U
UAMH (Gadhelic),
a cave; e.g. Cluain-uamha (the pasture of the cave), the ancient name of Cloyne, Co. Cork; Drumnahoe, i.e. Druim-na-huamha (the ridge of the cave); Mullinahone (the mill of the cave); Lisnahoon (the fort of the cave), in Ireland. Wem, in Salop, and Wembdon, in Somerset, as well as other place-names with the prefix wem, may be derived from the A.S. wem (a hollow), analogous to the Cel. uaimh. Wamphray, in Dumfriesshire, Gael. Uamh-fridh (the forest-cave).
UCHEL, UCH (Cym.-Cel.),
high, cognate with the Gael. uchda (a height); e.g. Ucheltref and Ochiltree (the high dwelling); the Ochills, a hill range in Perthshire, Lat. Ocelli-montes.
UISCE, or UISGE (Gadhelic),
GWY (Cym.-Cel.),
water; e.g. Esk, Usk, Esky, Esker, Eskle, Oise, Ouse, Issy, Ax, Axe, Ux, Ex, Use, Ousel, Wisk, Eska, Esla, Aisne, Isar, Isère, Isen, Etsch (river names); Duffus and Doubs (black water); Marosh (marshy water); the Theis, anc. Tibiscus; Adige, anc. Athesis; the Po, anc. Padusa; Loch Ewe, and Ewes, a parish in Dumfries watered by a stream of this name; Wisbeach (on the beach of the Wysg or Wash), now some miles from the beach by the gradual advance of the land; Knockaniska (the hillock on the water); Killiskey and Killiskea (the church on the water), in Limerick; but Balihiskey, in Tipperary, is from Bealach-uisce (the road of the water); the Rivers Minho and Mincio, anc. Minius and Mincius (little stream); Duffus (dark water); Istria (half land, half water); Argense or Argenteus (silver stream), in France; Caldas (warm waters), in Spain and Portugal; Ischia (the island of waters), abounding in mineral springs; Issny, on the R. Leine, anc. Issiacum (on the water); Metz, anc. Mettis (between the waters), also named Divodurum (on the two rivers); Osimo, in Italy, anc. Auximum, and Osna, in Spain, anc. Uxama (on the water).
URA (Basque),
water; e.g. Astura (rocky water), a river which gives its name to the Asturias; Illuria (the town on the water); Illuro, with the same meaning, now Maturo, in Spain; Osuno, anc. Ursonum, and Tarazona, anc. Turiaso (the place of good waters), in Spain—osoa, Basque (good); Oloron, anc. Illura (the town on the water)—illia, Basque (a town).
URBS (Lat.),
a city; e.g. Orvieto, Lat. Urbs-vetus (the old city).