Focal an Lae #24
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: peann (PYAHN)
Meaning: peann = pen (for writing)
Usage:
- Tá peann nua agam. (TAW PYAHN NOO-uh ah-guhm) = I have a new pen.
- peann tobair (PYAHN TO-bwir) = fountain pen (lit., pen of well)
History: Nearly all Irish words that relate to literate pursuits were
borrowed early on from Latin. Old Irish “penn” comes from Latin “penna”
(feather), which goes back to Indo-European *pet-na-, a suffixed form of
the root *pet- (to rush, fly).
Scottish Gaelic: peann (PYAOON - rhymes with down)