Yellow & Gold

18th October 20184th March 2024 By Simon

Words for yellow and gold and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*bodyos = yellow
Gaulish	Bayos = proper name* Bodyokasses = Baiocasses (a Celtic tribe of Gallia Lugdunensis*)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	buide [ˈbuðʲe] = yellow, yellowness, buttercup, honey, pollen
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	buide = yellow, yellowness, yellow hue buidecán, buigheacan = (egg) yolk buidecht = yellowness buidid = to become yellow buidigid = to make yellow
Irish (Gaeilge)	buí [bˠiː] = yellow, sallow, tan buíbhallach = spotted with yellow buíbhán = light yellow, cream-coloured buíbreac = speckled with yellow buígh = yellow, tan buíochan = yellowing buíochán = jaundice buíochánach = jaundiced buíocht = yellowness, sallowness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	buidhe [bujə] = yellow, golden buidhe-dhonn, buidhe-ruadh = auburn buidhe-shoilleir = amber buidheagan [bujagan] = (egg) yolk buidhich [bujɪç] = ripen (of cereals)
Manx (Gaelg)	buigh, bwee = yellow, jaundiced, tan, sallow, fair headed buighaghey = to yellow, jaundice buighaghey = yellowing, jaundice

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bodyos (yellow) [source]. Related to the English word bay (tree, leaf) ( [source].

Proto-Celtic	*melinos = yellow
Proto-Brythonic	*melino- = yellow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	melen, melin, melyn = yellow, golden, gold; yellow-haired, blond melynu = to be or become yellow or golden melynoc, mylynog = yellowhammer, yellow bunting, goldfinch, linnet melyn wy, melyn wi = yolk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	melyn [ˈmɛlɨ̞n / ˈmɛlɪn] = yellow, golden, (made of) gold; yellow-haired, blond; light-bay (horse); yellow, sallow, livid, or brown (skin); brown (sugar); deadly, implacable, unpleasant melynaf, melynu = to be or become yellow or golden melynaidd = yellowish, golden, sallow melynddu = yellowish-brown, dark yellow, tawny, russet, roan, swarthy, dusky melynog = yellowhammer, yellow bunting, goldfinch, linnet, canary melynwy = yolk
Old Cornish	milin = yellow
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	melyn, melen, milin = yellow, the colour of honey melynoy = egg yolk
Cornish (Kernewek)	melyn [‘mɛlɪn / ‘mɛlən ] = yellow, fair, blonde melyn oy = egg yolk melynrudh = orange, yellowish orange
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	melen = yellow, blonde melen vy = egg yolk
Breton (Brezhoneg)	melen = yellow, blonde melen-vi = egg yolk melenaat = to become / make yellow, to turn blond melenadur = yellowing melenard = a person with a yellow complexion melenin, meleniñ = to yellow

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *mélit (honey) [source], words from the same PIE root include mulch and melleous (pertaining to honey) in English, and words for honey in Celtic and other European languages [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ór = gold ordae = golden
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ór = gold órda, órdae = made of gold, golden, resembling gold
Irish (Gaeilge)	òr [oːɾˠ] = gold óraigh = to gild órbhuí = golden (colour) órbhuille = gold leaf órghréas = (gold) filigree órphlátáilte = gold-plated
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	òr [ɔːr] = gold òir-cheàrd = goldsmith òr-bhuidhe = gold-coloured, auburn òr-ubhal = orange (fruit) òradh [ɔːrəɣ] = gilding, gilt, gold digging òrail / òra [ɔːral/ɔːrə] = gold(en), gilded
Manx (Gaelg)	airh = gold, bullion, gilt oar = gold airhey = to gild; gilt, gilt-edged, golden airh ghlen = pure gold airhoil = auriferous, aurous, looking like gold
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eur, aur = gold(en) eurir, eurha, euraw = to gild, adorn with gold, make golden eureyt, eureit, euraid = golden, brilliant, splendid, glorious, precious
Welsh (Cymraeg)	aur [aɨ̯r/ai̯r] = gold, gold money or coin(s), wealth; gold (colour); gold(en) euraf, euro = to gild, adorn with gold, make golden euraid = golden, brilliant, splendid, glorious, precious euraidd = golden, precious, illustrious, refined, virtuous
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	our = gold ourlyn = silk
Cornish (Kernewek)	owr [ɔʊr] = gold, red-gold owraval = orange owrbesk, owrbysk = goldfish owrek = golden owrlin = silk
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	aour = gold aourek = (deposit of) gold aourfebrer = goldsmith aourin, aouriñ = to brown aourra = to look for gold aourraer = gold panning
Breton (Brezhoneg)	aour = gold aourek = (deposit of) gold aourfebrer = goldsmith aourin, aouriñ = to brown aourra = to look for gold aourraer = gold panning

