Sailing

10th August 202210th August 2022 By Simon

Words for sail and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*siglom = sail, course, run
Old Irish (Goídelc)	séol [sʲeːu̯l] = sail
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	séol = sail séolaid = to sail
Irish (Gaeilge)	seol [ʃoːl̪ˠ/ʃɔːlˠ] = sail; covering, canopy; drift, tend, course, direction, flow, motion seoladh = to sail, sailing; course, direction, guidance, dispatch seoladóir = shipper seoladóireacht = shipping seolchrann = mast seoltóir = sailor, sender, remitter, drover, (electrical) conductor seoltóireacht = sailing long seol = sailing ship
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seòl [ʃɔːl̪ˠ] = sail; navigate, direct, guide, govern, regulate seòlaid = shipping route, passage, sway(ing), nervous movement seòl-mara = tide seòladair = sailor seòladaireach = nautical
Manx (Gaelg)	shiauill = sail, navigate, shiauilley = to sail, navigate, sailing shiauilteyr = ferryman, sailor, seafarer, seaman shiaulteyragh = nautical
Proto-Brythonic	*hɨɣl = sail, course, run
Old Welsh	huil = sail
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hwyl, hvyl, huyl = sail
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hwyl [huːɨ̯l/hʊi̯l] = sail, sheet, covering, pall; journey, progress, revolution, orbit, course, route, career, rush, assault; hilarity, jollity, mirth, amusement, fun, humour hwylbawl, hwylbolyn = boom, bowspirt hwylbren = mast, flagstaff hwyldroaf, hwyldroi = to tack, change course, veer hwylfa = way, narrow road or street, lane, path, alley, voyage hwylfwrdd = sailboard, windsurfer hwylfyrddio = to sailboard, windsurf hwylio = to sail, embark, set out on a voyage or journey, navigate hwyliwr = navigator, mariner, sailor, leader, organizer
Old Cornish	guio = sail
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	gol, goyl, guil = sail (of a ship) gwelan gôl = sail yard
Cornish (Kernewek)	gool = sail golya = to sail skath-wolya = sailing boat gorhel golyow = sailing ship
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouel = sail gouelier = to sail gouelierezh = sailmaker

Etymology: uncertain. Possibly from the Old English seġ(e)l (sail), from the Proto-Germanic *segl (sail), from *seglą (sheet, sail), the origins of which are uncertain. Possibly cognate with the Latin sagum (coarse woolen coat), from the Gaulish *sagos (wool cloak). Related words include sail in English, zeil (sail, tarpaulin) in Dutch, Segel (sail) in German, and sejl (sail) in Danish [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here’s Leis an Lurgainn, a song in Scottish Gaelic about sailing:

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

Lamentation

27th July 202221st September 2022 By Simon

Words for lamentation and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*kiyeti = to fall, cry
Old Irish (Goídelc)	caí = weeping, lamentation ciïd [ˈkʲi.ɨðʲ] = to lament, weep caínid [ˈkoːi̯nʲiðʲ] = to lament, mourn, keen, regret, deplore
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	caí = weeping, wailing, lamentation ciïd = to cry, weep, lament, mourn caínid = lament
Irish (Gaeilge)	caí = lament, lamentation caoin [kiːnʲ] = to keen, lament, cry, weep caoineadh = to keen, lament, crying weeping, elegy caoineachán = crying, mewling, lamentation caointeach = plaintive, mournful caointeachán = whimperer, crier caointeoir = mourner, crier caointeoireacht = lamenting, crying, lamentation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	caoidh [kɤj] = lamenting, bewailing, lamentation, mourning, grieving caoin [kɯːn̪ʲ] = to weep, wail, deplore, howl, regret caoineach = mournful, mourning caoineadh = weeping for, mourning, crying, lamenting, wailing caoineag, caointeach = wailing women (foretells death) caoineadh cù Chaluim = crocodile tears
Manx (Gaelg)	coe = weep, mourn, weeping, woe keayney = weep. weeping, cry, crying, greet, keening, lament, lamentation, mourn, mourning, wail, wailing, deplore keaynoil = lamentable, mournful
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kwyn, cwyn, cŵyn = complaint, greivance, lament
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cwyn [kuːɨ̯n/kʊi̯n] = complaint, greivance, lament, grief; sympathy, commiseration cwyno [ˈkʊɨ̯nɔ / ˈkʊi̯nɔ] = to complain, lament, bemoan, mourn, condole with, pity, take legal action cwynfannu = to complain, lament, moan, groan, mourn for; lamentation, groan, moan, mourning cwynfanllyd = moanful, querulous, grumbling, peevish
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cyny, kyny = to mourn, lament, weep
Cornish (Kernewek)	kyni = to lament, moan, mourn, wail kynvan = lament, lamentation, moan, mourning
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	keinal, keinat, keiniñ = to complain
Breton (Brezoneg)	keuziañ = to deplore, bemoan keuziadenn = lament

