Arrows

25th February 202225th February 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for arrows and related things in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	saiget [ˈsa.ɣʲəd] = arrow, dart, javelin saigetbolc = quiver saiget geláin (flash of) ligthning
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	saiget = arrow, dart, javelin
Irish (Gaeilge)	saighead [sˠəid̪ˠ/sˠeːd̪ˠ] = arrow, bolt, shaft, dart, pang, incitation saigheadmhar = arrow-like, sharp, piercing saighdeoir = archer, bowman, inciter saighdeoireacht = archery, (act of) spearing (fish)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	saighead [sajəd] = arrow, stabbing pain, knot (in wood) saigheadair [sajədɪrʲ] = arrow-maker, archer
Manx (Gaelg)	side = arrow, bolt, dart, shaft sideyr = archer sideyraght / sideyrys = archery
Proto-Brythonic	*saɣeθ = arrow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	saeth = arrow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	saeth [saːɨ̯θ/sai̯θ] = arrow saethu = to shoot, fire, hit (a target), go shooting saethwr /saethydd = archer, bowman, shooter, marksman striker saethol = shooting, darting, radiating saethiad = shooting, shot, blast, projection, squirt, jet
Middle Cornish	seth = arrow
Cornish (Kernewek)	seth = arrow setha = to shoot sether = archer sethigow = darts
Middle Breth	saez = arrow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	saezh = arrow, sunbeam saezhataer / saezhour = Sagittarius

Etymology: from the Latin sagitta (arrow, shaft, bolt), proabably from a pre-Latin Mediterranean language [source].

From the same root we get the Latin word sagittārius (armed with a bow and arrows; archer, bowman, fletcher) which became Sagittarius (a sign of the zodiac) and sagittary (centaur, archer, Sagittarius) in English [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Druids

23rd February 202219th August 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for druids in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*druwits = druid, priest
Gaulish	druwits / druwides = druid
Old Irish (Goídelc)	druí [ˈdruːi̯] = druid, sorcerer, magician
Irish (Gaeilge)	draoi [d̪ˠɾˠiː] = druid, wizard, magician, augur, diviner, trickster draíocht = druidic art, druidism, witchcraft, magic, charm, enchantment draíochtach = magicial, bewitching, entrancing draíodóir = magician draíodóireacht = magic, sly, cunning, hypocrisy, trickery, secretiveness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	draoidh [drɯj] = druid, sorcerer, magician, wizard draoidheachd [drɯjəxg] = magic, sorcery, druidism draoidheil [drɤjal] = druidic(al), magic(al) ceò-draoidh = magic mist eun-draoidh = augur
Manx (Gaelg)	druaight = charm, druid druaightagh = smithcraft, smithery, smithywork druaightys = charming, druid, druidism, magic
Proto-Brythonic	*drüw [ˈdryu̯] = druid, seer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dryw [drɨu̯/drɪu̯] = druid, seer derwydd [ˈdɛrwɨ̞ð / ˈdɛrwɪð] = prophet, wise man, druid derwyddaidd = druidical derwyddiaeth = druidism, the druid cult derwyddol = druidic, druidical archderwydd = archdruid
Old Cornish	druw = druid
Cornish (Kernewek)	drewydh = druid
Breton (Brezhoneg)	drouiz [ˈdruː.is] = druid drouizek / drouizel = druidic drouizelezh / drouiziezh = druidism

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *daru (oak) and *wid-/*windeti (to know, to see), from the Proto-Indo-European *dóru (tree) and *weyd (to see, know) [source].

The Gaulish words for druid were borrowed by Ancient Greek, as δρυΐδαι (druḯdai), and Latin, as Druidēs. The Latin word was borrowed into French as druide, which was borrowed into English as druid [source].

The Proto-Brythonic word *drüw was borrowed into Old English as drȳ (sorcerer, magician), which became drī(mann)/driʒ(mann) (sorcerer, magician) in Middle English [source]. A few modern druids use the word drymann, or something similiar, to refer to themselves.

