Steps

23rd December 202131st December 2021 By Simon

Words for steps and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*kanxsman = step, act of stepping
Gaulish	*kamman = step
Old Irish (Goídelc)	céimm [ˈkʲeːmʲ] = step; rank (in a hierarchy)
Irish (Gaeilge)	céim [ceːmʲ] = step, degree, rank, pass, ravine, difficulty céimnigh = to step, grade, graduate céimniú = stepping, tread, grading, graduation aischéim = backward step ardchéim = high rank, dignity, higher degree bunchéim = primary degree, positive (degree) coiscéim = footstep, pace
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ceum [kʲeːm] = step, footstep, pace, tread, path, degree, measure cois-cheum = step, pace ceum-coise = footstep, footpath
Manx (Gaelg)	keim = phase, step, degree, stage, standard, stile, grade keimagh = postgraduate keimee = to graduate, promote
Proto-Brythonic	*kamman = step
Old Welsh	cemmein = step
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cam, camm, kam = step
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cam [kam] = step, stride, pace, leap, foot-fall, footprint, trace, progress camu, camaf = to step over, take a stride, take strides, pace camâd = stile
Cornish (Kernewek)	kamm = pace, step, track
Middle Breton	cam = step
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kamm = pace, walk tread, (foot)step kammed = step

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *kengeti (to step), from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)keng- (to limp, walk lamely) [source]

Words from the same Gaulish root (*kamman) include: cammīnus (way) in Latin, camino (track, path, road, way, route, journey) and caminar (to walk, stroll, travel) in Spanish, caminho (way, road, path) in Portugese, cammino (walk, path, way) and camminare (to walk, work (function)) in Italian, and chemin (path, way, pathway) in 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, logainm.ie, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Thunder

14th December 202119th December 2021 By Simon

Words for thunder and related words in Celtic languages.

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

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

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

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

The name of the River Tanaro in northwestern Italy comes from the Latin Tanarus, from the Gaulish *Tanaros [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Parts and Portions

2nd December 202120th July 2024 By Simon

Words for part, portion, piece, thing and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*rannā = part
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rann = part (of a whole) randatu = the property of belonging to a part of speech rannaid = to divide (into parts), to apportion ranngabáil = participle
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rann, rand, ran, rán = part, lot, portion, faction, alliance
Irish (Gaeilge)	rann [ɾˠanˠ] = part, side (in dispute), partition rannach = apportioning, sharing, open-handed rannadóir = divider, sharer rannán = division rannóg = section rannpháirt = participation, part, share roinn = share, portion, distribution, dealing, trading, division
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rann [r̪ˠaun̪ˠ] = stanza, quatrain, verse, bond, deed, division, part, portion, section rann-phàirt = participation, portion, participle roinn [r̪ˠɤin̪ʲ / r̪ˠɤn̪ʲə] = dividing, partitioning, section, share, allotment, partition, department, division roinneadair = divider, divisor, sorter
Manx (Gaelg)	rheynn = divide, classify, distribute, dispense, share fo-rheynn = section so-rheynn = divisible
Proto-Brythonic	*rrann = part
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rann = part
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhan [r̥an] = part (of something), portion, division, element, constituent, component rhanadwy = divisible, dividend rhanedig = shared (out), divided, parted, split, separate rhannu = to divide, separate, part, divide
Old Cornish	radn = part, portion
Cornish (Kernewek)	radn = lot, part, portion, role, share ranna = to share
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	rannaff = to share, separate, divide, pronounce, split
Breton (Brezhoneg)	rann [rãnː] = part, fraction, division, slot rannañ [ˈrã.nːã] = to share, separate, divide, pronounce, split ranned [ˈrã.nːet] = dividend ranngalon [ʁɑ̃nˈɡɑːlɔ̃n] = deep sorrow, desolation, heartbreak rann