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷey- (to lament, complain) [source]. Words from the same root include ween (to weep, wail) in Scots, wenen (to cry, weep) in Dutch, weinen (to weep, cry) in German, and kveina (to wail, cry, lament) in Icelandic, via the Proto-Germanic *kwainōną (to lament) [source].

The English word keen (to mourn, utter with a loud wailing voice or wordless cry) was borrowed from the Irish caoin [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Soft and Tender

29th June 202229th May 2025 By Simon

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

Words marked with an * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*buggos = soft, tender
Old Irish (Goídelc)	boc = soft, gentle, tender
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	boc = soft, gentle, tender, tepid
Irish (Gaeilge)	bog [bˠɔɡ / bˠʌɡ] (noun) = soft, tender, flabby, indulgent, lenient, mellow (voice), mild (weather), loose, lukewarm bog (verb) = to soften, become soft, ease, warm, get milder, move, loosen, rock bogach = soft, boggy ground bogachar = softness, bogginess bogadh = softening, easement, movement, stir bogánta = soft, squelchy bogearraí = software an rud a fhaightear go bog caitear go bog é = easy come, easy go tóg go bog é = take it easy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bog [boɡ] = flabby, soft, limp, pulpy; moist, marshy, boggy, slopp; foolish; damp, humid; indulgent; spiritless; flat (in music); lax (in linguistics) bogach = bog, fen, marsh, swamp, morass, quagmire bogachadh = wetting, steeping, moistening, mellowing, softening, swilling bathar-bog = software
Manx (Gaelg)	bog = soft, easy, tender, flabby, pulpy, slack, limp, moist, soft-hearted, callow boggagh = to soften, steep strong>boggaghey = to soften, relax, ease, moisten, dissolve boggyr = soft boglagh = quagmire, morass, swamp, oozy, boggy bog-roauyr = podgy bog-vroiet = soft-boiled bog- vroojit = squashy
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	buc = soft, tender
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	boug = soft, tender
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bouk [buːk] = soft, cozy, heavy, stifling (weather) boukaat [buˈkɑːt] = to soften, tenderize boukted = softness, weakness

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰewgʰ- (to bend, curve, arch) [source].

The English word bog (wet spongy ground, marsh, swamp), was borrowed from the Irish or Scottish Gaelic bog [source]. English words from the same PIE root include badge, bagel, (to) bow, buck and bow (and arrow) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	muad = cloud, mist, fumes
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	muad, muadh = cloud, mist, fumes
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	muadh = soft, moist
Manx (Gaelg)	meeley = soft, bland, smooth, yielding, soft-spoken, moisten, delicate, fine
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	medal, meddal [kam] = soft, yielding, tender, delicate, pliable
Welsh (Cymraeg)	meddal [ˈmɛðal / ˈmeːðal] = soft, yielding, tender, delicate, pliable; mild, gentle, placid, tolerant, merciful, lax, inexperienced, foolish, weak meddalu = to soften, become soft, thaw; to lenite, cause lenition meddalaidd = soft, softish, tender, immature, foolish, weak meddalder = softness, soft spot, tenderness, sensitivity meddaledig = softened, soft, tender meddalwedd = software treiglad meddal = soft mutation
Middle Cornish	medhal, meddal = soft, mollient, tender medhalder = softness, tenderness, mildness, gentleness
Cornish (Kernewek)	medhel = soft medhelhe = to lenite, soften, absorb medhelheans = lenition medhelweyth = software
Middle Breton	mezell = malleable, mean
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mezel = malleable, mean, leprosy

