Measgaichte / Miscellaneous

Informant(s)
Name
A. J. Smith
Location
Lewis, Barvas
Date
09/1971
Quotation: ’S ann ort a thainig an da là! Notes: change of circumstances.
Quotation: ’Se sin a’ là thigeadh gad iarraidh. Notes: used as a warning to a person who was threatening to do something.
Quotation: là na gocaireachd. Notes: April Fool’s Day. Barra – Là na Feachaireachd.
Quotation: Thug e dhomh mo là dubh. Notes: He gave me the works. (Can be physical or verbal.)
lacunnQuotation: duine lacunn odhar.
ladhadairNotes: mould for making horn spoons (used by tinkers).
làmhQuotation: 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.
lamh-chrann[ɫɑ̃:xɾɑ̃ṉ] Notes: handle of flail.
laobhag[ɫɤ:vɑɡ] Notes: home-made slipper.
lasaichQuotation: Tha a’ ghaoth air lasachadh. Notes: the wind has died down.
lathaichNotes: soft mud, usually on the bed of a pool or loch.
leabhar-pòcaidNotes: wallet.
leacQuotation: leac an eisridh. Notes: the stone flags in the stalls beside the drain. Water ran down between these stones and into the drain.
leacainn[lʹɛkĩnʹ] Notes: regular sloping piece of ground.
leadraigeadhQuotation: Thug e dhà droch leadraigeadh; a’ leadraigeadh. Notes: leathering.
leagQuotation: Cha do leag mi mo shúil air idir. Notes: I didn’t happen to see it at all.
leamhnagan[lʹɛ̃ũ̟ṉəɡɑṉ] Notes: sty on the eye.
leidNotes: shake-down.
leigQuotation: 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”.
leigQuotation: Tha a’ bhó a’ leigeil foidhpe. Notes: starting to let the milk down to the udder before giving birth to a calf.
leigQuotation: Bha e direach gu leigeil roimhe leis a’ sgìos. Notes: He was just about giving up with fatigue.
léig-chruthaichNotes: soft, bouncy piece of ground – layer of water underneath top skin.
leitear[lʹetʹɑð] Notes: mattressing on beds, usually a bottom layer of heather with a top layer of rushes.
leogan[lʹɔɡɑ̃ṉ] Notes: a small stone.
lethQuotation: Dé bha a dol leth ris? Notes: What was irritating, or irking him?
leth-choisQuotation: leth-chois, sinnteag, leum. Notes: hop, step and jump.
leumQuotation: leth-chois, sinnteag, leum. Notes: hop, step and jump.
leum-nan-ceithirQuotation: Bha an t-each aig leum-nan-ceithir. Notes: at the gallop.
liacraich[lʹiɑkɾiç] Notes: smear.
liamach[lʹ[ĩɑ̃]mɑx] Notes: slimy.
lianag[lʹ[ĩɑ̃]:ṉɑɡ] Notes: regular, flat piece of ground, usually grassy; also lianag fhraoich – level heather-covered area.
linneNotes: deep stretch of water in a river.
lìogachNotes: sneaky.
lìogaireNotes: a sneak.
lionadhQuotation: a’ lionadh iteachanan.
lionanaich[lʹ[ĩɤ̃]ṉɑṉiç] Notes: green slimy weed growing in wells and streams. More noticeable in dry weather.
liotachNotes: having a lisp.
liugachNotes: shy. Dw. – liùgach.
liut[lʹu̟t̪] Quotation: A ’bheil dad a [lu̟t̪] agad air fighe? Notes: skill.
lobanadhQuotation: Fhuair e lobanadh. Notes: He “went through the mill” in some way. Usually physical but could be mental as well.
lobhadhNotes: rot in potatoes.
lòineagNotes: wool fluff which collects under the loom.
loireachNotes: off colour, dull.
lònNotes: pond, pool.
lonaidNotes: churn-stick.
lòpraich[ɫɔ:pɾiç] Notes: soft piece of ground turned into a quagmire by the tramping of beasts.
loromachd[ɫɤɾɤmɑxk] Quotation: dearg loromachd. Notes: stark naked.
luaisgeanachNotes: usually of a child who can never sit still.
luathairQuotation: Cha thill e air a’ luathair. Notes: It will be a while before he returns.
luathaireach[ɫu̜ɤhəðɑx] Quotation: buntata luathaireach. Notes: early potatoes.
lùbNotes: short piece of rope for tying sheep’s legs when being shorn.
lubht[ɫu̜t̪] Quotation: Shuas air a’ [ɫu̜t̪]. Notes: for lobht.
ludair[ɫu̜d̪əɾ] Notes: stir up, mix up liquid. Also “Fhuair e ludradh” – he got a severe shaking or said of a person who came home very wet, caught in a very heavy shower of rain.
luid[ɫu̜dʹ] Quotation: “Bu tu a’ luid!” Notes: clumsy person.
lùigNotes: desire, wish. (Dw – Perthshire)
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.
macQuotation: Mac an uilc! Chaneil ann dheth ach mac an uilc. Notes: The rascal!
macQuotation: Mac an anraidh! Notes: used like “mac an uilc”.
macQuotation: Mac na dunaidh! Notes: like “mac an uilc”.
magaidQuotation: “Tha e làn magaidean.” Notes: whims.
màgailNotes: walking slowly like an old man.
maide-sgiùrsaidhNotes: stick which is used to drive salmon into the nets.
maide-uilt[mɑ̃dʹu̟lʹtʹ] Quotation: maidean uilt. Notes: two thin sticks used to separate threads when tying in.
màlQuotation: Tha thu na do mhàl. Notes: said to someone who was very busy. Impression of a lot of movement involved.
màlach[mɑ̃:ɫɑx] Notes: a heavy blow.
mallQuotation: Mall ort! Notes: mild imprecation.
mànaidh (could be bànaidh?)Quotation: Bha a’ leanabh air a mhànaidh [vɑ̃:ṉi] ag iarraidh a mach. Notes: in a worked-up state.
meadh-bhlàth[mjɤ:vɫɑ:] Notes: tepid.
meallNotes: a shower.
meallag[ˈmjɑɫɑɡ] Notes: wiry grass roots found on edge of sandbanks. Used in small bunches as pot-scrapers. Sand was left in among it for better scraping.
meapaid[mɛ̃pɑdʹ] Notes: scrubber made originally from the roots of sea-bent.
meigea(r)lan[mɛ̃ɡʹəɫɑṉ] Notes: a small cheeky boy.
meurlan[mjɤ:ɫɑṉ] Quotation: meurlan iarach, meurlan uarach or àrd. Notes: right-angled piece cut off at the tip of a sheep’s ear.
mì-shealbhQuotation: Fhuair mi mo mhì-shealbh [mĩ:hɑɫəv]. Notes: I got a good “going-over”.
mi-stiùrrachd[mĩ:ʃtʹu̜:rɑxk] Quotation: Dé a mhi-stiùrrachd a bha thu a deanamh? Notes: mischief.
miaranaichNotes: yawn.