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *per- (to sell) [source], which is also the root of such English words as depart, jeopardy, parcel, part, partition and portion [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kʷezdis = piece, portion
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cuit [kudʲ] = part, portion, share cuit adaill, cuit adíll = a passing visit, a brief visit cuitigid = to share, partake
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cuit = share, part, portion cuit(gi)d = to share, partake, participate
Irish (Gaeilge)	cuid [kɪdʲ] = part (of whole), share, portion, some, cuideach = wealthy, prosperous cuideachta = company, companionship, social amusement, fun cuideachtaigh = to bring together, associate cuideachtúil = companionable, sociable cuideachtúlacht = sociableness cuidí = component cuidigh = to share, help, requite, repay (usually for misdeed), do for, do away with cuiditheoir = helper, supporter, seconder cuidiú = to help, assistance cuidiúil = helpful, cocky, conceited
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuid [kudʲ] = portion, share, allotment, ration, effects, means, belongings, some (people), accommodation, victuals cuid-eigin [kudʲegʲɪn] = someone, somebody cuideachail [kudʲəxal] = helpful, constructive, subsidiary cuideachair [kudʲəxɛrʲ] = auxiliary, helper cuideachas [kudʲəxəs] = help, suppprt cuideachd [kudʲəxg] = company, society, throng, troop; also, too, jointly, together cuideachdadh [kudʲəxgəɣ] = accompanying cuideag [kudʲag] = small portion / share
Manx (Gaelg)	cooid = certain, some, stuff, assets, goods, helping, means, part, possessions, proportion, resources cooidjagh = accompanying, jointly, together, inclusive cooidjaghtagh = companion, companionable
Gaulish	*pettiā, = (?)
Pictish	*ᚚᚔᚈ (pit) = (a parcel of) land, a portion (?) – found in placenames like Pitlochry
Proto-Brythonic	*peθ = part
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	ped = thing, object
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	peth = thing, object
Welsh (Cymraeg)	peth [peːθ] = thing, object, material, suff, substance, device, instrument, personal possessions, belongings, tools, equipment, something, anything peth(eu)ach = (unimportant) things, trifles pethdod = thingness, thinghood, reality, substantiality petheiddio = to reify, make real or concrete
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	peth, pêth, peyth, pŷth = thing, something, article pethow = things, riches, wealth
Cornish (Kernewek)	pyth, peth [pɪːθ / pɛθ] = commodity, material, matter, possession, property, thing, that which, what, appliance pyth ha da, peth ha da = possessions pythek, pethek = concrete pythow, pethow = belongings, wealth
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pez, pezz = piece, bit, part
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pezh [peːs] = piece, bit, room, part, what pezhiad = (big) piece, piece (of) pezhig = (an) ugly piece

Etymology: unknown, possibly borrowed from a non-Indo-European substrate source [source]. Words from the same roots via Gaulish *pettyā and Latin pettia (piece, portion), include piece in English, pièce (room, patch, piece, play, document) in French, peza (piece, fragment, part) in Galician, pieze (piece, part) in Spanish, biisi (song) in Finnish, and ピース (pīsu – piece) in Japanese [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	písa, pissa = piece, fragment, coin
Irish (Gaeilge)	piosa [ˈpʲiːsˠə] = piece, bit, patch, piece-work, literary or musical composition, coin piosaáil = to piece together, patch
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pìos [piːs] = bit, piece, sandwich, piece, (musical) composition, hunk (person) pìosach [piːsəx] = in pieces / fragments pìosail [piːsal] = sexy, attractive pìosan [piːsan] = small piece / bit
Manx (Gaelg)	peesh = bit, cutting, patch, piece, length (of thread), parcel
Cornish (Kernewek)	pis = piece

Etymology: from Middle English pece (piece, morsel, bit), from Anglo-Norman piece (piece, bit, part), from Late Latin petttia (piece, portion), from Gaulish *pettyā, from Proto-Celtic *kʷezdis (piece, portion) – see above [source].

