síofra

Irish

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈʃiːfˠɾˠə/

Noun

síofra m (genitive singular síofra, nominative plural síofraí)

1. (mythology) elf, sprite
2. (mythology) elf-child; changeling
   1. precocious child
3. weakling

Declension

Declension of síofra (fourth declension)

bare forms case singular plural nominative síofra síofraí vocative a shíofra a shíofraí genitive síofra síofraí dative síofra síofraí forms with the definite article case singular plural nominative an síofra na síofraí genitive an tsíofra na síofraí dative leis an síofra don síofra leis na síofraí

Derived terms

• síofra beag gránna (“gnome”)
• síofra uisce (“water-sprite”)
• síofrach (“elfin, fairylike”, adjective)
• síofróg (“elf-woman, fairy; enchantress”)
• síofróir (“precocious person; know-all; silly talker, gossip”)
• síofrúil (“elf-like, spectral, ghostly”, adjective)

 

Related terms

• sí
• síofrógach
• síofrógacht
• síofróir
• síofróireacht
• sióg
• síogaí

 

Mutation

Mutated forms of síofra

radical	lenition	eclipsis
síofra	shíofra after an, tsíofra	not applicable

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

References

• Ó Dónaill, Niall (1977) “síofra”, in Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla, Dublin: An Gúm, →ISBN
• de Bhaldraithe, Tomás (1959) “síofra”, in English-Irish Dictionary, An Gúm
• “síofra”, in New English-Irish Dictionary, Foras na Gaeilge, 2013-2024