[st̪ɑɾɑṉ] Notes: path between door and gate. In Carloway also means “stepping stones across a stream.”
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
staran
Notes: pavemented path.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
staran
Note: path from a house to a gate or stepping stones across a stream.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
starapach
Quotation: Cha robh iad ach starapach. Notes: can also mean strife and variance among people.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stararaich
a one time definition of either the music or rather the droning of the pipes or to my own thinking, possibly, stàrachd (form) na pioba. [SLIP: A one-time definition of the droning of the pipes.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
starrag
Quotation: a’ cur starragan roimh dhuine gus nach fhaigheadh e air adhart leis a’ rud a bha e a’ deanamh.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
starrag
Quotation: Nach ann ann a tha na starragan! Notes: big teeth, particularly bad teeth.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
starragan
making an onset, attack. As in an argument. [NOTES: note added – ‘Rinn e starragan air.’]
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
starran
[st̪ɑrɑṉ] Note: usually for a path over a stream.
Location: Harris, Northton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
starsach
Quotation: Is sleamhainn starsach an tigh mhóir.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
starsach
footpath around the house.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
statha
[st̪ɑə] Quotation: statha choirc. Notes: a swathe.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
statharrachd
looking or moving aimlessly about.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
staull
in a house with animals at one end this refers to the threshold between the two ends of the house. [NOTES: corrected to ‘stall’.]
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
steach
Quotation: Thainig e steach (asteach?) orm. Notes: It occurred to me.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
steall
Quotation: steall throm. Notes: a heavy shower.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
steall
small waterfall.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
steall
Quotation: steall-bainnseadh [ʃtʹɑu̜ɫbɑ̃ĩʃəɣ]. Notes: a man who would go to a wedding without being asked. [NOTES: slipped under ‘steall-bainnseadh’.]
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
steall
waterfall.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
steallan uisge
Anns an t-sìde mhath cuideachd. Downpour.
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
steamhag
Notes: used to translate ‘switch’ (of bramble) in exam. [?] prose. Dw. steafag. (?Eng. staff) Source: Agnes MacLeod, Tolsta Chaolais, Lewis. Date: 1979.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
steap
[st̪ɛp] Quotation: steap de lit.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
steap
[sṯɛp] Quotation: steap a’ chruinn. Notes: the piece of wood on the bottom of a boat where the mast fitted.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
steap
[sṯɛp] Quot.: “steap a’ chruinn”. Note: socket on the bottom of a boat into which the end of the mast fits.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
steap
[sṯɛp] Quotation: steap a’ chruinn. Notes: hole into which the bottom of the mast filled.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
steaplais
[st̪ɛplɛʃ] Quotation: steaplais de lit. Notes: badly made porridge. (Elgol)
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stearnàg
(a slang form) tern (bird). Sometimes used to illustrate a chirpish, sharp movement, or ‘ternish’, (if I may use this term, my own invented word of my own inspiration, perhaps in connection with the meaning of such like) female. [NOTES: the slip has ‘stearnag’. Definition: Tern; also used to describe a chirpish, sharp movement.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stehp (Eng. ‘step’)
step of the peat iron.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
steidh
pile of peats. This term is mostly used in Sutherlandshire.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
steidheadh
building the outside wall of peats.
Location: Gearrloch, Achadh a’ Chairn [Gairloch, Auchtercairn]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
stengeir
stancher boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
steonc
good. Tha e steonc. – it is good. This is an unfamiliar word in vocabulary list or lists, or if at all listed or noted. It’s a modern word (Harris). It may be an invented word.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
step
[?] bit where mast is fixed at bottom.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
stetion-nam-muc
[sic] whaling station. [NOTES: slipped under ‘steisean’ with ‘steisean-nam-muc’ as the quotation.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
steòrladh
waving a stick about in a threatening manner.
Location: Benbecula, Creagorry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiadhag
[ʃtʹiɑɑɡ] Note: call to a cat.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiall
Quotation: Cha robh stiall air. Notes: “stitch” of clothing.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiall
Quotation: Tha a’ bhó air a stéill (: géill). Nom. stiall heard from John MacArthur, Bayble (Oct. 1970). Notes: (Keose) The rope used to tie a cow when in the byre (the teadhair applied to the tethering rope used outside). Dwelly gives ‘head-post in a byre’ as a sense of stiall f. (Also ‘a piece of leather or cloth’.)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiallachd
Quotation: ri stiallachd. Notes: a person who leads a ‘fast’ life.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stialladh
repeatedly hammering at something.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiam
[ʃtʹĩɑ̃m] Quot.: “Tha stiam as an ùth aig a bhoin an deidh dhith breith.” Note: some kind of matter in the udder of cows that have newly calved, causing a certain blockage of the milk ducts. Udder felt lumpy.
Origin: Crowlista
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
stic
[ʃtʹiçc] Quotation: droch stic. Notes: bad stick.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stic
Quotation: droch stic [ʃtʹıçc]. Notes: a “bad stick”.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stigh
Quotation: Cha deidheadh tu stigh ris air airgiod. Notes: You wouldn’t get one over him / fool him as far as money is concerned.
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stigh
Quotation: ’S e an rud a tha a’ dol a stigh rium. Notes: What is annoying me is…
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stigh
Quotation: a’ cur a stigh druim. Notes: the start of the ploughing – putting in a “back” or “ridge” down the middle of the field.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stilcher
[?] bit where mast is fixed at bottom for bigger boats
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
stilleadraich
[ʃtʹılʹəd̪ɾiç] Quotation: a’ stilleadraich le bùirn. Notes: splashing about with water.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stillean
Quotation: Tha thu làn dha na stillean! Notes: said to a stubborn, “bad” boy.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiodh
Quotation: stiodh na creige. Notes: Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiodhaidh
a steep path down the cliffs to the shore below – the only access to the shore.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
stiom-fhuail
medical term of the poultice nature lint. Fuail – urine; bandage soaked in urine. [SLIP: A sort of poultice, made of a bandage soaked in urine.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiom-fhuail
incantation method of a cure for cattle. (Bhithte cur snàth timchioll oirre ’s a’ gabhal [sic] duan.)…
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
stiora
[ʃtʹwɾə] Note: fish of the shark variety larger than a dogfish. Not eaten.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stireach
[ʃtʹiɾɑx] Quotation: falt stireach. Notes: unruly, untidy.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stireach
[ʃtʹıɾɑx] Quotation: loth stireach. Notes: ragged, sgraggy.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiream-starum
refers to the clatter of horses’ feet as they walk.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiuir a’ choilich
the large feather at a cockerel’s rear.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiulladh
[ʃtʹu̜ɫəɡ] Quotation: Bha e a stiulladh an uisge. Notes: splashing about. (Prob. from “steall”.)
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiùgail
Quotation: a’ stiùgail air chùl creige. Notes: hiding, concealing.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiùir
Quotation: Cha rachadh e’n uisge na stiùireach do’n fhear a bh’againn roimhe. Notes: He came nowhere near the standard/quality of the one we had before him.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiùir
Quotation: [ʃtʹʃu̜:rən̪əṉənʹu̜ru̜bilʹ]. Notes: the long tail feathers of a cock.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiùireag
Note: oatmeal mixed with a little water, then boiling water added.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiùrag
Notes: meal mixed with cold water and then hot water added.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Skerray
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiùrag
oatmeal mixed with water, a drink.
Location: Harris, Scarista Post Office
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiùrag
a drink made by mixing some oatmeal with cold water and pouring hot water over it.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiùrag
Gruel. Disease: colds. Also: beaten eggs with rum for colds. Part used / How prepared: Taken in hot water – it was or is oatmeal mixed in water infused of a thinly composition and drunk. Drinking some of it, a little now and again, I presume. Sources of information: traditionally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
stiùrag
hot drink of oatmeal and hot water.
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
stiùrag
[ʃtʹu̟:ðɑɡ] Note: oatmeal and a little cold water. Boiling water added to make a drink.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiùrag
oatmeal soaked in water. Left for a while and then the water was separated from the oatmeal leaving a drink used for alleviating thirst.
Location: Barra, Eoligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiùrag
[ʃtʹu̜:rɑɡ] Notes: a little oatmeal, a spoonful of milk and boiling water added.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiùrag
a drink used to quench thirst, consisting of oatmeal, water or milk.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiùrraidheannan
Quotation: làn [ʃtʹu̜:rıən̪əṉ]. Notes: tantrums.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stob
nn ‘stick’ : ‘= bata’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
stob
Quotation: Stob e mi. Notes: sting from bee, etc.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stob
Quotation: “Bha am buntàta air an stobadh le cas-chaibe.” Notes: holes were made at regular intervals and the potatoes dropped in.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stob (m)
Quotation: a’ stobadh. Stob an t-ugh dhan a’ bhùin [?] as a’ spot. Stob e sud na mo laimh. Stob maide. Notes: thrust (quickly) / stob, post.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stoban
Quotation: “Tha stoban ann.” Notes: said of an egg in which the chicken has started to form.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stoc
Quotation: stoc a’ lianraidh. Notes: upright rest on which the wool-winder revolved.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stoc
Quotation: stoc, stuic [stɔ̣xk, stuiçk]. Notes: part of pipe into which the dos goes and connects it to the màll.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stoc
Quotation: stoc cruinn. Notes: handle of a plough.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stoc
Quotation: stoc lianraidh. Notes: the axle on which the blades revolve.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stoc-sgiath
Notes: same as “lianraith”.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stoca
Quot.: “Ciamar a tha sibh?” “’S math a bhi mach air stoca na leap.” Note: stoca – bòrd-slios.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stocainn
Quotation: Dh’fhalbh mi air ceann mo stocainnean. Notes: having nothing on one’s feet but socks.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stodh
Quotation: a’ stodhadh. Notes: packing tight. [NOTES: slipped under ‘stodh’.]
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stoireag
a small heap of five or six peats lifted up on end, when the upper side of the peat becomes fairly dry and firm.
Origin: Cataobh [Sutherland – probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
stol
[sic] Quotation: stòl smeuraidh. Notes: trestle or stool on which sheep were put when they were being smeared with tar and butter.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stol-phòsda
marriage stool, at the altar.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stol-smiùraidh
a smearing stool on which a ‘smearer’ (fear-smiaraidh) sat while engaged in the process of smearing ship with tar.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stol-smùraidh
stool on which a person engaged at smearing sheep sat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stol-sìthiche
toad-stool (sìthiche – fairy). Now, I am not quite certain of this compound word; if you cannot find another definition, I could imagine it quite appropriate for you to accept it. I recollect it only very vague. [NOTES: the slip has ‘stòl-sìthiche’. Definition: Toadstool (but uncertain).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
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
stop
Quotation: Stop e ’n toll le poll.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stop-churn
butter. (Ardnamurchan) [NOTES: ‘stop-churn’ is underlined indicating that it is the catch-word. Was only ‘stop’ meant to be underlined?]
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stopadh
blockage. I have heard of an operation performed on the throat gullet [sic] of a hen by cutting through externally and removing the internal obstruction (with a razor blade) when a foreign body stuck in her gullet, and this operation seemingly being the only alternative medical aid (done locally). The wound of course was sown. If it was a success, if the wound healed, I can’t say. With human beings, if an obstruction of a minor event came forward, say, fish bones stuck in the throat, the cure, or the precautions taken, was to swallow oatcakes, coarse food chewed and swallowed, thus pressing, bringing with it the swallowed bones from their undesirable place, or phase [sic].
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stopadh
stopped. Tha e air stopadh neo i air stopadh –  as a water in a pipe: obstruction.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stopadh
[st̪ɔpəɣ] Notes: constipation in beasts.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stopair
stopper (rope, boat).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stopairean
the ropes used for lashing bag to boat’s side prior to discharging herring.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
strabhlaidh
[st̪ɾɑu̜ɫi] Note: pronunciation for [sɫɑu̟ɾi].
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strac
Quotation: Chan fhuiling e strac fuar no teth. Notes: Can’t endure criticism.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stracannan
opening as in the planks of a boat being in the sun, result of drying (grèigheadh).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strachd
Swathe or band for tying hay. [NOTES: spelled ‘stràchd’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
strachd mheadhoin
the middle strake in a boat.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stragaidh
scattered amount, thin scattered evenly distributed.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stragaidh
a goodly scattering of herring in the nets.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
stragaidh (n.)
Notes: used of the catch of fish in a net.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
straighleach
Quotation: An t-straighleach. Notes: delirium tremens, going berserk with drink.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strang bhiathaidh
bait-holder.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
strang-bhiathaidh
the string in which bait is set in a lobster creel.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strangan
sewing thread for leather shoes.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strann
Quotation: a’ strannail. Notes: snoring.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strann
Quotation: Bha strann aige. Notes: He was snoring.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strannachan
Note: piece of wood about a foot long with a serrated edge. A string was tied to one end and the stick whirled round the head. Made a noise which frightened horses.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strannachan
Notes: a toy made from a serrated, circular piece of leather, through which string was threaded and then knotted. When the leather was spun, the string tightened, and by pulling it, the leather could be kept in perpetual motion.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strannachan
[st̪ɾɑ̃n̪ɑxɑṉ] Note: circular piece of leather 2"-3" diam. Two holes, with string through each hole and then knotted. String cork-screwed and then pulled at each end. Disc revolves backwards and forwards as the two ends are pulled and then slackened.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strannaig
a mattress. Made from willow, sea grass, wool, flax, down of birds.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strannan
Notes: circular piece of cardboard in centre. Two holes with string passing through. Made to rotate by pulling string.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strannd
Quotation: Tharraing e [st̪ɾɑ̃ũ̜n̪d̪]. Notes: He went into a deep sleep.
Location: Tiree (?)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stranndraich
Quotation: Tha e a’ stranndraich. Notes: snoring.
Location: Tiree (?)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strannsail
[st̪ɾɑ̃ũ̟sɑl] Quotation: a’ strannsail. Notes: snoring.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
straoin
Quotation: straoin fosgailte. Notes: wide open.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
straoine
Quotation: dorus s.-fosgailte = wide open.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
straointe
[st̪ɾw̃:nʹtʹə] Quotation: Dh’fhàg e ’n dorus straointe fosgailte. Notes: He left the door wide open.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strap
Quotation: strap na cìche. Notes: bell of the cartwheel hub.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strap
Quotation: na strapannan. Notes: iron bands holding in the wood of cartwheel nave.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strap (f)
Quotation: strap luch; strap ann an sgoil, etc.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strap-rodan
rat trap.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strapag
a cut short length of leather, wee strap.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strat an teintein
throwing flat stanes [sic] along the surface of the lock [sic].
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stratagan
sparks from fire. Perhaps I could always define striteagan [q.v.] as ‘sparks’ from water.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stratagan
sparks. Chaidh e ’na s(h)ratagan’ [sic] – metaphor: anger. (Scalpay) [NOTES: originally slipped under ‘stratag’ then changed to ‘sratag [stratak]’ and finally slipped under ‘sradag’. Definition: Sparks. As metaphor – anger.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strathail
noise as in something approaching the door of a house. “Chuala mi strathail mu’n dorus.”
Location: Barra, Ard Mhinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strathair
Cart-saddle.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
strathair
(H, A)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strathair
cart saddle.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strathair
saddle.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
strathair
saddle.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
strathair chleibh
a saddle with baskets attached. [NOTES: ‘chleibh’ corrected to ‘chlèibh’.]
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strathair-chliabh
pios airneis a laigheadh air druim an eich air son cliabh a ghiulain air gach taobh. Bha’n iris a dol air gach adhairc.
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
strathar
saddle. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
strathbhàillidh
a levelling blow.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strathbhèicireachd
patrolling, walking to and fro.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
straulaich
equally scattered amount as fish in a net.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streafann
similar to above [i.e. lithseag] although a light covering would be more accurate. “Streafann sneachda air an talamh.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streallachan
Notes: toy made with string and button. Source: Rev. D. MacInnes, Kinloch, Lewis. Date: 1971.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streamadh
Quotation: pl. streamaidhnean. Streamaidhnean feòil air cùl amhaich. Notes: folds or wrinkles of flesh.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streamadh
Notes: folds in carpet or material caused by pressure, requiring to be levelled out.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streang-biathaidh
[st̪ɾɑŋɡbiɤhi] Note: bait-string in a lobster-pot.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streangan
Notes: string for mending shoes when treated with “ròsaid”.
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streangan
[st̪ɾɛ̃ɣɑṉ] Note: cord used in stitching leather.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streanganan móra
prior to fishing nets, trawlers, etc. people fished in sailing boats using long fishing lines to catch flounders, cod, ling and so on.
Location: Eriskay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streath
Outer row of sheaves when making stack.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
streath
See diag [NOTES: probably refers to a diagram provided by the informant.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
streathadaich
sneezing.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streathaig
Also sràbhag. An t-sreathaig. (’Se seo a chanadh m’athair.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streathainn
Straw on which corn is laid on a kiln.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streathan
[st̪ɾɛhɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: Cha robh ann ach streathan. Notes: a very thin, weak thing, without substance.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streathardaich
[st̪ɾɛhɑʴḏiç] Notes: sneezing. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streathardaich
[st̪ɾɛhɔʴḏiç] Notes: sneezing. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streathart
[st̪ɾɛhɔʴḏ] Notes: a sneeze. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streathartaich
[st̪ɾɛhɑʴst̪iç] Notes: sneezing. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streibhinn
a thin piece of skin, such as the diaphragm, or e.g. the fat on the stomach of a lean animal. “An robh tòrr geir oirr?” “Cha robh. Dìreach streibhinn bheag air a mhaodal.”
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
streòlaidh
in old thatched houses this instrument hung above the fire. Fixed in the wall and made of wood or metal with a number of holes in it. The pot could be raised or lowered by shifting it between the holes. Mr D. MacAulay in Paible School tells me this was not fixed in the wall above the fire but extended up to the roof. [Cf. trolla.]
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Trianaid House
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
striallamaid
Quotation: striallamaid de dhaoine. Notes: a throng of people, not in a tight bunch but spread out in a straggly fashion.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strian
Quotation: strian a’ chruinn [st̪ɾıɤṉəxɾɤ̃ĩnʹ]. Notes: muzzle of plough.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strian
[st̪ɾĩɤ̃ṉ] Quotation: strian a’ chruinn. Notes: muzzle of the plough.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strianag
Notes: Line, stripe. Not in Dw., who has strianagach ‘brindled’. Source: Lewis usage recalled (D.S.T.) Date: March, 1973.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strinclair
swelling of the throat affecting horses.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
striochd
streak. Tha ’n striochd sin ann – that streak is in him.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
striochdag
wee line, a wee streak of coloured feathers, white, showing in a bird’s wing. Bha striochdag gheal air a sgiath aige, neo striachdag gheal de dh’itean air sgiath aige (bird).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
striongalair
severe coughing affecting cattle.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
striteag
(also) an emotional female (may have derived from stratag).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
striteagan
finest components of water. [NOTES: the slip has ‘striteag’ as the catch-word with ‘pl. striteagan’. Definition: “Finest components of water” > globules?]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
striutan
[st̪ɾu̟t̪ɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: Thainig e a mach le striutan. Notes: a “torrent” of words.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
striutan
that form of cough associated with whooping cough.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stroban
[st̪ɾɔbɑṉ] Quotation: Tha stroban as an ubh. Notes: said of an egg that is birded, i.e. the chicken is beginning to form inside.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strodaich
[st̪ɾɔd̪iç] Quotation: a’ strodaich. Notes: sneezing.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stroinain
a tie rope for cattle.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strolamus
a mixture. (Urquhart) (brolamus) When the drover asked the Glenurquhart man what he fed the stirk on he said “striolamus, strolamus, plaoisg batàt’ is a h-uile mosgal”.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stron a crinn
part of plough for attaching swingle trees.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
strotaich
Quotation: a’ strotaich. Notes: sneezing.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
struaic
[st̪ɾu̟ɤçc] Quotation: Thuit struaic dheth. Notes: a large portion.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strucadh
[st̪ɾu̟kəɣ] Quotation: Bha an còta aige a’ strucadh a’ làr. Notes: dragging, trailing against.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
struidearachd
using flat stones and trying to achieve a skimming effect on the water’s surface. [NOTES: note added – ducks and drakes.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
struth
Quotation: struth iochdrach. Notes: underwater current in the sea.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
struth
Quotation: struth uachdrach. Notes: surface current on the sea.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
struthaiseach
[st̪ɾu̜əʃɑx] Quotation: duine struthaiseach. Notes: extravagant person. D.M.D. – [st̪ɾu̜ʔəsɑx].
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stràbh
Notes: trail or scatter of hay on the field after bulk had been removed.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stràbh
[st̪ɾɑ:u̜] Quotation: pl. [st̪ɾɤu̜əṉ]. Notes: a straw.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stràc
stroke. Also: Cha d’fhuair e air air [sic] adhart strac [sic]. (I have noted stràc in a former note. It does not matter.) [NOTES: the slip has ‘Cha d’fhuair e air adhart stràc.’]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stràc
Quotation: [strɑ:k/strɑ:x mur/ə vur ɫɔ̃:n] – the mark of the high tide. Notes: used both of the literal high-tide mark on the seashore, and also humorously of the mark on a boy’s neck where he stopped washing. Usually [strɑ:k], younger speakers varying to [strɑ:x]. Common to Golspie and Embo, probably also Barra, though my two principal (aged) Barra informants didn’t come up with it. Source: Mr and Mrs Kenneth MacKay, 16 Gate Street, Embo. Date: spring 1968.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stràc
Quotation: stràc spealaidh. Notes: swathe.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stràc
[st̪ɾɑ:xk] Quotation: stràc spealadh. Notes: swathe.
Location: North Uist, Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stràc
[st̪ɾɑ:xk] Notes: a swathe of corn or hay.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stràc
Notes: plank in a boat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stràc bheoil
top layer of tummers in a boat.
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stràic
Quotation: “Nach ann ann a tha a’ stràic.” Notes: pride.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stràic
One of the cane or strap at school.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stràpadh
process of attaching iron rims to wooden cartwheels. Process previously described under Mr A. MacInnes.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strèip
Quotation: Tha na balaich a strèip ri cheile. Notes: mock-fighting.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
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
stròm(e)
(noun) enclosure where the sea enters at a narrow inlet, the entrance ebbing at low spring tides. [Cf. stròmach.]
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stròtag
Quotation: Bha stròtag mhath air. Notes: He was merry with drink.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strùlachan
[st̪ɾu̜:ɫɑxɑṉ] Note: the thread attached to the “osanan” [q.v.] at the front and round the toes to keep the “osanan” in position. Down between big toe and first smaller toe and between the smallest toe and the next one.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strùlag
a volume of water coming from a pipe usually where the water was got for the house.
Origin: [Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strùmach
Quotation: cù strùmach. Notes: a dog with a short, cut-off tail.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strùpag
tea drank at tea-break. [NOTES: I could not find the slip. There is one dated 1976 with definition ‘balgam’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strùpag
Note: the amount one would drink before taking another breath.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strùthan
Notes: Michaelmas cake – scone with treacle batter covering.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stuadh
Quotation: [əst̪u̟əi]. Notes: the gable of a house.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stuadh
Quotation: stuadhan maola. Notes: end walls of thatched houses where the gable end only went as high as the front and back walls.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stuagh
Quotation: stuagh, stuathnan [stuɑ, stuəʔnən]. Notes: gable end of a house.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stuaidh
Quotation: duine gun stuaidh. Notes: a passive man, a man without forcefulness, drive.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stuathan
large waves.
Location: Harris, Leverburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stuathbleis
an unappealing mixture of all sorts.
Location: Harris, Scarista Post Office
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stubach
Quotation: earball stubach. Notes: lamb’s cut tail.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stubag
Notes: patch of water in soft ground.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stubag
Notes: patch of very wet, soft sand on the shore.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stubag
Notes: a water-filled hole in the ground.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
studaich
Quotation: a’ studachadh [əsṯɤḏɑxəɣ]. Notes: studying.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
studarra
(on) alertness. Feumaidh tu bhiodh air do studarra. (In the case of having conversation or approaching a touchy person, he may retaliate.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
study-ig
vb ‘study’ : fut.: math dh'fhaodte -- gun ~ mi air an òran
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
stuig
Quotation: a’ stuigeadh a’ choin. Notes: egg on the dog, e.g. after sheep.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stuing
[st̪ɤ̃ĩɡʹ] Note: “pìos feòil a ghearradh tu a beathach caorach.”
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sturaic
[s̪t̪u̜riçc] Quotation: “Dà bhó a’ cuir [s̪t̪u̜riçc] ri chéile.” Notes: two cows squaring up as if preparing to fight.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stutarra
to be so exact attitude. Feumaidh tu bhi air do stutarra – stern.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stuth
Quotation: Ged stuth eun an fhithich e ’s geal na sùilean fhéin e. Notes: i.e. in his mother’s eyes. [NOTES: slipped under ‘dubh’ (‘dubh?’ added in second hand).]
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stuth
Quotation: “An cuimhnich thu air stuth tuilleadh?” Notes: “stuth” commonly used in Islay for “anything”.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàca todhair
a large heap of seaweed gathered together by the tide in one area of the shore. [NOTES: ‘stàca’ corrected to ‘staca’.]
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàdhar
[st̪ɑ:əɾ] Note: beaten track made by sheep.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàg
bar attached to bit by chain and situated below jaw so as to control horse.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
stàile
[sṯɑ:lə] Notes: cattle stall.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàireachd
[st̪ɑ:ðɑxk] Quotation: Dé a stàireachd a th’ort a sin? Nach suidh thu sios dreiseag. Notes: stalking about for little or no reason.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàireachd
[st̪ɑ:ðɑxk] Quot.: “a’ stàireachd air a’ rathad”. Note: walking with no apparent aim in view.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàl (stàlaichean)
na h-aitean air leth airson gach beathach.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
stàla (f)
Quotation: anns an stàlaidh. Notes: stall.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàrach
[st̪ɑ:rɑx] Quotation: Bha stàrach mhór air. Notes: He was very drunk.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàrachd
patrol, walking back and fore. [SLIP: Walking to and fro; patrol.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàrn
Notes: rough grass growing in lochs and used for thatching.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàrn
Notes: A kind of reed growing in soft places. About the height of corn. Has some leaves at the top.
Location: Ross-shire, Achnahaird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàrr
Notes: rough grass found growing on the moor, usually at the edge of a river or loch.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàrr
[st̪ɑ:r] Note: very coarse grass growing on the moor. Animals don’t eat it. Grows usually near water.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàrr is feamainn chirean
[sic] given to cattle with ‘is-sproillean’ [q.v.] and ‘nis-sproillean’, I have discovered the two pronunciations, perhaps there are the two words, seemingly. I shall make more investigation. Stàrr (coarse grass) is feamainn chìrean air a chuir cuide ris, ’s air an goil, ’s an sin leigeil leis gu fuarachadh, ’s a h-uile cail a bh’ann a thoirt dh’an bhoin, sùgh is eile…
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
stàth
[st̪ɑ:] Notes: a swathe of hay.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàth
Notes: swathe.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàth
Quotation: Nach farsainn an stàth a tha e a toirt leis. Tha’n coirce na stàthan. Notes: swathe.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàth
Swathe of hay. [NOTES: spelled ‘stath’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
stàth
Notes: swathe.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàth
Notes: swathe.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàth
Notes: swathe.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàull mònadh
a good place on moorland, suitable for starting a peat bog. [NOTES: ‘stàull’ corrected to ‘stàll’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stèic
steak (beef mutton). Rinn e stèic mhath air. – (denoting considerable profit) excess amount.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stèic
Quotation: na stèicean [ʃtʹʃɛ:çcəṉ] [?]. Notes: Two posts, curved near the bottom and almost coming together. One could be swung out to admit the head and horns of a Highland cow. The post was then restored to its upright position and a loop of rope, one end of which was attached to the top of the freed post, was slipped over it. Usually found on big farms.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stéidh
[ʃtʹẹẹ] [?] Quotation: stéidh or clach stéidh. Notes: foundation of house.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stéidh
[ʃtʹe:] Notes: foundation.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stéidh
Quotation: a’ stéidheadh cruaich (moine).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stéidh
Quotation: a’ stéidheadh [ʃtʹe:əɡ] a’ mhóine.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stéidhe
[ʃtʹe:ə] Quotation: stéidhe tigh. Notes: the foundation of a house.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stéidheadh
making a wall of peats round the stack.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
stéidheadh
Wall building the sides of a peat stack. No one here knows the English word for ‘stéidheadh’ if there is one. Tri seorsachan steidhidh: (a) Stéidheadh a’ gharraidh. (b) Fadan an taca r’a cheile air shiobhadh an aon taobh. (c) Steidheadh cnaimh a’ sgadain.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
stéidheadh
[ʃtʹe:u̜] Quotation: a’ stéidheadh na cruaich.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Blairmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stéigheadh
constructing the outer walls of the peat stack in layers.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
stéilleag
Notes: (Skye word) ‘catch’ of lock, or ‘tongue’ of shoe.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stìcil (s)
Notes: horizontal slats put on kiln.
