Revenge

2nd March 20234th March 2023 By Simon

In this post we’re looking into words for revenge and related things in Celtic languages.

Revenge illustration

Proto-Celtic	*dīgalā = revenge, vengeance
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dígal [ˈdʲiːɣal] = revenge, vengeance, punishment
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dígal = avenging, punishing; vengeance, punishment
Irish (Gaeilge)	díoghail = vengeance, retribution, punishment; to avenge, punish
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dìoghail [dʲiə.al] = revenge, vengeance dìoghailte = revenged, avenged, retaliated
Manx (Gaelg)	jeeyll, jeeill = damage, harmfulness, havoc, injury, prejudice, vandalism
Proto-Brythonic	*diɣal = (?)
Old Welsh	digal = vengeance, revenge, retribution, punishment
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dial = vengeance, revenge, retribution, punishment dialaeth = vengeance, revenge, punishment
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dial [ˈdɪ.al/ˈdiː.al] = vengeance, revenge, retribution, punishment dialaeth = vengeance, revenge, punishment dialaethaf, dialaethu = to wreak vengeance upon, punish dialaf, diala, dialu = to avenge, revenge, retaliate dialaidd = revengeful, retributive dialbren = gallows, gibbet, rack dialedd = vengeance, retribution, nemesis, pain, disease, plague dialeddwr = avenger, punisher
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	dyal, dial = revenge
Cornish (Kernewek)	dial = retribution, revenge
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	dial = vengeance, revenge
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dial = vengeance, revenge, to take revenge

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from *dī- (from, of) and‎ *galā (might, ability), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *ḱley- (naked, head) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include callow in English, kaal (smooth, bland, plain, bald) in Dutch, and kahl (bald, hairless, barren) in German [source].

Other words from the Proto-Celtic root *galā include gal (ardour, valour, fury) in Irish, gal (ardour, valour, fury, vapour, steam) in Scottish Gaelic, gaal/gall (vapour) in Manx, gâl (enemy, adversary) in Welsh, gal (outcast, villain) in Cornish, and gal (violent, intense, urgent) in Middle Breton [source].

The Proto-Celtic word *galnati (to be able) comes from the same root. Descendents include gallu (to be able to, to have power (to)) in Welsh, gallos (to be able to, can, ability, might, power) in Cornish, and gallout (to be able to) in Breton [source].

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

Baskets

24th February 202324th February 2023 By Simon

Words for baskets and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*kleibo = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	clíab = basket, breast, chest, ribcage
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	clíab = basket, skep, bee-hive, coracle, currach, breast, bosom cliabach = slender-bodied cliabaire = infant cliabán = cradle, bird-trip, bird-cage
Irish (Gaeilge)	cliabh [klʲiəvˠ/klʲiəw] = ribbed frame; body, chest, bosom; creel, pannier basket cliabhadóir = creel-maker cliabhadóireacht = creel-making cliabhaire = basket-carrier, travelling poultry-dealer cliabhán = cradle, wicker cage cliabhrach = bodily frame, chest, thorax; (person of) large frame
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cliabh [kliəv] = basket, creel, pannier, ribcage, straightjacket cliabhadh [kliəvəɣ] = (act of) putting into a creel cliabhan = small creel, small hamper, wreckage, broken timbers cliabhadair, cliabhair [kliəvədɪrʲ] = basket-maker
Manx (Gaelg)	clean = pannier, potato creel, twig basket; cot, cradle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kauell, cawell = basket, pannier, cradle cawelleit = basketful, hamperful, quiverful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cawell = basket, pannier; cradle; fish-trap, creel, cage; quiver; belly, breast cawellaf, cawellu = to put into a hamper or basket; cradle cawellaid = basketful, hamperful, quiverful cawellig = little basket cawellwr = basket-maker, maker of wicker fish-traps
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cawal, cauwal, cowal = hamper, basket, pannier cawel gwanan beehive
Cornish (Kernewek)	kowel = hamper, basket, cage kowel gwenen beehive kowel-gwari = playpen kowella = to cage
Old Breton	cauell, cauèl, queuel, qavell = cradle, trap, locker
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	kavell, kavel, kevell, cauell = cradle, trap, locker kavell-bez = tomb kavellad = contents of a trap kavellañ = to put in a basket
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kavell = cradle, trap, locker kavell-bez = tomb

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱley- (to lean) [source]. Celtic words for fence, hurdle, lattice and related things come from the same root: more details, as do words for left and related things.

