Geas

This article is about the taboo in Irish mythology. For the band, see Geasa (band). For the surname, see Geis (surname).

Look up geas, geis, geise, geasa, or geasan in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

A geis or geas (pl. geasa) is an 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. The word "geas" is also used to mean specifically a spell prohibiting some action. Geasa occur commonly in Irish and Scottish folklore and mythology, as well as in modern English-language fantasy-fiction.

The word originates in Old Irish, also known as Old Gaelic, and retains the same form in Modern Irish (nominative singular geis /ɟɛʃ/, nominative plural geasa /ˈɟasˠə/; genitive sg. geise /ˈɟɛʃə/, genitive plural geas /ɟasˠ/). In modern Scottish Gaelic, the spelling has evolved in a slightly different direction (nominative singular geas /kʲes/, nominative plural geasan, genitive singular geis or geasa). It has also been borrowed into English in both forms (singular geas or geis /ɡɛʃ/ or /ˈɡi.əʃ/, plural geasa)).

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