Location: Kenmore, Fearnabeg (Shieldaig? – on one of the slips)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stìdeag
Notes: The name of Crawford’s cat, which he usually had in school with him. Crawford was the Keose (Cnoc Ian Duibh?) schoolmaster in the time of Rev. Reid – married Reid’s niece. He came from about Forres, and was a Gaelic speaker. Dwelly has stidean ‘cat; call for a cat (Badenoch)’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stìod
Quotation: Air Latha Féill Brìghde théid na stìodan do’n choille chonnaidh. Notes: Latha Féill Bhrìghde [sic] supposed to change the weather. Noticeably milder. So mild that a creature as fond of fireside as cat is not afraid to go to wood. (stìod: cat)
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stìp
[ʃtʹi:p] Quotation: na stìpean [nəʃtʹi:pəṉ]. Notes: big tanks in the distilleries which could hold about 25 tons of barley where the barley was steeped for about 60 hours.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stìpte
steeped. Stìpte ann am ballaist. (boat) (Harris term)
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stòc an acair
a metal rod forming part of an anchor which props up the anchor so as not to fall flat, e.g.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stòc muineal
cravat.
Origin: ‘Islay connections’
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stòl
stole. Round a priest’s neck. From the Latin ‘stola’.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stòl beag
a small stool (a single seater).
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
stòl mór
a long stool that would seat two [?] people.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
stòl-smiùraidh
Note: a bench on which sheep were put for smearing. Some had wooden slats so that the sheep’s legs could be lowered through them, thus rendering it powerless to struggle. The sides were wider apart at one end, rather like the shape of a wheel-barrow.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stòradh
Quotation: a’ stòradh a’ mhóine. Notes: lifting peats to dry, first lifting made into “stòragan”.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stòrag
[st̪ɔ:ɾɑɡ] Notes: small stack of peats built at first lifting. Also ath-stòrag.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stòrag
[st̪ɔ:ɾɑɡ] Notes: the first lifting of peats. (4-5 peats)
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Blairmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stòrag
[st̪ɔ:ɾɑɡ] Notes: a small “heap” of drying peats.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Skerray
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stóbhadh
packing. Stóbhadh na mòine – reference to peat being stowed.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stóbhladh
forcing as in the case of eating. Dha stobhladh [sic] air – forcing to eat more than what the eater is able to eat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stùic
Quotation: “Bha stùic air” or “Bha e a’ cumail air falbh le stùic.” Bha stùic air a bhó rium. Notes: giving a slanting look, e.g. when there is some awkwardness between two people which makes one avoid a direct confrontation with the other.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stùic
[st̪u̟:çc] Quotation: stùic air crodh. Notes: heads down and ready to fight.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stùirc
[st̪u̟:ɾc] Quot.: “crodh a’ cumail stùirc ri cheile”. Note: facing each other in a hostile attitude.
Origin: Uig
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
stùr neo stùrs
stoor. Cuiridh mis’ a stùrs ás. [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words. Catch-word: stùr (or: stùrs).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
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
stùrdaidh
[st̪u̜:ʴḏi] Notes: water on the brain, in sheep.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
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
suab
[su̟ɤb] Note: usually used in the plural “na suaban”. Growths on the inside of cheek in cattle. Could not eat properly until they were removed.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suagaraid
Quotation: “Rinn e suagaraid a choreigin dheth.” Notes: He made some kind of mess or mixture of it.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suaib
the line and buoy float attached to great lines, fishing lines.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suaimhichte
Quotation: ’Se duine suaimhichte a bh’ann. Notes: outrageous (a rather kindly term, in fact).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suaimhneach
in the context of all day long. “Fad mhinn shuaimhneach an latha.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suain
Quotation: “A’ suaineadh ròp air spar-feannaig.” Notes: winding or entwining.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suaineach[d]
n. ‘sleepiness’: : nuair a thill e feasgar agus ~ coimiseach math air
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
suaineadair
Note: a creeping plant growing among potatoes. Travels and puts its roots down here and there.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suaineadh
vbl nn ‘coil’: bha nathair ’ ~ [suaɲəɣ] mun cuairt; vbl adj.: suainte mu phost
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
suainteachan
an instrument used to make heather ropes. Previously described under ‘corr shùgan’.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suaithealas
[su̟ɤıhɑɫəs] Quotation: Tha beagan suaithealas aige ris. Notes: likeness, resemblance.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suamhaid ??
Quotation: ’Se duine suamhaid tha sin: duine eagallach go deoch ’s go sabaisd. Notes: cf. suaicheanta possibly. The diphthong in the first syllable is strongly nasalized. Dwelly has suathaid ‘notable’. See also suaimhichte and suamhaiteas. Source: DST. Point, Lewis, usage. Date: 1969.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suamhaiteas
Quotation: Suamhaiteas duine a th’ann. Notes: Used of a person who would be described by the adj. suamhaid ‘unutterable, awful; wild’. Source: D.S.T. Point, Lewis, usage. Date: 1969.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suamhthaid
[sũ̜ɑ̃hidʹ] Quotation: (1) “Bha e a’ coimhead suamhthaid.” (2) Bha an tigh direach suamhthaid. Notes: (1) ridiculous, bizarre. (2) In a dirty or untidy condition. Dw. spells it suathaid.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suamhthaideas
Quotation: Suamhthaideas ort!
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suarach
Quotation: duine suarach. Notes: worthless, paltry man.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
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
suas
Quotation: a’ ghaoth shuas. Notes: the west wind.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suas
Quotation: Thug e suas iad. Notes: He took them to a law-court.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suas
Quotation: a’ dèanamh suas ris. Notes: courting [?] in earnest.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
suath
Quotation: a’ suathadh an eòrna. Notes: barley ears taken off sheaves by rubbing shocks between the feet. “Osanan” worn for this purpose.
Location: Stornoway, Melbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suathadh
Method of taking seed off sheaf without using a flail.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
suathadh
Suathadh an eòrna. – A’ toirt dheth an t-sil le bhith ’g a shuathadh eadar na casan (na casan lomnochd, na casan rùisgte). Dheanainn fhathast e, nam faigheadh sinn beumannan eòrna.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suathadh (m)
Quotation: “’N d’fhuair thu suathadh a-raoir.” Notes: a feel?
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
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
suathag
a wee wipe.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suathagan
a wee rub.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suathaile
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
suathaile mor
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
suathalachd
likeness.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suathalas
recognition. “Bheil thu toirt suathalas thuige?”
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suathalas
Notes: resemblance.
Location: Lewis, Point, Bayble
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suathalas
Quot.: “Bha suathalas aice rithe.” Note: She resembled her somewhat.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suathalas
[su̜ɤhɑɫəs] Quot.: (1) “Chaneil suathalas aige ris.” (2) “Thug mi suathalas thuige.” Note: (1) He is not like him. (2) I sort of half identified him (i.e. there was something familiar about him).
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suathalas
[su̜ɤhɑɫəs] Quot.: “Thug mi suathalas thuige ceart gu leòir.” Note: I made some attempt at identifying him (e.g. if you [sic] [met? saw?] someone and he either looked like somebody you knew or you had seen him before at some time although you didn’t quite remember who he was).
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suathan
rubber.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suathlas
[su̜ɑɫəs] Quot.: “Thug mi suathlas thuige.” Note: said by a person who half-recognises another person, possibly by seeing a likeness to his relations in him.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
subagach
Quotation: Nach i tha subagach. Notes: lively or energetic.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suchta
saturated.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sugan
jug; was also used as an interj. in calling a milking cow for to arouse the cow’s interest for to give her milk at milking time, perhaps.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sugh nan duilleag
not sure of exact plant but was used to alleviate constipation. Boiled and the liquid was drank [sic].
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sughadh
[sic] Quotation: sùghadh coinneil. Notes: candle-grease.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
suidh
soot. Used mixed with water as a detergent [sic] [deterrent?] on cabbage against flies laying their eggs, and caterpillars. It was poured on the leaves, if not used in powder form.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
suidhbheal ( soo-i-vil)
[pron.] swivel. (This is the pronunciation I heard a Southend fisherman use although he has no Gaelic.)
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
suidhe-chèird
young boys squatting beside the fire when their usual seats were taken up by visitors.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suidheachadh
putting the milk in large basins so that cream would accumulate. “A’ cuir a’ bhainne air suidheachadh.”
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suidheachadh
Quotation: a’ cur a’ bhainne air suidheachadh. Notes: leaving milk to set.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suidheachadh
[suiʔəxəɣ] Quotation: a reir an suidheachadh ’s a robh iad. Notes: situation.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suidheachain
seats.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
suidheachan
applied to four or six shocks of corn stood together. This word is more prevalent in North Uist whereas the word ‘adag (-an)’ is used in South Uist. Similarly ‘sguabag’ can be heard more often in North Uist whereas ‘raoid’ is used for an individual shock of corn in South Uist. Therefore the above words cannot be confined to an individual island due to a certain degree of overlapping most noted at northern end of South Uist.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suidheachan
Notes: where the steersman sits in a boat.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suidheachan
rafter of trunk and branch for a thatched roof.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suidheachan mòr
where the elders sat.
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
suidhich
Quot.: “Fhalbh ’s suidhich a chliath!” Note: Go and set up the (waulking) table.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suidse
Quotation: Ma bha iad leisg gu tòiseachadh chuir Dòmhnall suidse riutha. Notes: ‘haste, impetus’. Not in Dw. From Eng. ‘switch’ (?). Source: Lewis colloquial usage recalled (D.S.T.) Date: 27/12/1971.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suidseach
force. Tha suidseach mhath air a ghaoith. [NOTES: the slip has ‘…air a’ ghaoith.’]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suil
‘Eye’ of potato. [NOTES: spelled ‘sùil’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
suil
‘Eye’ of potato. [NOTES: spelled ‘sùil’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
suil a chleibh
[NOTES: slipped under ‘sùil’ with ‘sùil a chleibh (ghiomaich)’ as the quotation.]
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
suil a’ leis
socket joint at hip.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
suil-dhìleas
Quotation: ... suil-dhìleas (strong accent on 2nd element) a bh’aca, an tè a bhiodh a’ bleoghan dhaibh... (of a couple who were ill, and needed someone to look after their day-to-day affairs). Notes: Used in sense of ‘housekeeper’ by Rev. Norman MacDonald (Skye) – Gairm 52. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suil-eoin
bird’s eye pattern.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suilbheag
Notes: small patch put on a boat if it was damaged.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suileagan
Very small potatoes – often given to cattle. [NOTES: spelled ‘sùileagan’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
suim
Quotation: Cha do ghabh iad suim dheth. Notes: They took no notice of it.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suim
Quotation: Chaill mi mo shuim. Notes: I lost all sense of time.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suing
rope by which boat hung on to train of nets.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
suipear
Quotation: tràth suipearach.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suircean
[su̟ðcɑṉ] Note: spiked muzzle put on a calf to prevent it suckling its mother. Sometimes put on older beast which had a habit of eating the hair of other beasts.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suireachadh
a poor situation. “An fhac thu riabh suireachadh coltach ris.” [NOTES: note added - ? suidheachadh.]
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suithe
water from roof.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suithean-cruaidhte
[?] preserved sillock, salted and then dried hard. [NOTES: slipped under saithean-cruaidhte. The first vowel in the first word is a bit unclear but it could be ‘u’ rather than ‘a’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suitse
Quotation: Cuir suitse ris an teine. Notes: cf. Rev. Norman MacDonald’s Skye form sitse (SGS XI, Pt. 1).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sula
fat on the back of an eel. Sometimes used for rheumatic complaints.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sulachd
[su̜ɫɔxk] Quot.: “Nach tu a ghabh a’ sulachd.” Note: used when a person takes rather a lot of something – more than necessary, e.g. food.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sumachadh
[sũ̜mɑxəɣ] Quotation: a’ sumachadh. Notes: souming.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sumachadh
[sũ̜mɔxəɣ] Quotation: sumachadh deich mairt is trì chaoraich. Notes: souming.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sumanadh
unusual dress, unusual clothes, coat (also summons). C’a ’n d’fhuair thu sumanadh. Still in use, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
sunn
= seo. Mid. G. literature, but surviving in Sutherland and E. Ross in sense “here”; not “this”.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sunnag
[sũ̜n̪ɑɡ] Notes: a barrel seat, i.e. a seat made from a barrel.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sunnag
a seat made out of a barrel, found in the old houses.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sunnag
Notes: seat made out of a barrel.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sunnag
(in living room) A chair made from a barrel. On one side the staves were sawn off to the middle of barrel, with two arm rests (one on each side) left at the proper height. The back side of barrel was left intact to support back of sitter. The lid of barrel served as seat, nailed down of course. On top of seat a cushion was placed.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
sunnlachadh
making room, as working oneself into a crowded seat.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sunnsail
[sũ̟:səl] Quotation: Bha ’m bodach a’ coiseachd a steach a’ staran ’s e ri sunnsail ris fhéin. Notes: making a low humming noise but not talking. Usually refers to someone on his own or unaware of other people and thinking of something in a relaxed way.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
surc (f)
Quotation: only in phrase “dh’ithinn surc”.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
surrag
a waterhole in which animals can become bogged.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
surrag
waterhole in which animals can get bogged down.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sus
[sɤs] Quotation: 1. Chaneil sus ann. 2. Cha robh e sus orm. Notes: a whit. 1. There isn’t a thing. 2. It didn’t cost me a thing.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
susadh
Notes: (central vowel in 1st syll.) Marking of the ground prior to digging or cutting peats.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
susadh
[sɤsəɣ] Quotation: a’ susadh. Notes: lining the peat-bank.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
susadh
[sɤsəɣ] Quotation: a’ susadh. “Feumaidh sinn am poll a tha seo a shusadh.” Notes: cutting one side of a peatbank when opening it.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
susaladh
applied to peat that has been left too long to dry. Personally I would use this to mean food that had been overcooked or burnt.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
susamailt
Quotation: B’e am facal “susamailt” – sùgh nam measan air a bhruich le siùcar, mar a their sinn ’sa Bheurla, jelly. Notes: Mrs. MacFarlane heard the above word from her father, Mr. John MacCallum of Taynuilt. Source: letter from Mrs. Mary MacFarlane, Taynuilt. Date: 20/11/1966.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sussadh
breaking turf with a spade. Used in peat cutting and in making lazy beds. Means the breaking of the soil in a straight line in preparation for turfing.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suthag
patching up a torn net. “A’ cuir suthag orra.”
Location: [South Uist], South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suthag
(also) gulp. Thug e suthag mhath ás.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suthag
a patch.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suthag
a patch.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suthag
a patch for a shoe.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
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
sàbh
Quotation: sabh [sic] dà-laimheadh. Notes: two handed saw.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàbh
Quotation: sàbh-beag. Note: tenon saw with brass back for fine work. Quotation: sàbh-trasda. Note: cross-cut saw. Quotation: sàbh-sgoltaidh. Note: rip-saw. Quotation: sàbh-cruinn. Note: very small saw used for curves. Quotation: sàbh-mór. Note: two-handed saw. Used in sawing logs in the sawpit – one person on top of the pit, the other on the ground.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàbh
Quotation: a’ sàbh caol. Notes: home-made fret saw. Piece of band-saw fitted in a wooden frame.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàbh
Quotation: sàbh dùirn. Notes: ordinary sized saw.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàbh
Quotation: a’ sàbh mór. Notes: two handed saw for rough work.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàbh
Quotation: min-saibh [mĩṉsɛ:v] [?]. Notes: sawdust.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàbh beairte
a square wooden case with a blade in the middle. Handle at the top of the saw. Pulled by two people.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàbh mór
used for larger bits of wood, e.g. beams. Wider blade as opposed to above [i.e. sàbh beairte (q.v.)]. Handgrip at top and one added below for second person.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàbhadh
Quotation: a’ sàbhadh. Notes: saw.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàbhail
vb ‘saw’: vbl nn: corc aig cuideigin … air son iad fhèin a shàbhaladh; chaidh duine a mharbhadh a ghabhadh sàbhaladh muram biodh Latha nan Car ann; vbl adj.: turas math sàbhailte agaibh!
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
sàcramaid
Quotation: Là na sàcramaid. Notes: Communion Sunday.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàil
Quotation: a’ cur breaban is sàil air bròg. Notes: heel.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàil
Quotation: sàil na h-innean. Notes: the “heel” of the anvil.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàil
Quotation: sàil an innein. Notes: the blunt end of the anvil.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàil
Quotation: an t-sàil. Notes: heel part fitting onto shoemaker’s last.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàil
Quotation: pl. sàiltean. Notes: heel.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàil an iaruinn
the ‘heel’ of the [peat] iron into which the ‘cas’ [q.v.] fits.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sàileagan
[sɑ:ləɡɑṉ] Note: waterbrash.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàileagan
water brash.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàileagan
[sɑ:ləɡɑṉ] Note: water-brash.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàileagan
Notes: sour water on the stomach.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàileagan
[sɑ:ləɡɑṉ] Note: water-brash.
Origin: Stockinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàileagan
Note: water-brash.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàill
layer of fat between the pelt and flesh of a seal.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàillaibh
for the sake. Cha [sic] mi ann air sàillaibh m’athar. (Scalpay) [NOTES:  slipped under ‘sàillibh’. Quotation: Chaidh mi ann air sàillibh m’athar. Definition: For the sake of.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàilleagan
[sɑ:lʹəɡɑṉ] Notes: acidic matter that comes up to the throat due to indigestion.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàilleagan
Quotation: Chuireadh e sàilleagan air a’ chat. Notes: phrase used in reaction to pompous or boastful talk, or someone giving himself airs. Cf. Applecross use of searbhan.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàilleagan
Notes: the bitter vomit that comes up to the throat when one has “losgadh-bràghad”.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàilligean
water brash.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàl
seawater. Fresh herring boiled in seawater, cooked, was believed to be more tasteful (Harris). An old recipe, also fresh herring being cooked in paper, rolled in paper, and leaving it on a stove, not so hot as to allow the paper to burn, thus when ready, of course eaten.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàl teth
Hot seawater. Disease: rheumatism. Part used / How prepared: bathed in hot sea-water. Putting the feet in a half bucket full of seawater – hot to the extent of the patient [sic] [patient’s?] acceptance of the temperature. Sources of information: traditionally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
sàmhach
Quotation: duine sàmhach. Notes: a quiet man.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàmhach
Quotation: Chan e a mhuc shàmhach as moth a dh’itheas.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàplas
dirty water left after washing clothes, dishes, etc. [NOTES: corrected to ‘saplas’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàs
Quotation: (1) Bha iad a sàs na chèile. (2) Bha e a’ sàs ann. Notes: (1) either verbally or physically. (2) He was getting on to him.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàs
Quotation: dol a’ sàs [dɔ̣̇ɫəsɑ̣˖ɑ̣˖s]. Notes: going up with, gripping strongly.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàs
Quotation: Bha iad ann an sàs nan gad. Notes: locked together in wrestling.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàth
Quotation: 1. Sàth an cipean. 2. Shàth mi an capull cùl an taighe. Notes: 1. Drive the pin into the ground. 2. I tethered the mare behind the house.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàth
thrust. Often used when launching a boat. “Bheir sàthadh math dhith.”
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàthach
Quotation: Dh’òladh e a’ [hɑ:ıç] de’n uisg. Notes: He would drink his fill of the water.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sár
Quotation: Na tabhair do t-sár fhacal. Notes: cf. A wise man holdeth his tongue till afterwards.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sèib (f)
Quotation: abair sèib! Notes: a slap-up meal.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sèicle
[See the illustration under ‘cuibheal-shnìomh’.]
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
sèip
treat, a palatable approach.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sèip
[ʃɛ:p] Quotation: Bha sèip mór againn. Notes: a big feed.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
séid
Quotation: Bha iad air a’ séideadh an aghaidh a chéile. Notes: They were incited, agitated against each other.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
séid
Quotation: “Sil, séid agus frois!” Notes: an expression of hopelessness. Addressing the elements.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
séid
Quotation: “Shéid e an fheadag.” He blew the whistle. “Tha séid as a chas aige.” Swelling in his foot.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
séideadh
inflation.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
séidean (m)
a pump that blows. [Cf. taosgan.]
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
séidhear (E)
Airson séidhear faodaidh sibh smaoineachadh air séidhear cumanta, séidhear sìomain, agus séidhear bean an tighe. Séidhear-gàirdeanach, ’s ann a bhiodh e aig daoine a bha ’na b’ fheàrr air an dòigh ’s mar sin. An sìoman a bhiodh air séidhear sìomain b’e sìoman gathan–gainnisg no sìoman de phunnd-bàn. Agus mar sin.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
séil
sale, (article for sale); sail in a boat, trip in a boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
séip
Quotation: Ghabh an cù séip eagallach! Nach tu a ghabh an séip! Notes: a big meal – a “tightener”. Also used in Lochinver – heard from Miss Ina MacKenzie.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
séis
Notes: The sing-song intonation of an enraptured preacher (Welsh hwyl). Not in Dw. He has séis ‘tune…; noise etc.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
séis
Quotation: gille-ceann-séiseadh. Notes: a flunky in a household, e.g. an unmarried man staying with his married brother.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
séis
(in living room) A long, plain, wooden bench with high back and an arm at each end. It was placed alongside the wall and could hold from four to six people. There were in addition one or more ordinary chairs (without arms) in the living room.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
séis (I)
Bha i faisg air an aon seòrsa ris an tè eile [i.e. being?] ach gun bonn idir innte. Casan a bh’oirre. Bha i math airson rudan a ghleidheadh a stigh fòidhe agus airson àite do an chù. Chanadh sinn ‘beinge’ ri na dhà. ‘Séis’ agus ‘ciste-chaol’.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
séiseant
Quotation: Séiseant ort! Notes: (Keose) séiseant not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
séisne
muscle or flesh on the inside of a thigh. When buying cattle, the purchaser would feel this part to determine the quality of the beast.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìamachadh
Quotation: ’ga shìamachadh. Notes: coveting.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìde
nn f. ‘weather’ : tha caora ri marbhadh le ~ thioram gun a’ chlòimh aige air bhith bog
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
sìde air a dhol a bhouta làir
expression associated with a period of time in which every conceivable aspect of poor weather conditions were [sic] experienced. [NOTES: note added above ‘u’ in ‘bhouta’ – bh.]
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìde iarghalta
troubled weather.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
sìde mhath
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
sìde sgliamach
cloudy, overcast weather conditions with the sky having a dirty squalid look about it.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìde spliucach
drizzly, snottery weather. [NOTES: ‘spliucach’ corrected to ‘spliugach’.]
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìd’ chas
sharp, cold, dry weather in winter. Crisp and anticyclonic. NE and N’ly winds.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
sìg
Quotation: ràth > goc > tòrr > sìg. Notes: hay-working terms.
Location: Lewis, Stornoway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìlean
Note: very small potato.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìlean (m)
Quotation: “bodach an t-sìlein agus sìlean ’na bhròig, dh’fhalbh e gu taigh caillich…” (start of a trad. bedtime story). Notes: a very small potato.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìliche
Notes: A slippery, slìogach fellow. Dw. has sìliche ‘spare, meagre, lean, pithless creature. (Not quite the same.)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìlt
[ʃı:lʹtʹ] Notes: bung in a boat.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìlt
[ʃı:lʹtʹ] Notes: bunghole in a boat.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Blairmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìlt
[ʃı:lʹtʹ] Notes: the bung in a boat. [t̪ɤu̜ɫʃı:lʹtʹ]: bunghole.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìm
‘time’: gen.: a’ cur seachad na ~ [nə ʃi:m]; dat.: bheil biadh gu leòr agaibh air an ~ seo dha na feudalaich?
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
sìnean
Quotation: na sìnean [nəʃinʹən]. Notes: the teats.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìobaileag
[ʃı:bəlɑɡ] Quotation: (1) sìobaileag-seóbaileag. (2) Tha a’ chlach air shìobaileag. Notes: (1) The term used for a see-saw. (2) Stone on a pivot base – not resting properly. Borve, Lewis – dìobaileag [? or slìobaileag?].
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìoch
Quotation: Tha sìoch ’na bhroilleach. Tha sìoch ’na mo bhroilleach. Notes: wheeze in the chest; a bronchial wheeze.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìol
Quotation: breac an t-sìl. Notes: wagtail.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìolag
Notes: small potato.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìolag
[ʃi:ɫɑɡ] Notes: sand-eel. Eaten or used for bait.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìolagan
sand eels. Shore [?] went lo [? looking?] for them. 113 [Greater Sand-eel].
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìoman
Quotation: cathair-shìomain. Notes: chair with wooden frame, covered on back and seat by plaited sea-bent.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìoman
Quotation: a’ mhathair-shìomain. Notes: rope horizontally round the bottom of the thatch.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìoman
rope of straw or heather.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
sìoman-ceàrr
Sìoman air a shnìomh le duine air an làimh cheàrr, gu a thaobh fhéin mar a shnìomhadh duine air an làimh dheis sìoman chun an taobh eile – gu a thaobh fhéin. Mar: na duail gu deas [see illustration]; na duail gu clì [see illustration]. Nuair a bhiodh an aibideil (galair) air a’ chrodh b’e siod an leigheas a bh’aig na bodaich air: sìoman-ceàrr.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìophairt
[ʃıɤfɔʴḏ] Quot.: “Bha e air a shiophairt [sic] [hıɤfɔʴḏ].” Note: he was harassed, e.g. because of the number of things he had to attend to. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìth
Quotation: Bha siubhal sìth aice. Notes: some were supposed to have this power. If one glanced away for a very short time from looking at such a person and then looked again, they seemed to have covered an incredible distance for such a short time.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìth-chrith
[ʃı:xɾi] Note: a place of hibernation. (Spelling?)
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìtht
Quotation: Tha mi glé [hi:tʹ] gun d’thainig sibh a stigh. Chaneil mi [ʃi:tʹ] ris na pàrantan mar a tha iad a togail an clann. Notes: pleased, glad.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Droman
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòbhaidh
good (as weather).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòda
Quotation: sòda nigheadaireachd.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòda
[sɔ:ḏɑ] Quotation: sòda nigheadaireachd. Notes: washing soda.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòghradh
careless, care. [?] Cha robh sòghradh aice [sic] de a dheanadh e neo ’chanadh e. He didn’t have a consideration as to what he would do or say. [SLIP: Care. Quotation: Cha robh sòghradh aige dé a dhèanadh e neo chanadh e.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòineach
fortunate. [Cf. dòineach.]
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòla
a platform in the stern and forehead part of a boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòla
[sɔ:ɫə] Quot.: a’ sòla deiridh, a’ sòla toisich. Note: flat boards for standing on in the stem and stern of a boat.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòla
Quotation: sòla deiridh, sòla toisich. Notes: pieces of flooring fore and aft in a boat.
Location: Melvaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòla
Quotation: sòla na h-uinneige. Notes: window sill.
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòla
Quotation: sòla toisich; sòla deiridh. Notes: pieces of flooring in a boat.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòla
Note: plural sòlaichean. Flooring in a boat.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòla
[sɔ:ɫə] Note: piece of flooring in a boat.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòla
[sɔ:ɫə] Note: triangular board in stem and stern of boat, underfoot.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòla toisich, deiridh
small platform at stem or stern.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòlan
Bhiodh na seann daoine a’ cuir am facal ‘sòlan’ gu buil nuair a bhiodh an t-side garbh no ànradh ann. Bha e a’ ciallachadh fèath no beagan uine rè an là nuair nach robh cur is cathadh ann. Bhiodh iad a’ guidhe gun tig sòlan a chum ’s gum bith cothrom aig na caoraich a’ criomadh air na cnocan far an robh an sneachd air sguabadh air falamh leis a’ ghaoith. ‘Sòlan’ a’ fuaimneachadh mar a tha e anns an fhacal ‘sònraichte’. [SLIP: A lull in a stormy day. Compares pronunciation with sònraichte – nasal 1st syll?]
Origin: [Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sònraich
Quotation: Na bith ’gad [hɔ:ɾɑxəɣ] (ɔ not nasalised) fhéin. Notes: Don’t be putting yourself on a pedestal.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòragas (-adh)
to dispute, quarrel or debate with someone.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòrn
raised platform at a kiln.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòrn
Quotation: a’ sòrn. Notes: stone platform in kiln where the SOIREAG and the TEALLACH were situated.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòrn na h-uinnaig
this describes that feature of a window frame which has a lipped design. Especially in older windows, most of the wood on the inside of a window is finished in a curved or pointed style. Difficult to describe in words.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòrnach
Quotation: Bha a’ phoit-dhath air a’ sòrnach air taobh a muigh an doruis. Notes: stones built up round a fire so that the pot would rest on it.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòrnach
àit air son preis dhath, ait [sic] air bi preis dhath air a suidheachadh.
