bealach

bealach

See also: béalach

Irish

Etymology

From Middle Irish belach (“gap, pass, road, path”).

Pronunciation

• (Munster) IPA^(key): /bʲəˈl̪ˠɑx/
• (Aran) IPA^(key): /ˈbʲalˠəx/, /ˈbˠɑlˠəx/[1] (as if spelled balach)
• (Connemara, Mayo) IPA^(key): /ˈbʲalˠəx/
• (Ulster) IPA^(key): /ˈbʲalˠa(h)/

Noun

bealach m (genitive singular bealaigh, nominative plural bealaí)

1. way
2. road, track

   Synonyms: bóthar, ród

3. route

   Synonyms: caoi, slí

4. passage, thoroughfare
5. direction
6. distance, journey
7. manner, method
8. manner, respect

   Synonyms: bóthar, modh

9. pass
10. passage, sound (long narrow inlet)

    Synonyms: béal, caolas, sunda

11. (broadcasting) channel

    Synonym: cainéal

Declension

Declension of bealach

First declension

Bare forms: Case Singular Plural Nominative bealach bealaí Vocative a bhealaigh a bhealaí Genitive bealaigh bealaí Dative bealach bealaí

Forms with the definite article: Case Singular Plural Nominative an bealach na bealaí Genitive an bhealaigh na mbealaí Dative leis an mbealach don bhealach leis na bealaí

Derived terms

• aerbhealach
• ar an mbealach céanna
• ar aon bhealach
• ar bhealach
• ar bhealach éigin
• ar chéad bealach
• ar gach uile bhealach
• as bealach
• athbhealach
• bealach aeir
• bealach aic
• bealach amach
• bealach análaithe
• bealach bus
• bealach cise
• bealach coise
• bealach cúil
• bealach éalaithe
• bealach iarainn
• bealach imdháilte
• bealach iompair
• bealach isteach
• bealach mara
• bealach mór
• Bealach na Bó Finne
• bealach oibre
• bealach stuach
• bealach trádála
• bealach trasna
• bealach uisce
• carrbhealac
• crosbhealach
• débhealach
• fobhealach
• glanbhealach
• íosbhealach
• leath bealaigh
• luasbhealach
• mórbhealach
• mótarbhealach
• rotharbhealach
• saorbhealach
• seachbhealach
• siúlbhealach
• taobh-bhealach
• tarbhealach
• tollbhealach
• trasbhealach
• uasbhealach

 

Mutation

Irish mutation
Radical	Lenition	Eclipsis
bealach	bhealach	mbealach
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

References

1. Finck, F. N. (1899), Die araner mundart, Marburg: Elwert’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, vol. II, p. 37.

Further reading

• Ó Dónaill, Niall (1977), “bealach”, in Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla, Dublin: An Gúm, →ISBN
• Entries containing “bealach” in English-Irish Dictionary, An Gúm, 1959, by Tomás de Bhaldraithe.
• Entries containing “bealach” in New English-Irish Dictionary by Foras na Gaeilge.
• G. Toner, M. Ní Mhaonaigh, S. Arbuthnot, D. Wodtko, M.-L. Theuerkauf, editors (2019), “belach”, in eDIL: Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language
• Dinneen, Patrick S. (1904), “bealach”, in Foclóir Gaeḋilge agus Béarla, 1st edition, Dublin: Irish Texts Society, page 59

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Scottish Gaelic

Etymology

From Middle Irish belach (“gap, pass, road, path”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpjaɫ̪əx/

Noun

bealach m (genitive singular bealaich, plural bealaichean)

1. defile, passage, pass or gorge of a mountain, glen
2. gap, breach (in a wall or fence)
3. gateway, gate
4. road

Mutation

Scottish Gaelic mutation
Radical	Lenition
bealach	bhealach
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

Further reading

• Edward Dwelly (1911), “bealach”, in Faclair Gàidhlig gu Beurla le Dealbhan [The Illustrated Gaelic–English Dictionary], 10th edition, Edinburgh: Birlinn Limited, →ISBN
• G. Toner, M. Ní Mhaonaigh, S. Arbuthnot, D. Wodtko, M.-L. Theuerkauf, editors (2019), “belach”, in eDIL: Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language