Doors

17th May 202217th May 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*dwār = door
Gaulish	durom = door – was borrowed into Latin and appeared in placenames such as Augustodurum (now Bayeux), and Nemetodurum (now Nanterre)*
Proto-Brythonic	*dor = door
Old Welsh	dor = door
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dor = door
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dôr [druːs] = door; defence, refuge, shield; opportunity; protector, defender, chief, leader dôr blyg(edig) = folding door dôr ddyrchafad = portcullis
Middle Breton	dor = door
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dor = door dor a-dreñv = rear door dor a-raok = front door dor emgefre = automatic door dor greñvaet = fortified gate dor harz tan = fire door dor-borzh = gate (of a courtyard) dor brenestr = French window dor dal = front door, portal gwir treuz-dor = doorstep

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *dʰwṓr (door), from *dʰwer- (doorway, door, gate) [source].

Words from the sane Proto-Indo-European root include: door and forum in English, deur (door) in Dutch, Tür (door, doorway) in German, dehors (outside) in French, fuori (outside) in Italian, and fuera (outside) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*dworestus = door
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dorus [ˈdorus] = door
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dorus [ˈdorus] = door
Irish (Gaeilge)	doras [ˈd̪ˠɔɾˠəsˠ] = door, doorway doras isteach = entrance doras amach = exit doras tosaigh / béil = front door doras cúil / thiar = backdoor doirseach = having doors, open, accessible, gaping (wound) doirseoir = door-keeper, (hall) porter doirseoireacht = occupation of door-keeper
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dorus [dɔrəs] = door, valve dorus-beag = back door, inner door dorus-mór = front door, main entrance doras a-mach = exit àrd-doras = lintel ath-dhoras = next door deoch an dorais = stirrup cup, one for the door/road, Jock and Doris
Manx (Gaelg)	dorrys = door, doorway, gate, portal; back (of cart), fly (of tent) dorrys doont = back door dorrys toshee = front door dorrys egin = emergency exit, exit jough yn dorrys = parting drink, stirrup cup sole y dorrys = doorstep, threshold
Proto-Brythonic	*drus = doorway, entrance, door
Old Welsh	drus = doorway, entrance, door
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	drus, drvs, drws = doorway, entrance, door
Welsh (Cymraeg)	drws [druːs] = doorway, entrance, door, pass, estuary, opening, opportunity, facility drws codi/cudd = trap-door drws nesaf = next door (to), very near (to), bordering (on) wrth y drws = at hand, close, near o ddrws = from before drysaf, drwsaf, dryo, drwso = to mind a door (in a coal-mine) dryswr, drwswr = door-boy (in a coal-mine) drysor = doorkeepr, janitor, porter
Middle Cornish	daras, darat = door darador = doorkeeper
Cornish (Kernewek)	daras = door darasik = wicket penn/pedn daras = lintel

Etymology from the Proto-Celtic *dwār (door) – see above [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

Bolts and Locks

5th May 20225th May 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*klāwos = bolt
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cló, cloë = nail, spike
Irish (Gaeilge)	cló [klˠoː] = form, shape, appearance; impression, mould; print, type; nail, spike clóbhuail = print clóchur = (type) setting clóchuradóir = type-setter clódóir = printer, dyer clódóireacht = printing; dyeing, colouring; misrepresentation clóghrafaíocht = typography clóphreas = printing press clóscríobh = typing, typewriting; to type cló-eagar = composition cló-eagraí = compositor cló-eagraigh = to compose
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	clò [kl̪ˠɔː] = cloth, woven material, tweed; print; imprint; spike, nail; peg, pin clò-bhualadh = printing, publication, printout clò-bhualadair = printer (machine & printing house) clò-ghrafachd = typography clò-sgrìobhadair = typist, typewriter clò-shuidheachadh = typesetting Clò na Hearadh = Harris Tweed cruth-clò = font
Manx (Gaelg)	clou = edition, print, printed matter, printing press, publication, type clouder = printer clougraafeeaght = typography clouscreeudeyr = typist clou doo, clou trome = bold type clou Gaelgagh = Gaelic type clou gorrym = blueprint soiaghey clou = type-setting soieder clou = type-setter
Proto-Brythonic	*klọw = bolt
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	clo, klo = lock, bolt
Welsh (Cymraeg)	clo [kloː] = lock, bolt; impediment, difficulty; brake; cluster, bunch; conclusion ar glo = locked clo clap, clo clec, clo clwt = padlock clo rheswm = conclusion cyfnod clo = lockdown tan glo (ac allwydd) = locked (up), under lock and key cload = locking, end, conclusion, closure cloadwy = lockable, locked, final cloëdig, cloiedig = locked, secure, closed, concealed, bound, confined cloi = to lock, shut, bind, clinch, conclude
Old Breton	clou = bolt
Middle Breton	clao = bolt
Breton (Brezhoneg)	klaou = gear, key, mesh

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *kleh₂w-os (bolt, bar, hook), from *(s)kleh₂w- (hook, crook, peg) [source].

Words from the same PIE root, via the Latin clāvis (key), include: chiave (key, spanner) in Italian, clé (key, wrench, spanner) and clef (clef (in music)) in French, clef, clavicle and clavichord in English, and llave (key, spanner, wrench, tap, spigot, switch) in Spanish [source].

I can’t find a cognate word in Cornish. A lock is a strother, and a bolt is a ebil. The origins of these words are not known.