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Gaulish and Latin, include claie (wicker rack, trellis, hurdle) in French and cheda (wattled laterals at the base of a traditional cart) in Galician [source].

Words from the same PIE root include client, climate, clinic, incline and lean in English, leunen (to lean) in Dutch, lehnen (to lean) in German, chinàre (to bend) in Italian, and clemente (lenient) in Spanish [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ces = basket
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ces = basket, hamper, pannier, bee-hive, skep, causeway of hurdles
Irish (Gaeilge)	cis [cɪʃ] = wicker container, basket, crate, plaited or crossed twigs as support for causeway ciseach = wattled causeway, improved path, footbridge, over soft ground or drain, hamper ciseachán = breadbasket, stomach ciseán = (wicker) basket ciseadóir = wicker-worker, basket-maker ciseadóireacht = wicker-work, basketry ciseog = shallow basket (for potatoes, etc) cispheil = basketball
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cis [kʲiʃ] = (large) woven/wicker basket, wickerwork panel, hurdle ciseach [kʲiʃəx] = wickerwork path/bridge ciseag, cisean, ciosan = small woven basket or creel, kishie cisean [kliəvədɪrʲ] = basket-maker
Manx (Gaelg)	kishan = skep kishan pabyr = waste paper basket kishan shellan = hive

Etymology: from Old Norse kista (chest, box), from Latin cista (trunk, chest, casket), from Ancient Greek κίστη (kístē – box, chest, casket), from Proto-Indo-European *kisteh₂ (woven container) [source].

Words from the same roots include chest in English, kist (chest, box, trunk, coffer) in Scots, Kiste (box, crate, case, chest) in German, ciste (chest, coffer, treasure, fund) in French, cesta (basket, hamper) in Spanish [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	bascaed = basket
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	basgaid [basgɪdʲ] = basket basgaid-arain = breadbasket basgaid-bidhe = hamper basgaid-sgudail = wastebasket ball-basgaid = basketball
Manx (Gaelg)	basca(i)d, baskad, bastag = pannier, potato creel, twig basket; cot, cradle bastag arran = breadbasket bastageyr = basket maker
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	basged, bascet, basced = basket, basketful basgedeit = basketful, hamperful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	basgeg = basket, basketful basgedaf, basgedu = to place in a basket, to make baskets basged(i)aid = basketful, hamperful basgedwaith = basketry, basketwork, wickerwork basgedwr, basgedydd = basket-maker
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	basced = basket
Cornish (Kernewek)	basket = basket

Etymology: from Middle English basket, from Anglo-Norman bascat (basket), possibly from Late Latin bascauda (a woven mat or vessel to hold basketwork), from Proto-Celtic *baskis (bundle, load), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰask- (bundle), or non-Indo-European source.

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include bâche (tarpaulin, canvas sheet, cover) in French, vascullo (broom, bundle of straw) in Galician, basket in English, فَشْقَار (fašqār – a heap of sheaves) in Arabic [source].

Other words from the PIE root *bʰask- include fascis (bundle, burden, load, high office) in Latin, and possibly bast (fibre made from certain plants used for matting and cord) in English, bast (bast, raffia) in Danish, bast (inner bark, velvet, skin, hide) in Dutch, and bashkë (together, simultaneously) in Albanian [source].

There are more details on the Burdensome Loads Celtiadur post, and the Celtic Pathways Baskets episode.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Early and Soon

17th February 202317th February 2023 By Simon

Words for early, soon and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*moxs = soon, early
Old Irish (Goídelc)	moch [mox] = early mochrád, mochtráth = morning (“early hour”) mos [mos] = soon mó [moː] = soon
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	moch = early, betimes, prompt, speedy, premature mos = soon, quickly mó = soon
Irish (Gaeilge)	moch [mˠʊx/mˠɔx/mˠʌx] = early mochánach = early riser mochdháil = early morning mochdhúnadh = early closing mochóirí = early rising, early riser mocháthráth = early hour
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	moch [mɔx] = early mocheirigh [mɔxərʲɪ] = early rising mochthrath [mɔxra] = morning, dawn, very early
Manx (Gaelg)	mogh = early moch-irree = early rising moch-appee = forward, precocious moghrey = morning
Proto-Brythonic	*mox = soon, early
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	moch = soon, early moch dwyreawc = early-rising
Welsh (Cymraeg)	moch = soon, early mochddwyreog = early-rising
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	meuch = quickly, soon

