ceirtlín1, m. (gs. ~, pl. ~í). Ball, clew. 1. ~ snátha, súgáin, ball of thread, of sugan. ~ a thochras, to wind a clew. Ag tochras ar a cheirtlín féin, working in his own interest. 2. ~ cáil, cabáiste, round head of cabbage. ~ a dhéanamh, (of cabbage, etc.) to form a head. Tá sé i mbarr na gceirtlíní geala, he is on top of the world, in high spirits. I dteannta na gceirtlíní, to add to my troubles. 3. Rinne an ghráinneog ~ di féin, the hedgehog curled itself into a ball. Rinne sé ~ díom, he knocked me in a heap. 4. ~ de dhuine, rotund, well-built, person. (Var:f, pl. ~eacha; ceirtle f, ceirtleogf)