eithaf
Welsh
Alternative forms
- eitha (pronunciation spelling)
Etymology
Old Welsh heitham, from Proto-Celtic *extamos. Cognate with Latin extimus.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈei̯θa(v)/
Adjective
eithaf (feminine singular eithaf, plural eithafion, not comparable)
- extreme
- (grammar) superlative
Derived terms
- eithafiaeth (“extremism”)
- eithafwr (“extremist”)
Adverb
eithaf
- quite, rather, somewhat
- O'n nhw'n eitha grymus yn y dechre ond yn y diwedd r'on ni'n rhy gryf iddyn nhw.
- They were quite powerful at the start but in the end we were too strong for them.
Usage notes
As an adverb of degree, eitha(f) is used without the linking particle yn. It comes before the adjective and does not trigger soft mutation:
- Wel, mae e'n eitha golygus ond dydy e ddim yn olygus iawn. ― Well, he's somewhat handsome but he's not very handsome.
By contrast, the more literary adverbial expression i'r eithaf ("to the extreme") follows the adjective:
- Ac mae'r modd y collodd ei fywyd yn drist i'r eithaf. ― And the way he lost his life was extremely sad.
Noun
eithaf m (plural eithafion or eithafoedd)
- extremity, limit
- eithafoedd y ddaear ― the ends of the earth
Derived terms
- i'r eithaf (“extremely”)
Mutation
| Welsh mutation | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| radical | soft | nasal | h-prothesis |
| eithaf | unchanged | unchanged | heithaf |
| Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs. | |||
References
- R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “eithaf”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies