Freagrach
The words 'freagrach' (responsive) and 'dófhreagrach' (double responsive) relate to the
systems of tuning up used by the harpers as described by Bunting and by Patrick O' Byrne (via
McDonnell). The strings these words relate to are tuned by octaves.
The adjective 'freagrach' (responsive one) is used here as a substantive instead of the usual
noun 'freagra' (response). This would be because strings are 'freagrach' (responsive) by
producing a sounded 'freagra' (response). The substantive usage has its precedent in the
language.
The word freagrach appears amongst Bunting's information on harp string names in MS12 f18v
but the word dofhreagrach does not. MS12 actually shows string g as freagrach na gcomhlaí.
dd
g
D
Together with na comhlaí, the MS12 terms designated the first three pitches tuned in Bunting's
printed tuning scheme after the sisters. The use of the word 'freagrach' here seems to indicates
that dd & D answer the pitch of téad na feola in two directions.
1840 introduction
dofhreagrach
dofhreagrach caomhluighe
freagrach
MS12 f18v
freagrach
freagrach caomhluighe
freagrach
ni fil a fregarthach-side lasin Laitneoir
the Latinist has nothing answering to that
(from the very ancient Auraicept na n-Éces)
do gabar a comfrecurthach in cach bescna dib in f[h]ocail is eitget
(from O' Curry's law transcripts)