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *moḱs (quickly, early). The Goidelic words were borrowed from Proto-Brythonic. Words from the same root include mox (soon, afterwards, then) in Latin and मक्षू (makṣū́ – soon, rapidly, quickly, speedily) in Sanskrit [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ɸlowto- = to go, flow, be swift
Old Irish (Goídelc)	luath [l͈uːa̯θ] = swift, fast lúas [l͈uːa̯s] = swiftness, speecd
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lúath = quick, swift, swiftness, speed lúath(ug)ad = act of hastening, accelerating, expediting
Irish (Gaeilge)	luath [mˠʊx/mˠɔx/mˠʌx] = quick, fast, speed, early, soon, fickle luaithe = quickness, swiftness, earliness luas = speed, velocity, earliness luathaigh = to quicken, hasten, accelerate luathaitheach = accelerating, accelerative
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	luath [l̪ˠuə] = quick, fast, fleet, swift, express, feisty luathachadh = accelerating, speeding up, hastening, hurrying luathaichear = accelerator luath-aireach = precocious, early, immature, quick-witted luath-bheul = a person who is quick to criticize luath-chasach = fleet-footed luath no mall = sooner or later, fast or slow luath-sgeul = brief/short news, newsflash bàta-luath = speedboat
Manx (Gaelg)	leah = early, prompt, swift, soon, betimes leahid = earliness laueys = alacrity, elbow grease, skilfulness
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lleygys, lleiges = soon, immediately, directly, forthwith, anon, presently, by and by, in a little while
Welsh (Cymraeg)	lleighys, llegys = soon, immediately, directly, forthwith, anon, presently, by and by, in a little while

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *plew- (to fly, flow, run). The Welsh words might not come from the same roots. Words from the same PIE root include fleet, float, flood, and Pluto in English [source].

Note: in Breton early is abred, and soon is bremaik. I don’t know the origins of these words.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Grave Ditches

11th February 202311th February 2023 By Simon

Words for graves, ditches and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*bodyom = grave, ditch
Celtiberian	arkato-bezom = silver mine (?)
Proto-Brythonic	*beð = grave
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bed, bet = grave, tomb medraud, uedraut, bedraud = burial-place, grave, sepluchre, cemetery
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bedd [beːð] = grave, tomb, gravestone, tombstone, interred beddaf, beddu, beddo = to bury bedd-dorrwr = gravedigger beddfa = grave, tomb, mausoleum beddfaen = gravestone, tombstone beddrod = tomb, vault, grave, cemetery
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bedh = grave bedhy = to bury
Cornish (Kernewek)	bedh = grave, tomb bedhros = graveyard bedhskrif = epitaph
Middle Breton	bez = tomb, tombstone
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bez = grave, tomb, sepulchre

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰedʰ- (to dig, burrow). Words from the same PIE root include fossa (ditch, trench, moat, fosse, grave) in Latin, and possibly bed in English [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	úag = grave
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	úag, úaig = grave
Irish (Gaeilge)	uaigh [uəɟ/uə] = grave
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uaigh [uəj] = grave, tomb, sepluchre uaigh staoin = shallow grave uaigh-thrannsa = passage grave uaigheach = sepulchral, abounding in graves uaigheachd = (act of) burying, burial
Manx (Gaelg)	oaie, oaye = grave, pit, sepulchre

Etymology: unknown [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	reillic = grave
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	reilic = burial place, relics (of saints) reilcech = containg cemeteries
Irish (Gaeilge)	reilig [ˈɾˠɛlʲɪɟ/ˈɾˠɛlʲɪc/ˈɾˠɨ̞lʲɪɟ] = graveyard, burial ground; relics reiligire = sexton, grave-digger reiligireacht = caring for churchyard, grave-digging
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	réilig, réileag [r̪ˠeːlɪgʲ] = burial place, ossuary, stone chest réilig-cloiche = ossuary, stone chest réiligeach = like a churchyard, having a churchyard
Manx (Gaelg)	ruillick, rhullick = burial ground, cemetery, graveyard, necropolis, churchyard ruillick fo-halloo = catacombs ruillick ny moght = paupers’ grave

Etymology: from the Latin rēliquiae (remains, relics, remnants, survivors), from relinquō (I abandon, relinquish, forsake, leave), from the Proto-Italic *wrelinkʷō, ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European *leykʷ (to leave) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include loan in English, лишать [lʲɪˈʂatʲ] (to deprive, rob, bereave) in Russian, and possibly dìleab (bequest, inheritance, legacy) in Scottish Gaelic [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Burdensome Loads

