neidr ddefaid

Welsh

Etymology

From neidr (“snake”) and defaid (“sheep (pl.)”).

Pronunciation

• (North Wales) IPA^(key): /ˌnei̯dr ˈðɛvai̯d/
  • (North Wales, colloquial) IPA^(key): /ˌnei̯dɪr ˈðɛvɛd/
• (South Wales, standard, colloquial) IPA^(key): /ˌnei̯dr ˈðeːvɛd/
  • (South Wales, colloquial) IPA^(key): /ˌnei̯dɪr ˈðeːvɛd/, /ˌnei̯dɪr ˈðɛvɛd/

Noun

neidr ddefaid f (plural nadroedd defaid or nadredd defaid, not mutable)

1. slow-worm, blindworm (Anguis fragilis)

   Synonyms: madfall, pwl-dall, slorwm

Mutation

Welsh mutation
radical	soft	nasal	aspirate
neidr ddefaid	unchanged	unchanged	unchanged

Further reading

• R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “neidr ddefaid”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies