Words for broad, wide and related things in Celtic languages.
| Proto-Celtic | *ɸlitanos = broad, wide |
|---|---|
| Gaulish | litana = broad, wide |
| Old Irish (Goídelc) | lethan [l͈ʲeθan] = broad, wide |
| Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) | lethan, = broad, wide, wide-spread leithet, leithne = breadth, width lethaid, lethad = speads out, extends |
| Irish (Gaeilge) | leathan [ˈl̠ʲahənˠ] = broad, wide, extensive leathanaigeanta = broad-minded leathanduilleach = broad-leaved, broad-brimmed leathanghiallach = square-jawed leathanghuailleach = broad- / square-shouldered leathanas = wide extent, wideness leathnú = widening, expension, extension |
| Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) | leathann [l̪ʲɛhən̪ˠ] = broad, wide, extensive bann-leathann = broadband aimhleathan [ãĩl̪ʲan] = narrow cas-leathann = broad-footed, webbed, web-footed |
| Manx (Gaelg) | lhean = wide, sheet, sweeping, flat of nose, extensive, broad, full (of chin) lheanagh = broad, flattening bann lhean = broadband beeal lhean = wide-mouthed, yawning (chasm) lhean cheeillagh = square-jawed |
| Proto-Brythonic | *lɨdan [lɨˈdan] = broad, wide |
| Middle Welsh (Kymraec) | litan, lledan, llydan = broad, wide llydany = to widen llydander, lledander = breadth, width |
| Welsh (Cymraeg) | llydan [ˈɬədan] = broad, wide, long or wide (stride); sturdy, stout; extensive, spacious, plentiful, numerous llydanaf, llydanu = to widen, make/become wide(r), enlarge, dilate llydander, lledander = breadth, width, broadness, latitude, amplitude, extent, latitude llydanedd, lledanedd = breadth, broadness, extent llydan llydan |
| Middle Cornish (Cernewec) | ledan [‘lɛdan] = broad, wide, ample, spacious, extensive ledanles = plantain |
| Cornish (Kernewek) | ledan [‘lɛdan] = broad, wide, widely ledandewlel = broadcast ledanhe = to widen bond ledan = broadband |
| Old Breton | letan, litan = broad, wide |
| Middle Breton (Brezonec) | ledan = broad, wide ledañ, lediñ, ledek = to extend, spread, expand ledanaat = to enlarge ledanded = width, scope, calibre |
| Breton (Brezhoneg) | ledan [ˈleː.dãn] = wide, broad ledanded = width, scope, calibre ledander = width, breadth, wideness |
Etymology
From Proto-Indo-European *pl̥th₂-enos (wide, broad), from *pleth₂- (flat) [source].
The Welsh name for Brittany, Llydaw, comes from the same roots, via the Old Welsh Litau, the Proto-Brythonic *Llɨdaw (continent, mainland [Europe], Brittany), the Proto-Celtic *ɸlitawī (country, earth) and the PIE *pl̥th₂éwih₂ (country). The Old English word Lid-wiccas (Breton people, Brittany), as does the old French name for Brittany, Létavie [source].
Some English words from the same roots include field, flan, flat, plaza, plantain, plate, plateau [source].
Words marked with a * are reconstructions.
Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic