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *ml̥dus (soft, weak) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include mild in English, mild (mild, gentle, lenient) in Dutch, mladý (young) in Czech, molle (soft, flabby, weak, feeble) in Italian, mou (soft, mushy, squishy, slow, weak, comfortable) in French, and muelle (soft, mild) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	mīnis = smooth, soft, gentle meinos = tender, soft, gentle
Gaulish	*mēnos = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mín = fine, minor, petty, small, level, smooth
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mín, min = smooth, level, calm, gentle, placid, courteous, docile, digestible, palatable, soft
Irish (Gaeilge)	mín [mʲiːnʲ] = smooth, fine míneadas = gentleness, refinement míneog = gentle, placid woman mínigh = to smooth, polish, level, reclaim, make gentle, assuage, quiet, explain, expound, interpret míníneacht = daintiness, refinement, gentleness, quietness, subtlety, preciosity, dainty, delicacy mínitheoir = smoother, polisher, leveller, reclaimer, assuager, pacifier, explainer, interpreter
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mìn [miːn] = smooth, silky, sleek, gentle, dainty, downy, powdery, fine, bland mìneachd [miːnəxg] = smoothness, softness, delicacy, minuteness mìnealas = softness, gentleness
Manx (Gaelg)	meen = soft, sweet, meek, mild, bland, darling, dear, patient, quiet meeninagh = soft, tameable, emollient meeinid = softness, smoothness, patience, mildness, gentleness, blandness
Proto-Brythonic	*muɨn = mild, gentle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mwyn = tender, mild, gentle, meek mwynaidd = tender, mild, gentle, kind mwynas = good, turn, kindness, courtesy, love
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mwyn [muːɨ̯n / mʊi̯n] = tender, mild, gentle, meek, amiable, loving, kind, obliging, courteous, noble, fair, pleasant, sweet-sounding, melodious, soft, soothing mwynaidd = tender, mild, gentle, kind mwynas = good, turn, kindness, courtesy, love mwyndeb = mildness, gentleness, pleasure mwyndeg = gentle and fair, tender, genial, affable
Old Cornish	muin = gracile
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	mon, moyn = slender,
Cornish (Kernewek)	moon = slender, slim, thin
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	moin = delicate
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	moan = thin, slim, slender
Breton (Brezhoneg)	moan [mwãːn] = thin, slim, slender, fine, subtle moanaat = to get thinner, get slimmer, thin down, lose weight moanard = a thin, slender, skinny person moanded = slimming

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *meyh₁- (mild, soft). Words from the same root possible include mite (mild, moderate, balmy, mild, meek) and mezzo (half, middle, means, method) in Italian, miły (nice, pleasant, dear, gentle, soft) in Polish, and mielas (nice, sweet, cute) in Lithuanian [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Teanglann.ie, Am Faclair Beag, An etymological dictionary of the Gaelic language, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Online Manx Dictionary, Gaelg Corpus, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Lexicon cornu-britannicum : a dictionary of the ancient Celtic language of Cornwall, Gerlyver Kernewek, Devri : Le dictionaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, TermOfis

Second Others

16th June 202216th June 2022 By Simon

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

Second, Other

Proto-Celtic	*alyos [ˈal.jos] = other, second
Leptonic	𐌀𐌋𐌉𐌏𐌔 (alios) = second, other
Gaulish	allos, alos = second, other
Old Irish (Goídelc)	aile = other, second indala [in͈ˈdala] = other (of two)
Middle Irish (Goídelc)	aile, oile, eile = other, second, another indala = one (of two), less often, the other, later, the second
Irish (Gaeilge)	eile [ˈɛlʲə] = other, another, next, more, else dara [ˈd̪ˠɑɾˠə / ˈd̪ˠaɾˠə] = second (2ⁿᵈ), next, other
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eile [elə] = other, another, else eileadh [eləɣ] = other eilich [elɪç] = alienate eileachadh = (act of) alienating, alienation, othering dala [dal̪ˠə] = second (2ⁿᵈ)
Manx (Gaelg)	elley = other, else, another, additional, alternative derrey = second in command, till, pending yn derrey = second (2ⁿᵈ)
Proto-Brythonic	*ėl [ˈe̝ːlˑ] = second, other
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ail, eil, eyl = second, other
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ail [ai̯l] = second, like, similar, equivalent, equal; son, grandson, heir, descendant; helper, supporter ailgylchu = to recycle eilaidd = secondary eilfed = second (number) eilaid = second (of time)
Middle Cornish	eil = second, another
Cornish (Kernewek)	eyl = one of two, second eyla = to second eylafinans = refurbishment eylgelghya = to recycle eylskrifa = to copy
Middle Breton)	eil = second
Breton (Brezhoneg)	eil [ˈɛjl] = second eilvet = second (number) eilad = second, copy, reproduction eilañ = to accompany, copy eiladiñ = to duplicate eiladuriñ = to reproduce, reproduction

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂élyos (other, another), from *h₂el- (beyond, other) [source]. The Old Irish word indala, which is the root of the Irish dara, the Scottish Gaelic dala and the Manx derrey, comes from the Old Irish ind (the) and aile (second) [source]..

