meath1, m. (gs. ~a).1. vn. of meath2. 2. Decline, decay, decadence; failure. ~ curaíochta, tionscail, decline of tillage, of industry. ~ tíre, pobail, decline of country, of population. ~ uirbeach, urban blight. ~ póir, failure of seed. ~ sláinte, failing health. Tá ~ amhairc, cuimhne, misnigh, air, his sight, memory, courage, is failing. Tá ~ ar a ghné, he is losing his appearance. Tháinig ~ ar na barra, the crops failed. Níl ~ ar bith go fóill ort, you haven’t failed a bit. Níor chuir sin ~ air, that didn’t deter, discourage, him. Tá ~ do bharúla ort, you are wrong in your opinion. Bhí ~ an mhargaidh, na malairte, na mullóige, orm, I got the worst of the bargain. Dul ar ~, to decline. Gan mheath, without fail.
meath2, v.t. & i. (pp. -ata). 1. Decline, decay, fail, deteriorate. Síolta, barra, ag ~, seeds, crops, failing. Coillte ag ~, woods decaying. Talamh ag ~, land deteriorating. Cine ag ~, a race degenerating. Céadfaí, intleacht, ag ~, bodily senses, intelligence, becoming impaired. Solas ag ~, light fading. Mheath a shláinte, his health failed. Is mór a mheath sé le gairid, he has failed a lot lately. S.a. barúil12, leath1II 1(a).2. Waste, fritter away. Ag ~ an lae, wasting the day. Tá tú ag ~ do chuid airgid, you are frittering away your money. Ná bí dár ~ mar sin, don’t be wasting our time like that.