Foundations

30th September 202230th September 2022 By Simon

Words for foundation and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*bonus = foundation, base, butt
Gaulish	*bona = foundation, base
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bun [bun] = base, bottom, butt, end
Irish (Gaeilge)	bun [bˠʊnˠ/bˠʌnˠ] = base, bottom; stock, stump; lower end; extremity; basis origin; basic provision; settled state; source, direction; trace bunábhar = raw material; substance, main outlines bunachar = base, foundation bunadh = origin; stock, kind; native inhabitants; fundamental, basic bunaigh = to found, establish bunoscionn = upside down bunú = foundation, establishment bunús = origin, basis, foundation, settlement, substance, essence
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bun [bun] = base, basis, bottom, foot; derivation, origin, source; butt, stub, stump; mouth (of a river) bunach = squat/sturdy person, stumps, stubble bunachar = base, foundation, root bunasach = original, basic, fundamental bunachas = base, foundation, root buntach = stocky, stout, truncated, broken off
Manx (Gaelg)	bun = author, basis, details, origin, original, prime, principle, raw material, stem, stool bunneydagh = authoritative, basic, elemental, firsthand, fundamental, fundamentalist, original, primitive bunneydys = basis, foundation, groundwork, origin, root
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bon = bottom, base
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bôn [boːn] = base, bottom, tree trunk, stump, stem, root bondew = thick-based, fat-bottomed, broad-hipped, short and fat, fat-legged
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ben = stem, base, trunk, butt, end
Cornish (Kernewek)	ben = trunk, base, foot
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ben = mouth of a river

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European **bʰuH- (to be, become) [source]. English words from the same PIE root include to be, moribund and possibly bunny [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Hammers

15th September 202215th September 2022 By Simon

Words for hammer and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*ordos = hammer
Gaulish	Ordo-vices = placename, tribal name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ord = hammer
Irish (Gaeilge)	ord [əuɾˠd̪ˠ / ɔːɾˠd̪ˠ] = sledgehammer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	òrd [ɔːr̪ˠd] = hammer; cock, hammer (of a fireman): rounded but steep mountain òrd-fiodha = mallet òrd-ladhrach = claw hammer òrd-mòr = sledgehammer
Manx (Gaelg)	oard = hammer, sledgehammer oard inginagh = claw hammer gaal-oard = steam hammer
Proto-Brythonic	*orð = hammer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ord, orth, yrd, orð = hammer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gordd [ɡɔrð] = hammer, mallet, sledgehammer gorddio = to hammer with a mallet, drive with a sledgehammer gordd haearn = sledgehammer gordd bren = wooden mallet
Old Breton	ord = mallet, hammer,
Middle Breton	orz, horz = mallet, hammer,
Breton (Brezhoneg)	horzh = mallet, gavel, hammer, pestle horzhig = sledgehammer horzh-fuzuilh = rifle butt

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃erg-dʰh₁o-, from *h₃erg- (to perish) and *dʰeh₁- (to do) [source].

Ordovīcēs is the Latin name for a Celtic tribe who lived in what is now North Wales (where I live) and nearby parts of England. In Common Brittonic there were known as *Ordowīcī. The Ordovician geological period (c. 485 – 443 million years ago) is named after them as rocks associated with that period were first found in their former territory by Charles Lapworth in 1879 [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	casúr [əuɾˠd̪ˠ / ɔːɾˠd̪ˠ] = hammer casúr ladhrach = claw hammer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	casar [kasər] = small hammer, gavel, knocker
Manx (Gaelg)	casoor = hammer (of a gun)

Etymology: from the Anglo-Norman cassur, from the Latin quassō (I shake, quake, wave, flourish), from quatiō (I shake, agitate), from the Proto-Indo-European *kʷeh₁t- (to shake) [source].

