This vocabulary is intended to be a list of words, phrases and quotations used in the text, together with their roots, modifiers and some synonyms. Since words from Gáidhlig, Irish, Scots, Lallans, Norse and Welsh are included, together with archaic forms, this can not be, and should not be viewed as, a complete dictionary of any one language or dialect. In conflicts between Gáidhlig and Irish, we usually adopt Gáidhlig usage, as the least corrupted speech. But we find that some modern Gáidhlig and Irish words are not of true Celtic derivation, but are closer to other languages. Most of this denigration of our language is a result of English oppression which prohibited us from using or teaching it for more than two hundred years. For instance, the Gáidhlig word "onair," meaning honor or honour, is apparently of Norman French derivation, so we went back to ancient Celtic to find "enech," which we deem to be a more appropriate word to express this important concept of Celtic culture. But perhaps the best example of this corruption is the fact that the Gáidhlig alphabet does not include the letters J, K, Q, V, W, X, Y or Z, and H is used only as an aspirant, to change words from the nominative to the genitive case, and in front of some words beginning with vowels. How then have we evolved Kildare, or Dunniveg? Perhaps our most important contribution is to correct the spellings and translations of some words significant to our family, such as "Tighearna Coille" in place of Tinnakill, "Dun Luths" for Dun Luce, "Dun Naibhig," rather than Dunniveg, "Dun Abhartaidh," instead of Dunaverty, "Bun Na Mairge" in place of of Bunamargy, "Finlagan" correcting Finlaggan, or "Dunbarton" for Dumbarton, and is the justification for publication in this present incomplete form. Removing English influence from our heritage is like dealing with lice or silverfish, they are everywhere.
This is a work in progress and we anticipate frequent additions and corrections to our list, as new research reveals more and more of our heritage, and as time allows further editing of the existing list, which was begun over twenty five years ago, when our knowledge was even more rudimentary than it now is. We do find study and comparison of these words and their roots to be instructive in more than one context, and we hope our readers will find the same. We also hope that you will contribute additions to this list that you know of. We only ask that you also furnish your sources, so that we can maintain authenticity to the best of our ability.
A - rel. pron., who, which, that.
A - poss. pron., his, hers, its, of
A - art., the.
Aba - n.m., abbot, father
Abair - irr. v., say
Abar - n., confluence, estuary (only in place names)
Abarach - 1. adj., bold, 2. n.f., a bold brazen woman, 3. prep., of or pertaining to Lochaber
Abartach - adj., talkative
Abhag - n.f., a terrier
Abhainn (Aibhne) - n.f., a river
Abhainn Cluaidh (Clóta) - River of the Green Plain, River Clyde in southwest Scotland
Abhartaidh - adv., festivals, feasting
Abrach - 1. contraction of Abarach, 2. of Lochaber
Ach! - interj., Oh!, Alas!
Ach - conj., but, except, save, if only
Achadh - n.m., a field
Achadh nan Con (Scots - Achnacon) - field of the hounds
Achadh nam Bo (Irish - Aghaboe) - Field of the Cows, early Irish monastery in Leinster
Ach! na breac! - Oh! the pock marks!
Acras - n.m., hunger
Ad (Aide) - n.f., a hat
Ada - n., (old Irish) Victory
Á
dh - n.m., luck, success, good fortuneAdharc - n.f., a horn
Adhartan - n.f., cushion
Adhbhar Ollamhan - eligible to be ollamh
Á
dh mór! (Ort) - Good luck! Good bye!Adhradh (Aoradh) - n.m., worship
Ádhúil - adj., lucky, fortunate
A Dhuimhneacha, Dhuimhneacha, cuimhnichibh úr boineidean! - Campbells, Campbells, mind your bonnets! Quotation attributed to Iain Lom, The Bard of Lochaber.
Aedh (Aoidh, Aodh, Uisdein) - name, lit. Fire, Fiery, in Irish mythology a messianic leader who would save the Gael. Rendered as Hugh in English
Aedh Anradhan mac Ainmere - prop.n., Hugh of the Ague, son of Ainmere, High King 604-612
Aedh Buidhe - Yellow Haired Hugh. Progenitor of the ÓNeills of Clandeboye & Lecale.
Aedh Finn - Fair or White Hugh, 8th Century King of Dalriada
Aedh Flann - Red Hugh. Chief of the Clandeboye ÓNeills who built Caislen Riabhach c.1350.
Aeneas (Oengus, Irish - Aengus) - n.m., Angus, name meaning "unique choice" In Scottish mythology, the God of Love, whose kisses became birds.
Aengus Óg - a manifestation of the pagan Celtic sun god
Á
es Dana - (old Irish) bold people, order of Druids, men of skill, aristocracyÁ
es Sídhe - (old Irish) people of the hollow hills, shee folk, fairiesAfraighe - n.m., a rising, preparation for battle
Ag (Agam) - prep., at, with him, her or it
Agam, Agad - etc.
Aghaidh, an aghaidh - prep., in the face of, against
Againn - prep., at, with them
A ghráidh - my dear, my darling
Agus - conj., and (formal)
Agut - conj., and (Irish)
Aidh - suffix, renders the preceeding noun plural.
Aife - n.f. (Colloquial - Skye) - Reflection. Opponent of Queen Sgáthaich in The Táin Bó Cuailnge.
Aig (Ag) - prep., at, near, near to, close by, on account of, for, in possession
Aighnidh - n.m., happiness
Ail - n.f., desire, will
Aileach - n.m., the desirable one, the preferred
Ailean - n.m., a green, a plain
Ailein - name, The Splendid, Alan, Allan
Ailing - adj., sweet, lovable
Ailpeinich - n.m., one of the Clan Alpine
Aimhreitich - v., entangle, disorder, entwine as thread, put in confusion
Á
ine - n.f., the liver of fishAingeal - n.m., light, fire, an angel
Air (ar’) - prep., upon, on, of, concerning
Airbhe - (old Irish) n.m., Druidh magic circle
Á
ird - n.f., 1. airt, point (of the compass) 2. promontory (not necessarily high) 3. condition, state 4. height 5. plan, expedientÀird nam Murchan - Land of the Great Seas. Ardnamurchan. A peninsula and district in the West Highlands.
Air do shláinte - toast, to your good health
Aire - n., (old Irish) freeman
Aire - n.f., attention, care, heed, notice. Also a government minister.
Aireachas - n.m., vigilance, attention
Aireacht - n.f., a government ministry.
Aireachta (Urraghts) - n., (Irish) leading nobles
Á
irean - n.m., a ploughmanAirecht - n., (old Irish) legislature (Gáidhlig - Oireacht).
Airgialla - prop.n., (English - Oriel) lit. concerning Hostages; The Hostage Givers. Provincial kingdom in Ulaidh subordinate to the Thuaidh Ui Neill.
Airgid - adj., silver
Airidh - n.m., a shieling, a summer grazing place, a field
Airidh mhicc Dhomhnuil - summer grazing of the descendants of World Mighty
Airim - n.m., plough
Air mullach cnocan cruinn ris an abairte Gocam-go - on the top of a round hillock they call Gocam-gó
Airt - prop.n., The Rock. 2nd Century High King of the Irish.
Ais - n.m. back (air ais - backward)
Á
ith - n.m., kilnÁ
lainn - adj., beautifulAlasdáir - name, Offspring from a Bull, Bull Calf, usually translated incorrectly as Alexander
Alasdair Carrach - Alasdair the Warty. Fourth son of Good John of Islay, 7th Lord of The Isles and progenitor of the MacDonells of Keppoch.
Alasdáir Cholla Chiotaich (Colkitto) - Alasdair, the left-handed Colla. Hero of the Jacobite Risings.
Alasdáir Dubh Ghleann Garaidh - Black Alasdair of Glengarry, also called Alasdáir Ciar (Sable Alasdair)
Alasdair MacIan Duibh - Alasdair the son of Dark James. Chieftain of a cadet sept of the MacDonalds of Glencoe who was a victim of the 1692 massacre.
Alasdair Mac Mhaghistir Alasdair - Alasdair, The Son of Master Alexander. A great poet of Clanranald.
Alasdair Mhór - Alasdair the elder (k.1299). Younger brother of Oengus Mhór, 4th of The Isles, and progenitor of Clan Alasdair of Kintyre.
Alasdair nan Cleas - Alasdair of the Tricks MacRanald, 10th chief of Keppoch, known for his killing of the three Bohuntin MacDonalds who were allied with the MacIntoshes.
