Aifreann

Irish

Alternative forms

• Aiffreann, Aifrean, Aifrion, Aifrionn (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle Irish aifrend, from Old Irish oifrend, from Latin offerenda, from offerō. Cognate with Scottish Gaelic Aifreann, Welsh offeren, and Breton oferenn.

Pronunciation

• (Munster) IPA^(key): /ˈafʲ(ə)ɾʲən̪ˠ/
• (Aran) IPA^(key): /ˈafʲɾʲən̪ˠ/, (rare) /ˈɪfʲɾʲən̪ˠ/
• (Cois Fharraige) IPA^(key): /ˈæfʲɾʲən̪ˠ/
• (Ulster) IPA^(key): /ˈafʲɾʲən̪ˠ/
• Homophone: ifreann (one Aran pronunciation)

Noun

Aifreann m (genitive singular Aifrinn, nominative plural Aifrinn or Aifreannacha or Aifrinntí)

1. Mass (liturgical service or the music for it)

   An ndeachaigh tú ar Aifreann Dé Domhnaigh?

   Did you go to Mass on Sunday?

   • 1894 March, Peadar Mac Fionnlaoigh, “An rí nach robh le fagháil bháis”, in Irisleabhar na Gaedhilge, volume 1:5, Dublin: Gaelic Union, pages 185–88:

     Bhí sagart ar an altóir ⁊ d’fhiafruigh sé an robh an duine annsin a dhéanfadh Aifrionn a fhritheóladh.

     There was a priest on the altar, and he asked if there was anybody there to serve Mass.

Declension

Declension of Aifreann

First declension

Bare forms: Case Singular Plural Nominative Aifreann Aifrinn Vocative a Aifrinn a Aifreanna Genitive Aifrinn Aifreann Dative Aifreann Aifrinn

Forms with the definite article: Case Singular Plural Nominative an tAifreann na hAifrinn Genitive an Aifrinn na nAifreann Dative leis an Aifreann don Aifreann leis na hAifrinn

• Alternative plural forms: Aifreannacha (Cois Fharraige), Aifrinntí

Derived terms

• Aifreannach
• Ard-Aifreann

Mutation

Irish mutation
Radical	Eclipsis	with h-prothesis	with t-prothesis
Aifreann	nAifreann	hAifreann	tAifreann
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

Further reading

• Ó Dónaill, Niall (1977) “Aifreann”, in Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla, Dublin: An Gúm, →ISBN
• Dinneen, Patrick S. (1904) “Aifreann”, in Foclóir Gaeḋilge agus Béarla, 1st edition, Dublin: Irish Texts Society, page 9
• de Bhaldraithe, Tomás (1959) “Aifreann”, in English-Irish Dictionary, An Gúm
• “Aifreann”, in New English-Irish Dictionary, Foras na Gaeilge, 2013-2024

Scottish Gaelic

Alternative forms

• aifreann, aifrionn
• Aifhreann (mainland)

Etymology

From Middle Irish aifrend, from Old Irish oifrend, from Latin offerenda, from offerō.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈafrʲənˠ/

Noun

Aifreann m or f (genitive singular Aifrinn, plural Aifreannan)

1. Mass (liturgical service or the music for it)

Usage notes

• In Scottish Catholic areas, the feminine gender is used.

Derived terms

• taigh-aifrinn m (“mass-house”)

Mutation

Scottish Gaelic mutation
Radical	Eclipsis	with h-prothesis	with t-prothesis
Aifreann	nAifreann	h-Aifreann	tAifreann
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

Further reading

• Edward Dwelly (1911) “Aifreann”, in Faclair Gàidhlig gu Beurla le Dealbhan [The Illustrated Gaelic–English Dictionary]‎^[1], 10th edition, Edinburgh: Birlinn Limited, →ISBN