defnydd

Welsh

Etymology

From Proto-Celtic *damniyom. Cognate with Irish damhna.

Pronunciation

• (North Wales) IPA^(key): /ˈdɛvnɨ̞ð/
• (South Wales) IPA^(key): /ˈdɛvnɪð/

Noun

defnydd m (plural defnyddiau)

1. material, stuff; matter, substance, essence; element, constituent part, particle; make-up, nature
2. matter (for discussion), question, subject matter; work (written or published); content (of book, speech, etc.)
3. (law) requisites
4. implement, instrument, gear; part, accessory
5. use, service; application; purpose, end, effect
6. cause, occasion, reason; origin
7. (future) form or status

Usage notes

When referring to physical "material" such as "fabric" or "cloth", the word defnydd tends to be used. deunydd, on the other hand, usually refers to other kinds of material sych as deunydd dysgu "learning material".

Derived terms

• defnydd-deb (“economic utility”)
• defnyddio (“to use”)
• defnyddiol (“useful”)
• defnyddiwr (“user, consumer”)

Mutation

Mutated forms of defnydd

radical	soft	nasal	aspirate
defnydd	ddefnydd	nefnydd	unchanged

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

References

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