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.

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

Thunder

14th December 202119th December 2021 By Simon

Words for thunder and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*toranos = thunder
Gaulish	taranus = thunder Tanaris / Toranos / Tonaros / Tanaros** = Celtic god of thunder.
Old Irish (Goídelc)	torann = thunder
Irish (Gaeilge)	torann [ˈt̪ˠɔɾˠən̪ˠ/ˈt̪ˠʌɾˠən̪ˠ] = noise, thunder, (tumult of) battle toirneach [ˈt̪ˠoːɾˠn̠ʲəx/ˈt̪ˠaːɾˠn̠ʲa(x)] = thunder, thunderclap toirniúil = thundery, thundering, noisy torannach / toranda = noisy torannáil = (act of) making noise, rumbling marbhthoirneach = subdued, distant thunder
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	torrann [tɔr̪ˠən̪ˠ] = loud murmur, rumble, thunder torrunn [tɔr̪ˠən̪ˠ] = loud murmur, rumble, thunder toireann [tɤrʲən̪ˠ] = thunder tàirneach [taːr̪ˠn̪ʲəx] = thunder tàirneanach [taːr̪ˠn̪ʲənəx] = thunder torrann-sgòth = thundercloud mòthar an tàirneanaich = the roar of thunder
Manx (Gaelg)	taarnagh / taarnaghey = thunder, thundering rooit haarnee = thunder-clap bodjal taarnee = thunder cloud frass taarnee = thunder shower
Proto-Brythonic	*taran = thunder
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	taran = (peal of) thunder, thunderclap
Welsh (Cymraeg)	taran [ˈtaran/ˈtaːran] = thunder, thunderclap, thunderbolt taranau = thunder taranu = to thunder, roar, fulminate, vociferate, cause/give forth thunder taran(i)ad = thundering, clap of thunder, roar, loud noise like thunder mellt a tharanau = thunder and lightning
Old Cornish	taran = thunder
Cornish (Kernewek)	taran = thunder tarenna, taredna = to thunder taran sonek = sonic boom tardh taran = thunderclap
Old Breton	taran = thunder
Breton (Brezhoneg)	taran = thunder, thundering, flashes, growls, grumbling

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)tenh₂- (to thunder) [source].

Words for thunder in Germanic languages come from the same PIE root, via the Proto-Germanic *þunraz (thunder, Germanic deity), including thunder in English, donder in Dutch, Donner in German, and torden in Norwegian, and also the Old Norse Þórr (Thor – god of thunder), from whom we get the word Thursday [source].

The English word tornado comes from the same PIE root, via the Spanish tronada (thunderstorm), from tronar (to thunder), from the Latin tonō (to thunder), from which we also get words for thunder in Romance languages [source].

The name of the River Tanaro in northwestern Italy comes from the Latin Tanarus, from the Gaulish *Tanaros [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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Stable Enclosures

18th August 202121st April 2024 By Simon

Words for stable, enclosure and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	kruw(y)os = enclosure krāfo- = stable, enclosure
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cró, cróe, cróa = enclosure, socket, stall, sty, horse-shoe, encirclement
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cró, cro = enclosure, fold, pen, sty, stall, hut, cell, prision, socket, box, container
Irish (Gaeilge)	cró [kɾˠoː / kɾˠɔː] = eye, socket; bore; aperture; ring; enclosure, fold, pen; (small) outhouse; mean dwelling, hovel; hollow cróicín = litte hut, hovel cróitín = small (sheep) fold, small outhouse cróbhuaile = enclosed milking-place cró beithíoch = byre, cowshed cró caorach = sheepfold, shieling cró cearc = henhouse cró coinín = rabbit hutch cró madra = (dog) kennel cró muc / muice = pigsty, piggery cró sorcais = circus ring
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	crò [krɔː] = circle, surround; enclosure, fold, pen; fishing weir; eye (of needle), socket; hay ladder crò-snàthaid = eye of a needle crò-chearc = chicken coop crò-mhuc = pigsty crò-buntàta = enclosed potato patch crò-chaorach = sheepfold
Manx (Gaelg)	croa = enclosure, compound, enclave, coop, fold, ring, corral, pen, aperture, notch croa cheyrragh = sheepcote croa chonning = rabbit hutch croa gheayil = (coal) bunker
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	creu, crau, kreu, craw = shed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crau / craw [kraɨ̯ / krai̯] = sty, hovel, pigsty; place of defence, stockade crau = hole, eye, aperture, perforation crewyn = pile, heap, rick, clamp, load crowyn, crywyn, crewyn = shed where animals are kept, sty, coop, kennel, creel, basket; belly, paunch
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	crow = hovel, hut, sty crow môh = pigsty
Cornish (Kernewek)	krow = hut krow deves = sheep-cot krow mogh = pigsty krow prenn = chalet krow yer = chicken shed
Old Breton	crou = pigsty
Middle Breton	kraou = pigsty
Breton (Brezhoneg)	krao = eye (of a needle) krao an nadoz = eye of a needle kraou = stable kraou-deñved = sheep pen, sheepfold kraou lapined = (rabbit) hutch kraou-saout, kraou oc’hen = cowshed