Here’s a traditional Welsh tune called Y Derwydd (The Druid):

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Smiths

17th February 202217th February 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for smiths and related people in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	gobanns / goban- = smith
Gaulish	Gobano = personal name Cobanno = name of a god
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gobae [ˈɡove] = smith goibnecht / gaibnecht = the craft or calling of a smith
Irish (Gaeilge)	gabha [ɡəu.ə/ɡəu/ɡoː] = smith gabha buí = goldsmith gabha dubh = backsmith, dipper, water ouzel gabha geal = silversmtih, whitesmith gabha óir = goldsmith gabha stáin = tinsmith
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gobha [go.ə] = (black)smith gobha-dubh = blacksmith gabha-geal = whitesmith gobha-ghunnachan = gunsmith gobha-ghlasan = locksmith
Manx (Gaelg)	gaaue = blacksmith, forger, smith gaauenys = smithcraft, smithery, smithywork gaauenaght = smithcraft gaaue airh = goldsmith gaaue argid = silversmith gaaue armyn = armourer gaaue cabbil = farrier gaaue glish = locksmith gaaue gunney = gunsmith gaaue stainney = tinsmith
Proto-Brythonic	*goβ = smith, blacksmith
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gof, gob, gou, geueil = smith, blacksmith
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gof [ɡoːv] = smith, blacksmith, ironsmith gof angorau = anchor-smtih gof afrau = harness-maker gof arain = silversmtih gof aur = goldsmith gof cloeau = locksmith gof du = blacksmtih gof ffrasau = maker of phrases gof pren = carpenter gof pres = brass-smith, copper-smith, tinker
Old Cornish	gof = smith
Cornish (Kernewek)	gov = blacksmith, smith govel = forge
Old Breton	gob, gobail = smith
Middle Breton	goff = smith
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gov [ˈɡow] = smith govel = forge, wire, forging, sharpening govelaj = forging goveliañ = to forge govelier = smith govelierezh = forging, sharpening

Etymology: uncertain – possibly related to the Latin word faber (artisan, craftsman, maker, forger, smith), or from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰobʰ-/*gʰwobʰ- [source].

The surname McGowan comes from Mac Gabhainn (Irish) or Mac Gobhainn (Scottish Gaelic), both of which mean “son of the smith”. Other versions of this name are available, including MacGabhainn, O’Gowan, McGavin, McGowin and McCowan [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Walls

15th February 202211th May 2023 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for walls, weirs and related things in Celtic languages.

Irish (Gaeilge)	balla [ˈbˠal̪ˠə] = wall cúlbhalla = back wall idirbhalla = party wall uchtbhalla = parapet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	balla [bal̪ˠə] = wall balla-tòin = back wall balla-tarsainn = partition (wall) balla-dìon = protective wall, safety barrier
Manx (Gaelg)	boalley = bulwark, dyke, wall boallee = to wall, enclose, impale boallit = walled, dyked, enclosed
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	wal/gwal = wall
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(g)wal [(ɡ)wal] = wall walio = to wall
Middle Cornish	gwal = wall

Etymology: from the Old English weall (wall, dike), from the Proto-Germanic *wallaz / *wallą (wall, rampart, entrenchment), from the Latin vallum (rampart, military wall), from vallus (stake, pallisade, point), from the Proto-Indo-European *welH-/*wel- (to turn, wind, roll) [source].

Words from the same roots include wall, wallow, well and valve in English, wal (coast, shore, earthen levee) in Dutch, Wall (rampart, parapet, earthwork, levee, embankment) in German, valla (fence, barricade, obstacle) in Spanish, and vall (moat) in Catalan [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	múr = wall
Irish (Gaeilge)	múr [mˠuːɾˠ] = wall, rampart, pile, building, dwelling, bank, mound, heap, mass, shower, profussion, abundance múrach = having walls, walled, mural múrdhathadóireacht = wall-painting múr báistí = rain-cloud, heavy fall of rain múr cathrach = city wall múr ceo = bank of fog múr tine = wall of flame, conflagration
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mùr [muːr] = (defensive) wall, rampart, fortification
Proto-Brythonic	*mʉr = wall
Old Welsh	mur = wall
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mur = wall
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mur [mɨːr/miːr] = wall, rampart, fortification, defender murio = to build (a wall) to wall, fortify, lay bricks or stones muriog = walled, fortified, wall-like, defensive murlen = poster, placard murlun = mural, frieze
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mur = (exterior) wall

Etymology: from the Latin mūrus (wall), from the Proto-Italic *moiros, from the Proto-Indo-European *mey- (to fix, to build fortifications or fences) [source].

Words from the same roots include mere (boundry, limit) in English, mur (wall) in French, muro (wall) in Italian, and muur (wall, barrier) in Dutch [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wraga = ?
Gaulish	*brāca = ?
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fraig = wall (interior)
Irish (Gaeilge)	fraigh = (interior of) wall, rafters, roof fraighfhliulch = damp-walled, damp from contact with a wet wall (of clothes) fraighleach = roofing, rafters
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fraigh [frɤj] = partition, partitioning wall, border, edge, fringe, shelf fraighnidh [frɤin̪ʲɪ] = water oozing through a wall

Etymology: unknown

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	paret, parwyt = wall
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pared = wall, surface of a wall, dividing-wall, partition
Old Cornish	poruit = wall

Etymology: from the Latin pariēs (the wall of a house or room). Words from the same roots include parete (wall, side, surface) in Italian, pared (wall) in Spanish, and paroi (inner wall, inside surface, side) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic	*koret = palisade, wall
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cora = weir
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cora = stone fence, weir
Irish (Gaeilge)	cora [ˈkɔɾˠə] = weir, rocky crossing-place in river, rocky ridge extending into sea or lake cora éisc = fish weir cloch chora = stepping-stone
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	caradh [karəɣ], cairidh [karʲɪ] = weir, mound (in a body of water) cairidh-iasgaich = fishing weir
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kored, cored, coret = weir, dam, fishgarth
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cored = weir, dam
Old Breton	kored / gored = fish weir
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kored = fish weir

Etymology: uncertain – possibly related to the German word Hürde (hurdle) and/or the Old English word *hyrd (framework, door), which is the root of the English word hurdle.

The usual word for wall in Cornish is fos, which is cognate with words for ditch in other Celtic languages. See Ditches and Trenches.

Another word for wall in Breton is moger. See Fields, Meadows and Pastures.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Material

8th February 20228th February 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for material, substance and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	damnyos = material, substance
Old Irish (Goídelc)	damnae = heir; matter, cause, reason, motive
Irish (Gaeilge)	damhna = matter, substance, subject, cause; eligible person damhna dorcha = dark matter damhnaigh = to materialize, shape, form damhnú = materialization, formation damhnúil = material
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	damhna [dãũnə] = stuff, material, matter; cause, reason damhnadh = band, tie; matter out of which anything is formed
Proto-Brythonic	*dėβ̃nɨð = material, stuff, matter
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	deunit / defnyd / devnydh = material, stuff, matter
Welsh (Cymraeg)	defnydd [ˈdɛvnɨ̞ð/ˈdɛvnɪð] = material, stuff, matter, substance, essence, element, constituent part, particle, make-up, nature; use service, application, purpose, end, effect defnyddio = to use defnyddiol = useful defnyddiwr = user, consumer
Middle Cornish	daffnez = back
Cornish (Kernewek)	devnydh = ingredient, material, stuff, use devnydha = to utilise devnydhyer = user devnydhys = used
Old Breton	daffnez = matter, material
Middle Breton	danuez = matter, material
Breton (Brezhoneg)	danvez = matter, commodity, fabric, material, fortune, subject, content, future, disposition danvezel = material danvezelañ = to materialize danvezelezh = material danvezenn = material, substance

