unig

Welsh

Etymology

From Middle Welsh unic; either coined in Middle Welsh (as un + -ic) or borrowed from Latin ūnicus via a Proto-Brythonic *ʉnɨg, influenced by -ig.[1]

Pronunciation

Adjective

unig (feminine singular unig, plural unig, equative mor unig, comparative mwy unig, superlative mwyaf unig)

  1. lonely, alone
    Roeddwn i’n unig.
    I was lonely.
    Plentyn unig oeddwn i.
    I was a lonely child.
  2. only, unique
    Unig blentyn oeddwn i.
    I was an only child.

Usage notes

When used predicatively or when used attributively following a noun, this means "lonely". When used attributively preceding a noun, this means "only".

Derived terms
  • yn unig (“only”)
  • unigol (“individual”)
  • unigryw (“unique”)

Mutation
Welsh mutation
radical soft nasal h-prothesis
unig unchanged unchanged hunig
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

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