Focal an Lae #251
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: dall (DAWL) [daːl]
Meaning: dall = blind; blind person; to blind
Usage:
- Rugadh dall í. (RU-goo DAWL ee) [ruguː daːl iː] = She was born blind.
- Tá mé dall ar an matamaitic. (TAW may DAWL ehr uh MAH-tuh-MAH-tihk) [taː m′eː daːl er′ ə matəmat′ək′] = I have no understanding of mathematics.
History: Old Irish “dall”, Welsh “dall” and Breton “dall” come from Indo-European *dhwel-,
the extended zero grade of *dheu- (to rise in a cloud, as dust, smoke; dim the senses).
English “dull” is a cognate. The earliest attestation of this word is in the
Ogam inscription DALAGNIMAQI DALI (= of Dallán son of Dall =
[the stone] of Little-Blind-One son of Blind-One).
Dallán was the name of several famous poets, including Dallán Forgaill who composed a lament for Colm Cille.
Blind poets and musicians were not uncommon in Gaelic society.
Scottish Gaelic: dall