Proto-Celtic	darnos, darnā = piece, part
Old Irish (Goídelc)	drécht [dʲrʲeːxt] = portion, part
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	drecht, drécht = part, portion, section; poem, literary composition dréchtach = numerous; skilled in song or poetry dréchtfaid = to divide up
Irish (Gaeilge)	dréacht [dʲɾʲeːxt̪ˠ]= part, portion, draft, detachment, number; (literary) piece, composition; draft dréachtach = composer, poet; skilled in/diligent at compostion dréachtaigh = to draft dréachtín = versicle, stanza dréachtóir = drafter, draughtsman (of documents)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dreachd [drɛxg] = draft dreachd-aithisge = draft report dreachd-dhealbh = working drawing
Manx (Gaelg)	draght, dreaght = draft draghtey = to draw up dreaght feeleeaght = a piece of poetry
Gaulish	*darnā = piece
Proto-Brythonic	*darn = piece (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	darn = piece, fragment, part darnaw, darnio, darnu = to break or tear in pieces
Welsh (Cymraeg)	darn [darn] = piece, fragment, part, coin, passage darn(i), darnu = to break or tear in pieces darn(i)edig = broken or torn to pieces darniog = broken, shattered, fragmentary
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	darn = fragment, piece pethow = things, riches, wealth
Cornish (Kernewek)	darn = bit, fragment, part, piece darnas = portion
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	darn = fragment, part darnaou = broken, very tired darnaouet = torn to pieces, very tired, bored
Breton (Brezhoneg)	darn [peːs] = fragment, part, some darnan, darnañ = to fragment, chip, shorten darnaou = broken, very tired darnaouin = to break darnek = partial

Etymology: from PIE *der- (to split, separate, tear, crack, shatter). The French word darne (steak, fillet) was borrowed from Breton darn (fragment, part, some). Words from the same PIE root include dermal, tear and tier in English, and tirar (to throw) in Spanish, zehren (to live on, feed on, undermine, wear out) in German, and драть [dratʲ] (to tear to pieces) in Russian [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, An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Bark and Beehives

17th November 202122nd February 2023 By Simon

Words for bark, beehives and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ruskos = bark, beehive
Gaulish	rusca / ruskā = bark, beehive
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rúsc [ruːsk] = (tree) bark, basket, covering
Irish (Gaeilge)	rúsc [ɾˠuːsˠk] = (tree) bark, vessel made of bark rúscach = bark-like; rough, wrinkled (skin) rúscán = strip of bark, vessel made of bark, kind of seaweed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rùsg [r̪ˠuːsg] = (tree) bark, peel, rind, husk, crust, fleece rùsg-caorach = sheep’s fleece rùsg-abhaill = apple peel rùsg na Talmhainn = crust of the Earth rùsgan [r̪ˠuːsgan] = thin (tree) bark, thin peel/rind/husk, thin crust, small fleece, bark boat rùsgach = fleecy
Manx (Gaelg)	roost [ruːst] = peel, bark, rind roostey = strip, peel, hull, rob, bare, rind, debunk, rifle, unbark, deprive, peeling, exposure
Proto-Brythonic	*rrisk = bark
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	risgl, risg, rhisg, risc = bark
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhisg(l) [ˈr̥ɪsɡ(l)/ˈr̥ɪsɡɪ(l)] = (piece of) bark, rind, peel (of fruit) husk (of grain) rhisg(l)ach = pieces of bark rhisgen = (bark) dish or pan rhisglen = (piece of) bark, rind; hackle, flax comb rhisgl(i)af, rhisgaf, rhisgl(i)o, rhisgo = to bark, decorticate, peel (off), develop bark (on), encrust rhisg(l)aidd = having bark or rind, corticate(d), covered with bark
Old Cornish	rusc = bark
Middle Cornish	risc = bark
Cornish (Kernewek)	rusken = bark, peel ruskek = rough-barked
Middle Breton	rusquenn = beehive
Breton (Brezhoneg)	rusk = bark, peel, zest ruskek = rough, rugged, coarse ruskenn = (bee)hive, apiary ruskennad = beehive ruskenner = beehive maker

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃rewk- (to dig up), possibly from *h₃er- (to move, stir) [source].

The French word ruche (beehive, ruffle, flounce) and the Catalan word rusc (beehive) come from the Gaulish root rusca, via the Late Latin rusca (bark), and the English word ruche (pleated fabric, ruff), and the German word Rüsche (ruffle, ruche) were borrowed from 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, logainm.ie, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Beaches and Shores

26th October 202126th October 2021 By Simon

Words for beaches, shores and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*trāgi- = beach, low tide
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tráig = strand, shore, ebb tide tráigid = to ebb
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tráigid = to ebb, recede
Irish (Gaeilge)	trá [t̪ˠɾˠɔːɟ/t̪ˠɾˠɔː/t̪ˠɾˠæːj] = beach, strand, seashore, low water leath-thrá = half-ebb (tide) trábhaile = town(land) along strand, seaside resort urtrá = foreshore
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tràigh [traːj] = (sandy) beach, strand, shore, (sandy) riverbank; low tide muir-tràigh = low tide, low-water tràigh-ghainmhich = sandy beach tràigh-mhaoraich = beach where shellfish can be found tràigh reothairt = spring (ebb) tide
Manx (Gaelg)	traie [trɛi/trai] = beach, shore, sandy seashore, strand, neap tide bayr traie = seafront er-traie = ashore traie gheinnee = sands, sandy shore traie laaee / laaghey = mud flat traie sluggee = quicksand
Proto-Brythonic	*tragio = ebb
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	trei = ebb
Welsh (Cymraeg)	trai = ebb tide, a draining treio = to ebb, fall, drain, recede, retreat, diminish, reduce, ease, abate trai a llanw = ebb and flow ar drai = on the ebb distyll trai = the low(est) ebb, low-water mark
Cornish (Kernewek)	trig = low tide
Old Breton	tre = ebb (tide)
Middle Breton	tré, tref = ebb (tide)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tre, trec’h = ebb, backward surge

Etymology: possibly from the Latin tractus (stretch, tract of land) [source], from trahō (I drag, extract) from the Proto-Indo-European *tregʰ- (to drag, pull) [source]

Proto-Celtic	*traxtus = shore
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tracht = strand, shore
Irish (Gaeilge)	trácht = strand, beach (literary)
Proto-Brythonic	*traɨθ = beach, sand
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	traeth = beach
Welsh (Cymraeg)	traeth [traːɨ̯θ/trai̯θ/traːθ] = beach, (sea)shore, strand, coast, estuary, region, area traeth awyr = cirrocumulus, mackerel sky traeth byw / gwyllt / sugn = quicksand traethwr = seaman, sailor
Old Cornish	trait = beach
Middle Cornish	traith, treath = beach
Cornish (Kernewek)	treth = beach, sand, seashore trethek = sandy trethor = ferryman trethvor = Riviera, seaside
Middle Breton	traez = sand
Breton (Brezhoneg)	traezh [tʁɛs] = sand, beach traezhenn (sandy) beach traezherez = sandy, sandblaster, sand speader, gritter

Etymology: possibly from the Latin tractus (stretch, tract of land), either directly, or via the Proto-Celtic *traxtus (shore) [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