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòrnach
Notes: open (outdoor) fire built round with stones. Dwelly has sòrnach ‘great heap of boulders at the foot of a precipice’; and sòrnag ‘a little kiln’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòrnach coire cailleach co lìn
located in the neighbouring hill at Milton and elsewhere. This was a circular stone wall which had rich, fertile soil inside. Women used to look after sheep in this ring.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòrnan
small skate.
Location: Uibhist a Tuath, Ceann a Bhàigh [North Uist, Bayhead]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
sòrnan
Note: small skate.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòrnan
Notes: skate.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòrnan
smaller than skate.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
sùbailte
[su̜:bilʹtʹə] Quotation: Tha e cho sùbailte ri easgann. Notes: supple.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùdaireachd
dressing leather or tanning leather. Some of the leather was whitened and used as parchment.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùgan
length of rope used for thatch or carrying bundle of thatch or hay. Cf. ‘soogan’ – rope used by western cowboys.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
sùgan
Quotation: sùgan ìosal. Notes: ordinary working collar for a horse. (See sùgan àrd.)
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùgan
Quotation: sùgan connlach. Notes: straw collar used in the old days.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùgan
Quotation: sugan [sic] àrd. Notes: high horse collar. Built up high at the top and dressed.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùgan
Quotation: sùgan fraoch. Notes: heather-rope.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùgan òrdaig
making a rope from a rick which you have just constructed. Starting at the side of a rick until you reach the required length. Then tied round the rick to secure it.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùganaich
Quotation: a’ sùganachadh a’ mhulan. Notes: lashing the stack.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùganaich
Quotation: Bha am mulan air a thughadh agus air a shùganachadh. Notes: lashed.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùgh
Quotation: Sùgh air a’ chladach. Notes: sea-swell.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùgh
Quotation: Sùgh bradan earraich: theid e troimh sheachd bonnaich eòrna. (Colin John MacKenzie, Keose)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùgh
juice. Sùgh an fhiasgain – water in which mussels were boiled was drunk as blood-purifier.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùgh
[su̜:] Quotation: Chaneil mi a’ deanamh sùgh leis. Notes: used generally for “thing” such as “càil” and “nì” are used.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùgh
Quotation: Cha robh sùgh clì mun cuairt oirre. Notes: There was nothing that was wrong round about her (lit). Health, character, etc.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùgh nam bàirneach
(am b. air a bhruich) purgative, whether ill or not. Also, to purify the blood.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
sùgh-a’-chutaige-ghlais
the water in which cuddies are boiled.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùgh-puill-mhòinidh
stagnant water in a peat bank.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùghadh
Quotation: Cho fad ’s a bhios sùghadh am bun càil, bi foill air Macphàil.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùghan
Note: sowens. The juice procured after steeping oatmeal in water for a while. Sometimes the meal with the husks among it used for this purpose.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùghanaich
soft, swampy patches of sand.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùghanaich
deceptive patches of sand which could collapse beneath you.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùidh
soot was used as a dye for wool, as was heather and iris root.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùil
Quotation: ’S fheàrr sùil a’ ghobha na tomhas an tàilleir.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùil
Quotation: sùil, sùilean [suuɫ, suuɫən]. Notes: eyes.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùil
‘Eye’ of potato. [NOTES: spelled ‘sùil’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sùil
Quotation: sùil phrabagach. Notes: eyelid encrusted with matter coming from the eye.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùil
Quotation: an t-sùil. Notes: where the fire in the kiln was placed.
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùil
Quotation: sùilean na h-iomlan. Notes: eyes through which the threads pass.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùil
Quotation: Thug e droch shùil air or Thug e fìor dhroch shùil air. Notes: He gave him a hostile look.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùil (f)
Quotation: coimhead fo’n t-sùil.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùil a’ bhuntàta
‘Eye’ of potato.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sùil mhullaich
most prominent eye in a potato.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùil na h-atha
the hole at the top of a kiln.
Location: South Uist, Frobost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùil-bheag
Quotation: Rinn e an t-suil-bheag [sic] orm.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùil-cheap
guessing game which involved hiding something in a cap. Had to guess what the object was.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùil-cuibhrige
Notes: bird’s-eye pattern.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùil-dhileas
Quotation: Tha e na shùil-dhileas aige. Notes: a very trusted servant.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùil-dhìleas
Notes: housekeeper (Barra). Source: Rev. J. Campbell, Drumnadrochit. Date: 6/1971.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùileag
Note: a small potato.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùileag
a spring of water.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùileagan
eye opening. Bheir sud sùileagan dhiut [sic]. [NOTES: the quotation on the slip reads ‘Bheir siud sùileagan dhut.’ Definition: ‘Eye-opener’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùilean
when animals were afflicted by ‘galair an domalais’ this was the term given to the bubble-like feature in their excrement.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùilean
tubers (potatoes).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
sùilean
tubers (of potatoes).
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùiliche
eye-witness, spectator.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
sùisd
Quotation: Parts: 1. buailtean. 2. iall. 3. maide-làimheadh [ɫɛ̃:əɣ]. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sùist’.]
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùisdean
Quotation: Tha an cù a’ dol mun cuairt le sùisdean. Notes: a type of distemper (?) which causes a dog to go round in circles. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sùistean’.]
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùisdeanan or suisde
[sic] Quotation: [ʃuusdʹɑ̣˖n]. Notes: the part of a flail which strikes [?] the corn. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sùistean’.]
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùist
chaidh e as roimh mo latha-san.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
sùiste
In addition to the crops of hay, oats, barley, etc. the barn held many crofting or farming implements such as the ‘sùiste’ or flail with its long, thick, wooden handle, to the end of which a ‘buailtean’ or beater was attached with strong leather thongs. The ‘buailtean’ was a shorter club and when the flail was swung over the sheaves, the ‘buailtean’ threshed them. ‘Cliath-chliata’, harrow; ‘amull’, the first swingle-tree in a plough and ‘dreallag’, a swingle-tree, were also kept there. In addition to these, one could see ‘plocan’ [q.v.].
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
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
sùlairean
boats built at the time of the Zulu War. Characterised by having an obtusely angled rear stem.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùmachadh (‘ù’ – oo)
a soum. Could graze so many cattle or sheep on this bit of land. Would keep about eight sheep.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùmag-làir
rug, mat (E. Ins.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùmhlaich
gradually subsiding to an end as a boat beginning to sink under the sea. Shùmhlaich i sios.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùnsal
Srann làidir aig an anail a mach ’s a steach mu an t-sròin (aig duine) mar a chunnaic sibh aig cuid. “Tarmod a nuas an rathad agus sùnsal aige mar a b’àbhaist.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùrdag
Quotation: Bha sùrdag aige a falbh. Notes: He went off with a jaunty step.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùrdail
[su̜:rt̪ɑl] Quotation: duine sùrdail. Notes: bright and entertaining man.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùsagh (a phùil)
marking out, with a spade, on the turf the area of peat to be cut. [NOTES: two second hands at work. In black ink: the grave accent in ‘sùsagh’ circled and ‘susadh’ added underneath; in red: ‘phuill’ written above ‘phùil’.]
Location: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
súil
Quotation: Cha do leag mi mo shúil air idir. Notes: I didn’t see it at all.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
súil
Quotation: Bó a’ dol a súil na leis. Notes: hip going out of joint.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
súil
Notes: part of potato with eye in it – sown.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
súil-chruthaich
Notes: small boggy area. Layer of water underneath the top skin.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
súilearachd
Quotation: De an t-súilearachd a th’ort? Notes: looking so as not to be seen.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
t(h)illtin
return(ed). E tilltin. [sic] [NOTES: Slipped under ‘tilltin’. No quotation. Definition: Return.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ta
prefix “continual”; ta-ghairm – ever-calling; ta-mhaoidheamh – ever-threatening; ta-ghul – ever-weeping.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tabag
exclamation when something sudden happens.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
tabh
used for fishing cuddies. Wooden rim with a handle with a net attached to this. [NOTES: corrected to ‘tàbh’.]
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tabhoinn
[t̪ɑfɔ̃nʹ] Quot.: “beathach ann an tabhoinn”. Note: a beast stuck in such a position that it cannot extricate itself.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tabhunn
[t̪ɑfən̪] Quotation: a’ tabhunn. Notes: dog barking.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tac
tack (boat).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tac
Quotation: Nach e a tha beag an taiceadh ris an fhear ud.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tac (f)
Quotation: tac fearainn. Notes: a tack, medium size farm.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tacadh-tadhain
Quot.: “Ni mi tacadh-tadhain ort!” Note: a threat. “Tadhan” (pine marten) not found in Lewis now. Possibly it alludes to the way it dealt with its prey.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tacan
[t̪ɑxkɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: Ghabhainn tacan dheth. Notes: I would take a while of it.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tacar
rations.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tachair
Quotation: Tachraidh rud ri uair nach tachair ri aimsir.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tachair
Quotation: Cà na thachair e ort?
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tachair
Quotation: Thachair dhomh fhaicinn.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tachas
Quotation: an tachas. Notes: eczema, scabies.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tachdadh
chocked [sic] [choked?]. [NOTES: slipped under ‘tachd’ with ‘a’ tachdadh’ as the quotation. Definition: To choke.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tadhal
[t̪ɤɣəɫ] Quotation: Chuir e tadhal oirnn. Notes: goal in shinty.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tadhan
Notes: pole-cat.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tafainn
Quotation: “Tha a’ bhó ann an tafainn.” Notes: (Father and mother) in a bog, submerged, caught. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tafoinneach
[t̪ɑfɔ̃nʹɑx] Quot.: “Gabh an rathad; tha e cho tafoinneach dhuit a dhol an taobh sin.” “Àite tafoinneach.” Note: difficult to traverse because of the nature of the ground.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taghadh
choosing which potatoes to eat and those to be used for seed potatoes next year. Potato needs 2 eyes to be used for seed purposes. Some of larger potatoes cut up and given to sheep. No name provided for this process.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
taghairm
Notes: consulting invisible oracle. Offering of cats to devil in return for prosperity or worldly wealth. A reality, 3 forms: 1. taghairm nan cat, where cats offered; 2. taghairm nan radan, where rats used; 3. if people wanted to know the future, rolled up man in hide. Left between waterfall and rock, given the problem and left alone all night when he was supposed to have exact answer from friend in the Otherworld. See Occult Elements Common to Celtic and Oriental Folklore. Parallels in Classical lore.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taghan
[t̪ɤɣɑ̃ṉ] Notes: pole-cat.
Origin: Kinlochourn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taibhs
Quotation: Tha taibhs aig an duine sin. Notes: That man has the second sight.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taibhs
a premonition which was seen rather than heard.
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taibhs
Quotation: Tha taibhs aige. Notes: He has the power of second sight.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taic
Quotation: Tha taic math innte. Notes: said of a stable boat.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taiceil
Notes: stable, used of a boat.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taigh
Quotation: taigh gaothaidh. Notes: wooden frame on which hay is put to dry.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taigh athadhail
modest.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taigh a’ bhainne
The milk house. A small bothy built of drystone and thatched. It had no window and this kept the milk and cream delightfully cold in hot summer weather. ‘Tigh a’ bhainne’ had a press or cupboard where milk vessels were kept. Here the housewife kept her ‘crannachan’ or churn, a tall round wooden vessel with its perforated lid, or ‘lumachan’, through which the long handle of the ‘loinid’ (churn-staff) entered. Here, too, she kept her ‘crog’ of butter with its immaculately white skin covering called ‘imideal’, and ‘fiodhan’ [q.v.], a wooden receptacle, where cheese was made.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
taigh bainne
pantry at the kitchen end of a house where pails of milk were stored. Usually the coolest room in the house.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taigh bainne
an outdoor building in which dairy produce was stored. Would only be found on a steading with a great number of cattle.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taigh cathraiseach
refers to a house built on an exposed hill which in time of storms keeps the occupants on their toes.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taigh-earr
an iron band to protect the keel of a boat. [NOTES: ‘earr’ corrected to ‘eàrr’.]
Origin: [Harris]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taighean earraich
(Ness) moor, shieling, cattle under cover.
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
taighean tutha
[tɑijən tuʔə] Notes: thatched houses.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taing
nn f. ‘gratitude, thanks’ : ~ a Dhia
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
taingealachd
Quotation: Là Taingealachd. Notes: Monday of Communions.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taingealachd
Quotation: Là Taingealachd an fhoghair. Notes: 2nd Wednesday of November.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tair-sgian
peat-knife.
Location: Gearrloch, Achadh a’ Chairn [Gairloch, Auchtercairn]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tairbhe
Quotation: “An ainm gun an tairbhe.” Notes: The name without the profit or advantage. The semblance without the reality.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tairgeadaireachd
[t̪ɑɾɑɡʹəd̪əðɑk] Note: passing remarks designed to incite the person at whom they are aimed.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tairig-fuaigheil
nail for nailing the planks of a boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tairisgeir
peat-iron.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tairisgeir
a peat-iron for cutting.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tairisgeir
peat-iron.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tairnainaich teas
thunder brought on by summer heat.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tairnean reang
nails used in the ribs of boats.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tairsgeir
Peat-cutting iron. ’Se tairsgeir an aon inneal buain mhonach a bhios iad a’ gnathachadh ann an Leodhas, ach aig amannan theid grabhag a buain le spaid. “Spadadh nan grabhagan”, mar a their iad.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tairsgeir
peat-cutter.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tairsgeir
the two people comprising the team involved in cutting and laying out the peat.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tairsginn
inneal air son mòine ghearradh. Co-ionnan ’sgach àite, ach le “sgiath” na’s giorra an cuid a dh’àitichean.
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tairt
Quotation: an tairt. Notes: thirst. Also used for the disease (?) brought on in cattle by lack of good water supply.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tais
damp weather.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tais
Quot.: tide thais. Note: damp weather.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
tais
damp weather.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taisealach
good distribution, going a long way, considering what was to be done with it, it has done more than I considered: any item, food, paints, etc. Nach e tha taisealach. (Scalpay)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taisealadh
a store, wealth of information, etc.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taisean
Quotation: na taisean. Notes: the skeleton.
Location: Edinburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taisgeal
Quotation: “Am bàrr deas ... ’s an géugan iosal taisgeil.” Notes: ear-marks of sheep. Deas – the right ear. Taisgeal – the left ear.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taisgeil
Quotation: cluas taisgeil. Notes: left.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taistealach
a strong stout fellow. In Ossian parlance, a champion. It appears in “Cath Fionntraigh”.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taiteadh
heating.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taiteal
this was a meal which consisted of dulse which was boiled and eaten thereafter.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taitinn
Quotation: Thaitinn [hɑtʹĩnʹ] e rium. Notes: I liked it.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh
Quotation: talamh glas [t̪ɑɫu̜ɡɫɑs]. Notes: lea land.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh
Quotation: talamh connlaich [t̪ɑɫu̜ k[ɤ̃ũ]ɫiç]. Notes: ground where corn grew the previous year.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh
Quotation: talamh mòineadh. Notes: peaty soil.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh
Quotation: talamh connlaich. Notes: stubble land.
Location: Coll, Ben Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh
Quotation: talamh làidir. Notes: ground which has lain fallow for a number of years.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh
Quot.: “talamh eilghidh”. Note: ground which has been ploughed for the first time in winter. (To be turned again later for sowing.)
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh
Quotation: talamh leasaichte. Notes: red land. 3rd year of 5-year crop rotation. (See Gilbert Clark’s.)
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh
Quotation: talamh leasaichte. Notes: year three in crop rotation. Ploughed. Hay seed and clover sown.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh
Quotation: talamh trom. Notes: land having little sand content.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh
Quotation: talamh làidir. Notes: lea land.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh
Quotation: talamh gainmhich [ɡɛ̃ṉɑiç]. Notes: sandy soil.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh bàn
Fallow ground. Uncultivated ground. Poor sandy soil. [NOTES: spelled ‘talamh-bàn’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
talamh bàn
Fallow ground. Uncultivated ground. Poor sandy soil. [NOTES: spelled ‘talamh-bàn’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
talamh bàn
Fallow ground. Uncultivated ground. Poor sandy soil. [NOTES: spelled ‘talamh-bàn’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
talamh dubh
Cultivated ground. Ploughed land.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
talamh dubh
Cultivated ground. Ploughed land.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
talamh dubh
Cultivated ground. Ploughed land.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
talamh dubh
ground after potatoes are lifted. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
talamh fuar
Deep peaty soil.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
talamh ganadach
stubborn land which would not fall over naturally onto the adjacent furrow. Needed to be turned over with a spade.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh laidir / dearg
Ground which has not been cultivated for a few years.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
talamh leumrach
soil that is difficult to plough. Tends to bounce away from the soil board of the plough.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh toll
poor quality peat.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
talamh trom
Land on which there are cattle but which can be cultivated at any time.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
talamh àiteach (m)
land suitable for cultivation.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
talamh àitichte (m)
ploughed land, cultivated land.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
talamh “butata”
potato field. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
talamh-fraoich
heath covered ground.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh-toll
perforated soil.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh-toll
Quotation: Tha i air a dhol ’na talamh-toll. Notes: said of a narrow stream which has been overgrown in places.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh-treabh
[t̪ɑɫu̜ t̪ɾɔ] Notes: cultivated or arable land.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh-àitich
Land used for cultivation (i.e. general).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
talamhaich
Quot.: “clach air talamhachadh”. Note: a stone which is embedded (naturally) in the ground.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tallachan-tollaidh
Notes: split or fissure on the surface of the ground where water seeps down. Cattle can get into difficulties here.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tallan
Quotation: cùl an tallainn [sic]. Notes: The “lobby” in the thatched houses.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tallan
Note: partition, usually stone and clay, separating human and animal living quarters in a blackhouse.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tallan
The partition between rooms, built of stone as a rule, and sometimes of wood, especially the wall which separated the living room from the sleeping quarters. In early times it was made of interwoven twigs. Also called ‘balla-tarrsuinn’.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
tamaill
Quotation: Chan eil mòran tamaill aca. Notes: ‘gumption’.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tamar (m)
Notes: a strong blow or kick (at a football). (hammer?)
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tamhasg
stupid, a person making a mistake and another person remarking as here: tamhasg. [SLIP: What a person making a silly mistake is called – i.e. stupid.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tamhasg (m)
Quotation: tamhasg duine; ’s ann a sud tha ’n tamhasg (duine). Notes: orig. – ghost. Strongly pej.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tamhnach
green field in waste or heathery land.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tana
Quotation: cladach tana. Notes: a shallow shore.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tanaidh
fat.
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
tanaidh
fat.
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
tanalach
Quotation: [ən̪t̪ɛ̃ṉəɫɑx]. Notes: the shallows in a stretch of water. Can also be applied to shallow ground when ploughing.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tanalachd
Notes: (n) shallow piece of land or water.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taobh
nn ‘side’ : a dh’fhight air ~ an fheadhain a dhrive a-mach iad; dh’fhaodte gu rachadh e ‘-mach an ~ an taighe; bha e sa ~ beinneadh aig am pasture far an robh iad;  tha taigh ~ an rathaid; duine ‘ chunnaic spiorad ~ eile an eilein; bha ceathramh eile mu ~ Dànny cuideachd [MM]; bha e air an ~ ’-staigh agus bha mise air an ~ -mach; thug iad an ròpa eile ’-mach __ air taobh ’-mach an taighe; thàinig am fear seo(?) taobh ’-mach na h-uinneigeadh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
taobh
Quotation: an taobh leis [tu̜lɤʃ] [?]. Notes: the lea side.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taobh
Quotation: taobh an fhuaraidh [t̪u̜n̪u̜ɤɾi]. Notes: weather side.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taobh
Quotation: an taobh-shruth. Notes: current near the shore running opposite to the “cuilsean” (q.v.).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taobh
Quotation: Bha dà thaobh a’ rathaid mhór leis. Notes: drunk.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taobh-liath
spleen.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
taobh-shlat
[t̪w:ɫɑd̪] Notes: strap running the length of the boat and on which the seats rest.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taobh-shlat
[t̪w:ɫɑd̪] Notes: strap on which boat seats rest.
Location: Coll, Ben Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taobh-shlat
Quotation: an taobh-shlat. Notes: the thwart-strap.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taobh-stoc
Notes: strap running along sides of boat as supports for the seats.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taobh-stoc
Notes: strip around the sides of the boat under the seats.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taobh-stoc
Notes: the strip of wood along the side of the boat and on which the seats lie.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taobhaisdeach
[t̪ɤɑʃdʹɑx] Quotation: cliabh thaobhaisdeach. Notes: ordinary creel.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taobhan
Notes: a wooden slat going horizontally over the rafters in a black house.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taobhan, na taobhain
[pl.] A long piece (or pieces) of timber which was laid across ‘maidean-ceangail’, horizontally, and tied to them to hold them firmly together. Also the smaller or shorter pieces which were placed perpendicularly, side by side, to fill in the gaps between ‘maidean-ceangail’, before the thatch could be laid on.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
taod
Quotation: an taod. Notes: halter on a horse.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taod
[tɣ:d̩] [sic] Quotation: an taod, sin agad an rud a bha na cheann.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taod
[t̪w:d̪] Quot.: “a’ deanamh taod a ròineag.” Note: grossly exaggerating; making a mountain out of a molehill.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taoim
seawater that comes into a boat. “Tha an taoim air a dhol thairis air na tobhtaichean.” – “Things have gone too far.”
Location: Harris, Borisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taoim
[t̪ɤım] Note: water lying in a boat.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taoim
[t̪[ɤ̃ĩ]m] Note: water in a boat.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taoim
bilge water.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taois
mixture (stiff) of meal and water for poultry.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taom
[tw̃:m] Quotation: Tha taom uisge anns a’ bhàta.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taom
Quotation: Feannag taomaidh. Notes: lazybed.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taomadh
Quotation: a’ taomadh (not trans.?). Notes: digging, turning soil.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
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
taomair
[ṯw̃mɑɾ] Notes: Gael. for “timber” i.e. the timbers of a boat, usually in pl.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taoman
bailer (in boat).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taoman
Note: baler in a boat.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taoman
Notes: baler in a boat.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taoman
[t̪w̃:mɑṉ] Notes: baler in a boat.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taoman
Notes: baler in a boat.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taoman
Note: baler in a boat.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taoman
Quotation: an taoman. Notes: baler in a boat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taoman
[t̪w̃:mɑṉ] Note: baler in a boat.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taor luath
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
taor luath
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
taosdachd
tummers of a boat. From the keel up to the seats.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taosg
: bha ~ air cuideachd, air an òran cha cha robh mise ach ag ionnsachadh cheathramhan dheth
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
taosg
Quotation: taosg a’ pheile (3/4 full of the pail). Notes: Dw. has taosg ‘precise full of a liquid measure; ... near the full of a dish, etc.’
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taosg
Quotation: taosg dhe’n a’ chàl. Notes: a plateful, ladleful – of anything.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taosg [t̪w:sɡ]
Quotation: taosg a’ pheile. Notes: not full to capacity.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taosgan (m)
a pump that draws. [Cf. séidean.]
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tap
Quotation: a’ tapadh. Notes: put the hook on the gut.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tap
[t̪ɑp] Quotation: a’ tapadh nan dubhain. Notes: fixing the hooks on to the horsehair.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tapadh
Quotation: Cha dean duine tapadh sam bith. Notes: (subst.) In Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tapag
exclamation given by a person, a female in particular, when someone approaches her unawares with an interjection which causes the oral, an oral ejection.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tapag
a spontaneous response following a small aggravating accident. Usually took the form of a stream of vulgar swear words.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tapag
Note: a Harris word used in the sense of being what a person who has been given a sudden fright says as a reflex exclamation. The vocal reaction to a sudden fright.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarag
Quotation: tarag sàileach. Notes: a large nail driven up through the heel of the cas-chrom and into the shaft.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarag
[t̪ɑɾɑɡ] Quotation: tarag cliath. Notes: spike of harrows.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taraisgean
[t̪ɑɾɑʃɡʹɑṉ] Quotation: taraisgean Ghallach (sic). Notes: Caithness tusker.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taraisgeir
peat iron or cutter (not commonly used).
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
taraisgeir
[t̪ɛɾɛʃɡʹəɾ] Notes: peat-cutting iron.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taraisgeir
peat iron. (Lewis)
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
taraisgil
tusk – one man cutting, and another spreading out the peats on the moss.
Origin: Cataobh [Sutherland – probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tarann
n. ‘nail’:dh’fheumadh a’ ghobhainn an ~ a dhèanamh; bha tàirnean bhàtaichean (‘boat nails’) aca
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
tarasgeir
the peat-cutting iron.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tarbh
Quotation: tarbh mór nathair-neimh. Notes: dragonfly. (Kenmore)
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
tarbh
Quotation: Tha i airson tarbh.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarbh
Quotation: Na ghabh i tarbh? Notes: Has the cow been to the bull?
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarbh
Quotation: Tha i ag iarraidh tairbh. Notes: cow in heat.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarbh nathair neimh
dragonfly.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarbh nathrach
dragonfly.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarbh-mór-nathair-neimh
Notes: dragonfly.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarbh-nathair-neimh
[t̪ɑɾɑvn̪ɑ̃əɾnʹɛ̃] Notes: dragonfly.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarbh-nathair-neimh
[t̪ɑɾɑvn̪ɑərnʹɛ̃] Notes: dragonfly.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarbh-nathrach
Quotation: an tarbh-nathrach. Notes: dragonfly.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarbh-nathrach
[t̪ɑɾɑvɑ̃ṉɑ̃ɾɑx] Note: seems to be applied to the daddy-long-legs in Park district.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarbh-nathrach
Notes: dragonfly.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarbh-nathrach
dragonfly.
Location: Argyll, Tarbert, Muasdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarbh-shìolag
Notes: small fish that stings and causes drowsiness.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarbhan
disgust, satiety. Cf. ‘tarbhanaich’ (T.G.S.I., 44. p. 291)
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarbhan-arach
[t̪ɑɾɑvɑṉˈɑɾɑx] Note: dragonfly (for tarbh-nathrach).
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarbhan-nathair
Notes: dragonfly.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
targadaireachd
[t̪ɑɾɑɡəd̪əðɑk] Quotation: Bha e a’ targadaireachd air. Notes: in banter between two people – one person goading the other.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
targadaireachd
Aiming, to get a thing, ’s mar sin. Bhiodh Dòmhnull gu math tric ’s an tigh aig Calum. Tormod: “’S ann a’ targadaireachd air an nighinn aig Calum a tha Dòmhnull.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarmachan-nathair
Notes: dragonfly.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraig
[t̪ɑrıɡʹ] Quotation: An do tharraig an tea?
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraig-barraidh
clinching nail appropriate for clinching.
Location: 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
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
[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
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. 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: tarraing an uinneag. Notes: loop attached to bottom of window for lifting it.
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
Quot.: “Tha i a’ tarraing oirre.” Note: The clouds are gathering – it’s going to rain.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarran
iron pot used in parching oats.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarrang
Quotation: Chuir mi toll is tarrang ’na chluais. Notes: (heard it in Vatersay) I hammered the point home.
Origin: South Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarruing
term used for transportation of peat from bank to the house.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tarruing
[tɑ̟rənʹ] Quotation: tarruing as an t sròin aice.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarruing na monach
taking home the peats.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tarsainn
Quotation: am balla tarsainn. Notes: the wall between humans and cattle in the blackhouse.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarsann
Quotation: tarsannan na cléitheadh. Notes: cross-beams of harrows.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarslan
Quotation: tarslan an fhàradh. (pl. tarslainn [t̪ɑrʰlɑ̃nʹ] [?]) Notes: rung of a ladder.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarsuinn
Quotation: fiodhrach tarsuinn. Notes: wooden straps placed horizontally over the rafters.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarsuinn
Quotation: duine tarsuinn. Notes: a contrary person; disagreeable.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tart
Quotation: an tart. Notes: disease in cattle. The skin became dry and the beast shed some of its hair.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tartail
Quotation: a’ tartail [tɑʴsṯɑl]. Notes: making a beating noise. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tartan
striped cloth, with pattern the same, longwise and crosswise (warp and weft), modern; but not necessarily so of old. Mid Gaelic tuartan – striped or coloured cloth. The term “breacan” includes tartan, but also checked, striped, or coloured cloth which is not “tartan” in modern sense.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tasgadh
Quotation: a’ tasgadh an teine; a’ cur tasgadh dhan an teine. Notes: banking the fire.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tasgadh
Quotation: a’ tasgadh an teine. Notes: covering the fire over and leaving it to burn for the night.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tasgadh-oidhche
a night banking of the fire. In the old black-house the peat fire was banked before retiring at night.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tasgaidh
Quotation: a’ thasgaidh; mo thasgaidh. Notes: form of address – my dear.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tasgair
curator.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tasmaltan
Quotation: An d’fhuair duine agaibh tasmaltan air a’ mhathan an diugh? Notes: trail, evidence left by bits of carcase, etc. left by a wild animal.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tasmaltan
Quotation: An d’fhuair gin agaibh tasmaltan air a’ mhathan? Notes: trail left in forest by a wild animal such as a bear.
