Focal an Lae #243
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: faoiseamh (FWEE-shuhv) [fiːs′əv]
Meaning: faoiseamh = relief, respite
Usage:
- Fuair sí faoiseamh ón bpian. (FOO-ihr shee FWEE-shuhv ohn BEE-uhn) [fuər′ s′iː fiːs′əv oːn biːən] = She got relief from the pain.
- Thug an t-aispirín faoiseamh beag dó. (HUG uhn TASH-pih-reen FWEE-shuhv BYUG doh) [hug ən tæs′p′ər′iːn fiːs′əv b′ug doː]
= The aspirin gave him a little relief.
History: Old Irish “fáesam” (protection) is the verbal noun of “fo-sisedar” (stands under, takes responsibility for, protects).
Both “fáesam” and the Welsh cognate “gwaesaf” (warrant, help) derive from Indo-European *upo-si-sta-mu-, based on the root *stā- (to stand).
Cognates in English include “vassal” and “valet”, from Medieval Latin “vassus”,
presumed to be borrowed from Gaulish *wasso- (servant, “one who stands under”), from IE *upo-st-o-.