Alasdáir nan Coille - Alasdair of the Woods, 4th Chief of the MacDonells of Glengarry (d. 1460)
Alasdair Ogh - Young Alasdair, 5th Lord of The Isles. d.1308
Alba - n.f., Scotland; gen. Albann, dat. Albainn
Albannach - n.m., A Person of the Living Surface World, a Scot, Celtic Scot, a Scotsman (originally a pre-Scottish Celt)
Albannach - adj., Scottish
Albannaich - n.m.pl., People of the Living Surface World, Scots, Celtic Scots, Scotsmen
Allt - n.m., (Scot.) stream, burn
Allt an Áth Dheirig - stream of the red ford
Allt á Chomhlachaidh - stream of the conference
Allt nam Meirleach - stream of the robbers
Am - n.m. , time, season, opportunity, fit time (pl. - Amannan)
Am (An) - pers.pron., their
Amar - n.m., bed (of a river or other body of water)
Amar Thuath - North Channel, northern outlet from the Irish Sea
Am Bratach Sith - prop.n., The Fairy Flag (of the Dunvegan MacLeods)
Am Faoilteach - n.m., January, the time of the storm days, the "Wolf Month"
Am Fear As Sine - n.m., Senior
Am Fear As Sineann - n.m.pl., Seniors
Amhairc - v., look, see, behold, observe, regard, attend
Am Márt - n.m., Month of March, Seed Time, Time of pressure or stress
Am measg - prep., among
A muigh - in favor (of)
An, Am - art., the
An, Am - poss. pron., their
An, Am - interr. particle
An, Am - rel. pron., whom
An aghaidh - prep., against
Anam - n.m., soul
Anam chára - soul friend
An Caol Airsaigh - The Sound of Our Pregnant Bitch. Sound on the coast of Moidart famous as the landing site of Prince Charles Stuart and the "Seven Men of Moidart" to begin "The '45."
An Caol Muileach - The Sound of Mull.
An cath na Traigh Ghruineart - The field of Gruineart Strand. 1598 battle in Islay between the MacDonalds and the MacLeans of Duart.
An Ceann Ileach - the Islay hilt (of a sword or claymore)
An Ceitean - n.m., Month of May, Time of Visiting
An chioch a ta fam dha sháil, Uaithé ráidhtear Innis Fáill - The stone beneath my two heels, from it is ruled the Isle of Destiny. Prophesy concerning the Lia Faill.
An Ciaran Mabach - The Swarthy Stammerer
An Comhairle nan Eilean - The Council of the Isles
An Cruthachadh N'Alba - The creation or birth of Scotland
An Cumhachd Nam MhiccDhomhnuil - The Power Of The Descendants Of World Mighty
An Damhair - n.m., Month of October, The Time of the Rutting of the Deer
An deidh - prep., after
An deidh mheadhon la - n., afternoon
An drasda - adv., now, presently
An Dubhghall - the Dark Stranger
An Dúbhlachd - n.m., Month of December, The Dark Season
An Dunan Mhór - The Great Fort. Early stronghold of Cineal Oenghusa at the mouth of the River Lagan in Islay.
An fhionan - left me
An Gearran - n.m., February, The Gelding, traditionally the time from March 15 to April 15
An Giblean - n.m., Month of April, Time of the Spring hunt, especially migratory birds
An Gobain - prop.n., The Points of Rock. Sea Cliffs on Island Magee, North Antrim. The Gobbins.
An Lanndair - the beautiful side (of the island, country)
An Leisteir (Genitive - Fhleisteir) - n.m., arrowmaker, MacPheidearin, Fletcher
An Lúnasdal - n.m., Month of August, Lugnasadh, Time of the Fair of the God Lug Lamfata
An MacDhomhnuil - The Son of World Mighty. Title reserved for the high chief of Clan Donald.
Anmoch - adj., adv., late
Ann (Anns) - prep., in, into
Ann - adv., there, here
Annála Ríoghachta Éireann - Annals of the Kingdom Of Ireland, popularly known as The Annals Of The Four Masters, compiled from earlier annals between 1632 and 1636 by Franciscan monk, Michael Ó Cléirigh and three collaborators
Annam (Annad) - prep., in me, in thee, etc.
An Nuadh Saoghal - the new world
Á
nradh - n.m., disorder, distress, disasterÁ
nradhan - adj., prep., of the ague, having agueAn Rioghachd Nam Dál Riata - The Realm Of The Tribe Of The Victorious King
An Tabhannaich - The Baying of Hounds, name - a slope on the shore of Loch Finlagan opposite Eilean Mhuireil thought to have been the site of the kennels of the lordship of The Isles
An t-Iuchar - n.m., Month of July, The Warm Month, Dog Days
An t-Og Mhios - n.m., Month of June, The Month of the Young
An Torr áBreithimh - The Mound of Judgement (in Islay)
Antrom - adj., grevious to be borne, very heavy, oppressive
Antrom - prop.n., Antrim, Place of Oppression.
An t-Samhain - n.m., Month of November, Time of The Feast of the Dead
An t-Sultain - n.m., Month of September, Time of plenty (lit. - time of plumpness)
Aodach - nm., a cloth, clothes, clothing, wear
Aodach na feasgairean - evening wear
Aoidh (coigreach) - n.f., guest
Aoidh (also Aedh, Aodh, Uisdean) - name. Hugh
Aoiteagh - n., guesthouse (Latin - Hospitium)
Aon, h-aon - nu., adj., adv., one, alone, same, only
Aonach - n.m., 1. a green rocky coastal plain, a green beach. 2. a meeting, a marketplace. 3. moor, hill, steep slope.
Aonach Dubh - prop.n., Black Hill, mountain adjoining Glencoe
Aonar - nu. n., one person, alone
Aoradh - n.m., act of worship, adoration, adoring
Ar - 1. seems, from 2. poss. pron., our,
Á
r - 1. n.m., ploughing, 2. n.m., slaughter, 3. n.m., a kidneyÁ
rach - n.m., field of slaughter, a battlefieldArachor - n., the land that could be plowed by a spade in a year
Áraidh - adj., certain
Aran - nm., bread
Á
ras (Teach, Tegos, Tigh) - n., (Scottish) houseArasaid - n., plaid pleated woman's garment reaching from neck to ankle fastened at breast by a large brooch and at waist by a belt
Arbhar - n.m., corn in shief or growing
Ard (airde) - adj., high, lofty, supreme, tall, head, top; answers to English prefix "arch."
Ard fathi - n., high priest
Ard Ghobhar - Height of the Goats, Ardgour, a district on Loch Linnhe in the West Highlands
Ardgour - Top of (Gleann) Gour. A district of Garmòran in the lands of Clanranald
Ard Macha - prop.n., Heights of Macha, Armagh
Ard Righ - n., high king
Ari (Arin) - prep., from the, of the (archaic)
A ris (Rithisd) - adv., again
Arisaigh - Our Pregnant Bitch
Arm - n.m., a weapon, the army
Arranach - n.m., a resident of the Isle of Arran
Arsa (ars’) - defect. v., said
Art - (Norse suffix) a shallow sea loch
Artairich - n., one of the Clan Arthur
As - prep., out of
As - rel. form of v., is
Asam, Asad - etc., out of us, you
Ascaoin - adj., 1. harsh, inclement. 2. wrong side of cloth.
Ascaoin - v., curse, excommunicate
Askomull - (Scots) Prop.n., Harsh Summit. Area on the north shore of Loch Kilkerran, Kintyre
Ath - prefix, new, next, after, later
Á
th - n., ford, river crossingA thaing - v., come forth
Athair (athar) - n.m., a father
Ath Fodhla - n.(middle Irish, old Gaelic), lit. Ireland over the water, New Ireland, Atholl
Ath Lighen - Ford of the Floods
Aulaidh - name, Olaf
Aye - adv., yes
Ba - n.f.pl., cows
Bà - int., a lullaby ( Bà, Bà mo leanabh - Sleep, Sleep my child)
Bà - adv., foolish, simple
Bacach - adj., lame, cripple, drunk
Bach - n.m., drunkenness
Bach thinneas - n.m., sickness occasioned by drinking, delirium tremens
Baculus - n., staff, crutch, walking stick, cane
Bad - nm., a tuft, clump
Bàgh - n.m., a bay
Bàghasdail - n.m., Bay Of The Meeting, Boisdale. a bay on the island of South Uist.
Baile - n.m., a town, a village, a township
Baile á Chaolais - prop.n., Ballachulish, the town of the strait
Baile Atha Cliath - Ford of the settlement of the wattles (Dublin)
Baile Birlinn - prop.n., Ballygalley, a coastal village in North Antrim
Baile Caislein - prop.n., Ballycastle, castle town. A town in North Antrim
Baile Clár - prop.n., Bottom Town, Ballyclare, a settlement in North Antrim
Baile Meannach - prop.n., Town of the Famous Man, Ballymeannoch, a town in North Antrim
Baile Noir - prop.n., East Town, Ballynure, a crossroads in North Antrim, a suburb of Ballyclare.
Baile mór - n.m., a city (modern - there were no cities in the ancient Gaedhil)
Bailtean - n.m.pl., towns, villages, townships
Bainne - n.m., milk
Báird - n.m.pl., poets, storytellers
Baíthaich (Scottish, also Sabhall, Irish - scioból) - nm., a barn
Balach (Gille) - n.m., a fellow, a boor, a young man, a boy, often used in praise of prowess
Ball - adj., stained
Ball - n.m., a member (of a society), an article (of clothing), a spot or place, an object (of fun, ridicule, etc.), a stripe (of cloth, tartan, etc.)
