Focal an Lae #330
The Word of the Day in Irish

Word: meáchan (MYAW-khuhn) [m′aːxən]

Meaning: meáchan = weight

Usage:

History: Middle Irish “medachán” (act of weighing, weight) comes from Old Irish “med” (scales, weight), from Indo-European *medā, from the root *med- (to measure, take appropriate measures). Cognates in English include “mete” and “mode”. Related words in Modern Irish are “meá” (scales, scale) and “meas” (estimation, judgment).

Scottish Gaelic: meidh (balance, scales). “Cudthrom” (See Focal #167) is used for weight.

2008-06-19 CPD