Manx

edit

Etymology

edit

From Middle Irish spéir, from Latin sphēra, sphaera (ball, globe, sphere), from Ancient Greek σφαῖρα (sphaîra, ball, globe). Compare Irish spéir, Scottish Gaelic speur.

Pronunciation

edit

Noun

edit

speyr f (genitive singular speyr, plural speyraghyn)

  1. the sky
    • 1899, J. J. Kneen, Goan Oshin rish y ghrian [Ossian's address to the sun], Isle of Man Examiner:
      T’ou cheet magh ayns dt’ aalid’s pooaral, as ta ny rollageyn follaghey nyn goorse; ta’n eayst, gyn-niart, goll veih’n speyr, follaghtyn eehene fo honn sy sheear.
      Thou comest forth in thy powerful beauty, and the stars hide their course; the moon, without strength, goes from the sky, hiding herself under a wave in the west.

Usage notes

edit

The word speyr is recorded by Cregeen and Kelly but is otherwise uncommon and the more usual word is aer.

Mutation

edit
Mutation of speyr
radical lenition eclipsis
speyr unchanged unchanged

Note: Certain mutated forms of some words can never occur in standard Manx.
All possible mutated forms are displayed for convenience.