Haughty Pride

13th October 202313th October 2023 By Simon

Words for pride, arrogance, vanity and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*auberos = vain
Old Irish (Goídelc)	úabar = pride, arrogance úabrige = pride, arrogance
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	úabar = pride, arrogance, vanity, confidence úabrach = proud, haughty úabrigidir = to treat insolently, profane, mock óbar = vain-glory anúabar, anuabhar = inordinate pride comúabar = great pride
Irish (Gaeilge)	uabhar = pride, arrogance, spiritedness, exuberance, frolicking, frolicsomeness, rankness, luxuriance, eeriness, feeling of loneliness anuabhar = overweening pride, excess (of grief, weeping) aingeal an uabhair = fallen angel
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uabhar [uəvər̪] = pride, insolence uabharra [uəvər̪ˠə] = proud, haughty uaibhreach [uəivr̪ʲəx] = haughty, proud, arrogant an-uaibhreach = humble uaibhreas = arrogance, haughtiness uaibhridh = haughty, proud, arrogant ro sgrios thig uabhar = pride goes/comes before a fall
Proto-Brythonic	*ọβer = vain (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ofer, ouer = worthless, vain, useless ofêra, ouera, ofera = to behave frivolously overaidd = vain, frivolous oferbeth, obherbeth = worthless or pointless thing ofered, oferedd = vanity, unsubstantiality, emptiness, vainglory ofergoel, ofer-goel = superstition, vain belief overwr, ouerwr, oferwr = good-for-nothing, waster, idler
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ofer [ˈɔvɛr / ˈoːvɛr] = worthless, vain, useless, unnecessary, futile, wasteful, prodigal, unprofitable, frivolous ofera(f) = to behave frivolously, live dissolutely, trifle, idle, laze, loiter, waste, squander oferaidd = vain, frivolous, unprofitable, worthless oferbeth = worthless or pointless thing, trifle, bauble oferdod = vanity, dissipation, frivolousness oferedd = vanity, unsubstantiality, emptiness, vainglory ofergoel = superstition, vain belief, false religion oferwr = good-for-nothing, waster, idler
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	evereth, ufereth = vanity, idleness, frivolity
Cornish (Kernewek)	euver = valueless, worthless euvergryjyk = superstitious
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	euver = bland, insipid, flavourless
Breton (Brezhoneg)	euver = bland, spineless(ness), damage

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *aw- and *ber-o- (to carry), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti (to carry, bear, flow), *bʰer- (to bear, carry) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include beir (to bear, give birth to, lay, bring, take) in Irish, beir (to bear, give birth to) in Scottish Gaelic, behr (to bear, give birth to) in Manx, bairn (child) in Scots, and bear (to carry), bier, birth, burden, ferret, and fortune in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*balkos = strong
Gaulish	balco- = strong (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	balc = robust, strong, sturdy
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	balc, bailc = stout, strength, sturdy, firm, vigorous, powerful, strength, firmness, vigour
Irish (Gaeilge)	bailc = strong, stout bailcbhéim = strong, heavy, blow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bailc [balçgʲ] = strong, bold, daring bailc uisge = sudden, heavy shower bailceach [balçgʲəx] = stout/strong person bailceata [balçgʲən̪ˠdə] = stout, strong, boastful
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	balch, bỽlch, beilch = proud, glad, pleased, dignified, splendid, imposing, fine, strong, brave balchav = to grow proud or arrogant, pride oneself bylchdaidd = proud, conceited, arrogant, haughty, vain strong>ualchder, balchder = pride, pleasure, fineness, glory, dignity ualchdet, balchet = pride, arrogance
Welsh (Cymraeg)	balch [balχ] = proud, glad, pleased, dignified, splendid, imposing, fine, strong, brave, conceited, arrogant, haughty, vain, pompous balchâf, balcháu = to grow proud or arrogant, pride oneself balchdaidd = proud, conceited, arrogant, haughty, vain balchder = pride, pleasure, fineness, glory, dignity balchded = pride, arrogance balchus = proud, vain balchwedd = pride, conceit, lofty belchyn = proud, pompous or self-important person, prig
Cornish (Kernewek)	balgh = arrogant
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	balc’h = haughty, proud, arrogant
Breton (Brezhoneg)	balc’h [ˈbalx] = haughty, proud, arrogant ambalc’h = reserved, timid balc’haat = to make or become haughty balc’hded = superb, arrogance balc’hder = = pride, arrogance, audacity

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bʰel- (to blow, swell, inflate). A word from the same Proto-Celtic root is balca (bulrush, cattail) in Catalan and Occitan [source].

Words from the same PIE root include bold in English, boud (bold, brave) in Dutch, and bald (soon, almost) in German [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwrth [ɡʊrθχ] = opposition, objection, resistance, contast, opposite gwrthâd = taunt, light censure, upbraiding, remorse, conviction
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	goth = pride gothus, gothys = proud
Cornish (Kernewek)	gooth = pride gothus = proud, arrogant gorth = obstinate, perverse, stubborn, uppity gorthus = proud

Etymology: unknown

Old Irish (Goídelc)	blad = fame, renown bladach = famous, renowned, splendid
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	blad, bladh, blath = fame, renown, glories, triumphs bladach, bladaig = famous, renowned, splendid bladaigid = praises, extols
Irish (Gaeilge)	bláth = pride
Manx (Gaelg)	blaa = heyday, pride

Etymology: unknown

Old Irish (Goídelc)	borr = huge, large, proud, swollen, thick, vast borrfadach = bold, high-spirited, proud
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	borr, bórr = big, large, great, vast, mighty, strong, puffed-up, proud borrach = a proud, pretentious person borra(i)d = swelling, maturing, blooming, springing, swells, becomes swollen, bloated
Irish (Gaeilge)	borr = puffed (up with), proud, luxuriant; to swell, grow borrach = proud, arrogant person; swollen, proud, arrogant borrachas = pride, arrogance borradh = swelling, growth, surge, expansion
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bòrr [bɔːr̪ˠ] = puffed up, swollen, grand, splendid, haughty borrail = swaggering, boastful borranachadh = swelling up, puffing up, frothing at the mouth borraganta = swelling, fierce

Etymology: unknown

Manx (Gaelg)	sturd = pride, haughtiness; angry look, menacing look styrdalys = stateliness styrdalaght = pride, stateliness

Etymology: unknown

Manx (Gaelg)	moyrn = pomp, pride, self-conceit moyrnagh = haughty, proud, vain, pompous moyrnee = proud

Etymology: unknown

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, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Beaks and Snouts

22nd July 202325th May 2024 By Simon

Words for beak, snout and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*gobbos = muzzle, snout, beak
Gaulish	*gobbos [ˈɡob.bos] = mouth
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gop = beak, snout, muzzle
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gop, guib, guip = muzzle, snout, beak, point/head of a spear, thin-mouthed, sharp-pointed
Irish (Gaeilge)	gob [ɡɔbˠ/ɡɞbˠ/ɡʌbˠ] = beak, bill, tip, point, projection gobach = beaked, long-billed, sharp (expression), pointed, lipped (jug) gobachán = sharp-featured person, beak-nosed person, sharp-tongued person, inquisitive/interfering person, chatterer, gossip gobadh = protrusion, shooting, springing, sprouting gobaí = bird with a long beak, person with pointed features gobaireacht = picking, pecking, chattering, chatter, gossip gobán = (small) tip, point, gag, dummy goblach = beakful, mouthful, morsel, lump, chunk
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gob [gob] = beak, bill, gob, pointed/sharp end, corner, spit (of land), point (of a fishing hook) gobachadh = pecking, rising (wind), poking through gobad [gobag] = talkative female, little bill, cabin hook goban = small mouth, small beak gobaire = chatterbox, chattterer, tell-tale gobach [gobəx] = beaked, snouty, cheeky, chatty
Manx (Gaelg)	gob = apex, headland, hook, jet, jut, nose(piece), point, prominence, promontory, beak, nib, spout, mouth, muzzle, bow (of ship) gobbagh = beaked, billed, nibbed, prominent, salient gob-rollian = talkative person

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵebʰ- (jaw, mouth). Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include gober (to swallow hole) and gobelet (goblet, cup, beaker) in French, and gob (a slang word for mouth) and goblet in English, [source].