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *krāwə- (to cover, heap). The English word roof comes from the same PIE root (via Proto-Germanic), as does the Dutch word roef (cabin (on a boat), coffin lid), and the French word rouf (deckhouse) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	saball = barn
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	stábla = stable saball = barn
Irish (Gaeilge)	stábla = stable stáblachán = large unadorned house
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	stàball [sdaːbəl̪ˠ]= stable stàballach = of, or belonging to a stable, like a stable sabhal [sa.əl̪ˠ] = barn, granary
Manx (Gaelg)	stabyl = stable soalt = barn, granary
Proto-Brythonic	*ɨstavell = room
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	stebíll = room
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	estauell, ystauell, ystavell = room (e)stauellauc, ystauellawc = having a room, chambered, roomy
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(y)stafell [(ə)sˈtavɛɬ] = room, building, hall, house, chamber, cave, ventricle, stable (?) (y)stafellu = to occupy a room, place in a room, become stuck ystafellaid = roomful (y)stafellaidd = pertaining to, held in, or like, a room, chambered ystafelles = chambermaid (y)stafellog = having a room, chambered, roomy (y)stafellty = cloister, close (y)stafellydd, ystafellwr = bedroom attendant, chamberlain, eunuch
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	stevel, steuel = chamber, dining room
Cornish (Kernewek)	stevel = room stevel an klass = classroom stevel an lys = courtroom stevel-dhybri = dining room stevel-wortos = waiting room
Middle Breton	staul = room (?)

Etymology: from Middle English stable (stable) or from Anglo-Norman stable (a place for keeping animals), from Latin stab(u)la (dwellings, stables), from stabulum (dwelling, stable, hut, tavern), from stō (to stand, stay, remain) and‎ -bulum (instrumental suffix) [source].

The Brythonic words probably come directly from Vulgar Latin *(i)stabellum, from stabulum (dwelling, stable, hut, tavern) [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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Hurdle Fences

4th August 202122nd February 2023 By Simon

Words for hurdles, fences and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*klētā = wattled frame, palisade, hurdle
Gaulish	*cleta = hurdle
Old Irish (Goídelc)	clíath = hurdle, litter, stretcher, wattlework
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	clíath = hurdle; wattle panels of walls, doors or gates; woven fence, palisade, outwork
Irish (Gaeilge)	cliath [klʲiə] = wattled, latticed, frame, hurdle, phalanx, staff, stave (music) cliathach = ribbed frame, engagement, battle cliathobair = wattle-work, wickerwork cliathóg = (small) hurdle cliathóir = hurdler, hurdle-maker cliathrás = hurdle race cliathreathaí = hurdler cliathreathaíocht = hurdling Baile Átha Cliath Dublin (“Hurdle Ford Settlement”)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cliath [kliə] = grid, lattice, grate, grating, shoal (of fish), hurdle, harrow, stockade, stave, staff (music) cliathag = small hurdle cliath-bhogsa = crate cliath-dhuilleag = spreadsheet obair-chliath = trellis
Manx (Gaelg)	cleeah = lattice, wicker, fret, darn, stave, staff, grid, stretcher, grate, grating, criss-cross, school of fish cleea = hurdle cleeader = hurdler
Proto-Brythonic	*kluɨd = palisade, hurdle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec	cluyt, clwyt = hurdle
Welsh (Cymraeg)	clwyd [kluːɨ̯d / klʊi̯d] = movable hurdle, wattle, lattice, rack, crate, gate, door; protection, cover, defence clwydo = to wattle, weave, hurdle, tangle; roost, sleep clwydaid = a crateful, pannierful, kilnful clwydedd = door, gate clwydwaith = wickerwork, wattle clwydwr = gate-keeper, porter
Old Cornish	cluit = hurdle
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cluit, clita = hurdle, wattle, crate, wattled gate
Cornish (Kernewek)	kloos = fence, rack
Middle Breton	klouet, cloet, kloued, klwed = hurdle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kloued = fence, barrier, gate, railings, grating, grid klouedenn = openwork, fence, skylight, harrow, portcullis

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱléyteh₂ (leaning, sloped, inclined) from *ḱley- (to lean, incline) [source].

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, clemente (lenient) in Spanish [source], clé (left) and cleith (pole, cudgel, wattle) in Irish, cledd (left hand/side) in Welsh, and related words in Celtic languages [more details].

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

Hillsides

26th March 20212nd November 2021 By Simon

Words for hillsides, cliffs and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*altos = height, cliff
Old Irish (Goídelc)	alt, allt = height, cliff, valley, abyss
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	als = hillock
Irish (Gaeilge)	ailt = steep-sided glen, ravine, height, cliff ailteán = small ravine alt = steep-sided ravine, hillock altach = undulating (road), wavy (hair) altán = streamlet, ravine, hillock
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	alt [al̪ˠd] = rugged/steep bank, precipice allt [aul̪ˠd] = brook, burn, stream, brook, rill, river with precipitous banks alltan = brook, little stream, streamlet
Manx (Gaelg)	alt = mountain stream, glen in mountains, high place, altitude, alto
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	alt, allt = hill(side)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	allt [aːɬt / aɬt] = hill(side), (steep) gradient or slope, steep road or path, (steep) ascent, cliff, woods, wooded slope allt (o) goed = wood, grove allt (y) môr, allt fôr = sea-cliff yr allt bren = staircase, facet (“the wooden hill”)
Old Cornish	als = cliff
Cornish (Kernewek)	als [ɒlz / ælz] = cliff
Middle Breton	a(o)ut = coast, shore, bank
Breton (Brezhoneg)	aod = coast, shore aod bili = pebble beach aod vev = foreshore

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂eltós, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂el- (to grow, nourish) [source].