Balla - nm., a wall
Ballach - n.m., spotted, speckled
Balle (Baile, Bally) - n., place, town, village
Ballymeannoch - prop.n., Town of the Famous Man
Ban (bhan) - gen.pl.n., women, womens’
Bán - adj., pale, white, fairhaired, squeamish. Also, vacant, waste (land), untilled
Bán - n.m., left side of a furrow.
Banais - n.f., a wedding
Banais Righe - v., coronation, marriage of the king to the land, to the people and to the earth goddess
Banbh - prop.n., Town of Banff in Buchan
Bann - n.m., 1. deed, bond, contract, formal agreement 2. the hinge of a door, a keystone
Bann Dubh - black bond, oath sworn by the Bohuntin MacDonalds against the Keppoch MacDonalds in 1663
Bansidh (banshee) - n., white fairy, female fairy, troubled spirit
Barail (baraile, baralach) - nf., an opinion
Bard - n., poet, tutor
Bárr (Barra) - n.m., top, point, tip, end, extremity; also a crop, a helmet
Barr - v., crop, top
Bárr nan Tórr - Tip of the Mound, Torr Head, a point in northeast Antrim.
Barrachd - n.f., superiority, excellence
Bás (am bás, ábháis) - n.m., adv., death, demise
Básaich (á básachadh) - v., die
Bassiores n’ parentela (Scots, Lallans) - n., lower kin, clan peasants
Bata - nm., staff, stick
Bata (Báta) - nm., a boat
Batail (am batail, ábhatail) - n.m., military unit, battle, battalion
Bawn - n., (Irish) cattle fort, a fortified enclosure surrounding a castle or tower house
Beadle - n., (Scots, Lallans) church officer responsible for Bible
Beag (Bige, Beg, Lugha) - adj., small, little
Beagan (Began) - n.m., a little, a few
Bealach - n.m., gap, pass, mountain gorge, breach in a wall, gate, way, road, route, method
Bealach Fhionnghail - the way of the fair Highlander
Bealach na h-airde - Pass of the Cape
Beal-a-faula - (Colloquial Irish) Pass of Concealment
Bealltain (Beltain) - n., Celtic festival of the sun, Gaelic holiday, May 1 Bean mhath - nf., a good wife
Beanntan - n.pl., mountains, hills
Beàrn - n.f., a small gap or breach, a fissure. v. - notch, hack
Beart - n.m., deed, act, engine, instrument (á bheart e - the instrument of)
Beartach - adj., rich
Beartaich - adv., riches
Beatha - n.f., life, food, livelihood; welcome, salutation, biography
Bedwyr - Brythonic pagan one-armed war god.
Beinn (Scots, Lallans -Ben) - n.f., a mountain, a hill, a peak
Beinn Bheag a' bh-Faodha - prop.n., Little Mountain of the Ford - Benbecula. An island in the Western Isles of Scotland.
Beinn Buidhe - Pleasant Mountain. A peak on the Isle of Eigg.
Beinn Buirbe (Benburb) - Fierce Mountain. Alternate name of the "caput" of the ÓNeills of Tyrone. (See also Drum Crù)
Beinn nam Gaoithe Fheall - Mountain of the Treacherous Wind (Goat Fell). A mountain on the Isle of Arran.
Beinn Nebhis - Venomous Mountain. Highest point in Britain, located in Lochaber..
Beir (Breith, Beirsinn) - irr. v., bear, bring forth
Beir (Air) - v., catch, seize
Bel (Baal) - n., (Old Irish) sun god
Beltain (Beltaine, Bealltain) - n., pagan Celtic festival of the sun, Gaelic holiday, May 1
Bena - adj., good
Betagh - n., Irish servile class of landless peasants
Beul - n., mouth
Beulaobh (Air) - prep., in front of
Bha - v., past, was, were
Bheannachd - n., blessing
Bheatha - n., life
Bheil - v., am, is, are
Bheir - v., will give
Bhitheas (bhios) - rel. v., will be
Bho (O) - prep., from
Bhos (a bhos) - adv., down, below
Bhra`igh - n., high ground
Bhuam (Bhuat) - prep. pron., from me
Bhuel - excl., well!
Bhuie - excl., good!
Bhur (Ur) - poss. pron., your
Bi - v., be
Biadh (Bidhe) - nm., food
Biachlàr - n.m., menu
Bian - n.m., hide, pelt
Bidean nam Bian - prop.n., Mount of the Hide
Bileadh - adj., pleated or lipped.
Binn (Binne) - adj., sweet, melodious
Birlinn - n.f., a galley, particularly a small Highland galley of fewer than 24 oars, a pleasure or cargo galley of any size
Bith (Air bith) - n.f., v.n., existence, being, world, spirit, temper
Bith - n.m., gum, tar
Bith - adv., quiet
Bithinn - subj. v., would be
Blár (Blair) - n.m., a field, moor, clear level space, a plain, battlefield, a battle
Blár (Blair) - adj., white faced, having a white spot in the face
Blár an Deabhaidh - Field of the Skirmish
Blár Chùil Lodain - n.m., Field of The Hollow of The Puddles. 1746 Battle of Culloden
Blár na Leine - n., field of shirts, 1544 battle between Clan Donald and Clan Fraser
Blár na Páirce - Field of the Park
Blár Traigh Ghruineart - The Battle Of Gruineart Strand
Blath - adj., warm
Bliadhna - nf., a year
Bliadhnachan - nf.pl., years
Bo (Boin) - nf., a cow
Bodh - one aspect of the trinitarian pagan Celtic goddess Morrigan
Boin (Boinin) - nf., a calf
Bochd (Bochda) - adj., poor
Boidheach (Boidhche) - adj., pretty, beautiful
Boineid - n.f., a bonnet, a cap
Boinne - n.m., a drop, a current, a racing stream
Bolg (also Poc) - n., bag
Borb (Buirbe) - adj., fierce
Borb (Buird) - nm., a table, board
Bothan - n.m., a primitive dwelling, a hut, a booth, a tent
Bothan Malacleit - Tribute Ridge Cottage
Bo Winda Banna - prop.n., White Cow Goddess, a pagan Celtic deity
Brach - n.m., a bear
Bradan - nm., a salmon
Brae - n., hillside
Bráighid - n.f., a pair of hems, a thief’s collar, a noose
Brais - adj., brash, too hasty or forward
Brat - n.m., (Old Irish) cloak (Latin - Sagum)
Brat - adj., bright
Bratach - n., flag, banner
Bratach Bán - White Flag of the MacAedh
Bratach ná Alba - Banner of Scotland
Bratach Sith - Fairy Flag of the MacLeods
Brath, gu brath - adv., for ever
Brathair (Brathar) - n.m., brother
Brathwick - (Norse) n., Broad Bay
Breab - v., kick
Breac (bric) - nm., a trout
Breac (brice, brecc) - adj., spotted, speckled, freckled
Breacan - n.m., tartan, checkered, plaid
Brecc (Breac, brice) - adj., speckled, freckled
Brechbennach - n., reliquary, religious relic
Bréifne - prop.n., Breffney
Breith - n.f., judgement, decision, sentence
Breith - n.m., act of bearing, seizing, carrying away, catching
Breitheamh (Brehon, Brieve) - n.m., jurist, law giver, one trained in the law, clan judge
Breitheimh - n.m.pl., judges
Breithimh - n.f.pl.., judgements
Bretha - n., (old Irish) a law tract, a law brief.
Bretha Nemed - Nemed’s brief, 8th century Irish law tract
Bretunnach (Braetann) - n., British Celt, Briton
Breug (Breige) - nm., a lie
Bride - contraction of Brighide, St Bridget(‘s day), Candlemas
Brieve - n., (Scots, Lallans) a judge
Brigit - prop.n., (old Irish) pagan Celtic goddess associated with festival of Imbolc, February 1
Bris (Briseadh) - v., break
Briste - v., adv., adj., broken, bankrupt, insolvent, bruised
Broch - n.m., 1st Century round stone fortified house found in Alba, the Hebrides, Orkneys and Shetland
Brodick - (Scots) n., Broad Bay
Brog (a' bhro'g, na bro'ige) - nf., a shoe
Brogan - pl.n.f., shoes
Brón - n.m., mourning, sorrow, wailing, weeping, grief, lamentation
Bronach - adj., sad
Bruach - n.m., a bank, brink, a border, edge, steep
Bruach Sheáin - Shane’s Border, a village in North Antrim
Brugh - n.m., a large house, a tumulus, a dwelling of fairies.
Brugh nam Bhoinne - Big Fairy House of the Currents, aka Home of the Ladybirds
Buachaill (Buachaille) - nm., a shepherd, herdsman, guardian, protector
Buachaille Eite Mhór - prop. n., The Great Guardian of Etive, a mountain bordering Glencoe Buachaille nan Eilannan - Protector of the Islanders
Buachaille nan Eilannain - Protector of the Islanders
Buada - n., (old Irish) fortune, cache, wealth
Buadh - n.f., an attribute, quality, virtue, power, faculty.