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.
mineachadhQuotation: Tha mi gus mo mhineachadh leis an fhuachd.
miothlachd[mĩɔ̃ɫɑxk] Quotation: Chaneil miothlachd sam bith ann. Notes: harm.
mòigh[m[ɔ̃ĩ]] Quotation: Mhòigh mi air gun a dhol a mach. Notes: threaten, warn. Dw. muigh.
molNotes: shingle.
mónaich[mo:ṉiç] Notes: used by some for móran.
morghan[mɔɾɑɣɑṉ] Notes: gravel, usually found on the bed of a loch or river.
morghlaich[mɔɾɑɫiç] Notes: mixture of fine and rough gravel.
morran[mɔrɑṉ] Quotation: ceap morran. Notes: used as a seat in shielings because of its toughness. Morran – a very tough grass.
morran[mɔrɑṉ] Notes: very tough grass found growing in peaty soil.
rabht[r[ɑu̟]t̪] Quotation: Na bi ag innse na rabhtan sin. Notes: a tall yarn. (Dw. – idle or nonsensical talk.)
rabhtachQuotation: duine rabhtach. Notes: given to tell distorted or exaggerated stories.
ragaichQuotation: Bha mi gus mo ragadh leis an fhuachd. Notes: stiffen.
ràisNotes: from the tip of the middle finger to the thumb, stretched.
rallQuotation: Bha an t-àite na rall. Notes: the place was in an absolute mess.
ramaiseadh[rɑ̃mɑʃəɣ] Quotation: Thug e [rɑ̃mɑʃəɣ] mhath dhi. Notes: improper handling of a woman.
ramalair[rɑ̃məlɑð] Notes: a “broth of a boy”.
rapasNotes: used mainly for slovenliness in eating food, on face, clothes, table.
rathQuotation: rud gun rath. Notes: something without much substance.
rathQuotation: cas gun rath [kɑsɡərɑ]. Notes: useless person.
rathailNotes: yarn-spreader.
rath-thiodhlaigNotes: family plot in a graveyard (or rath-thiodhlaigeadh).
reothart[ˈroəḏ] Quotation: [t̪ɔpˈroəḏ]. Notes: the height of the spring tide.
riagailQuotation: a’ riagail fo [sic] àite go àite. Notes: scurrying about from one place to another.
riasachQuotation: Tha ’n aghaidh agad gu math riasach. Notes: streaks or patches of dirt on it.
riasg[rɛ:sɡ] Notes: raw peat.
robachNotes: ragged. (ròbach in Dw.)
roille[rɤlʹə] Notes: dribble of saliva running down from the mouth.
roimhQuotation: Bha e dìreach gu leigeil roimhe [ɾɛ̃ə] leis a’ sgìos. Notes: He was just about giving up with fatigue.
ròpQuotation: Na bi ’g innse na ròpan. Notes: tall yarns.
ròpachNotes: given to telling distorted or exaggerated yarns.
rosdNotes: could be used alone of a person. Often used of a boy: “rosd balaich” – a brat.
rotQuotation: Tha thìd agad am balach sin a rotadh dhachaidh – seall an uair a tha e.
ruadh-ghlasQuotation: a’ ruadh-ghlas. Notes: erysipelas.
rùchdQuotation: Dhìobhair e rùchd a chaolanan. Notes: He spewed his guts out.
rudQuotation: rud gun rath. Notes: something without much substance.
ruideil[ru̜dʹəl] Quotation: Bha e a’ ruideil thall ’s a bhos na do lorg. Notes: scurrying.
ruighinnQuotation: Cho ruighinn ris an dollaig. Notes: “dollag” – probably “dallag”, type of dogfish.
rumastaireachd[rũ̜məst̪ɑðɑk] Notes: rummaging.
sitigQuotation: 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.
sitigQuotation: Thainig e dhachaidh na shitig. Notes: He came home wet and bedraggled.
siubhadNotes: Dw. says it’s ‘equivalent to imp. of siubhal. The only part in use – Gairloch.’ Used in Lewis and I think much more generally.
slabhaircNotes: soft core inside the horn.
a’Quotation: Bha mi a’ cantainn beag rium fhéin. Notes: I was saying to myself.
adagNotes: stook.
ablach[ɑbəɫɑx] Quotation: ablach de chàr. Notes: can be used of anything which has become useless, anything in poor repair.
airQuotation: Chaidh a’ chairt ’s an t-each druimeach air tharrach. Notes: turned turtle. (from druim – back, tàrr – belly?)
airQuotation: Tha mi brath air falbh. Notes: “brath air” said as almost one word. “I’ve got a good mind to go.”
airQuotation: Tha e na laighe air a bheul-fodha. Notes: lying face-down.
airQuotation: air bhioran (pl) [vwɾəṉ]. Notes: on tenterhooks.
airQuotation: Tha e air bhoil ag iarraidh a mach. Notes: loud insistence.
iaradh[iɤɾəɣ] Quotation: Cha deach iaradh air a’ bheul aige bho mhaduinn. Notes: He hasn’t stopped talking since morning. (“Lull”)
iarnaNotes: hank of wool.
inneamhQuotation: A’ bheil inneamh air a’ chlòth? Fhalbh a’ dh’iarraidh inneamh. Notes: Is extra yarn required to complete the tweed?
innisgich[ĩṉiʃɡʹiç] Quotation: Bha e dha innisgeachadh. Notes: He was giving him a dressing-down.
ìoc[i:k] Notes: a triangular piece of clothing inserted at the sides of garments to make them wider at the bottom.
iomallQuotation: na h-iomallan. Notes: heald, heddle.
iomnaidhNotes: anxiety. Pronounced [w̃məði].
iormadh[wɾəmɑɣ] Notes: for iomradh.
itNotes: fin of a fish.
iteachanNotes: spool used in shuttle.
it-fhitheach[ĩtʹˈiɑx] Notes: gullet.
iullachQuotation: Chaidh na h-iullaich an àirde an uairsin. Notes: a howl. Said of a child starting to howl.
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.
Quotation: Gu sealladh nì math ort!/orm!/oir’! etc. Notes: For goodness sake!
nithQuotation: na nith. Notes: cattle (old usage).
niùlag[nʹũ̜:ɫɑɡ] Notes: a very small potato.
ochdan[okɑṉ] Notes: a short steep rise in a brae.
ódanNotes: knuckle. Pl. ódanan.
ódanachQuotation: uan ódanach. Notes: deformed lamb walking as if on its knuckles.
oidhcheQuotation: beul na h-oidhche.
oileag[ɔlɑɡ] Notes: fairly large stone, but could be thrown.
olcQuotation: Mac an uilc! Chaneil ann dheth ach mac an uilc. Notes: The rascal!
oslaig[ɔsɫiɡʹ] Quotation: oslaig de dhuine or oslaig de bhoirionnach. Notes: a large person.
paidhirQuotation: Bha mi le stocainn as gach paidhir orm. Notes: having two unmatched socks on.
piocasQuotation: am piocas. Notes: chickenpox.
pioprachadhNotes: inciting, goading.
pìosQuotation: pìos math. Notes: “a nice bit of stuff”.
piullachNotes: ragged, tattered. Peallach in Dw.
piullagQuotation: Bha an aodach aige na phiullagan. Notes: rag.
planndrais[pɫ[ɑ̃ũ̜]n̪d̪ɾiʃ] Notes: young cabbage plant.
pleadhaigeadhQuotation: Bha e ’na mo phleadhaigeadh. Notes: (Barvas) he was bothering me. (from plague?)
pliacaidQuotation: Bha e a laighe ’na phliacaid air an talamh. Notes: lying in an untidy heap – used of a person.
plocan[pɫɔkɑṉ] Notes: long-handled wooden mallet for breaking down clods of earth.
plòiceachNotes: puffy-cheeked.
plomQuotation: plom uisge. Notes: a plump of rain.
plumastair[pɫũ̜məst̪ɑɾ] Notes: bungler.
poighleag[p[ɤi]lɑɡ] Notes: porpoise.
pòsadhNotes: meaning the induction of a minister to a charge.
proitseachNotes: a young lad.
putNotes: used in Carloway for football.
sabhaidhNotes: excellent.
sàilleagan[sɑ:lʹəɡɑṉ] Notes: acidic matter that comes up to the throat due to indigestion.