English words such as altitude, adult and old come from the same PIE root, as do alt (old, ancient, elderly) in German, oud (old) in Dutch, haut (high, tall) in French and alto (high, tall, deep, loud) in Italian [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis

Ants

16th May 202021st March 2024 By Simon

Words for ant and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sengán = ant
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sengán, seangan = ant
Irish (Gaeilge)	seangán = ant seangánach = full of ants nead seangán = anthill
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seangan [ʃɛŋgan] = ant, mean fellow seangan ‘nad bhriogais = to be fidgety, have the jtters (ants in your breeches) seangananach [ʃɛŋganəx] = pertaining to or abounding in small ants
Manx (Gaelg)	sniengan = ant snienganagh = ant-infested, formic crongan sniengan = anthill

Etymology: possibly from the Old Irish seng (thin, slender. meagre) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*morwis = ant
Old Irish (Goídelc)	moirb [morʲvʲ] = ant
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	moirb = ant
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	myr = ant myrion = ants morgrug, morcrug = ants morgrugyn, morcrugyon = ant
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mŷr, myrr [mɨːr/miːr] = ant myrion = ants myrdwyn = anthill morgrug [ˈmɔrɡrɨ̞ɡ / ˈmɔrɡrɪɡ] = ants (from mŷr [ant] and crug [hill]) morgrugyn = ant morgrugaidd, morgrugol = ant-like pertaining to ants, formic
Old Cornish	menƿionen = ant
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	menwionen, meuwionen = ant, emmet
Cornish (Kernewek)	moryonen = ant, tourists moryoner = anteater
Old Breton	moriuon = ant
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	meryen = ant
Breton (Brezhoneg)	merien [ˈmɛr.jɛn] = ants merionenn = ant merionaer = anteater merieneg [mɛ.ˈrjẽː.nɛk] = anthill

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *morwi- (ant). Words from the same roots include formic (pertaining to ants) and pismire (ant – archaic) in English, fourmi (ant) in French, mier (ant) in Dutch, maur (ant) in Icelandic and myra (ant) in Swedish [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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Deer

7th April 20208th May 2022 By Simon

Words for deer in Celtic languages. There were several different words for deer in Proto-Celtic: *wēdus, *karwos, *ellan(t)ī-, *danī- and *yorkos, and also *sidos (stag). They may have referred to different types of deer, but it is not certain which types, apart from *yorkos, which is a roe deer.

Proto-Celtic	*wēdus [ˈweː.dus] = wild
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fíad [fʲiːa̯ð] = wild animals, game, especially deer
Irish (Gaeilge)	fia [fʲiə] = deer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fiadh [fiəɣ] = deer
Manx (Gaelg)	feeaih = deer

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *weydʰ- (wood, wilderness) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*karwos = deer, stag
Gaulish	caruus / carvos = deer
Old Irish (Goídelc)	carbh = deer
Irish (Gaeilge)	carria / cairrfhiadh = deer, stag
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cair-fhiadh / carbh-fheadh = hart, stag
Manx (Gaelg)	çharroo = stag
Proto-Brythonic	*karw = deer, stag
Old Welsh	*caru = deer
Middle Welsh (kymraec)	caru, carv, carw = deer, hart, stag
Welsh (Cymraeg)	carw [ˈkaru / ˈkaːru] = deer, hart, stag; lord, nobleman, patron
Old Cornish	caruu = stag
Middle Cornish	carow = stag
Cornish (Kernewek)	karow = stag
Middle Breton	caro, qaro = deer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	karv = deer

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱerh₂wós, from *ḱerh₂- (horn) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*sidos = stag
Old Irish (Goídelc)	séd = deer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hydd = stag, hart
Breton (Brezhoneg)	heizes = roe-deer, venison, intrepid boy

Etymology: uncertain

Proto-Celtic	ellan(t)ī- / agliones = deer
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ag [aɣ] = bullock, cow, ox; deer, stag
Irish (Gaeilge)	agh = cow, ox agh alla = deer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	agh [ɤɣ] = heifer, hind
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eilon/eilion = stag, hart

Etymology: possible from the same root as the English word eland (a type of antelope found in South Africa), which from the Dutch eland (elk), from the Old High German elent.

