Skip to main page content

guilbneach, guilbearnach n.f./m.

[eDIL gulbnech; cf. FGB guilbneach1]

forms

singular

nominative

genitive

dative

plural

nominative

genitive

dative

senses

    • I.1. The curlew, a curlew.  

      • 1776
        Comh-chruinneachidh Orannaigh Gaidhealach 212
        An Coire lachach, dràcach, | ’M bi guilbneich ’s trai’-gheoigh og; | An Coire coileachach, làn-dabhhch, [sic] | ’S moch, ’s is an-moch spòrs.
      • 1786
        Gillies Sean Dain 292
        Piob sgreadain Ian mhic Artuir, | Mar eun curra air dol air ’n ais, | Lan ronn is i labhar luirgneach, | Com galair mar ghuilbnich ghlais.
      • 1829
        An Teachdaire Gaelach I 164
        Is sheinn iad [sc. na naoimh] gu tiòmhaidh do’n Dia o’n robh ’n slaint’. | Bha na beanntai’ean creagach a’freagairt an òrain, | Rinn an fheadag ’s a ghuilbneach co’-sheirm riu cò’lath.
      • 1867
        Caraid nan Gàidheal 348
        Bha a’ chorra-ghriobhach agus an guilbneach a’ sgriachail o chreig gu creig.
      • 1890
        An t-Eileanach 254
        Tha thu ’d shealgair air na lachaibh, | ’N uair a bitheadh iad ’s a’ chaisil; | An guilbeirneach a bha ’s a’ chlais, | Fhuair e chasan beò leis.
      • 1898
        Mac-Talla VII No. 21. 163
        Chunnaic mi e, le gunna fada Spàindeach, a marbhadh guilbearnaich ’san tràigh le peilear.
      • 1913
        Lost Pibroch 38
        Sheas Clann Diarmaid ann am breislich, sgìth, agus fo smaointinn; sheall iad agus dh’ éisd iad, agus na guilbnichean a’ glaodhaich gu dubhach aig tràigh.
      • 1932
        Na Baird Thirisdeach 141
        An gunna fhuair mi iasad dhith, | B’e’n diuthail i bhi diomhanach; | […] | Nuair chluinneadh iad a h-urchairean | Bhiodh gach ian is iomagain air; | Bhiodh feadagan is guilbearnaich | Is gurracagan ’nan eigin.
      • 1955
        Gairm 11 262
        Tha an guilbneach air aon de na freiceadain as dìlse a gheibhear air mòintich no air cladach. Mas urrainn da idir, cha leig e do eun sam bith a bhith air a ghlacadh le duine no le beathach.
      • 1989
        Gairm 148 340
        Bha geòidh is rabaidean, calmain is guilbnich glè thric crochaid air na sparran. Bhiodh a’ Locair ga marbhadh leis a’ ghunna.
      • 1998
        Gairm 183 268
        Thòisich i a’ caoineadh. Agus thòisich guilbneach ga freagairt, ged nach robh i ga fhaicinn.
      • 2011
        Steall à Iomadh Lòn 53
        ’S tric a bha mi cluich sa ghainmhich aice [sc. tràigh Ghollair] agus a’ sireadh nan sligean beaga ris an canamaid faighteagan ann an tiùrr an làin, […] le na bòthagan ’s na guilbnich ’s na trilleachain a’ cumail ciùil rium.

    • I.2. The whimbrel, a whimbrel. See also II. below.  

      • 1905
        Gaelic Names of Beasts 345
        Whimbrel (see also Curlew). — Eun-bealltuinn; Guilbinneach; Leth-ghuilbinneach.
      • 1972
        DASG Fieldwork Archive Uig, Lewis
        Guilbneach | the curlew; the whimbrel. 

    • I.3. A species of curlew found in New Zealand.  

      • 1899
        Mac-Talla VIII No. 11. 84
        An guilbneach. Tha an t-ian so pailt anns an duthaich so [sc. New Zealand]; cha’n aithnichear gu bheil an aireamh a dol dad na’s lugha.

    • I.4. In figurative use: a derogatory term for a person.  

    • II. With a modifier. See far-ghuilbneach n., leth-ghuilbneach n., ruid-ghuilbneach n.

       

    • III. In phrases and sayings.

       

    • III.1. Cho furachail ri sùil guilbnich literally ‘As watchful as a curlew’s eye’.  

    • III.2. Is sealgair math a mharbhas gèadh, is còrr, is guilbneach literally ‘He is a good hunter who kills wild goose, and heron, and curlew.’  

      • 1881
        Nicolson Proverbs 286
        Is sealgair math a mharbhas gèadh, ’us corr’, ’us guilbneach. He is a good sportsman who kills wild-goose, and heron, and curlew. Three particularly wary birds.