seachQuotation: Bha e na shuidhe cas ma seach air a’ bhalla. Notes: astraddle.
seachadQuotation: 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.
seachdQuotation: Bha mi seachd sgìth dheth. Notes: I was sick tired of it. (Dw. says seac-sgìth.) Also used – seachd mìle sgìth.
seanais[ʃɛ̃ṉiʃ] Notes: whisper. Seinnsearachd: whispering [ʃ[ɑ̃ĩ]ʃɑɾɑxk]
searragNotes: a long stride.
seimhig (?)[ˈʃɛ̃ıɡʹ] Quotation: Bha na balaich a’ deanamh seimhig dheth. Notes: The boys were making a complete fool of him.
seinnsearachd[ʃ[ɑ̃ĩ]ʃɑɾɑxk] Notes: whispering.
séis[ʃe:ʃ] Notes: a wooden bench usually with a back and sometimes arm rests.
seiseant[ʃeʃɑ̃n̪t̪] Quotation: seiseant ort! Notes: fairly mild chiding expression. Not commonly used now.
seisgeanQuotation: 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.
seóbaileagQuotation: sìobaileag-seóbaileag. Notes: term used for a see-saw.
seóbhraichQuotation: Tha am biadh agad a [ʃo:ɾɑxəɣ] air an teine. Notes: food drying up on the fire after being kept warm.
sgaiteachNotes: excellent.
sgalpanNotes: oat chaff.
sgaomach[sɡw̃:mɑx] Notes: pasty-faced.
sgara-chreachan[sɡɑrɑxðɛxəṉ] Quotation: Leig i na sgara-chreachan aiste nuair a chunnaic i a’ luch. Notes: loud screams.
sgaraichean[sɡɑɾiçəṉ] Notes: pieces of tough beef flank.
sgarghail[sɡɑrɑɣəl] Notes: screaming.
sgeallanNotes: yellow flower growing among corn.
sgeipNotes: pail-shaped when opened with handles on it. Made of grass or “muran”. Rather like what is called “seic” in Lionel Q.
sgeòlaichean[sɡʹɔ:ɫiçəṉ] Notes: clumsy clothing, usually trailing behind.
sgiomalagach (adj)Notes: used of a person who tells lies but not in a deliberate, harmful way.
sgiomalairNotes: lever on a wooden loom worked by foot to move a heddle.
sgìthQuotation: 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.”
sgogQuotation: 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.
sgoilearachdQuotation: Chaidh e seachad air mo sgoilearachd. Notes: He/It is past my understanding.
sgoiltean[sɡɤlʹtʹɑṉ] Notes: parting in the hair.
sgoraigeadh[sɡɔriɡʹəɣ] Notes: poking a long stick under the bank of a river to drive out salmon.
sgotQuotation: Chaneil sgot aige. Notes: He’s got no sense.
sgréidheadh[sɡɾe:əɣ] Quotation: fiodh air sgréidheadh leis an teas. Notes: shrivelled. “Sgréidht”: past part. passive.
sgromagNotes: skin on porridge.
sgudalaireachd[sɡu̟d̪əlɑðɑxk] Quotation: a’ sgudalaireachd. Notes: messing about with water.
sgùirdQuotation: Thug i a steach làn a sgùird de mhóine. Notes: bottom of apron pulled up and resulting bag filled.
sgùrrachNotes: overcast.
siabhanQuotation: Tha a’ chaora air an t-siabhan. Notes: The sheep has strayed from its usual pasture.
siabunn-gealNotes: “Sunlight” soap.
siampaireNotes: dawdler, slow mover.
siampaireachdNotes: dawdling.
siataigNotes: rheumatism.
sigeach[ʃiɡʹɑx] Notes: limp, as a fish which is not fresh.
sinnteagQuotation: leth-chois, sinnteag, leum. Notes: hop, step and jump.
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?].
sìochan[ʃı:xɑ̃ṉ] Notes: wheezing of the chest.
siog[ʃiɔɡ] Quotation: [ʃiɔɡ]!, [ʃiɔɡ]! Notes: call to a calf.
siogan[ʃiɔɡɑṉ] Notes: affectionate name for a calf.
siol-mhollNotes: refuse of grain/chaff at first winnowing. Might be put through the riddle again to extract all the seed.
slagNotes: a hollow.
slaodQuotation: Bha a chota slaodadh [slw:d̪ə] ris. Notes: trailing.
slinnNotes: sleay.
slisinnNotes: slices cut off above or under the ear of sheep.
slugaisd[sɫu̜ɡɑʃdʹ] Quotation: Dh’òl e slugaisd mhath. Notes: He had a considerable amount to drink.
smathaid[smɑ̃hidʹ] Notes: for is math dh’fhaoidte.
smèileabanachd[smɛ̃ləbɑṉɑk] Quotation: Sguir dha do smeileabanachd [sic]. Notes: interfering, usually with the hands, and annoying people.
smèileagNotes: a sharp, painful blow.
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.
smiùradhNotes: putting strips of tar in among the wool of sheep.
smobagNotes: a superficial cuff.
smóraigeadhNotes: fumigating the house after the occurrence of an infectious disease.
smùidQuotation: Tha smùid air. Notes: He is drunk – general.
snaimhig[ʹsn̪ɛiɡʹ] or [ʹst̪ɾɛ̃iɡ] Notes: the straw covering on the wooden frame in the kiln where the seed was put to dry.
snàithle[sn̪ɑ̃:lə] Notes: anal passage.
socais[sɔkiʃ] Notes: sock, socks (sing. and plural).
soiceadh[sɔicəɣ] Quotation: Bha e a’ soiceadh timchioll. Notes: rummaging, nosing about.
sollais[soɫɑʃ] Quotation: Rinn e sollais air an fheòil. Notes: He ate a lot of meat, more than he would normally have eaten.
soltNotes: well-behaved, mannerly, quiet.
solusQuotation: Chaneil biug soluis anns a lampa. Notes: There isn’t a glimmer of light in the lamp.
spàgailNotes: walking slowly, taking longish strides.
spathal[ˈspɑəɫ] Notes: shuttle.
spealgQuotation: spealg ubh. Notes: egg-shell.
spearrach[spjɑrɑx] Notes: fetter between a hind leg and a front leg of a sheep to prevent her from jumping over walls and fences.
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.
speil[spel] Notes: a spell.
speileag[spelɑɡ] Notes: a short spell.
speuclanan[spiɑkəɫɑṉəṉ] Notes: spectacles.
spian[spĩɤ̃ṉ] Quotation: Tha e cho tioram ris a spian. Notes: completely dry.
spideanQuotation: a’ cluich spidean. Notes: pitch and toss.
spiodag[spid̪ɑɡ] Notes: a spiteful young female.
spiullagQuotation: Cha do dh’ith mi spiullag bithidh an diugh.
splogaigQuotation: Bha i na splogaigeadh fhéin. Notes: splog.
spùtQuotation: Chaneil spùt aige. Notes: He has no sense. (Dw. “spùt céille” also used in Lewis.)
sradagQuotation: Chaidh e na shradagan. Notes: He flew into a rage.
sràic[st̪ɾɑ:c] Notes: In reply to someone’s question, e.g. “Dé a bha sibh a’ cur ris an diugh?” “Very little,” “nothing of consequence.”
stadhar[ˈst̪ɑəɾ] Quotation: stadhar chaorach. Notes: sheep track.
