Focal an Lae #116
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: geis (GEHSH) [g′es′]
Meaning: geis = taboo; prohibition; spell, enchantment
Usage:
- Is geis dom a hainm a rá. (iss GEHSH dom uh HAN-uhm uh RAW) [is g′es′ dom ə hænəm ə raː] = It’s taboo for me to say her name.
- Tá sé faoi gheasa aici. (TAW SHAY FWEE YA-suh EH-kyih) [taː s′eː fiː jæsə ek′i] = He is enthralled by her. (lit., he is under spells at-her)
The “geis” (plural “geasa”) is a common plot device in early Irish literature, and whether observed or broken, it typically leads to tragedy.
Fearghas Mac Róigh was under geis never to refuse an invitation to a feast. The king took advantage of this to detain him on his way
to Emhain Macha, so that Deirdre and the Sons of Uisneach were without his protection and the king’s men were able to fall on them with impunity.
Cú Chulainn was under one geis never to refuse hospitality and under another never to eat dog meat. Observing the former, he violated the
latter, and his death followed shortly.
History: Old Irish “geis” is related to the verb “guidid” (pray) [see the previous Focal, #115], whose 3rd singular subjunctive form,
for example, is “geis”.
Scottish Gaelic: geas