Measgaichte / Miscellaneous

Informant(s)
Name
Donald MacDonald
Location
South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Date
[1987-88]
Fieldworker
A. O’Henley
seusdarat its peak, e.g. a business venture. “Bha e aig a sheusdar.”
sàitheachkeen on something. “Tha easgannan sàitheach air an sin.”
tuathailmixed up, confused. Also used in shipping terms where a vessel goes off course. “Las na speuran ’s chaidh i tuathail.”
botailsaid of a person with a lot of courage and character. “’S ann a bha an companach botail.”
buideilsimilar to the kind of person described above [i.e. botail (q.v.)] – steadfast.
seipal (-eil)used for chapel.
bacstocinformant not sure of meaning but quotes from a song – “Tha do bhàt air a’ bhacstoc, air a tarraing ’s an t-sìoban.”
pìll fhasgnaidhcover used when winnowing.
arralachattentive, steady, e.g. “Bha e arralach na obair.”
caifteancaptain.
sgeòdaljibberish. “Sguir dhe’d sgeòdal.”
cùlchainneachsomeone who criticises you behind your back.
furachlaskeeping watch over someone.
bànranweeping.
falannanheroes. Word emphasises the nobility of heritage, blood ties. “Falannan uasal.”
dealgan muileana pin associated with a mill. Informant not sure as to its precise function or shape.
stìmeanancoloured headbands or ribbons worn by women.
rafaganyellow reeds which you find when cutting peat.
lùbachhinge at bottom of a door.
claidheana latch or bolt at the top of a door.
ìneachasplanning or plotting something without drawing attention to yourself. “Bha mise gu h-àrd ’s mi ag ìneachas.”
staghstays of a ship.
meairteadhmarching.
ùnlagh (-aigh)a fine or levy.
lìomhannpolished.
thiarainn mito visit, to take in an area. “Thiarainn mi lag an fhraoich uaine.”
gunna snaipold name for a hammer gun.
sgiultafinest.
rasganeyelashes.
lòmhnachlead for a dog.
aithlisscandals, disgraces. “’S aithne dhomh an sloinneadh ’s an aithlis.”
dòldramachdliterally in the doldrums.
culaganlittle cutlets of meat.
duathaila worsening of weather conditions, darkening of skies. “Dh’fhàs i duathail.”
Diardaoin Deasdhàilinformant thinks this was an older Gaelic name given to Ascension Thursday.
Diardaoin Shearmoinin Church of Scotland this was a feast day after which the Communion weekend began.
màilaidused of a large fat woman.
pleathaplaytime for schoolkids.
liodairtsimilar to ‘liodraigeadh’.
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.”
sgiorragan accident.
draochanna dog making a threatening barking noise.
cabaileischattering.
spàirinnefforts.
diuthailwound, hurt. “Cha leighis gu bràth ar diuthail.”
taogaghaving a resemblance or likeness to someone or something. Might mean equivalent.
bochanana Tiree word which means a right proper gentleman. “Bochanan modhail, foghluimt’.”
cuartag shionnachainlittle 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.
ròmhanaichnoise made when blowing a horn or similar hollow instrument. Hollow, droning noise.
pruthan (-ach)broken up into small, tiny fragments.

© DASG
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