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.
stallagQuotation: Thug e stallag mhath as a’ bhotul. Notes: a good “slug”.
stampail[sṯɑ̃mpɑl] Quotation: duine stampail; boirionnach stampail. Notes: of upright, handsome appearance.
stanndNotes: a set of knitting needles.
stàrrNotes: rough grass found growing on the moor, usually at the edge of a river or loch.
staran[st̪ɑɾɑṉ] Notes: path between door and gate. In Carloway also means “stepping stones across a stream.”
steachQuotation: Thainig e steach (asteach?) orm. Notes: It occurred to me.
stilleadraich[ʃtʹılʹəd̪ɾiç] Quotation: a’ stilleadraich le bùirn. Notes: splashing about with water.
stilleanQuotation: Tha thu làn dha na stillean! Notes: said to a stubborn, “bad” boy.
strabhèicearachd[st̪ɾɑvɛ:eəðɑk] Notes: stravaiging.
streafonn[st̪ɾɛfw̃n̪] Notes: root of the sea-bent. Used for making rope and saddles.
striutan[st̪ɾu̟t̪ɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: Thainig e a mach le striutan. Notes: a “torrent” of words.
strucadh[st̪ɾu̟kəɣ] Quotation: Bha an còta aige a’ strucadh a’ làr. Notes: dragging, trailing against.
strùlachan[st̪ɾu̜:ɫɑxɑ̃ṉ] Notes: several strands of yarn plaited and put under the three middle toes to keep the “osanan” fastened on.
strúpagNotes: a noisy slurp of liquid.
strúpalais[st̪ɾu̟:pəlɑʃ] Notes: sipping liquid noisily.
stùirceachNotes: having a sullen expression.
suabagNotes: a strong gust of wind.
suagraidNotes: a rough mixture of food.
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.
suamhthaideasQuotation: Suamhthaideas ort!
subhagan[ˈsu̟əɡɑ̃ṉ] Notes: hay rope for tying small stacks.
sùilQuotation: Thug e droch shùil air or Thug e fìor dhroch shùil air. Notes: He gave him a hostile look.
sùilQuotation: sùilean na h-iomlan. Notes: eyes through which the threads pass.
súilQuotation: Bó a’ dol a súil na leis. Notes: hip going out of joint.
súilQuotation: Cha do leag mi mo shúil air idir. Notes: I didn’t see it at all.
súil-chruthaichNotes: small boggy area. Layer of water underneath the top skin.
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.
surragNotes: the circular hole in a kiln up through which the smoke came. (Wooden frame, straw covering the top.)
saplaisgean[sɑpliʃɡʹəṉ] Notes: soapy water.
sàsQuotation: (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.
striallamaidQuotation: striallamaid de dhaoine. Notes: a throng of people, not in a tight bunch but spread out in a straggly fashion.
strianag[st̪ɾ[ĩɤ̃]ṉɑɡ] Notes: a line as made by a pencil or sharp object.
striaplaisgean[st̪ɾiɑpɫiʃɡʹɑṉ] Notes: a swing.
tapaidhNotes: in the sense of “well-built”.
targadaireachd[t̪ɑɾɑɡəd̪əðɑk] Quotation: Bha e a’ targadaireachd air. Notes: in banter between two people – one person goading the other.
tàrnach[t̪ɑ:ʴṉɑx] Notes: a heavy blow. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
tarraingQuotation: 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!”
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.]
tartailQuotation: a’ tartail [tɑʴsṯɑl]. Notes: making a beating noise. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
tasgadhQuotation: a’ tasgadh an teine; a’ cur tasgadh dhan an teine. Notes: banking the fire.
tathal[t̪ɑhəɫ] Notes: tàl (adze) pronounced this way by my father.
tharrachQuotation: Chaidh a’ chairt ’s an t-each druimeach air tharrach. Notes: turned turtle. (from druim – back; tàrr – belly)?
thuigeQuotation: dol thuige nan tràth. Notes: twilight.
thuigeQuotation: Cuir thuige an lamp.
thuigeQuotation: Dé man a tha sibh? Chaneil mi ach thuige ’s bhuaithe. Notes: off and on.
tiarainneachNotes: lamb over a year old. (from sia-ràitheach?)
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.]
tigh-thàbhaidh[t̪ɔıhɑ:vi] Notes: hand-net. Used in Barvas for catching cuddies.
tioramQuotation: Tha e cho tioram ris a spian. Notes: completely dry.
tìreadhQuotation: a tìreadh a’ ghràn. Notes: drying grain.
toinisgQuotation: Theab e mo chuir as mo thoinisg. Notes: He nearly drove me round the bend.
tollQuotation: Tha mi gus mo tholladh leis an acras.
tollQuotation: Cha deach mi a mach air toll doruis an diugh. Notes: I didn’t go out of the house today.
tom[t̪[ɤu̟]:m] Notes: hillock.
tom-tàiseam[t̪ɤ̃mt̪ɑ:ʃəm] Notes: apparition.
top[t̪ɔp] Quotation: top reothairt [t̪ɔpˈroəḏ]. Notes: the height of the spring tide.
tòrrQuotation: tòrr coirce. Notes: “hut” of corn.
tràighQuotation: cridhe tràghad. Notes: low ebb.
traon[t̪ɾɤ:ṉ] Notes: corncrake.
tràthQuotation: dol thuige nan tràth. Notes: twilight.
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.
triuthachNotes: whooping-cough.
trulasg[t̪ɾu̜ɫəsɡ] Quotation: Chaidh e trulasg orm. Notes: It went all awry on me.
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.
tuaireabadh[t̪uɤðɑbəɣ] Quotation: ’S e tuaireabadh de dhuine a th’ann. Notes: He is a clumsy fellow – always doing the wrong thing.
tùcNotes: bung in a boat.
tullachQuotation: tullach na h-àirigh. Notes: mound.
tungaidhNotes: damp, moist.
turchairdeas[t̪u̟ɾəxəʴḏəs] Notes: coincidence. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
uachdarQuotation: uachdar na h-aibhne. Notes: source of river, or stream.
uairQuotation: a’ cur duine ri uair a’ bhaile. Notes: bringing a person back to reality.
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.
uanQuotation: uan ódanach. Notes: deformed lamb walking as if on its knuckles.
ubh-nidNotes: egg put in a nest or left in a nest to encourage further laying in it.
uinneagNotes: recess in shieling wall for holding milk basins.
uisgealQuotation: Thainig i le uisgeal aice. Notes: sob-story. (Prob. from uirsgeul.)
urghannanNotes: heaps of stones of varying sizes (some quite large boulders) piled on top of one another in disarray. On Barvas moor known as Na h-Urghannan. (glacial deposits?)
ùrlarQuotation: urlar [sic] na leapa. Notes: bottom of the bed.
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.]
ùrstanNotes: in Barvas means the drink given on the birth of a child.
uspagNotes: a strong gust of wind.
abhcaidQuotation: Tha e làn abhcaid. Notes: fun, sport, leg-pulling.
aithneQuotation: Bha mi a deanamh aithne gun chuimhn’ air. Notes: Knew his face but couldn’t place him.
an-fhoiseilQuotation: Bha e gu math an-fhoiseil troimh ’n oidhche. Bha e a’ fàs rudeigin an-fhoiseil. Notes: restless. (foiseil not in Dw.)
anradhQuotation: mac an anraidh. Notes: used like “mac an uilc”.