Proto-Celtic	*bekkos = beak, snout
Gaulish	*bekkos = beak, snout
Proto-Brythonic	*bek = beak, snout
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	becq, beeg, bêg, beg = mouth, beak, snout, point, cape, summit
Breton (Brezhoneg)	beg = beak, mouth, point, mouthpiece, embouchure beg-douar = point beg-hir = dolphin

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *bak- (peg, club) [source].

Words from the same roots, via the Gaulish *bekkos and the Latin beccus (beak, bill), include bec (beak, bill, mouth) in French, beco (beak, mouthpiece, burner) in Italian, bico (beak, bill, snout, rostrum) in Portuguese, pico (beak, sharp point, pickaxe, peak, spout) in Portuguese, bek (beak, snout, mouth) in Dutch, and beak in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	gulbā, gulbīnos = beak, bill
Gaulish	*gulbiā = beak, bill
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gulban, gulpan = bird’s beak
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gulba = beak, mouth, jaw gulban = beak, sting gulbanda = beaked, piercing gulbnech = beaked, sharp-beaked gulbnén = small beak gulbnide = biting gulbniugad nibbing, biting
Irish (Gaeilge)	gulba = beak, bill, tip, point, projection guilbneach = (sharp-)beaked, curlew guilbnéan = little beak guilbnigh = to peck
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gulb [gul̪ˠub] = beak, nose gulban [gul̪ˠuban] = beak, nose guilbneach [gulubnəx] = curlew
Proto-Brythonic	*gulbino- = beak, snout
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	gilb = sharp point, beak, bill, snout
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gelef, gylyf = sharp point, beak, bill, snout gilbin, gyluin, gylfin = bird’s beak, snout gylfinir, gelvinir, gylfinhir = curlew
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gylf, glyfyf = sharp point, sharp-pointed instrument, knife, bird’s beak, bird’s bill, snout, nose, grimace gylfin = bird’s beak, bill, snout, sharp-pointed nose, mouth, lip gylfinaid = beakful, mouthful gylfinir = curlew gylfinog = beaked, rostrated, wild daffodil, narcissus
Old Cornish	geluin = beak, bill
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gelvin = beak, bill gelvinac, gylvinac = curlew
Cornish (Kernewek)	gelvin = beak, bill gelvinek = curlew
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwlib, glawlib = curlew, whimbrel (?)

Etymology: probably of non-Proto-Indo-European origin. Words from the same root, via Gaulish *gulbiā and the Latin gulbia (piercer, chisel), gulbia (gouge) in Galician, gubia (gouge) in Spanish, gorbia (ferrule) in Italian, and gouge in English and French [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Thirty

13th July 2023 By Simon

Words for thirty and related things in Celtic languages.

thirty

Proto-Celtic	*trīkontes = thirty
Gaulish	tricontis = thirty
Old Irish (Goídelc)	trícha [ˈtʲrʲiːxo] = thirty tríchatmad = thirtieth tríchtaige = thirty day period
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	trícha, triúcha, tricha, triocha, tricho = thirty tríchatmad, trichatmad, trichadmadh = thirtieth tríchtaige, trichtaigi = period of 30 days/years, etc tríchtach, tríteach = thirty-fold, consisting of 30 trícha cét = a military force, political or terrirtorial unit; of force of fighting men, cantred, barony (lit. ‘300’)
Irish (Gaeilge)	tríocha = thirty tríochadú = thirtieth na tríochaidí = the thirties tríocha céad = large territorial division, barony
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	trichead [triçəd] = thirty tritheadamh (30ᵐʰ) = thirtieth (30ᵗʰ) na tritheadan = the thirties
Manx (Gaelg)	treead = thirty
Proto-Brythonic	*trigont = thirty
Old Breton	tricont, trigont = thirty
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tregont = thirty tregontad = about thirty tregontet, tregontvedenn, tregontvet = thirtieth tregontkementiñ, tregontvedenniñ = to multiply by thirty tregontvloaziad = a period of 30 years
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tregont [ˈtreːɡɔ̃n(t)] = thirty tregontved = thirtieth tregontvedenn = thirtieth part tragontad = around thirty

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *tridḱómt (thirty) from *tri- (three) and *déḱm̥ (ten) [source].

