naofa

Irish

Alternative forms

• naomhtha (obsolete)

Etymology

naomh (“holy, blessed”) +‎ -tha

Pronunciation

• (Munster) IPA^(key): /ˈn̪ˠeːfˠə/, [ˈn̪ˠëːə̯fˠə]
• (Connacht, Ulster) IPA^(key): /ˈn̪ˠiːfˠə/

Adjective

naofa (invariable)

1. holy, sanctified

   Synonyms: beannaithe, diaga, naomh

   Pádraig Naofa ― Saint Patrick

   An Tríonóid Ró-Naofa ― the (Most Holy) Trinity

2. sacred

   Synonyms: beannaithe, diaga

Derived terms

• An Chomaoineach Naofa (“Holy Communion”)
• An Chros Naofa (“the Holy Cross”)
• An Soitheach Naofa (“the Holy Grail”)
• An Talamh Naofa (“the Holy Land”)
• An tAthair Naofa (“the Holy Father, the Pope”)
• athair naofa (“regular priest”)
• Impireacht Naofa na Róimhe (“Holy Roman Empire”)
• naofacht (“holiness, sacredness, saintliness, sanctity”)

 

Related terms

• naomhaigh (“hallow, sanctify”, verb)
• naomhú (“sanctification”)

Further reading

• Ó Dónaill, Niall (1977) “naofa”, in Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla, Dublin: An Gúm, →ISBN
• Entries containing “naofa” in English-Irish Dictionary, An Gúm, 1959, by Tomás de Bhaldraithe.
• Entries containing “naofa” in New English-Irish Dictionary by Foras na Gaeilge.
• Sjoestedt, M. L. (1931) Phonétique d’un parler irlandais de Kerry (in French), Paris: Librairie Ernest Leroux, page 28