Proto-Celtic	*ou̯ījkā = ?
Gaulish	cerua = ?
Old Cornish	euhic = hind, deer
Old Welsh	eguic = hind, deer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ewig = hind, doe, roe; graceful light-footed woman; deer, hart

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ówis (sheep) [source]

Proto-Celtic	*yorkos = roebuck, deer
Gaulish	iorkos = deer
Proto-Brythonic	*jorx = deer, stag
Welsh (Cymraeg)	iwrch [jʊrχ] = roe-deer, roebuck
Old Cornish	yorch = roe-deer
Cornish (Kernewek)	yorgh = roe-deer
Old Breton	iorch = roe-deer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yourc’h = roe-deer, venison, intrepid boy

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *york- (antelope, gazelle) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*danī- = deer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	danas = deer, fallow deer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	demm = deer, fallow deer

Etymology: related to the French daim (hind, doe), from the Latin dāma (fallow deer, buck, doe) [source]

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Pigs

30th January 202023rd June 2023 By Simon

Words for pig and related beasts in Celtic languages:

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	mokkus = pig mokk(w)yatis = swineherd
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mucc [muk] = pig, sow; a war engine: a shed to cover sappers muccaid [ˈmukiðʲ] = swineherd muccaidecht [ˈmukiðʲext] = herding swine
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	muc, mucc = pig, sow muc(c)ach = pertaining to swine muc(c)aid = swineherd muc(c)aidecht = herding swine muc(c)álach = a brood or litter of pigs muc(c)lach = piggery
Irish (Gaeilge)	muc [mˠʊk] = pig; heap, bank, drift; scowl; sow mucachán = (of person) pig, swine mucaire = slovenly worker mucaireacht = slovenly work mucais = pit sty; dirty, slovely person; hogback muicí = swineherd muicíocht = swine-herding
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	muc [muxɡ] = pig, sow mucag [muxgag] = little pig, piggy, (rose)hip mucaidh = swineherd mucaireachd = swineherding, herding pigs muicfheoil [muçgʲɔl] = pork muc-mhara [muxgˈvarə] = whale muc-stigean = porpoise
Manx (Gaelg)	muc = hog, swine, pig, grunter muclagh = piggery, pigsty, sty muick = swine bochilley muickey = swineherd muc hallooin = aardvark muc varrey = whale, porpoise
Proto-Brythonic	mox = pig möxjad = swineherd
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	moch = pigs, swine mochduy = pigsty mochawg = piggish, swinish meichiat, meicheit, meichad = swineherd
Welsh (Cymraeg)	moch [moːχ] = pigs, swine, hogs; greedy, dirty, lazy, drunk, or immoral persons; small pumps used underground in coal-mines to remove water mochyn [ˈmɔχɨ̞n / ˈmoːχɪn] = pig, swine, hog mocha, mochi, mochian = to behave like a pig, wallow, grunt, defile, sully mochach = contemptible or swinish people mochaidd = swinish, filthy, dirty, vile, immoral, greedy mochdra = filthiness, dirtines mochdy = pigsty mochgig = pork, ham, bacon mochog = piggish, swinish mochwr = swineherd, pig-dealer, untidy workman meich(i)ad = swineherd
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	moch, môch = pigs mochyn = pig
Cornish (Kernewek)	mogh [mɔːx / moːʰ] = pigs, swine
Old Breton	moch = pigs, swine mochiat = swineherd
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	moch = pigs, swine
Breton (Brezhoneg)	moc’h [moːχ] = pigs, swine moc’haer = swineherd

Etymology: borrowed from a non-Indo-European substrate language. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include mocke (a slovenly woman) in Middle Dutch and moche (sow, female pig) in Middle High German [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cullach [ˈkul͈ax] = boar, stallion muccullach = boar
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cullach, colach = boar, stallion
Irish (Gaeilge)	collach [kəˈl̪ˠɑx / ˈkɔl̪ˠəx / ˈkʌl̪ˠax] = boar (male pig); male crab; crude, fleshy, person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cullach = mature male (unneutered) animal (such as boars, hogs, etc)
Manx (Gaelg)	collagh = boar, male, stallion collagh muc = boar (domestic)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ceilliog = having testicles, uncastrated, entire, male
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	callouch, qalloc’h, calloc’h = entire, standard, stallion
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kalloc’h = entire

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *kalljo- (testicle).

Proto-Celtic	*t(w)orkos = boar (pig)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	torc [tork] = (wild) boar, chieften, hero
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	torc = (wild) boar, chieftan, hero
Irish (Gaeilge)	torc [t̪ˠɔɾˠk / t̪ˠʌɾˠk] = (wild) boar, hog; portly, corpulent person, man of substance torcán = little, young boar; small corpulent person torc allta = wild boar torc-chú = boar hound torcshleá = boar-spear
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	torc = [tɔr̪ˠxg] = boar, hog torc-nimhe, torc-fiadhaich = wild boar
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tỽrch, twrch, tyrch = hog, (wild) boar, mole
Welsh (Cymraeg)	twrch [tʊrχ] = hog, (wild) boar, mole twrch (y) coed = woodlouse twrch daear = mole, badger tyrchu, tyrchio = to burrow, dig (up), root up, nuzzle, rummage; to catch (moles) tyrchaidd = hoglike, hoggish, swinish, greedy tyrchwr, trychydd = mole-catcher, bulldozer
Old Cornish	torch = hog
Middle Cornish (Cernewc)	torch = hog
Cornish (Kernewek)	torgh = hog, boar
Old Breton	torch = boar
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tourch = boar, ram; a debauched man
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tourc’h = boar, macho, debauched

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *twerḱ- (to cut) [source]. English words from the same PIE root include trunk, truculent and sarcasm [source].

Proto-Celtic	*sukkos = pig
Old Irish (Goídelc)	socc = pig, sow
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	suic, socc, soc = snout, ploughshare
Irish (Gaeilge)	soc [sˠɔk] = sow socach = nozzled, snouted, beaked, pointed socadán = person with pointed face, nosy person, interloper, busybody
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	soc [sɔxg] = beak, snout, sockt, ploughshare, short, chubby person socach [sɔxgəx] = snouted, beaked
Manx (Gaelg)	sock = bow, nose, snout, tow; ploughshare, nozzle
Proto-Brythonic	hux = pig sux = ploughshare
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hwch [huːχ] = sow, pig, swine, dirty creature
Old Cornish	hoch = pig, hog
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hoch = pig, hog hochwayu = hog-spear
Cornish (Kernewek)	hogh = hog, pig, swine hogh Gyni = Guinea pig hoghwuwa = to pigstick hoghwuwans = pig sticking
Old Breton	hoch = sow
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	houch, houc’h, hoh = sow oc’hal, hoc’ha, hoc’he = to grunt, oink oc’hellât, houc’hellat = to burrow, dig hoch-goez, houch guez = wild boar oh mor, hoc’h-mor = porpoise houc’h-tourc’h = boar
Breton (Brezhoneg)	houc’h = pig (male, often neutered)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European suH- (pig, hog, swine). The English word hog was possibly borrowed into Old English from Welsh. Other words from the same Proto-Celtic root include socket in English, and soc (ploughshare) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ɸorkos = piglet
Gaulish	*orkos = pork, piglet
Old Irish (Goídelc)	orc [ork] = piglet
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	orc = young pig
Irish (Gaeilge)	arc(án) = piglet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	orc [ɔr̪ˠxg] = young animal, offspring (esp. piglet or sheep); whale (archaic) orcan [ɔr̪ˠxgan] = piglet, young pig
Manx (Gaelg)	ark = young pig, piglet, sucking pig
Pictish	orc = piglet, young pig

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European pórḱos (piglet), which is also the root of the English word farrow (a litter of piglets), and the German word Ferkel (piglet) [source].

The name Orkney comes from the Old Norse Orkneyjar (seal islands), from orkn (seal) and ey (island). It is thought that Norwegian settlers reinterpreted the original Pictish tribal name element orc (piglet) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*banwos = pig
Gaulish	Banuus, Banuo = pig
Old Irish (Goídelc)	banb [ban͈v] = piglet, young pig
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	banb, bainb = young pig
Irish (Gaeilge)	banbh [ˈbˠanˠəvˠ] = piglet; Ace of Hearts
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	banb, bainb = young pig
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	banbh [banav] = young pig, piglet banbhan [banavan] = small piglet banbhradh [banavrəɣ] = herd of piglets
Manx (Gaelg)	bannoo = sucking pig, piglet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	banv = (young) pig, piglet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	banw = (young) pig, piglet, weaned pig, hog; young animal
Old Cornish	baneu = sow
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	banb = sow
Cornish (Kernewek)	banow = sow
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	banv = sow, pig
Breton (Brezhoneg)	banv = mother sow

Etymology: unknown – possibly from a non-Indo-European language [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*porxell = piglet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	porchell, parchell = (young) pig, piglet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	porchell [ˈpɔrχɛɬ] = sucking-pig, piglet, little pig, porker, pig, swine, hog
Old Cornish	porchel = young pig, piglet
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	porhel = young pig, piglet
Cornish (Kernewek)	porghel = young pig, piglet porghellik = piglet, sucking pig
Old Breton	porchill = piglet
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	porhell, porchell, porchel = piglet porchelles = sow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	porc’helleg = piglet

Etymology: from the Late Latin porcellus (piglet), from the Latin porcus (pig), from the Proto-Italic *porkos (pig) from the Proto-Indo-European pórḱos (piglet) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include varken (pig) in Dutch, pork in English, and porc (pig, pork) in French [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Horses

5th January 202010th May 2024 By Simon

Words for horse, stallion, mare, foal and related things in Celtic languages.

Note: the commonly-used words for horse in each Celtic language are: capall in Irish, each in Scottish Gaelic, cabbyl in Manx, ceffyl in Welsh, margh in Cornish, and marc’h in Breton.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	kaballos, kapallos, *kappilos = horse
Gaulish	*caballos = horse
Old Irish (Goídelc)	capall [ˈkapal͈] = horse
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	capall, capail = horse
Irish (Gaeilge)	capall ˈkapˠəl̪ˠ] = horse, mare capallach = equine capaillín = pony capall maide = wooden, vaulting horse, hobby-horse
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	capall [kahbəl̪ˠ] = mare, colt, horse, small horse capall-aibhne = hippopotamus capall-coille = capercaillie capall-mara = seahorse capallach [kahbəl̪ˠəx] = pertaining to or abounding in mares/colts capallan [kahbəl̪ˠan] = small horse, pony
Manx (Gaelg)	cabbyl = horse, mount cabbyl awin = hippopotamus cabbyl assylagh = mule
Proto-Brythonic	*kėfɨl = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	keffyl, ceffyl = horse keffylyn = little horse, nag, pony cavall, cauall = horse, steed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ceffyl [ˈkɛfɨ̞l / ˈkɛfɪl] = horse, nag, hobby ceffyl yr afon = hippopotamus ceffylaf, ceffylu = to put on horseback, put one to ride the high horse, extol ceffylaidd = pertaining to horses, equine, horsy ceffylan = little horse, nag ceffyles = mare ceffylyn = little horse, nag, pony cafall = horse, steed
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cevil, kevil = horse
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	cefel = horse

Etymology: uncertain – related to the Late Latin caballus (horse, nag) and Ancient Greek καβάλλης (kabállēs – nag) and maybe Persian کول (kaval – second class horse of mixed blood). Possibly ultimately from PIE *kebʰ- (worn-out horse, nag). Words from the same roots include cheval (horse) in French, cavalier in English and caballo (horse) in Spanish [source].