Words from the same roots include thirty in English, tridhjetë (thirty) in Albanian, երեսուն [jɛɾɛˈsun] (thirty) in Armenian, trenta (thirty) in Italian and trente (thirty) in French, and words for thirty in other Indo-European languages [source].

Thirty is also trideg (three-ten) in Welsh in the decimal version of the numbers. For other words for thirty, see the post about words for ten, as thirty is 10 on 20 in the vigesimal system.

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

Short Cuts

26th May 202326th May 2023 By Simon

Words for short, cut and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*birros = short
Old Irish (Goídelc)	berr [bʲer͈] = short berraid = to shear, clip, shave, cut, shear, tonsure
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	berr, bearr = short berrad = to cut, clip, shave, cut, tonsure
Irish (Gaeilge)	bearr [bʲɑːɾˠ/bʲaːɾˠ] = to clip, cut, trim, cut (hair), shave, fleece (sb) bearradh = cutting bearrthóir = trimmer, shearer bearrthóireacht = trimming, cutting speech
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beàrr = short, brief (archaic) beàrr [bjaːr̪ˠ] = to cut, shave, crop, shear, pare, prune, clip, poll, dehorn
Manx (Gaelg)	baarey = to bare, clip, cut, dress, poll, prune, shave, trimmed baareyder = barber, cutter, shaver, clipper baarys = tonsure
Gaulish	*birros = a coarse kind of thick woollen cloth; a woollen cap or hood worn over the shoulders or head<
Proto-Brythonic	*bɨrr [ˈbɨr͈] = short
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	birr, byrr = short, small, brief bŷr-brŷd = a short meal of meat uyrder, byrder = shortness, brevity
Welsh (Cymraeg)	byr [bɨ̞r/bɪr] = short, small, brief, concise, condensed, abrupt, curt, stingy, sparing, deficient, faulty byrbryd = light meal, lunch, snack byrbwyll = rash, reckless, thoughtless byrder = shortness, brevity, smallness, conciseness, scarity, deficiency byrdra = shortness, brevity, smallness, curtness
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ber = short, diminutive, brief beranal = asthma, shortness of breath
Cornish (Kernewek)	berr [bɛɹ] = short, brief berrhe = to abbreviate, shorten berrheans = abrreviation berrskrifa = to summarise berrwelyek = short-sighted
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	berr, ber, bèr = short, brief berr-ha-berr = very short, shortly briefly berraat = to shorten, abbreivate, reduce berradenn = shortening berradur = abbreviation
Breton (Brezhoneg)	berr = short, brief berr-ha-berr = very short, shortly briefly berradenn = shortening berradur = abbreviation

Etymology: unknown

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Latin and Gaulish, include beret in English, béret (beret) in French, berret (cap) in Gascon, biretta (a square cap worm by Roman Catholic priests) in English and Italian, berretto (beanie, cap) in Italian, barrete (biretta, cap) in Portuguese, birrete (biretta) in French, and βίρρος [ˈβir.ros] (a type of cloak or mantle) in Ancient Greek [source].

Proto-Celtic	gerros = short gari- = short
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gerr, gearr = short, a short time, castrated gerraid = to cut, mutilate, shorten, carve garait [ˈɡarədʲ] = short
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gerr [ɡʲer͈] = short gairaid = to cut short, cut off, mutilate garit, garait, gairit = short (time/distance/length)
Irish (Gaeilge)	gearr [ɟɑːɾˠ/ɟaːɾˠ] = short; to cut, shorten, reduce gearrachán = cutting remark gearradh = cutting, cut, levy, rate, speed gearrán = gelding, pack-horse, small horse, nag, strong-boned woman gearróg = short bit, scrap, short drill or furrow, short stocky girl, short answer gearrthóg = cutting, snippet, trimmings, cutlet gearrthóir = cutter, chisel gairid [ˈɡaɾʲədʲ] = short, near, close
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	geàrr [gʲaːr̪ˠ] = short, thick-set, squat, dumpy, brief, concise, succinct, scanty; to cut, carve, sever, dock goirid [gɤrʲɪdʲ] = short, brief, brusque giorraich [gʲir̪ɪç] = abbreviate, abrige, shorten, curtail giorrachadh [gʲir̪ˠəxəɣ] = abbreviation, abridgement, summary
Manx (Gaelg)	giare = abbreviated, abridged, abrupt, brief, brusque, compact, concise, curt, short, summary giarey = to abbreviate, abridge, axe, carve castrate, clip, cut girraghey = to abbreviate, abridge, contract, shorten

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰer- (short). Words from the same PIE root include ह्रस्व [ˈɦɾɐs̪.ʋɐ] (short, small, dwarfish, little, low; a dwarf) in Sanskrit, and ह्रस्व [ɦɾəs̪.ʋᵊ] (a short vowel) in Hindi, and possibly girl in English [source].

