Focal an Lae #17
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: uasal (OO-uh-suhl)
Meaning: uasal = noble
Usage: Uasal is both an adjective and a noun:
- bean uasal (BAN OO-uh-suhl) = a lady (lit., a noble woman)
- An tUasal Seán ó Sé (uhn TOO-uh-suhl SHAWN oh SHAY) = Mr. Seán ó Sé (lit., The Nobleman S. ó S.)
- na huaisle (nuh HOO-ish-luh) = the fairy folk (lit., the nobles)
History: Old Irish “úasal” can be derived from a reconstructed Common
Celtic *(o)uxs-elo-s. The earliest attested form of this word is the
Gaulish “uxellos”, as in Uxello-dunum (High Fort), a placename which
has survived as Issoudun, Exoudun, etc. Modern Celtic cognates include
Welsh “uchel” and Breton “uhel”, both meaning “high”. The Indo-European
root *upo- (over, etc.) is the ultimate source. English cognates include
“up” and “above”.
Scottish Gaelic: uasal (OO-uh-suhl)