Words from the same Latin roots include quash (to suppress, crush) in English, casser (to break) in French, and cascar (to crack, split, hit) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*morθul = hammer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	morthol, morthwl, morthuyl, mwrthol, myrthwyl = hammer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	morthwyl [ˈmɔrθuɨ̯l / ˈmɔrθui̯l] = hammer, mallet morthwylio = to hammer, beat with a hammer, forge morthwylwr = hammerer morthwylfa = forge, smithy morthwyl drws = door knocker
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	morthol = hammer
Cornish (Kernewek)	morthol = hammer, beetle, maul mortholya = to hammer
Middle Breton	morzol = hammer morzol dor = door knocker
Breton (Brezhoneg)	morzhol = hammer morzholad = hammer blow morzholat = to hammer morzholer = hammerer, horthumper morzholig = hammer morzhol-dor, morzhol an nor = door knocker

Etymology: from the British Latin *mortulus, from the Latin martulus (hammer), from marculus (small hammer), possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *melh₂tlo-, from *melh₂- (to grind) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Surfaces

11th September 202214th September 2024 By Simon

Words for surface, skin and related things in Celtic languages:

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*tondā = surface, skin
Gaulish	*tondā = surface, skin
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tonn, tond = surface, skin
Irish (Gaeilge)	tonn [t̪ˠɑun̪ˠ / t̪ˠuːn̪ˠ / t̪ˠʌn̪ˠ] = surface, skin faoi mo thoinn = under my skin, within me
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tonn [tɔun̪ˠ] = skin, hide
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tonn, ton, ton(n)en = ley, unploughed land
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ton [tɔn] = ley, unploughed land, turf, sod, sward, green, lawn, (earth’s) surface’ skin, rind, crust, peel, appearance, look tonnen = skin, rind, crust, peel, surface, sod, sward, bog, swamp, quagmire tondir = ley, lea-land toniaraf, toniaru = to cover with planks, boards, etc
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ton = unploughed land, meadow, lay
Cornish (Kernewek)	tonn = grass
Old Breton	tonnenn = rind, surface
Middle Breton	ton = rind, surface
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tonn = rind, surface

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *tend- (to cut off). Words from the same Gaulish / Proto-Celtic roots include tonne in English and French, tunna / tonna (tun, box) in Latin, and tona (surface, kin, bark) in Galician [source].

Proto-Celtic	*krokkeno- = skin
Old Irish (Goídelc)	croiccenn [ˈkrokʲen͈] = skin, hide, bark, husk
Irish (Gaeilge)	craiceann [ˈkɾˠacən̪ˠ / ˈkɾˠæcən̪ˠ] = skin, surface cruachraicneach = hide-bound
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	craiceann [krɛçgʲən̪ˠ] = skin, parchment craiceannaiche = skinner far-chraiceann = epidermis fo-chraiceann = hypodermic pàipear-craicinn = parchment
Manx (Gealg)	crackan [ˈkraːɣən] = skin, pelt, fur, hide, rind, peel, slough crackanagh = (of the) skin, cutaneous aachrackan = veneer fochrackanagh = hypodermic crackan screeuee = parchment
Proto-Brythonic	*krʉn = skin
Old Welsh	groen = skin
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	croen, cruyn, croyn, crwyn = skin, hide, pelt
Welsh (Cymraeg)	croen [kroːɨ̯n / krɔi̯n] = skin, hide, pelt, peel, rind, surface, crust; film; a crusty or contemptible fellow croeni, croenio = to form skin, skin over, heal up croendenau = thin-skinned, sensitive, easily hurt, touchy croendew = thick-skinned, insensible, insensitive, callous croenen = thin skin, cuticle, pellicle, film
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	crochen = skin
Cornish (Kernewek)	kroghen = hide kroghen lagas = eyelid kroghendanow = sensitive
Middle Breton	kroc’hen, krec’hen, krec’hin = skin, crust, membrane
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kroc’hen [ˈkʁoːχɛn] = skin, crust kroc’henenn = membrane