Buaidh - adv., victory
Buaigh - v., win
Buaigh ar - v., adv., defeat
Buaile - nf., enclosure, milking place
Buaile Achadh Gréine - Enclosure of the Plain of the Sun (also known as "the piper’s stones")
Buaireas - n.m., tumult, an uproar, confusion, disturbance, trouble, ferment
Buaireasach - adv., annoying, disturbing, turbulent, tumultuous, provoking
Buanna - n.m., a hired soldier, a mercenary become a parasite, an idler, a straggler
Buannachan - n.m.pl., (Scottish) hired soldiers, champions billeted on the people at will
Buannachd - n.f., tribute, benefit, profit, gain, emolument, the right to forage and live off the countryside, levy of rations and goods from the local populace
Búcla - n.m., buckle
Buidhe - adj., yellow, golden haired, fair, grateful, good, pleasing
Buidhe Chonnaill - yellow plague, yellow death, bubonic plague
Buille - n.m., a stroke, blow, a knock
Buille air á bhuille - blow for blow
Buillean - n.m., revenge
Buillean an diugh tuiream am maireach, a Cineal Domhnuil! - Revenge today and mourning tomorrow, Clan Donald!
Buirbe - n.f., turbulence; a fierce, boisterous temper; boisterousness; rage, fury; ferocity; barbarity
Bùire (Buireadh) - n.m., act of roaring, a rutting place of deer, burst of grief, a wailing
Bulla - n.m., a bowl, ball, also a papal bull (Irish), a bull’s eye (Irish)
Bullaun (Irish) - n.m.pl., bulls eyes, Irish equivalent of Highland "croichticainn" or cup marks.
Bun - n.m., 1. root or source, 2. a stock or supply, 3. bottom or mouth, 4. a stump, 5. dependence, trust, confidence
Bun Abhann Duine - Mouth of the Brown River - Cushendun
Bun na Habhainn - Mouth of the River
Bun na Mairgie - Mouth [of a River] of Pity
Burn - n., stream, creek
Buth (Butha) - nf., a shop
Buthan (Buthannan, Buithean) - nf.pl., shops
Cabhag - n.f., hurry, haste
Cach - indef.pron., the rest, the others
Cach-a-cheile - indef.pron., one another
Cadal - n.m., sleep, slumber (tha e ‘na chadal - he is sleeping)
Caengail - n., necktie
Caer - n., heart, center, nest
Caerlaverock - prop.n., Lark’s Nest, castle and seat of the Maxwells in Galloway
Caer Llywelydd - prop.n., (Welsh) City of Carlisle in Cumbria (Roman town of Luguvalium)
Cahanagh - adj., adv., warlike
Cai - Brythonic pagan river god.
Caidil (Cadal) - v., sleep
Caileach - n.m., cock
Cáileachd - n.f., endowments, energy, ability
Caileag (Caileige) - n.f., a little girl, a lassie
Caile Dhaoine - (Latin - Caledonii) men of ability, spearmen, dominant tribe and "coicidh" of northern Alba during the Roman era
Cailein - name, The Energetic, The Able. Colin
Cailleach - n.f., a veiled one, a nun, an old woman, the last handful of standing corn on a farm
Caillte - v., adj., lost
Caima - adj., crooked
Caimile’ir - n., crook, cheat
Caimin - n., shepherd’s crook (Irish)
Cain (Conveth, Wayting) - n., (old Irish) rent paid to clan consisting of first fruits
Cáin - adj., white, fair,
Cainnech (Irish - Choinnigh) - name, prop.n., Fair One. A flame, a light. (Scottish) Kenneth or Canice
Cainnech Calma - Kenneth the Hearty (mac Alpine)
Cainneal - n.f., a candle
Cairdean - nm.pl., friends
Cairn (Cárn) - n.m., boulder, rockpile, heap of stones used as a monument, also a rocky hill or mountain
Cairn Cormach - Cormach’s Heap, The Brewer’s Heap. A mountain in North Antrim
Cairn na Burgh - City of Boulders
Cairn na Cúl Chum Éire - Cairn of Back toward Ireland. Legendary cairn raised on Iona by Colm Cille.
Caireal (Coirioll) - n.m., noise
Cais - v., twist, twine
Caisleán (Irish)- n.m., castle
Caisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath - The Castle of The Settlement of the Ford of the Hurdles - Dublin Castle
Caislen Cámus Rhuaidh - Red Bay Castle. Bisset/MacDonnell fortress in the Glens of Antrim
Caislen Carragh - Castle of the Monument 16th Century tower house built by Shane ÓNeill in Cushendun, Antrim
Caisleán Credi - Castle (temple) of belief, Scone, also 728 battle site
Caisteal Géillean - Castle of the Jaws (Gylen Castle)
Caisleán Riabhach - prop.n., Gray Castle. Caput of the ÓNeills of Clandeboye at Castlereagh.
Caisteal (Scottish) - n.m., castle, garrison, tower, turreted mansion
Caisteal Achalladhar - Castle but for the famous slaughter, Achallader Castle, built in Glen Lyon by Campbell of Glenorchy in 1590
Caisteal Buireadh - Roaring Castle, Castle Borve. The primary Clanranald stronghold in the Western Isles until 1708.
Caisteal Chamuis - Castle of the Shallow Bays
Caisteal Claidh - Castle of The Trench, Fraoch Eilean, principal fortress of Somhairle mac Gillebride
Caisteal Glamhus - Castle of the Vale (Glamis Castle)
Caisteal Mhaol - Bare Castle
Caisteal nan Choin - Castle of The Dogs, Morvern
Caisteal Ormacleit - My Rocky Eminence. 18th Century Clanranald castle on South Uist.
Caisteal Tairbeart - Tarbert Castle, Kintyre
Caisteal Tioram - Castle of Fair Weather, Dry Castle
Cáite? - inter., where?
Cáite bheil? - Where is?
Cáite bheil an ath gháirdean? - Where is the next strongest?
Calliagh - n., witch
Calma (cróga, crua, miotalach) - adj., hardy, brave, valiant, thick-set, brawny, powerful, strong
Calma - n.m., a pillar, a thick-set stout-built person, a prop.
Calp - n.m., specific tribute. The best 8th of cattle or other livestock paid to the chief at the succession of heirs. An inheritance tax.
Calpa - n.m., the calf of the leg, the shaft of an arrow, a rivet nail, the principal at interest
Calpich (Calp) - n.m., tribute, payment to a chief, "the best eighth" in cattle, or other livestock paid to the chief at the succession of heirs
Calum - name. Malcolm
Calum Caol MacMhuirich - Slender Malcolm MacMhuirich
Calvach (Toirdhealbhach, Turlough, Tearlagh) - name, Charles
Cam - adj., crooked, twisted
Camm - adj., n.m., one eye (empty eye socket)
Cámus - n.m., a convex shape, an indentation, a mold for making bullets, a shallow bay
Cámus nan Gall - Bay of the Strangers
Canna (Old Irish - Cann) - n.m., a can, a container
Caol (Caolle) - adj., thin, slender, small, narrow
Caol (Kyle, Chumhann) - n.m., a narrows; a narrow strait, a sound, a firth, a glen, etc (pl. - Caoil, Caoiltean)
Caol Airsaigh - The Sound of Our Pregnant Bitch. Waters between Moidart and Isle of Eigg
Caor - n.f., a berry, rowan, rowan berry
Caora (Caorach) - nf., a sheep
Caoraich - nf.pl., sheep
Caorann (Irish - Caorthann) - n.f., rowan tree, rowan berries, the wood of the rowan tree
Capall - n.f., a mare, in some places a horse, a colt
Caput - n.m., chief place, seat, capital
Car - n.m., a friend, agreement, bond
Car - prep., during, for the space of
Car - n.m.gen., a turn, a twist, a bend, meandering
Carach - adj., deceiving, deceitful
Caraid - n.m., a friend
Cárn (Cairn) - n.m., boulder, rockpile, heap of stones used as a monument, also a rocky hill or mountain
Cárn Aonghais Arannaich - Angus of Arran’s Cairn
Cárn nah-Oighre - The Cairn of the Young Heir
Carrach - adj., warty, pimpled, freckled, scorbutic, itchy, mangy, having an uneven surface
Carrageen - n., Iceland moss
Carragh - (Irish) adj., scarred, scabbed
Carragh - (Scottish) n.m., an erect stone, raised as a monument, a monument, a pillar
Carraig - n.f., a rock, a cliff, a rock jutting into the sea serving as a quay or fishing station, a headland.
Carraig Fergus - Rock of Fergus. A famous town and castle in North Antrim. Carrickfergus.
Cárson? - inter., why? wherefore?
Cas (Coise) - nf., a foot, a shaft
Cas Chrom - nm., foot plow
Casg - v. tr., stop, quench, staunch, prevent, silence
Casgadh - n.m., stopping, staunching
Casgair - v.t., butcher, slaughter
Casgairt - n.m., massacre, slaughter
Cashel - n., (old Irish) stone house, usually built without mortar of corbeled stone.
