HeyRuaHow to say “thimble” in Irish
- Irish:
- méaracán
- English:
- thimble, foxglove
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “MAY-ruh-kawn” /ˈmʲeːɾˠəkaːnˠ/
- Plural:
- méaracáin (thimbles)
- Genitive singular:
- méaracáin, an mhéaracáin (e.g. barr an mhéaracáin, the top of the thimble)
- Genitive plural:
- méaracán, na méaracán (e.g. bailiúchán na méaracán, the thimble collection)
What does “méaracán” mean?
“Méaracán” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- thimble
- A small metal or plastic cap worn on the finger to push the needle when sewing.Also: sewing thimble.
1 other meaning: foxglove
- 2foxglove
- The foxglove plant, whose bell-shaped flowers look like thimbles; usually in the phrase méaracán dearg or méaracán púca.Also: digitalis.
Other Irish words for thimble: méarán (thimble)
“Méaracán” with the article
The plural of thimble in Irish is méaracáin. Here is méaracán after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Méaracán” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using méaracán, the Irish word for thimble.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Thimble in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for thimble?
The Irish for thimble is méaracán (pronounced “MAY-ruh-kawn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is méaracáin. Depending on context it can also mean foxglove.
How do you pronounce méaracán in Irish?
Méaracán is said like “MAY-ruh-kawn” (IPA /ˈmʲeːɾˠəkaːnˠ/).
What is the plural of thimble in Irish?
The plural of méaracán is méaracáin; with the article, na méaracáin means “the thimbles”. The genitive plural is méaracán, as in bailiúchán na méaracán (the thimble collection).
Does méaracán have more than one meaning?
Yes. Méaracán can mean thimble or foxglove, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does méaracán change to mhéaracán?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhéaracán. After ár (our) it stays ár méaracán, because m does not take eclipsis.
Is méaracán related to méar?
Yes, méaracán comes from méar, 'finger', with the diminutive-type ending -acán, so it is literally a little finger-cap.
Why is the foxglove called méaracán?
Its flowers look like thimbles, so it is called méaracán dearg, 'red thimble', or méaracán púca, 'fairy thimble'.