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

Scratching Scrapes

28th April 202328th April 2023 By Simon

Words for scratch, scrape and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*skrībbāti = to scratch
Old Irish (Goídelc)	scrípaid = to scratch
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	scrípaid, scripad, scripadh = to scratch
Irish (Gaeilge)	scríob [sˠcɾʲiːbˠ / ʃcɾʲiːbˠ] = to scrape, scratch scríobach = abrasive, scraping, scratching, scratchy scríobadach = scraping, scratching, scrawl scríobadh = to scrape, scratch, scrapings scríobaire = scraper, scribing-iron, scriber scríobálaí = scraper, miser scríobán = grater scríobaitheamh = abrasion scríoblach = scrapings, scraps scríoblíne = scratch scríobóg = (little) scratch, scraping, niggardly woman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgrìob [sgrʲiːb] = scrape, scratch, grate sgrìobadh [sgrʲiːbəɣ] = scratching, scraping, score, scratch, scrape, grating sgrìobag [sgrɔːbag] = slight scratch/scrape, index/pointer finger
Manx (Gaelg)	screeb = abrasion, scolding, score, scrape, scratch screebage = cockleshell, scar, scratch, flourish screebagh = abrasive, fricative, frictional, scraping, scrapy, scratchy, itchy scrabey = to abrade, chafe, claw, dress, friction, grate, graze, itch, rasp, scrape, scratch, scrawl; clawing, scraping, scratching
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(y)sgrap, sgrâp = scraper, scratch, scrape sgrapad = scratch, scrape sgrap(i)af, sgrap(i)o = to scratch, scrape (together) (y)sgraper = scraper
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	scrivinas = to scratch, claw
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	skrab = scratching skrabad = cut skrabadenn = a big scratch skrabadur = scraping skrabañ, skrabat = to hurry up, to scratch skraberezh = scratching
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skrabañ = to scratch

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kreybʰ- (to scratch, to tear) [source]. The Welsh words come from the English scrape.

Words from the same roots include scribble, scribe, script, shrift and shrive in English, and scritta (writing, notice, sign) and scrìvere (to write, spell) 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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Baskets

24th February 202324th February 2023 By Simon

Words for baskets and related things in Celtic languages.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Burdensome Loads

5th February 20235th February 2023 By Simon

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

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

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

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

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

Etymology: unknown [source].

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

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

Words from the same PIE root include giro and gyre (a swirling vortex) in English, giro (turn, twist, rotation) in Italian, and giro (turn, spin, tour) in Spanish [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Fees and Charges

2nd February 20232nd February 2023 By Simon

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

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

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

Words from the same roots include tally in English, taille (cutting, pruning, trimming, size, waist) in French, talea (cutting, scion) in Italian, tajar (to cut, slice, chop) in Spanish [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Region and Country

25th January 20238th December 2024 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

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

Words from the same PIE root include margin, mark (boundary, border, frontier) and march (a border region) in English, and marge (margin, markup) in French, margine (margin, border, edge) in Italian, and margen (margin, edge, leeway) in Spanish [source], Mark (a fortified border area, marches) in German, mark (field) in Danish, and marg (march, boundary) in Irish (via Old Norse) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Taking Hold

10th January 202311th November 2023 By Simon

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

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

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

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

Words from the same PIE roots include able, debt, debit, doubt and habit in English, avere (to have) in Italian, avoir (to have) in French, and haber (to hold, possess) in Spanish [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Italian (italiano)

Haughty Pride

Beaks and Snouts

Thirty

Short Cuts

Scratching Scrapes

Baskets

Burdensome Loads

Fees and Charges

Region and Country

Taking Hold