Cashel - prop.n., ancient "caput" (seat)of the kings of "Muma" (Munster)
Cat (Chat) - n.m., a cat
Cataibh - prop.n., Sutherland
Cath - n., cross, crossier, battle, conflict
Cathach - n.m., a warrior, warlike, a reliquary carried into battle
Cathach Cholm Cille - reliquary of Saint Columba. aka The Fighting One or Battle Book. Reliquary of the O'Donnells and oldest remaining Irish book
Cathair (Cathrach) - (Scottish) nf., a chair
Cathair - prop n., (Irish) City of Cork
Cathan - n.m., wild goose. Also yarn on the warping machine.
Cathaoir - n., chair, throne,
Cathaoir ollamhnachta - chair of ollamhship
Cathbárr - n.m., battle helmet
Cath Buaidh - Battle Victory, symbol of the Kindred of St Columba, heraldic crest of the MacDonalds and others
Cath-Dath - Battle Color
Cath Droma Deirg Blathuug - Battle of the Ridge of the Red Flowers
Cath Maigh Tuireadh - Battle of the Boastful Death Song - Moytura
Cathraichean - nf.pl., chairs
Cé - n., the earth, also cream, milk
Céad (Aonú, Céud) - adj., first (the first day - an chéad la)
Ceangall (Ceangal) - v., tie, bind
Ceann (Cinn) - n.m., head, point; summit, end, beginning, limit; period, expiration, extremity; genius, ingenuity; chief, master, commander, attention; headland; hilt; subject of discourse
Ceann A Deas Na Hearadh - South Head of Harris
Ceannaich (Ceannach) - v., buy, bought
Ceann Cath - n.m., battle leader, captain
Ceann (Cineil) - n.m., chief of kin
Ceann Coradh - head of the river crossing, palace of Brian Boru on the River Shannon also known as "The Crossing Place of the Race of Man."
Ceann-Feadhna - n.m., high chief, great lord, leader of a host
Ceann Garbh - Rough Summit, highest point on the Isle of Texa, burial site of Ranald MacIain, progenitor of Clanranald.
Ceann Loch A Linnhe (Scots - Kinlochaline) - Head of the Loch of the Pool
Ceannlochcaolisphort - head of the port of the little bay
Ceann Mhór - n.m., great chief, title given to Malcolm III, King of Scots
Ceann Tighe - n.m., chieftain
Ceanntir - n., headland, Kintyre
Ceap - n.m., a last, a clog or stumbling block, the stocks, a snare
Ceap - v., intercept, snare, stop, obstruct
Ceapach (Scots, Lallans - Keppoch) - n.f., 1. plot of land, trunks of trees, a garden, 2. founder, foundation
Cearc (Circe) - nf., a hen
Cearr - adj., wrong
Ceathairne (Irish - Kerne) - n.m., yeomanry, men fit for war, peasantry
Ceathramh - nu., adj., the fourth
Ceilt - (Old Irish) screening or concealment, thought to be the origin of the word "kilt."
Ceithir (Ceathair) - nu., adj., four
Celi - (Middle Irish) n., servant
Celi Dé - (Middle Irish) Servants of God, or Culdees. Religious order created in Ireland in the 8th Century.
Cellach - prop.n., Celestine
Cenel (old Irish, also Cineil) - n., (modern Gaelic - cineal) clan, tribe, kin
Ceo (Ceotha) - nm., mist
Ceol (Ciull) - n.m., music
Ceol-bhinneas (Binneas) - n.f., melody
Cernunnos - n.m., pagan Celtic deity worshiped in Alba, the horned one
Cett - nf., daisy
Ceud (an ceud, a' ceud) - nu., adj., the first
Ceud - nu., adj., a hundred
Cha - neg.part., not
Chadich - n., shore
Chadich ile - n., shore land
Chaidh - pret. of theirig, go
Chailein - prop.n., Colin
Chanain - n., canon, clergyman
Chaolais - n., strait
Chattan - nm.pl., cats
Cheana (Mar tha) - adv., already, lit. as it is
Cheile (Le cheile) - adv., together
Chi - v., fut.of v. faic, see
Chinnidh - n., lit. children, tribe, clan
Chinntire - n., Kintyre
Chlanna Nan Conthigibh (Scots dialect) - Sons Of The Hounds, Clan Cameron
Chlanna nan conthigibh a sós gheibh sibh féol - sons of the hounds, come here and get flesh - ancient slogan of Clan Cameron
Chlaon - v., stumbling
Chnagaidh - adj., crooked, twisted, knarled
Cho - conj., as
Choinnigh (Scottish - Cainnech) - name, (Irish) The Fair One. Kenneth or Canice
Chomaire - adv., confluence, joining
Chomhlachaidh - n., conference
Chonaill - adv., peaceful, homey
Chonnaill - nm., plague, death
Chriosd - prop,n., Christ
Chrom - nm., plow
Chuaia -v., did hear
Chuireas - v., rel. fut. of v. cuir, put
Chum - prep., to, toward
Chum - conj., for the purpose of, in order that
Chum - prep., to, toward, for the purpose of, in order that
Chunnaic - v., did see
Churaich (Corachl) - nm., coracle, small 4 oared boat made of wicker and hides Cia mar? - inter., how?
Cia meud? (Cia mheud?) - inter., how many?
Ciad - nu. adj., a hundred
Ciall (Ceille) - nf., sense, understanding
Ciar - adj., swarthy, dark, sable, dun, roan, brown; also the dusk, gloominess
Ciaran - n.m., a swarthy man
Cic - v., kick
Ciche - adv., kicks
Cill an Ailean - prop.n., Killinallan, Church of the Green Meadow in northern Isla
Cille Chiaráin - prop.n., (Scots Kilkerran) Church of the Dark Men, now Campbelltown
Cill Choinnigh - prop.n., Kilkenny, church of Kenneth or Canice
Cill Daltain - prop.n., Kildalton Chapel, The Church of the Foster Child in eastern Isla
Cille - n.f., church
Cille Airne - prop.n., Killarney, church of the sloe (small wild black plum)
Cille Chiaran - prop.n., Church of the Dark Man. Located in the Rhinns of Islay and said to have been founded by Colm Cille.
Cille Choirill - prop.n., Church of St Cairell
Cille Chuimein - Memorial Church
Cille Dara - prop.n., Second Church. Kildare,
Cille Munnu (Scots-Lallans - Kilmuns), n.m.pl., church buildings, churches
Cille nan Ailean - Church of the Green Plain
Cille Nhaomh Olcan - Saint Olcan’s Chapel. Early church on the shore of Lough Neagh in North Antrim.
Cille Nhaomh Oran - Saint Oran's Chapel. Early church on Iona.
Cine - n., race, tribe, mankind
Cine Cora - (Irish - Kincora), crossing place of mankind, palace of Brian Bóru on the River Shannon
Cineadh Scuit saor an fine, Mun budh bréag an fháisdine, Mar a fuighid an liagh-fháil, Dlighid flaitheas do ghabhail - The Scots shall brook that realm as native ground, if weirds fail not, where’er this chair is found. Prophesy concerning the Lia Faill.
Cineal (Also Cinneadh. Scots, Lallans - Chlann, Old Irish - Cenéle) - n.m., offspring, clan, kin, tribe, children, surname, kindred
Cineal Aedh Buidhe - Children of Yellow Haired Hugh. Clan ÓNeill of Clandeboye & Lecale.
Cineal Alasdair ua Ceanntir - Children of the Bull Calf of the Headland. Clan MacAlister of Loup.
Cineal Andrias - Children of Fearchar Mac-an-tsagairt, Abbot of Applecross. Clan Ross
Cineal Artair na tir a chladich ile - Children of Arthur of the shore land, Clan MacArthur
Cineal Cholla - Children of Colla (Uais), High King of Ulaidh
Cineal Dubhghlas - Dark Gray's Children, Clan Douglas
Cineal Eanruig - Children of the Injured Bird. Henderson, MacKendrick or MacHenry of Glencoe.
Cineal Gabhrán - Children of the Garrulous One, aka Children of the Wanderers
Cineal Iain Abrach - Children of John of Lochaber, aka Iain Ogh Fraoch (Young Heather John). Clan MacDonald of Glencoe
Cineal Ian Mhór - Children of James The Elder. MacDonald of Islay & Kintyre, aka MacDonnell of Dun Naibhig & The Glens, often referred to as Clan Donald South.
Cineal Ghille Mhuire - Children of the Servant of the Virgin Mary. Clan Gilmore or Gilmer.
Cineal Greumach - Children of the Shoemaker, Clan Graham
Cineal Leabhar Uisge - Children of the Long Water. Clan Lennox
Cineal MacBheatha - Children of the Son of Life, MacBeth, also Meigleathadh or MacAnléigh - physician, Beaton or Bethune
Cineal MacDubh-shithe - Son of the Black Peace or Son of the Dark Fairy (MacDuffie, MacPhee or MacFie and known as MacGuffie or MacHaffie in Galloway.
Cineal MacFhionghuin - Son of the Fair Born, Clan MacKinnon
Cineal MacGrioghair - Children of the Son of the Tease, Clan MacGregor traditionally descend from "Griogar" (the tease), son of King Alpine in the 8th Century and known as Gregor of The Golden Bridles
Cineal MacGuadhre - Children of the Son of the Noble. Clan MacQuarrie Of Ulva And Gometra.
