ealaín, f. (gs. ~e, npl. -íona, gpl. -íon).1. Art; science, skill. (a)Lit: Poetic art; minstrelsy. Aos ealaíon, poets, minstrels. (b)~ an dáin, na filíochta, the art of poetry. ~ an leighis, the art of healing; medical science. ~ na dornála, boxing skill. (c)Sch:Cúrsa san ~, arts course. Baitsiléir, Máistir, Ealaíne, Bachelor, Master, of Arts. (d)Na healaíona uaisle, the fine arts. (e)An ~ dhubh, black art. Tá (an) ~ dhubh aici, she has black magic. Chuir sí an ~ dhubh air, she bewitched him. 2. Applied skill, workmanship; craft. Idir ábhar agus ~, both material and workmanship. Tiocfaidh sé isteach ar an ~, he will acquire the necessary skill. Lit:~ a dhéanamh, to practise a skilled trade. 3. Fitting occupation; proper proceeding. Gach uile dhuine agus a ~ féin aige, everyone to his trade. ~ bheatha, livelihood. Ní h~ duit é, it is no fit occupation for you, no way for you to carry on. Níorbh ~ dom gan a dhéanamh, it was the proper thing for me to do, I made sure to do it. 4. (Often pl.) Tricks, antics, capers, wiles. Tá sé lán ealaíon, he is full of tricks, wiles. Bhí an ~ riamh ann, he was always a tricky customer. Is fada an lá ar an ~ sin é, he has been at that game for a long time. Dá bhfeicfeá an ~, na healaíona, a bhí air, you should have seen his antics. Cad é an ~ atá anois air? What is he up to now? Bhí sé ar an ~ chéanna liom féin, he tried the same dodge on me. Stad den ~, de na healaíona, sin, stop that game. (As vn.)Ag ~, playing, capering. (Var:pl. ~eacha; ealaí f)