Ale and Beer

12th October 202123rd September 2022 By Simon

Words for ale, beer and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*lindo- = drink
Gaulish	linda = drink
Old Irish (Goídelc)	linn [ˈl͈ʲin͈ʲ] = drink, liquid, brew, ale, beer, intoxicating drink lind = liquid, drink, ale
Irish (Gaeilge)	leann = (pale) ale, beer; liquid, fluid lionn = humour (of the body) lionndubhach = melancholy, depressed leannadóir = ale-merchant leannlus = hop leann bó = milk leann donn = brown ale leann dubh = stout leann piorra = perry leann sinséir = ginger ale leann úll = cider iarleann = small, weak beer seomra leanna = tap-room teach leanna = ale-house
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	leann [l̪ʲãũn̪ˠ] / lionn [l̪ʲũːn̪ˠ]= ale, beer; humour (of the body); fluid, liquid lionn-dubh = dejection, melancholy lionn searbh = bitter (ale) lionn-ubhal = cider
Manx (Gaelg)	lhune = ale, beer lhune doo = stout, porter lhune freillagh = lager lhune jinshar = ginger beer lhune ooyl = cider lhune peear = perry lhune sharroo = bitter (beer/ale) shamyr lhionney = bar room, lounge bar, tap room thie lhionney = ale house, pub
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llynn = drink
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llyn [ɬɨ̞n/ɬɪn] = drink, beverage, intoxicating liquor, cordial, juice; liquid, humour llyn afalau = cider, apple juice llyn y bustl = bile llyn gellyg = perry
Old Cornish	lin = fluid, liquid, lotion
Cornish (Kernewek)	lin = fluid, liquid, lotion lin-golghi = washing detergent lin leur = floor cleaner lin sebon = detergent, washing-up liquid
Old Breton	linnou = drink
Breton (Brezhoneg)	liñvenn = liquid

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *liH-nd-o- [source].

Proto-Celtic	kormi, kurman = beer
Gaulish	curmi, curmím, κόρμα (kórma), κούρμι (koúrmi) = beer
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cuirm = ale, beer
Irish (Gaeilge)	coirm, cuirm [kɞɾʲəmʲ] = ale, drinking-party, feast, banquet coirmeach = ale-drinking, festive coirmtheach = ale-house coirm cheoil, ceolchoirm = concert
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuirm [kurʲum] = feast, banquet, entertainment; ale, beer (archaic) co(i)rm = ale, beer cuirm-chiùil = concert cuirm-chnuic = picnic
Manx (Gaelg)	cuirrey = banquet, feast cuirrey kiaull = concert
Proto-Brythonic	kuruβ ̃, kurβ̃ = beer, ale
Old Welsh	curum = beer, ale
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kuref, kwryf, kwrwf, cwrwf, cyryw = beer, ale
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cwrw [ˈkʊru / ˈkuːru] = beer, ale cwrw Adda = Adam’s ale, water cwrw casgen = draught beer cwrw coch = brown ale cwrw cychwyn = a drink of beer on setting out on a journey, one for the road coesau cwrw = a drunken gait (“beer legs”)
Old Cornish	coref, coruf = ale, beer
Middle Cornish (CerneweC)	cor = ale, beer coref = ale, beer
Cornish (Kernewek)	korev, kor = ale, beer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	korev = ale, beer

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-Eurpean *kremH- (to burn) [source], or *ḱr̥h₃-m- (porridge, soup), or *ḱh₁erh₂- (to mix) [source].

The Latin word cervēs(i)a (beer) comes from the same Proto-Celtic root, as do words for beer in several Romance languages, including Spanish (cerveza), Portuguese (cerveja), Galician (cervexa) and Catalan (cervesa) [source].

More about words for beer in European languages.

Irish (Gaeilge)	beoir [bʲoːɾʲ] = beer, a woman (rare, colloquial) beoir bhairille = draught beer beoir shinséir = ginger beer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beòir [bjɔːrʲ] = beer beòir chaol = small beer roipean beòir = beer moustache
Manx (Gaelg)	beer = beer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ber, berr, berre = beer, ale
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bir = beer, ale
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bier = ale, beer

Etymology (Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Manx): from the Old Norse bjórr, from the Proto-Germanic *beuzą (beer), from the Proto-Indo-Eurpean *bʰews- (dross, sediment) [source].

Etymology (Welsh): from the English beer, from the Middle English bere (beer), from the Old English bēor (beer), from the Proto-West Germanic *beuʀ (beer), from the Proto-Germanic *beuzą (beer) [source].