Cineal MacLachlan - Children of the Son of the Viking
Cineal MacMathghamhna - Children of the Son of the Good Yearling Calves (Stupid People). Name perhaps given to Clan MacMahon by their Ui Neill overlords..
Cineal MacMathghamhainn - n.m., Children of the Son of the Bear. Probable actual name of Clan Mahon
Cineal MacMhaolain - MacMhaolain - Son Of the Tonsured aka MacGhillemhaoil - Son of the Boy Priest, Clan MacMillan
Cineal MacNeachdainn - Children of the Son of Nechtan, descended from Nechtan Mhór mac Dereli and the moraers of Moray. Clan MacNaughten
Cineal MacNeil - Children of the Son of Nial, descendants of Aodh ÓNeill, 11th Century King of the north of Ireland. Held the Isle of Barra under the superiority of the lords of The Isles. Clan MacNeill of Barra.
Cineal MacRabhairt - Children of the Son of the Springtide. Clan Robertson of Struan
Cineal MacSgian - Children of the Son of the Dagger. Clan Skene.
Cineal MacShuibhne - Children of the Son of Suibhne. Clan MacQueen of Corybrough.
Cineal MacUalraig - Children of the Son of Ulrick, Clan Kennedy of Lochaber
Cineal ui Cleirigh - Children of the Noble Clergy, Clan Cleary
Cineal Mág Uidhir - Children of the Dun Ridge or district jesters, local comedians, humorous bards. Clan Maguire.
Cineal mo chinnidh mi - the children of my tribe
Cineal na Breitheamh - Children of the Judge or Breive. Morrison of Habost.
Cineal ÓBroin - Children of the Descendants of Bran, Clan ÓByrne
Cineal ÓCathan - Children of the Descendants of The Wild Goose, Clan ÓCahan, Kane, Keane or ÓCain
Cineal ÓCeallaigh Ui Máine - Descendants of Kelly of the Noble Mania
Cineal ÓDómhnaill - Children of the Descendants of World Ruler, ÓDonnell
Cineal ÓMórdha - Children of the Descendants of The Magnificent One, Clan ÓMore
Cineal Ros - Children of the Wooded Promontory. Clan Rose of Kilravock.
Cineal Ruairidh - Children of The Redhead, descendants of Ruairidh (fl.1210), second son of Ranald, 2nd of The Isles and progenitor of Clan MacRory.
Cineal Stillbhard - Children of the Steward. Clan Stuart or Stewart.
Cineal ua Dhomhnuil nan Eilean - Children of the noble World Mighty of the Isles. MacDonald
Cineal ua Niáll na Tir Eoghan - Children of the Champion of the Land of Owen. ÓNeill of Tyrone.
Cineal Uillin - Children of Uillin. Clan MacQuillin or MacQuillan.
Cineal Uisdein - Children of Hugh. Clan MacDonald of Sleate.
Cinn - v. grow, increase; vegetate, multiply; result from, happen; grow taller
Cinn - n.m.pl., heads
Cinneidigh -Ugly Headed (Kennedy)
Cinnteach (Cinntiche) - adj., sure, certain
Ciobair - n.m., a shepherd
Ciotach - left handed
Ciod? (Gu de? De?) - inter., what?
Cion (Gean, Gradh, Gra', Searc) - n., love
Ciotach - left handed
Cis - n.f., tax, tribute, impost, subjection
Cis a Mul - Eminence of Tribute
Ciste - n.f., a chest, a coffin, a storage place
Clach (Ail, Cloch) - n.f., a stone, stone weight, a rock, a boulder
Clachain - n.f.pl., stones, rocks, boulders
Clachain Aoraidh - Worship Stones
Clachain Maighdeann H’Uileann - Maidens’ Elbow Rocks. A navigational hazard off the east coast of Antrim
Clachair - n.m., a mason
Clach Leathad - Rocky Slope
Clach Mhicíllean - MacLean’s Stone, Islay
Clach nam Braetann - Stone of the Britons, northwestern border marker of Strathclyde
Cladh (Reilig) - n.m., a trench, graveyard, churchyard, cemetery
Cladh - v., spawn, as fish
Cladh Chiaran - prop.n., Spawn of the Swarthy Men
Cladach -n.m., a shore
Clag (Cloig) - n., bell
Claidh - n., adj., trench
Claidheamh Mhór (Claymore) - n.m., great sword, eight foot long two handed sword used by Gaelic warriors, lit. great trench blade
Claig - n., trench, ditch, moat
Clann (Scots, Lallans, Gaelic - Cineal) - n., children, children of, descendants of
Clár - n.m., plank, table, board, bottom of a chest or coffin, stave of a cask, program, lid, flat surface
Clarsach - n., 32 stringed Gaelic harp
Clé (Cli) - adj., left, left handed, slow, awkward, feeble (ar clé - on the left)
Cleas - n.m., trick, craft, feat, stratagem
Cléireach - n.m., cleric, clerk, beadle or church officer
Cleit - n.m., a ridge or reef of sunken rocks, eaves, a rocky eminence, a stone beehive
Cliabh - nm., a creel, also breast, chest
Cliach - n.m., feeble man
Cliath - n., hurdle
Cloch Temhair - prop.n., Tara Stone
Cloiche - adj., stone
Cloigin - n., bell
Cloig theach - Belfry, Bell House, monastic round tower
Cloinne - n., descendants of
Clon - n., Clone, duplicate
Clon - v., Clone duplicate, make, create
Clon Tarbh (Clontarf) - prop. n., the making of bull seals, 1014 Irish battle
Cluain (Móinéar) - n., meadow
Cluainerard - Clonard, Meadow of the Most High, monastery located on the River Boyne in Co. Meath
Cluain-fearta Brenainn - Clonfert, Holy Meadow of Brendan, monastery founded by St Brendan in Co.Galway
Cluain mic Nois - Clonmacnoise, Meadow of Evil Inspiration, monastery on the River Shannon in Co. Offaly
Cluas - n.f., an ear
Cluinn (Cluinntinn) - irr. v., hear
Cnáimh - n.m., a bone
Cnoc (Cnulc,) - n.m., small round hill, a knoll, an eminence
Cnoc á Bráighid - Hill of the Thief’s Collar, execution site on Islay
Cnoc Aingeal - Angel’s Hill (on Iona)
Cnoc an Amhairc - Lookout Hill
Cnoc Araich - Battle Hill
Cnoc Leithid - prop.n., Match Hill. At 1686 feet, the 4th highest point in Co. Antrim
Cnoc na Cloiche (Knocknacloy) - Hill of Stones
Cnoc nan Aighean - Hill of the Hind (Doe)
Cnoc na Nús (Knocknanuss) - Hill of First Milk (after calving). A battle site in Co. Cork
Cnoc na Sgrioidlaine - Hill of the Screaming. A massacre site on Rathlin Island.
Cnoc n’ Crona - Hill of Harm
Cnoc Órail - Gold Hill, Hill of Gold. A high point in the Glens of Antrim
Cnoc Tuagh (Knockdoe) - Hill of the Axes
Cnoid - n.m., a splendid present
Cnoideart - n.m., (Norse Gaelic) Splendid Present of the Shallow Sea Loch, Scots - Knoidart.
Co ? - inter., pro., who?
Co-Arb - n.m., (Scottish) secular trustee of Celtic Church property (Irish - Erenach, old Irish - Airchinnech)
Cobach - n., (old Irish) duty or tribute of military service to the clan.
Cobhartach - n.m., booty, spoils
Cócaire - n.m. & f., a cook
Cócaireachd - adv., cooking, food preparation
Cogadh - vbl.,n.m., war, warfare, warring, jibing
Coicidh (Cóiced) - n., province, minor kingdom, in Ireland a "fifth"
Cóig - nu., adj., five
Cóig-deug - number fifteen
Cóigeach - n.f., a hand
Cóigead - number fifty
Cóigeamh - the fifth
Cóignear - nu., n., five persons
Coigreach - n.m., religious relic, a stranger, a guest
Coille - n.f., a wood, forest (fón choill - outlawed)
Coille Chnagaidh - Crooked Wood (Scots, Lallans - Killiecrankie)
Coillteach - n.f., woods, forest, wilds, woodland
Coilltear - n.m., a saunterer, wanderer
Coilltean - n.f.pl., woods
Cóinneach - n.f., bog, moss
Coir (Corach, Coire) - n., adv., right, justice
Coire (Scots, Lallans - Corrie) - n., small hollow in the side of a hill
Coiste - v., swear (as to take an oath)
Co leis ? - inter.pro., whose
Cólan - n.m., fellow-soldier, companion
Colonsay (Norse) - prop.n., Companion Island, also Saint Columba's Isle
Colin (Culen) - (Gaelic) n.m., (Scots, Lallans) whelp
Coll - n.m., a hazel tree
Colla - name, man of hazel, i.e. a strong man.
Colla Chiotaich - prop.n., Coll The Left Handed (of Keppoch) aka Colkitto.
