brehon

noun

bre·​hon
ˈbrēˌhän,
biˈrehu̇v
plural -s
: one of a class of lawyers in ancient Ireland with power to serve as jurist and referee but without power to enforce decisions

Word History

Etymology

Irish Gaelic breitheamh judge, from Old Irish brithem, from breth act of bearing, judgment; akin to Old Irish biru I bear, Old English beran to bear

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Cite this Entry

“Brehon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brehon. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

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