Etymology: probably loaned from a non-Indo-European substrate language [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	pell = animal skin, rug
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	pell, peall = (animal) skin, fur, rug, blanket
Irish (Gaeilge)	peall [pʲaul̪ˠ/pʲal̪ˠ] = pelt, skin, hide, rug, blanket, piece of coarse cloth peallach = hairy, matted, coarse-spun peallóg = (piece of) coarse cloth, woman dressing rough clothing
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	peall [pjaul̪ˠ] = shaggy hide/skin, mat, rough cloth/sheet, bunch of matter hair
Proto-Brythonic	*pall = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pall = cloak, curtain, covering, pall, tent, tabernacle, throne, bed of state
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pall [paɬ] = cloak, curtain, covering, pall, tent, tabernacle, throne, bed of state
Cornish (Kernewek)	pall = mantle

Etymology: from Latin palla (cloak, mantle), from pellis (skin), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *pel- (to cover, to wrap, skin, hide, cloth), or possibly a substrate loan. Words from the same roots include camouflage, film, muffle, pall and pelt in English, piel (skin, fur) in Spanish, and peau (skin, hide, fur) in French [source].

This & That

31st August 202231st August 2022 By Simon

Words for this and that in Celtic languages.

That & That

Proto-Celtic	*so [so] = this
Gaulish	so = this
Old Irish (Goídelc)	so, sa, se, sea, seo, siu = this
Irish (Gaeilge)	seo [ʃɔ] = this, here anseo = here, in this place go dtí seo = up to now faoi seo = by now roimhe seo = before this, formerly seo dhuit = here, take it seo linn = here we go seo leat = come on seo d’am (agat)! = now is your chance!
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seo [ʃɔ] = this, these seo, seo … = (well) now then, … an-seo = here an déidh seo = after this, afterwards, hereupon, later on chuige seo = hitherto, until now feadh an-seo = around here, hereabouts gu seo = up until now roimhe seo = before, by now
Manx (Gaelg)	shoh = this, this here ad shoh = those, those here ayns shoh = here myr shoh = in this manner, thus roish shoh = previously (yn chiaghtin) shoh cheet = coming / next (week)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *só (this, that), which is also the root of the English words this, that, the, then, than and there [source].

Proto-Celtic	sindos = this sondo- = that
Gaulish	sinde, sindas = that
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sin [sʲinʲ] = that in [inʲ] = the
Irish (Gaeilge)	sin [ʃɪnʲ / ʃɨ̞nʲ] = that an [ənˠ / ə.n̠ʲ / ə] = the ó shin = ago, back, since then, from then mar sin = like that, thus mar sin de = in that case, therefore agus mar sin de = and so on go dtí sin = up to that point, until then iar sin = after that, thereupon roimhe sin = before that faoi sin = by then
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sin [ʃin] = that, those, there an, am, a’ = the an-sin = there, therein, thither, then sin thu! = well done, bravo!, well done mar sin dheth = consequently …, so, therefore uime sin = therefore, thereupon, then
Manx (Gaelg)	shen = that yn = the ad shen = those ayns shen = there myr shen = in that manner, so, therefore, thus roish shen = before then, prior to that
Old Welsh	hinn = this, that ir = the
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hvnn, hunn, hun, hon, hwnn = this, that y, yr, ‘r = the
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hyn [hɨ̞n /hɪn] = this, these, this time,this place, these, they; such (a), so much, so many hynny = that, that time, that place, that number/amount, those hyn a hyn = so much, so many, a certain quantity, such and such ar hyn o bryd = now, at this (point in) time, at the present moment hwn [hʊn] = this (one), he (him, she (her), it; that (with masculine nouns) hwnnw, hwnna = that hwn a hwn = such a one, such as such a person, so-and-so hwn/hon/hyn a’r llall = this and that; this, that and the other hon [hɔn] = that (with feminine nouns) honno, honna = that y, yr, ‘r = the
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hen = this henna = the one there, that one, that homma = this female here, this one, this hon = this female, this an = the
Cornish (Kernewek)	henn, hedn = that henna, honna = that (one) dres henna = moreover, besides wosa henna = after that, later, thereafter an = the
Middle Breton	henn, hen = that, after that an, ar, al = the
Breton (Brezhoneg)	an, ar, al = the

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *sḗm (one) or *só (this, that) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	siút, sút = that, yon út = yon, yonder
Irish (Gaeilge)	siúd [ʃuːd̪ˠ] = that, yon ansiúd = yonder, there beyond úd = yon, yonder, that … over there
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	siud [ʃid] = that (over there), yon (those) an-siud = there, yonder
Manx (Gaelg)	shid = yonder, that ad shid = those ayns shid hoal = over yonder

Etymology: uncertain

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Servants

26th August 202226th August 2022 By Simon

Words for servants, ploughmen and related people in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ambaxtos = servant
Gaulish	*ambaxtos = vassal, high-ranking servant
Old Irish (Goídelc)	amus = servant amsach = mercenary
Irish (Gaeilge)	amhas = hireling, servant, mercenary, hooligan amhsach = wild, unruly amhasóireacht = hooliganism
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	amhas [au.əs] = savage, wild person, madman amhsach = wild, uncontrollable, stupid, dull
Proto-Brythonic	*ammaɨθ [amˈmaɨ̯θ] = servant, worker, labourer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	amaeth = ploughman, husbandman, farmer, agriculture
Welsh (Cymraeg)	amaeth [ˈameɨ̯θ / ˈamei̯θ] = ploughman, husbandman, farmer, agriculture, ploughmanship, tillage amaethadwy = farmable, cultivable amaetha(f), amaethu = to farm, husband, plough, cultivate amaethdir = arable land, land suitable for cultivation, farm land amaethdy = farmhouse amaethddyn = agriculturalist, farmer amaethedig = farmed, cultivated, cultured amaethyddiaeth = agriculture, farming
Cornish (Kernewek)	ammeth = agriculture, farming
Old Breton	ambaith = agriculture, farming

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *ambi- (around),‎ *ageti (to drive) and‎ *-os, from the Proto-Indo-European word *h₂m̥bʰi-h₂eǵ- (drive around) [source].

The English word amassador comes from the same root, via the Middle English ambassadore from the Anglo-Norman ambassadeur (ambassador), from the Old Italian ambassadore, from the Old Occitan ambaisador (ambassador), from ambaissa (service, mission, errand), from the Medieval Latin ambasiator (ambassador), from the Gothic 𐌰𐌽𐌳𐌱𐌰𐌷𐍄𐌹 (andbahti – service, function), from the Proto-Germanic *ambahtaz (servant), from the Gaulish *ambaxtos [source]. The word embassy comes from the same Gaulish word [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wastos = servant
Gaulish	*wassos = young man, squire
Old Irish (Goídelc)	foss = attendant, man-servant, servant
Proto-Brythonic	*gwass = boy, servant
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guas, gwas = boy, lad, servant
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwas [ɡwaːs] = boy, lad, stripling, youngster, young man; servant, attendant, employee, officer, vassal, slave gwasanaeth = service, attendance, a ministering, office, duty, employment gwasanaethu = to serve, be a servant, attend, wait upon, minister
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	guas = servant gwas = a youth, servant, one of the common people, a mean person, a fellow, rogue, rascal gwasanaeth = attendance, service, bondage, slavery
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwas = chap, fellow, guy, servant gwas hwel = workman gwas ti = housemaker
Old Breton	guos = vassal, man, husband, farmer
Middle Breton	goas = vassal, man, husband, farmer (who rents a farm)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwaz [ˈɡwaːs] = (young) man, vassal, valet, servant, husband, mermaid

Etymology: possibly comes from the Proto-Indo-European word *upo-sth₂-o-s (standing beneath) [source].

The English word vassal comes from the same Celtic roots, via the Old French vassal, the Medieval Latin vassallus (manservant, domestic, retainer), from the Latin vassus (servant) from the Gaulish *wassos [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	seirbísech = auxiliary, ancillary, servant, agent
Irish (Gaeilge)	seirbhíseach = servant
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seirbheiseach [ʃerʲevɪʃəx] = servant, servitor seirbheisiche = servant
Manx (Gaelg)	shirveishagh = attendant, clergyman, minister, servant, server, vassal

Etymology: from the Old French servise (service, servitude, vasselage), from the Latin servitium (slavery, servitude, service), from servus (servant, serf, slave) [source]