Location: Cape Breton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tat-tat!
interj., wait! wait!
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tatadh
attracting.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tatadh
to win over, befriend. “’S gun tatadh e nàmhaid le mànran bho bheul.”
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tatair
sharp warning word. “Cum tatair air a’ ghille.”
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tatar
noise as of horses trotting. (Urq.)
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tath-thoinneamh
Notes: rope splice.
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tathadh-is-dà-thionndadh
not cooked; fried hurriedly as in frying meat, etc. thus uncooked, meaning that it touched the pan and no more (one definition).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tathag
hint (Lewis). In Harris ‘sgiobaideag’ is a common word with them in this sense: i tilgeil sgiobaideagan air.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tathaich
Quotation: Bhiodh iad a’ tathaich an tigh seo. Notes: They used to visit this house frequently.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tathaich
voice with sense of foreboding.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tathaich
(also) ghost sounds. Bhitheadh iad a’ cluinntinn tathaich ann. [SLIP: Ghostly sounds.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tathaich
(Faic Dwelly t-d 937. Cuideachd M’Ghillfhinnein.) “Gleann Surtabhat, bhathas a’ cluinntinn tathaich ann.”
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tathaich-tilgeil
vomiting. ‘Ruigheachd’ also for this.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tathainte
inquisitive, nosey, e.g. talking about tailors – “Bha iad sinn riabh cho tathainte a’ feitheamh a h-ùile facal.” [NOTES: ‘sinn riabh’ corrected to ‘sin riamh’.]
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tathal
[t̪ɑhəɫ] Notes: tàl (adze) pronounced this way by my father.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tathal
[ˈt̪ɑəɫ] Note: pronunciation of “tàl” – adze.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tathan
cement.
Origin: ‘Islay connections’
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tathann
intrigue, entice.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tathanta
[?] contrary, in speech or action. [NOTES: slipped as ‘tathanta’.]
Origin: [North Uist acc. to the card index of informants]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tathanta
Notes: ‘contrary, in speech or action’.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tathasg
Quotation: éigheach tathaisg [t̪ɑhiʃɡʹ]. Notes: said to be heralding some important event.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tathasg
skeleton like reference in one sense [?]. [SLIP: Skeleton – used when referring to living people.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tathasg
an apparition of someone’s death. “Tathasg an duine mhairbh.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tathasg
(also) (perhaps a skeleton frame of a being). [SLIP: Ghost.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tathtadh
glued.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tathunnaich a measg nan con
sudden barking.
Location: Barra, Glen
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
te-shrianach
Quot.: an te-shrianach. Note: game usually played on the machair. Each player marked out a square of turf for himself and cut it into a certain number of strips (strianagan). A piece of wood was stuck into the ground a certain distance away and each player attempted to hit it in turn with a stone. If one failed to hit, he lost a “strianag”. Carried on till all but one (the winner) had lost the whole square.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
te-theallaich
Quotation: an te-theallaich [tʹʃeʔɑɫi]. Notes: tapered burning iron used for cleaning ragged holes in wood left by auger.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
te-theotha
[tʹehiˈɔə] Note: hemlock? Plant that was supposed to be poisonous and fatal if cattle ate it.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
te-theothaich
Quotation: an te-theothaich. Notes: the hemlock.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teab
vb ‘fail; almost succeed’ : past: th. an spiorad orm aon latha; ~ iad an duine bochd a chur às a cheann
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
teacs
this is used to indicate a short account of a certain topic. “Thug e teacs air a’ bhainnis.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teairt
[tʹɑʴstʹ] Quotation: Tha ’n crodh air an teairt. Notes: The cows have been sent out to graze before morning milking. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teall, till (m)
sudden attack.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teallaich
Quotation: an teallaich. Notes: the hearth.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teamain chirein
short type of seaweed boiled and given to cattle.
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
teamhar
[tʹɑ̃ũ̜ɾ] Quotation: teamhair an fhoghair. Notes: time, season.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Skerray
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teanga
Quotation: Tha e a’ ruith air mo theangaidh. Notes: It’s on the tip of my tongue.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teanga
Quotation: Tha e a’ falbh ’s a theanga air a ghualainn. Notes: indiscriminate repetition of what one has heard.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teanga
Quotation: Am fear a ghleidheas a theanga, gleidhidh e a chàirdean.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teanga
Quotation: an teanga. Notes: the plane for making the tongue in floorboards.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teanga (f)
Quotation: Thug mi dha sgoladh dha mo theangaidh.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teanga na snathaide
tongue of needle.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
teann
[tʹɛ̣uṉ] Notes: tight, mean or miserly, constipated.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teann
[ʧhɛ͜un] adj. ‘close’: ma thig agad air a dhèanamh cho math ’s as urrainndhut, cho ~ air ’s as urrainn dhut; ~ air a chliathaich
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
teann
Quot.: “Teann nach eil!” Note: e.g. when a person hears a statement about somebody which he doesn’t think rings quite true, and then the statement is qualified in some way to make it more plausible, he might say “Teann nach eil!” or “Teann nach robh!” etc. “I thought as much!”
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teann, ~ air
prep. ‘near to’ : chaidh mi gu math ~ air; cho ~ ‘s ‘ bha esan a bhith air a mharbhadh; tha e ~ air àit’ ris an canadh iad Ceap Cùbraich [MM]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
teannachadh
constipation.
Location: Harris, Rodel
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teannachadh cuim
constipation.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Trianaid House
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teannachadh cuirp
constipation.
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teanndach
turf that had been removed. This turf was laid on the inside of the peat bank, with the grassy side up.
Location: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
teanndachd
constipation.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Trianaid House
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teanndachd
Quotation: an teanndachd. Notes: asthma.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tearb
Quotation: a’ tearbadh nan uan. Notes: wean.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tearb
[tʹɛɾɑb] Quotation: A’ tearbadh nan uan. Notes: wean.
Origin: [?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tearbadh
separating the lambs at the end of August. Lambs would be placed in the fold (cotan [q.v.]).
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tearr bhuidhe
Archangel tar. Used for healing purposes after the dehorning of animals. Could also be used in boats for sealing leaks. [NOTES: ‘tearr’ corrected to ‘teàrr’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teas
Quotation: coileach an teas. Notes: the glitter from rocks when the sun shines on them.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teas
heat. Teas a’ ghuail.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teas
temperature.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teas
Quotation: teas a’ bhroilein. Notes: said by D.F. to be “inflammation in the manyplies”. Stomach disease or illness.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teas (m)
Quotation: a’ gabhail teas gu rud (gu obair air choireigin, gu seòrsa biadh). Notes: craze; passion for.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teas a’ bhroilein
[tʹʃɛsəvɾɛlɑṉ] Notes: dryness in cattle.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teas-broilein
cattle disease, about the stomach.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teasach
Quot.: “teasach na siataig”. Note: rheumatic fever.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teasach
Quotation: an teasach. Notes: scarlet-fever.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teasach
Quotation: an teasach scàrlaid. Notes: scarlet fever.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teasach
Quot.: “an teasach shiataig”. Note: rheumatic fever.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teasachan (m)
heater.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teasd
Quotation: Theasd e. Tha e air teasd. Notes: to die – most common form (for humans) in Perthshire acc. to informant. Other – caochail.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teasd
(death) an old expression. “Theasd e” confined to the Mainland area: Perthshire and perhaps Argyllshire.
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teasraigeadh monadh
a loan or gift of peats to ‘tide one over’. (Berneray)
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
teastas
certificate.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teatha chartaidh
Notes: very strong tea.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teathan
Traces (in olden days) made of thong or woven roots of bent-grass.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
teathar
tether.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
teilcheart
Quotation: Bha e air a theilcheart. Notes: ‘utterly exhausted’.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teilmigair
partly castrated or its testicles wanting.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
teimhealach
Quotation: àite teimhealach; duine teimhealach. Notes: of a place ‘dark’; of a person ‘morose, closed in’.
Location: School of Scottish Studies
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teine
Quotation: leac-an-teinnich [tʹɛ̃nʹıç].
Location: Coll, Ben Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teine
Quotation: teine-biorach. Notes: “static electricity which jumps from one place to another.”
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teine
Quotation: Tha tuilleadh ’s a chòrr a dh’iaruinn aige ’san teine.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teine
Quotation: poit air [ə ʤinʹ]. Notes: N.B. pron.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teine
Quotation: Cuir [tʹĩṉıç] air.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teine athair
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
teine beura
this fire was lit beneath the ‘stann’ [q.v.] which was instrumental in forming the salt. J.M.A. tells of a place close to Lochmaddy which made salt and sold it to countries such as Holland and Sweden, which had no natural salt.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teine de
ringworm. There is a tradition which says that this can be cured by the application of the blood of a black cockerel. Similarly toothache can be relieved by the application of fish oil and whisky. [NOTES: note added – shingles?]
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teine-bianan
Notes: phosphorescence on the sea – Sleat.
Location: Skye, Sleat
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teine-biorach
Notes: “static electricity which jumps from one place to another.”
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teine-biorrach
glow worm. “Cho luath ris an teine bhiorrach.”
Location: Harris, Horgabost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teine-fòid
the peat from the fire burning on the sickle (or any convenient item) was stuck in it to serve as a handle etc. and the burning peat as a lantern on a dark night, Highland of Scotland.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teine-sionnachain
Notes: phosphorescence at sea.
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teine-sionnachain
Note: phosphorescence at sea.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teineachar
[tʹʃeṉɑxɑɾ] Quotation: an teineachar. Notes: (Check.) implement used by blacksmith.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teinntean
Notes: five peats stood up to dry.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teinntean
[tʹĩ:nʹɛ̃ṉ] Notes: several peats built up to dry.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teinntean
[tʹʃınʹdʹɑ̃ṉ] Notes: four or five peats stacked to dry.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teinntean
[tʹĩ:nhɛ̃ṉ] Notes: 4-5 peats lifted and leaning against each other.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teinntean
[tʹĩ:nʹɛṉ] Notes: a few peats lifted together to dry.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tein’-athair
lightning. [NOTES: slipped under ‘tein-adhair’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tein’-athair
lightning.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teireachdainn
[tʹeɾɑxkĩnʹ] Quotation: a’ teireachdainn. Notes: coming to an end.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teireisgeir ()
[masc.] peat iron. Has three main parts: ‘iarunn’ i.e. the blade; ‘cas’ i.e. handle and ‘smeachan’ i.e. foot-rest, for the right foot (a chas dheas) to press the implement down.
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
teireisgil
[t̪eɾeʃɡʹəl] Notes: peat-cutting iron.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teiris
[tʹeɾiʃ] Quotation: Teiris a nis! or Teiris a mireag! Notes: said to a cow to soothe her at milking time.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teirmeasg
Quotation: Chaidh a theirmeasg [hɤɾɤmw̃sɡ] dha. Notes: more or less same as “Chaidh a bhacadh dha.” (Heard this but not often.)
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teislig
strips of bandage or leather used to secure bandage, placed above and below the wound.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teobht
[tʹəuht] thatch or gable made of divots.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teoradh
oppressed by heat. “Tha an teas g’am theoradh.” [NOTES: corrected to ‘teòradh’.]
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tetheann
bag made of roots of bedstraw or matgrass in which corn was parched over a fire.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teud-slabhraidh
a hooked iron rod attached to a chain.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teumadh
ag ceangal is a’ suaineadh slat ri chéile (ma bha dà phìos no trì innte (English ‘splice’).
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
teàrr
Quotation: ball tearradh [sic]. Notes: rope saturated in Archangel tar.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teàrr
Quotation: teàrr dearg. Notes: Archangel Tar.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teàrr-an-fhiodh
archangel tar was used as an ointment for strains, sprains relative to cattle.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
teàrr-an-fhiodh
archangel tar. Archangel tar was the most accepted tar in connection with ointment treatment for cattle and sheep.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teàrr-an-rathaid-mhóir
tar macadam.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teàrr-a’-ghuail
used for tarring boats, tarring rooftops. I do not think it was ever used as ointment for cattle or sheep even in emergency.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teòchan (m)
warming-pan; hot-water-bottle.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teòir
a tax that was paid by fishermen for the use of piers and fishing stations.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teóthadh
[tʹo:əɣ] Quot.: “Chaneil teóthadh air a’ bhuntàta seo.” Note: “These potatoes haven’t warmed.”
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tha
Quotation: Tha sin a dh’aona mhathas air. Notes: That’s one consolation (for it).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tha
Quotation: Tha dath liath an lìonaidh air a’ mhuir.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tha
Quotation: Tha do dhà chrann agad air do làimh. Notes: (Keose) You have your two alternatives. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tha
Quotation: Tha sannt nan seachd sagart ann a fear gun mhac gun nighean.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tha car cliatach ann
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
tha fallus ort
sweating.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
tha latha greannach
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
thaft
seat.
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
thairis
capsized. (boat) Chaidh i thairis anns na tuinn. [SLIP: Of boat, to capsize.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thairis
Quotation: Chaidh e thairis. Notes: He went abroad.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thannie or tannie
abdominal fat. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
thar
Quotation: fiodh thar an t-sàbh. Notes: wood straight from the saw.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thar
Quotation: thar an loch. Notes: over the loch. Tarsuinn rarely used except in compounds, e.g. fiodh-tarsuinn.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thar a cheile
At variance. Confused.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thar na corach
Beyond what is right and proper.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tharathal
[hɑrɑhəɫ] Quotation: Tha e ’n déidh dhol [hu̜ru̜həɫ] [hɑrɑhəɫ]. Notes: It has got all mixed up. [Cf. thuruthal.]
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tharrach
Quotation: Chaidh a’ chairt ’s an t-each druimeach air tharrach. Notes: turned turtle. (from druim – back; tàrr – belly)?
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tharraich
Quotation: Chaidh a h-uile rud a bh’ann purraich air tharraich. Notes: hurly burly.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tharraich
Quotation: Bha i a’ ruith purraich air tharraich. Notes: helter skelter.
Location: Coll, Arinagour
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
theagamh
[heɡu̟] Notes: “Right enough, …” Used at the beginning of statements.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
theap or theip
almost. I spelt the former in this form I think (h-ip) demonstrating a little difference in pronunciation, which in this case matters little, for to note, and could perhaps be dismissed as the first is not grammatically spelt I think.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thig
Quotation: duine a’ tighinn ris fhéin. Thàinig i rithe fhéin. Notes: a man committing suicide.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thig
vb. ‘come’: FUT.: cha tig sian riut ‘happen’ … ach tha thu ’ tòiseach’ air obair glè òg; PAST: no’ [nuair] ’thàinig an gnothach thugam‘I learned it’, bha e agam; COND.: gus an tigeadh agad ‘you could’ air an cota-mòr a thoirt dhìot; VBL. N.: tha deathach ’ tighinn [t´i-aɲ] às
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
thig
Quotation: Nan d’thàinig e an uair sin... Notes: If he had come then.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thig tilleadh ann
expression which means an illness can hit anyone no matter how healthy they consider themselves to be.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thog e chreach
giving a shout towards the announcement of a calamity. [NOTES: slipped under ‘creach’ with ‘Thog e ’chreach’ as the quotation. Definition: Giving a shout before announcing some sort of calamity.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thoir
Quotation: Thoir a-mach. An toir e mach falt? Notes: “Does he cut hair?”
Location: Berneray
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thoir
Quotation: Toirt leis a’ rathaid mhóir. Notes: staggering.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thoir
Quotation: Se siod a thug a là. Notes: wrecking or destruction of a person’s life.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thoir a steach talamh aitich
Soil reclamation.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
thug
Quotation: (Keose) Thug an cù a mhùn gu a mhaighstir.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thugad
Quotation: Thugad! Notes: Watch yourself! Out of the way!
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thuige
Quotation: Dé man a tha sibh? Chaneil mi ach thuige ’s bhuaithe. Notes: off and on.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thuige
Quotation: Cuir thuige an lamp.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thuige
Quotation: dol thuige nan tràth. Notes: twilight.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thuiread
[hu̟ɾəd̪] Quotation: “Tha e thuiread anns a’ bhail’ eile.” Notes: up.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thuiread
[hu̜ɾəd̪] Quotation: [hu̜ɾəd̪] an sin. Notes: up there. See “urrad” and “uthard” in Dw.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thuireas
[hu̜ɾɑs] Quotation: [hu̜ɾɑs] an sin. Notes: “Down there”. Cf. with “thuiread” and in Dw. “urrad” and “uthard”. Dw. see ioras adv. ‘down, below’.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thuit a’ sachd
if something broke and peats fell to ground.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
thuruthal
[hu̜ru̜həl] Quotation: Tha e ’n déidh dhol [hu̜ru̜həɫ] [hɑrɑhəɫ]. Notes: It has got all mixed up. [Cf. tharathal.]
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thèagharna
Quotation: A thèagharna! Notes: (expression of disgust) corruption of ‘tighearna’.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thèid
vb. ‘go’:9.0pt'>COND.: latha air na mhàireach rachadh an aidheach’ a sgrìobhadh; IPV: all right, thèid air an òran a dh’ionnsaich mi dhut an-raoir!
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
thóbag!
interjection when lifting a child from the floor. “A rhythm sort of word.” [NOTES: slipped under ‘thòbag’ with ‘thòbag!’ as a quotation. Definition: (hòbag?) Interjection when lifting a child from the floor.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiach
[tʹıəx] Quotation: tiach air rud. Notes: fond of something. [NOTES: slipped under ‘titheach’.]
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiachd
[tʹıɑxk] Quotation: Tha mi go tiachdadh leis a phadhadh. Notes: I’m just about dried up with thirst.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiachdadh
seawater dried on boots or shoes, leaving a white patch of dried sea-salt. Tha mo bhrògan air tiachdadh.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiachdadh
drying (white) as sea-water. [SLIP: Drying white as if brine had soaked the thing.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiachdais
Quotation: A thiachdais! Notes: My goodness.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiarail
[tʹıɤɾɑl] Quotation: duine tiarail. Notes: a person who is contented with his lot.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiarinach mult
a castrated male one year old.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
tias
a cooking utensil used for grilling purposes. Thin iron bars on top with fire beneath.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiath chladach
between high water mark agus feur.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
tide rabach
‘foul’ weather. [NOTES: slipped under ‘rabach’ with ‘tìde rabach’ as the quotation. Definition: Foul weather.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tig
Quotation: Tig seachad! Notes: asking a person to come in and come near the fire.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tigearsan
[ṯıɡʹəʴsəṉ] Quotation: Tha e làn [ṯıɡʹəʴsəṉ]. Notes: He is full of tricks, pranks. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tigh
Quotation: tigh-bàrraidh. Notes: thatched house.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tigh
Quotation: tigh seisean. Notes: session house.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tigh
Quotation: tigh an eòrna. Notes: the grain loft in distilleries.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tigh
Quotation: tigh na braiche. Notes: the Malt Deposit in the distillery.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tigh
Quotation: tigh a’ mheasgaidh. Notes: the Mixing Room in the distillery where the crushed meal was scalded with hot water (see sheets).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tigh a bhuntata
Potato hut/shed. [NOTES: spelled ‘taigh a’ bhuntàta on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
tigh càilmhor or càlor
some say thus or use this form in the material sense.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
tigh-an-fhiaruis
fever house, or house of fever (old). When the ‘epidemic’ or fever rather prevailed in the islands. This term was likewise prescribed.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tigh-bàrraidh
Notes: a thatched house.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tigh-dubh
black-house, thatched house in the Highlands of Scotland in 19th and the early part of the 20th century.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tigh-mùin
lavatory.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tigh-thàbhaidh
[t̪ɔıhɑ:vi] Notes: hand-net. Used in Barvas for catching cuddies.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tighearnadh
Quotation: Nach ann air a chaidh an tighearnadh. Notes: said e.g. when a person had a lucky escape.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tighinn an latha
Daybreak.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tighinn fobha
water uprising.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tighinn soills’
as the moon developed this was considered a sign of good weather to come.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tighinn-beò
Quotation: Sin agads mar rinn sinn ar tighinn-beò [tʹin bjɔ:]. Notes: livelihood.
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tighinn-fodha
[tʹĩṉfoə] Notes: water seeping in at floor level.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tighinn-fodha
[tʹĩṉfoə] Notes: water that seeps in under a house.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tighinn-fodha
[tʹĩṉˈfɔə] Note: water seeping into a house at floor level.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tighinn-fodha
Quotation: an tighinn-fodha. Notes: the water seeping in through the foundations of a house. (N. Applecross tiochd-fodha.)
Origin: North Uist
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
tilear
what you would hold in hand.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
tilg
Quotation: a’ tilgeil a’ chabair. Notes: tossing the caber.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tilg
Quotation: Thilg i an laogh. Notes: abort.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tilgean, tilgin
cur tilgin – put ground to potatoes.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tilgeannas
casting up (verbal), recrimination.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tilgeil
throwing the peats.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tilgeil
Tha am barr-fhad air a thilgeil bho’n tairsgeir fad do laimhe a mach air sgaoilteach druim no uachdair a’ phuill, agus tha cuid dhiubh air an tilgeil fada mach air an ath-bhlar am broinn a’ phuill. Tha a’ chuid as motha de’n dara fàd – fàd a’ ghàrraidh – ga chur air sliomas ri deanamh gàrradh ri oir a’ phuill air uachdair. Tha, mar as tric, tri fòid a dh’àirde dol do’n ghàrradh so. Tha an caoran ga chur ri do chois, no faisg, am broinn a’ phuill.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tilgeil (m)
Quotation: Bha e a’ tilgeil. Thainig an tilgeil air. Notes: vomiting.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tilgeil an ùird
throwing the hammer. Cha robh seo againne idir, no aig an fheadhainn romhainn, cho fada ’s is aithne dhomh. Ach bha lorg aca air glé mhath. ‘Tilgeil an ùird’ a chanadh iad. (Chì sibh ’s e ‘tilgeil’ a chanas sinne airson ‘tilgeadh’ ann an àiteachan eile.)
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
timchioll
Quotation: na timchill. Notes: the planks in a boat.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
timchioll
[tʹĩmiçəɫ] Quot. 1. an timchioll. 2. na timchil [tʹimiçəl]. 3. an timchioll àrd. Note: (1-2) planks in a boat. (3) the plank nearest the gunwale.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
timchioll
Quotation: an timchioll àrd. Notes: gunwhale. Also “beul”.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
timchioll
Quotation: Bhiodh esan a’ dol [tʃiməɫ] a’ ceisteachadh [kɛsṉəxəɣ].
Origin: Arran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tine
(also) tin; container. ‘Tunnadh’ is the form of pronunciation on Scalpay.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinn
Quotation: Tha e gu tinn. Notes: He is ill.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinn fodha
water oozing from the floor.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
tinndean
[tʹĩɲdɛ̜ṉ] about a dozen peats together.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinneas
Quotation: an tinneas caitheamh [kɑhi]. Notes: Tuberculosis.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Droman
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinneas
Quotation: an tinneas tuiteamach. Notes: epilepsy.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Droman
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinneas
Quotation: an tinneas tuiteamach. Notes: epilepsy.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinneas
Quotation: an tinneas-tuiteamach. Notes: epilepsy.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinneas
Quotation: an tinneas mara. Notes: seasickness (Jura). [NOTES: slipped under ‘tinneas-mara’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinneas
Quotation: tinneas mara. Notes: seasickness.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinneas
Quotation: an tinneas buidhe. Notes: jaundice.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinneas a’ rìgh
an open wound in the neck. Constantly septic and flowing. If the wound was closed, this would result in death.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinneas fuar
bladder related illness.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinneas fuar
bladder related illness.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinneas-air-ais
Quotation: an tinneas-air-ais. Notes: epilepsy. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinneas-air-ais
Quot.: “an tinneas-air-ais”. Note: epilepsy. Cure: a black cock with no white feathers was killed and buried at the spot where the fits had first taken place. The patient then had to sleep there for one night.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinneas-cam
Note: in sheep. Akin to the “tuathallan” but did not lose sense of direction. Animal a little twisted.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinneas-cuim
dysentery; laxative treatment.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
tinnsgeadal
Quotation: ’S ann as a thug e tinnsgeadal a bhàis. Notes: the origin of his death.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinnteadh, n. tinntean
4 peats astraddle and one lying on top.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tioch
[tii̜i̜əx] Quotation: an tioch. Notes: throat.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiolp
‘Ann an tiolp.’ (Harris) I am not quite sure of this one’s meaning, which could be ‘in a second’, one interpretation.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tioma-taisean?
fannachadh laige (1 [?]) le bhi do timchioll: bi e tighinn air caoradh? taisean? – explanation? – tuathalan, luairean. [?]
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tioma-taisein
I am not sure of the meaning of this word at the moment (I am sure you have the word already).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiomchaill
the boards or planks of a boat, e.g. tiomchall àrd – the top plank or board, fixed to which is the gunwale.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tionachdnadh
perhaps it means, perhaps salvation, as I am not quite certain at the moment… or testament… Perhaps you have the meaning yourselves. If not, I do not think the tiomnadh access to it is inappropriate. [SLIP: ‘Salvation’ or ‘testament’ – informant uncertain.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tionndadh
Quotation: a’ tionndadh (intrans.?). Notes: digging over.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tionndaidh
Quotation: Thionndramaid. Notes: We would turn.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tionndaidh
Quotation: a’ tionndrain [tʹ[ɤ̃ũ̜]n̪d̪ɾɑ̃ṉ]. Notes: turning, ploughing.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tionndaidh
Quotation: a’ tionntan (sic) [tʹ[ɤu]t̪ɑ̃ṉ]. Notes: turning.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tionndan
Quotation: a’ tionndan a’ chabair. Notes: tossing the caber.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tionnsnadh
salvation. Nach ann air a thàinig an tionnsnadh. – didn’t salvation come over him. (Harris)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tioradair
attendant in kiln.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tioram
Quotation: Tha e cho tioram ris a spian. Notes: completely dry.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tioram
Quotation: Cho tioram ris a’ spiùnn. Notes: spiùnn – tinderbox for catching sparks.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tioram
Quotation: Cho tioram ris an t-srad.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tioram
Quotation: badhar tioram. Notes: Badhar: wares. Badhar tioram: drapery. “Fear a’ tighinn timchioll le badhar tioram.” – pedlar.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tioranach
dry period of weather.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiormachd
Notes: “dryness” in cattle and sheep.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiormachd
constipation, for animals; cured by mixture of rhubarb and treacle.
Location: Harris, Rodel
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiormachd
constipation.