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.)
aran-cridheNotes: gingerbread.
ar-chloimh[ɑɾxɫɔ̃ĩ] Notes: new wool next to skin of sheep.
armadh[ɑɾɑməɣ] Notes: oil put on wool; taken out by the washing of the cloth.
arrasbacan[ɑrəsbɑkɑṉ] Notes: hindrance, stumbling block.
astarQuotation: Dé an t-astar a th’aice. Notes: usual pasture area of sheep.
badQuotation: bad coirce. Notes: a sheaf.
badQuotation: ’m bad am b’eil e [mɑdəmɤlɑ]. Notes: where he is.
badQuotation: anns a’ bhad. Notes: immediately.
badhalanaich[bɤəɫɑ̃ṉiç] Quotation: Thug e fad an latha a’ badhalanaich. Notes: hesitating, not being able to make a decision one way or another.
bàghQuotation: 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.
bàla[bɑ:ɫə] Notes: a ball. (Shader, Lewis)
balachQuotation: a’ bhalachaibh [əvɑɫɑxu̟]. Notes: still used regularly.
balgQuotation: Mas d’ thainig a ghrian as a bhalg.
balladh[bɑɫəɣ] Quotation: Chan fhaca mi balladh dheth. Notes: I haven’t seen a sign of him.
baltagNotes: short, heavy shower.
bànaidhQuotation: Bha a leanabh air a bhànaidh [vɑ̃:ṉi] ag iarraidh a mach. Notes: (could be mànaidh? q.v.) in a waked up state.
banais-nan-cearcNotes: held the night before a wedding when the womenfolk collected at the bride’s house to pluck and cook the hens.
bangaidQuotation: a’ bhangaid, botul na bangaid. Notes: celebration drink given on the birth of a child.
bàrrQuotation: Cha robh e fhéin air na barran. Notes: used in pl. – barran. He himself wasn’t among the best.
beag-seadhQuotation: duine beag-seadh. Notes: an insignificant, ineffective person.
BealltuinnQuotation: Rotach Bealltuinn. Notes: strong ground swell which drove the seaweed ashore.
beart-mheadhonNotes: centre part of loom which holds the sleay and shuttle boxes.
beilleag[belʹɑɡ] Notes: lip.
beulQuotation: Beul na h-oidhche.
beulQuotation: Dé math dhomhsa a bhi cnàmh mo bheul riut. Notes: talking (without the person addressed giving much heed). Wasting time talking or giving advice.
beul-fodhaQuotation: Tha e na laighe air a’ bheul-fodha. Notes: lying face-down.
beumQuotation: Beum os a cionn. Beum foidhpe. Notes: earmark.
bhoQuotation: De man a tha sibh? Chaneil mi ach thuige ’s bhuaithe. Notes: off and on.
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.
bideanQuotation: Dé a bhidean a th’ort? Notes: What are you fidgeting about for?
biorQuotation: air bhioran – pl. [vwɾəṉ]. Notes: on tenterhooks.
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.]
biùg[bju̟:ɡ] Quotation: Chaneil biùg soluis anns a’ lampa. Notes: There isn’t a glimmer of light in the lamp.
biuthagan[bju̟əɡɑṉ] Notes: electric torch.
bleadraigeadhNotes: blethering.
bliamQuotation: 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.
blian-gealQuotation: 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.
bloighQuotation: Chaneil, na bloigh! Notes: in answer to a question. “Not at all, not in the least!”
bloighQuotation: 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”.
bloighQuotation: Bloigh eòrna. Notes: seven sheaves standing in a cone shape.
bòcan[bɔ:kɑn] Notes: heard this used by some people for a ball. Usually used in a non-serious way.
bodach-na-móintichNotes: daddy long legs.
bòidheanach[sic] [b[ɔi]ɑṉɑk] Quotation: Na bi na bhoidheanachd mas mill thu e. Notes: petting, e.g. a child, a dog.
boil[bol] Quotation: Tha e air bhoil ag iarraidh a mach. Notes: loud insistence.
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.
boinneQuotation: 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.
bollachan[boɫɑxɑṉ] Notes: clay bowl for holding milk.
bonnach-carrachNotes: barley bannock, when baked, covered on one side with pancake mixture – flour, sugar and egg, and toasted by the fire until brown, with a spongy covering, sweet tasting.
bonnach-iomanachNotes: when cow was calving, the person in attendance was given the “bonnach iomanach”.
bonnagQuotation: A’ dol a ruith nam bonnag. Oidhche nam bonnag. An robh thu air na bonnagan. Notes: same as Oidhche Challuinn. Also duan nam bonnag.
bonnagNotes: home-made slipper. As I knew it, it was either knitted or made of the one piece of cloth tailored to fit the foot.
bòrd-slinnNotes: sleay-board.
bòrd-sliosNotes: board at the side of the bed.
bothagNotes: a small bothy, such as built by children usually from turf divots for their own amusements.
bothanNotes: in the sense of illegal drinking house.
botunn[bɔt̪ən̪] Quotation: pl. [bɔt̪ən̪əṉ]. Notes: fairly deep holes found on the moor often partly overgrown with heather.
brabht[bɾ[ɤu̟]t̪] Quotation: Brabht arain. Notes: a large hunk of bread.
bracoist[bɾɑkɔʃtʹ] Notes: breakfast.
bragQuotation: (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.
bragailNotes: bold, forward.
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.
bràmairQuotation: (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.
brathQuotation: Tha mi brath air falbh. Notes: Brath air said as almost one word. “I’ve got a good mind to go.”
breacan-sianach[bɾɛkɑṉʃĩɤ̃ṉɑx] Notes: freckle.
breac-rionnaich[rũ̜n̪iç] Notes: small particles of white cloud arranged in wavy line.
breunlach[bɾ[ĩɑ̃]ɫɑx] Notes: soft boggy patch on the moor, which dries only after a spell of summer heat.
briachd[bɾiɑxk] Quotation: Tha a’ bhó ann am briachd. Notes: The cow is in difficulties, e.g. stuck in soft ground.
bristeal[bɾiʃtʹɑɫ] Quotation: soitheach bristeal. Notes: earthenware.
brochanQuotation: Tha e cho math dhuit càl na brochan a dheanamh dheth. Notes: You might as well make anything you can out of it.
brògQuotation: brògan put. Notes: football boots. (Carloway)
brogachNotes: a young lad.
broighleagan[bɾ[ɤı]lɑɡəṉ] Quotation: Thuit an copan orm ’s chaidh e na bhroighleagan air a’ làr. Notes: small broken pieces of something brittle.
brolaisQuotation: Chaidh a h-uile cail a bh’ann na bhrolais orm. Notes: all mixed-up.
brugan[bɾu̟ɡɑṉ] Notes: a very small hillock.
brunndail[bɾ[ɤ̃ũ]d̪əl] Quotation: Tha e a brunndail ris fhéin. Notes: He is muttering to himself.
buaile[bu̟ɤlə] Notes: the game of rounders played with no bat – just the palm of the hand.
buailteanNotes: beater of the flail.
builleQuotation: Cha digeadh e buille a nuas dha. Notes: used in reference to an argument between two people. “He stuck to his guns.”
buille-thuig (sic)[bu̜lʹı:ɡʹ] Notes: small injury to a toe when walking barefoot, e.g. from striking a stone.
