HeyRuaHow to say “spindle” in Irish
- Irish:
- fearsaid
- English:
- spindle, axle, sandbank
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “FAR-sudj” /ˈfʲaɾˠsˠədʲ/
- Plural:
- fearsaidí (spindles)
- Genitive singular:
- fearsaide, na fearsaide (e.g. cnaipe na fearsaide, the knob of the spindle)
- Genitive plural:
- fearsaidí, na bhfearsaidí (e.g. deisiú na bhfearsaidí, repairing the spindles)
What does “fearsaid” mean?
“Fearsaid” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- spindle
- A rod used in spinning thread, or a rod on which something turns.Also: shaft, rod.
2 other meanings: axle or sandbank
- 2axle
- The bar on which a wheel or pair of wheels turns.Also: axletree, shaft.
- 3sandbank
- A sandbank or ford exposed at low tide, found in place names such as Béal Feirste.Also: sandbar, tidal ford.
“Fearsaid” with the article
The plural of spindle in Irish is fearsaidí. Here is fearsaid after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Fearsaid” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using fearsaid, the Irish word for spindle.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Spindle in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for spindle?
The Irish for spindle is fearsaid (pronounced “FAR-sudj”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is fearsaidí. Depending on context it can also mean axle or sandbank.
How do you pronounce fearsaid in Irish?
Fearsaid is said like “FAR-sudj” (IPA /ˈfʲaɾˠsˠədʲ/).
What is the plural of spindle in Irish?
The plural of fearsaid is fearsaidí; with the article, na fearsaidí means “the spindles”. The genitive plural is fearsaidí, as in deisiú na bhfearsaidí (repairing the spindles).
Does fearsaid have more than one meaning?
Yes. Fearsaid can mean spindle, axle or sandbank, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does fearsaid change to fhearsaid or bhfearsaid?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) fearsaid becomes m'fhearsaid (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bhfearsaid (eclipsis).
How is fearsaid connected to Belfast?
Béal Feirste means 'mouth of the sandbank ford', from fearsaid in the sense of a tidal sandbank; Feirste is an old genitive form.
Is fearsaid the usual word for a car axle?
Yes, fearsaid is used for axle, though acastóir is also common for an axle in modern technical usage.
