sleiveen

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English

[edit]

Alternative forms

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

From Irish slíghbhín, slíbhín, with the same meaning; from sliabh (mountain) (hence the implication that the person is rural).

Pronunciation

[edit]

Noun

[edit]

sleiveen (plural sleiveens)

  1. (Ireland, Newfoundland) A dishonest person; a trickster, usually from a rural area.
    • 1889, WB Yeats, The Ballad of Father O'Hart:
      In trust he took John's lands; / Sleiveens were all his race
    • 2002, Joseph O'Connor, Star of the Sea, Vintage, published 2003, page 298:
      You blackened, filthy sleeveen liar. I curse the living day I ever let you near me.

Translations

[edit]