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.]
bumailear[bũ̟məlɑð] Notes: bungler, used of a large person.
bungaid[bɤ̃ŋɡɑdʹ] Quotation: Bungaid de bhoirionnach. Bungaid de chlach. Notes: a large person, object.
buntàtaQuotation: Buntàta luathaireach. Notes: early potatoes.
bùrn-éirighNotes: spring water.
bùrn-iaruinnNotes: water with an iron content.
busach[bu̟sɑx] Notes: blunt, used of any cutting or piercing tool.
busachQuotation: duine busach. Notes: man with a dour expression or having a long face.
butarraisNotes: foul weather. In Dw.
butha[ˈbu̜ə] Notes: semi-circle formed by river or stream changing its course i.e. straightening out.
butraiseach[bu̜t̪ɾɑʃɑx] Quotation: là butraiseach. Notes: a wet, squally day.
cabachQuotation: duine cabach. Notes: a person who is a “tell-tale”.
cabagNotes: a “tell-tale” (fem.).
cabanNotes: a “tell-tale” (male).
cabhal[kɑvəɫ] Notes: hand-net.
cadalQuotation: cadal-ceàrnach. Notes: a sleep at the wrong time.
cafan[kɑfɑṉ] Notes: a smell that catches the breath.
cailleachQuotation: a’ chailleach. Notes: the turf seat beside the bed in a shieling. (Shader)
cairb[kɑðɑb] Notes: the groove on which the rope ran on the ridge of a pack-saddle.
cairt chopaigidh
caislichNotes: (1) process of putting layer of soft manure covered by soft earth under the cow. (2) easing of straw in beds to make them more comfortable.
càlQuotation: Tha e cho math dhuit càl na brochan a dheanamh dheth. Notes: You might as well make anything you can out of it.
calgNotes: hairy prickle of barley ear.
camaiceananQuotation: “Chaidh e ’na chamaiceanan sios an staidhre.” Notes: He tumbled awkwardly down the stairs.
caochQuotation: a’ gabhail a’ chaoich. Notes: bolting (horse).
caochladhQuotation: Cha b’e a chaochladh a bh’ann. Notes: It was no one else but him.
caolQuotation: 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.
càpraidQuotation: 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.
caraireachd[kɑɾəðɑk] Quotation: Tha e làn caraireachd.
carghus[kɑɾɑəs] Notes: craving, e.g. tobacco craving. Heard it used in Point. [NOTES: slipped under ‘carghas’.]
car-gleacNotes: wrestling.
càrnNotes: In Lewis a cart that wouldn’t cope. The “cairt chopaigeadh” came later.
casa-góbhlaganQuotation: Thoir dhomh casa-góbhlagan. Notes: carrying someone astraddle on one’s neck and shoulders.
casan ladhrachQuotation: casan ladhrach [ɫɤ:ɾɑx]. Notes: covering on calf’s leg when born. Soon lost. At one time taken off at birth.
casgNotes: a small dam on a stream.
cas-gun-rath[kɑsɡərɑ] Notes: useless person.
casQuotation: Bha e na shuidhe cas ma seach air a bhalla. Notes: astraddle. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cas-ma-sheach’.]
ceannQuotation: 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.
ceannQuotation: 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.
ceannQuotation: air ceann mo dhà stocainn. Notes: in stockinged feet.
ceannachQuotation: “Bha ceannach agam air.” “’S ann agam a bha ceannach air.” Notes: In Dw.
ceann-adhartQuotation: ceann-adhart na leap. Notes: head of the bed.
ceann-caolQuotation: 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.
ceann-snaidhmQuotation: 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’.]
ceapQuotation: ceap morran [mɔrɑṉ]. Notes: used as a seat in shielings because of its toughness. Morran – very tough grass growing in peaty soil.
ceartQuotation: Tha mi ceart choma. Notes: ceart for emphasis.
CeasnachadhQuotation: an Ceasnachadh. Notes: once a year people met in one house and were questioned on the Shorter Catechism by the minister.
cèibhearan[cɛ:vəɾɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: Bha cèibhearan math air. Notes: He had a good glow in him.
ceigean[ceɡʹɑṉ] Notes: a small compact bundle or parcel.
céisQuotation: Mas deach a’ ghrian na céis. Notes: before sunset.
cìleachQuotation: caora chìleach. Notes: speckled. (Dw. doesn’t have accent on it.)
ciutharanaich[cu̟həɾɑ̃ṉiç] Notes: fine rain.
clabhdach[kɫ[ɤu̟]d̪ɑx] Notes: clumsy. (In Dw. for Wester Ross.)
clach-mhuilQuotation: plural – clachan-muile. Notes: large rounded stones found on shingly beach.
clach-sinnteagNotes: stepping stone. Pl. clachan-sinnteag.
clach-spealNotes: honing stone for scythe.
claidsear[kɫɑḏʃɑð] Notes: a big, clumsy man.
claobhaidh[kɫɤ:vi] Quotation: ’Se fìor chlaobhaidh a th’ann dheth. Notes: dunderhead, bungler.
cléibeadaich[kle:bəd̪iç] Quotation: Bha a’ leanabh air chléibeadaich ag iarraidh a mach. Notes: in a worked-up state.
cliutag[klu̟t̪ɑɡ] Quotation: Thug mi dha cliutag man a’ chluais. Notes: a light cuff with the back of the fingers.
cluaisQuotation: a’ chluais mu’n [?] chlaigionn. Notes: earmark – cut off completely. Sometimes known as “comharr’ a mhèairlich”.
cluiteach[kɫu̜tʹɑx] Quotation: ’S ann ort a tha a chluiteach. Notes: cloimhteach in Dw. – down of feathers. Used figuratively of a mop of hair.
cnaimhseag[kr[ɑ̃ĩ]:ʃɑɡ] Notes: frizzle left after suet has been melted.
cnàmhQuotation: 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.
cnàmh[kɾɑ̃:v] Quotation: an cnàmh. Notes: blight in potatoes.
cnap[kɾɑ̃p] Quotation: cnap na bròige. Notes: the heel of the shoe.
cneabailt[kɾɛ̃:bılʹtʹ] Notes: garter (cneaball in Dw).
cnocanNotes: ball of wool.
cochullQuotation: Cha mhór nach do chuir thu a cochull mo chridhe mi.
coimheadQuotation: a’ coimhead air fàth. Notes: peeping, watching so as not to be seen.
coimheadQuotation: Bha e ris a’ choimhead. Notes: He was attending the cattle (on the common grazings). Tolsta.
cóineal[ko:nʹɑɫ] Quotation: a’ cóineal. Notes: weeping, lamenting in a low voice.
coinneamhQuotation: 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).
comhardaich[ˈkɔ̃həʴḏiç] Notes: Barking – Carloway. Barvas – [kɔ̃ʴsḏiç]. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
comha-thràthQuotation: 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.
conabladhNotes: mangling, disfiguring. (conablach?)
conadalNotes: sheep that has strayed from its normal pasture, perhaps to another township.
conamhaireachdQuotation: Dé an conamhaireachd a th’ort a sin? Notes: spoiling something one is working on perhaps, or deliberately spoiling.
copagNotes: docken.
copaigeadhQuotation: cairt chopaigidh. Notes: coup-cart.
corrasbacan[kɔɾəsbɑkɑṉ] Notes: hindrance, stumbling-block.
corra-spoganQuotation: Bha e air a chorra-spogan air a’ làr. Notes: on all fours.
corrathannan[kɔɾɑhən̪ɑṉ] Notes: used for tying two lambs together on the one pin.
cotanNotes: 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.
crabhcan[kɾ[ɑu̟]:kɑṉ] Notes: earmark.
cràicQuotation: an cràic a chèile. Notes: locked in combat, e.g. two cows.
craiteachan[kɾɑtʹɑxɑṉ] Quotation: Cuir craiteachan salainn air a’ bhuntàta. Notes: put a sprinkling of salt on the potatoes.
creagachQuotation: a’ creagach; aig a’ creagach. Notes: rod-fishing off the rocks.
créiceal[kɾe:cɑl] Quotation: Bha a’ chailleach a’ créiceal. ’S e fìor chréiceal a th’innt. Notes: complaining, grousing. Adj. – créiceallach.
créiceallach[kɾe:cɑɫɑx] Quotation: cailleach chréiceallach. Notes: complaining, grousing.
cridheQuotation: cridhe tràghad. Notes: low ebb.
cridheQuotation: Cha mhór nach do chuir thu a cochull mo chridhe mi.
cròchanNotes: a rough wheezing in the chest.
croiseilQuotation: Bha e uamhasach croiseil faighinn thuige. Notes: awkward.
cromadhNotes: A unit for measuring cloth – middle finger from tip to knuckle.
cromhan[ˈkɾõɑṉ] Quotation: cromhan caora. Notes: hoof.
cromhanQuotation: cromhan sgaoilt. Notes: cloven hoof.
crosQuotation: Bha sin air a chrosadh dha a dheanamh. Notes: He was forbidden to do that.
crùib[kɾ[ɤı]:b] Quotation: Bha crùib air leis an fhuachd. Bha e na sheasamh na chrùib. Notes: huddled attitude.
cruinn-leumNotes: jumping with both feet together.
cuachail[ku̟ɤxəl] Quotation: Cha robh e a’ deanamh càil fad an latha ach a cuachail timchioll. Notes: moving slowly about.
cuagachNotes: lame, limping.
cruachQuotation: cruach coirce. Notes: cornstack.