5th February 20235th February 2023 By Simon

Words for loads, burdens and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*baskis = bundle, load
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	basc = circular necklet or neckband
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	basc = round, red, scarlet (archaic)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	beich = burden, load
Welsh (Cymraeg)	baich [bai̯χ] = burden, heavy load, labour, duty, sin, sorrow, woe, responsibility, a load, a dry measure baich gwaith = workload beichiaf, beichio = to burden, load, weigh (down), overwhelm, encumber beichiedig = burdened, laden beichiog = pregnant, expectant, burdened, laden, fertile, prolific, teeming beichiogaeth = pregnancy beichiogaf, beichiogi = to become pregnant, impregnate, conceive beichiogi = pregnancy, conception, feture, childbirth, delivery (of child)
Cornish (Kernewek)	begh = burden, load begh-ober = workload beghus = burdensome, onerous beghya = to burden, impose upon, overload
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bec’h = burden bec’hiet = loaded, charged, full bec’h(i)us = heavy, overwhelming, oppressive bec’h-bec’h = with great difficulty bec’hiadurezh = oppression
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bec’h = difficulty, effort bec’hiad = load, charge, responsibility, burden bec’hadenn = physical effort bec’hded = saturation

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰask- (bundle, band), or from a non-Indo-European source. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include bascauda (woven mat or vessel to hold basketwork) in Late Latin, bâche (tarpaulin, canvas sheet, cover) in French, vascullo (broom, bundle of straw) in Galician, basket in English, فَشْقَار (fašqār – a heap of sheaves) in Arabic (via Aragonese or Galician) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include fascis (bundle, burden, load, high office) in Latin, and possibly bast (fibre made from certain plants used for matting and cord) in English, bast (bast, raffia) in Danish, bast (inner bark, velvet, skin, hide) in Dutch, and bashkë (together, simultaneously) in Albanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	aire = load, burden
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	aire, oire, ere = load, burden
Irish (Gaeilge)	eire = load, burden eireadóir = encumbrancer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eire [erʲə] = burden, load eireach [erʲəx] = burdensome, heavy
Manx (Gaelg)	errey = burden, impost, imposition, load thie errey = infirmary
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	areu = burden, sorrow, grief
Welsh (Cymraeg)	arau = burden, sorrow, grief

Etymology: unknown [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	úalach = burden, load, duty
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	úalach = burden, charge, load, duty, obligation
Irish (Gaeilge)	ualach = load, burden ualaigh = to load, burden, encumber
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uallach = round, red, scarlet (archaic)

Etymology: possibly from uala (shoulder), a version of guala (shoulder), from Middle Irish gúala (shoulder), from Old Irish gúalu (shoulder), from Proto-Indo-European *gew (to bend, curve) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include giro and gyre (a swirling vortex) in English, giro (turn, twist, rotation) in Italian, and giro (turn, spin, tour) in Spanish [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, Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Fees and Charges

2nd February 20232nd February 2023 By Simon

Words for fee, charge and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	talī = pay
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	táille = reckoning, account, amount
Irish (Gaeilge)	táille [ˈt̪ˠɑːl̠ʲə / ˈt̪ˠæːl̠ʲə] = tally, score, charge, reckoning, number, fee, premium, rate, tariff, fare
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tàille [taːl̪ˠə] = fee, charge, wages, tax, tribute tàilleabh = consequence, result, premium tàilleabhan [taːl̪ʲəvan] = derivative tàilleabhach = apprentice tàilleabhachd = apprenticeship
Manx (Gaelg)	tailley = duty, fare, fee, impost, notch, premium, score, tally (stick), tariff
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tal, tâl = payment, wage, fee
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tâl [taːl] = payment, wage, fee, reward, tax, tribute, value, compensation, recompense, reparation, atonement, retribution, punishment tal(i)adwy = valuable, precious, flawless, perfect talaf, talu = to pay (for) tal(i)awdr = payer, rewarder, debtor, creditor
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	talves = worth, of value taly = to pay, requite, recompense
Cornish (Kernewek)	talas = payment talvedhys = worth talvesa = to be worth talvos = to be priced, rate talvosek = valuable talvosogeth = usefulness, value, worth
Old Breton	tal = to worthy, cost
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tailh = waist, cutting, pruning, tax tailhadiñ = to cut, slash tailhadur = cut tailhañ, tailhiñ = to cut, prune, trim
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tailh = waist, cutting, pruning tailhañ = to ration, cut down

Etymology: from the Old French taille (cit, wound, incision, count, tally, charge, levy, tax), from the Latin tālea (rod, stick, stake, bar, cutting, scion, twig), from the Proto-Indo-European *teh₂l- (to grow, young animal) [source]. The Goidelic languages borrowed these words from Old French, while the Brythonic words came via Proto-Celtic and PIE.

