Focal an Lae #133
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: nigh (NYIH) [n′i]
Meaning: nigh = wash
Usage:
- Nigh do lámha. (NYIH duh LAW-wuh) [n′i də laːvə] = Wash your hands.
- Tá sé ag ní na soithí. (TAW shay uh NYEE nuh SEH-hee) [taː s′eː ə n′iː nə sehiː] = He’s washing the dishes.
History: Old Irish “nigid” (washes) comes from the Indo-European root *neigw- (to wash).
The only English cognate is “nix” (water sprite), from Germanic *nikwiz.
Scottish Gaelic: nigh