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dem- (to build (up)) [source]. The English words such as domestic, dominate, dominion and timber come from the same PIE root [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	adbar [ˈaðvar] = material, matter, reason
Irish (Gaeilge)	ábhar [ˈauɾˠ/ˈɑːvˠəɾˠ/ˈɑːwəɾˠ/ˈæːwəɾˠ] = matter, material, cause, reason, subject, topic, object ábharatha = material, relevant ábharachas = materialism ábharaí = materialist ábharaíoch = materialistic
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	adhbar [ɤːvər] = cause, ground, reason, motive, purpose, material, object, topic, source adhbharachas [ɤːvərəxəs] = materialism adhbharachadh [ɤːvərəxəɣ] = causing, effecting
Manx (Gaelg)	oyr [oːr] = cause, incentive, matter, motive, occasion, reason

Etymology: from the Old Irish ad- and feraid (grant, afford, supply) [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	stuth [sduh] = material (in general), stuff, substance, matter stuth dorcha = dark matter bun-stuth = raw material, essence
Manx (Gaelg)	stoo = material, stuff, substance, matter bun-stoo = element, elementary, raw material stoo-beaghee = foodstuffs stoo-lleihys = drugs, medicine stoo-sthie = content
Welsh (Cymraeg)	stwff = stuff, material, substance, cloth, fabric, stuffing stwffio = to stuff, fill, cram, shove stwffiwr = stuffer, pushy person, taxidermist
Cornish (Kernewek)	stoff = material, stuff

Etymology: from the English stuff, from the Middle English stuffen (to equip, furnish), from the Old French estof(f)er (to equip, stuff), from the Old High German stoffōn (to stop, halt, stuff, insert), from the Proto-West-Germanic stoppōn (to stop, halt, plug, stuff, insert), possibly from the Latin stuppō [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, logainm.ie, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Corners

2nd February 20222nd February 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for corners, backs and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*kūlos = corner
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cúl [kuːl] = back, rear iarcúl = remote place
Irish (Gaeilge)	cúl [kuːlˠ] = back, reserve, support, rear, reverse (of coin), counter cúlaí = back (in rugby, etc) cúlaigh = to back, move back, reverse, retreat cúláire = recess, nook, back of throat cúlaistín = backer, henchman cúlsráid = back street iargcúil = remote corner, backward, out-of-the-way place, isolated
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cùl [kuːl̪ˠ] = back, hind part, tress, shadow cùl-fraon = background cùl-chainnt = backbiting, slander, defamation, calumny cùl-taic = patron, supporter, patronage, support, (military) reserves cùl-shràid = back street
Manx (Gaelg)	cooyl = back, behind, astern, reverse cooyl-charrey = backer cooyl-eaishtagh = to eavesdrop cooyl-pholt(al) = backfire cooyl-raad = back street
Proto-Brythonic	*kil = corner, angle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kil = corner, angle
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cil [kiːl] = corner, angle, back, nape of the neck, retreat, flight, recess, covert, nook, eclipse, wane cilaidd = retiring, elusive, furtive cilio = to retreat, withdraw, depart, recede, retire, pass away
Old Cornish	chil = back
Cornish (Kernewek)	kil = back, nape of the neck, book, reverse kilans = recession kilden = retreat kildenna / kildedna = to back off, withdraw kildennans / kildednans = withdrawal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kil = back, reverse, lapel, neck, heel kiladenn = reverse kilañ = to return kilober = feedback kilseller = retrospective

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)kewH-lo-, from *(s)kewH- (to cover, conceal, hide). The English words such as hide, hose, house and sky come from the same PIE root [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Month: February 2022

Arrows

Druids

Smiths

Walls

Material

Corners