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.]
cudaigeachdNotes: rock-fishing for cuddies.
cuidQuotation: Chaneil cuid na gnothaich aige ris. Notes: He has absolutely nothing to do with it.
cùilearachdQuotation: Dé a’ cùilearachd a th’ort an sin? Notes: snooping around.
cuimhneQuotation: Bha mi a’ deanamh aithne gun chuimhn’ air. Notes: Knew his face but couldn’t place him.
cuinneagNotes: butter churn.
cuirQuotation: Cuir thuige an lamp.
cuirQuotation: Cuir as an lampa or Cuir an lampa as.
cuirQuotation: 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.
cuir-seachad[ku̟ɾʃɛxəd̪] Notes: pastime.
cuire[ku̟ɾə] Quotation: an cuire. Notes: weft.
cuiseagNotes: the long stalk of the docken.
culQuotation: Thug mi cul an doruis dha. Notes: I put him out of the house.
culmQuotation: Tha [ku̜ɫəm] oirr’ an diugh. Notes: gloomy, overcast.
curracagQuotation: curracag eòrna. Notes: “hut” of barley.
cuthaigeadh[ˈku̟hıɡʹəɣ] Notes: mixing of various colours of wool. Same as “colamadh”.
Quotation: ’S ann ort a thainig an dà là! Notes: change of circumstances.
damhadaireachd[d̪ɑ̃fəd̪ɑðɑk] Notes: gawking.
daodadh[d̪w:d̪əɣ] Quotation: a’ daodadh. Notes: slandering, as local bards might do in their songs.
daolaire[d̪ɤ:ɫəðə] Notes: dawdler, slow moving, slow acting person.
daolaireachd[d̪ɤ:ɫəðɑxk] Notes: dawdling, slow moving, slow acting.
daorachQuotation: Tha ’n daorach air. Tha e làn daoraich. Notes: He is drunk.
dathQuotation: Chan fhaca mi a dhubh no a dhath. Notes: I saw neither hide nor hair of him.
dathQuotation: Chuireadh e na dubhan air na dathan. Notes: He would keep rigidly to a statement which was known to be false.
deamhnaidh[dʹ[ɛ̃ũ̟]ṉi] Quotation: ’Se deamhnaidh beag a th’ann dhiubh. Notes: precious few.
deamhnaidh[dʹ[ɛ̃ũ̟]ṉi] Quotation: Nach tu tha deamhnaidh. Notes: stubborn.
deamhnaidhQuotation: Bha e a’ coimhead deamhnaidh. Notes: e.g. someone dressed in outlandish clothes. (Probably this is near the meaning Dwelly gives – devilish.)
deargQuotation: dearg loromachd. Notes: stark naked. Dearg often used this way, e.g. Bha mi air mo dhearg nàireachadh.
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.]
deiceallach[d̪ɛcəɫɑx] [sic d̪] Notes: backward, shy – Uig (Lewis).
deidhQuotation: An deidh sin ’s na dheidh … Notes: Even so …
déir[dʹe:ð] Quotation: Tha déir as a’ chraicionn agam. Notes: I’ve got a tingling sensation in my skin.
deoc[dʹɔk] Notes: suck.
deochQuotation: Tha ’n deoch air. Tha e leis an deoch. Notes: He is drunk.
dìobhairQuotation: Dhìobhair e rùchd a chaolanan. Notes: He spewed his guts out.
diogQuotation: Cha bhi mi dà dhiog. Notes: a moment of time.
dìogQuotation: dìog am putan or dìog air a’ phutan. Notes: press. A’ dìogadh – pressing.
diogaichQuotation: Cha dhiogaich e. Notes: It won’t budge.
diorra-bhigQuotation: Cha chuala mi diorra-bhig aige bho dh’fhalbh sibh. Notes: an utterance.
dìosgailNotes: creaking or squeaking as new shoes or a door.
diughaint[ˈdʹu̟ĩnʹtʹ] Notes: solemn of expression, serious.
dlùthNotes: warp.
dolQuotation: dol thuige nan tràth. Notes: twilight.
dolQuotation: Dé bha a’ dol leth ris. Notes: What was irritating, or irking him?
dollag[d̪ɔɫɑɡ] Quotation: Cho ruighinn ris an dollaig. Notes: perhaps from “dallag” – type of dogfish.
dòrnQuotation: Thug mi dòrn dha. Notes: a punch.
dòrnagQuotation: a feuchainn an dòrnaig. Notes: putting the shot.
dòrnagNotes: a round stone as used for shot-putting.
dorusQuotation: Cha deach mi mach air toll doruis an diugh. Notes: I didn’t go out of the house today.
dorusQuotation: Thug mi cùl an doruis dha. Notes: I put him out of the house.
dreachail[d̪ɾɛxɑl] Notes: of fresh complexion.
drèineNotes: drain.
dreisNotes: a while.
dreiseagNotes: a short spell.
driug[d̪ɾu̟ɡ] Quotation: Chaneil driug as a’ bhotul. Notes: There isn’t a drop in the bottle. (Prob. from driùdhag.)
driùth[d̪ɾu̟] Quotation: Chaneil driùth anns a bhotul. Notes: There isn’t a drop in the bottle.
drobasd[d̪ɾɔbəsd̪] Notes: awkward, problematical.
drochQuotation: Thug e droch shùil air or Thug e fìor dhroch shùil air. Notes: He gave him a hostile look.
dromachan[d̪ɾɔ̃mɑxəṉ] Notes: shafts of the cart.
drùdhagQuotation: Tha e trom air an drudhaig. Notes: He’s a heavy drinker.
druimeach[d̪ɾw̃mɑx] Quotation: Chaidh a’ chairt ’s an t-each druimeach air tharrach. Notes: turned turtle. (From druim – back; tàrr – belly?)
dualtachQuotation: Bithidh e dualtach man a bi e ann. – He’ll probably be there. Notes: probable.
duanQuotation: Duan nam bonnag. Notes: recited by boys going into a house on oidhche nam bonnag.
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.
dubadaichQuotation: a’ dubadaich. Notes: Dw. dupadaich – just moving and no more.
dubhQuotation: Thug e dhomh mo la dubh. Notes: He gave me the works. (Can be physical or verbal.)
dubhQuotation: Chan fhaca mi a dhubh no a dhath. Notes: I didn’t see hide nor hair of him.
dubhQuotation: Chuireadh e na dubhan air na dathan. Notes: He would keep rigidly to a statement which was known to be false.
duids[d̪u̟ḏʃ] Notes: ditch.
duineQuotation: 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.
dumalas[d̪ũməɫəs] Notes: gall-bladder.
dunaidhQuotation: Mac na dunaidh! Notes: like “mac an uilc!”.
dunalaich[d̪ũ̟ṉɑɫiç] Notes: howling. (Dw. donnalaich.)
dùrdQuotation: 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.]
durghailNotes: growling, as a dog.
