nàmhaid

See also: namhaid and námhaid

Scottish Gaelic

Alternative forms

• nàmh

Etymology

From Middle Irish náma, from Old Irish námae, from Proto-Celtic *nāmants, traditionally said to be from Proto-Indo-European *ne (“not”) + *h₂em- (“love”) (compare Latin amō), but as that verb root is not otherwise attested in Celtic, this may be a folk etymology.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈn̪ˠãːvətʲ/
• (South Uist, Barra, Skye) IPA^(key): [ˈn̪ˠãːætʲ]

Noun

nàmhaid m (genitive singular nàmhad, plural nàimhdean)

1. enemy

   "Bior a d’dhòrn na fàisg;/ Easbhuidheachd ri d’ nàmhaid na rùisg;/ Ri gearradh-sgian a d’ fheòl na èisd;/ Bèist nimheil ri d’ bheò na dùisg." ― "A thorn in your grasp, do not squeeze;/ Thy wants to thine enemy do not bare;/ The dagger’s point to your flesh do not hear;/ A venomous reptile do not rouse."