gwair

Welsh

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɡwai̯r/
• Rhymes: -ai̯r

Etymology 1

From Middle Welsh gweir, from Proto-Brythonic *gweɣr, from Proto-Celtic *wegrom, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *h₂weg- (“increase, enlarge”) via a sense ‘outgrowth’. Cognate with Cornish gora and Old Irish fér (“grass”).

Noun

gwair m (plural gweiriau)

1. hay
2. grass

   Synonyms: glaswellt, gwelltglas

Derived terms

• clefyd y gwair (“hay fever”)
• gwair merllyn (“quillwort”)
• gweirdir (“meadowland”)
• gweirglodd (“meadow”)
• gweiryn (“blade of grass”)
• neidr y gwair (“grass snake”)
• sboncyn y gwair (“grasshopper”)
• silwair (“silage”)

 

Etymology 2

Noun

gwair m (uncountable)

1. bend, curve, ring

Usage notes

This word is only found in compounds (see below).

Derived terms

• anniwair (“unchaste”)
• diwair (“chaste”)
• genwair (“fishing rod”)
• mynwair (“torque, collar”)

Mutation

Welsh mutation
radical	soft	nasal	aspirate
gwair	wair	ngwair	unchanged
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

References

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