Words from the same roots include tally in English, taille (cutting, pruning, trimming, size, waist) in French, talea (cutting, scion) in Italian, tajar (to cut, slice, chop) in Spanish [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, Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Region and Country

25th January 202325th January 2023 By Simon

Words for region, country and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*mrogis = border(land), march, mark; region, country, territory, province
Gaulish	*brogis = border(land) (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mruig [mruɣʲ] = cultivated land; march, borderland, country, territory
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bruig = land, cultivated land, holding, region, district, border, (farm)house, abode, hall, mansion, castle
Irish (Gaeilge)	brugh = dwelling, mansion brughaidh = landowner, hosteler
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	brugh [bruh] = broch, fortified tower, large house, mansion, fairy mound, underground house brughadair [bru.ədɪrʲ] = broch dweller, fairy mound dweller, elf brughaire [bru.ɪrʲə] = inhabitant of a fairy mound
Manx (Gaelg)	brogh = broch
Proto-Brythonic	*broɣ [ˈbroːɣ] = country, region, territory
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bro = region, country, land
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bro [broː] = region, country, land, neighbourhood, native haunt; border, limit, boundary, march; vale, lowland broaidd = pleasant like a vale
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bro = country, region, land, territory, coast
Cornish (Kernewek)	bro = country, land
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bro = country, nation, region broa = to return to the country broad = inhabitants, compatriots broadel = national Bro-C’hall = France Bro-Gernev = Cornwall Bro-Saoz = England Bro-Skos = Scotland
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bro = counry(-side) broadadur = naturalization broadeladur = nationalisation broadelañ = to naturalize (a person) Bro-C’hall = France Bro-Saoz = England Bro-Skos = Scotland

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *morǵ- (frontier, border). Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Gaulish and Latin, include brolo (vegetable garden, orchard, grove) in Italian, and breuil (wood, copse, coppice) in French [source].

Words from the same PIE root include margin, mark (boundary, border, frontier) and march (a border region) in English, and marge (margin, markup) in French, margine (margin, border, edge) in Italian, and margen (margin, edge, leeway) in Spanish [source], Mark (a fortified border area, marches) in German, mark (field) in Danish, and marg (march, boundary) in Irish (via Old Norse) [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, Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Scotland

17th January 202322nd February 2023 By Simon

Words for Scotland and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*albiyū = luminous world, upper world, world; high mountain, alp; alpine pasture, Britain
Gaulish	Albiorix = place name Albiorica = place name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	Albu [ˈalbu] = Scotland, Britain
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealgcausecause)	Albu = Scotland, Britain Albanach = an inhabitant of Albu, Scottish
Irish (Gaeilge)	Alba [ˈalˠəbˠə] = Scotland (dated) Albain [ˈaləbˠənʲ] = Scotland Gaeilge na hAlban = Scottish Gaelic Albainis = Scots (language) Albanach = Scotsman, Scot, Scottish Albain Nua = Nova Scotia
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	Alba [ˈal̪ˠabə] = Scotland Albannach = Scot, Scotsman, Scottish Albinish = Scots (language) Gàidhlig (na hAlba) = Scottish Gaelic Alba Nuadh = Nova Scotia
Manx (Gaelg)	Nalbin, Albin, Albey = Scotland Albinagh = Scots, Scotch, Scottish Albinee = Scottish people Albinish = Scots (language) Gaelg Albinagh, Gaelg ny Halbey = Scottish Gaelic (Yn) Albin Noa, Nalbin Noa = Nova Scotia
Proto-Brythonic	*ėlβɨð [e̝lˈβɨːð] = world
Old Welsh	elbid [ˈelvɨð] = (upper) world, earth, land, country, district
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eluit, eluyt, eluyd = world. earth, land, country, district eluyten, eluyden, elvydenn = earth, land, country, region Albbu = Scotland Albanyeit = Scot
Welsh (Cymraeg)	elfydd = world. earth, land, country, district, neighbourhood; element elfydden = earth, land, country, region elfyddiaeth = chemistry elfyddol = material (yr) Alban [ˈalban] = Scotland Albanaidd = Scottish Albaneg = Scots (language), Scottish Gaelic, Pictish Albanes = Scottish woman or girl Albanwr = Scot (m) Alban Newydd = Nova Scotia
Cornish (Kernewek)	Alban = Scotland, Scot (m) albanek = Scottish Albanes = Scot (f) Alban Nowydh = Nova Scotia
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	albaneg = Scots (language)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	Albanad, albanat = Scottish albaneg, albanek = Scots (language)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂elbʰós (white). Alban in Welsh and Cornish was borrowed from Irish or Scottish Gaelic [Source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include Albion (England – poetic) and Alps in English, Albiōn (Britain) in Gallo-Latin, Albānia (Caucasian Albania, Albania, Scotland) in Latin, and words for the Alps in many other languages [Source].

