freastail1, v.t. & i. (pres. -alaíonn, vn. -al, pp. -alta). 1. Attend. (a) Apply oneself to. Do chuid oibre a fhreastal; freastal ar do chuid oibre, to attend to one’s work. Freastal ar riachtanas, ar chúis, to attend to a requirement, to a case. (b) Wait upon, serve. Freastal ar cheardaí, to help a tradesman. Freastal ag bord, to serve at table. (c) Take advantage of. An taoide, an lá maith, a fhreastal, to take advantage of the tide, of the good day. An dá thrá a fhreastal, to try to do two things at the same time, to serve two masters. Is doiligh muir is tír a fhreastal, it is hard to cope with all contingencies. (d) Be present at. An scoil a fhreastal, to attend school. Freastal ar léachtaí, to attend lectures. Freastal ar na sacraimintí, to frequent the sacraments. 2. Lit: Cope with, match; encounter, oppose. Drong nach dóigh a fhreastal, a body that is not easy to deal with. Cath a fhreastal, to join in battle.