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
tiormachd
[tʹu̜rumɔxk] Notes: “dryness” in cattle.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiormachd-na-Màirt
dry days in March. [NOTES: slipped under ‘tiormachd’ with ‘tiormachd na Màirt’ as the quotation and a note added – N.B. ‘Màrt’ is feminine here.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiorraghais
I am not sure of this one. Cho fada ris an tiorraghais. Unless it means t-shiorruidhachd fàis – a matter of guess? Perhaps some other place may have the definition.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiorramachd
deficiency in cattle which resulted in them drying up. Would deteriorate physically leading to a reduction in size. Castor oil was used as a cure.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiortach
Quotation: a’ ghuga tiortach. Notes: fulmar.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiota
Quotation: tiota beag. Notes: a moment.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
titeag
[ˈtʹıtʹɑɡ] Note: exclamation used by a person who is wetted, e.g. by a splash.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiuc
Quotation: air a thiuc fhein. Notes: on own initiative.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiugh
Notes: fat; wouldn’t use it of a person.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiulp
Quotation: “Tiulpaidh mi a’ null.” Notes: to go somewhere on a sudden visit, staying only for a short time.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiurr a’ làin
what was left after high tide.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
tiurraidean
a small insignificant heap of peats – or of anything.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tiutan
[tʹu̟t̪ɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: Cha bhi mi tiutan. Notes: I won’t be a second.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiùradh
gathering material on a beach. A’ tiùradh suas ’na làthair.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiùrr
Quotation: tiùrr feamainn.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiùrr
Notes: deposit of seaweed etc. left at high tide.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tliamigear
[?] partly castrated or one testicle wanting.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross and Cromarty but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
tlàm
a ball of wool in the palm of your hand. Chan e tlàm a tha air a cuigeil. – giving the impression that you are thinking of a particular subject while your interests lie elsewhere.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
to-balg
lying flat on front.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toaig a butata
earthing potatoes. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
toak
cataract on eyes. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
tobacco
[sic] Tobacco. Disease: smallpox (bheanachdachd bhreac). Part used: gitseog tobacca. How prepared: dha shuathaigeadh (chewing). Sources of information: the individual who was in contact with the disease in a foreign country, South America, and his pal, who [sic] he nursed for a while, used to chew tobacco to prevent him having the disease himself – a disinfectant method he adopted himself. I’ll make further enquiry.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
toban
Quotation: toban cloimh. Notes: “pluck” of wool.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toban
a wreath or tuft of wool.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
tobar
Quotation: tobar ruadh. Notes: spring producing water containing iron.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobar
Quotation: tobar ruadh. Notes: spring or well with iron in the water.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobar
Quotation: Chan ionndrainnear an uisge gus an tiormaich an tobar.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobar-réisg
peat well.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobar-talamh-toll
a well or waterlogged hole with water on broken ground.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhadh
being pulled by a rope (as a boat pulling another one on the sea of course). [SLIP: To tow.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhaig
Quotation: a’ tobhaigeadh. Notes: hoe (vb).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhar earraich
if used for potatoes they would be softer, soggier.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhar geamhraidh
best for potato fertiliser.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobht
Quot.: “an tobht iomair”. Note: rowing seat.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobht
[t̪ot̪] Quot.: “tobht a’ chruinn”. Note: the seat with a semi-circle cut out to admit the mast.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhta
seat.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
tobhta
Quotation: tobhta throgalach. Notes: removable seat in a boat.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhta
Quotation: tobhta thogalach. Notes: removable seat in a boat.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhta
[t̪ɔt̪] Notes: the seat in a boat.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhta
Quotation: an tobhta thogarrach. Notes: removable seat.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhta
Quotation: tobhta-thilgte [t̪ot̪əhilıtʹ]. Notes: a loose seat in a boat, which could be moved from one position to another.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhta
turf covered path round thatched roof.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
tobhta
Quotation: an tobhta togalaich. Notes: plank put across the gunwhales as a seat for fishing.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhta
Quotation: tobhta-toisich, tobhta-meadhon, tobhta-deiridh. Notes: thwarts.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhta
Quotation: tobht’ a’ chruinn.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhta
Quotation: an tobhta deiridh.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhta
Notes: used for the top of the wall of a thatched house.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhta
Quotation: an tobhta toisich.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhta
Quot.: “tobhta stiùiridh”. Note: stern seat in a boat.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhta
Quot.: an tobhta meadhoin. Note: centre seat.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhta bhràghad
the seat closest to the rear of the boat.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhta thogail
a seat in the middle of a boat which could be lifted depending on the number of oarsmen needed.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Ceannaraigh
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-bhràghad
the penultimate seat at the back of a boat.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
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
tobhtaichean
seats. Tobhta thoisich. Tobhta dheiridh, etc.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobht’-an-fhiarais
ruins, ruined walls, etc. in which fever was associated prior to occupant’s removal. [NOTES: slipped under ‘tobht-an-fhiabhrais’. Definition: ‘Ruins of house abandoned because of illness’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tochaltan
excavation.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tochd
Quotation: Bha tochd air. Droch-thochd. Notes: smell (good or bad, though probably usually the latter).
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tocsaid-uisge
water barrel, for storing water.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
todhair
Quotation: Bha iad a’ todhair an aodaich. Notes: bleach clothes by laying them outside on the grass.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
todhar (m)
Quotation: aodach a-muigh air an todhar. Notes: on bleaching green.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
todhar (vb.)
Quotation: a’ todhar an talmhainn. Notes: putting seaweed on the ground.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
todhar geamhraidh
used as potato fertiliser.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
todhar siobaidh
Seaweed cast ashore on east side – reckoned not as effective as that which is cut.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
todhar-leoghain
Seaweed cast ashore on Atlantic side. [NOTES: spelled ‘todhar leoghain’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
tog
Quotation: Tha mi a dol a thogail uime. Na thog thu man a bhuntàta? Notes: building up on either side of the potato shaws with earth.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tog
Quotation: a’ togail uime. Notes: hoeing the potatoes; building up the earth around the shaws.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tog
vb ‘lift’ : vbl nn: dh’fhaodadh fear a’ char tighinn dhan duine ‘m bu leis am beathach agus an damage a thogail dheth
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
tog
Quotation: a’ togail na mòna. Notes: first stage in drying process – see ‘coilleag’.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tog
Quotation: Tha ’n am againn a dhol a thogail uime. Notes: hoeing, i.e. building up the earth on each side of the potato shaws.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tog
Quotation: Thog i bataichean. Notes: moved/flitted, bag or [?] baggage.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tog
Quotation: Thog i ’m bainne. Notes: when the cow lifts her milk and refuses to give it.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tog
Quotation: a’ togail. Notes: when binding corn, the act of lifting the sheaf of corn or barley and tying it.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tog
Quotation: fear togail fuinn. Notes: precentor.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tog
Quotation: a’ togail a’ mhòine. Notes: lifting the peats.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tog
Quotation: a’ togail droma. Notes: making a ridge.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tog
Quot.: “Bhiodh iad a’ togail rudan air.” Note: e.g. when someone relates an outrageous story, attributing it to someone already notorious for telling them. Making things up and passing them on as being from someone else. Could also be a story about a person’s actions which would be in keeping with what he might do, but often exaggerated.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
togail
Lifting (of potatoes).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
togail
Bidh a’ mhoine air a fàgail air an sgaoilteach airson fichead la ma bhios aimsir mhath ann, na’s fhaide na sin ma bhios an aimsir fliuch no briste. Theid an uair sin teannadh air a togail, no ‘ga cur air a casan’ mar a their iad.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
togail
’g a cuir air a casan. The first lifting of the peats – into small heaps – three or four peats up-ended and one laid across the top – am fàd mulaich.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
togail
Quotation: Ghabh sinn togail ar cuirp. Notes: We ate our fill.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
togail
lifting the peats and putting four or five together on end two or three weeks after cutting.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
togail
Quotation: a’ togail druim. Notes: making the first drill in the centre of the field.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
togail
Quotation: Leig iad a’ bhó air thogail. Notes: They starved the beast so that it couldn’t rise with weakness.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
togail (na mona)
second stage after cutting. ‘Rudhain’ were made. They contained anything from four to eight peats standing together to allow the peats to dry more quickly.
Location: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
togail a mhuntata
Lifting (of potatoes).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
togail air a’ bhata
“Thog mi air a’ bhata e.” “Thog Tormod Donnchadh air a’ bhata.” (Thog m’ athair uaireigin a h-uile mac a riamh aca air a’ bhata a muigh air tìr-mór nuair a bha iad ris an iasgach.) ’S e ‘togail air a’ bhata’ a chanadh sinne an cumantas.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
togail an ainme
naming children after deceased relatives.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
togail a’ bhuntàta
[potato lifting.]
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
togail chreachan
Le sgumair. Small spoon net. Slat no maide fada, is cearcall iaruinn le lion ’na phoca ceangailte ri bàrr na slaite.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
togail mu’n bhuntata
Hoeing and earthing potatoes. [NOTES: spelled ‘togail mun bhuntàta’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
togail na mona
making little heaps of 8-10 peats in order that they dry.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach, Stafainn [Skye, Staffin]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
togail na mona
lifting the peats.
Location: Gearrloch, Achadh a’ Chairn [Gairloch, Auchtercairn]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
togail-creicheadh
Notes: cattle rieving.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
togail-rithe
preparing to go. [NOTES: Slipped under ‘tog’ and ‘ri’ with ‘togail rithe’ as the quotation.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
togalach
Quotation: bainne togalach. Notes: skimmed milk.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
togarrach
Quotation: an tobhta thogarrach. Notes: removable seat in a boat.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
togsaid thearr
barrel of tar. [NOTES: slipped under ‘togsaid’ with ‘togsaid theàrr’ as the quotation.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
toigheach
Quotation: Bhiodh iad glé thoigheach air. Notes: They would be very careful about it.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toil
Quotation: Tha toil aice a’ ghleidheil. Notes: She wishes to keep it.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toineamh
[tonʹəv] Quotation: a’ toineamh. Notes: twisting wool.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toinisg
Quotation: Theab e mo chuir as mo thoinisg. Notes: He nearly drove me round the bend.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toinn
Quotation: a’ toinneadh an t-snàth. Notes: twisting the yarn.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toinneadh
[tɔnʹəɣ] Quotation: airson nach toinneadh e teann ma h amhaich.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toinneamh
Quotation: A’ toinneamh shnòtan. Notes: cf. snòd affix a fishing hook to the line. See MacBain, who takes it from Sc. snood, the hair line to which the hook is attached. Dw. has snòd ‘twisted hairs which are fastened to a fishing-hook’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toinnte
Quotation: duine toinnte. Notes: sensible.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toirbheart
Quotation: “Tha mi air mo thoirbheart.” (e.g. said by a person exhausted working at peats). Notes: (father and mother) oi as in soirbh. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toirbhsgil
Notes: peat-cutter.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toirbhsginn
Notes: peat-knife. Source: Douglas MacMillan, Ardnamurchan. Date: 1975.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toire
[t̪ɔɾə] Quotation: toire, na toireachan. Notes: auger for boring holes in wood. Before bit and brace.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toireadh
Quotation: auger.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toireisgil
[t̪ɤɾɤʃɡʹəl] Notes: peat-cutting iron.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toireisgil
[t̪ɤɾɤʃɡʹəl] Notes: peat-cutting iron.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toiresgeir
[t̪ɤɾəʃɡʹəɾ] Notes: peat-cutting iron.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toirghlich
Notes: rumbling, rattling noise (as of tin cans rattling, or bone-shaker cart or car on road). Var. of toirmrich ‘noise of thunder; clangour etc.’ (Dw.)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toirisgeir
[t̪ɤɾiʃɡʹəɾ] Notes: peat-cutting iron.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toirisgian
equivalent of ‘trèisgeir’ – peat iron.
Location: Barra, Earsharry [Earsary]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toirisgil
[t̪ɤɾıʃɡʹəl] Notes: peat cutting iron.
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toirisginn
[t̪ɤɾɤʃɡʹĩnʹ] Notes: peat-cutting iron.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toirmeasg
Notes: 1. what is prohibited. 2. mischievous person.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toirsgean
[t̪ɔʴsɡʹəṉ] Notes: peat-cutting iron. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Kilillan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toirt
Quotation: Toirt dùil bharr pisich. Nach i thug a dùil bharr a pisich nuair a phòs i Dòmhnall. Notes: giving up hope of betterment. Phrase not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toirt
Quotation: a’ toirt lionaidh, a’ toirt tràghaidh. Notes: beginning of the ebb, and the flow of tide.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toirt dhachaigh a cruidh
[driving cattle from grazing.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
toiseach
Quotation: toiseach na cartach.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toisean
[t̪ɔʃɛ̃ṉ] Quotation: duine gun toisean. Notes: same as “tur” – savvy, sense.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toisgeal
[t̪ɔʃɡʹɑɫ] Quotation: a’ chluas toisgeal. Notes: left ear – used in sheep’s earmarks.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toisgeil
Quotation: a’ chluais toisgeil. Notes: left.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toisinn
Quotation: Chan eil toisinn aige. Notes: sense.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toit
Quotation: Cha tig as a’ phoit ach an toit a th’innte.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toit
Quotation: toit arbhair. Notes: a “hut” of 15-20 stooks.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toit
Quotation: toit choirc. Notes: a “hut” of corn.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toit
Quotation: ’S fheàrr toit a’ fhraoich na gaoth a’ reothaidh. Notes: said of one going into a house full of peat smoke from the cold.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toit
Quotation: [t̪ɔtʹ] in Sollas, [tɛtʹ] in Bayhead. Notes: a corn “hut” – several stooks in the one “toit”.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toit
[t̪[ɔı]tʹ] Quot.: Tha mi gus mo thoiteadh ris an teine. Note: stifling with heat.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toiteal
smoke rising from a vessel at sea, or from a house. Tha e air toiteal a chuir an àird.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toitidh
whisky diluted in lukewarm water.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tolg
a hat without a hollow in its top – “Ad gun tolg”.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quot.: “toll an t-siùl”. Note: plughole in a boat.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quotation: Toll a’ fàsag. Notes: bunghole in a boat.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quotation: toll an fhasaig. Notes: bung-hole.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quotation: Tha mi gus mo tholladh leis an acras.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quotation: Toll buntàta. Notes: Potato pit. “Poll buntàta” also used.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quotation: toll an fhàsaig. Notes: bung-hole.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quotation: toll na cnaig. Notes: bunghole in a boat.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quotation: Cha deach mi a mach air toll doruis an diugh. Notes: I didn’t go out of the house today.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quot.: toll na tùc. Note: plughole in a boat.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quotation: toll an tùc. Notes: bunghole in a boat.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quotation: toll shnèip. Notes: turnip pit.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quotation: toll buntàta [t̪ɤu̜ɫ bwṉɑ:t̪ə]. Notes: potato pit.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quotation: a’ tolladh an fhiodh. Notes: making the mortice.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quotation: toll a’ spiucaid [spjwxkɑdʹ]. Notes: bung-hole in a boat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quotation: toll bhuntàta. Notes: potato pit.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quotation: “Sin agad an toll a mhill an t-seiche.” Notes: That is the rock on which we perished.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quotation: toll an t-sìl. Notes: in a fish – opening through which it spawns.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quotation: talamh-toll. Notes: rabbit warren.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quotation: toll na luadhadh [ɫu̜əɣ]. Notes: hole under fire into which ashes fell.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quotation: toll a’ chruinn. Notes: semi-circle in the “tobhta-toisich” to admit the mast.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quotation: “Chuir mi toll is tarrang ’na chluais.” Notes: (heard it in Vatersay) I hammered the point home.
Origin: South Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll / tolla-buntàta
Potato-pit.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
toll a’ bhacain
Quotation: Cha b’e sùgan tràthach / A chàirear an toll a’ bhacain (?) / Ach an deagh ròp cainbe / Mar chalpannan each mo sheanar.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll a’ choltair
located directly above the coulter. Iron pin put through this connecting with the coulter itself.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll na sine
[təuɫnəʃinə] Notes: orifice in teat.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll-a-tàillear
[t̪otət̪ɑ:lʹɑð] Note: pleat put in the back of a woman’s skirt (còta).
Origin: [Ness]
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-dion
[t̪ɤu̜ɫdʹʒĩɑ̃ṉ] Notes: the bunghole in a boat.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll-each
[t̪oˈɫɛx] Note: the opening at the end of a byre to allow a horse and cart to back in for manure.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll-fasgnaidh
Note: small opening (door) in barn wall, opened to create a draught for winnowing when the wind was on “màs an t-sobhail”.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll-fhasgainn
[t̪oɫɑsɡĩnʹ] Note: pronunciation of “toll-fhasgnadh”. Low opening in the barn used to cause a draught for winnowing.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll-fhasgnaidh
Note: low door in the barn, opened to create a draught for winnowing.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll-gilidh
[t̪ɤu̜ɫɡʹili] Note: pronounced with a [ɡʹ] instead of [dʹ]. Opening at end of byre to let the water out.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll-lion
fish hold (boat). [NOTES: slipped under ‘toll-lìon’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
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
toll-lodain
[t̪oɫˈɔd̪ɑ̃nʹ] Note: exit at “màs an tighe” to allow passage of cattle urine and any other seepage.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll-làir
Quot.: “a’ roth as an toll-làir”. Note: where the water wheel of the mill was situated.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll-obh
[təul əu] prison (said to be onomatopoeic – from sounds coming out!).
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tollach
[t̪ɔɫɑx] Quotation: ’S ann gu math tollach a bha i nuair a chunnaic i na bha as a’ ghlaine. Notes: dissatisfied.
Location: Skye, Camustianavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tollach
[t̪ɔɫɑx] Quotation: ’S ann tollach a bha e nuair a chunnaic e cho beag ’s a thug mi dhà. Notes: showing dissatisfaction.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tollach
[t̪ɔɫɑx] Quot.: “Tha e tollach air cho beag ’s a fhuair e.” Note: said of a person who is covetous. Say two people were given a portion each of something and one got more than the other. If the person who got less was jealous of what the other got he would be “tollach”.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tollaig
Notes: sultry weather.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tollaigeach
Notes: sultry (of weather).
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tollainn
[t̪ɔɫĩnʹ] Quotation: aimsir thollainneach. Notes: sultry weather. Caused blight in potatoes.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll’-a’-bhàta
hold of a boat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tom
Quotation: tom conas [kɔ̃ṉəs]. Notes: hillock or clump.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tom-taiseam
[t̪ɤ̃mt̪ɑ:ʃəm] Quot.: “Thainig tom-tàiseam [sic] air.” Note: a daydream, or lapse of awareness of what’s going on around one.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tomadh
Quotation: a tomadh nan caorach. Notes: dipping sheep.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toman
a miniature lazy-bed.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toman fraoich
heather knoll.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tomatach
plump woman.
Location: Glasgow
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
tomatach
well-built, stocky. [NOTES: corrected to ‘tomadach’.]
Origin: Skye
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
tombaca
Tobacco, tobacco leaves. Disease: cuts and bruises. Part used: leaves. How prepared: tobacco leaves for cuts, placed on the cut and bandaged untwined leaves, as a disinfectant. Sources of information: traditionally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
tombaca (E)
Bha cuimhne fad as aig m’ athair (1860-1947) air an tombaca aig a’ chladh. [NOTES: slip not found.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
tomhadh
Quotation: Airson rud a thomhadh dhut; na bi tomhadh do chorraig ris (pointing your finger at him). Notes: a’ tomhadh rud air duine – pressing something on someone.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tomhas
Quotation: ’S fheàrr sùil a’ ghobha na tomhas an tàilleir.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tomhas
Quotation: an tomhas ciorna [əndɔ̣ʔəskiərnə]. Notes: the same way as.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tonaisg
[t̪ɔ̃ṉeʃɡʹ] Quotation: duine gun tonaisg. Notes: a man without sense.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tonn
Quotation: Bha tonn as a’ bhotul. Notes: a fair quantity.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tonn
Quotation: gob na tuinne. Notes: the water’s edge on the shore.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tonn-dile-latha
never the day.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tonna luathaidh
a ton of tangles after being burnt.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tonnag
seat made of barrel.
Location: Harris, Leverburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tonnag
Quotation: Tonnag mhonaidh: eider duck. Tonnag Lochlannach: mallard duck.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tonnag
[t̪on̪ɑɡ] Quot.: tonnag langainn. Note: small fish found inshore – probably the young ling. Got under stones at very low tide.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
top
[t̪ɔp] Quotation: top reothairt [t̪ɔpˈroəḏ]. Notes: the height of the spring tide.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
topadh
Quotation: a’ topadh agus a’ seotadh nan uan. Notes: separating the first and second quality lambs.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
topan
Quotation: topan na cruaicheadh. Notes: pointed top of cornstack.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
topan
Thatch to form apex of stack.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
toplachan
Quotation: Tha toplachan ann diubh. Notes: heap, e.g. of stones.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tora
Quotation: torachan [tɔ̣rəxɑn]. Notes: long chisels for extracting stone.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tora
n. ‘drill’: bhathas a’ cur toll innte ann an sin sìos le ~ òirleach
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
toradh
accumulating.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toradh (v)
accumulating. A’ toradh suas gun tàmh.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
toraisgeil
[t̪ɔɾɑʃɡʹəl] Notes: peat-cutting iron.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toranach
round, grey insects like ‘fèaslaichean’ in cattle, which ate seed. Deterred by a red powder (serecen) which was mixed with the seed. [NOTES: corrected to ‘torranach’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
torcadh
forking. Faodadh [sic] tu toiseachadh air torcadh tuilleadh – in connection with the potatoes, when in flower, digging the potatoes. [NOTES: the slip has ‘Faodaidh…’ Definition: Forking the potatoes when in flower.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
torcadh
chipping at rocks with pickaxes.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
torcadh
Quotation: a’ torcadh. Notes: digging in with the heel or making marks when sharing out the “iomairean”.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
torghan
Quotation: “Ciod e an torghan a th’air an leanaibh.” Notes: murmuring in complaint.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
torman
gurgling sound of river water.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
toroisgean
[t̪ɔrɔʃcɑṉ] Notes: peat-cutting iron.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toroisgeil
[t̪ɔɾɔʃɡʹəl] Notes: peat-cutting iron.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Blairmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toroisgian
[t̪ɔɾɔʃɡʹĩɑ̃ṉ] Notes: peat-cutting iron.
Origin: Kinlochourn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toroisgil
[t̪ɔɾɔʃɡʹəl] Notes: peat-cutting iron.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
torr buntata
usually located in stackyards. Pile of potatoes covered by turfs. Had small vents to keep the potatoes dry.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
torr dubh
seaweed gathered at end of year and stacked on machair land left to rot and used as fertiliser for potatoes in spring.
Location: North Uist, Knockintorran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
torra-sgian
peat cutter.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
torradh na mona
making big heaps of the dry peat.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach, Stafainn [Skye, Staffin]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
torrag
[t̪ɔʔrɑɡ] Quotation: torrag fraoich. Notes: clump of heather.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
torranach
Notes: a white maggot which eats potatoes.
Location: Coll, Arinagour
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
torranach
Notes: a small white worm which eats the roots of the oats in spring.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tosaich
[t̪ɔsiç] Notes: the stem of a boat.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tosail
(toshal) complacent or independent in attitude.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tosal (E), na tosals, no na tosailean
(t. cruaidh) [NOTES: slipped under ‘tosals (pl)’ with ‘na tosals no na tosailean’ as the quotation. Definition: Parts of coffin (tassels?).]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
total
[t̪ɔt̪ɑɫ] Quot.: “Bha total aca ann.” Note: can be used of a gathering of people. Used in Lochs of seagulls.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tothadaich
[t̪ɔhəd̪iç] Note: illustrating by gestures.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tothan
we have this word for a place-name in Scalpay, thus: An Tobhan [sic] Liath.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
touah
thatch.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
trabhalair
the hook and ring on which a lug sail was hooked on, adjacent to the mast. (boat)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tracair
a person collecting every unused material he sees lying as he thinks unusable. From trochd-fhear.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tradaireachd
trading in trash material or pawning, trading. [SLIP: Trading in trashy material.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
traigh-shiol
Quotation: a’ dol dhan an traigh-shiol air an oidhche. Notes: going to look for sand-eels.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
traighean
[trɑ̟ʔən] Quotation: sia na seachd a thraighean a dh’àirde.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
traight
Quotation: Chan eil traoight [sic] air. Notes: a rag.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
traisg
Quotation: Mo thraisg ort fhéin! Notes: when checking a child.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
traisgear
used for cutting the peats.
Location: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tralbhaid
a collection of generally [sic] items or material.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trama
Quotation: na tramaichean aig a’ chairt.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trampsaichean làir shearrach
shafts needed to be bigger to accommodate the mare in this condition.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
traod
[t̪ɾɤ:d̪] Quot.: Tha mi gu traodadh leis a’ phathadh. Note: I’m almost parched with thirst.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
traodadh
Quotation: Mana d’fhuair àsan traodadh (ref. to the cats when we were away on holiday). Notes: treaghdadh ‘tormenting’ (Duan. Finn, II, 168, St. 3). Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
traoitair
used of a greedy person. Attached to the meaning of this word is an element of thieving.
Location: North Uist, Hoghagearraidh [Hougharry]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
traoslaich (v)
congratulate.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trasd
Quotation: trasd an caol. Notes: across the narrows.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trasg
dry weather.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trasg
Quotation: Là na traisg. Notes: Fast day, Thursday before Communion.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trasgar (v)
knock flat, fall flat.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trataire
traitor.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trath-bidh
any meal time.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
trath-neoin
noon.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
trath-neòin
supper.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trathadh
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
trathan
[trɑ˖ʔən] Notes: lineal feet.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treabh-eòrna
[t̪ɾɑvjɔʴṉ] Quotation: Na rinn thu [n̪t̪ɾɑvjɔʴṉ] agad fhathast? Notes: Have you sown your barley yet? [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Talmine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treabhadh
Quotation: a’ treabhadh [ətrɛuʔəɣ]. Notes: ploughing.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treabhadh treasadach
when ploughing land that had been previously used as lazy beds, this word describes land that was difficult to plough. More precisely it was the middle of lazy beds which were tougher.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treabhailt
Quotation: an treabhailt [t̪ɾɛfɑlʹtʹ]. Notes: mill-hopper.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treabhair
[t̪ɾɔəɾ] Quotation: Tha móran treabhair aige. Notes: collection of buildings such as a steading.
Origin: Camusluanie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treabhaire
householder. Beannachadh treabhaire dhuibh. Here in the tenement form where treabhaire in some cases could be indicated and the individual usage of it.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treadh-dhàir
[t̪ɾɤɣɑ:ð] Note: (spelling?) this was when a cow was taken to the bull a week after having been already. Some people didn’t believe in doing this but others maintained that if this was done, there would be no need of the bull’s service again.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trealabhaid
stuth air a chruinneachadh de sheòrsa measgaichte anns nach eil mor fheum. Bha trealabhaid dhe. I think it’s an invented form of a word, perhaps originating or derived from the English word “trawling”.
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trealaich
a decent, little collection, not too much but a satisfied amount.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trealaich-mara
mixture of material in connection with fishing, unwanted or useless bits of ropes; could be applied to flotsam.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treallaich
[t̪ɾɑɫiç] Quot.: Bha treallaich mhath ann. Note: There was a fair amount, quite a number.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treallaich-catha
aftermath, ni de’n h-uile rud air fhagail a deighidh sabaist neo cath ’s a bith.
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treanaidh
Quotation: Càit a bheil an treanaidh? Notes: a group of three – can be applied to humans, animals, or inanimate objects. First heard it applied to 3 cats!
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treas aiteach
Land cultivated three years in succession before being allowed to go fallow. [NOTES: added later.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
treasachan
(noted already) trestles, that supporting the wooden staging in the process of building.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treasadach
[t̪ɾesɑd̪ɑx] Notes: ground which has been ploughed twice after lying fallow for a number of years (1. talamh làidir. 2. athcheapach. 3. treasadach.)
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treasadach
applied to land that has been ploughed on [sic] three consequitive [sic] years.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treasadachd
(See treas aiteach) Land cultivated three years in succession before being allowed to go fallow.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
treasg
Quotation: ’Si a’ mhuc shàmhach as motha dh’itheas dhe’n treasg. Notes: draff, refuse of malt. Source: reported by Willie Matheson – used by his mother (Ness). Date: 1969.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treathail
[t̪ɾɛhəl] Quot.: Tha i ’na treathail ag ullachadh biadh mas tig iad. Note: in a flurry, all hot and bothered with all she has to do.
Origin: Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treathal
Quotation: Bidh i ’na treathal. Source: Mrs Macdonald (Uig, Lewis). Date: 1967.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treinidh
one boy and two girls. Words [sic] used in association with courting practices.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treisgeir
peat cutter left or right footed according to user.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
treoth
[t̪ɾɔ] Quotation: Chan fhaca mi dha’n treoth ud idir e. Notes: I didn’t see him that time at all, e.g. talking about somebody home on holiday.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treothadh
Quotation: Slàn-treothadh dhuibh! Notes: said by someone coming into a newly-built house for the first time.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treothadh
Quotation: “’S fheàrr treothadh anmoch na gun treothadh idir.” [NOTES: slipped under ‘treobhadh’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treothaire
[t̪ɾɔəðə] Notes: piece of wood shaped in a certain way and used to regulate the size of the mesh in a net.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treud
herd of cattle. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Crodh / Cattle
treud chaorach
a flock of sheep (usually strung out behind one another), e.g. ‘Tha treud chaorach a mach a rathad.’
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
treun
Quotation: Nuair a bha e ’na threun. Notes: When he was in his prime, at his peak physically.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treòlair
Quotation: An d’fhuair thu an treòlair ud a tha air falbh. Notes: epidemic, contagious sickness. Did you catch that disease that is going around?
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treòlair
Quotation: An d’fhuair thu an treòlair ud a tha air falbh? Notes: an epidemic, contagious sickness.
Location: Cape Breton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
triallabhaid
[t̪ɾıɑɫəvɑdʹ] Note: a mixture, conglomeration.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
triallabhaid
[t̪ɾıɤɫəvɑdʹ] Quot.: “Tha i ’na triallabhaid aig a h-uile rud a th’ann.” Note: could be said of a housewife with a hundred-and-one household chores to attend to at the one time. “In a ‘trachle’.”
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
triathach
trophy.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tridealaich
intricate parts in a machinery. Abair tridealaich.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trilleach
Quotation: Cha ruig thu leas a dhol gu trilleach ’sam bith air mo shon. Notes: dragh.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trilleachan
oyster catcher.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trinnse
trench. Trinnse a mhuilinn – the waterway to the mill wheel.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trip
: nn ‘’time, occasion’: an ath ~ a thig sibh; bha an athair pòsta dà thrip; an dà thrip [rip]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
trisearan
plates.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
tristrich
pitter patter (as of sheeps’ trotters on road).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
triubhais
Quotation: seann triubhais. Notes: a traditional dance to a strathspey tune.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
triuch
[tɾu̟x] Quotation: an triuch. Notes: whooping cough.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
triugh
[t̪ɾu̟ɣ] Quotation: an triugh. Notes: whooping cough.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
triugh-chasd
Quotation: an [dru xɑ̜:st]. Notes: whooping-cough.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
triunnse
this was the chute which carried the water down to the mill wheel. [NOTES: corrected to ‘truinnse’.]
