francach

See also: Francach

Irish

Alternative forms

• frangcach (superseded spelling)

Pronunciation

• (Munster) IPA^(key): /ˈfˠɾˠɑuŋkəx/
• (Aran) IPA^(key): /ˈfˠɾˠæŋkəx/
• (Cois Fharraige) IPA^(key): /ˈfˠɾˠaːŋkəx/
• (Mayo) IPA^(key): /ˈfˠɾˠaŋkəx/
• (Ulster) IPA^(key): /ˈfˠɾˠaŋka(x)/

Etymology 1

From luch Fhrancach (literally “French mouse”).

Noun

francach m (genitive singular francaigh, nominative plural francaigh)

1. rat

Declension

Declension of francach

First declension

Bare forms: Case Singular Plural Nominative francach francaigh Vocative a fhrancaigh a fhrancacha Genitive francaigh francach Dative francach francaigh

Forms with the definite article: Case Singular Plural Nominative an francach na francaigh Genitive an fhrancaigh na bhfrancach Dative leis an bhfrancach don fhrancach leis na francaigh

Derived terms

• caochfhrancach (“mole rat”)
• francach donn (“brown rat”)
• muscfhrancach (“muskrat”)
• nimh francach (“rat poison”)

 

Etymology 2

Adjective

francach (genitive singular masculine francaigh, genitive singular feminine francaí, plural francacha, not comparable)

1. Alternative form of Francach (“foreign, exotic; large”)

Declension

Declension of francach

	Singular		Plural (m/f)
Positive	Masculine	Feminine	(strong noun)	(weak noun)
Nominative	francach	fhrancach	francacha; fhrancacha²
Vocative	fhrancaigh		francacha
Genitive		francaí	francacha	francach
Dative	francach; fhrancach¹	fhrancach; fhrancaigh (archaic)	francacha; fhrancacha²
Comparative	níos francaí
Superlative	is francaí

¹ When the preceding noun is lenited and governed by the definite article.
² When the preceding noun ends in a slender consonant.

Derived terms

• aiteann francach (“tall furze”)
• bolgach fhrancach (“syphilis”)
• cearc fhrancach (“turkey(-hen)”)
• cnó francach (“walnut”)
• coileach francach (“turkey-cock”)
• fuáil fhrancach (“herringbone stitch”)
• pónaire fhrancach (“french, haricot, bean”)
• saileachán francach (“rosebay willow herb”)

 

Mutation

Irish mutation
Radical	Lenition	Eclipsis
francach	fhrancach	bhfrancach
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

Further reading

• Ó Dónaill, Niall (1977) “francach”, in Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla, Dublin: An Gúm, →ISBN