Etymology: from Latin aureus (gold, golden, gilded), from aurum (gold), from Proto-Italic *auzom (gold), from PIE *h₂é-h₂us-óm (gold), from *h₂ews- (to dawn, become light, become red). Words from the same PIE roots include air, aura, auriferous (gold-bearing), aurora, Australia, and east 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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Sweet

16th October 201823rd February 2024 By Simon

Words for sweet and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	melissis, melisti = sweet
Old Irish (Goídelc)	milis [ˈmʲilʲisʲ] = sweet
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	milis = sweet, fresh (water)
Irish (Gaeilge)	milis [ˈmʲɪlʲɪʃ] = sweet, tender, tasty, fresh (water); honeyed (words), flattering milisbhriathrach = sweet-spoken, honey-tongued milisín = sweet morsel milseán = sweet, bonbon, candy; sweet dish, dessert milseog = dessert; sweetheart, darling milsigh = to sweeten uisce milis = sweet/fresh water teange mhilis = flattering tongue
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	milis [milɪʃ] = sweet; melodious, musical; flattering aran-milis = gingerbread baine milis = sweet milk, condensed milk buntàta milis = sweet potato, yam coirce-milis = sweet corn, maize slaman-milis = jelly
Manx (Gaelg)	millish = sweet, darling, sugary, dulcet, honeyed, luscious, fruity, balmy bee millish = sweetmeat, sweet feddan millish = recorder, fipple flute fooillagh millish = trifle slumm millish = jelly ushtey millish = fresh water focklyn millish = honeyed words
Proto-Brythonic	*melɨs = sweet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	melis, melys = sweet, pleasant-tasting, delicious meledic = sweetened with honey melysvwyt, melysvwyd, melys-fwyd = sweet food, sweet dish, delicacy, dainty food, sweetmeat, dessert melûsrwyth, melyssrwydd = sweetness, sweet or delicious taste
Welsh (Cymraeg)	melys [ˈmɛlɨ̞s/ˈmeːlɪs/ˈmɛlɪs] = sweet, pleasant-tasting, delicious, tasty; not salty, fresh (water); delightful, agreeable, pleasant, charming; sweet-sounding, euphonious, melodious; sweet-smelling, fragrant dant melys = sweet tooth pethau melys = sweets tatws melys = sweet potato melysaf, meluso = to sweeten, mitigate, alleviate melysaidd, melusaidd = rather sweet, delightful, agreeable melyfwyd, melusfwyd = sweet food, sweet dish, delicacy, dainty food, sweetmeat, dessert melyfwyd, melusfwyd = sweet, delicious, delightful, agreeable, pleasant, melodious, fond of sweet food or drink, greedy, voracious melysrwydd, melusrwydd = sweetness, sweet or delicious taste, melodiousness, fondness for delicate food
Cornish (Kernewek)	melys [‘mɛlɪs/’mɛləʃ] = very sweet, honeyed kleves melys = diabetes
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	milis = honeyed
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	milis = honeyed, sweetish, sneaky
Breton (Brezhoneg)	melis, milis = honeyed

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *mélid (honey)), which is also the root of the English words mildew and mulch [source].

