Focal an Lae #161
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: naomh (NEEV) [niːv]
Meaning: naomh = saint; holy
Usage:
- Naomh Peadar (NEEV PAD-uhr) [niːv pædər] = Saint Peter
- Rinneadh naomh de. (RIHN-yoo NEEV jeh) [rin′uː niːv d′e] = He was canonized. (lit., (some)one-made saint of-him)
- An Spiorad Naomh (uh SPIHR-uhd NEEV) [ə sp′irəd niːv] = The Holy Spirit
History: Old Irish “noíb” goes back to Indo-European *noi-bho- (good, holy), from the root *nei- (to be excited, shine).
Irish “niamh” (brilliance, lustre, sheen) is a cognate, as is English “neat”, which comes from Latin “nitere” (to shine).
Scottish Gaelic: naomh