Focal an Lae #350
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: iolar (IH-luhr) [ilər]
Meaning: iolar = eagle
Usage:
- Is éan creiche é an t-iolar. (iss AY-uhn KREH-huh ay uhn CHIH-luhr) [is eːn k′r′ehə eː ən t′ilər] = The eagle is a bird of prey.
- An bhfaca tú iolar fíréan riamh? (uh WAH-kuh too IH-luhr FEER-ay-uhn REE-uhv) [ə vakə tuː ilər f′iːr′eːn r′iːəv] = Did you ever see a golden eagle?
History: Middle Irish “ilar” comes from Old Irish “irar”, which, along with Welsh “eryr” and Breton “erer”,
comes from the Indo-European root *or- (large bird).
Cognates in English include “ornithology” and “erne” (a kind of sea eagle).
Scottish Gaelic: iolaire