Focal an Lae #96
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: snaidhm (SNYM, Y as in “dry”) [snaim′]
Meaning: snaidhm = knot; to knot, bind
Usage:
- snaidhm reatha (SNYM RA-huh, A as in “cat”) [snaim′ ræhə] = slip-knot (lit., knot of running)
- snaidhm na péiste (... nuh PAYSH-chuh) [... nə p′eːs′t′ə] = the serpent’s knot
(an elaborate way of knotting a rope that pulls free when tugged; will cure a sick cow if made nine times over the animal)
- Chuir siad snaidhm lena dteanga nach scaoilfidh siad lena gcár. = They made a knot with their tongues that they will not untie with their teeth.
Marriage in Ireland, at least until the recent referendum.
History: Old Irish “naidm” (bond) comes from the Indo-European root *ned- (to tie, bind).
Cognates in English include “net” and “node”, from Latin “nodus” (knot).
Another Irish word that originates from the same IE root is “nasc” (tie, tether).
Scottish Gaelic: snaidhm