Some words from the same PIE roots include else, all and ultra in English, al (all, all of) in Dutch, eller (else, otherwise) in Danish, Norwegian and Swedish, and այլ (ayl – another, other) in Armenian [source].

Lead (Metal)

14th June 202214th June 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for lead (metal) and related things in Celtic languages.

Cwmystwyth Lead Mine, Ceredigion, Cymru

Proto-Celtic	*ɸloudom = lead (metal)
Gaulish	*laudon = lead (metal)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lúaide = lead (metal)
Irish (Gaeilge)	luaidhe [ˈl̪ˠuːiː] = lead (metal), (sounding-) lead, plummet, (fishing) sinker luaidhiúil = lead-like, leaden luaidhnimh = lead-poisoning peann luaidhe = pencil
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	luaidhe [l̪ˠuəjə] = lead (metal), leaden luaidheach = leaden peann-luaidhe = pencil
Manx (Gaelg)	leoaie = lead (metal), leaden, sounding lead penn leoaie = pencil

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *plewd- (to fly, flow, run), from *plew- (to fly, flow, run), from the Proto-West Germanic *laud [source].

Some words from the same PIE root include fleet, float, flood and pneumonia in English, vlieten (to flow) in Dutch, fließen (to flow) in German, flyte (to float, flow) in Swedish [source].

The English word lead comes from the Middle English le(e)d (lead) from the Old English lēad (lead) from the Proto-West-Germanic *laud (lead), from the Gaulish *laudon (lead) [source], and words for lead in other Germanic language languages come from the same root [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*plum = lead (metal)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pluum, plwm = lead (metal)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	plwm [plʊm] = lead (metal); mass or ball of lead, plumb, plummet, straight(ness), vertical(ness) plymaidd = leaden, lead-like, heavy, oppressive, worthless plymen = lead weight, plummet, sheet, of lead plymio = to sound (for depth), fathom, dive, plunge, plummet; to cover or solder with lead, line (pottery) with lead, glaze plymwr = plumber, dealer/worker in lead, plunger, diver plymliw = lead-coloured, blackish-blue, greyish blue, pale blue
Cornish (Kernewek)	plomm, plobm = lead (metal) plommer = plumber plommwedhek = vertical pyncel plomm = pencil
Breton (Brezhoneg)	plom = lead (metal) plomek = lead(en) plomer = plumber plomerezh = plumbing

Etymology: from the Latin plumbum (lead, pencil), may be borrowed from Etruscan, Iberian or some other pre-Indo-European Mediterranean substrate language [source].

Some words from the same Latin root include plumb (truly vertical, as indicated by a plumb line) in English, piombo (lead, grey, bullet) in Italian, plomb (lead, fuse, sinker) in French, and Plombe (seal, filling) in German [source].