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Waves

18th August 202218th August 2022 By Simon

Words for wave and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*tundā = wave, billow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tonn [ton͈] = wave, outpouring, sea, abundance, bog, swamp
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tonn = wave, outpouring, sea, abundance, bog, swamp
Irish (Gaeilge)	tonn [t̪ˠɑun̪ˠ/t̪ˠuːn̪ˠ/t̪ˠʌn̪ˠ] = wave tonn tuile = tidal wave tonn teasa = heat-wave tonn turrainge = shock wave tonnach = wavy, billowy tonnadh = to wave, surge tonnáil = waving, rippling, undulation tonná = wavelet, ripple tonnúil = wavy, undulating
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tonn [tɔun̪ˠ] = wave, tilde, quantity of liquid, pile, heap tonn-fuaime = soundwave tonn-taomaidh, tonn-tuile = tidal wave tonn-crithe = shockwave tonnadh = undulating, undulation, vomiting tonnan, tonnag = small wave tonnach = waved, wavy tonnachd = waviness
Manx (Gaelg)	tonn = wave, billow tonn hiass = heat-wave tonn hidee = tidal wave tonn inçhyn = brainwave tonnagh = undulating, billowy, wavy tonnaghey to undulate, surge, bilow, undulation tonnaght = undulation, waviness
Proto-Brythonic	*tonn = wave
Old Welsh	tonnou = wave
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tonn, ton = wave
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ton [tɔn] = wave, the sea; wavelength ton lanw = tidal wave ton radio = radio wave tonfedd = wavelength tonffurf = waveform toniad = undulation, oscillation, frequency, modulation, intonation tonial = surge or swell (of waves) tonniant = fluctuation tonni = to undulate, ripple, oscillate, surge tonnog = wavy, billowy, rough, choppy, roling, undulating tonyddol = melodious, intoning, tonic, intonational
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	ton = wave
Cornish (Kernewek)	tonn = wave tonnek = wavy tonnhes, tonnhys = wavelength
Middle Breton)	tonn = wave
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tonn = wave

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)tewd- (to hit, beat), or from the Proto-Celtic *tondā (surface, skin), or from the PIE *temh₁- (to cut) [source].

The PIE root *(s)tewd- (to hit, beat) is the origin of the Irish tit (to fall, collapse, descend), the Scottish Gaelic tuit (to fall, happen, slip), and the Manx tuitt (to fall, happen, slip) [source]. English words from the same root include study, studio, student and obtuse [source].

The the Proto-Celtic *tondā (surface, skin) is the root of the Gaulish *tondā, from which we get tonn (surface, skin) in Irish, tonn (skin, hide) in Scottish Gaelic, ton (turf, sod, sward, surface) in Welsh, ton (unploughed land, meadow) in Cornish, and tonn (rind, dermis, surface) in Breton.

It was borrowed into Latin as tunna / tonna (tun [a large cask], box), which became tonne (tonne, ton) in French, which was borrowed into English as tonne (a unit of mass equal to 1000kg; a score of 100 in darts) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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:

Rotten Fragrance

19th July 20229th December 2023 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*bragnos = rotten
Gaulish	brennos = rotten
Old Irish (Gaoidhealg)	brén [bʲrʲeːn] = foul, putrid, rotten, stinking
Irish (Gaeilge)	bréan [bʲɾʲiːa̯nˠ / bʲɾʲeːnˠ] = foul, putrid, rotten; to pollute, putrefy bréanlach = filthy place, cesspool bréanóg = refuse heap bréantachán = stinker bréantas = rottenness, stench, filth
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	breun [brʲeːn] = foetid, putrid, disgusting, filthy, nasty, stinking breunlach = sinking bog breunachd = corruption, rottenness breunan = dunghill, dirty person, dirty/smelly object, crabbit/grumpy person, grouch breunad = degree of foetidness/putridness, degree of disgustingness/filthiness/nastiness, degree of stink breuntas = stench, stink, putrefaction, putridness
Manx (Gaelg)	breinn = foetid, loathsome, malodorous, nasty, offensive, pestilential, putrid, rancid, rotten, smelly, stinking breinnaghey = to become smelly, putrefy, taint, stink
Proto-Brythonic	*braɨn = foul, stinking putrid
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	brean = rotten
Welsh (Cymraeg)	braen [braːɨ̯n / brai̯n] = rotten, putrid, corrupt, mouldy, withered, fragile; rot, putrefaction, corruption, decay braen(i)ad = rotting, decomposition, rottenness, putridness braenu = to rot, putrefy, make/become corrupt, become mouldy braenedig = rotten, putrefied, corrupt, festering, gangrenous, mouldy, wounded
Cornish (Kernewek)	breyn = putrid, rotten breyna = to decay, rot breynans = decay breynder = rot
Middle Breton	brein = rotten
Breton (Brezhoneg)	brein [ˈbrɛ̃jn] = rotten, uncultivated (land) breinadur = corruption breinañ, breiniñ = to rot, decay breinidigezh = putrefaction

