ogham

ogham (OH-uhm, AW-guhm) - n., an alphabetic script used for Primitive Irish and related Celtic languages; any of the 20 letters of this script; any writing in this script.


The letterforms are one or more strokes (for consonants) or notches (for vowels) cut on or across a central line on a stone or piece of wood -- said line could be cut itself or a corner could be used. The name is from Irish, but its origin is unknown. An example from the Isle of Man -- it reads BIVAIDONAS MAQI MUCOI CUNAVA[LI], or in English, "Of Bivaidonas, son of the tribe Cunava[li]"


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---L.