llai

Welsh

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɬai̯/

• Audio:

  (file)

Etymology 1

From Middle Welsh llei (comparative of llaw (“small”)), from Proto-Brythonic *llaɣü (comparative of *llaɣw), from Proto-Celtic *lagyūs (comparative of *legus (“small”)), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁lengʷʰ- (“lightweight”). Cognate with Old Irish laigiu.

Adjective

llai

1. comparative degree of bach: smaller
2. less, fewer

Etymology 2

Possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *pelH- (“pale”) and so connected to llwyd (“grey”).

Adjective

llai (feminine singular llai, plural llai, not comparable)

1. (obsolete) grey, brown, dun, dark red, dark

Mutation

Mutated forms of llai

radical	soft	nasal	aspirate
llai	lai	unchanged	unchanged

Note: Certain mutated forms of some words can never occur in standard Welsh.
All possible mutated forms are displayed for convenience.

References

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