paith

Welsh

Etymology

According to the GPC, a corruption from earlier diffaith (“derelict, desolate”), itself a borrowing from Latin defectus (“emptiness, absence”). The evolution of the initial consonant remains unclear; perhaps from f to p through an intermediary b. Compare the second element of gobaith (“trust, hope”).[1]

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /pai̯θ/

Noun

paith m (plural peithiau)

  1. desert, wilderness
  2. pampas, plain
    Synonyms: peithdir, gwastatir

Derived terms

Mutation
Welsh mutation
radical soft nasal aspirate
paith baith mhaith phaith
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

References
  1. R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “paith”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies
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