rafar

Galician

Etymology

Perhaps from Suevic [Term?], from Proto-Germanic *hrapōną (“to scratch, scrape”); compare German raffen. Doublet of rapar.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /raˈfaɾ/

Verb

1. (transitive) to erode, to wear away

   Synonym: gastar

2. (transitive) to crumble

   Synonyms: derrafar, esfaragullar, esfarelar, esmigallar

Derived terms

• derrafar (“to crumble”)
• rafa (“crumb”)
• rafón (“loaf”)

References

• Template:R:DDLG
• Template:R:TILG
• Rosario Álvarez Blanco, editor (2014–2024), “rafar”, in Tesouro do léxico patrimonial galego e portugués (in Galician), Santiago de Compostela: Instituto da Lingua Galega, →ISSN

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Irish

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Adjective

rafar (genitive singular masculine rafair, genitive singular feminine rafaire, plural rafara, comparative rafaire)

1. prosperous; flourishing, thriving; prolific

Declension

Declension of rafar

	Singular		Plural (m/f)
Positive	Masculine	Feminine	(strong noun)	(weak noun)
Nominative	rafar	rafar	rafara; rafara²
Vocative	rafair		rafara
Genitive		rafaire	rafara	rafar
Dative	rafar; rafar¹	rafar; rafair (archaic)	rafara; rafara²
Comparative	níos rafaire
Superlative	is rafaire

¹ When the preceding noun is lenited and governed by the definite article.
² When the preceding noun ends in a slender consonant.

Further reading

• Ó Dónaill, Niall (1977) “rafar”, in Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla, Dublin: An Gúm, →ISBN
• de Bhaldraithe, Tomás (1959) “rafar”, in English-Irish Dictionary, An Gúm
• “rafar”, in New English-Irish Dictionary, Foras na Gaeilge, 2013-2024