bana-bhuidseach
/ˌpana ˈvutʲʃəx/feminine
The Gaelic word for witch is bana-bhuidseach. Wiktionary also lists ban-draoidh and buidseach.
Meaning: person who uses magic (noun)
Ways to say it
| Gaelic | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bana-bhuidseach | /ˌpana ˈvutʲʃəx/ | feminine |
| ban-draoidh | feminine | |
| buidseach | feminine |
All forms of this word are used to refer to a person who uses magic and are specifically feminine.
Which one should you use?
While buidseach can stand alone as a noun meaning witch, the form bana-bhuidseach includes a prefix. The form ban-draoidh is another feminine term for a witch.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word buidseach can function as a standalone noun meaning witch without needing the bana- prefix.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌpana ˈvutʲʃəx/
Did you know?
- In Gaelic culture, the concept of a 'witch' often overlapped with the 'cailleach', a divine hag or creator deity who shaped the landscape.
- The term buidseach is a direct phonetic loan from the English word 'witch', meaning it is a linguistic transplant rather than a native Gaelic root.
- The word draoidh used in ban-draoidh is the root for the English word 'druid'.
Example sentences for Gaelic are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Hamish and Catriona are discussing a folk tale.
- HamishCoinnich mi ri bana-bhuidseach anns an sgeulachd.I met a witch in the story.
- CatrionaAn robh i uaine?Was she green?
- HamishCha robh i, ach bha i coinneach.She wasn't, but she was kind.
- CatrionaSin an bana-bhuidseach as fheàrr.That is the best witch.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “witch” translations and entries bana-bhuidseach, ban-draoidh, buidseach, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ban-draoidh, bana-bhuidseach, buidseach, CC BY-SA 4.0.
