Measgaichte / Miscellaneous

Informant(s)
Name
John MacAulay
Location
North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Date
[1987-88]
Fieldworker
A. O’Henley
airba fortification consisting of a wall with turrets.
asgairtto take up arms – “Gu robh feum air asgairt airm.”
algspace, i.e. the universe beyond the earth’s atmosphere.
ogsannacertain knowledge, curtailed to certain people in pre-Christian times. This knowledge protected them against evil spirits.
oilpeigsome kind of revelation, belonging to same period as above word [i.e. “pre-Christian times”].
bridich faichea term of reproach for indifferent people in battle. Literally battlefield dwarfs.
fothairidha revolution or rebellion. “Dìreach mar a bha fothairidh thall ’s an Fhraing.”
airchealltheft.
collastraichJ.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.
ceall chaillichnunnery.
dàomanasa levy which was imposed on possessions. In operation in the days of the Lordship of the Isles. Paid in kind.
innlinna 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.
buille ’m portthis 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.
clia luthstriking the tuning notes on a chanter. “Clia luth de’n phort.”
bireinfragments, smithereens. “Ni mi birein dheth.”
greidheadh lìnpreparing flax.
liosradhto dress flax.
ceum gathaislarge footprints found in rocks in islands off North Uist. Apparently belonged to the feet of the druids and are called wisdom steps.
Tuathroinnichan older Gaelic name for Norsemen.
cruidheaga needle used for medical purposes. Could be inserted into veins.
umaan appeal against an order.
unga (-chan)a certain amount of land which could be rented for an ounce of silver. Literally ounce land just as ‘peighinn’ is penny land.
feorlingeanfarthing lands.
luchd feirmhusbandmen.
airida kind of sofa in old days, prior to the advent of the ‘beinngidh’.
earlanwoven carpets.
cliath dealgabove carpets [i.e. earlan (q.v)] woven on this loom which had wooden pins attached to it.
iastan old Gaelic word meaning holiday. “Bha mi a falbh air iast bho chionn dà sheachduin.”
planntraisa plant.
ibepollution, 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.
conuisggorse.
searmaichehawthorn.
mùta vat in old salt making machines.
claisean tiachda chasm which drew in salt water for salt-making purposes.
stann (-ain, -annan)sea water drawn into these vessels [i.e. claisean tiachd (q.v.)?]. Regulated flow of salt into the vat.
mùtwater dropped into this as salt.
teine beurathis 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.
spùinneadaireanpirates.
brosgulana flatterer, parasitic person. A sycophant.
siadaireachdpropaganda.
nàbas (-ach, -achd)the daily affairs of people within the same country or in foreign lands. Could be defined as politics.
ciànrag (-an)a basket woven from reed, willow or sea bent.
màrlagsimilar to basket above [i.e. ciànrag (q.v.)].
ceabag (-an)portions of cheese. Similar to ‘mulachag’.
fealgobstructions such as those that clog up drains or streams.
bealbhsending word of warning. “Chan urrainn dhuinn a dhol sios gun bhealbh a thoirt do’n bhean taighe.”
cuineastoirreputation.
ancara measurement consisting of eight gallons of whisky.
coireamaincoriander.
iasg meostasmoked fish.
iasg bruantagrilled fish.
iasg grealltagrilled fish.
tiasa cooking utensil used for grilling purposes. Thin iron bars on top with fire beneath.
rusalana wooden dish used for serving vegetables.
calmmashed vegetables.
riudhansmall wooden dish used for serving sweet [sic].
strog (-adh)to paint. “Chuir e strog air na rothan cartach agus dh’fhàg e iad gus tiormachadh.”
neo thuasaideachsaid of an easy going person.
mi-lointeachannoyed. “Bha e ag eisdeachd gle mhi-lointeach ris an fhear eile.”
reidhbheirteachsaid of an unruffled, placid person.
funntsaid of someone who had an inclination to steal. “Daoine funnt.”
folcan ill-natured person.
cileasaghaving more than one girlfriend; two timing.
toirteilexcellent.
ealganachlively.
teorpocket on a garment.
fiodaila jerkin worn under a plaid.
snaruinnnervous fear that sets in after you have been badly shaken. “Bhuaill snàruinn e.”
fròthasmuddled up, confused. Nervous tension.
teisligstrips of bandage or leather used to secure bandage, placed above and below the wound.
inneasachriveted to a story.
ufaiold Gaelic word meaning congratulations. “Ufai air Mac Ruaridh.”
ìuslaiga mission, venture. “Tha an ìuslaig an deagh làmhan.”
strannaiga mattress. Made from willow, sea grass, wool, flax, down of birds.
folmadhwhen 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.
soineagachinconsistent.
ceann strògan oily substance obtained from flax after it had been boiled. Thereafter painted onto wood. A preservative.
deòstadhto estimate, evaluate.

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