Category: Etymology

To search

By Simon

Words for to search / track in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc) lorg = path, track
Irish (Gaeilge) lorg [ˈl̪ˠɔɾˠəɡ / ˈl̪ˠʌɾˠəɡ] = to track, trace; seek, search for
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) lorg [ˈl̪ˠɔrɔg] = to trace, track, search, pursue, follow by scent or footprints
Manx (Gaelg) lorgey = to trace, track, pursue

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Welsh (Cymraeg) chwilio [ˈχwɪljɔ / ˈχwɪljɔ] = to search, seek; trace, investigate, examine; rummage, ransack; try
Cornish (Kernewek) hwilas [‘ʍilas / ‘ʍilɐz] = to seek, look for, attempt, try, search
Breton (Brezhoneg) c’houilia = to search

I spy

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Wet

By Simon

Words for to wet in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *wlikʷos = to wet
Old Irish (Goídelc) fliuch [fʲlʲiu̯x] = wet
Irish (Gaeilge) fliuch [fʲlʲʊx] = wet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) fliuch [flux] = wet, watery, rainy, moist, damp, oozy, fluid, liquid
Manx (Gaelg) fliugh = wet, soggy, inclement, marshy, swampy, humid, dank, watery or waxy (of potatoes)
Proto-Brythonic *gwlɨb [ˈɡwlɨːb] = wet
Old Welsh gulip = wet
Middle Welsh (Kyrmaec) gulip / gwlyp = wet
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwlyb [ɡwlɨːb / ɡwliːb] = wet, moist, fluid, liquid; rainy; addicted to drink; drink, liquor, gravy
Cornish (Kernewek) glyb [glɪ:b] = moist, damp, wet
gleb [gle:b] = moist, damp, wet
Old Breton gulip = wet
Middle Breton gloeb / glueb = wet
Breton (Brezhoneg) gleb = wet, humid

Macro Mondays: Wet.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wleykʷ- (moist, to wet) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Dry

By Simon

Words for dry and to dry in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc) tírim = dry
Irish (Gaeilge) tirim [tʲɾʲɪmʲ] = dry, parched, thirsty, without mortar, solid, bare
triomú = to dry
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) tirim [tʲirʲɪm] = arid, dry; droughty, mealy
tiormaich [tʲirəmɪç] = to dry, make dry, parch, dry up
Manx (Gaelg) çhirrym [tʲɾʲɪmʲ] = arid, dry, waterless, sapless
chyrmaghey = to dry, dry up

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Brythonic *sɨx [ˈsɨːx] = dry
Old Welsh sech = dry, arid
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) sych = dry, arid
Welsh (Cymraeg) sych [sɨːχ / siːχ] = dry, arid
sychu [ˈsəχɨ / ˈsəχi] = to dry; drain, deplete; become dry, dry up, wither; heal, wipe
Cornish (Kernewek) segh [ze:h] / sygh [sɪ:x] = arid, dry
segha [‘sɛha / ‘zɛhɐ] = to dry, wipe
Breton (Brezhoneg) sec’h [ˈsɛːχ] = dry, unproductive (field)
sec’hañ = to dry

Etymology: from the Latin siccus (dry, sober, thirsty) [source].

Drying Laundry

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

To Wash

By Simon

Words for to wash in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *nigyeti = to wash
Old Irish (Goídelc) nigid = to wash
Irish (Gaeilge) nigh [nʲɪɟ / n̠ʲiː] = to wash
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) nì [ɲiː] = to wash, cleanse, purify, bathe
Manx (Gaelg) niee = to wash, launder, bathe, pan, flush

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *neygʷ- (to wash) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic *wolk- = wet, milk
Old Irish (Goídelc) folcaid = washes
Irish (Gaeilge) folc(tha) = to bathe, wash, lave; pour down, shed; dip, immerse, submerge
Welsh (Cymraeg) golchi [ˈɡɔlχɪ/ ˈɡɔlχi] = to wash, rinse; burnish; cleanse, purify; flow over or past; coat; beat, thump
Cornish (Kernewek) golhi [‘gɔlhi] = to wash, bathe
Breton (Brezhoneg) gwalc’hiñ = to wash

Mother Mom Sea Otter Holds Pup 7 of 9 Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris), female, marine mammal, with her baby pup

Sources: Wiktionary, teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

To Sit

By Simon

Words for to sit in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *sedo- = to sit
Irish (Gaeilge) suigh [sˠɪɟ / sˠiː] = to sit; set, let, rent; seat, place, locate, settle, arrange, fix, establish
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) suidh [suj] = to sit down; incubate, sit on eggs
Manx (Gaelg) soie = to sit, situate, mount, invest
Proto-Brythonic *estied = to sit
Old Welsh estid = to sit
Welsh (Cymraeg) eistedd [ˈei̯sdɛð / ˈei̯sdɛð] = to sit, be seated, kneel, exercise judicial authority, sit in judgement; be in session, rest, be still; fit well; occupy, be in possession (of land), settle, remain, dwell; incubate, brood
Old Cornish estid = to sit
Cornish (Kernewek) esedha [ɛ’zɛða / (ə)’zɛðɐ] = to sit, take a seat
Breton (Brezhoneg) sichañ = to sit, lie, be located; beseige, lay siege to

One of the doggie denizens of Gleann Cholm Cille

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *sed- (to sit) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

To Stand

By Simon

Words for to stand in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *sista- = to stand
Celtiberian sistat = to stand
Old Irish (Gaídelc) sessam = standing (by/fast), defending, standing resisting, holding out, making a stand
Irish (Gaeilge) seas [ʃasˠ] = to stand, stop, stay, last, keep, remain valid, bear, endure, resist, withstand, stand up for, defend
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) seas [ʃes] = to stand, maintain, support, defend, continue, endure, stop, stand by
Manx (Gaelg) shass [ʃas] = to stand
Proto-Brythonic *stab- = to stand
Welsh (Cymraeg) sefyll [ˈsɛvɨ̞ɬ / ˈseːvɪɬ] = to stand, be standing or upright, be or remain on one’s feet; stand (up), get up; stand or tread (on); to be located, lie; to come to a halt, stand still, stop, come to end, cease, fail
Cornish (Kernewek) sevel [‘sɛvɛl / ‘zɛvɐl] = to stand, arise, get up, rise, halt, raise up, abstain from
Breton (Brezhoneg) sevel = to rise, lift, remove, draw, build, train, compose, sell, invent, push, repay

Polyglot Conference 2018

Note: the Brythonic words may not come from the same root as the Goidelic words.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *stísteh₂ti (to be standing up, be getting up), from *steh₂- (to stand) [source].

The sist part of exist, resist, desist, consist, etc comes from the same root, via the Latin sisto (I stand, set, place, appear) [source]

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

To Jump

By Simon

Words for to jump in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *lanxsmen = to jump
Old Irish (Gaídelc) léimm [l͈ʲeːmʲ] = to jump, leap
Irish (Gaeilge) léim [l̠ʲeːmʲ] = to jump, leap, bound, start, fly up
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) leum [l͈ʲeːm] = to jump, leap, bound, spring, hop, skip
Manx (Gaelg) lheim = to jump, leap, spring, hop, buck, vault, limp, start, pounce, bound, bounce
Welsh (Cymraeg) llamu [ɬamɨ / ɬamɪ] = to jump, leap, bound, spring, stride, skip, hop, dance; well up (with tears); throb, shoot, beat, flutter; jump over
Cornish (Kernewek) lamma [‘lam:a] = to jump, hop, leap
Breton (Brezhoneg) lammat = to leap, jump, rush, beat

Untitled

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *legʷh- (light [weight]) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

To Run

By Simon

Words for to run in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *reteti = to run
Old Irish (Gaídelc) reithid = to run, to speed
Irish (Gaeilge) rith [ɾˠɪ(h)] = to run, hurry, flow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ruith [r̪ˠih] = to run, race, rush, melt, flow
Manx (Gaelg) roie = to run, race, scurry, bolt, dart, burst, flow, smuggle
Proto-Brythonic *rėdɨd = to run
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) redec [ˈr̥edeɡ] = to run
Welsh (Cymraeg) rhedeg [ˈr̥ɛdɛɡ] = to run, gallop, canter, race, rush; run away, flee; glide, stretch
Middle Cornish resek = to run
Cornish (Kernewek) resek [‘rɛzɛk / ‘rɛzɐk] = to run, race
Old Breton redec = to run
Breton (Brezhoneg) redek = to run, flow, open up

Welsh Athletics Championships / Commonwealth Games Trials

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *Hret- (to run, roll) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

To Walk

By Simon

Words for to walk in Celtic languages.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) siblaid = to travel, traverse, proceed, move, walk; to flow; to go over, examine
Irish (Gaeilge) siúil [ʃuːlʲ] = to walk, be able to walk; come or go on foot; move about for exercise or pleasure; step on, into; tread, travel
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) siubhail [ʃu.al] = to travel, commute; walk, move, stroll; go, depart; die
Manx (Gaelg) shooill = to walk, traverse, gait, pace, tread, promenade, perambulate

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic *kerdeti = to walk
Old Irish (Gaídelc) foceird = to put, place, set; to throw, cast
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) kerddet [ˈkɛrðɛd] = to walk
Welsh (Cymraeg) cerdded [ˈkɛrðɛd] = to walk, journey, travel, approach, traverse, march, go, move
Cornish (Kernewek) kerdhes [‘kɛrðɛs / ‘kɛr(ð)ɐz] = to walk, get along
Breton (Brezhoneg) kerzhet = to walk

Leads (and skates) on

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kerd- (to swing) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur yr Academi, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Snow

By Simon

Words for snow in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *snigʷ = snow
*snigʷyeti = to snow
Old Irish (Goídelc) snechtae [ˈsʲn͈ʲexta] = snow
Irish (Gaeilge) sneachta [ˈʃnʲaxt̪ˠə / ˈʃnʲæːxt̪ˠə] = snow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) sneachd [ʃn̪ʲɛxg] = snow
Manx (Gaelg) sniaghtey [ˈʃnʲaxt̪ə] = snow
Welsh (Cymraeg) nyf = snow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *snígʷʰs (snow) [source].

Eira

Old Irish (Goídelc) arg = drop (of water)
Proto-Brythonic *ėrɣ = snow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) eiry = snow
Welsh (Cymraeg) snow [ˈei̯ra] = snow
Old Cornish irch = snow
Cornish (Kernewek) ergh = snow
Middle Breton erch = snow
Breton (Brezhoneg) erc’h = snow

Etymology possibly from the Proto Celtic *argyos (white), from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂r̥ǵ-yó-s, from *h₂erǵ- (white). Or from the Proto Celtic *ɸarg(y)os (sprinkling, spatter) from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)pregʰ- (to scatter, jerk). [source].

The English word freckle comes from the same root, via the Old Norse freknur (speckles) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here are a few snow-related songs:

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek