Focal an Lae #276
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: maor (MWEE-uhr) [miːr]
Meaning: maor = steward, warden, overseer, major (in army)
Usage:
- Bhí sé ina mhaor san arm. (VEE shay uh-nuh WEE-uhr suhn AH-ruhm) [v′iː s′eː ənə viːr sən arəm] = He was a major in the army.
- Fuair mé ticéad ón mhaor tráchta. (FOO-ihr may CHIH-kayd ohn WEE-uhr TRAWKH-tuh) [fuːər′ m′eː t′ik′eːd oːn viːr traːxtə]
= I got a ticket from the traffic warden (traffic cop).
- maor géim (MWEE-uhr GAYM) [miːr g′eːm′] = game warden
History: Old Irish “máer” comes from Latin “major” (greater), which comes from Indo-European *mag-yos- (greater), from the root *meg- (great).
Cognates in English include “major” and “mayor”.
Scottish Gaelic: maor