Tin

2nd June 202217th August 2024 By Simon

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

Botallack tin mine in Cornwall

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*stagnos = tin
Gaulish	*stagnom = tin
Old Irish (Goídelc)	stán [mʲeːnʲ] = tin, tin vessel
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	stán, stan, sdán, sdan = tin
Irish (Gaeilge)	stán = tin, tin vessel stánach = tin-bearing, stannic stánadóir = tinner, tinsmith stánadóireacht = tin-work, (act of) tinkering stánaigh = to tin, to coat with tin, to pack in tin(s) stáncheárta = tinworks stánphláta = tin-plate stántáirgeach = tin-bearing stánúil = tinny, stannous feadóg stáin = tin whistle
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	staoin [sdɯːn̪ʲ] = tin, pewter stàin [sdɯːn̪ʲ] = tin stànadair = tinsmith, tinker staoinseil = tinsel fìdeag-staoin = tin whistle muileann-staoin = tin mill sgragall-staoine = tinfoil
Manx (Gaelg)	stainney = tin, can, tin-plate stainnagh = tin-bearing stainnaghey = to tin-plate stainneyder = tin-miner stainnit = tin-plated stainn-oshleyder, fosleyder stainney = tin-opener feddan (stainney) = tin whistle, flageolot gaaue stainney = tinner, tinsmith
Proto-Brythonic	*staɨn = tin
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	stain, ystain, staen, ystaen = tin, pewter
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(y)staen [ˈ(ə)staɨ̯n] = tin, pewter ystaenaid, staenaid = tinned, tin ystaenwr, ystaeniwr = pewterer, tinsmith
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	stean, stên = tin stener, stynnar = a tinner, a pewterer
Cornish (Kernewek)	sten [stɛːn / steːn] = tin stenek = tin ground, stannary stenor = tinner sten du = tin ore poll sten = tin pit
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	sten = tin
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	sten, stean, staen = tin
Breton (Brezhoneg)	staen [ˈstɛːn] = tin staenañ = to tinplate staenek = stannic (of or containing tin) staenus = stannous (of or containing tin)

Etymology: probably from the Proto-Indo-European *sth₂gʰ-nó-s (standing, firm), from *steh₂-gʰ- + *-nós, from *steh₂- (to stand) [source].

The Latin word stannum (an alloy of silver and lead; tin) was borrowed from the Gaulish *stagnom, and words for tin in Romance languages developed from this, including étain in French, stagno in Italian, and estaño in Spanish [source].

The scientific abbreviation for tin is Sn, from the Latin stannum. The old Latin name for tin was plumbum candidum (white lead) [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tiona = tin (container, metal) á tiona = tinned, from a tin crogan-tiona = tin can
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tynn, tin, tinn = tin, tin plate
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tun, tyn = tin (metal / container), tin plate, tin can tunio, tuniaf = to tin, coat with tin, seal in a tin tun tân = blower, metal plate placed before an open fire to increase the draught tun te = tin used by workmen to carry leaf tea (and sugar) to work

Etymology: from the English tin, from the Middle English tin, tyn(e), tynne (tin), from the Old English tin (tin), from the Proto-Germanic *tiną (tin), probably from a pre-Indo-European language [source].

Words for tin in Germanic languages come from the same Proto-Germanic root, including tin in Dutch, Zinn in German, tenn in Swedish, and tinn in Norwegian, as do words for tin in some Slavic and Finno-Ugric languages [source].

Iron

27th May 202227th May 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*īsarnom = iron
Old Irish (Goídelc)	íarn [iːa̯rn] = iron
Irish (Gaeilge)	iarann [ˈiəɾˠən̪ˠ] = iron (element, appliance, golf club); iron part of a tool; brass (money) amhiarann, iarnmhian = iron ore iarann rocach = corrugated iron iaranach = irons, iron implements, fetters, ploughshare iaranaigh = to put in irons, fit, cover with iron iaranaí = (made of) iron, iron-hard iaranáil = to iron (clothes) iarnmhangaire = ironmonger iarannaois = the Iron Age iarna = hardware iarnród = railway iarnúil = iron-like, ferrous
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	iarann [iər̪ˠən̪ˠ] = iron, (metal) blade; day’s worth cutting peat (for two) iarnaidh = ferrous, iron-hard, iron-coloured, stingy iarnaigeadh, iarnachadh = (act of) ironing iarnair = ironmonger iarainn-tàthainn, iarann-sobhdraidh = soldering iron iarann-dreasaigidh = clothes iron iarann mòlltaichte = cast iron iarann preasach = corrugated iron rathad-iarainn = railway
Manx (Gaelg)	yiarn = iron; tool, scythe, blade; dough (money); tip (gratuity) yiarnagh = ferric yiarnal = iron, ironing yiarneyder = ironmonger yiarnrey = hardware yiarnaghey, yiarney = to cover with iron, to iron yiarnoil = ferrous
Proto-Brythonic	*hijarn = hard, hard metal, iron
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	heirn, hyarn, heyrn, hayarnn, haearn = iron
Welsh (Cymraeg)	haearn = iron, iron bar, hardness, strength, resoluteness, hard, strong, unyielding; sword, spear, lance; iron armour, coat of mail; fetters, shackles; branding-iron, pincers; flat-iron; spur haearnaidd = like iron, ferrous; strong, hard, callous, oppressive haearneiddio = to harden, make (one) unfeeling or callous haearnol = of iron, iron-like, hard, unfeeling, rigid, stern haearnwr = ironmonger, ironworker haearn bwrw = cast iron haearn gwaith = wrought iron haearn gwrymiog = corrugated iron
Middle Cornish	heorn, horn, hôrn = iron
Cornish (Kernewek)	horn = iron hornek = ferric, iron hornell = iron (for clothes) hornella = to iron horner = ironmonger horn margh = horseshoe hyns horn = railway
Old Breton	hoiarn = iron
Middle Breton	houarnn = iron
Breton (Brezhoneg)	houarn [ˈhuː.arn] = iron; flat iron; horseshoe houarnek = ferric houarnus = ferrous houarnaj = scrap iron houarnajer = scrap merchant houarnañ = to shoe (a horse) houarn-marc’h = horseshoe houarn da zistennañ = iron (for clothes) hent-houarn = railway

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: probably from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁ēsh₂r̥no- (bloody, red), from *h₁ésh₂r̥ (blood) [source].

Words for iron in Germanic languages come from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Proto-Germanic *īsarną (iron), including iron in English, ijzer in Dutch, Eisen in German, and järn in Swedish [source].

Words for blood in Romance languages come from the same PIE root, via the Latin sanguīs (blood, descent, progeny, family), including sang in Catalan and French, sangue in Italian and Portuguese, and sangre in Spanish, and also the English word sanguine (blood red; warm, optimistic, confident) [source].

Hard Steel

26th May 202227th May 2022 By Simon

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

Old Irish (Goídelc)	dúr = hard, hardy, resolute, rigid
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dúr = rigid, hard, solid; difficult; hard to bear; strict, austere; hardy, resolute; unfeeling, dour, obdurate
Irish (Gaeilge)	dúr = hard, rigid, solid; dour, grim, obstinate; dense, stupid, blunt, insensitive; sluggish dúramán = dull-witted, stupid person dúramánta = dull-witted, stupid dúranta = dour, grim, morose, sullen dúrantacht = dourness, sullenness dúrapóg = surly person dúrchroí = hard heart, hardness of heart dúrchroíoch = hard hearted
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dùr [duːr] = stubborn, intractable; obstinate, dull, stupid; persevering durganta = rigid, stiff, hardened; robust, rigorous; obstinate, dogged; sullen, morose; grim, forbidding
Manx (Gaelg)	douyr = mournful, uncomfortable, unhappy, afflicting
Proto-Brythonic	*dʉr = hard, hard metal, steel
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dur = steel
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dur [dɨːr / diːr] = steel, steel weapon; hard, cruel duraidd = steely, hard, faithful, true durawdr = steel sword or lance dur bwrw = cast steel edau ddur = wire fel y dur = true as steel, like steel llifddur = file, rasp
Cornish (Kernewek)	dur = steel dur dinamm = stainless steel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dir = steel dir disvergi = stainless steel kazeg-dir = bicycle (“steel mare”)

Etymology from the Latin dūrus (hard, rough, harsh), from the Proto-Indo-European *drew- (hard, fast), from *dóru (tree) [source].

Words from the same Latin root include the Scots word dour (hard, stern, severe, relentless), possibly via Middle Irish, which was also borrowed into English and means stern, harsh or forbidding; the French word dur (hard, tough, harsh), the Italian word duro (hard, tough, harsh), and the Spanish word duro (hard, form, solid) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include Celtic words for oak (tree), and the English words true, trough and trim [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	cruach [kɾˠuəx / kɾˠɔx] = steel cruachghreanadóireacht = steel-engraving cruachobair = steelwork cruachphláta = steel-plate cruachphlátáilte = steel-plated
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cruaidh [kruəj] = steel; stone anchor; hard, rocky ground
Manx (Gaelg)	creoighey = steel

Etymology from the Irish crua (hard), from the Old Irish crúaid (hard, hardy, harsh, stern, strict), from the Proto-Celtic *kroudis (rude), possibly from *krū- (blood), from the Proto-Indo-European *krewh₂-. (blood) [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	stàilinn [sdaːl̪ʲɪn̪ʲ] = steel clòimh-stàilinn = steel wool obraiche-stàilinn = steelworker ionad-stàilinn = steelworks
Manx (Gaelg)	staillin, steillyn, steillin = steel staillinagh = steel-maker, steel obbyr staillinagh = steelwork ollan staillinagh = steel wool snaie staillinagh = steel wire towse staillinagh = steelyard