Proto-Celtic	*su̯eko-s = to smell (good)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	chwech = sweet wech, chweg, chwec = sweet, lucious, pleasant, comely
Welsh (Cymraeg)	chwech [χweːχ/hweːχ] = sweet chweg = sweet, lucious, pleasant, comely chwegaidd = sweetish chwegrwydd = sweetness, lusciousness
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hwec, hwecah, hweg, hwêg, whêk = sweet, pleasant, dear hwecter, whecter = sweetness, pleasantness, suavity, delight hwegol, whegol = dear
Cornish (Kernewek)	hweg = sweet, dear, gentle, kind, nice, pleasant, pleasing hwegednow, hwegnnow = candy hwegen = darling, pet, lozenge, sweet hwegoll = darling, delightful, sweetest hwegys = sweetcorn, maize hweg-oll = darling, delightful, sweetest ys hweg = sweetcorn, maize
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	huec = sweet, delicate
Breton (Brezhoneg)	c’hwek [xweːk] = soft, suave, sugar, delicious, exquisite, pleasant c’hwekaat = to sweeten c’hwekted [ˈxwek.tet] = softness, suavity c’hwekter = delicacy mel c’hwek = sweet honey gwin c’hwek = sweet wine

Etymology: unknown

The usual Breton word for sweet is dous, which probably comes from the Old French dous (soft, tender), form the Latin dulcis (sweet, fragrant, melodious), from the Proto-Indo-European *dl̥kú- (sweet) [source].

Sorrow & sadness

6th October 20189th June 2023 By Simon

Words for sorrow, sadness and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	trougos/trowgo- = sorry, sad, wretched
Old Irish (Goídelc)	trúag, tróg = miserable, wretched, emaciated, wretch trúagdae = miserable, wretched trógán, trúagán = miserable person, wretch, pauper trúaige = affliction, compassion, misery, pity, wretchedness
Middle Irish (Gaedhealg)	trúag = wretched, pititable, miserable, sad; thin, lean, emaciated; wretch, miserable person trúagdae, trogdae, trúagdai, troghda = miserable, wretched. piteous trúagán = miserable person, wretch, pauper trúagnait, trógnait = wretch, miserable person trúaige = misery, wretchedness, affliction trúaigméil = pitiable, sorrowful
Irish (Gaeilge)	trua [t̪ˠɾˠuə] = pity, sympathy, compassion, miserable person, wretch; pitiable, miserable, wretched; lean, thin, emaciated truacánta = piteous, plaintive truacántacht = piteousness, plaintiveness truachroíoch = kind-hearted, compassionate, heartrending, piteous truacht = leanness atruach = compassionate truán = miserable person, wretch; thin, emaciated creature, importunate person truanairt = wretch truánta = wretched; thin, emaciated truántacht = wretchedness; thinness, emaciation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	truagh [truəɣ] = abject, forlorn, miserable, pitiful, poor, sorry truaghan [truəɣan] = poor soul/thing, wretch truaghag [truəɣag] = poor/pitiful thing, poor wee thing (female) truaghaileachd [truəɣaləxg] = compassionateness, tender-heartedness truaghanachd [truəɣən̪ˠəxg] = abjectness, miserableness, wretchedness truas [truəs] = pity, compassion, sympathy
Manx (Gaelg)	truan = misery truanagh = miserable, mournful, sorrowful person truanys = misery treih = abject, deplorable, feeble, forlorn, fragile, miserable, pathetic, piteous, pitiful, regrettable, rueful treihaght = misery, pitifullness, pitifulness treihnagh = mournful treihys = abjection, abjectness, fragility, misery
Gaulish	*trugan = wretch
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tru, trv = wretched, miserable, deplorable, pitiful, pathetic truan = wretch, miserable person truanu = to take pity, feel compassion truaneid, truanaidd = wretched, miserable, deplorable tryanedd, tayyrnedd = wretchedness trueni = misery, wretchedness, abjectness, degradation truanus = wretched, miserable, deplorable, poor trỽch, troch, truch = unfortunate, sad, wretched
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tru [trɨː/triː] = wretched, miserable, deplorable, pitiful, pathetic truan = wretch, miserable person; wretched, miserable, deplorable, pitiful, pathetic, poor, weak truanaf, truanu = to take pity, feel compassion truanaidd = wretched, miserable, deplorable, pitiful truanedd = wretchedness trueni = misery, wretchedness, abjectness, degradation truenus = wretched, miserable, deplorable, poor trwch = unfortunate, sad, wretched, poor; bad, evil, wicked; unfortunate person, wretch, scoundrel
Old Cornish	troc = miser
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tru = alas, pity, sad, woe trueth = pity, compassion troc = wretched, miser
Cornish (Kernewek)	tru = alas truan = sadly, miserable, unfortunate, wretched truedh = pity, sympathy truedhek = sadly, pathetic, pitiful, plaintive, sad trogh = broken, wretched
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tru = pitiful, wretched, miserable truant = pitiful, wretched, miserable trugarez = pity, mercy, forgiveness, thanks, misery
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tru = pitiful, wretched, miserable, wretch trugarez = thank you, mercy, forgiveness truant = beggar truanter = cheater, supplicant

