spàin

See also: spáin, Spain, and 'spáin

Scottish Gaelic

Etymology

Borrowed from Old Norse spánn, spónn (compare Manx spein).

Noun

spàin f (genitive singular spàine, plural spàinean)

1. spoon
   • 1894, Gaelic Society of Glasgow, Papers, page 292:

     Leighiseadh biadh á spàin adhairc bò bheò iomadh tinneas—'S e sin spàin a bha air a dèanamh de adhairc a chaill mart a bha fathast beò. 'N uair a rachadh am mart a mharbhadh, chailleadh an spàin a feartan leighis.

     A live cow's horn spoon cured many ailments—It was a spoon made from the horns of a lost cow that was still alive. When the cow was killed, the spoon lost its healing properties.

Derived terms

• spàin-bhùird (“tablespoon”)
• spàin-fhiodha (“wooden spoon”)
• spàin-teatha (“teaspoon”)