The Breton word kefeleg (woodcock) comes from the same Proto-Brythonic root, as does kevelek (woodcock) in Cornish and cyffylog (woodcock) in Welsh [source].

Proto-Celtic	*markos = horse
Galatian	*μάρκαν (márkan) = horse
Gaulish	*markos = horse
Old Irish (Goídelc)	marc [mark] = horse
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	marc = horse
Irish (Gaeilge)	marc [mˠaɾˠk] = horse (literary / archaic) marcach = horseman, rider, jockey; cavalryman, Cavalier marcachas = horsemanship marchaigh = to ride marcaíocht = riding, horsemanship, ride drive lift
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	marc [marxk] = charger (warhorse – literary) marc-shluagh = horsemen, riders, cavalry marchach = equestrian, mounted; riding
Manx (Gaelg)	mark = horse mark-sleih = horseman markiagh = to ride, riding, cavalier, equestrian, horseman, jockey, rider markiaghey = riding markiaght = drive, equitation, horsemanship, (horse) riding, lift, rider
Proto-Brythonic	*marx = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	march = horse
Welsh (Cymraeg)	march [marχ] = horse, stallion, war-horse, steed marchaidd = pertaining to a horse, horsy, horselike, equine marchallu = horsepower marchasyn = jackass, male donkey marchdy = stable marchfeddyg = horse doctor, farrier marchfilwr = dragoon, cavalryman, cavalier, trooper marchog = horseman, rider, jockey, mounted warrior, knight
Old Cornish	march = horse
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	march = horse
Cornish (Kernewek)	margh [ˈmaɾx] = horse marghek = knight, rider margh-leska = rocking horse marghnerth = horsepower marghogeth = to ride (a horse) marghti = stable
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	marh = horse
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	march = horse marcheg, marhec = horseman, rider, knight marecat = to ride (a horse) marheguez = to ride (a horse), to dominate
Breton (Brezhoneg)	marc’h [marx] = horse, easel marc’h-tan [marxˈtãː.n] = motorbike marc’heg [ˈmar.ɣɛk] = horseman, rider, knight marc’hegkaat [mar.ɣe.ˈkɑːt] = to ride (a horse) marc’hegañ = marc’hegezh [marˈɣeːɡɛs] = to ride (a horse), to dominate marc’hegiezh = chivalry, cavalry

Etymology: thought to be from the Proto-Indo-European *márkos, which is also the root of the English words mare and marshal, the French word maréchal (marshal), and related words in other languages [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ekʷos [ˈe.kʷos] = horse
Celtiberian	ekua- = horse
Gaulish	epos = horse
Primitive Irish	ᚓᚊᚐᚄ (eqas) [exʷah] = horse
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ech [ex] = horse
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ech = horse airech = packhorse
Irish (Gaeilge)	each [ax] = horse, steed (archaic) eachach = abounding in horses eachaí = horseman, jockey, equine eachaire = horse-attendant, groom each-chumhacht = horse-power eachmharcach = horseman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	each [ɛx] = horse each-aibhne = hippopotamus each-coimhlinge = racehorse eachach [ɛxəx] = pertaining to or abounding in horses, horsy eachaire [ɛxɪrʲə] = equerry eachan [ɛxan] = small horse, yarnwindle eachlach [ɛxl̪ˠəx] = horse groom, jockey
Manx (Gaelg)	agh [ax] = steed, riding horse aghee = equine aghlagh, aghragh = equestrian eagh = horse, racehorse, riding horse, steed eagh marrey = sea horse eagh-veg = hobbyhorse
Early Brittonic	*epālos = foal
Proto-Brythonic	eb [ɛːb] = horse ebọl [ɛˈbɔːl] = foal
Old Welsh	eb = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ep, ebawl = colt, foal ebawluarch, ebolfarch, ebawlfarch = colt, young horse ebolyauc, eboliauc = in foal, capable of bearing a foal
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ebol [ˈɛbɔl / ˈeːbɔl] = colt, foal, sucker eboles [ɛˈbɔlɛs] = filly, foal ebolaidd = coltish, frisky, playful, wanton ebolfarch = colt, young horse cyfeb = mare in foal ebolig = coltish eboliog = in foal, capable of bearing a foal
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ebel = foal, colt
Cornish (Kernewek)	ebel = horse
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	ebol = horse
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ebeul = foal, filly
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ebeul [ˈe.bøl] = foal ebeulan, ebeuliañ = to foal ebeulez = filly keneb = mare in foal

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁éḱwos, which is also the root of the Latin word for horse, equus, and the English word equine, and related words in English and other languages [source]. The horse goddess, Epona, may be related as well.

