Focal an Lae #320
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: spéis (SPAYSH) [sp′eːs′]
Meaning: spéis = interest, liking
Usage:
- Níl spéis agam ann. (NEEL SPAYSH AH-guhm awn) [n′iːl′ sp′eːs′ agəm an] = I’m not interested in it. (lit., is-not interest at-me in-it)
- Cuireann sí an-spéis i réalteolaíocht. (KWIH-ruhn shee AHN-SPAYSH ih RAY-uhlt-OH-lee-uhkht) [kir′ən s′iː ansp′eːs′ ə reːltoːliːəxt]
= She takes a real interest in astronomy. (lit., puts she great-interest in star-science)
History: Classical Irish “spéis” comes from Anglo-Norman “peis”, from Vulgar Latin “pesare”, from Latin “pensare” (to weigh, consider),
from Latin “pendere” (to hang, weigh), from Indo-European *(s)pen- (to draw, stretch).
Spanish “peso” (weight, monetary unit) is a cognate.
Scottish Gaelic: spèis