Focal an Lae #119
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: marcaíocht (MAHR-kwee-uhkht) [markiːəxt]
Meaning: marcaíocht = horseback riding; ride, lift
Usage:
- máistir marcaíochta (MAWSH-chihr MAHR-kwee-uhkh-tuh) [maːs′t′ər′ markiːəxtə] = riding master
- Fuair sé marcaíocht abhaile. (FOO-uhr shay MAHR-kwee-uhkht uh-WAH-luh) [fuər′ s′eː markiːəxt əval′ə] = He got a lift home.
History: Marcaíocht is based on “marc”, a literary word for horse.
Old Irish “marc”, Welsh “march”, Breton “marh” and Gaulish “marka” all come from Indo-European *marko- (horse).
English cognates include “mare” and “marshal” (from Germanic “marah-scalc”
[horse-servant]).
Scottish Gaelic: marcachd