Proto-Celtic	*uɸorēdos = horse
Gaulish	*werēdos = horse
Proto-Brythonic	*gworuɨð = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	goruytaur, goruit, gorwyd , gorŵydd = steed, horse gorwyddfarch = (war-)horse, steed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gorwydd = steed, horse gorwyddfarch = (war-)horse, steed

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *uɸo- (under) and *rēdo- (to ride; riding, chariot), from Proto-Indo-European *(H)reydʰ- (to ride). Words from the same Celtic roots include palfrey (a small horse with a smooth, ambling gait), Pferd (horse) in German, and vereda (path, lane) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*(φ?)lārek- = mare
Old Irish (Goídelc)	láir = mare
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	láir, lair = mare
Irish (Gaeilge)	láír [l̪ˠɑːɾʲ] = mare An Láír Bhán = the Milky Way láír bhán = hobby-horse láíreog = little mare, young mare, filly, well-built girl, woman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	làir [l̪ˠaːrʲ] = mare
Manx (Gaelg)	laair = mare laaireen = small mare

Etymology: possibly from PIE *pōlH- (animal young), which is also the root of pony and foal in English, pollo (chicken) in Spanish, and poule (hen) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kanxstikā = mare
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cassec, kassec = mare
Welsh (Cymraeg)	caseg [ˈkasɛg] = mare
Old Cornish	casec, cassec, casac = mare
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	casek = mare
Cornish (Kernewek)	kasek = mare
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	casec, casecq = mare
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kazeg [ˈkɑː.zek] = mare

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱonḱ- (horse) [source]. Words from the same root possibly include henchman in English, hengst (stallion) in Dutch, and häst (horse, knight) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*stirrākos = small animal, chick
Old Irish (Goídelc)	serrach = colt, faol
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	serrach = colt, faol
Irish (Gaeilge)	searrach = colt, faol searrachúil = foal-like, lively, flighty
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	searrach [ʃɛr̪ˠəx] = colt, faol, filly searrachan [ʃɛr̪ˠəxan] = little foal searrach-ruadh = buzzard
Manx (Gaelg)	sharragh = faol sharraghoil = faol-like

Etymology: from PIE *stirp- (progeny). Words from the same root possibly include estirpe (lingeage) in Spanish, and sterpo (dry twig or branch, brushwood) in Italian [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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Hills

12th May 201928th October 2023 By Simon

Words for hill and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ardwos = high
Gaulish	Arduenna = place name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ard [ar͈d] = high, height
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ard, árd = high above ground, elevated, lofty, tall, noble, great, proud, arduous, high place, height ardach = hilly ardae, airde = height, high place, nobility, loudness ardaid = to rise ardaigid = to raise, magnify, exalt ardán = pride, arrogance ardri = high king
Irish (Gaeilge)	ard [ɑːɾˠd̪ˠ/æːɾˠd̪ˠ] = height, hillock, top, high part, elevation, head, rise, ascent ardaigh = to raise, elevate, ascend, carry ardaitheoir = lift, elevator na farraigí arda = the high seas sála arda = high heels Ard-Aifreann = High Mass Ard-Aighne = Attorney-General ardaingeal = archangel
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	àrd [aːr̪ˠd] = high, lofy, tall, great, loud, chief, eminent, superior, supreme àrd-bheinn = pinnacle
Manx (Gaelg)	ard [ø(r)d] = high, towering, tall, big, loud, height, high place, fell, incline
Proto-Brythonic	*arð = high
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ard, art = hill
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ardd [arð/aːrð] = hill, highland, top, high, upland
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ard = high, lofty
Cornish (Kernewek)	ardh = height, high place
Breton (Brezhoneg)	arz = high, elevated, lofty

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃r̥dʰwós, from *h₃erdʰ- (to increase, grow, upright, high) [source], which is also the root of the Latin word arbor (tree) and words for tree in Romance languages [source].

Proto-Celtic	*knokkos = protuberance, hill
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cnocc [knok] = hill, lump, swelling cnoccach [ˈknokax] = hilly, lumpy cnocán [ˈknokaːn] = little lump, mound, hill
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cnocc = lump, protruberance, hill, mound cnoccach, cnocach = lumpy, hilly cnoccán, cnocán = little lump, mound, hill
Irish (Gaeilge)	cnoc [kn̪ˠɔk / kn̪ˠʊk/ kɾˠʊk] = hill, mount cnocach = hilly cnocadóir = hillman, hillclimber cnocadóireacht = hill-climbing cnocán = hillock, heap cnocánach = hilly, uneven
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cnoc [krɔ̃xg] = hill, small hill, hillock, knoll, chilblain cnocach [krɔ̃xgəx] = hilly, rugged, abrupt cnocaireachd [krɔ̃xgɛrʲəxg] = rough hill walking, pacing cnocan [krɔ̃xgan] = hillock, ball of fibre
Manx (Gaelg)	cronk = mount, tor, hill, crongan = mound, small hill, tuffet, tumulus, hillock cronkan = knoll, small hill, hillock
Proto-Brythonic	*knox = hill, mound
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cnwch = swelling, protuberance, thickness, hump
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cnwc = hillock, knoll; swelling, tumour, lump, knob, hump cnocell = hillock, knoll
Old Breton	cnoch = hill
Middle Breton	qnech, knech, crech, cre(a)c’h = high, height, mountain, hill krec’hennek full of hills krec’hiek = steep, sloping, incluned
Breton (Brezhoneg)	krec’h = height, eminence, mound

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kneg- (back of the head, nape, neck). The English word neck, and related words in other Germanic languages, come from the same root [source].

