Focal an Lae #48
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: rí (REE)
Meaning: rí = king
Usage:
- bóthar an rí (BOH-huhr uhn REE) = the king’s highway
- A Rí na bhfeart! (uh REE nuh VART) = God Almighty! (lit., O King of the miracles!)
- Go maire an rí! (guh MA-ruh uhn REE) = Long live the king!
History: Old Irish “rí” comes from Common Celtic *rix-s.
The Gaulish word “rix” has been preserved in a number of personal names, such as “Dumnorix” (King of the World; cf. Irish “domhan” = world).
The ultimate origin is Indo-European *rēg- (tribal king), from the root *reg- (to move in a straight line, to lead).
Cognates in English include “rich”, “regal” and a recent borrowing from Sanskrit, “maharajah”.
Scottish Gaelic: rìgh