machaire, m. (gs. ~, pl. -rí).1. Plain. Machairí na tíre, the level parts of the country. An M~ Láir, the Central Plain. Thug sé an ~ air féin, he took to the open country; he went out into the open air. Caith amach ar an ~ é, throw it out in the open. 2. Stretch of level ground; links, course. ~ gailf, golf-course. ~ ráis, race-course. 3. (a) Field. ~ an chatha, an áir, the field of battle, of slaughter. Dul ar mhachaire an dúshláin le duine, to fight s.o. in the open. D’fhág siad an ~ fúinn, they left the field to us. (b)Lit: Battle. ~ a thabhairt, a iarraidh, to give, seek, battle. (Var:f, pl. ~acha)