Editing Geas (section)

{{short description|Mythological taboo or vow}}
{{About|the taboo in Irish mythology|the band|Geasa (band)|the surname|Geis (surname)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{one source|date=May 2024}}
{{Contains special characters|IPA}}
{{Wiktionary|geas|geis|geise|geasa|geasan}}
A '''''{{lang|ga|geis}}''''' or '''''{{lang|ga|geas}}''''' (pl. ''{{lang|ga|geasa}}'') is an [[Idiosyncrasy|idiosyncratic]] [[taboo]], whether of obligation or prohibition, similar to being under a [[vow]] or [[curse]], yet the observance of which can also bring power and blessings. It is also used to mean specifically a [[Spell (paranormal)|spell]] prohibiting some action. ''{{lang|ga|Geasa}}'' are common in Irish and Scottish folklore and mythology, as well as in modern English-language fantasy fiction.<ref>Michael Quinion, [http://www.worldwidewords.org/weirdwords/ww-gei1.htm World Wide Words] (accessed 8 November 2010)</ref>

The word originates in [[Old Irish|Old Irish, also known as Old Gaelic]], and retains the same form in [[Irish language|Modern Irish]] ([[nominative]] singular ''{{lang|ga|geis}}'' {{IPA|/ɟɛʃ/|lang=ga}}, nom. plural ''{{lang|ga|geasa}} ''{{IPA|/ˈɟasˠə/|lang=ga}}; [[genitive]] sg. ''{{lang|ga|geise}}'' {{IPA|/ˈɟɛʃə/|lang=ga}}, gen. pl. ''{{lang|ga|geas}}'' {{IPA|/ɟasˠ/|lang=ga}}). In modern [[Scottish Gaelic]], the spelling has evolved in a slightly different direction (nom. sg. ''{{Lang|gd|geas}}'' {{IPA|/kʲes/|lang=gd}}, nom. pl. ''{{Lang|gd|geasan}}'', gen. sg. ''{{Lang|gd|geis}}'' or ''{{Lang|gd|geasa}}''). It has also been [[Loanword|borrowed]] into [[English language|English]] in both forms (sg. ''geas'' or ''geis'' {{IPA|/ɡɛʃ/|lang=en}} or {{IPA|/ˈɡi.əʃ/|lang=en}}, pl. ''geasa'')).