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰreHg- (to smell, have a strong odour) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include flair, fragrant, and bray in English, and брезгать (to be fastidious/squeamish, to disdain) in Russian [source].

The Gaulish word brennos was borrowed into Vulgar Latin and ended up as berner (to trick, fool, hoodwink) in French, via the Old French bren (bran, filth, excrement). The English word bran comes from the same Gaulish root, via the Middle English bran(ne) / bren and the Old French bren [source].

The Galician word braña (mire, bog, marsh, moorland) and the Asturian word braña (pasture, meadowland) are thought to come from the Proto-Celtic *bragnos, possibly via Celtiberian [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Brushes and Broom

12th July 202227th April 2024 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	scúap [skuə̯b] = brush, broom, sheaf, bundle scúapad = act of sweeping scúapaire = sweeper
Irish (Gaeilge)	scuab [sˠkuəbˠ] = besom, broom; brush; sheaf, armful, bundle; to sweep scuabach = sweeping, flowing; gusty scuabachán = sweeping, sweepings scuabadh = to sweep, wash scuabadóir = sweeper scuabán = little besom, little brush, little sheaf, armful, bundle scuab fiacla = toothbrush scuab ghruaige = hairbrush scuab ingne = nailbrush scuab phéinte = paintbrush sreangscuab = wire brush
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sguab [sguəb] = broom, besom, brush, sheaf sguabte = brushed, swept sguabanta = tidy, trim, clean sguabadh = brushing, sweeping sguabachan = brush sguabag = gusty, wind, whisk, sheaf (of corn) sguabadair = vacuum cleaner sguabair = sweeper sguab-aodaich = clothes brush
Manx (Gaelg)	skeab = besom, broom skeabey = brush, brushing, brush over, brush up, sweep, sweeping skeabit = brushed, swept skeaban daah, skeaban-slaa = paintbrush skeaban feeackle = toothbrush skeaban folt/fuilt = hairbrush
Proto-Brythonic	*ɨskʉb = brush, broom
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	escup, yscub, ysgub = brush, broom
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgub [ˈəsɡɨ̞b / ˈəsɡɪb] = sheaf, wheatsheaf, bundle; brush, broom, besom, quiver of arrows ysgubell = brush, broom, besom, mop, bunch (of flowers) ysgubo = to brush, sweep (away), make into sheaves ysgubol = sweeping ysgubwr = sweeper, sweep ysgub blu = feather duster priodas (coes) ysgub = informal wedding in which the parties jump over a broomstick in the presence of witnesses
Middle Cornish	scibia = to sweep, brush sciber = barn, any large room scubilen = whip, scourge
Cornish (Kernewek)	skub = sweeping skubell, skubyllen = broom, brush skubellik = paintbrush skubell sugna = vacuum cleaner skubell-wolghi = mop skuber, skubores = sweeper skubus = sweeping skubya = to brush, sweep skubyllen dhes = toothbrush skubyon = refuse, sweepings
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skub [ˈskyːp] = broom, brush, blade; sweep skubell = broom, brush, blade; sweep skubell-vroust(añ) = scrubbing brush skuberez = sweeper

Etymology: from the Latin scōpa (broom) Proto-Indo-European *skeh₂p- (to prop) [source]. Words from the same Latin root include scopa (broom) in Italian, escoba (broom) in Spanish, and shqopë (heather, heath, briar) in Albanian [source]..

