féidir
Irish
Etymology
From both Middle Irish éitir (“strength”) and fétaid (“be able”). The initial "f" is a reanalysing of the verb to match féad, and akin to the added "f" in forms such as feic.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈfʲeːdʲəɾʲ/
Noun
féidir (defective)
- ability
- possibility
Usage notes
- This noun is used in two places in Irish:
- The expression is féidir le (“to be able”)
- The expression b’fhéidir (“maybe”)
Derived terms
- féideartha (“possible, potential, feasible”)
See also
- féad
Mutation
| Irish mutation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Radical | Lenition | Eclipsis |
| féidir | fhéidir | bhféidir |
| Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs. | ||
Further reading
- Ó Dónaill, Niall (1977), “féidir”, in Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla, Dublin: An Gúm, →ISBN
- Entries containing “féidir” in English-Irish Dictionary, An Gúm, 1959, by Tomás de Bhaldraithe.
- Entries containing “féidir” in New English-Irish Dictionary by Foras na Gaeilge.