HeyRuaHow to say “comb” in Irish
- Irish:
- cíor
- English:
- comb, crest, honeycomb, cud
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “keer” /ciːɾˠ/
- Plural:
- cíora (combs)
- Genitive singular:
- círe, na círe (e.g. fiacla na círe, the teeth of the comb)
- Genitive plural:
- cíor, na gcíor (e.g. fiacla na gcíor, the teeth of the combs)
What does “cíor” mean?
“Cíor” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- comb
- A toothed implement used for tidying or arranging hair.Also: hair comb.
3 other meanings: crest or honeycomb or cud
- 2crest
- The comb of a bird, or the crest or ridge of a hill, wave or roof.Also: cockscomb, ridge, comb of a bird.
- 3honeycomb
- The wax structure of cells in which bees store honey.Also: comb, wax comb.
- 4cud
- Food brought back up from the stomach and chewed again by cattle and similar animals.Also: chewing the cud.
“Cíor” with the article
The plural of comb in Irish is cíora. Here is cíor after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Cíor” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using cíor, the Irish word for comb.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Comb in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for comb?
The Irish for comb is cíor (pronounced “keer”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is cíora. Depending on context it can also mean crest or honeycomb or cud.
How do you pronounce cíor in Irish?
Cíor is said like “keer” (IPA /ciːɾˠ/).
What is the plural of comb in Irish?
The plural of cíor is cíora; with the article, na cíora means “the combs”. The genitive plural is cíor, as in fiacla na gcíor (the teeth of the combs).
Does cíor have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cíor can mean comb, crest, honeycomb or cud, depending on context; the first is the most common. Cíor also has its own entry as a verb meaning to comb.
Why does cíor change to chíor or gcíor?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) cíor becomes mo chíor (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcíor (eclipsis).
What does 'cíor thuathail' mean?
'Cíor thuathail' means confusion or a mess, as in 'bhí cíor thuathail ar an áit', the place was in chaos.
How do I say 'to comb' in Irish?
Use the verb 'cíor', verbal noun 'cíoradh': 'ag cíoradh a cuid gruaige', combing her hair. It also means to examine closely: 'an cheist a chíoradh'.
