faill

• (Munster) IPA^(key): /fˠɑilʲ/^[1]

From Old Irish fall, from Proto-Celtic *walsā.

faill f (genitive singular faille, nominative plural failleanna)

1. (literary) negligence, omission
2. unguarded state
3. chance, opportunity
   • 1939, Peig Sayers, “Inghean an Cheannaidhe”, in Marie-Louise Sjoestedt, Description d’un parler irlandais de Kerry (Bibliothèque de l'École des Hautes Études; 270) (overall work in French), Paris: Librairie Honoré Champion, page 194:

     Rógaire do b’eadh an máta agus do bhí sé ag faire ar fhaill a fhagháil ar an gcaptaen.

     The mate was a rogue and he was looking for an opportunity to trick the captain.

4. time, occasion
5. cessation, easement

See aill.

faill f (genitive singular faille, nominative plural faillte)

1. Alternative form of aill (“cliff, precipice”)

• Ó Dónaill, Niall (1977) “faill”, in Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla, Dublin: An Gúm, →ISBN
• de Bhaldraithe, Tomás (1959) “faill”, in English-Irish Dictionary, An Gúm
• “faill”, in New English-Irish Dictionary, Foras na Gaeilge, 2013-2024

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

faill (verbal noun failleil or fajeil)

1. fail, fall short, decline

From Old Irish fochell, the verbal noun of fo·cíallathar.

faill (verbal noun failley, past participle failt)

1. hire, employ, engage

faill f (genitive singular faillee)

1. wages