Etymology (Breton): from the French bière (beer), from the Old French biere (beer), from the Middle Dutch bier/bēr (beer), from the Frankish *bior (beer), from Proto-Germanic *beuzą (beer) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Circles

29th September 202118th August 2023 By Simon

Words for circle, ring and related words in Celtic languages.

There are three words for circle in Proto-Celtic: *kerk-injo-, *kerkinn- and *kuro-. They don’t appear to have descendents in modern Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ānniyos = ring
Old Irish (Goídelc)	áinne = ring
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	áinne, ánne = ring, circuit, anusm posterior
Irish (Gaeilge)	fáinne [ˈfˠɑːɲə/ˈfˠæːn̠ʲə] = ring, circle, ringlet, curl, halo fáinneach = annular, ring-like, ringed, ringleted, whorled, adorned, beautiful fáinneadóir = ring-maker, dealer in rings fáinneáil = (act of) circling, fluttering fáinneán -= ampitheatre, circus fáinneog = ringlet, curl fáinneoir = person who rings animals fáinnigh = to ring, encircle, dawn fáinniú = encirclement, dawning
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fàinne [faːn̪ʲə] = ring, ringlet, circle fàinneach [faːn̪ʲəx] = pertaining to or like a ring, ringed fàinneachadh [faːn̪ʲəxəɣ] = (act of) curling, ringing fàinneag [faːn̪ʲag] = small ring, ringlet
Manx (Gaelg)	fainey = circle, puck, whorl, wreathe, ring fainnit = ringed

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₁eh₂no- (ring). Cognate with the Latin ānus (ring, anus), and anus in English, French, Catalan and Romanian [source].

The English word phon(e)y (fraudulent, fake) possibly comes from the old slang word fawney (a gilt brass ring used by swindlers; a finger ring), from the Irish fáinne (ring) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	circul = circle, orbit, zone, hoop
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	circul = circle, orbit, zone, hoop
Irish (Gaeilge)	ciorcal [ˈkiɾˠkəlˠ] = circle ciorcalach = circular, cyclic ciorcalaigh = to encircle, circle ciorclán = circular (letter)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cearcall [kʲɛrxgl̪ˠ] = circle, cycle, ring (circus, etc), hoop cearclach = circular, cyclic(al)
Manx (Gaelg)	kiarkyl = ring, circle, rim, coterie kiarklagh = cyclic(al), rotund, circulatory kiarkylagh = circular daachiarkyl = bicycle
Proto-Brythonic	*kɨrxl [aˈbɛːr] = circle, ring
Old Welsh	circhl = circle, ring
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kylch, kylc = circle, ring
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cylch [kɨ̞lχ/kɪlχ] = circle, ring, compass, scope, range, circumference, environs, surroundsing, precints, zone, belt, hoop, social circle, orbit, revolution, period, cycle, halo cylchai = halo cylchaidd = circular, round(ish) cylchig = circlet, small circle cylch(i)ol = circular, orbital, surrounding, itinerant, periodic, cyclic cylchu, cylch(i)af, cylcho = to hoop, rim (a wheel)
Cornish (Kernewek)	kelgh, kylgh = circle, hoop, round, ring kylghek = circular kylghigow = hoop-la kylghlavar = circumlocution kylghvusur = perimeter
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	kelc’h = circle, disc, halo kelc’hdro = orbit kelc’hennva = ampitheatre kelc’hiad = circumference kelc’hiek = circular
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kelc’h = circle, halo kelc’hiañ = to surround, define, figure out kelc’hier = compass kelc’htreiñ = to orbit kelc’htro = orbit kelc’htroel = orbital

Etymology: from the Latin circulus (circle), from circus (circle, ring, racecourse, circus), from the Ancient Greek κίρκος (kírkos – circle, ring) from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker- (to bend, turn) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Victory

