Focal an Lae #18
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: draoi (DREE)
Meaning: draoi = druid, wizard, magician
Usage: Here it is, folks: a word to conjure with. Heaven knows there
has been plenty of conjuring with it over the last century, as it has
been variously interpreted and appropriated. In translating “draoi”
from Irish tales, “magician” or “sorcerer” would often be the most
accurate equivalent. The work of a “draoi” is “draíocht” (DREE-uhxt):
- faoi dhraíocht (Fwee GHREE-uhxt) = enchanted, under a spell
- ceol draíochta (KYOHL DREE-uhx-tuh) = enchanting music (lit., music of magic)
History: Old Irish “druí” derives from the hypothetical Common Celtic
word *dru-wid-, meaning “he who has firm knowledge”. “Dru-” can be
traced back to the Indo-European root *deru- (to be firm, steadfast).
“Wid-” goes back to *woid-e (he knows), from the root *weid- (to see).
English cognates of *deru- are “true” and “tree”, and of *weid- are “wit”
and “wise”. The English word “druid” comes not from Irish, but from the
Latin version of the Gaulish word.
Scottish Gaelic: draoidh (alas, I have no idea how to convey in writing the sound of the diphthong)