Metre in Irish (Meadaracht): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for metre?

The Irish for metre is meadaracht (pronounced “MAD-uh-rukht”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is meadarachtaí. Depending on context it can also mean metrics.

Q: What is the plural of metre in Irish?

The plural of meadaracht is meadarachtaí; with the article, na meadarachtaí means “the metres”. The genitive plural is meadarachtaí, as in rialacha na meadarachtaí (the rules of the metres).

Q: Does meadaracht have more than one meaning?

Yes. Meadaracht can mean metre or metrics, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “metre” in Irish

Irish:: meadaracht
English:: metre, metrics
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, third declension
Pronunciation:: “MAD-uh-rukht” /ˈmʲad̪ˠəɾˠəxt̪ˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: meadarachtaí (metres)
Genitive singular:: meadarachta, na meadarachta (e.g. rialacha na meadarachta, the rules of metre)
Genitive plural:: meadarachtaí, na meadarachtaí (e.g. rialacha na meadarachtaí, the rules of the metres)

What does “meadaracht” mean?

“Meadaracht” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

metre: The rhythmic pattern of stressed or long and short syllables in verse.Also: meter, poetic metre, versification, prosody.

1 other meaning: metrics

2metrics: The study or system of verse forms and metres.Also: prosody, versification.

Other Irish words for metre: méadar (metre)

“Meadaracht” with the article

The plural of metre in Irish is meadarachtaí. Here is meadaracht after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an mheadaracht

the metre

Lenition: m becomes mh after an (feminine noun)

na meadarachtaí

the metres

Plural: no change after na

“Meadaracht” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using meadaracht, the Irish word for metre.

Tá meadaracht an dáin seo an-chasta.

The metre of this poem is very complex.

Bhí an fhilíocht sin scríofa i meadaracht dhian.

That poetry was written in a strict metre.

Ní thuigim an mheadaracht in aon chor.

I don't understand the metre at all.

Mhúin an múinteoir rialacha na meadarachta dúinn.

The teacher taught us the rules of metre.

D'úsáid na filí meadarachtaí éagsúla.

The poets used various metres.

Is í an mheadaracht a thugann rithim don dán.

It is the metre that gives the poem rhythm.

Tá suim mhór aici sa mheadaracht Ghaelach.

She has a great interest in Irish metrics.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Metre in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for metre?

The Irish for metre is meadaracht (pronounced “MAD-uh-rukht”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is meadarachtaí. Depending on context it can also mean metrics.

How do you pronounce meadaracht in Irish?

Meadaracht is said like “MAD-uh-rukht” (IPA /ˈmʲad̪ˠəɾˠəxt̪ˠ/).

What is the plural of metre in Irish?

The plural of meadaracht is meadarachtaí; with the article, na meadarachtaí means “the metres”. The genitive plural is meadarachtaí, as in rialacha na meadarachtaí (the rules of the metres).

Does meadaracht have more than one meaning?

Yes. Meadaracht can mean metre or metrics, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does meadaracht change to mheadaracht?

After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mheadaracht. After ár (our) it stays ár meadaracht, because m does not take eclipsis.

Does 'meadaracht' mean a metre of length?

No, 'meadaracht' is the metre of poetry; a unit of length is 'méadar'.

Metre in Irish (Meadaracht): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage