Focal an Lae #149
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: nathair (NAH-hihr) [nahər′]
Meaning: nathair = snake
Usage:
- nathair nimhe (NAH-hihr NIH-vuh) [nahər′ n′iv′ə] = poisonous snake (lit., snake of poison)
- “Mheall an nathair mé agus d’ith mé.” = “The serpent beguiled me and I ate.” (Genesis 3.13)
- Is é an nathair é. (SHAY uhn NAH-hihr ay) [s′eː ən nahər′ eː] = He’s a snake (cunning and dishonest). (lit., he is the snake)
History: Old Irish “nathir” and Welsh “neidr” come from Indo-European *nētr- (snake).
The English cognate is “adder”, from Middle English “naddre”.
Scottish Gaelic: nathair