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
troc
carelessness, in an old careless fashion, carelessly motivated. [SLIP: Carelessness.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trocaireachd
collection of scrap material.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
troch
[t̪ɾɔx] Quotation: an troch. Notes: horse-trough.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trodag
intoxication.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trogail
Quot.: “crodh air throgail” [hɾoɡɑl]. Note: when winter feeding was finished cattle sent out to graze on new grass.
Location: Harris, Northton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trogan
slightly elevated.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
troig
[t̪ɾ[ɤi]ɡʹ] Quotation: C’àite a bheil an [t̪ɾɤiɡʹ]? Notes: fault, e.g. in machinery.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
troig
[t̪ɾ[ɤi]ɡʹ] Quotation: C’àite a bheil an [t̪ɾɤiɡʹ]? Notes: fault, e.g. in machinery.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
troigh
[trɣç] [sic] Quotation: air a thomhas leis an t-troigh. Notes: a foot rule.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
troigh sgueathar (f)
Notes: foot rule. Not ‘try square’.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
troighsgear
[t̪ɾ[ɤı]ʃɡʹɑɾ] Notes: peat-cutting iron.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
troighsgeir
peat iron.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
troimh
Quotation: Nuair a bha sinn troimhe le sin . . . Notes: finished with.
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
troimh-cheile
Quotation: “Bha troimh-cheile aca aig a bhanais.” Notes: trifle – very apt translation.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
troisgeir
[t̪ɾɔıʃɡʹəð] Notes: peat-cutting iron.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trolla
a chain with a metal plate attached with hole in it. Pot hung from the holes in the plate. This seems to be a variant name for ‘streòlaidh’ above. Informant not able to distinguish.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Trianaid House
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trollaidh
trollaidh cnatain (Strathglass). (treall – short period of time?)
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trom
Quotation: trom a’ chadail. Notes: nightmare.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trom
Quotation: “... Sin a’ bhliadhna a bha a’ Mhoggaidh trom, is bhadhas a’ cur an trom air ...” Notes: (subst.) ‘pregnancy’. Cf. Skye song: “... cha leis a’ bhalach mo throm, ach leis a’ lasgaire dheas dhonn.” (Sc. Studies I, 106)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trom
Quotation: Cha robh an obair cho trom [trom].
Origin: Loch Tay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trom
Quotation: trom liath. Notes: navy blue. (Wool-dyeing.)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tromach
pet name for cattle.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trosdan
Quotation: pl. trosdain. Notes: crutches. Source: ? Date: 20c.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tru-fhad ( troo-fhad)
[pron.] third peat down. (I have not met this word myself; two children used it – corruption of tri?)
Location: Gearrloch, Achadh a’ Chairn [Gairloch, Auchtercairn]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
truaghag
poor female. Truaghag bhochd. Very seldom used on Scalpay by the natives of Scalpay. I think the word may have been used on Lewis. We say ‘truaghan’ (male) on Scalpay. It (truaghag) may have been spoken or used years and years back on Scalpay, but I am afraid not now.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
truaghan
nn ‘poor creature’ : Màiri Bhàn, an ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
truailleabach
[t̪ɾu̟ɤlʹəbɑx] Quotation: Chaneil ann dheth ach truailleabach duine.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
truileis
(also) mixture of refuge [sic] [refuse?] material.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
truilleach
Quotation: Tha truilleach air. Notes: when one gets obstreperous through drink. The blues.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
truimid
[t̪ɾw̃midʹ] Quot.: “Cha bu truimid dha sin!” Note: if one mentioned that someone had done a useful thing or a good turn, this might be said in reply, meaning that it was easy for him to do (otherwise he wouldn’t have done it).
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
truinnse
[t̪ɾĩ:ʃə] Notes: lock put on the mill canal to stop the water when the mill was at a standstill.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
truinnsear
plate.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
truinnsear domhain
[masc.] a soup plate.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
truinnsear staoin
a meat plate – any shallow plate.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
truinnsear togail an tabhairtas
collection plate.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
truinnsear-lit
soup plate.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
truinnsear-staoin
dinner plate.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
truinnsigeadh
Quotation: a’ truinnsigeadh [tɾĩ:ʃıɡʹəɣ] a’ ghàraidh. Notes: digging the garden.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
truis
bare parts, e.g. bald patch.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
truis
Quotation: a’ trusadh [tru̟sə] [sic] buntàt’. Notes: gathering potatoes.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
truiseadh
rubbing or in knitting withdrawing what was already knitted from a fault.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trulainn
Quotation: Chaidh e trulainn orm. Notes: It went haywire on me, all mixed up.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trulainn
[t̪ɾu̜ɫɑ̃nʹ] Quotation: Chaidh e trulainn. Notes: hurly-burly, all mixed up.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trulasg
[t̪ɾu̜ɫəsɡ] Quotation: Chaidh e trulasg orm. Notes: It went all awry on me.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trus
Quotation: a’ trusadh chaorach. Notes: gathering sheep.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trusachin
gathering for dipping, etc. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
trusadh
Quotation: an trusadh, na trusaidhean (pl). Notes: the gathering of sheep for shearing etc.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trusadh nan caorach
gathering. Or simply ‘trusadh’. A’ trusadh na mointich, nam beannaidh, a’ mhonaidh.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
trusadh-chnothan
Notes: gathering nuts – a game.
Origin: Arisaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
truthaire
convulsion associated with the whooping cough.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràbach
soaking (as of a day – used at Melness).
Origin: Applecross [mother]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràdhaid
a twisted or pulled muscle, e.g. “Chuir mi tràdhaid nam dhruim.” – ‘e’ is not pronounced in (S. Uist). [NOTES: a note added above ‘tràdhaid’ – treaghaid. It seems that Mr O’Henley’s comment about the pronunciation was added later as a response to this note.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràigh
Quotation: cat-tràghad [kɑt̪ɾɑ:ɣəd̪]. Notes: sea-urchin.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Laide, Portnacon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràigh
Quotation: cadalain-thràghad. Notes: sand-fleas.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràigh
Quotation: cridhe tràghad. Notes: low ebb.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràigh
Quotation: deargan-tràghadh (q.v.).
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràigh
Quotation: cadalan-tràghad. Notes: starfish.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràigh
Quotation: leth-tràghadh. Notes: half ebb.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràigh
Quotation: (a) ceud tràghadh. (b) leth tràghadh. (c) àirde tràghadh. Notes: (a) first ebb of tide. (b) half-ebb of tide. (c) low tide.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràigh
Quotation: sruth tràghadh.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràigh
Quotation: àirde tràghadh. Notes: high tide.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràill
[trɑ:lʹ] Quotation: [hɑ nə rɑ:lʹ] ‘He’s a nuisance.’ Notes: Brora – untidy person. Embo – a rascal, a nuisance. The meaning has evidently shifted in Embo. Kenneth MacKay, Gate St., Embo, gave ‘rascal’ as the translation. Source: Sandy MacKay, Hall St., Embo. Date: spring 1968.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràlair
trawler boat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràth
an unusual treat in the sense of some rare food. “Fhuair mi tràth aca.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràth
Quotation: dol thuige nan tràth. Notes: twilight.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràth
advb ‘at one time’ : ìnnsidh mi rud eile a bhithinn a’ faicinn ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
tràth
of potatoes, or fish, as much as would be cooked for one meal.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tràth
Quot.: an trath-mhadainn, an trath-fheasgair, an trath-oidhche. Note: the three parts of the day.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràth
Quotation: tràth suipearach.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràth
Quotation: tràth eadradh. Notes: milking time.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràthach
tall grass that grows with iris. Used along with iris for thatching purposes.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràthach
the long grass found in peat bogs.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràthach
Quotation: Cho tioram ris an tràthach. Notes: Hay?
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trèig
vb ‘abandon, let down’ : past: cha do th. mo chasan fhathast mi
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
trèist, pl. treisteachan
seat (also). [NOTES: slipped under ‘treist’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tréathd
the party which the aforementioned boys [i.e. ‘the boys in a village on Hogmanay’; cf. breacag nan gille cullaig] had once they had visited all the houses in the village. [NOTES: note added above ‘tréathd’ – treat.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trì
card. num. ‘three’: ma dh’fhaodte gun cuimhnichinn air trì cheathrannan dheth
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
trì lùth
3-fingered movement corrupted into ‘taor luath’.
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
trì-bhilleach
not sure of English term but the plant had three leaves. This was boiled and given to cows near calving time. A laxative for animals.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trìleachan
[t̪ɾi:lʹɑxɑṉ] Note: oyster-catcher.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trìlleachan
oystercatcher.
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trìlleachan
Notes: oyster catcher.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trìlleachan
[t̪ɾı:lʹɑxɑṉ] Note: oystercatcher.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trìsear
plate. (Scalpay pronunciation)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tròcair (m)
Quotation: Cha do dh’ith e tròcair. Notes: not a bite.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trògh
a home-made rope, made from sea bent. Used for securing hay and corn stacks. Also used when thatching. Prior to thatching this rope would be tied across the rafters from one end to the other so that the thatch would not simply fall through the rafters. Have to remember wood was not so plentiful at that time.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tródha
[t̪ɾo:ə] Note: where the bottom of the mast fits in a boat.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trùsair
Notes: waistcoat.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuab
Quotation: an tuab. Notes: (Tong) a growth on the gum of a cow, a hard swelling or ridge, which made eating difficult. It was cauterized in the old days with a red-hot iron. If this were not done, the cow would die for lack of nourishment. (ua as in fuaim, fuar) Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuab
an tuab, an t-uab – cattle disease, about the mouth (spelled by sound only).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuagal
goal. Subsequently called “hail” when shinty was played to modern shinty rules. (Stoer, Assynt) Shinty was always played on New Year’s Day, “Latha na Callain”. Two townships would compete, and after the match was finished the visiting team would try and dribble the “creg” out of the township. I saw old boddich of  70 running out with walking sticks to prevent the “creg” being taken out of the township, which was considered a great disgrace! So long as the numbers were equal there appeared to be no limit to the number on each side for the actual match. I played for Caberfeidh Shinty Team, but it was child’s play in comparison to those New Year’s Games! At half time – the match was usually two hours – whisky was distributed – not lemons! Incidentally, if a visiting township managed to get the creg away, they had the privilege of having the match in their township next New Year.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
tuagh
n. ‘axe’: ~, ~annan do gach seòrsa, ~annan leathann mar a chanamaid airson a bhith ’ squareadh; ‘s ann leis an ~ leathann a dh’fheumte sin a dhèanamh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
tuagh
Quotation: tuagh coille, tuagh saor. Notes: wood axe, joiner’s axe.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuaicheal
[t̪u̟ɤçɑɫ] Notes: water on the brain in sheep.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuaileas
Quotation: Thog iad tuaileas air. Notes: They gave a false report concerning him.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuaileas
Quot.: “tuaileas an ath-fhradharc”. Note: what a person with second sight saw.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuaim-thàmh
cho marbh anns an tuaim: neo thainig tuaim-thàmh – death sleep, rest.
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuaimse
[t̪u̟ɤmʃə] Quotation: Dh’fhalbh mi air thuaimse. Notes: for “tuairmse” in Dw. Going “on a hunch”, “on the off-chance”.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuainealaich
[tuɑ̣˖nɑɫẹç] Quotation: “Chrom e agus thanaig tuainealaich air.” Notes: dizziness.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuainealaich (f)
Quotation: Thainig tuainealaich orm. Notes: dizziness, feeling faint.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuainteal
[t̪ũɑ̃nʹtʹɑɫ] Quotation: Tha tuainteal ’n am cheann. Notes: dizziness.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuaireabach
Quotation: duine tuaireabach. Notes: a man inclined to cause dissension.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuaireabadh
[t̪uɤðɑbəɣ] Quotation: ’S e tuaireabadh de dhuine a th’ann. Notes: He is a clumsy fellow – always doing the wrong thing.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuaireabadh
[t̪uɤðɑbəɣ] Quotation: Tuaireabadh ort! Notes: a mild chiding expression. Usually said to a person who does a thing wrong which could have been avoided.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuaiream
Quotation: Se sud a tuaiream a thanuig thuige. Notes: slip of the tongue (faux pas).
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuairm
Quotation: comhradh gun tuairm. Notes: senseless talk.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuairmeas
(at) random.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuairmeas
[t̪u̟ɤɾəməs] Quot.: “’S ann air thuairmeas a fhuair mi e.” Note: It was by chance that I got it.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuairnealaich
Quotation: Tha tuairnealaich ’na mo cheann. Notes: dizziness (?). Cf. Iain Lom’s tùirneal a’ chnatain (??). Var. of tuainealaich, which Dw. has.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuairnich
[t̪ũɑ̃ʴnʹiç] Quotation: “Tuairnich an t-each as a chàrr.” Notes: Take the horse out of the cart. Pr. pt. a’ [t̪u̜ɤʴṉɑxkĩnʹ]. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuaithealan
[t̪u̟ɤıhəɫɑṉ] Quot.: an tuaithealan air a’ chaora. Note: water on the brain in sheep.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tualadh
scatter.
Location: Glen Lyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuanaich
Quotation: tuanaich do bhòt. Notes: open, set free.
Location: Ross-shire, Achnahaird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuanal
[t̪ũ̜ɑ̃ṉɑɫ] Notes: “sturdy”. Water on the brain – a disease found in sheep.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuar
Quotation: ’S ann ort tha ’n droch thuar. Notes: tuar or tuair. A poor colour or lack of colour in one’s face e.g. after an illness. “Mi-thuaral” also used.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuarluadh singilte
[töörɫuə] Notes: penultimate part of ceòl mór.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuarnaireachd
Quotation: beart thuarnaireachd. Notes: lathe.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuasaid
Quotation: Tha e dona airson tuasaid. A’ tuasaid. Notes: fighting.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuataidh
ruffians, boors.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuath
countryside.
Location: Harris, Borisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuath
axe.
Location: Harris, Borisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuath
advb ‘north’: tha roinn do Ghàidheil __ sìos ~ oirne
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
tuath
Farm.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
tuath
Quot.: “duine nach cuir tuath ri tàth” [t̪u̟ɤ ɾi t̪ɑ:]. Note: a person who cannot speak sensibly, cannot put what he is trying to say together properly.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuatha
pertaining to tenantry.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuathach lion tatha
binding, as lime in structure.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuathail
mixed up, confused. Also used in shipping terms where a vessel goes off course. “Las na speuran ’s chaidh i tuathail.”
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuathaisdeach
Notes: eccentric, bizarre.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuathaist
misfortune.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuathal
going wrong.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuathalan
poc uisge air an aonachail.
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
tuathalan
dizziness in sheep, prone to collapse. Cure: cutting part of the ears and the top part of the tail.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
tuathalan
turning anticlockwise, brain disease.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
tuathalan
sturdy or gid (affecting the head).
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross and Cromarty but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
tuathall
left-handed. [NOTES: corrected to ‘tuathal’.]
Origin: [Harris]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuathallan
Note: “louping ill” in sheep.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
tuathanach-chaorach
sheep farmer.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuathanachas
Farm.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
tuathanachas
nn ‘farming’ : nuair a bha sinn a’ ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
tuathanachas
Farm.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
tuathanachas
n. ‘farming’: ‘s ann ri ~ a bha sinn
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
tuathanas
(m) Farm.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
tuathlas
when someone is either very dizzy or partially blind he sees things very hazily. The word means ‘hazy’. “Cha robh mi faicinn ach tuathlas.”
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuba
Quotation: tuba smeuraidh. Notes: tub used when smearing sheep with mixture of tar and butter.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuba, ballan, pràis-mhor, bascaid
apparatus used [to wash wool after dyeing].
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
tubaidean
gusts of wind. Tha tubaidean fhathasd ann. – reference after a gale subsiding. Uncommon word in this case but used although seldom.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tubhailt
applied to the white cloth with which the ground flour was caught. This was beneath the grinding stones.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tud / tad
Quotation: Thuit a tud ’s a tad. Notes: (Keose) She became crestfallen. Dw. has tad ‘lowness of spirits’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tudail
[t̪u̟d̪əl] Quot.: “Thug an tinneas ud mo thudail [hu̟d̪əl] asam.” Note: That illness took the life out of me. (tudail or sudail?)
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tudan
Quotation: Ithidh feadhain na cruachan ’s thig iad suas air na tudanan. Notes: extravagance. Tudan: a “hut” of corn.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tudan
[t̪ud̪ɛ̃ṉ] Notes: makeshift corn-rick. Smaller than a sgrùbhan (q.v.) – made hurriedly because of impending bad weather.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tudan
a small peat stack. (In Uist ‘tuidean’.)
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tudanaich
instigate.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tug
spark. Cha’n’eil mi faighinn tig [sic] ás. This term used in the instance of a car engine or any engine refusing to start. [SLIP: Spark – e.g. of car engine.] [NOTES: the quotation on the slip – ‘Chan eil mi faighinn tug às.’]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tugh
Quotation: a’ tughadh cruach. Notes: thatching (with clods).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tugh
Quotation: Bha e air a dheagh thughadh. Notes: well clad.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tughadh
thatch.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
tughadh
Covering of potato-pit.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
tughadh
covering the stacks with turf for the winter. The turf is the ‘cip’ (ceap, Sing.; cip, Plural) cut off the ‘carcaire’ [q.v.] and fairly dry; used grass-side in, i.e. next the peats. Tha a’ mhòine a’ tiormachadh anns a’ chruaich. Cha bhithear a tuthadh [sic] nan cruach gu bith mhoine an ìre mhath tioram. Tha i n uairsin ‘fo laidh’ [q.v.] airson a Gheamhraidh.
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tughadh
thatch.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
tughadh
[masc.] the thatch – could be: Tughadh connlaich no Tughadh fraoich no Tughadh de bhunan eòrna. Bhathar a’ buain no a’ spionadh an eòrna leis a bhun dubh agus ’ga cheanghail. ’Nuair a bha e tioram bhathar a’ sgathadh gach sguaib le coran [sic] mór a dh’aon ghnothaich air son so fhéin – ris an cainte corran sgathaidh. Bha na bunan so air am meas nan tughadh air leth dionach.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
tughadh
Notes: thatch.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tughadh
thatch.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
tuigsinn
[tʊıɡʹʃinʹ] Quotation: “a’ leigeil a thuigsinn an cumhachd a bh’aca.”
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuilig
[t̪u̟lıɡʹ] Quotation: Cha do chuir e tuilig innte. Notes: He never budged it (e.g. a boulder).
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuilleadh
[tʊilʹiç] Quotation: Ged bhiodh an tuilleadh ann dhiubh ’se b’fheàrr.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuillidh
[tulʹiç] Quotation: “Tha e tuillidh is trom, mor, leathann, etc.” Notes: excess of anything.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuim
Notes: water inside a boat.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuim
[t̪[ɤ̃ĩ]m] Notes: water in a boat.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuim
[t̪[ɤ̃ĩ]m] Notes: water collecting in a boat.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuim
Notes: water lying in a boat.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuim ghrod
this noxious excess water was sometimes stored if there were sharks in the area. The substance was thrown at them which supposedly kept them at bay.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuim or taoim
bilge water in a boat. (Perhaps the two meanings [of taoim] could be noted to the same spelling.) [NOTES: both meanings slipped under ‘taoim’. No variant spellings given. Definition: To pull with a jerk as when fishing. Also ‘bilge-water’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuineal
this word was usually applied to any young animal or child which showed great energy and very active when playing.
Origin: [Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuineap
turnip. Cattle and sheep feed on turnip. Tuineap a’ chruidh.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
tuing
the rope between the boat and the drift nets, in other words, tow-rope. [SLIP: Tow-rope between boat and drift-nets.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuinn
applied to all sort of water that would accumulate in a boat. [NOTES: note added – variant of ‘taoim’.]
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuinn-ghròd
applied to water that was left overnight with fish in that water. [NOTES: ‘ghròd’ corrected to ‘ghrod’.]
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuinnse
a fatal blow.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuireachadal
Quotation: a’ tuireachadal [ət̪u̟ɾəxɑd̪əɫ]. Notes: dozing, nodding.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuirn
feat. “Nach b’e sin an tuirn.”
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuirneap
Quotation: tuirneap shuaineach. Notes: a swede.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuislean
[t̪u̟ʃəlʹɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: “Bha tuislean aca ’san tigh sin.” Notes: There was a birth in that house. Dw. tuislich: bring forth, bear.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuit
Quotation: Chunnaic mi runnag a’ tuiteam. Notes: I saw a shooting star.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuit
Quotation: Thuit e ann an gaol air a’ nighean.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuiteamach
Quotation: rionnag thuiteamach. Notes: shooting star.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuiteamach
Quotation: an tinneas tuiteamach. Notes: epilepsy.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuiteamach
Quotation: an tinneas tuiteamach. Notes: epilepsy.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuiteanadh
being sent to and frò [sic] (referring to a person). Air a thuiteanadh a nùll ’s a nall. [SLIP: Of a person, being sent here and there.] [NOTES: it seems that the catch-word was corrected to ‘tutanadh’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tulach
Notes: ‘the green sward around the shieling’. A specialisation of the more general senses ‘small green hill’, ‘hillock’, etc. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tulch
the stalk from which the mircean [q.v.] grows, tying it to the rock. From this stalk grow a lot of narrow thick leaves. Both stalk and leaves were eaten. ‘Mircean Earraich, duileasg Samhraidh, tulch Foghair ’s stamh Geamhraidh.’
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tulch
[t̪u̜ɫu̜x] Quot.: “tulch stamh”. Note: the bulbous part of the “stamh” which is attached to the rock.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tulchainn
[t̪u̜ɫu̜xĩnʹ] Quotation: tulchainn an tighe. Notes: gable end.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tulg
rock. Tulg a chreathall.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tulg
Quotation: a’ tulgadh a’ chreathail. Notes: rocking the cradle.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tulgadh
rocking (as of a cradle). A’ tulgadh na creathlach.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tulla-bhriagan
Quotation: na tulla-bhriagan. Notes: utter lies.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tullach
Quotation: tullach na h-àirigh. Notes: mound.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tumaraid
a fat, round woman.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuna-feòla
tinned meat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tunna
[tɤ̃ṉə] Quotation: “na tunnachachan” [sic] or “tunnachan a’ chaochain”. Notes: See p. 49.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tunnag
domesticated duck.
Location: Harris, Leverburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tunnaga(n) fiathach
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tunndraid
a descriptive word for a fat sluggish female.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tur
Quotation: Bha e tur aineolach air... – altogether ignorant of... Aran tur – bread without anything on it. Bare.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tura-chadal
[t̪u̟ɾəxɑd̪əɫ] Quotation: Tha e a turachadal [sic] as a’ chathair. Notes: nodding off and wakening.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
turadh
[t̪u̟ɾəɡ] Quotation: Tha turadh ann. Notes: It has stopped raining.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
turaid
boat (of a particular shape and more associated with oars, of bulging sides, and hips so to speak). [SLIP: Boat with bulging sides.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
turloch
loch that dries up in summer.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
turraban
[t̪u̜ru̜bɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: Tha e air thurraban. Notes: rocking motion.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
turraghan
Quotation: Bha e a’ turraghan as an t-sheithir. Notes: nodding off in the chair.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
turraisg
Notes: (Neil Murray – Vatisker) dumpling; also used of fat female. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
turralaich
rumbling in stomach. Traditionally associated with horses that were getting on in years and taken as a sign of impending retirement. Nowadays more likely to be heard as a sarcastic remark. “Do chual thusa an turralaich a bha ’san stamag aig an duin’ ud.” [NOTES: word supplied by R. O’Henley, Garrynamonie, S. Uist.]
Location: North Uist, Lochportan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
turraman
Quotation: Bha e a’ turraman collach ri lonnag. Notes: n. a wobble; going from side to side.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
turraman
Quotation: clach-an-turraman. Notes: round boulder which can be rocked.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
turraman
Quotation: Tha a’ chlach air thurraman.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
turraraich
Notes: rumbling or grating noise.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
turrucadh
[t̪u̜ru̜kəɣ] Quot.: “a’ turrucadh creathail”. Note: rocking a cradle.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
turtraich
Quotation: Bha turtraich Bheurla aige. Notes: ‘a smattering’.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tusgan
a covering as in the heather covering on mountains. Must be the same word as ‘trusgan’ without the ‘r’ being pronounced.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tutanachadh
Quotation: Bha iad ’gam thutanachadh airson a dhol ann. Notes: “They were trying to push me into going.”
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tutanadh
ill at ease, moved irregularly. [SLIP: Irregular movement of one ill-at-ease.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuthadh
Thatching of stack. [NOTES: ‘tughadh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
tuthadh na monadh
thatching with thick turf.
Origin: Inbhirnis [Inverness – most probably meant as the county]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tuthag
a patch. Variation on the more widespread ‘suthag’.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuthag
[t̪u̟hɑɡ] Quotation: ’S fheàrr tuthag na toll ach is uaisle toll na tuthag. Notes: patch put on clothing.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàbh
Note: large net hung from an iron rim, with wooden slats inside it running down the sides of the net, for catching cuddies. Handle attached to it.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàbh
[t̪ɑ:v] Notes: net bag suspended from circular frame with a long handle used for catching “cudaigean”.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàbh
Quotation: tàbh chudainnean. Notes: hand net.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàbh
air son glacadh chudaigean agus shùithean, an t-iasgair a’ tilgidh maoraich no biathadh eile ’san mhuir air son an t-iasg a tharruing, agus ansin, cuiridh e an tàbh do’n uisge fo’n èisg agus sguabaidh e gu tìr iad. Cearcall iaruinn no fiodha agus lion air a cheangal ris. Làmh fhada fhiodha ceangailte ris a chearcall.
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
tàbh
a circular net with a handle used for fishing. It was lowered into the water and finely broken mussels, limpets, winkles, crab (any bait) thrown into it. When the fish gathered to eat the bait, the net was lifted. It was like a landing-net, only on a vastly larger scale.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàbh (sometimes scummar)
a large type of landing net. Parts: bogha màis, cas, cearcall, slatan, lion.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
tàbh domhainn
net trap used in deeper water.
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàbhaireadh
Notes: (Keose) cf. Dwelly. sub tàbharnadh ‘state of being haunted, apparition’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàbharadh
(Faic tàbharnadh (M’Ghillfhinnein).) Calum, ’na sheann duine, a’ dol a mach a chreagach chun nan creagan móra, fiadhaich, a h-uile h-oidhche. “Tha e faicinn a thàbharaidh” bha Màiri Liath ag ràdh.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàbhoradh
Quot.: Thig a nuas as a sin ’s mi a’ faicinn do thabhoradh [sic]. Note: as if seeing what was going to happen to a person. (Tàbhanadh in Barvas.)
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàbhoradh
[t̪ɑ:vɔɾəɣ] Quot.: “Chunnaic mi a thàbhoradh.” Note: the ghost of a person – indicating that the person concerned was to die soon.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàc a’ ghabhail
a sailing term meaning that the crew would have to alter direction, either inward or outward according to weather conditions. [NOTES: ‘tàc’ corrected to ‘tac’.]
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàchair
wrack on freshwater lochs.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàclach
Quot.: “Fhuair e tàclach math.” Note: He got a good haul, e.g. if a person was gathering shellfish.
Origin: [Barvas]
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
tàidhean
stringy roots as in thatch which has developed into clumps of turf. Difficult to extract these turfs due to stubborn roots.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàir
Quotation: Fhuair mi tàir a bha uamhasach. Notes: I met with great difficulties (loose).
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàircean
big lumps of peat. ’S e taircean [sic] a tha thu gearradh. – out of proportion, of unusual size, thickness, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàirnich
Quotation: a’ tairneachadh [sic]. Notes: nail.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàl
a carpenter’s tool for cutting away surface wood. Like an axe with an arched blade at right angles to the handle.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàl
Quotation: a’ tàladh an fhiodh. Notes: working with the adze.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàmh
Quotation: Thàmh e an àirde fad na h-oidhche. Notes: where others would use “dh’fhuirich” or “dh’fhan”. General in his conversation, for “stay”, “wait”.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàmh
Quotation: Là tàimh. Notes: Thursday of Communions.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàmh
Quotation: Nuair a bhios Ruairidh ’na thàmh, bi e a’ ruamhair. Notes: If he is not engaged in paid work, he’ll always find something to keep him occupied.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tànaisgeir
[t̪ɑ̃:ṉiʃɡʹəɾ] Quotation: tànaisgeir na cruaicheadh. Notes: the widest part of the corn-stack (also crios).
