má2, conj. (Used mainly with present and past indicative. Combines with is of copula to form más. Lenites verb in present tense, except tá, deir) If. 1. (a) (Indicating present or past circumstance) ~ tá ciall aige, if he has sense. ~ bhí fearg air, if he was angry. ~ d’inis tú an fhírinne, if you (have) told the truth. ~ gearradh an crann, if the tree was cut. Má chreideann sé an scéal sin tá sé saonta go maith, if he believes that story he is pretty gullible. (b) (Indicating habitual or future circumstance) ~ bhíonn an lá maith suím amuigh, if the day is good I sit outside. Má chuireann sé leis beidh sé ina fhear láidir, if he keeps it up he will be a strong man. ~ éiríonn an saol leo, if they get on well in the world. (c) (With copula) Más fíor é, if it is true. Más mian leat imeacht, if you wish to go. ~ ba chrua an obair í, hard as the work may have been. Más olc maith leat é, whether you like it or not. Más te más fuar an lá, let the day be hot or cold. Más tinn nó más slán dúinn, whether we be in sickness or in health. ~ b’fhada a shaol bhíodh sé ag caint ort, he talked about you ever and always. Más ea, if so, even so. Más é sin é, for that matter. S.a. ea15. 2. (Used instead of dá with conditional or subjunctive) ~ bheadh imní uirthi ghuíodh sí Dia, if she were in a state of anxiety she prayed to God. ~ bheadh eagla airsean cé air nach mbeadh? If he were frightened who wouldn’t be? Dúirt sé má chasfadh sé liom go dtabharfadh sé an scéala dom, he said that if he met me he would give me the message. 3. (In idiomatic phrases) Is beag ~ tá cuidiú ar bith aige, he has little or no help. Ba bheag ~ bhí aon phingin fágtha agam, I had scarcely a penny left. Más fearr mar sin é, that hardly improves matters. Tá, agus ~ tá, yes, and even so. Chuaigh mé ann, agus ~ chuaigh (féin), I did go there, and even if I did. M’anam ~ tá a fhios agam, I declare I don’t know. 4. Sul ~ = sula.
má3, prep. About, around. (In phrases)Gualainn ~ gualainn, shoulder to shoulder. Leath ~ leath, half and half. ~ gcuairt = máguaird. S.a. gírle guairle.
má4, s. 1. ~ gáinne, pith (of reed, quill). 2. (In phrases) Níl ~ gáinne ort, there is nothing wrong with you, you are unscathed. Níl ~ gáinne fágtha agam, I have nothing left.