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *terh₁- (to rub, turn, drill, pierce). Words from the same roots possibly include truant in English, and truand (crook, gangster, beggar) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic	*brugnos = saddness, pain
Old Irish (Goídelc)	brón [broːn] = sorrow, grief, lamentation, distress, burden
Irish (Gaeilge)	brón [bˠɾˠoːnˠ] = sorrow, grief, grieving, lamentation; distress, burden brónach [ˈbˠɾˠoːnˠəx] = sad, sorrowful
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bròn [brɔːn] = grief, sadness, sorrow, mourning, affliction brònach [ˈbrɔːnəx] = doleful, miserable, rueful, sad, sorrowful; disconsolate
Manx (Gaelg)	bran = sorrow, blackness of soul branagh = mournful, black (as outlook)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brwyn [bruːɨ̯n / brʊi̯n] = sorrow, grief, sadness; sorrowful, grievous, sad, heavy; pensive

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *gʷruHǵʰ-nó-, from *gʷrewHǵʰ- (to bite) + *-nós, or from *bʰreg- (to break) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg)	trist [triːst / trɪst] = sad, unhappy, sorrowful, mournful, pensive, downhearted, miserable, anxious
Cornish (Kernewek)	trist = sad, mournful
Breton (Brezhoneg)	trist = sad

Etymology: from Latin trīstis (sad, unhappy, melancholy, morose), from Proto-Indo-European *tréystis (stubborn, in a bad mood) [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

Quick, Fast & Lively

6th October 20185th November 2023 By Simon

Words for quick, fast, crazy, lively, ready and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tap = sudden tapad = suddenness, haste, quickness, bravery tapaid = quick, swift, active
Irish (Gaeilge)	tapa [ˈt̪ˠapˠə] = quick(ness), ready, active, speed, vigour tapaigean = sudden start, spring, jump, mishap tapaigh = to quicken, grasp quickly tapaíoch = quick, active, alert person tapaíocht = quickness, activeness, alertness tapóg = tendency to jump, nerviness, sudden impulse tapógach = jumpy, nervy, impulsive
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tapadh [tahbəɣ] = cleverness, smartness, thanks, alertness, feat, achievement tapadh leat/leibh = thank you tapaidh [tahbɪ] = clever, smart, brave, heroic, active, vigorous all-tapadh = mishap, accident, misfortune
Manx (Gaelg)	tappee = fast, hasty, quick, rapid, speedy, swift tappeeid= quickness, rapidity, speed tappeeys = quickness, rapidity, speed, nimbleness

Etymology: uncertain

Old Irish (Goídelc)	opunn = fast, prompt, quick
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	opunn, obunn, opund, topund = quick, swift, prompt, hasty, precipitate
Irish (Gaeilge)	tobann [ˈt̪ˠɔbˠən̪ˠ] =sudden, unexpected, hasty, impulsive, quick-tempered
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	obann [obən̪ˠ] = sudden, unexpected gu h-obann = suddenly

Etymology: uncertain

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ellam, ollam, ullam = quick, ready, soon, speedy
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ellam, ollam, ullam = quick, prompt, speedy, soon, readily, ready, prepared, finished, complete ellma = speed, rapidity, promptness, speedily, soon, prompty, soon enough, ready, prepared ellmaigid = to prepare, make ready
Irish (Gaeilge)	ullamh [ˈɔl̪ˠəvˠ/ˈʊl̪ˠuː] = ready, willing, prompt, prepared, predisposed inclined, finished ullmhacht = readiness, preparedness ullmhaigh = to make ready, prepare ullmhaitheach = preparative ullmhaitheoir = preparer ullmhú = preparation ullmhúchán = preparative, preparation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ullamh [ul̪ˠəv] = done, finished, ready, prepared, mature, handy, prone to ullamhachadh [ul̪ˠəvəxəɣ] = preparing, getting ready, preparation, arranging, arrangement, providing, provision ullamhachd [ul̪ˠəvəxg] = readiness, preparedness, proneness, aptitude, aptness
Manx (Gaelg)	ullee = conversant, operational, prepared, ready