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tànaisgeir
[t̪ɑ̃:ṉiʃɡʹɛɾ] Notes: The thick rope round the base of the thatch, to which the ropes running down from the ridge were attached.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàradh
to creep up unexpectedly behind something and catch it unawares. This is used especially of catching a sheep but could also be applied to humans.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàragh
sneaking up on a sheep, trying to catch hold of it unawares.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàrmachadh
collecting, as pus in a fester. [SLIP: ‘Gathering, as of pus in a festering sore’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàrr
‘Cha tàrr mi’ in Lewis usually means ‘I cannot manage to …’. Very often it would mean ‘I cannot make the time’ (to do something), though I shouldn’t think that the time element would be the main obstacle implied here. [Note added to a paper slip on tarr: ‘Do dhòruinnean ’s do ghàbhaidhean, / Cha tàrr mi ’chur an céill.’ [BL. (Iain Mac a’ Ghobhainn), 1916, p. 79]
Category: ROM Slips
tàrr
Quotation: Tàrr asad. Notes: Hurry up.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàrsainn
[t̪ɑ:ʴsĩnʹ] Quotation: a’ tàrsainn. Notes: pinching, e.g. a child pinching food off a table. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàth
Quotation: a’ tathadh [ət̪ɑ:]. Notes: weld. He drops -adh ending.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàth
Quotation: Bha mi cho beag tàth… Notes: ‘lacking in energy’.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàthadh
[t̪ɑ:həɣ] Quotation: Thug mi tàthadh air. Notes: a swift, abrupt movement towards something.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàthadh
piece together. Cha’n eil iad a’ tathadh ri chéile. Perhaps words as such have similarities?
Location: Harris, Scalpay
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
tèamain
attractive, stiff cloth made from the longest and best type of wool. Women’s dresses and men’s coats and capes made from this material. Sent to the mainland to be finished or dressed. Then called ‘caimleid’. [NOTES: note added in pencil: fuaim?]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tèim
[t̪ɛ̃:m] Quotation: Chaneil [t̪ɛ̃:m] aca gu bheil an rathad cho caol. Chaneil [t̪ɛ̃:m] aca air an obair. Notes: sense, skill.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tèin
a partition inside a boat, a fishing boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tèithidh
[tʹɛ:hi] Quot.: “aimsir thèthidh [sic], là tèthidh [sic]. Note: heavy warm weather, sometimes accompanied by mist.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tìde
Quotation: tìde féill ròid. Notes: rutting time.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tìde-throm
heavy weather.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tìdeil
Notes: (used of a lamb) born at the right time, i.e. that had gone its full time. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tìoradh
Quotation: a’ tìoradh an t-sìl. Notes: drying the grain.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tìr
Quotation: a’ gabhail tìr. Notes: landing.
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tìr bhuana
celebration feast at the end of harvesting.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tìreadh
Quotation: a tìreadh a’ ghràn. Notes: drying grain.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòc
Notes: A growth that comes over a cow’s eye. Apparently a cataract. There were people (with a steady hand etc.) who were in regular demand for removing this (e.g. a bodach in Achmor). Dw. has tòc ‘Disease of the eyes, mostly peculiar to sheep – Rob Donn; “pink-eye” in horses.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòc
Quotation: an tòc. Notes: lump on the inside of a beast’s eyelid – cut off with aid of scissors and needle.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòc
Quot.: “a’ toirt diùbh an tòc”. Note: hard swelling under the upper eye-lid in cattle. Needle and thread passed through the upper eyelid, pulled up and lump cut off with a knife. (Also said to be in horses.)
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòc
Quotation: tòc or tòchd. Notes: swelling up as in baking, or swelling up of the body. “Thainig tòcadh ann.”
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòc
Quotation: a’ toirt an tòc bho bhó, bho chaora, na bho each. Notes: lump on the skin over the eye. Skin was lifted, needle put through this skin with double thread, held, and slivers were cut off the lump with a knife.
Origin: Uig, Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòdhadh
notice. Cha tug e tòdhadh ’s a bith dhomh. – referring to a very weak sick person, so weak that he could [sic] [could not?] give the slightest notice to a visitor, etc.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòic
[t̪ɔ:çc] Quotation: Tha tòic anns an aodann aige. Notes: puffiness.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòin
Quotation: Tha tòin oirre. Notes: said of a tough peat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòisneachadh
[t̪ɔ:ʃnʹɑxəɣ] Quotation: a’ tòisneachadh but thoisich mi, toisichidh mi. Notes: beginning.
Location: Coll, Arinagour
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòisneachd
Quotation: a’ tòisneachd. Notes: beginning.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòn
Quotation: tòn na fidean. Notes: blunt point of the tidal flats.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tònag (f)
Quotation: iteachan beag putach, deireadh iteachain.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tònasach (m)
Quotation: tònasach grànda duine. Notes: as much a reference to character as to appearance.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòrr
Notes: a fairly large collection of drying peats on the bank.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòrr
Quotation: Tha e a deanamh tòrr dhan an tudan sin. Notes: tòrr – a badly made corn-rick.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòrr
Quotation: tòrr buntàta. Notes: potato pit. (Bracken put on top of the potatoes, then a covering of earth.)
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòrr
Quotation: ràth > goc > tòrr > sìg. Notes: hay-working terms.
Location: Lewis, Stornoway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòrr
Quotation: sguab > sgròthan > adag > tòrr > cruach. Notes: corn-working terms.
Location: Lewis, Balallan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòrr
Quotation: tòrr buntàta. Notes: outside pit. (also sloc bhuntàta)
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòrr
Quotation: tòrr buntata. Notes: potato pit.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòrr
Quotation: tòrr coirce. Notes: “hut” of corn.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòrr
Quotation: tòrr buntàta. Notes: potato pit. (Glendale, Skye.)
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòrr-buachair
heap of cattle dung.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòrr-mònach
heap of peats.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tòrradh
nn ‘’funeral’ : gen.: latha an ~ aice
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
tòthadh
[t̪o:əɣ] Quot.: “Na bi a tòthadh sin riumsa idir!” Note: pointing something at a person, e.g. a stick. (Also: “a’ tomhadh [ˈt̪õəɣ] dhòrn” in Barvas – putting up one’s fists.)
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòthan
we have also: air mullaich an tòthain. Likely, it’s the same word [as tothan q.v.], but at one instance it’s spoken unaccented.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tóaigeadh
hoeing (the potatoes).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tóiseal
[to:ʃɑl] Quotation: duine tóiseal. Notes: tidy man. P. Wemyss localism.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tóiseil
Quotation: “Nach i tha tóiseil!” Notes: neat and prim.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tómhadh
siding. Cha’n eil i tómhadh ris. [NOTES: the quotation on the slip reads ‘Chan eil i ‘tòmhadh ris.’ Definition: To side (with someone).]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tùbrais
consternation, squabbling, fighting.
Location: North Uist, Blàsheabhal [Blashaval]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tùc
Notes: the plug in the water-escape in a small boat (the hole itself?). Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tùc
Notes: bung in a boat.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tùc
[t̪u̟:k] Note: plug in a boat.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tùc
plug. [SLIP: Plug (in a boat).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tùc
Quotation: [ən̪t̪u̟:k]. Notes: bung in a boat.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tùc
[t̪u̟:k] Note: bung in a boat.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tùc
[t̪u̟:k] Note: plug in a boat.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tùchadh
hoarseness in the throat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tùghadh
thatch used to keep the rain off haystacks. [NOTES: corrected to ‘tughadh’.]
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
tùir
Quotation: duine gun tùir. Notes: unskilful man.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tùireadh
lamenting the dead. MacVurich has ‘Toruimhe’ in his account of the funeral of John, Lord of the Isles, in 1380, translated by Macbain “waking”.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tùirneap
Quotation: tùirneap bhuidhe.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tùirneap
Quotation: tùirneap Shuaineach. Notes: swede.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tùlsag
[t̪u̜:ɫsɑɡ] Quotation: Bha tùlsagan mór aige. Notes: a wrist. (?)
Origin: Nethy Bridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tùr
nn ‘sense’ : tha ~ sna beathaichean cuideachd
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
tùr
Quotation: Duine gun tùr – a man without inventiveness.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tùrail
Intelligent or skilful. Tha e againn an dà chuid. Ach na’s motha ‘skilful’. Tùrail – math air a làmhan a thaobh fiodha agus gnothaichean eile, math air tuigsinn dé mar a tha cùisean mu na cuspairean sin etc. agus math agus grinn air dèanamh.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
tùrnair
turner. Sometimes heard in the past denoting a lever or some convenient wooden lever to act in turning a capstan in a boat, etc. This is only one explanation. There may be another explanation?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tùsgaid
Quotation: tùsgaid de thì. Notes: second-rate tea, e.g. if it wasn’t brewed properly or if it was made with old leaves.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tùthag
[t̪u̟:hɑɡ] Note: patch put on clothes.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
túchadh
Quotation: Tha an túchadh air. Notes: He has laryngitis.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
túchan
Quotation: “Cuir túchan dh’a ’n a phrais.” Notes: shutter or lid. Also used for stopper, e.g. the cork in the keel of a coble or small boat to let out the bilge water when ashore; and to keep out the sea when afloat.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
t’eile chait ach feòil
what else but luxury, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
uachdar
Quotation: an uachdar. Notes: the uppers of a shoe.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uachdar
upper part of peat-bank.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
uachdar
Quotation: uachdar a’ bhlàir. Notes: peat-bank.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uachdar
Quotation: uachdar na h-aibhne. Notes: source of river, or stream.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uachdar
Quotation: uachdar a’ phuill. Notes: the uncut upper surface of a peat bank.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uachdar
the top of the peat bank.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
uachdar
Quotation: a’ fòid uachdar. Notes: top peat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uachdar
Quotation: uachdar a’ bhac. Notes: top of the peat bank.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uachdar a phuill
top part where peat are laid out.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
uaill mhath
a good day.
Origin: Islay
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
uain reath
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
uaine
Quotation: aotrom uaine. Notes: light green.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uainich
green as on stagnant water or cheese, taking colour of green.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uair
Quotation: a’ cur duine ri uair a’ bhaile. Notes: bringing a person back to reality.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uair
Quotation: Tha droch uair gu bhi ann. Notes: The weather is going to be bad (temporarily).
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uair
Quotation: Uair a’ ghille connaidh. Notes: when New Year was held on 12th January the day had begun to lengthen a little (perhaps about ½ hr – ¾ hr). This gave a person a chance to go out in the late afternoon to gather in some fuel, twigs, branches, etc.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uair
Quotation: uair mhath. Notes: ‘good weather’. Tarbert and Islay usage.
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uair a’ ghille chonnaich
this refers to ‘latha nan trì righean’ when the day began to get longer. This phrase meant that the peat boy (gille conna [sic]) could take longer to get the peats.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uaircneach
[ũ̜ɑ̃ɾcṉɑx] Quotation: coinneamh uaircneach. Notes: meeting held on the night of the monthly meeting in the Free Church, to which only members could come.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uaircneach
Quotation: àite uaircneach. Notes: solitary, isolated.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uaireach
fluctuating, mobile.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uaireadair-bann-dùirn
wristlet watch.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uaireadair-dùirn
wristlet-watch.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uaireadair-gréine
the head of the flower dandelion. I think when the bloom is gone and the white ‘fluff’ of the germinating seed on the point of being cast by the wind. As children we used to pick one and blow on the head: 1-2-3 thus telling the time when the ‘fluff’ was all blown off. There may be other references from other places. There may be another few meanings. ‘Sun-dial’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uaireadair-pocaid
pocket watch.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uaisle
Quotation: uaisle gun chur leis. Notes: a man ostensibly of considerable means but who in fact had little.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uallach
Quotation: “Uallach leanamh dhuin’ eile.” The charge of... A bhanarach ghuanach. Ag uallach nam bò – in charge of. Uallach na maidne – the charge of rising early. ’Sann air a tha uallach an tighe. It is he who is in charge of housekeeping. It is he who has the burden of... (intangible burden).
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uallach
Quotation: “’Se bha uallach a dol seachad...” Notes: brisk, lively.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uamhas
nn ‘great number/ amount’ : chaidh ~ dhiubh a mharbhadh; tha ~ dha na h-Èireannaich sna States; tha ~ do dh’Èireannaich sna States; rinn e ~ airgid
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
uamhraidh
Quotation: Bha i uamhraidh air clabhs. Tha e uamhraidh [ũɑ̃ˈri] fuar. Notes: = uamhasach.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uan
Quotation: uan ódanach. Notes: deformed lamb walking as if on its knuckles.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uan
Quotation: uan brògach. Notes: white lamb with its legs black up to the knees.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uan
Quotation: uan-rùda. Notes: young ram or tup lamb.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uan
Quotation: uan diolan. Notes: lamb appearing long before or long after normal season.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uan
Quotation: uan firionn boirionn. Notes: a lamb with one testicle missing.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uan anamoch
[lamb late of weaning.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
uan anmoch
lamb late of weaning (12th August [and after]).
Origin: Ross of Mull
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
uan fada gun thogail
late of weaning.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross and Cromarty but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
uan fadalach
lamb late of weaning. “Tha uan fadalach aice.” (aig a’ chaoraich)
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
uan firionn
before and after castration.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
uan reatha/ruda
lamb ram.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uan reithe
Tha e againn: uan-reith’ (air a fhuaimneachadh mar uan’reith. Gu math faisg air mar a chanadh sibh wan’ray no one’ray anns a’ Bheurla (Tuigidh sibh fhéin.) No faisg air ‘uamhraidh’ aig muinntir tìr-mór, Earra-ghaidheal, Inbhirnis có dhiu.)
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
uan òg
lamb late of weaning. “Sin agad an t-uan òg.”
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
uasaid
quarrelsome. Uasaid mhnatha [?] bh’aige.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uasal
adj ‘generous, considerate’ . : cho ~ ‘s a bha iad ri-san (? < ris-san) [DAG]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
uatha
Quotation: Ma’s breug thugam e as breug bh’uam e.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uathrais air tharais
Helter skelter.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ubh
Quotation: uibhean linn. Notes: eggs for hatching.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ubh
Quotation: ubh cliath feannaig. Notes: a hen’s egg that is much undersized.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ubh
Quotation: “A’ chearc air ’s gun an ubh ann.” Notes: see cearc.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ubh
Quotation: glain’ uibhe. Notes: egg-cup.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ubh
Quotation: ubh [mĩləfiiç]. Notes: an unusually small hen’s egg.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ubh
Quotation: ubh nid.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ubh
Quot.: ubh-mille-fithich. Note: very small egg a hen might lay at the end of the laying season or if it had been injured in some way.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ubhal
Quotation: ubhal a’ bhuntàta.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ubhal
Quotation: Rug e air ubhal a’ sgòrnain air. Notes: Adam’s apple.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ubhal
Quotation: ubhal a’ sgòrnan. Notes: Adam’s apple.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ubhal
Quotation: ubhlan a’ bhuntàt.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ubhalabhiocuis
Quotation: Ciod e an ubhalabhiocuis a tha’gad anns a phrais? Notes: used only in reference to food. Some mysterious mixture! No idea at all what the origin of the word is. It was widely used all the same.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ubhla-bhan
the potato flower.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uchd
Quotation: an t-uchd [əntʊxk]. Notes: the chest.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uchd
Quotation: uchd na h-òrdaig. Notes: recess under the toes.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uchd earraich
immediately.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uchd leum
a way of jumping onto a horse. Lands flat stomached on the horse and then swings the legs over.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uchdach
Quotation: uchdach cas. Notes: steep brae.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ucsa
[u̟kʃ] Quotation: cudaig; smallag (herring size); glasag (young haddock size); glasag dubh or [u̟kʃ].
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Laide, Portnacon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ucsa
Notes: mature saithe.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ud ud
a remark when a person is not prepared to accept what is said. [NOTES: the slip has ‘ud-ud’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
udalan
Notes: a ring-device (or swivel) which was put on a tether to prevent kinks from forming as the animal moved. The name Calum Udalan was also given to a person who was undependable or apt to vacillate.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
udalan
Quotation: udalan caiginn. Notes: swivel put on a tether so that two sheep could be tethered together.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ufai
old Gaelic word meaning congratulations. “Ufai air Mac Ruaridh.”
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ugan
throats. “Bha iad an ugain a chéile.” – they were at each other’s throats.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ugh
Quotation: Ugh gun luath gun salainn, an ceann seach bliadhna ni e galair. Notes: luath. Connect with muir-luath (?)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ugh ( oo)
[pron.] udder. [NOTES: the slip gives the pronunciation – [uʰ].]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
ugh as ballain
[udder and teats.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
ugh nide
a single egg left in a nest so that hens would still frequent that nest.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ughdaraid
a track or path used by cattle. [NOTES: note added – ùtraid.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uibhreachd
Quotation: a’ cur uibhreachd air rud. Notes: seeing a difference in something. (Lewis – a’ cur umhail air rud.)
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uidealach
undulating, hilly. General reference to Uist as being ‘uidealach’.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uidheam
apparatus.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
uidhean-gur
hatching eggs.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uidhireachd
[u̜iðɑxk] Quotation: Cuiridh tu [u̜iðɑxk] air. Notes: You will see a difference in him.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uileann
[u̜ʔlən̪] Quotation: the elbow.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uilinn
Quotation: Cha chuir e air uilinn e. Notes: It won’t take much effort.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uilleagan
[u̟lʹəɡɑṉ] Quot.: “Bha e deanamh uilleagan dhith.” Note: said of a person who is treated too well, especially a child. Molly-coddled person.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uime
Quotation: Tha ’n am againn a dhol a thogail uime. Notes: hoeing, i.e. building up the earth on each side of the potato shaws.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uimhir
n. ‘number’: chan eil mi ‘ dol a innse dè ~ e; cha robh ~ aimhreit anns an t-saoghal ‘s a tha ann an-diugh; tha a’ chànan air atharrachadh uimhir sin; chuala mise ‘ cheart ~ ùrnaigh ann an Gàidhlig ‘s a chuala mi ann am Beurla
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
uineachd
[ʊinʹəxk] Quotation: fad na h-uineachd. Notes: genitive of ùine.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uineachd
[uunʹəxk] Quotation: [dɑ˖ huunʹəxk]. Notes: time (dat.).
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uinneag mhór
‘Uinneag mhór’ was the large square window made in the wall of a house and is to be distinguished from the much smaller window which was in the thatch on top of wall and was no more than a foot in height. To have an ‘uinneag mhór’ in a thatched house was regarded as a mark of affluence and distinction in the bad old days. If a crofter in those times put an ‘uinneag-mhór’ in the wall of his dwelling, his rent was increased by as much as five or six pounds, or more. No wonder the crofter was forced to live in a “black house”, he had to pay dearly for his share of God’s daylight.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
uinneag nan cearc
A square open hole at top of the gable wall of a byre, convenient to ‘faradh [q.v.] nan cearc’ on the inside. The hens’ roost is pronounced ‘fairidh’ in Skye.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
uinneag tughaidh
a window in the thatch.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
uinneagan
gaps left in the ‘rùdhain’ so that the wind can blow through them.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
uinse, ùmhs
milk yielded the first three days after calving. [NOTES: not clear if the two words are synonyms or variants, or if one is the pronunciation spelling of the other.]
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
uir-sgeul
[u̜rwʃɡʹɑl] Quotation: Tha uir-sgeul mór ma dheidhinn. Notes: There [is] a lot to tell about him.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uircean
Quotation: Tha e direach an deidh uircean a dheanamh. Notes: said of a person who has become very tubby.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uircean (masc.)
[u̟irkʹən] young pig. [NOTES: the quotation on the slip reads ‘uircean muic (or alone)’.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
uirchrichean
this was the term applied to count the number of times a certain colour had appeared in the pattern, e.g. ‘fichead uirchir de dhearg’.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uireall
Notes: (1) ring on the prow of a boat for tying it. (2) metal band to keep wood in walking stick from splitting.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
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
uireasbhach
[u̟ðɑsɑx] Quotation: Bha i a’ fas car uireasbhach. Notes: having a limp.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uiridh a bhuntata
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
uirlinn
a lawn, level stretch of grassy lawn found round churches, castles, stately homes.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uirlis (f)
tools, apparatus, gear.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uiseag
Quotation: na h-uiseagan. Notes: said this was the general term they had for wild birds.
Origin: Petty
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
uisg airgid
water taken from a burn and a silver coin placed in the water. Water stirred supposedly absorbing the hidden potency of the coin. Water would then be thrown over an animal which was suffering from a disease or which had been cast under a spell.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge
Quotation: Cha rachadh e’n uisge na stiùireach do’n fhear a bh’againn roimhe. Notes: He was poor in comparison with the one we had last year.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge
nn ‘water’ : gen.: am boireannach a bha seo a bha ‘ dèanamh an _ uisge an airgid
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
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
Quotation: Cha d’ thainig gaoth mhór a riamh gun uisge ’na deidh.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge
Quotation: tri uisgeachan. Notes: three waters usually poured on the grist (distillery).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge
Quotation: Chan uisg’ ach uisg’ o’n tuath ’s cha sneachd ach sneachd o’n deas.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge
Quotation: an uisge dearg. Notes: redwater in cattle. Caused by “cartain” which carried it.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge
Quotation: Tha e suas an t-uisge. Notes: He’s heading for success.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge beatha an t-suathaidh
methylated spirits.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge coisrige
holy water.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
uisge coisrigte
holy water.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
uisge dùbhchaidh
water that did not run. Prohibited from drinking such water.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge glas (m)
Quotation: Bi fuaim duine sgrìobadh iarann le ìngnean a’ toirt uisge glas gu/fo m’fhiaclan.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge iaruinn
undrinkable water in a well as a result of a high concentration of iron in the water which came from the surrounding rocks.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge stiureach
the furrow-like wave which follows a boat. “Dè a tha aig bàta ’s nach dean i an gnothach as aonais?” Answer: uisge stiureach or wake in English.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge tàmhail
stagnant water.
Location: North Uist, Scolpaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge-airgid
Notes: water, used for curing purposes, into which a silver coin had been put.
Location: BBC
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge-beath
Quot.: “uisge-beath a’ rupaig” [ˈru̜piɡʹ]. Note: methylated spirits.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge-beath
Quot.: “uisge-beath an t-suathaidh.” Note: methylated spirits.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge-beatha
whisky. Was used also for toothache – leaving some whisky in the mouth for a while. Whisky and oatmeal was considered as tonic, as was rum and eggs mixed. Whisky was recommended for faints, weaknesses. Whisky and hot water being retiring [sic] at night was a stimulating [sic], recommended stimulant for colds, that is for counteracting colds. Whisky and hot water, so hot as the patient could accept: it was known as ‘totaidh’.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge-nan-uighean
the water in which the eggs were boiled.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge-salach
the water after being used in washing up, scrubbing the floor.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge-siabainn
water with soap thuds [suds?].
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge-tinneas-an-righ
water associated with the cure of the disease known as the King’s Evil. [NOTES: slipped under ‘uisge’ with ‘uisge tinneas-an-rìgh’ as the quotation.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisgeachadh
watering. Ag uisgeachadh a’ ghàraidh.
Location: 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
uisgeal
Quotation: Thainig i le uisgeal aice. Notes: sob-story. (Prob. from uirsgeul.)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisgealach
[u̟ʃɡʹɑɫɑx] Quot.: buntàta uisgealach. Note: potatoes with water under the skin.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisgealaich
Quotation: ag uisgealadh [u̜ʃɡʹɑɫəɡ]. Notes: spread manure on land.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uislig
a big untidy lump, often applied to a fat untidy woman.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uitean (n)
whitening chalk material (Harris). From the English word ‘white’, probably.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ulag
hoist? My own experience tells me this is also used for an eye to which a hook is attached.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ullachadh
Quotation: Là Ullachaidh. Notes: Saturday of Communions.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ullachadh
preparatory service (Prot) – Thurs-Sat.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
ullag
Quotation: Bha cùisean ann an àird nan ullag. Notes: merriment, glee.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ullag
thick cream with oatmeal. Also as ‘ollag’ in Sutherland.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ullag
Quotation: ullag bàrr (sic). Notes: mixture of cream, oatmeal and sugar.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ullag
Notes: switched cream, oatmeal and sugar. The cream came out of the churn when making butter.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ullag
Quotation: ullag mhine. Notes: a handful.
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ullag
Quotation: ullag bhàrr. Notes: mixture of oatmeal and cream. Ordinary “ullag” with milk.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ullag
Quotation: ullag bhàrr. Notes: mixture of oatmeal and cream.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ullag
[u̜ɫɑɡ] Note: mixture of oatmeal, sugar and water, rounded. Taken, e.g. to the moor if after sheep. Good for sustaining.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ulpag
[uɫpɑɡ] Quotation: ulpag de chlach. Notes: a boulder.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ultach
of a good size. Tha ultach mhath innte – in terms of weight.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ultach
Quotation: “Be sin an ultach teine, uallach leanamh [?] dhuin’ eile.” Notes: Ultach – a burden carried in arms, in front. Eallach – a burden carried on one’s back.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ultach feoir
feeding. [NOTES: the only explanation given.]
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
ultach monach
an armful of peats.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
umhail
[ɔ̃əl] Quotation: Chaneil moran umhail [ɔ̃əl] agam dhaibh. Notes: I am not very partial to them.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
umhail
Quotation: Leanaibh gun umhail – unsuspecting, innocent child. Chuir mi umhail air gu’n robh rudeigin cearr. I half-suspected that something was wrong. Umhail dha’n lagh – obedient to the Law.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
umhal
Quotation: Chuir mi umhal gu robh an aois a laighe air.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
umhlachd
Quotation: Modhalachd a’s umhlachd – good breeding and humility. [NOTES: slipped under ‘ùmhlachd’.]
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uninean
[sic] Onion. Disease: sore throat (amhaich ghoirt). Part used: the lot, peeled and broken up, and put in boiling water in a bowl and the steam coming off it inhaled. Inhaling – am bial fosgailte os cionn uinnean ann am burn goileach. How prepared: boiled, infused – could be used likewise, ground up as a poultice – not necessary). Sources of information: my mother.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
unlair
cross bearer in a boat.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Ceannaraigh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
urchar-iasaid
Quotation: Na amais gunna air duine idir, gun fhios nach tig urchair-iasaid as.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
urdean
wine token at birth.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
urlar
[sic] [[ɤu̜]ɫɑɾ] Quotation: ùrlar a’ bhata.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
urlar bualaidh
Wooden platform on which sheaves were placed for threshing. [NOTES: spelled ‘ùrlar bualaidh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
urlar bualaidh
Wooden platform on which sheaves were placed for threshing. [NOTES: spelled ‘ùrlar bualaidh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
urlar-bualaidh
[ɤu̜ɫɑɾbuɤɫi] Notes: platform of wood on which corn was threshed with the flail.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
urra
Quotation: urra bheag. 2. urra nam bochd. 3. urra dhiolain. Notes: 2. boarded out child. 3. illegitimate child.
Location: Spean Bridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
urra-laimhe
Quotation: Nach tu a fhuair an t-urra-laimhe. Notes: sarcastic remark to a person who bullied a much smaller and weaker person.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ursainn chatha
someone who is a source of comfort and strength at times of distress.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Trianaid House
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ursair
[u̜ʴsɑð] Notes: a person using brute force when doing something or tackling somebody who is no match for him. Also ursaireachd and ag ursaireachd – using brute force. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ursann
Quotation: each ursann. Notes: also “mart ursann”. Beast taken from a widow by the landlord on her husband’s death. (See Dw.)
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ursann
Quotation: mart ursann. Notes: “each ursann” in Dw. q.v.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ursann blàir
same as ‘ursann chath’.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
usaidh
a satchel carried by tinkers. Consisted of a roll of canvas which when laid out revealed the contents, usually money. A type of purse which was tied up with string.
Location: Barra, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
usbag
Quotation: na h-usbagan deireannach. Notes: the last gasps of a person dying.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
usladh
Quotation: Còir iasadach smeara nach usladh an gailleann. Notes: ’Se sin a bhith seachnadh.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uslaig
a big, fat person.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ustar
a coat.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uthagraich
Notes: ‘hooching’ at a dance.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uthan
eggs. I have been told that this term for eggs was used in Gairloch, Scotland? The above word isn’t used in Scalpay. All other words I have noted are words and terms etc. used on Scalpay but for one or two etc. relative of or to the Island of St Kilda. I am trying to remember and collect the ones used on Scalpay, in the past and present, meantime.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
waganan dubailte
A wagon with two seats. [NOTES: ‘wagan dhùbailte’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
wheep
Quotation: (Keose) Cha robh e wheep ris. Thuirt e gun tigeadh e ann a wheep. Notes: a very short time.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
wuidhain
a chimney. Unusual to have this ‘w’ sound and you might be able to spell it better. Must be a variation on ‘luidhair’. [NOTES: note added above ‘w’ in ‘wuidhain’ – l?]