Etymology from the Old Norse stál (steel, sword), from the Proto-Germanic stahlą (steel), from the Proto-Indo-European *stek- (to be firm, stand fast) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Germanic root include steel in English, staal (steel) in Dutch, Stahl (steel) in German, and stål (steel, tool) in Danish [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Doors

17th May 202213th July 2024 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for door, gate, port, harbour and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*dwār = door
Gaulish	durom = door – was borrowed into Latin and appeared in placenames such as Augustodurum (now Bayeux), and Nemetodurum (now Nanterre)*
Proto-Brythonic	*dor = door
Old Welsh	dor = door
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dor = door
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dôr [druːs] = door; defence, refuge, shield; opportunity; protector, defender, chief, leader dôr blyg(edig) = folding door dôr ddyrchafad = portcullis
Middle Breton	dor = door
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dor [doːr] = door dor-dal = front door, portal dorlec’h = door frame dor a-dreñv = rear door dor a-raok = front door dor emgefre = automatic door dor greñvaet = fortified gate dor harz tan = fire door dor-borzh = gate (of a courtyard) dor brenestr = French window gwir treuz-dor = doorstep

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *dʰwṓr (door), from *dʰwer- (doorway, door, gate) [source].

Words from the sane Proto-Indo-European root include: door and forum in English, deur (door) in Dutch, Tür (door, doorway) in German, dehors (outside) in French, fuori (outside) in Italian, and fuera (outside) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*dworestus = door
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dorus [ˈdorus] = door
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dorus [ˈdorus] = door
Irish (Gaeilge)	doras [ˈd̪ˠɔɾˠəsˠ] = door, doorway doras isteach = entrance doras amach = exit doras tosaigh / béil = front door doras cúil / thiar = backdoor doirseach = having doors, open, accessible, gaping (wound) doirseoir = door-keeper, (hall) porter doirseoireacht = occupation of door-keeper
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dorus [dɔrəs] = door, valve dorus-beag = back door, inner door dorus-mór = front door, main entrance doras a-mach = exit àrd-doras = lintel ath-dhoras = next door deoch an dorais = stirrup cup, one for the door/road, Jock and Doris
Manx (Gaelg)	dorrys = door, doorway, gate, portal; back (of cart), fly (of tent) dorrys doont = back door dorrys toshee = front door dorrys egin = emergency exit, exit jough yn dorrys = parting drink, stirrup cup sole y dorrys = doorstep, threshold
Proto-Brythonic	*drus = doorway, entrance, door
Old Welsh	drus = doorway, entrance, door
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	drus, drvs, drws = doorway, entrance, door
Welsh (Cymraeg)	drws [druːs] = doorway, entrance, door, pass, estuary, opening, opportunity, facility drws codi/cudd = trap-door drws nesaf = next door (to), very near (to), bordering (on) wrth y drws = at hand, close, near o ddrws = from before drysaf, drwsaf, dryo, drwso = to mind a door (in a coal-mine) dryswr, drwswr = door-boy (in a coal-mine) drysor = doorkeepr, janitor, porter
Middle Cornish	daras, darat = door darador = doorkeeper
Cornish (Kernewek)	daras = door darasik = wicket penn/pedn daras = lintel

Etymology from the Proto-Celtic *dwār (door) – see above [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	port [por͈t] = place, shore, bank
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	port = place, spot, locality, stead, abode, settlement, bank, shore, mound, entrenchment
Irish (Gaeilge)	port [ˈd̪ˠɔɾˠəsˠ] = landing-place, harbour, port, bank, place of refuge, haven, resort, fortified place, stronghold aerfort = airport calafort = port, harbour
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	port [pɔr̪ˠʃd] = port, dock port-adhair = airport baile-puirt = seaside village, port town long-phort = seaport
Manx (Gaelg)	purt = harbour, port, station purt aer = airport purt awiney = river port purt lhuingey, lhong-phurt = seaport
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	porth = port, harbour, haven porthua, porthfa = harbour, port, coast, haven, refuge
Welsh (Cymraeg)	porth [pɔrθ] = port, harbour, haven, estuary, landing-place, ferry porthfa = harbour, port, coast, haven, refuge porthfad = ferryboat, wherry porthladd = harbour, port, coast, safe anchorage porthwas = ferryman, boatman, porter, carrier
Middle Cornish	porth = (sea) port, harbour, bay
Cornish (Kernewek)	porth = cove, harbour, haven, port porth klos = docks porthva = wharf
Middle Breton	porz = port porz mor, portz mor = seaport
Breton (Brezhoneg)	porzh [pors] = port porzh-mor [pɔrzˈmoːr] = seaport

Etymology from Latin portus (harbour, port, haven, refuge, warehouse), from Proto-Italic *portus (harbour) the Proto-Indo-European *pértus (crossing, from *per- (to lead, cross over, pass) [source].