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.
eideasQuotation: Tha thu làn eideais. Notes: faddy, fussy.
eileabanachd[eləbɑnɑxk] Quotation: “Dé ’n eileabanachd a th’ort an sin?” Notes: mischief, playing about.
eileamaid[eləmɑdʹ] Quotation: Na bi ag eileamaid mar sin. Notes: playing about.
eisreadhQuotation: Leac an eisridh. Notes: the stone flags in the stalls beside the drain. Water ran down between these stones and into the drain.
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.
fadaQuotation: ’S fhada chithinn e mas toirinn cuideachadh dha.
faicQuotation: ’S fhada chithinn e mas toirinn cuideachadh dha.
failich[fɑliç] Notes: for “fairtlich”.
fàire[fɑ:ðə] Quotation: Thainig e ann a fàire. Chaidh e a fàire. Notes: He came into sight.
fàireag[fɑ:ðɑɡ] Notes: gland – usually referring to one under the armpit.
fàireag[fɑ:ðɑɡ] Notes: patch in a furrow left unturned by the plough, usually due to the presence of a stone.
falachasanNotes: something put in hiding, e.g. cream, butter.
fàlasgairNotes: heather blaze on the moor.
falbhQuotation: 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!”
falmadair[fɑɫɑməd̪ɑð] Notes: tiller on a boat.
fannaichQuotation: Bha mi go fannachadh leis an t-acras. Notes: weaken.
faodhaich[ˈfɤiç] Quotation: Bha an tràigh air a faodhachadh [ˈfɤɑxəɣ]. Notes: made barren (of seaweed, shellfish, etc.).
faom[fw̃:m] Notes: for “aom”.
fàsachQuotation: Chaneil fhios am fo ghrian an fhàsaich dé tha ceàrr oirre. Notes: I have absolutely no idea.
fàthQuotation: a’ coimhead air fàth. Notes: peeping, watching so as not to be seen.
feadalaich[fɛd̪əɫiç] Notes: whistling.
feadanNotes: underground stream found on the moor, usually joining two “botunnan”.
fearQuotation: Uill, fhearaibh, nach eil sin cianail! Notes: used sometimes almost as an exclamation.
feàrdanNotes: farthing.
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.
feòilQuotation: feòil gheal. Notes: fat on mutton or beef.
feothallanach[fjɔhəɫɑ̃ṉɑx] Notes: fidgety, edgy, restless.
feuchQuotation: a feuchainn an dòrnaig. Notes: putting the shot.
fiarag[fiɤɾɑɡ] Notes: the rope going over the top of the stack.
fìogairQuotation: Bheir a’ chlach a steach fìogair. Notes: Take the stone in a shade.
fionnaradhQuotation: Anns an fhionnaraidh. Notes: understood as being roughly the time between nightfall and bed-time.
fireachQuotation: Thug e a’ fireach air. Notes: He cleared out.
fiullanNotes: earwig.
fladach[fɫɑd̪ɑx] Notes: for plodach in Dw.
flagachNotes: loose.
flòth[fɫɔ:] Notes: a big collection, usually of animals.
foQuotation: Tha a’ bhó a leigeil foidhpe. Notes: letting the milk down to the udder shortly before the birth of a calf.
fuinneNotes: wart.
foiteagQuotation: foiteag! foiteag! ’se tha fuar! Notes: for heat or cold, usually cold.
frasgNotes: eyelash. Pl. frasgan.
freasdalQuotation: Gu sealladh freasdal ort! Notes: For goodness’ sake.
fruis[fɾu̟ʃ] Quotation: Chaidh e seachad le fruis. Notes: He went by at great speed.
fuarag-bharragNotes: Carloway – mixture of oatmeal and cream.
fuidheagNotes: (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.
gabhQuotation: a’ gabhail a’ chaoich. Notes: bolting (horse).
gabhQuotation: 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.
galar-nan-coig-oidhcheNotes: 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.
gaorradh[ɡwrəɣ] Quotation: Na bi na ghaorradh. Notes: press, cram. Involves discomfort or pain in connection with human or animal. ([w] not lengthened)
gàtachNotes: prone to feeling the cold.
gàtairNotes: a person prone to feeling the cold always hugging the fire.
gathNotes: used of a shooting pain.
gealQuotation: 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.
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.]
gearra-ghobachNotes: (Donald Smith) sharp-witted.
geibhealais[ɡwfəlɑʃ] Notes: footering about doing something but not getting anywhere with it.
gèim[ɡɛ̃:m] Notes: game.
geingQuotation: Thug an t-each geing dha. Notes: a kick, usually with the back of the hoof or with the heel.
geòlaban[ɡʹɔ:ləbɑṉ] Notes: a very small fish found in fresh-water streams. Look very dark. About the size of a goldfish.
giagalaisQuotation: Dé an giagalais a th’ort? Notes: slow-motion, dawdle. Used of a person. Also a’ giagalais.
gibealan[ɡʹibəɫɑṉ] Notes: sometimes used affectionately for a very young boy.
gidhir[ˈɡiəɾ] Notes: a sprain in the wrist.
gidhir-thomanQuotation: 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.
glacaich-bhràghaidQuotation: an glacaich-bhràghaid. Notes: choking disease, croup.
glaineachan[ɡɫɑ̃nʹɑxəṉ] Notes: spectacles.
glamhadhQuotation: Thug e glamhadh thuige. Notes: a voracious bite, snap.
glasach[ɡɫɑsɑx] Notes: uncultivated, grassy ground.
gliogadaichNotes: rattling sound.
glioganNotes: baby’s rattle.
glumagNotes: deep pool in a river.
glutach[ɡɫu̜t̪ɑx] Notes: describing a sky full of threatening rain-clouds.
gnoigeanNotes: a rap with the knuckles.
gnothaich[ɡɾõıç] Quotation: Chaneil cuid na gnothaich aige ris. Notes: He has absolutely nothing to do with it.
góbhlagNotes: the open space between two peats in a fire.
gocaireachd[ɡokəðɑxk] Quotation: La na Gocaireachd. Notes: April Fool’s Day.
goigean[ɡɔɡʹɑṉ] Notes: woollen wrap (knitted or crochet) coming to a point at each end and tasselled.
goireach[ɡɔðɑx] Notes: dull; used to describe the coat of an undernourished beast.
goirisgeanQuotation: “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.
gòmadaichQuotation: Thug e gòmadaich orm. Bha e ri gòmadaich. Notes: going through the motions of vomiting with no vomit coming.
góragNotes: a small hay-cock.
gormuinnQuotation: gormuinn an aodaich; gormuinn an t-snàth. Notes: beams on the loom.
grianQuotation: Mas deach a’ ghrian ’na céis. Notes: before sunset.
grianQuotation: Mas d’thainig a ghrian as a’ bhalg. Notes: before the sun rose.
grianQuotation: Chaneil fhios am fo ghrian an fhasaich dé tha ceàrr oirre. Notes: I have absolutely no idea.
grobhail[ɡɾɔvɑl] Notes: disgusting, nauseating.
grùlach[ɡɾu̜:ɫɑx] Notes: measles.
guanach[ɡ[ũ̜ɑ̃]:ṉɑx] Quotation: duine guanach na dhòigh. Notes: Dw. fickleness, airyness. Also slow-moving, slow to act in Barvas.
gucagNotes: bobbin core, usually made of cardboard. Gucag also used for a cone-shaped cup made of paper.
gùineal[ɡũ̟:nʹɑɫ] Notes: same as gùirneal in Dw.

© DASG
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