Similes, Metaphors & Kennings

Ar is usci loch aelta…

Ar is usci loch aelta .i. ni maith do dig, ní maith do indlut.

(for * tis * water * of-lake* limey * i.e. * is-not * good * for * drink * not-good * for * bathing)

For it is an alkaline lake: not good to drink and not good for bathing.

 
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Is loimm de romuir.

Is loimm de romuir.

(tis * mouthful * of * great-sea)

It’s a (mere) mouthful of the great sea.

 
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nemed mbled

nemed mbled

(sanctuary * of whales)

the sanctuary of the whales = the sea

 
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adba rón

adba rón

(abode * of seals)

the abode of seals = the sea

 
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Liridir fri gainem mara...

Liridir fri gainem mara,
nó fri drithlenna tened
nó fri drúcht i mmatain chétamain
nó fri renna nime

(as numerous * as * sand * of sea
or * as * sparks * of fire
or * as * dew * in * morning * of May Day
or * as * stars * of sky)

As numerous as the sand of the sea
or as the sparks of a fire
or as the dew on a May morning
or as the stars of the sky

 
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Maidi ibair i cúail crínaig.

Maidi ibair i cúail crínaig.

(stick * of yew * in * bundle * of dried branches)

A yew stick in a bundle of withered branches.

 
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Félithir dubén.

Félithir dubén.

(as generous * (as) blackbird)

As generous as a raven.

 
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lúaithidir roth mbúaile

lúaithidir roth mbúaile

(as swift * wheel * water)

as fast as a water wheel

 
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rothmol corcra ó mulluch co talmain

rothmol corcra ó mulluch co talmain

(mill-wheel * crimson * from * crown * to * ground)

a (whirling) crimson mill-wheel from head to toe

 
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Tuc bleith mulind tuathbil forthu.

Tuc bleith mulind tuathbil forthu. Tuc a n-airthiur fora n-iarthur ⁊ a ndesciurt fora tuasciurt.

(put * grinding * of mill * widdershins * on-them . put * their * east * on their * west * & * their * south * on their * north)

He reversed the grinding of their mill. He put their east on their west and their south on their north.

 
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