Proto-Celtic	*brusnyos = hill
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bruinne = breast(s), bosom, chest; womb
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bruinne, bruinde = breast, bosom, chest
Irish (Gaeilge)	broinne = breast, bosom; brink, verge
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	broinne [brɤin̪ʲ] = belly, stomach; womb; bulge
Manx (Gaelg)	brein = womb
Proto-Brythonic	*bronnā = breast
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bronn, bron = breast, bosom
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bron [brɔn] = breast, bosom, thorax, hill-side, slope, breast (of hill) bronallt, broniallt = gentle slope of hill, rising ground, wooded slope bryn = hill, mount, rise, bank; heap, mound; prominence, highness
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bron = a round protuberance, breast, pap, slope of a hill
Cornish (Kernewek)	bronn / brodn [brɔn: / brɔdn] = breast, hill
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bron, bronn = breast, bossom, udder bronnañ, bronnat, bronniñ = to breast feed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bronn [ˈbrɔ̃n] = breast

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *brusū (belly, abdomen, breast), possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰrews- (belly, to swell) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Proto-West-Germanic *brunnjā (chainmail shirt), include: brynja (coat of mail) in Icelandic, Swedish and Faroese, brynje (mail, armour) in Danish, brynje (coat of armour, protective clothing for motorcyclists) in Norwegian, and броня [brɔˈnʲa] (armour, armoured vehicle, shell) in Ukrainian [source].

The English words breast, brisket and bruise come from the same PIE root, as do borst (chest, thorax, breast) in Dutch, Brust (chest, breast, bosom) in German, and bröst (breast, chest, thorax) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	brixs / brig- = hill
Gaulish	*brignā, -brigā = hill
Old Irish (Goídelc)	brí [bʲrʲiː] = hill
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	brí, bri = hill
Irish (Gaeilge)	brí = brae, hill
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bre = hill, headland
Proto-Brythonic	*breɣ [ˈbrɛːɣ] = hill
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bre = hill, hillock, mountain, hill-country, upland, peak
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bre = mountain, hill
Cornish (Kernewek)	bre [brɛ: / bre:] = hill – appears as Bray or Brae in placenames
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bre = hill
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bre = hill, mountain

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰerǵʰ- (high) [source].

The Spanish word breña (scrub, brush, rough ground), the Portuguese word brenha (scrub, complication, confusion) come from the Gaulish *brignā, via the Vulgar Latin *brigna (rocky terrain) [source].

From the same PIE root we get the English words burrow and borough, and words in placenames such as burg, burgh and bury, and also the German Burg (castle), the Danish borg (castle, stronghold), and related words in other Germanic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*krowko- = heap
Old Irish (Goídelc)	crúach = stack, mountain, hill
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	crúach,cruach = stack of corn, rick, heap, conical pile crúachad = act of stacking, piling up crúachán = small rick, hill crúachda = swollen, piled up
Irish (Gaeilge)	cruach [kɾˠuəx] = stack, rick, pile, (mountain) stack cruachach = full of stacks cruachadóir = stack-builder cruachadóireacht = (act of) building stacks cruachán = (small) stack; person of stunned growth cruachóg = heap
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cruach [kruəx] = pile, stack; round hill; clamp (stack) cho seasgair ri luchag ann an cruach = as snug as a bug in a rug (“as snug as a mouse in a haystack”) cruach-fheòir = haystack cruach-mhòna, cruach mònach = peat-stack cruach-sheangan = anthill
Manx (Gaelg)	creagh = stack, furrow creagh fendeilagh = barricade creagh hraagh = haystack
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	krug, gruc, grvg = hillock
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crug = hillock, knoll, cairn, tumulus, heap, mass, stack, group, company, multitude; pustule, abscess, boil, carbuncle
Old Cornish	cruc = hillock
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cruc, cruk, crŷc = hillock, mound, barrow
Cornish (Kernewek)	krug = mound, tumulus
Old Breton	cruc = hillock
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	krug = pile, heap krugell = pile, heap, hillock, mound, tumulus
Breton (Brezhoneg)	krug = mound krugell = hillock, tumulus

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *krā(u)- (to heap up) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*tumbo- = excrescence hill
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tom = bush, tuft, hillock, knoll
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tom = bush, tuft, hillock, knoll
Irish (Gaeilge)	tom [t̪ˠɑumˠ/t̪ˠʌmˠ] = bush, shrub tomach = bushy, tufted tomachán = small tuft
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tom [tɔum] = hillock, knoll, mound, clump, heap, tuft toman [toman] = small hillock tomag [tomag] = small hillock/knoll/mound, small clump, small heap
Manx (Gaelg)	tom = tussock
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tom, tomm = dung(hill), manure, compost, dirt, muck
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tom = dung(hill), manure, compost, dirt, muck, mud, mound, heap

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *tewh₂- (to swell), and cognate with the English word tumulus.

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: Dutch (Nederlands)

Walls

Thunder

Stable Enclosures

Hurdle Fences

Hillsides

Ants

Deer

Pigs

Horses

Hills