Etymology: from Old Irish ar (for, on), fo- (under, sub-) and lám (arm, hand)[source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	mer = crazy meraige = crazy person, fool
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mer = demented, crazy, wild, rash meraige = a muddle-headed or scatter-brained person; aberration, derangement
Irish (Gaeilge)	mear [mʲaɾˠ] = quick, fast, nimble, lively, spirited; precipitate, hasty, rash; quick-tempered, fiery; mad, crazy; furious, raging, angry mearadh = madness, insanity, craze, craving mearaí = crazed person, distracted, bewildered, person, craziness, distraction, bewilderment mearaigh = to derange, distract, bewilder, confuse, to become distracted mearaitheoir = distracter, bewilderer, infuriating person.
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mear [mɛr] = merry, joyful, frisky, lively mearachas [mɛrəxəs] = mirth, merriment mearachd [mɛrəxg] = merriness mearaiche = droll / merry person
Manx (Gaelg)	merre [mɛr] = frenzy
Welsh (Cymraeg)	miri = merry, gay, fun, merriment, mirth, tumult, fuss, bother, predicament miriman = fool, clown, wild and unruly person miriol = merry, gay

Etymology: possibly from English merry, or Middle English mery (happy, joyful, pleased), from Old English myrġe (pleasant, attractive, enjoyable), from Proto-West Germanic *murgī (short, slow, leisurely), from Proto-Germanic *murgijaz/*murguz (short, brief slow, leisurely), from Proto-Indo-European *mréǵʰus (short, brief) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*lim-ā- = to sharpen, polish
Old Irish (Goídelc)	límaid = to polish, sharpen
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	límaid, límad = sharpens, grinds, polishes límtha = sharpened, burnished, keen, polished, fluent límugud = act of sharpening
Irish (Gaeilge)	líomh [mʲaɾˠ] = to grind, sharpen, file, smooth, polish, erode, destroy líomhadh = to grind, polish, erosion, destruction líomhadóir = grinder, filer, polisher líomhán = file
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lìomh [l̪ʲiəv] = polish, gloss, burnish, refinement
Manx (Gaelg)	shleeu = to grind, sharpen, whet, grinding, sharpening shleeuan = file shleeuee = grinder
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llim, llym, lem = sharp, pointed, keen, harsh, shill, quick, swift lllymu = to whet, file, sharpen llymaidd = sharp, keen, piercing, harsh, severe, eager, ardent llymder = sharpness, keenness, harshness, severity cyflym, kyflym = quick, swift, speedy, brisk, quick-witted, intelligent, ready, clever, sharp, keen, acute kymlymder, cyflymdra = swiftness, quickness, rapidity
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llym [ɬɨ̞m/ɬɪm] = sharp, pointed, keen, harsh, shill, quick, swift llymaf, llymu = to whet, file, sharpen, speak severly llymaidd = sharp, keen, piercing, harsh, severe, eager, ardent llymder = sharpness, keenness, harshness, severity cyflym = quick, swift, speedy, brisk, quick-witted, intelligent, ready, clever, sharp, keen, acut cyflymaf, cyflymu = to quicken, accelerate, hasten, expedite cyflymder = swiftness, quickness, rapidity
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	lemma, leamn, lemen, lemmen, lemyn, lemmyn, lymmyn = to sharpen, whet
Cornish (Kernewek)	lymm, lebm = sharp, acute, keen, piercing, insightful llymma = to sharpen
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lem, lemm = sharp, pointed, acute lemaff, lemmaff = to sharpen, make sharp lemder = acuity lemer = sharpener
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lemm = pointed, sharp, acute lemmañ, lemmiñ = to sharpen, make sharp lemmded = acuity lemmell = sharp lemmerez = sharpener lemmet = sharp(ened), keen, pointed

Etymology: probably from PIE *sley- (smooth, slick, sticky), or from Latin līma (file), from the same PIE root [source]. Words from the same roots include slime in English, and llif (saw) in Welsh [source].