Words from the same PIE root include albino and elf in English, albus (white, clear, bright) in Latin, and alb (white, clean, pure) in Romanian [Source].

The country of Albania got its English name from the Byzantine Greek Ἀλβανία (Albanía), which referred to an ancient region and kingdom south of Caucasus mountains, east of Armenia and west of the Caspian Sea, also known as Caucasian Albania. The Greek name came from the Latin Albānus (Albania), which refers to Albania, Caucasian Albania or Scotland, and probably came from Proto-Celtic [Source].

Scotland in Breton is Bro Skos and Nova Scotia is (Bro-)Skos Nevez. Bro means country or region, and comes from the Proto-Brythonic *broɣ (country, region, territory), from the Proto-Celtic *mrogis (border, march, region, country, territory, province), from the PIE *morǵ- (frontier, border). Cognates in other Celtic languages include bro (region, country, land, border, limit) in Welsh, and bro (country, land) in Cornish [Source]. Skos was probably borrowed from the French Ecosse (Scotland).

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

Taking Hold

10th January 202311th November 2023 By Simon

Words for to take, hold and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	gabyeti = to grab, seize, take, hold gabaglā = taking *atigabaglā = distraint (the legal right of a landlord to seize the property of a tenant in the event of nonpayment of rent)
Celtiberian	kabizeti = (?)
Gaulish	gabi- = to give (?) gabali = taking, seizure
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gaibid [ˈɡavʲiðʲ] = to hold, grasp, take, seize, capture, gain (victory), put on (clothing), recite, declare gabál = taking argaib [arˈɡavʲ] = to seize, capture athgabáil = recovery congaibid [konˈɡavʲ] = to contain, preserve, keep, uphold conocaibid [konˈhoɡəvʲ] = to raise, rise, uplift, exalt, extol fogaibid [foˈɡavʲ] = to find, discover, get, gain, obtain
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gaibid = to hold, grasp, take, seize, capture, gain (victory), put on (clothing), recite, declare gabáil = taking athgabáil = the process of recovery of debts, etc. by distraint, plunder, booty aurgaibid = to seize, capture congmaid = to contain, preserve, keep, uphold
Irish (Gaeilge)	gabh [ɡavʲ/ɡo(ː)] = to take, arrest, go, come gabháil = taking aisghabh = to retake, recover possession of athghabháil = recapture, recovery, re-engagement gabh mo leithscéal = excuse me urghabh = to seize, capture
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gabh [gav] = take, go, recite, break (in) ath-ghabh = retake, recover, regain, impound gabh mo lethsgeul = excuse me, pardon gabhail [gahal] = taking, lease, tenure, conquest
Manx (Gaelg)	gow = to take gow my leshtal = excuse me, sorry, I beg your pardon goaill = acceptance, affect, apprehend, apprehension, arrest, capture, catch, contraction, engage, seizure, receive, take aaghoaill = to recapture, reconquer, re-engage, retake
Proto-Brythonic	gabal- = breadth, side gavaɣl = to hold, grasp
Old Welsh	gabael = to hold, grasp, grip
Middle Welsh (Kymreac)	gauayleu, gauael = to hold, grasp, grip gauaelant, gauaelu, gavailio = to hold tight, take hold, clutch adauael, adafael = distraint (in law), distress, pledge
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gafael [ˈɡavaɨ̯l/ˈɡaːvai̯l] = to hold, grasp, grip gafaeladwy = available gafaelaf, gafaelio = to hold tight, take hold, clutch, grip, arrest, grapple, snatch, seize gafaeliad = a holding, hold, grasp, capture, attachment, comprehension, adherence, spasm adafael = distraint (in law), distress, pledge
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gaval = to hold, lay hold of, grasp, have gavel = a hold, a grasp
Cornish (Kernewek)	gavel = capacity, grasp
Old Breton	gabael = to hold (?) adgabael = to recover (?)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʰeh₁bʰ- (to grab, take) [source].

