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• frangcach (superseded spelling)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

Mutated forms of francach

radical	lenition	eclipsis
francach	fhrancach	bhfrancach

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

Further reading

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