géibheann

Irish

Alternative forms

• géibhionn (obsolete)

Etymology

From Old Irish gébend.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɟeːvʲən̪ˠ/
• (Cork) IPA^(key): /ˈɟeːvʲɪɲ/ (as if spelled géibhing)

Noun

géibheann m (genitive singular géibhinn, nominative plural géibhinn)

1. fetter, prison
2. hobble, trouble, great distress, danger, strait

Usage notes

The word is masculine in Corca Dhuibhne in County Kerry, but feminine in County Cork, where the historical feminine dative singular géibhinn is now used as nominative. In Cape Clear Island, géibhinn is pronounced with a final /ɲ/ (as if spelled géibhing), which is unexpected since historical -inn became /ənʲ/ in the barony of Carbery West and in County Kerry.

Declension

Declension of géibheann

First declension

Bare forms: Case Singular Plural Nominative géibheann géibhinn Vocative a ghéibhinn a ghéibheanna Genitive géibhinn géibheann Dative géibheann géibhinn

Forms with the definite article: Case Singular Plural Nominative an géibheann na géibhinn Genitive an ghéibhinn na ngéibheann Dative leis an ngéibheann don ghéibheann leis na géibhinn

Derived terms

• géibheannach
• i ngéibheann

Mutation

Irish mutation
Radical	Lenition	Eclipsis
géibheann	ghéibheann	ngéibheann
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

Further reading

• Dinneen, Patrick S. (1904) “géiḃeann”, in Foclóir Gaeḋilge agus Béarla, 1st edition, Dublin: Irish Texts Society, page 358
• Ó Dónaill, Niall (1977) “géibheann”, in Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla, Dublin: An Gúm, →ISBN