23rd September 20212nd March 2025 By Simon

Words for victory and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	boudi = profit, gain, victory boudīkos = victorious Boudīkā = a female given name*
Gaulish	boudi = profit, gain, victory Boudīkā = a female given name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	búaid [buːa̯ðʲ] = benefit, gift, profit, quality, triumph, victory, virtue búadach = gifted, triumphant, victorious
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	búaid, boid, boad = victory, triumph, virtue, attribute, gift, advantage, profit, benefit búadred = act of troubling, distrubing, confusing; trouble, disturbance, perturbation, confusion; act of stirring up, making turbid, turbidity
Irish (Gaeilge)	bua [bˠuə] = victory, truimph; gift, talent; virtue merit; special quality bua morálta = moral victory ollbhua [ˈɔl̪ˠˌwuə] = landslide victory buach = victorious buachan = gain, victory buaigh = to win, gain; defeat, overcome; succeed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	buaidh [buəj] = success, conquest, victory, consequence, effect, impact, influence, sway, mastery, predominance buaidh-làrach = decisive victory buaidh-chaithream = triumph, triumphant shout or song buaidheach = victorious, effective buadhach = victorious, effective, influential, talented, gifted buadhalach = victorious, triumphant diombuaidheach = unsuccessful, unlucky, defeatist Buaidheach = Boudica (female given name)
Manx (Gaelg)	booie = victorious, victory, triumph
Proto-Brythonic	bʉd = profit bʉðig = victorious Bʉðig = a female given name*
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ysbud, bud, but = profit, gain, booty butic, budic = victorious, truimphant, prosperous, successful, beneficial, generous, kind
Welsh (Cymraeg)	budd [bɨːð / biːð] = profit, gain, booty, riches, wealth, blessing, favour, advantage, emolument, benefit, usefulness buddfawr = bearing much booty or spoils, profitable, beneficial buddfawredd = generosity, gain buddgar = conferring blessings, beneficial, generous, covetous buddged = benefit, adventage, gain, gift, reward buddio = to profit, succeed, prosper, benefit buddig / buddug = victorious, truimphant, prosperous, successful, beneficial, generous, kind Buddug = Boudica (female given name) buddugaf, buddugo = to triumph, gain a victory, conquer buddugiol = victorious, conquering, triumphant, mighty, successful buddugioliaeth = victory, conquest, supremacy, precedence, glory, triumph, exulation, jubliation
Cornish (Kernewek)	budh = profit budhek = victorious
Old Breton	bud = profit
Breton (Brezhoneg)	buz [byː(s)] = profit Budic = Boudica (female given name)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰówdʰi (victory) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root possibly include booty in English, butin (loot, booty) in French, botí (booty, spoils) in Catalan, bottino (booty, loot, cesspit, swag) in Italian, and Beute (booty, spoils, haul, prey, quarry) in German [source].

The name Boudica (the Queen of the Iceni who led an uprising against the Romans in 60/61 AD) comes from the Latin Boudicca / Boadicea, from the Gaulish *Boudīkā [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, Dictionnaires bilingues de Francis Favereau / Edition Skol Vreizh, TermOfis

Kisses

8th September 20218th September 2021 By Simon

Words for kisses and related words in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	póc [poːɡ] = kiss
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	póc = kiss
Irish (Gaeilge)	póg [pˠoːɡ / pˠɔːɡ] = (to) kiss pógagh = kissing pógaire = kisser flaspóg smacking kiss
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pòg [pɔːg] = (to) kiss pògach = pertaining to or abounding in kisses, given to kissing pògag = little kiss pògan, pòigean = little kiss, smack pòg Sgalpach = French kiss
Manx (Gaelg)	paag [ɡiː] = (to) kiss paagag = peck (kiss) paagagh = osculant, osculatory paagey = kissing, kiss, truss, osculate, osculation paageyr = kisser
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pocyn, poccyn = kiss
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pocyn = kiss, loud kissing noise impoc, impogpacs
Old Cornish	poccuil = kiss
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pok = kiss pokat = to kiss

