neidr

Welsh

Alternative forms

• nadredden

Etymology

From Proto-Celtic *natrixs (compare Breton naer, Irish nathair), from Proto-Indo-European *nh₁trih₂ (compare English adder, Latin natrīx (“water snake”)), from *sneh₁- (“to spin, twist”) (compare nyddu). Related to noden (“thread”), nodwydd (“needle”).

Pronunciation

• (North Wales) IPA^(key): /nei̯dr/, [ˈnei̯dr̩]
• (South Wales, standard, colloquial) IPA^(key): /nei̯dr/, [ˈnei̯dr̩]
  • (South Wales, colloquial) IPA^(key): /ˈnei̯dɪr/
• Rhymes: -ei̯dr

Noun

neidr f (plural nadroedd or nadredd, not mutable)

1. snake

   Synonym: sarff

2. adder

   Synonyms: gwiber, neidr ddu

Derived terms

• blodyn neidr, pwysi nadroedd (“red campion”)
• gwas y neidr (“dragonfly”)
• neidr ddefaid (“slow worm”)
• neidr ddu (“adder”)
• neidr fraith (“grass snake”)
• neidr lwyd (“grass snake”)
• neidr y tomennydd (“grass snake”)
• neidr y domen (“grass snake”)
• neidr wasgu (“boa constrictor”)
• tafod y neidr (“adder's tongue fern”)

References

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