neamh-

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See also: neamh and nèamh

Irish

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Etymology

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From Middle Irish nem-, from Old Irish neph- (compare Scottish Gaelic neo-, Manx neu-).

Prefix

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neamh-

  1. in-, un-, -less
  2. non-

Usage notes

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  • This prefix in Irish is added to nouns and adjectives denoting lack or negated property. It lenites the word to which it attaches.
    neamh- + ‎suim (interest) → ‎neamhshuim (disinterest)
    neamh- + ‎teoranta (inhibited, limited, restricted) → ‎neamhtheoranta (uninhibited)
    neamh- + ‎duine (person) → ‎neamhdhuine (a nobody)
  • Written with a hyphen when preceding a word beginning with m:
    neamh- + ‎meisce (drunkenness) → ‎neamh-mheisce (sobriety)
  • In older words, the final mh of the prefix and the initial mh of the root merge into an unlenited m:
    neamh- + ‎maiteach (forgiving) → ‎neamaiteach (unforgiving)

Synonyms

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Antonyms

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Derived terms

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References

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