riamh
Irish
Alternative forms
- ariamh
Etymology
From Middle Irish ríam, from Old Irish rïam.
Pronunciation
IPA(key): /ɾˠiəw/
Adverb
riamh
- (literary) before
- ever
- (with negative) never
- Synonym: go deo
Derived terms
- riamh agus choíche
Further reading
- Ó Dónaill, Niall (1977), “riamh”, in Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla, Dublin: An Gúm, →ISBN
- Entries containing “riamh” in English-Irish Dictionary, An Gúm, 1959, by Tomás de Bhaldraithe.
- Entries containing “riamh” in New English-Irish Dictionary by Foras na Gaeilge.
Scottish Gaelic
Alternative forms
- a-riamh
Etymology
From Middle Irish ríam, from Old Irish rïam.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈriəv/
Adverb
riamh
- ever
- An robh thu ann riamh? ― Have you ever been there?
- never
- Cha robh riamh a leithid ann. ― There was never one like him.
- always
- Bha e riamh mar sin. ― He was always like that.
- riamh is roimhe ― still and before, abidingly
Usage notes
- Used only of past time.
Noun
riamh f
- series, number
- a drill of potatoes or turnips
- duration
Verb
riamh (past riamh, future riamhaidh, verbal noun riamhadh, past participle riamhte)
- drill (as turnips, potatoes, etc.)
References
- Edward Dwelly (1911), “riamh”, in Faclair Gàidhlig gu Beurla le Dealbhan [The Illustrated Gaelic–English Dictionary], 10th edition, Edinburgh: Birlinn Limited, →ISBN
- A Pronouncing and Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language (John Grant, Edinburgh, 1925, Compiled by Malcolm MacLennan)