breith1, f. (gs. ~e, pl. ~eanna).1. vn. of beir. 2. Birth. (a)~ clainne, child-birth. ~ Chríost, the birth of Christ; the Nativity. Ó bhreith go bás, from the cradle to the grave. Lá ~e, birthday. (b)~ uain, lao, searraigh, lambing, calving, foaling. D’aon bhreith, at one birth. 3. (Of hens) Lay. Bheith ó bhreith, to be off the lay. 4. Bearing capacity. Bád, capall, a chur thar a ~, to overload a boat, overburden a horse. 5. Bringing, taking. Ní raibh ann ach ~ nó fág, it was neck or nothing. 6. Seizing; catching, overtaking. Dá mbeadh ~ ar mo ghreamanna agam, if I could get my grips, get going properly; if I had the means (to do sth.). Níl ~ agam ar mo chuid oibre, I am unable to catch up with my work. Má bhíonn ~ agat air, if you find time for it. Nuair atá ~ ar d’aithreachas agat, while there is still time for you to repent. Níl aon bhreith aige ort, he can’t compare with you.
breith2, f. (gs. ~e, pl. ~eanna). 1. Judgment, decision. ~ a thabhairt ar chás, to decide a case. Cás a chur faoi bhreith duine, to submit a case to s.o. for determination. Tabhair, beir, do bhreith air, say what you think of it. Is réidh agaibh ~ a thabhairt orm, it is easy for you to judge me. Fágaim ar do bhreith féin é, I leave it to your own decision. Tabhair ~ a bhéil féin dó, give him what he asks for; let him decide his own terms. Ní chuirfidh mé thar do bhreith é, I will abide by your decision. Tá mo bhreith leat, I decide in your favour. Ní ar mo bhreith atá, it is not for me to judge. Tús na ~e ag Dia orainn, God is our principal judge. Ní ag tabhairt ~e air é, not that I want to condemn him. Fuair sé ~ a chionta, he got his deserts. Dá mbeadh ~ agus dhá rogha agam, if I could pick and choose. De mo bhreith, in my estimation. ~ aithrí, (sacramental) penance. ~ bháis, sentence of death. Lá Breithe Dé, Day of Judgment. Go brách, broinne, na ~e, till doomsday. 2. Injunction. Rud a chur de bhreith ar dhuine, to enjoin sth. on s.o. 3. ~ a imirt, to play forfeits.