Proto-Celtic	*bīwonos = ?
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	buan= fast, swift, rapid buander = quickness, alacrity, swiftness, speed buaned, buanez = quickness, swiftness, speed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	buan [ˈbɨː.an/ˈbiː.an] = fast, swift, rapid yn fuan = soon mor fuan â phosibl = as soon as possible buanaf, buanu = to accelerate, hasten, move swiftly buander = quickness, alacrity, swiftness, speed buanedd = quickness, swiftness, speed
Cornish (Kernewek)	buan = lively, quick
Old Breton	buenion = quck, fast
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	buan = quck, fast
Breton (Brezhoneg)	buan = quick, fast buanaat = to accelerate buanaer = accelerater buanded = speed, rapidity

Etymology: probably from Proto-Celtic *biwos ((alive, living, mortal) from PIE *gʷeyh₃- (to live) [source]. Words for life and food come from the same roots, as do English words such as bioology, quick, vital, vivid and zoo [source].

For other words for quick see the Celtiadur posts: Early and Soon

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

Small

26th September 201810th August 2023 By Simon

Words for small and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*bikkos = small, little
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bec(c) [ˈbʲeɡ] = small, little
MIidle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bec, beg = small, little, a small amount becaid = to make small, deplete becaigid, begaigh = to lessen, diminish, reduce becán, begán, beccan = a little, small quantity, a few, a small number, little one, child, humble, lowly one becda = lowly, humble
Irish (Gaeilge)	beag [bʲɔɡ / bʲɞɡ / bʲɛɡ] = little, small, small amount; few beagadán = diminutive person, little one beagaigh = to lesson, diminish beagán = little, a few, a little, somewhat beagchainteach = silent, taciturn beagchéillí = senseless, foolish
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beag [beg] = small, little, wee; minor; petty, puny, trifling; slight beagadh [begəg] = to diminish, lessen, reduce beagachadh [begəxəɣ] = diminishing, lessening, reducing beagag [begag] = small thing, trifle beagan [began] = a little, a few beaganas [beganəs] = slight, snub beagnachd [begnəxg] = parvity, smallness
Manx (Gaelg)	beg = small, short, slight, few, poky, model, narrow, quiet, dwarf beggan = somewhat, slightly, partly, faintly, a few, little, small piece begganid = littleness, smallness, slightness beggid = diminutive, diminutiveness, littleness, paltriness
Proto-Brythonic	*bɨx = small
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hach, bych, bâch, = small, little baches, baçes = darling, little, little woman bachken, bachcen = boy, lad, youngster, servant, son, child bachcennes = young girl, maiden, damsel, lass, wench
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bach [baːχ] = small, little, short; not fully grown or developed, young; insignificant, unimportant, humble; small (business); lower-case (letter); dear, beloved; poor baches = darling, little, little woman bachgen = boy, lad, youngster, servant, son, child bachgennes = young girl, maiden, damsel, lass, wench bachigol = diminutive, small, little bychan [ˈbəχan] = little, small, minute, diminutive; inconspicuous, obscure, unimportant, petty; young inexperienced; little one, young child bychanaf, bychanu = to abase, disparage, disregard, slight, minimize bychander, bychandod = littleness, smallness, scarcity, contempt, pettiness bychanig = very little/small, minute, diminutive, bit, piece bychan bach very little
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bechan, bian, bichan, bihan, bochan, byan, byhan = little, small
Cornish (Kernewek)	byghan [‘bɪhan] = little, small byghanhe = to reduce, make smaller byghanna = smaller
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bihan, byhan = small bihanaat, bihanhat, bihanat = to shrink, diminish bihanaet, bihannaet = decrease bihanded, bihandet, bihandætt = smallness
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bihan = small, insufficient, modest, little bihanaat = diminutive, pet name bihanadur = miniature bihanniver = minority

Etmology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰég-ko-s, from *bʰeg- (to break) +‎ the suffix *-kos [source].

Words for small and little in Romance languages, such as petit in French, pequeno in Portuguese and pequeño in Spanish, possibly come from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Latin word *pittus (small, little) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Online Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Lexicon cornu-britannicum : a dictionary of the ancient Celtic language of Cornwall, Gerlyver Kernewek, Devri : Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis

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