different between neigh vs eigh

English

Etymology

From Middle English neighen, from Old English hn??an, from Proto-Germanic *hnajj?n? (“to neigh”). Cognate with dialectal Dutch neien, Middle Low German neigen, Swedish gnägga, Icelandic hneggja.

Pronunciation

• enPR: n?, IPA^(key): /ne?/
• Rhymes: -e?
• Homophones: nay, nee, Neagh

Noun

neigh (plural neighs)

1. The cry of a horse.

Translations

Verb

neigh (third-person singular simple present neighs, present participle neighing, simple past and past participle neighed)

1. (of a horse) To make its cry.
2. To make a sound similar to a horse's cry.
3. (obsolete) To scoff or sneer.

   • Yes, yes, 'tis he. I will assure you Uncle, the very he, the he your Wisdom plaid withal, I thank you for't, neighed at his Nakedness, and made his Cold and Poverty your Pastime; […]

Translations

See also

• whinny
• nicker

Anagrams

• ehing, hinge

English

Interjection

eigh

1. Alternative form of eh
   • 1897, H. G. Wells, The Invisible Man (page 55)

     "Eigh?" said Kemp, with his mouth open. "Keep your nerve," said the Voice. "I'm an Invisible Man."

   • 1935, Paul Green, This Body the Earth

     "Eigh, eigh! he's killed me!" Mr. Utley shrieked. But none of the students made a move out of their seats.

Scottish Gaelic

Alternative forms

• deigh
• eighre

Etymology

From Old Irish aig, itself from Proto-Celtic *yegis. Cognate with Irish oighear, Welsh iâ, and Cornish yey.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ej/

Noun

eigh f (genitive singular eighe, no plural)

1. ice

Derived terms

• eigh-bheinn
• eigh-shruth
• leac-eighre