Colla da Crich - prop.n., The Youngest Colla. Eponymous ancestor of ÓCellaigh ui Maine (Clan Kelly)
Colla mo rún, seachain an Dún! - Coll, my beloved, avoid the castle!
Colla Maol Dubh - Bald , dark Coll (Also known as Colla nan Capull)
Colla Meann - prop.n., Famous Strong Man. Eponymous ancestor of Cineal ÓCearbhaill (Clan ÓCarroll)
Colla nam Bo - Coll of the Cows, Coll MacDonell, 15th chief of Keppoch who served under Dundee in 1688 and who was known for his ability to find MacIntosh hidden cattle.
Colla nan Capull - Coll of the Horses, Captain of the Route from 1555 to 1558
Colla Uais - prop.n., Noble Strong Man. Eponymous ancestor of Cineal Cholla
Collach - n.m., a boar (see Cullach)
Collai - adj., (Irish) sexual
Colleen - nf., girl, unmarried woman
Collop - n.m., a tariff paid by raiders for passing through another clan’s lands.
Colm (Colum, Calum) - (Scots - Colum, Latin - Columba) name, prop.n., Dove
Colm Cille - Dove of the Church, Saint Columba
Comhairle - n.f., advice, counsel, a council, a convocation
Cómhla (Comhla ris) - adv., along with, together, in company with
Cómhla - n.f., door, gate
Comnadh - adv., may help, please help
Con (Chon) - gen.pl. of cu - dogs, hounds
Cónai - nm., dwelling, residence, place of peace, place of security
Cónaigh - v., dwell, reside
Conaire Mhór Riata (aka Conn Cétchathach) - Great Connor, Victorius King, 2nd Century High King of the Irish and progenitor of the kings of Dalriada
Conchobhar mac Nessa - prop.n., Hound of the Spoils (Connor) son of Nessa, 1st Century King of Connacht
Conghlas (Conalas) - n.m., shroud, head bandage (on the dead)
Conlai - Son of Cú Chulainn in the folklore of Skye.
Conn - name, (old Irish) Fiery, Fierce, Flammable, Intense
Connacht - n. (old Irish), Realm of Conn. Also spelled Connaught. Irish coicidh west of the River Shannon, one of the "Five Fifths" of Ireland
Conn Bacach - Drunken Conn. Last great chief of the Clandeboye ÓNeills c.17th Century.
Conn Cétchathach (aka Conaire Mhór Riata) - prop.n., Conn Of The Hundred Battles, 2nd Century High King of the Irish
Conveth - n., support of chief and company when they visited the area one or two days a year, tribute
Cora (Coradh) - n., (modern Irish) Ford, weir, dam, crossing place
Córa - compar.adj., more befitting
Corach (Churaich) - n., coracle, 4 oared boat made of wicker and hides Coradh - n.m., ford, weir, dam, crossing place
Corbel - v., to build dry stone masonry without use of mortar.
Corcaigh - prop.n., Cork, lit. the swamp
Corci - n., oats
Corco - (Old Irish) adj., n., family, sept
Cormach - n.m., a brewer.
Cormac mac Airt - prop.n., 3rd century High King of the Irish
Corp - n.m., corpse, the body
Corrach - adj., steep
Corrie - n.(Scots - Lallans), round hollow in a hillside, often sheltering game
Corrie Bà - Hollow of The Lullaby
Corrie Dho - hillside hollow for two
Corrie Gabhail - Hollow of Spoil
Corrie na Ruaig - hillside hollow of the rout
Corrievrechan (Scots, Lallans) - n., waves, swells, surf, angry seas (Gaelic - Còs A Bhreacan)
Cos - n.f., a foot
Còs - n.m., 1. a sponge, crevice, hole. 2. a cave, a crevice
Còs A Bhreacan - Hole of Custard. A whirlpool at the head of the Sound of Jura (See Corrievrechan)
Cos An Dall - Foot of the Blind (River), Cushendall
Cos An Duinne - Foot of the Brown (River), Cushendun
Cothrom - adj., adv., level, even, balanced, equal, fairness, corresponding, advantage
Cothrom ábhraígh - advantage of the high ground
Craeb - n., (old Irish) branch, limb
Craeb Ruadh - n., lit. "Red Branch," order of warriors who served the Irish kings of Tara
Cragan - n.m., an earthen jar generally used for oil
Craig - n.m., Peak, eminence, a steep or rocky hill.
Craig nan Fhithich - The Raven’s Rock
Craiganairgid - The Silver Craig. 1519 Battle where Iain, 6th of Ardnamurchan was killed by Donald Galda of Sleate.
Craigeallachie - Craig of the lookout
Crann - n.m., a tree, wood
Crannag - n.f., pulpit, a ship, a boat, cross-trees (of ships), a lake dwelling (Scottish); Crannóc (M.Ir.)
Crannaig - n.f.pl., pulpits, ships, boats, cross-trees, lake dwellings
Crannog - n.m., lit. "young tree." artificial islands built by ancient celts as a defense.
Cranntára - the fiery cross, a beacon, a call to war made of a half burned cross soaked in blood
Cranntáraidh - n.m. plural, fiery crosses
Craobh - n.f., a tree, globules or bells on whisky or any other liquid
Craobh - v., spread, gush out and ramify at the same time
Creach - n.m., loot, plunder, especially stolen cattle
Creag (Creige) - nf., crag, a rock, a precipice
Creagan an Fhitich - The Raven’s Rock, motto of The MacDonells of Glengarry
Creagan nan Riochdaill - Crag of the Skeletons
Creagantairbh Beag - Crag of Little Profit.
Créis - v., Grease, n.f., grease, fat
Crich - n., (old Irish) the end.
Cridhe - n.m., heart
Crioch - n.f., boundary, frontier, landmark, end, conclusion, close
Crios - n., belt
Criosd - n.m., Christ, our Savior
Criosdaidh - n.m., Christian
Criosdail - adj., Christian
Cro - n.f., blood, gore, death
Cró - n.m., a circle, a fold or pen, a hut
Cró - n.f., the eye of a needle, blood, gore, metaphor for death
Crob - (Old Irish) n.m., hand, claw
Crobhan - the bloody, bloody one
Crobhcan (Croucan) - n.m., anything crooked or bent into ill-formed letter S; a dry, broken bit of peat.
Croi - n., heart
Croich - n.f., a gibbet, gallows or cross, a place of execution
Croichticainn - cup marks known as supreme container for wishing execution
Crois - n.f., a cross, a cross-tree on a ship, a yarn reel
Crois Beag - Little Cross. One of two ancient monastic crosses on the Isle of Eigg.
Crois Mhór - Great Cross. One of two ancient monastic crosses on the Isle of Eigg.
Croi’u’il - adj., hearty, cheerful
Crom - adj., crooked, stooped, bent, drooping
Crom - v., stoop, bend
Cromag - n., shepherd's crook, walking stick (Scottish)
Cro n’ galnes (Scots) - n., price for killing paid to kin to avoid blood feud Crotach - adj., humpbacked
Crú - n.m., (Irish) a horseshoe
Cruach - n.f., heap, a stack of hay or peats
Cruadalach - adv., strength
Crubach (Crubaiche) - adj., lame
Cruic’ is uillt’ is Ailpeinich, ach cuin a thaing Artairich? - The hills and the streams and MacAlpine, but whence came MacArthur?
Cruie - n., hills
Crùisle - n.m., friary
Crùisle Bun Na Mairgie - Mouth of a River (of Pity) Friary
Cruithne - n., native, aborigine
Cruth - n.m., shape, form, appearance, expression of countenance
Cruthach - adj., shapely, handsome, identical, exactly like, resembling
Cruthach - n.m., placenta of a mare
Cruthachadh - n.m., the creation, the universe, act of creating
Cú (pl. - Coin) - n.m., a dog, a hound
Cuach - n.f., a wooden cup, a drinking cup
Cuan - nm., ocean
Cuaran - n., Highland knee boot
Cú Chulainn - n., Culann’s dog (hound), legendary Ulster hero
Cuid - indef.pron., some, certain (ones)
Cuideachd (Mar an ceudna) - adv., also
Cuid-eiginn - indef.pron., some person or persons
Cuide (ri, ris, etc.) - prep., along with
Cuidh - n.f., an enclosure
Cuidh Chattain - prop.n., Chattan’s Enclosure
Cùil - n.f., a corner, a recess, a nook, a niche, a hollow, a depression
Cúil Bacaidh - prop.n., Place of Spades. A village in North Antrim
Cúil Dremne - prop.n., Place of Aspiration, aka Cúl Rath, Cúl Drebene, Cooladrummon, Coleraine
Cuilean (Old Irish - Culén) - n.m., whelp, cub, pup, a darling
Cuimhne - n., memory
Cuimhnich - v., remember, bear in mind, recollect
Cúin (Cuin) - adv., when
Cúin (Cuin) - rel. pron., whence
Cuir (Cur) - v., put, set, sow
Cuis - nf., a matter
Cúis - n., a case, a brief
Cúl (Cuil) - nm., the back part of anything
Culaobh - nm., the back, the back parts
Cullach - n.m., a boar; the male of the larger seal; polecat; a stirk, enuch. Also, a stallion, a hero.
