on-chú, onchú
Definitions (by source)
[N. 21] warrior; ds. onchoin 2523.
Duanaire Mhéig Uidhir: The poembook of Cú Chonnacht Mág Uidhir, Lord of Fermanagh 1566-1589. Editor: David Greene. Translator: David Greene.
wild beast (metaph. 'warrior'), battle standard. conairt onchon saothrach sróill, a pack of vigorous silken-clad warriors, 805. scaoiltear leó...dá n-onchonaibh sróill, they release their wild beasts (warriors), 809. In each example the poet, judging by the epithets employed (saothrach, sróill) is playing with the secondary meaning 'battle-standard.' Cf. draig.
Poems on the Butlers of Ormond, Cahir and Dunboyne (A.D. 1400–1650). Editor: James Carney.
wolf (?).
Stories from Keating's History of Ireland. Editor: Osborn Bergin.
f., some wild animal of the dog tribe, variously rendered ‘wolf,’ ‘leopard,’ ‘lynx,’ etc., 1160; gen. –chon, 3128; pl. dat. –chonaibh, 3875
Trí Bior-Ghaoithe an Bháis: The Three Shafts of Death. Editor: Osborn Bergin.