Proto-Celtic	*banatlo- = broom (shrub)
Gaulish	*balano- = broom (shrub)
Celtiberian	bálago-, bálaco- = broom (shrub)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bealaidh [bɛl̪ˠɪn] = broom (shrub) bealaidh-Frangach, bealaidh-Sasannach = laburnum
Proto-Brythonic	*banatlo- = broom (shrub)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	banadil, banadyl, banadl = broom (shrub)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	banadl, banal [ˈbanadl] = broom (shrub) banadl Ffrainc = laburnum
Old Cornish	banathel = broom (shrub)
Middle Cornish	banal = broom (shrub)
Cornish (Kernewek)	banadhel = broom (shrub)
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	balan = broom (shrub)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	balain, balazn = broom (shrub)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	balan [ˈbɑːlãn] = broom (shrub) balaneg [bã.ˈnɑː.lek] = broom grove balaenn [baˈlɑːɛn] = broom, brush

According to An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language by Alexander MacBain (1982), there is a cognate in Irish: beally/i, however it doesn’t appear in any of the Irish dictionaries I’ve checked.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰenH-tlom (way, path) in the sense of “cleared path (in a wood)” [source].

The French word balai (broom, broomstick, brush) comes from the Gaulish *balano-, via Old French, Middle Breton and Old Breton [source]. The Spanish word bálago (straw, Spanish broom), comes from the same Gaulish root, via the Celtiberian *bálago-/*bálaco- [source].

Words same PIE roots possibly include bana (course, path, trajectory) in Swedish, baan (road, path, track, job, orbit) in Dutch, and Bahn (route, trail, railway)in German [source].

The shrub known as broom in Britain and Ireland is also known as common broom or Scotch broom, or Cytisus scoparius in Latin. It is a deciduous leguminous shrub native to western and Central Europe. Broom can also refer to similar plants, such as French broom and Spanish broom [source].

Twigs from the broom, and from other plants, can be tied to a stout stick and used to sweep things. Such implements are traditionally known as besoms or broom besoms, and became known simply as brooms [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

Ferns and Bracken

8th July 20228th July 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	ɸratis, frati- = fern, bracken
Gaulish	ratis = fern, bracken
Old Irish (Goídelc)	raithnech [ˈr͈aθʲnʲex] = fern, bracken
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	raith = fern, bracken
Irish (Gaeilge)	raithneach = fern, bracken raithneachán = ferny place raithneachúil = ferny
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	raineach [r̪ˠan̪ʲəx] = fern, bracken; hashish, weed raith [r̪ˠɛ] = fern, bracken raineachail = abounding in fern, ferny, like fern
Manx (Gaelg)	renniagh = fern, bracken renniaghoil = ferny
Proto-Brythonic	*rrėdɨn = ferns, bracken
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rhedyn = ferns, bracken retinoc, redinauc, rhydynog = ferny
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhedyn [ˈr̥ɛdɨ̞n / ˈr̥eːdɪn] = ferns, bracken rhedynen = fern rhedyn eryraidd = bracken rhedyna = to gather ferms rhedynaidd = ferny rhedyneg = ferny ground rhedynog = ferny (land), abounding with ferns, fern-like, made of fern
Old Cornish	reden = ferns, bracken redenen = fern
Middle Cornish	reden = ferns, bracken redenen, redanen = fern
Cornish (Kernewek)	reden = ferns, bracken redenen = fern
Middle Breton	reden = ferns, bracken radenenn = fern
Breton (Brezhoneg)	raden = ferns, bracken radenenn = fern

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *p(t)erH- (fern) [source].

The English word fern comes from the same PIE root, via the Old English fearn and the Proto-West-Germanic *farn [source].

Other words from the same PIE root include paparde (fern) in Latvian, paproć (fern) in Polish, and папрат (fern) in Bulgarian [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Gaulish

Foundations

Hammers

Surfaces

This & That

Servants

Waves

Sailing

Rotten Fragrance

Brushes and Broom

Ferns and Bracken