eigin

Eigin is a term found in Gaelic languages that broadly conveys the sense of “own” or “belonging to oneself.” It functions as an attributive adjective in Irish Gaelic and Scottish Gaelic, used to indicate personal ownership or close association with the subject of the noun it modifies. In many dialects, eigi n appears before the noun, and its meaning can be strengthened by surrounding possessive or emphatic constructions.

In usage, eigin typically forms part of noun phrases that specify ownership or relation, rather than serving as a standalone pronoun or determiner. It can be encountered in historical, literary, and contemporary Gaelic texts, though its frequency and exact usage can vary by dialect and register. The term is one element of the broader Gaelic system for expressing possession, which also employs pronouns, kin terms, and other possessive descriptors.

Etymology and classification: eigin is part of the lexical inventory of Gaelic languages and shares a common heritage with other possessive and dependent adjectives in the Celtic language family. It is not a proper noun and is generally treated as a common-language word rather than a name or title.

See also: Gaelic languages, Irish language, Scottish Gaelic, possession in Celtic languages.

Notes: Eigin is a specialized linguistic term within Gaelic grammar. It may appear infrequently outside scholarly or dialectal contexts, and its exact usage can differ across Gaelic-speaking communities.