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
 
for trimming wood – in boat building.
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
Ìnnseanach
pers. nn ‘member of First Nation people’ : ~ a bha ann; pl.:tha na h-Ìnnseanaich math gu __
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
à foigh
out of order, out of circulation, unobtainable, etc. (E. Inverness).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
à, às
prep. ‘out of’: taingeil às a’ chobhair; tha deathach ’ tighinn às [ɛs]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
àbaran (sic)
[ɑ:bərɑṉ] Notes: iron plate, later brass, fixed on gunwhale to prevent wear by the oar. (possibly should be aparan)
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àd bhioraid
made with rushes with a braid / brim. Made for children and worn when they were tending cattle.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àgh
Quotation: ceann an àigh. Notes: one who makes himself notorious or undesirably prominent.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àgh
Quotation: 1. Bu tu an àgh! 2. Ceann an àigh. Notes: 1. Might be said to someone who does someone else a good turn. 2. Person who is always in good humour, willing to help.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àgha
qr. [?] [quarter?] carcase meat (Perthshire).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àigh
[ɑiç] Quotation: “móran àigh bhuapa”.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àighe (f)
joint of meat (S.W.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àile-bheathail
oxygen.
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àilleasach
Notes: fastidious, proud. i.e. àilgheasach with ll to compensate for loss of gh sound.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àine
heat. “Àine an latha.”
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àird
Quotation: ’Se cion àird a bu choireach. Notes: lack of attention.
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àird-an-iar
Quotation: Tha dorchadas ’san àirde n’ iar. Tha ’n àirde ’n iar a’ lionadh.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àirde
Quotation: Bha cùisean ann an àirde nan ullag. Notes: the height of merriment, glee.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àirde
Quotation: àirde làin. Notes: high tide.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àirde
Quotation: àirde tràghadh. Notes: high tide.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àirde
Quotation: àirde traghad. Notes: low tide.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àite
n. ‘place; farm’: tha pìos math ~ againn … pìos math fearainn
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
àite suidhe
seat at the back of a boat. Elsewhere called ‘sileadh’.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Ceannaraigh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àite-suidhe
nn ‘seat’: chan eil agaibhse ach droch ~ sin
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
àl
Quotation: A’ bheil àl math aic’? Notes: can be used of the offspring of sheep, cattle, horses.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àlach
Quotation: Bha àlach phocannon aca. Bha àlach ann dhuibh. Notes: a good many.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àlach
Quotation: a’ glanadh a h-àlaich. Notes: this was said of a boat when she cleared her own length with one stroke of the oars, in competition.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àlach
[ɑ:ɫɑx] Quotation: A’ bheil àlach na do bhrògan? Notes: Are there nails in your boots?
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àmhailt
[ɑ̃:ılʹtʹ] Note: a half-burnt peat.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àmhailte
[ɑ̃:ılʹtʹə] Quot.: “Cuir thuige àmhailte dha!” Note: a peat, half of it burning, used as a torch, e.g. when going home at night from a céilidh.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àmhainn
[ɑ̃:hĩnʹ] Notes: flat cast-iron vessel on which bannocks were baked.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àmhuilt
temperature. Another word I remember hearing but as to its true definition, I am afraid I cannot tell but with one definition as noted above, I think you may insert likewise unless you will find a contrary version, or you may have the meaning already. Doesn’t it show or sound to the effect of words or the word or one of the word groups of the ember family – but in this case Tha e fo àmhuilt, when referring to the sick person or patient.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àobh
an exclamatory reaction to a sharp pain. [NOTES: note added – adhbh!]
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àrach
Quotation: Chaneil àrach air. Notes: It can’t be helped.
Location: Tiree (?)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àrach
[ɑ:ɾɑx] Quotation: Tha àrach mhath as a’ bhainne. Notes: nourishment.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àrach
Quotation: “Bha iad ag àrach airson gur h-e rinn sud.” – They were blaming him (without proof) that he did it.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àrach (vn.)
Quotation: Bha mi ga àrach. (– used by Catriona Mhór of the doctor, apparently in sense of reproaching or blaming). Notes: Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àrachd
[ɑ:ɾɑxk] Quotation: na [hɑ:ɾɑxkɑ̃ṉʹ]. Notes: cork.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àraid
Quotation: Tha Iain cho àraid – so funny: humorous. ’S àraid a rud a tha sibh ag iarraidh. – queer: unusual: exceptional: strange. Nach b’àraid a rud a rinn e. – unexpected.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
àrc
bung in a boat.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àrca
floats.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
àrcannan
small floats attached to back-rope.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
àrcannan
floats.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
àrd
Quotation: Bha mo stamag àrd fad an là. Notes: to describe a squeamish feeling.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àrd
Quotation: a’ cur àrd air rud. Notes: getting a thing into ship-shape. (see àrdail)
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àrd
Quotation: an àrd bhrachadair. Notes: head maltman. [NOTES: slipped under ‘àrd-bhrachadair’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àrdachadh
Quotation: Chan fhaigh sibh a bheag a dh’àrdachadh bhuaithe-san (you will get little wealth from him). Notes: In Dw., in closely similar senses.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àrdraich (f)
Quotation: àrdraich a’ bhaitsealair. Notes: sp.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àrlas, atharlas
[aurɫıs] a shilling or more given to ratify a bond of hire.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àrlus
[ɑ:rɫəs] Notes: hole in the roof of thatched houses to allow an exit for smoke.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àrmadh
butter or any oil or fat which was used to soften the wool.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àsag
bung in a boat.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àt bràghad
quinsy throat.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àt bràghad
sore throat, tonsillitis.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àt mhórachd
inflation in the monetary sense.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àt-reum
swelling in the back of the throat.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àth
aite mar bothag airson a blath an eòrna – for drying.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
àth
Quotation: iochdar na h-àthadh. Notes: the end of the kiln at which the corn was put in.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àth
Quotation: “Bath m’ath’s bhathainn’s i nam bu t-ath’s i.” Notes: supposed to be a test of strangers: if he thought you were talking double-Dutch, he evidently had no Gaelic. It was meant to be said as one long word, which a man used to call for help from his neighbour when his KILN was on fire.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àth-liath
[ɑ lıɤ] Note: organ somewhat like the liver, smaller. Reddish. Pancreas?
Origin: Balallan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àtha
wheat before hardened.
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
èalaideach
[iɑɫɑdʹɑx] Quotation: èalaideach de dhuine. Notes: a grey [Agey?], gaunt person.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
èarraig
engraving on material, e.g. design on a fireplace.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
èas
waterfall.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
èibheis éisg
a welcome catch of fish.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
èibhiseach
[ɛ:viʃɑx] Quotation: aimsir èibhiseach math. Notes: unusually good.
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
èibhiseach
[ɛ:viʃɑx] Quotation: Bha e èibhiseach math. Bha e èibhiseach mór. Notes: unusually.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
èigheach-tathaisg
Notes: Glaodh no guth neo-thalmhaidh a toirt rabhadh bho chunnart.
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
èirich
vb ‘happen; set to; start, start out’ : past: chan eil fhios agam dè dh’èirich dha mu dheireadh [FMM]; cond.: bha iad cho [o] dona gu sabaid an uair sin, dh’èireadh iad air a chèile leis na dùirn [MAE]; vbl nn.: tha a’ cheart rud ‘ dol a dh’ èirigh dhuinn uile latha eigin; tha mise ag èirigh a-nunn; ‘s iad ag èirigh air bruidhinn Gàidhlig; ‘s e ‘g èirigh air imilich mo làmhan; bha e ag èirigh air goid nan caorach
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
éideag
Quotation: an éideag dhubh. Notes: whinstone.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
éigear
Quotation: éigear odhar. Notes: term of abuse. ‘Ga chleachdadh mu dhuine a bhiodh tu a’ càineadh’.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
éigh
Quotation: Na dh’éigh i air? Notes: first signs of the whooping cough.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
éigheach
Quotation: éigheach tathaisg. Notes: said to be heralding some important event.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
éigheach
Quotation: Éigheach na triuthaich.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
éigheach
Quotation: Chaidh éigheach oirre. Notes: proclamation of banns in church.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
éigheach-tathaisg
Notes: shout heard be people outside before a person died. A fairy called Caoineag in charge of it. Her laments heard in vicinity where death imminent. Last heard in Skye about 1910 in vicinity of Portree. Wailing heard in the immediate vicinity of Portree. Matter brought to attention of Rev. Norman MacLeod, most learned [?] of his day. Said that holocaust would follow. Fulfilled in 1914 War.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
éiginn
Quotation: ’S e an dubh éiginn a thug air sin a dheanamh. Notes: dire necessity.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
éile (?)
[e:lə] Quot.: “Nach ann oirre a tha ’n éile.” Note: very bad weather.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
éileadh
Quotation: Anna chruinn donn, / Na rinn thu ’n éileadh? / Hi horo ’s no horo eileadh. Notes: this word was used in Lewis in the sense of removal of the living from one area to a new residence.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
éirich
Quotation: ag éireach. Notes: getting up.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
éirigh
Quotation: Bha éirigh mhath air a’ chloimh. Notes: the new wool next to the skin of the sheep was long, therefore the shearing was easier.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
éirigh
Quotation: Tha éirigh mhath air a’ chloimh. Tha droch éirigh air a’ chloimh. Notes: terms used when clipping sheep. Applied to the growth of new wool next the skin.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
éirigh
Quotation: éirigh a mach. Notes: going over the score altogether. Same as “dol a mach”. See mach.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
éis
Quotation: “Chan eil éis sam bith orra.” “Thug mi leam na rudan a bha éiseal.” – need. “Cha chuir e éis idir ort.” – delay or hindrance.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
éisd
Quotation: Am fear a bhios ag éisdeachd cùl an doruis cha chluinn e ni math mu thimchioll féin.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
éisdeachd
Quotation: Tha éisdeachd e ann. Notes: He is deaf. Source: Tiree (?).
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
éiseach
[ẹ̇ẹ̇ʃəx] Notes: a belt which when yoked for a machine or light cart passed under the tail and joined the srathair on a horse.
Location: Ross of Mull
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
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
ìlse-mara (sic)
[i:lʃəmɑɾə] Quotation: A’ gearradh an fheamainn le corran aige [sic] ìlse-mara. Notes: low tide.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ìm
Quotation: ìm a’ chalmain chàise. Notes: old butter, supposed to have healing properties, used for treating burns (and other ailments?).
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ìm an iuchair
butter that would be available at the end of July. Generally held to be the best. The cream would be saved from April.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ìm smiaraidh
added to the wool so that it would be easier to work with. This was done prior to carding.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ìm-èiginn
Notes: cream boiled and reduced to make an ointment used in treating burns.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ìneachas
planning or plotting something without drawing attention to yourself. “Bha mise gu h-àrd ’s mi ag ìneachas.”
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ìngne (f)
Quotation: ìngnean cait.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ìobaidh
Quotation: Brora: [i:bi], Embo: [hibɑɡ] – a push, a swing. [hor dɔ̃ i:bi/hibɑɡ] ‘Give me a push (on the swing), give me a swing (on the arm).” Notes: Embo people don’t know the form without h-, Brora vice versa. Source: Mrs John MacRae, 12 Moray Terrace, Brora and Kenneth MacKay, 16 Gate Street., Embo. Date: spring 1968.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ìobairt
Quotation: Tha mi dol a dheanamh iobairt air tigh a thogail. Notes: effort, attempt.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ìobradh
Quotation: Tha e a’ sileadh gun ìobradh. Notes: without cessation.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ìobradh
Quotation: Cha do rinn e ìobradh turaidh an diugh.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ìoc
[i:k] Notes: a triangular piece of clothing inserted at the sides of garments to make them wider at the bottom.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ìoc
[ı:k] Quot.: a’ cur ìoc ann an aodach. Note: putting an additional piece of material into, say, a skirt to make it wider.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ìochdrachadh
Quotation: Gar do chasan s cuir ort do bhrogan is seall a mach aig cul an taighe fiach bheil an carraidh g’ iochdrachadh. Notes: heard originally from grandmother as nonsense rhyme: “Cuirt [sic] ort do chasan is gar do bhrogan is seall a mach aig cul na carraidh fiach bheil an tigh ag iochdrachadh.” Similarly: Mi fhein tarsuinn air an t-sioman ’s mo chota mor muigh ga fhliuchadh.”
Origin: Kilmaluag
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ìre
Quotation: A bheil sibh a’ faighinn ìre air an tigh? Notes: Are you getting on with the house?
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ìsbean
[ı:ʃbɑṉ] Quot.: “Ceithir lùban-dubha fichead agus da ìsbean dheug.” Note: what the entrails (other than the stomachs) of a cow consisted of.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ìsle
Quotation: isle [sic] conntraigh.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ì’s
tell. (Pronounced ìs: Scalpay.) [NOTES: slipped under ‘innis’ with ‘ì’s’ as the quotation. Definition: Scalpay pronunciation; also ‘innis’.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
íldeanach
variation.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ímdith
solicitation? “Fo eagal ’s fo ímdith.” Neil Morrison’s ‘Oran Gaoil’. Leabhar nan Gleann p. 49.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òban
Notes: raised patch of ground in a wet or marshy place.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òcrach luath
The ash-midden. A’ cur amach an òcraich.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ògan
Quotation: “Tha ògan aige.” Notes: used of a person who has a hole in his trousers, with his shirt showing. Source: Lulag MacLean, Barra. Date: September 1969.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òganach
Quotation: an t-òganach pòsda. Notes: best-man.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òinseach
[õˈʃəx] Notes: N.B. pronunciation.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òiseach
(also) effects of drink e.g. ’S e ’n òiseach tha bruidheann – perhaps (metaphorical) it’s the drink in him ‘that speaks’, the effect of whisky, or the drink itself, if you wish. [NOTES: slipped under ‘òi(n)seach’. Definition: Phrase used of person under influence of drink.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òl
Quotation: Ithibh agus òlaibh, tha gu leòir an tigh Sheumais.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òla gruthain
place[d] in pan and heated. Excess oil, fat used as fuel for ‘cruisgain’.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òla losgaidh
a brown, thin ointment used to heal burns. Applied with a feather. Obtained from chemist on mainland. [NOTES: ‘òla’ corrected to ‘ola’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òla ròin
seal oil; given to cattle as a laxative.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òla-ròinn
seal oil. Used for colds and asthmatic complaints. [NOTES: corrected to ‘òla-ròin’.]
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òlachas
[ɔ:ɫɑxs] Quotation: An d’fhuair sibh òlachas? Notes: welcome, hospitality. Did you get a good welcome?
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òmhas
[ɔ̃:əs] Quotation: òmhas (sp?) bàta. Notes: “dock” for a boat on the shore.
Location: Skye, Camustianavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òpair
[ɔpəɾ] Note: mud that would stick to animals or to garments.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òpair
[ɔ:pəɾ] Notes: a small bowl-like structure fixed at the mouth of the plunger-hole to catch the milk coming out when the plunger was drawn up.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òpar
Quotation: Aonghas Dubh an òpair / Aig òs loch an Tábhan. Notes: mud. Òpar air a bhriogais aige.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òr dearg (m)
Quotation: Chan eil e ri fhaighinn ged a bheireadh tu ’n t-òr dearg air.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
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
òrais
Quotation: Tha ’n òrais orm. Notes: the desire to vomit. (Also òrais-thilgeadh.)
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrais
Quotation: Tha e a’ cur [ɔ:riʃ] orm. Notes: It almost makes me vomit.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrais-thilgeadh
Quotation: Tha ’n òrais-thilgeadh orm. Notes: the desire to vomit.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrd
the part that ‘projects’ the ‘spàl’ [q.v.].
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
òrd
Quotation: òrd mhaorach. Notes: hammer for knocking them [i.e. limpets] off the rocks.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrd
Quotation: òrd clachair. Notes: mason’s hammer.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrd
Quotation: òrd de dh’iasg. Notes: a good portion of fish. Could be as much as half.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrdag
Quotation: an òrdag, a’ cholbhag, Fionnladh fada, Mac an Aba, [u̜i:dʹʒɑɡ].
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrdagh
[ɔ̣ʂdɑ˖] [?] Quotation: fo’n òrdagh. Notes: in orders (clerical).
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrdaireachd
Quotation: ag ordaireachd [sic]. Notes: hammering.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrdan math
good condition.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
òrdanachadh
Quotation: Bha mi ’g òrdanachadh gun tigeadh tu. Notes: hoping you would come.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrdugh
Quotation: òrdugh éisg; ’na ghearradh na òrdughan. Notes: fish-steak.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrdugh
Quotation: Tha an t-òrdugh ann. Notes: Communions.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Balvoolich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrdugh
Quotation: na h-òrduighean.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òs
stance for shared boat. Also nòs.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òs
Quotation: òs loch an Tabhan. Notes: the outlet.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òsdachd
accomodation.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ódanach
Quotation: uan ódanach. Notes: deformed lamb walking as if on its knuckles.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùgh
Quotation: [ən uuc] [?]. Notes: the udder.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùghdar
Quotation: a’ leughadh ùghdair. Notes: expression used when a lay preacher would read a sermon from a book.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùilleadh
Quotation: úilleadh [sic] nam bodach. Notes: cod liver oil.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùilleadh
Quotation: a’ chlach ùilleadh. Notes: small hone, oiled.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùilleag
Note: liquid fat floating, e.g. on the surface of soup.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùillig (-ean)
sleeve coverings that reached up to your elbows. Used by cooks.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùine
nn f. ‘time’ : cuiridh e seachad ~ cho math air duine; dè an ~ a dh’fheumadh am buntàta bhith na phòca; tha mi ‘ dol a phòsadh an ~ ghoirid; gen.: mun àm a bha iad air a __ a’ dol ‘ ghabhail an ~ aig a’ bhoireannach
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
ùine
Quotation: Dh’fhalbh an uine [sic] [ũ̟:nʹ] air sgiath na cabhaig. Notes: quotation?
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùir
nn f. ‘earth, dirt’: gen.: rathad ùrach
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
ùireadh
Quotation: ag úireadh [sic] a’ bhuntàta. Notes: earthing the potatoes.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùireadh
Hoeing or earthing potatoes (with spade).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ùireadh
Quotation: Bhogadh an t-ùireadh ann. Notes: ‘He was easily persuaded.’
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùirisg
[u̟:ðiʃɡʹ] Note: a supernatural beast which could assume any shape.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùmbaidh
derogatory term for a useless, quiet person.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùpag
Notes: gust of wind. Source: C. Buchanan, Barra. Date: 1967.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùrachd
Quotation: ùrachd a’ bheithe is crionachd a’ challtuinn. Notes: suitability for burning.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùrlair
(also) wood fastenings in the bottom of a boat, could be also applied to a steel vessel, or a vessel or boat made [of] iron.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùrlar
Quotation: urlar [sic] na leapa. Notes: bottom of the bed.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùrlar
Quot.: na h-ùrlair. Note: cross-piece in a boat.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùrlar
Quot.: “ùrlair a’ bhàta”. Note: cross-pieces on the bottom of a boat.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùrlar
Quotation: ùrlar a’ bhaic. Notes: cut area of peat.
Location: Ross-shire, Plockton, Diurinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùrlar
[ɤu̜ɫɑɾ] Notes: second layer of peat.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùrlar
Quotation: ùrlar clàraidh. Notes: wooden floor of a loft.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùrlar
Quotation: ùrlar brachaidh. Notes: malt floor.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùrlar
Quotation: an t-ùrlar-bualaidh. Notes: threshing floor.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùrlar
Quot.: ùrlar a’ bhàta. Note: flat piece of wood on top of the keel.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùrlar-bualaidh
Quotation: an ùrlar-bualaidh. Notes: hard floor set apart for threshing in the kiln.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùrstan
drink celebrating a birth.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùrtan/òrtan/nòrtan
Quotation: Ma fhuair thu nòrtan man càch / Chan fhaca ban-nabaidh càil: / Carson nach tug thu gloine làn / Ga b’ann dh’an an fhaoileig. Notes: At this ‘ceremony’, after the birth of a child, it was customary to offer whisky and e.g. biscuits and cheese. Dw. has urstan ‘feast when a child is born – Lewis.’
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùs
[ũ̟:s] Note: applied to the covering on a lamb’s fleece at birth.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùsaideachadh
Quotation: ag ùsaideachadh. Notes: using.
Location: Vatersay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùtarais
Quotation: “Nach ann air tha’n ùtarais.” – What a hurry he’s in, what a commotion he’s making. Notes: (Murdo Murray and my mother – May, 1962) Norse derivation? Dw. has ùtrais f. ‘confused mass of anything; … restlessness, fidgeting’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùtraid
[u̟:t̪ɾɑdʹ] Notes: track to permit the passage of cattle to the common grazings, between crofts or townships.
Origin: Tiree
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
‘Carast’
Christina. We have also this pronunciation.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
‘Ring-Net’
So lion mór fada air oibreachadh eadar da bhàta. Leis an lion so tha iad ga chur mun chliath sgadain anns an uisge agus a’ crodhadh a’ sgadain ann gus an tig an da bhata gu cheile. Tha iad an sin a’ togail an sgadain chun an uachdair is ga sgumaireachd do bhàta eile. Cha bu toigh le iasgairean nan ‘Drift-nets’ an dòigh iasgaich so idir. Bha iadsan a’ cumail a mach gu robh an dòigh so a’ glacadh an sgadain mus tigeadh e gu ìre, gur e sgadan air a lannaigeadh (scaled fish) a bh’ann leis a mhoran laimhseachadh a bha iad a’ deanamh air mus ruigeadh e port, is gu robh an dòigh so a’ glacadh a chula seòrsa sgadain, beag, mór agus spent, is gu robh móran dheth ga bhàthadh is gun fheum airson min éisg fhein. Cha robh móran feum anns an sgadan so airson a’ chutadh, is bhiodh e air a’ reic ri bhanaichean a ruitheadh gach sgìre leis ga reic bho dhorus gu dorus, ach bha a chuid mhór dheth a dol chun a’ factoraidh far an robh e air a phronnadh sios, an ola air a thoirt as, is an còrr a bhiodh air fhàgail dheth air a thionndadh ’na thodhar Gallda, ’na bhiadh mhucan is ’na bhiadh chearcan.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
‘Select’
Cha robh ‘Select’ r’a fhaighinn ach a mach as Steòrnabhagh is an Sealtuinn. Dh’fheumte an ‘Select’ ath-lionadh an ath mhaduinn, is a threas-lionadh an ath mhaduinn a rithist.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
‘Stigh e’
‘after it’, i.e. encouraging the dog to chase harder, not at all in the sense of  taking an animal to an enclosure, in fact the opposite.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
‘an eallach’
‘Fo’n an eallach’ Taking home the peats with creel or (in the case of male) sacks.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
‘bathais gun naire’
saying.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
‘ciorrag bheag’
[call to a lamb or sheep] or sometimes imitating the bleat, e.g. ‘maa bheag’.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
‘fàile an t-saibh’
the smell of the sea, quite distinct on a calm day, at low ebb-tide.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
‘gaothch!’
[See gaoch!] Pronounced as indicated between the inverted commas. Also as previous, perhaps according to the individual. gaoch! gaoch! gaoch! or gaothch! gaothch! gaothch! etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
‘gille ceann beinge’
some man that takes up residence in his bride’s home. Supposedly, always an outsider thus not getting near the fire but sitting on the ‘beinge’ as when he was a mere suitor.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
‘hunt’ (m)
Quotation: Thug e dhomh ‘hunt’. Notes: hint, subtle reminder of e.g. a debt, or one’s disgrace, etc.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
‘lion-tubhaidh’
herring net ‘spread’ on a thatched roof, referred to in this sense. [NOTES: slipped under ‘lìon-tughaidh’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
’S math an dàil ga ghiorrad
when someone is fatally ill but experiencing some relief, which is only delaying the inevitable outcome.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
’Se duine a bh’ann nach creichdeadh a chearc ’sa latha fliuch
a saying applied to a thrifty, careful person. [NOTES: note added above ‘creichdeadh’ – ‘creiceadh’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
’a daubhdail null ’s a nall
staggering this way and that.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
’cur a mach
a togal na fàd o’n tairisgeir ’sgan cath a mach as a pholl.
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
’cur a mach ant-sùith
[sic] on a sunny, dry day the thatch was removed and the soot collected and stored for use as fertiliser or it may have been taken straight to the croft (not sure of this point).
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
’g iasgach le slatan
sea angling.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
’gam biathadh le làimh
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
’gan spo
castrating.
Origin: Ross of Mull
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
’gan spo aig 6 mìosan
castrating.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
’na chlod marbh air an talamh
lying ‘flat out’ on the ground.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
’s fhearde cuideachd ball bùsde [sic]
a company of people needs a joker to lighten the atmosphere. [NOTES: note added above ‘bùsde’ – bùirde.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
’sgaoileadh
a togal na fàd o’n tairisgeir ’sgan cath a mach as a pholl.
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
“Bho fhear liath gu leanabh”
something that is hereditary.
Location: South Uist, Frobost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
“Bhrist sinn an la.”
Tha sin a’ ciallachadh gun tainig air an sgiobadh sgur a bhuain leis an droch la gun an obair a chriochnachadh. Bha cuid do dhaoine ann is bha e eu-comasach dhaibh la math buain a bhith aca. Bha iad so somhraichte anns gach baile agus dh’fheuchadh muinntir eile a’ bhaile an la shuidhicheadh iadsan a sheachnadh gu buain iad fhein.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
“Cha tainig a leithid seo a shìde bho’n a thilg an tràigh na lugachan.”
associated with extreme weather conditions when the shore was churned up and all its contents piled up at the high water mark.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
“Cum do chlut!”
what you would say if someone was about to hit you.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
“Leigeam leat”… Iain, etc.
until the sides were picked – turn about for choosing.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
“Ma thà tha mi!”
(Do an chluais mar: ma hà hammy (faisg air có dhiu).) Bidh lorg gu math aig Ruairidh, am profeasar, mu an tè-sa. Bha i dol strong ann an Leòdhas bho bha Ruairidh ’na ruaganach balaich. Bidh fhios agaibh fhéin, chanainn, agus sibh cho seorp, dé mar a tha i air a cleachdadh. “Yes indeed.” “I would think so.” “To be sure.” ’S mar sin, ’s mar sin.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
“O nach buidhe dha”
used of a satisfied person.
Origin: Barra
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
“Pattern”
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
“cork” dubh
black or sandy oats. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
“eil dia sheo”
words that used to be said on entering a house.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
“fleet”
fleet of creels, when attached to a single line. Tha iad a-mach ’na “fleetichean”.
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
“frath o’n tuath iar on deas i”
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
“isean a chait chrion”
a boy who was brought up wisely, by a wise father.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
“keppar”
a “piece” to a boy or girl. (Stoer, Assynt) The “keppar” always consisted of a scone (flour) for preference or an oatcake with fresh butter and at least an inch of crowdie. “Hor ‘keppar’ dhan a bhallach!” – usually if the housewife was baking.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
“laigadal”
the red tangle with long red fronds only obtained at spring tides – ( traigh “laingadal” [sic]). Generally used for turnip manure.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
“latha eadar an da shian”
a “pet” of a day.
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
“one in sight”
Nuair a bhiodh iad a’ tarruing an lìn-bhig agus a nochdadh a’ cheud bheathach – leòbag, no adag, no cnòdan, no eile – chanadh iad “one in sight”. Mar a bhiodh a’ chùis a’ dol air adhart chanadh iad “one in sight, six aboard”. Cleachdadh na h-Airde an ear (Ceann Phàdruig ’s a Bhruaich etc.) tha mi ’n dùil. Ach am bodach-sa (b’aithne dhomh e gu math), bhiodh e ag ràdh nuair a bha easan [sic] òg gu’n canadh na bodaich ri leithid “one in sight”, “min am balg”. Sin agad tè mhath.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
“reiteach”
[NOTES: not clear what it refers to – clàr?] [NOTES: slip not found.]
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
“riasg”
mar bu trice a’ cheud fhàd. Bha e car aodram an cuideam san dath, sgun moran cosg aige.
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
“tha adharcan mòra air cròdh na ceathaidh”
things seem bigger when seen through mist.
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
“tha do bheul a’ dol an uachdar ort”
meaning “tha do chridhe a’ mireag riut” – a cluinntin leanabh a gàireachdainn. [NOTES: there is F next to this item possibly to indicate that it was provided by Flora MacLeod.]
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
“tha i bagarrach”
threatening to rain.
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
“trobhad, piatan, piatan, piatan beag”
call to a calf.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
“wager”
the plug of buoy, short for watcher.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
”Sig!”, “Sig a mach á sin.”
’Se seo a chanas sinne ri cù airson a teiche as an rathad ort agus laighe. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sig!’.]
Origin: Leòdhas, [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Stuigeadh Coin / Encouraging a Dog

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