Focal an Lae #244
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: bain (BAN) [ban′], baint (BANCH) [ban′t′]
Meaning: bain = cut, reap, extract, get from, remove, touch, etc.
baint = cutting, taking, etc.; connection
Usage:
- Bhain siad an féar. (WAN SHEE-uhd uh FAY-uhr) [van′ s′iːəd ə f′eːr] = They harvested, cut, the hay (grass).
- Bhain mé sult as. (WAN may SULT ahs) [van′ m′eː sult as] = I enjoyed it. (lit., I extracted enjoyment from-it)
- Ní bhaineann sé duit. (nee WAN-uhn shay dihch) [n′iː van′ən s′eː dit′] = It doesn’t concern you. (lit., it doesn’t touch to-you)
History: Old Irish “benaid” (strikes) is a reflex of Indo-European *bi-na-ti, from the root *bhei- (to strike).
English cognates are “bill” (of bird) and “bill” (a weapon or billhook).
Scottish Gaelic: bean