scian

Scian is the Irish word for knife. In Modern Irish, it is a common noun used to refer to a blade used for cutting, whether in cooking, craft, or general tool work. The term is attested in Older Irish as well and has cognates in other Celtic languages, reflecting a shared linguistic heritage around everyday metalworking tools. It is a familiar item in Irish-language literature and everyday discourse among speakers and learners.

As a lexical item, scian functions as a concrete noun and can appear in descriptive contexts involving blades, tools, or weapons. It is not a technical term in English-language science or engineering, but rather a basic element of Irish vocabulary that appears in reference to physical blades and related objects.

Beyond its use as a common noun, scian may appear as part of proper names in regions with Irish linguistic influence, including surnames or place names. Such usages are relatively uncommon and context-dependent, and they do not alter the primary meaning of the word.

If scian is encountered outside of Irish-language contexts—such as in brand names, acronyms, or titles—it may represent an entirely different concept rooted in a particular region or organization. In that case, additional context or sources are needed to determine the intended meaning. In summary, scian is best known as the Irish word for knife, with limited, context-specific extensions into names and other uses.