ETYMOLOGY OF "DUNEDIN."

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8861, 19 July 1890, Page 4

ETYMOLOGY OF "DUNEDIN."

TO THU EDITOB.

Sib, —Having for some years devoted attention to Gaelic topography, its raDge, and lessons, I may say that I understood the derivation of our city, alike with Edinburgh, to be of Celtio origin, as given by " Edinensis," but differing in degree. "Dun", or " Dhun" signifies a " mound or heap," and " eidinn " a " face," so called in contradistinction to "ben" or "bhen," a hill, which is in the superlative degree, and invariably used to denote the' principar eminence in a^mountainrange, such as " Ben Macdhui," Ben Cruachan, Benmore, Benledi, &c., the principal lakes, rivers, and their tributaries beiug also of Celtic origin. Sea ordnance survey plans, R.E, Southampton. The prefix " dun," applied to places, denotes not only the sits itself, but the configuration of the adjoining country, as in the caso of the many existing castles, Duurobin, Dunottar, Dunkeld, Dunblane, Dundee, &c, &c, all of which are built contiguous to hills, as in the case of Edinburgh with the Pentland Hills, and Dunedin with the surrounding.—l am, &c, July 16. Tib nam Beann. P.S.—The Maoris on the West Coast of the North Island make use of words of Celtic origin, which would really show that it extended to the uttermost ends of the earth. This I can vouch for, having heard them while in their company.