Etymology: from the Latin phrases (dare) pācem (to give peace) – originally a kiss as a sign of peace during a mass, or from ōsculum pācis (kiss of peace) [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cussan, kussan, kusan = kiss
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cusan [ˈkɨ̞san/ˈkɪsan] = kiss cusanu = to kiss, touch lightly cusan bwbach = sore/scab on lip or cheek (“goblin’s kiss”)
Cornish (Kernewek)	kussyn = kiss

Etymology: from the Old English cyssan (to kiss) – from the Proto-Germanic *kussijaną (to kiss), probably of onomatopoeic origin [source].

Other words for kiss include sẁs [sʊs] in Welsh, amm / abm and bay in Cornish, and bouch in Breton. Sẁs is onomatopoeic, and the origin of the other words is not known.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Cells and Churches

1st September 202123rd September 2021 By Simon

Words for cells, churches and related words in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cell [kʲel͈] = church
Irish (Gaeilge)	cill [ciːlʲ] = church, churchyard, cell cilldeighilt = cell division cillín = cell, hoard, nest-egg cillscannán = cel membrane aoncheallach = single celled, unicellular
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cill [kʲiːʎ] = chapel, churchyard, burial ground, graveyard, hermit’s cell cill-chlos = quietness of a churchyard cill chailleachan-dubha = nunnery cill-mhanach = abbey, monastery
Manx (Gaelg)	keeill = church, place of worship, oratory, small monastic cell (used mainly in place names) keeill aspickagh = cathedral
Proto-Brythonic	*kell = cell
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kell = cell
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cell [kɛɬ] = cell, bower cilgell = alcove, side apartment, recess (“corner cell”) llyfrgell = library (“book cell”) oergell = fridge (“cold cell”) rhewgell = freezer (“ice cell”) tangell = stove, cooker (“fire cell”)
Cornish (Kernewek)	kell [kɛlː/kɛlʰ] = cell
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kell [ˈkɛlː] = (prison / monastic) cell

Etymology: from the Latin cella (small room, hut, storeroom, barn, granary, sanctuary, pantry), from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱelneh₂, from *ḱel- (to cover). The English word cell comes from the same root [source]

Old Irish (Goídelc)	eclais [ˈeɡlisʲ] = church, clergy
Irish (Gaeilge)	eaglais [ˈaɡəl̪ˠəʃ / ˈɑːɡlˠəʃ / ˈaɡlˠəʃ] = church, church building eaglaiseach = churchman, clergyman, ecclesiastic eaglaiseoireacht = ecclesiastical matter or duties eaglasta = ecclesiastical
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eaglais [egl̪ʲɪʃ] = church eaglaiseach = churchman eaglaiseil = ecclesiastical cathair-eaglais = cathedral eadar-eaglais = ecumenical neo-eaglais = secular
Manx (Gaelg)	agglish = oratory, church (people) agglishagh = cleric, clerical, ecclesiastic, canonical, divine, churchman eddyr-agglishagh = ecumenical
Proto-Brythonic	*egluɨs = church
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eccluys, egluis, eccluis = church
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eglwys [ˈɛɡlʊɨ̯s / ˈɛɡlʊi̯s] = church eglwysa, eglwyso = to church, attend church eglwysaidd, eglwysol = ecclesiastic(al), church-like eglwysol = ecclesiastical, church-, cleric
Cornish (Kernewek)	eglos [ˈɛɡlɔs/ˈɛɡlɐz] = church eglos teg = temple
Breton (Brezhoneg)	iliz = church ilizamant = churching

Etymology: from the Latin ecclēsia (church, assembly), from the Ancient Greek ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía – assembly, congregation, church). [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Latin (lingua latīna)

Steps

Thunder

Parts and Portions

Bark and Beehives

Beaches and Shores

Ale and Beer

Circles

Victory

Kisses

Cells and Churches