Words from the same roots include port, portal, porter and portico in English, porte (door, gate, means) in French, puerta (door, gate, goal) in Spanish, póirse (porch, lobby, passage, closet) in Irish, and furta (wicket gate, port) in Polish [source].

Proto-Brythonic	porθ = door, gate, gateway porθọr = porter, gatekeeper
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	porth, pyrth, pirth = portal, door, gate(way) porthavr, porthaur, porthawr, porthor = porter, gatekeeper, doorkeeper
Welsh (Cymraeg)	porth [pɔrθ] = portal, door, gate(way), porch, lobby, vestibule, portico, gap, pass porthfa = entrance, gate, portico porthor(es) = porter, gatekeeper, doorkeeper
Middle Cornish	porth = door, gate, entrance porther, porthawr, portheres = doorkeeper, porter, janitor
Cornish (Kernewek)	porth = portico, gate porther, porthores = porter, janitor porthji = gatehouse, lodge
Middle Breton	porz = (monumental / city) gate
Breton (Brezhoneg)	porzh [pors] = (monumental) gate, courtyard porzhad = courtyard porzhier = doorman, concierge porzhierezh = courtyard, concierge porzh-gwint [pɔrzˈɡɥĩnt] = drawbridge

Etymology from Latin porta (gate, entrance, passage, door, way), from Proto-Italic *portā (gate) the Proto-Indo-European *porteh₂, from *per- (to lead, cross over, pass) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	calad [por͈t] = shore, port, landing
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	calad, caladh = shore, port, landing-place, land
Irish (Gaeilge)	caladh [ˈkɑl̪ˠə / ˈkalˠuː] = landing-place, ferry, port, harbour, river-meadow, break, large wave calafort = port, harbour
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cala [kal̪ˠə] = harbour, port, haven cala-phort = harbour, haven
Manx (Gaelg)	callee = landing place calloo = breakwater, bulwark, column, landing stage calloo marrey = pier

Etymology possibly from Late Latin calātum from Latin calō (to call, announce solemnly) [source], or from Proto-Celtic *kaletos (hard, strong cruel) [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, An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Nephews

29th April 202229th April 2022 By Simon

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

My nephew. Mo nia. Mac my shayrey. Fy nai. Ma noy. Ma niz.

Proto-Celtic	*neɸūss = nephew
Primitive Irish	ᚅᚔᚑᚈᚈᚐ (niotta) = nephew (sister’s son)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	nia [ˈn͈ʲi.a] = nephew, sister’s son
Irish (Gaeilge)	nia [n̪ʲiə] = nephew garneacht = great-nephew
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nia [n̪ʲiə] = nephew (sister’s son)
Manx (Gaelg)	neear = nephew
Proto-Brythonic	*nei = nephew
Old Welsh	nei = nephew
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ney, nei = nephew
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nai [nai̯] = nephew, first cousin’s son nai fab brawd = nephew (brother’s son) nai fab chwaer = nephew (sister’s son) mab nai = great-nephew naigarwch = nepotism
Middle Cornish	noi = nephew
Cornish (Kernwek)	noy = nephew
Old Breton	ny = nephew
Middle Breton	ni = nephew
Breton (Brezhoneg)	niz = nephew gourniz = great-nephew

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *népōts (grandson, descendent, nephew), possibly from *ne (not) and *pótis (master, lord, husband) [source].

Other words for nephew:

Irish: mac deirféar (sister’s son), mac dearthár (brother’s son)
Scottish Gaelic: mac-peathar (sister’s son), mac-bràthar (brother’s son)
Manx: mac shayrey (sister’s son), mac braarey (brother’s son)

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Dutch (Nederlands)

Sailing

Lamentation

Soft and Tender

Second Others

Lead (Metal)

Tin

Iron

Hard Steel

Doors

Nephews