Cúl - n.m., the back of anything, tresses
Cúl Rath - prop.n., Behind The Cattle Pen (Coleraine), town in Ulster.
Cumail - n.f., detention, maintenance, keeping, celebrating
Cumal - n., monetary unit, measure of worth, value of bondswoman or of 3 to 4 cows
Cumhach - adv., sorrow, weeping
Cumhachd - n.m., power, might, strength, energy, ability, authority, commission, permission, influence
Cumhachdach - adj., powerful, having great sway or influence, mighty, strong, able
Cumhang - irr.adj., narrow
Cuntrie - n., (old Irish) clan lands controled by individual families (septs).
Cupan - nm., a cup
Currach (Curach) - n.m., coracle, a one or two man skiff made of wicker and hides
Curraich - n.m.pl., coracles, skiffs
Curraichd - n., much, linen bonnet worn by married women
Cush - n. (Old Irish) mouth, as of a river
Cymru - prop.n., (Welsh) Wales
Dá (Dha) - prep., to him, to his
Dá - nu., adj., two
Dachaidh - nf., a home
Dad - nm., anything
Dá dhiu gun aon roghainn! - Two choices, no pick!
Dagda - n., (old Irish) pagan Celtic god good for everything
Dàil - n.f., a meeting. Also a portion, a tribe.
Daire (see Doire) - n.m., oak, hull of a boat.
Dál - n.f., lot, fate
Dál - prep.(archaic), of the people (clan, cineal, tuath, tribe) of
Dál Cais - Entwined People. Dalcassians, a tribe of southern Ireland
Dál Cuinn - n., Race of Conn, descendants of Conn Ce’tchathach (Conn Of The Hundred Battles)
Dál Fiatach - lit. Children of the Wild Men, a tuath native to Co. Down
Dál n’Araide - name, Descendants of Cattle Drovers. Ancient tuath in North Antrim.
Dall (Dollie) - adj., blind
Dál n’Araide - tuath native to Co. Antrim
Dalriada - n., kingdom of Irish Scots in western Scotland and northern Ireland
Dál Riata - n., (arch.) Descendants of the Victorious King, aka People of the ridge, Riata’s share, of the tribe of Riata. They are the descendants of Connaire Mhór Riata
Dam - n.m., mill-dam, reservoir.
Damh - nm., an ox, a stag
Damh Féidh Dearg - Red Deer Stag
Dan (Dain) - nm., poem
Daoine - n.pl., men
Daoin Uaisle - n., (Scots Gaelic, Scots) gentlemen, feudal aristocracy, armigers
Daonnan - adv., always
Dara (Darna) - nu., adj., the second
Dath (Dã) - v., n.m., color, tinge, dye
Davach - n., ploughgate, the land that could be plowed by a team of eight oxen in a year, about 92 acres
De (an De) - adv., yesterday
De? - inter.pron., what?
De - prep., of
Dé - n.m., (middle Irish) God, of God
Dé - prep., on, during,
Déabhadh - n.m., a shrinking, drying; small trickling of water, last few drops; a soft place between two lochs Deabhaidh (Deabhadh) - n.m., dispute, skirmish, battle
Deagh - adj., good, excellent
Dealg - n.m., (Old Irish) brooch or pin
Dean (Deanamh) - irr.v., do, make
Deara - n., tears
Dearbh (gu dearbh) - adv., certainly
Dearbhflorgaill - nf., given name, Dervorgilla
Dearg (Deirge, Dhream, Flann) - adj., red, blood
Deas - n.m., (Scottish) the south, the right hand
Deas - adj., beautiful, right, south, proper, well shaped, handsome, ready, prepared
Dé Céadaoin - (on) Wednesday
Dé Déardaoin - (on) Thursday
Dé Domhnaigh - (on) Sunday
Dé hAoine - (on) Friday
Deich - nu., adj., ten
Deicheamh - nu., adj., tenth
Deidh (an deidh) - prep., adv., after
Deisceart - n., (Irish) South
Deisceartach - adj., Southern
Dé Luain - (on) Monday
Dé Máirt - (on) Tuesday
Deoch (Dibhe) - nf., a drink
Deochan (Deochannan) - nf.pl., drinks
Deophaisten - n., teacher of religion and law (Scot.)
Deóir - n.pl., tears
Deóirid - n.m., a broken hearted, tearful person
Deóiridh - n.m., an exile, a pilgrim, stranger, destitute person
Deór - n.m., an Almoner
Derbfhine - n.m., certain kin (descendants of a common great-grandfather), close family.
Des - adj., south
Dé Sathairn - (on) Saturday
Des Muma - prop.n., Desmond, South Munster
Deug - part., teen
Deur - n.m., a drop, a tear
Dewar - n., keeper, guardian
Dewar nam Coigreach - keeper of the relics
Á
Dha (Do) - num., n., twoDhachaidh (Dachaidh) - n., adv., home, homeward
Dháindeoin - v., gainsay, deny
Dháindeoin co theiradh e! - MacDonald battle cry, "Gainsay who dare"
Dhia - n., God
Dhiom (Dhiot) - prep., off (of me)
Dhomh (Dhuit) - prep., to (me)
Dhonnachaidh - name, Duncan
Dhonvill - name, brown eye
Dhream (Dearg, Deirge) - n., blood
Dhuil - adv., hope
Dhuimhneach - A Campbell (A Dhuimhneacha, Dhuimhneacha, cuimhnichibh úr boineidean! - Campbells, Campbells, mind your bonnets!)
Digh - n.f., conical mound, a rampart; an abode of fairies
Digh Mhór Thallanta - A noted fairy abode in Islay
Dílse - n., loyalty
Diomailteach (Diomais) - adj., extravagant, wasteful
Dire fine - n., honor price paid to victim's family for murder
Diubh - pp., of them
Diugh (an diugh) - adv., today
Do - poss.pron., thy
Do - prep., to, into
Do - excl., so
Dó (Á Dha) - number two
Dóigh - n.f., method, manner, way, means. Also, village in North Antrim
Doire - n.m., originally an oak grove or a grove generally, a copse, a thicket, a tangle
Doire - prop.n., town of Derry
Dol - n.m., condition, state
Dol (á dol) - v.n., going (á dol air ais - retreating)
Dolméinn - n.m., (old Irish) a portal tomb
Domhan - n.m., the universe, the globe, the whole world
Domhnach - n.m., Sunday, the Sabbath
Dómhnall ~ dubh - n.m. Black Donald. Euphemism for the Devil
Domhnall Ballach - prop.n., Freckled Devil. 2nd Lord of Dun Naibhig & The Glens
Domhnall Odhar mac Alasdair mhic Ghoraidh - Drab Donald, Son of Alexander, Descendant of Gorrie, aka Donald McGorry. Traditional appellation of the progenitor of Siol Ghoraidh.
Domhnuil - ancient Norse name of special significance, world mighty, world ruler, commonly anglicized as Donald
Domhnuil ar Ile - prop.n., World Mighty From Islay, 3rd Of The Isles, progenitor of Cineal ua Dhomhnuil Nan Eilean
Domhnuil Brecc - World Mighty The Freckled, King of Dalriada, k. 641
Domhnuil Gorm Sasunnach - Dark Donald the Saxon, 6th Chief of Sleate
Domhnuil mac’ic Somhairle ar Ile, Righ Innse Gall - World Mighty, grandson of Summer Sailor of Islay, King of the Foreigner’s Isles
Domhnullach (Domhnallach) - n., one of the Donalds
Domhnullaich (Domhnallaich) - n.pl., some of the Donalds, Donalds
Domnach - n.m., Saint
Don - n.m., want, evil, badness (don bidh ort - ill betide thee)
Donbhill - alleged by the Glengarry MacDonells to be a Gaelic word meaning "brown eye." The allegation is unconfirmed in any source that this writer has been able to find.
Donn (nas duinne) - adj., brown, dun, sable, brown-haired; indifferent, bad
Donnachadh - name, Duncan
Donnachadh Reamhar - Fat Duncan, Duncan of Lorne, 4th son of Oengus Mhór and progenitor of Clan Duncan
Dorus - nm., a door
Dorus-árd - n.m., portal
Dorcha - adj., dark
Dram (Drám) - n.m., a dram
Drambhuidhe - prop.n., Good or pleasing Dram, licorice flavored liquor invented by MacDonalds
Draoi (Druidh, Draoidh, Druid) - n.m., generally a scholar, learned person; also specifically a scientist, philosopher, magician, sorcerer, teacher or doctor; a pagan pre-Christian Gaelic priest; a keeper of clan knowledge, secrets or tradition
Drasda (an drasda) - adv., just now
Dréim - n.f., climb, ascent, expectation, aspiration, contention
Dreim - v., climb, ascend, expect, aspire, contend, oppose
Dréimire - n., ladder
Dris - n.f., a thorn, a bramble, a briar
Droch - adj., bad (always precedes the noun)
Drochaid - n.f., a bridge
Druid (Druideadh) - adv., closed, shut
Druidh (Draoi, Draoidh, Druid) - n.m., generally a scholar, learned person; also