Measgaichte / Miscellaneous

Informant(s)
Name
Donald R. Morrison ( Dòmhnall R. Moireasdan )
Age
[55]
Location
Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Date
[1975 on the slips]
Notes
  • [NOTES: the words have been slipped and therefore, apart from the definitions provided by Mr Morrison, the definitions as they appear on the slips have also been included (unless the two were the same).]
Word-list (‘Faclair’)
sìor mhaireannachperpetual. [NOTES: the slip has ‘sìor-mhaireannach’.]
bas-bhualadhclapping. We have in Scalpay a word I don’t know if you could spell it as above or basbhaladh. We say: Dé a basbhaladh air an duin’ ud – when a man walks continually here and there.
tromba‘trumpet’. We refer to a mouth harp likewise. [SLIP: Trumpet or Jew’s harp.]
trumbaid‘trumpet’.
ceirsle or ceirsleaga clew or small clew of yarn or thread.
ciallaclew. 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.]
lionn- or liùnn-na-biastthis 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.]
ballaisteballast.
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.]
[note](As some words escape my memory for a while may again be remembered…)
leabaidh-na-tuime or taoimebilge (boat).
fhiacailwhere the stem and keel part meet, joined together (in a boat). [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words.]
stùr neo stùrsstoor. Cuiridh mis’ a stùrs ás. [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words. Catch-word: stùr (or: stùrs).]
sticeadhpressing.
stamnadhcontrol.
stòrachsharp pointed. Fiaclan stòrach.
piobrachadhbribing.
sgiolamaga little lie.
stiùireadairhelmsman (stùradair).
sgriobhadairwriter.
falmadairhelm.
cualacha collection of material or some weight carried. [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words.]
staidhira slap, a skelp in [sic] the buttock. [SLIP: A slap on the backside.]
bualtaI 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.]
stiom-fhuailmedical term of the poultice nature lint. Fuail – urine; bandage soaked in urine. [SLIP: A sort of poultice, made of a bandage soaked in urine.]
fuailurine.
stiomribbon or bandage (was used in Scalpay). [SLIP: Formerly, a ribbon or bandage.]
liath(also) hero or admired person (still used here). Nach b’e mo liath e.
leacainnrocky paved area; an area in Harris termed as Leacainn. Air an Leacainn. [SLIP: Rocky, paved (?) area. Also in place-name (Harris).]
tiùradhgathering material on a beach. A’ tiùradh suas ’na làthair.
mulcaie[sic] snobbish fellow. [NOTES: it seems to have been slipped under ‘mulcaidhe’. The slip is among the “Doubtful” words.]
mulcansnobbish fellow.
alanadhthe re-salting of fish, herring in particular.
ruideagkittiwake. Sgeir-nan-Ruideag, in the Shiant Isles. And I am not sure if it’s the same bird as the Lesser Herring Gull / Faoileag Bheag a Sgadain.
druideagbaby starling.
leac-ùrlairstone-slab.
gaolagwee darling.
tolmachana heapy [?] small area or a small area of knolls. Tolmachan (Harris). [SLIP: A small area of knolls.]
balla-bacaidhobstruction wall.
làgraidthe 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.)
teicealtackle.
dubadha sharp pull (as of fish on a line).
aireagfaint breeze.
hìl-a-bhógainsea-saw. [NOTES: the slip has ‘hìl-a-bhogain’.]
biùcandim light.
iodhlainn-eithricheanboat yard. [NOTES: the slip has ‘iodhlann-eithrichean’.]
iodhlainnyard.
leantailfollowing – form of leantuinn (but seldom used), leantuinn is more often used. [SLIP: Rare, but occasionally used, form of ‘leantainn’.]
slapannoise as of wet clothes against a stone.

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