Rhea in Gaelic
The following taken from "Faclair Gaidhlig Gu Beurla le Dealbhan" (Gaelic-English Dictionary with Illustrations), Edward Dwelly, ninth edition, 1977, Gairm Publications, 29 Waterloo Street, Gaslgow
èlong like e in there
élong like a in fame
eshort like e in jet
eshort like a in rate
eshort, indiscriminate sound
p. 751
readh-see riadh (p. 756) (pronounced approximately "RAY-ugh")
readh-adj.,tough, hard (pronounced approximately "RAY-ugh")
readh-see readhag(for which no entry)
readh-see rachadh(pronounced approx. RAH-ughp. 744)
p. 744
rachadh1.Past subjunctivce of rach, would go.2. 2nd and 3rd person, singular and plural imperative of rach.Rachadh e, let him go. (pronounced approximately "RAH-ugh")
p.756
riadh, rèidh, substantive (noun, 2nd form pronounced approximately "ray", 1ST form (pronounced approximately "REE-ugh"), masc.1.Interest of money,2.Usury, rent, hire
riadh, substantive (noun), masc.1.Correction2.Racing3.Taming
4.Grief5.Kind of capital punishment among the Irish Gael
riadh, -a, -an, substantive (noun), fem.,1.Snare2.Rib
riadh, verb, active,1.To hang,2. To crucify
riadh - see riagh (p. 757)
riadh, substantive (noun), masc.1.Row, drill, as of potatoes
p. 757
riagh, adj., religious
riagh, -a [& reigh**,] pl. -an, , substantive (noun), fem., 1.Cross2.Gallows
None of the above, while perhaps in some forms close in pronounciation to "ray", seem to fit what has been said about the definition that means "beautiful meadow".
On page 753, however, there is a word that does mean something in this direction and is pronounced approximately "ray".
Réidh, -ean, substantive (noun), masc., Plain, meadow, level ground.
There is also another word pronounced approximately "ray":
Réidh, -e, adj.,1.Plain, level, smooth2.Polished3.Straight, uninterrupted, clear of obstruction4.Free, exhempt5.Reconciled, at peace, appeased, conciliated6.Safe, not dangerous7.Ready, prepared8.Disentangled9.Unravelled10.Harmonious, clear, melodious
11.Ordered, arranged, disposed, in order12.Allied13.Regular
Whether used as an adjective or a noun, it seems to me that this is the word that was intended by Matthew Campbell.It also appears to have been used as a pun in either case and seems to fit the conditions of his history as described.Of course either riadh, rèidh (Interest of money, usury, rent, hire) or riadh, (correction, racing, taming, grief, capital punishment) MAY have been meant, but it is difficult to reconcile this with the tradition as stated.
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Re: Rhea in Gaelic
charlene heeter 10/19/01
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