The Spanish word gavilla (sheaf, gang, band) comes from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Late Latin gabella and the Gaulish *gabali (taking, seizure) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include able, debt, debit, doubt and habit in English, avere (to have) in Italian, avoir (to have) in French, and haber (to hold, possess) in Spanish [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, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Halves and Sides

7th January 20237th January 2023 By Simon

Words for half, side and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	letos = side ɸletos = breadth, side
Primitive Irish	ᚂᚓᚈᚐᚄ / letas = half, direction, side
Old Irish (Goídelc)	leth [l͈ʲeθ] = half, direction, side
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	leth = half, side
Irish (Gaeilge)	leath [lʲah/lʲæx/l̠ʲæ] = side, part, direction; half, part, portion leathach = divided in two, two-part leithead = breadth, width leathadh = spreading, spread, diffusion, scattering, broadcasting
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	leth [l̪ʲeh] = half, side, share leth-ghlic = half-witted leth-leanabh = twin leth-oireachas = separation, partiality, isolationism, favouritism leisgeul = excuse, apology, pretext (from leth and sgeul [story])
Manx (Gaelg)	lieh = part, half, behalf, makeshift lieh fuinnit = half-baked lieh henn = middle aged
Proto-Brythonic	*lled = breadth, side
Middle Welsh (Kymreac)	let, llet, led = year (of age)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	lled [ɬeːd] = breadth, width, beam (of boat), latitude, amplitude, extent, diameter, thickness; half, part(ly), fairly, moderately lleda(e)naf, lleda(e)nu = to spread out, scatter abroad, disseminate lladaf, lledu = to became broad(er) / wide(r), broaden, open out, expand, become widespread lleden = flat-fish, flat or sprawling (person/thing), flattish mass, blade, fluke
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	les = breadth, width, latitude
Cornish (Kernewek)	les = breadth, width lesa = to expand, spread lesans = expansion, spread
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	led = width, wideness, breadth; horizontally ledan = wide, large, broad, vast, big ledañ, lediñ, ledek = to stretch out, extend, spread (out) ledanaat = to widen, broaden, stretch
Breton (Brezhoneg)	led = wide, large, broad, spreading a-led = horizontal ledan = vast, wide ledañ = to spread, generalize ledanded = width, breadth

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pléth₂-os (breadth), from *pleth₂- (broad, flat) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include field, flan, flat and fold (a pen for animals) in English, flat in English, and πλατεία (plateía – town square) in Greek [source].

Proto-Celtic	*santeros = middle, half
Proto-Brythonic	*hanter = half
Old Welsh	hanther = half
Middle Welsh (Kymreac)	hanner, hanher = half, middle
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hanner [ˈhanɛr/ˈhanar] = half, middle, midday, midnight, side, part hanner-cylchynol = semicircular hanner dydd = midday, noon hanner nos = midnight
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hanter = half, a moiety hanter dŷdh = midday hanter nôs = midnight
Cornish (Kernewek)	hanter = half hantera = to halve hanterdydh = midday, noon hantergylgh = hemisphere hanterkans = fifty hanter-mis = fortnight, two weeks hanter-nos = midnight hanter-our = half-hour hanter-pennwari = semi-final hanter termyn = half time
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hanter = half hanterañ, hanteriñ = to halve, cut in half hanter-kant = fifty hanter-war-hanter = neck and neck, tied
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hanter [ˈhɑ̃n.tɛʁ] = half hanter dro = u-turn hanterad = mediator hanterenn = half time hanternoz = midnight

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *sm̥teros (one of the two), from *sem- (one) and *-teros (contrastive suffix) [source]. Other words from the PIE root *sem- (one) include: same, seem, semi, similar and single 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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Welsh (Cymraeg)

Revenge

Baskets

Early and Soon

Grave Ditches

Burdensome Loads

Fees and Charges

Region and Country

Scotland

Taking Hold

Halves and Sides