Heather

3rd May 20223rd May 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*wroikos = heather
Gaulish	*wroika = heather
Celtiberian	*broikios = heather
Old Irish (Goídelc)	froích, fróech = heather
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fráech = heather
Irish (Gaeilge)	fraoch [fˠɾˠeːx / fˠɾˠiːx / fˠɾˠiːx] = heather, heath, moor fraochán = bilberry, whortleberry, ring-ouzel fraochlach = heath fraochmhá = heath fraochmhar = heathery fraoch bán = white heather fraoch coitianta = Scotch heather, ling píobaire fraoch = grasshopper
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fraoch [frɯːx] = heather, ling fraoch-geal = white common heather (Calluna vulgaris alba fraoch-bheinn = heather-covered mountain fraochan = whortleberry, blaeberry, lingonberry, cranberry fraochach = heathy, heathery
Manx (Gaelg)	freoagh = heather, ling, heath freoagh bane = brier, white heather freoagh marrey = sea fern freoagh mooar = Scotch heather
Proto-Brythonic	*gwrʉg [ˈɡwrʉːɡ] = heather
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gruc, gerug, gwrug = heather
Welsh (Cymraeg)	grug [ɡrɨːɡ / ɡriːɡ] = heather, ling heath grug cyffredin = heather, ling, common heath, Calluna vulgaris grugiar = (red) grouse, willow grouse, heath-hen gruglus = heath-berries gruglwyn = bush of heather, sweet broom grugnythu = to nest or nestle in the heather grugog = heath-covered, heathery, abounding in heather
Cornish (Kernwek)	grug [ɡryːɡ / ɡriːɡ] = heath, heather, ling grugyar = partridge
Middle Breton	groegan = heather
Breton (Brezhoneg)	brug = heather

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology unknown, possibly from a non-Proto-Indo-European root [source]. It’s uncertain where the Breton word brug comes from, but it’s likey that it was borrowed from the Latin *brūcus (heather).

The Spanish word brezo (heath) comes from the Vulgar Latin *broccius, from the Proto-Celtic *wroikos, as does the Galician breixo (heather) [source].

Words from the Gaulish root *wroikos (heather), via the Latin *brūcus (heather), include brugo (heather) and brughiera (heath, moor) in Italian, bruc (heather) and bruguera (heath) in Catalan, and bruyère (heather, heath, brier) in French [source].

Eilean Fraoch (Heather Isle) is a nickname for the Isle of Lewis / Eilean Leòdhais in the Western Isles / Na h-Eileanan Siar. Here’s a song about it:

Nephews

29th April 202229th April 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for nephew and related people in Celtic languages.

My nephew. Mo nia. Mac my shayrey. Fy nai. Ma noy. Ma niz.

Proto-Celtic	*neɸūss = nephew
Primitive Irish	ᚅᚔᚑᚈᚈᚐ (niotta) = nephew (sister’s son)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	nia [ˈn͈ʲi.a] = nephew, sister’s son
Irish (Gaeilge)	nia [n̪ʲiə] = nephew garneacht = great-nephew
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nia [n̪ʲiə] = nephew (sister’s son)
Manx (Gaelg)	neear = nephew
Proto-Brythonic	*nei = nephew
Old Welsh	nei = nephew
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ney, nei = nephew
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nai [nai̯] = nephew, first cousin’s son nai fab brawd = nephew (brother’s son) nai fab chwaer = nephew (sister’s son) mab nai = great-nephew naigarwch = nepotism
Middle Cornish	noi = nephew
Cornish (Kernwek)	noy = nephew
Old Breton	ny = nephew
Middle Breton	ni = nephew
Breton (Brezhoneg)	niz = nephew gourniz = great-nephew

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *népōts (grandson, descendent, nephew), possibly from *ne (not) and *pótis (master, lord, husband) [source].

Other words for nephew:

Irish: mac deirféar (sister’s son), mac dearthár (brother’s son)
Scottish Gaelic: mac-peathar (sister’s son), mac-bràthar (brother’s son)
Manx: mac shayrey (sister’s son), mac braarey (brother’s son)

Nieces

27th April 202226th November 2023 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for niece and related people in Celtic languages.

My brother and my niece

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*nextī = niece
Old Irish (Goídelc)	necht = niece, grand-daughter
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	necht, neachd = niece, grand-daughter
Irish (Gaeilge)	neacht [n̠ʲæxt̪ˠ] = niece garneacht = grand-niece
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nigh [n̪iːj] = daughter, niece
Proto-Brythonic	*nėθ = niece
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	nith = niece
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nith [niːθ] = niece gor-nith = great-niece
Old Cornish	noit = niece
Middle Cornish (Cernwec)	noit = niece
Cornish (Kernwek)	nith = niece
Old Breton	nith = niece
Middle Breton	nyz, niz = niece
Breton (Brezhoneg)	nizh, nizez = niece gou(r)nizez = great-niece

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *néptih₂ (niece, granddaughter) [source].

Words in Germanic language the come from the same PIE root, via the Proto-Germanic *niftiz (female descendent, granddaughter, niece), including: Nichte (niece) in German, nicht (female cousin, niece) in Dutch, and the obsolete English word nift (niece) [source].

The English word niece comes from the same PIE root, via the Middle English nece (niece, granddaughter), from the Old French nece (niece, granddaughter), from the Vulgar Latin *neptia (niece), from the Latin neptis (granddaughter) [source].

Other words for niece:

Irish: iníon deirféar (sister’s daughter), iníon dearthár (brother’s daughter)
Scottish Gaelic: nighean-pheathar (sister’s daughter), nighean-bhràthar (brother’s daughter), ban-ogha = granddaughter, niece
Manx: inneen shayrey (sister’s daughter), inneen vraarey (brother’s daughter)

Sisters

22nd April 202226th November 2023 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for sister and related people in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*swesūr [ˈswe.suːr] = sister
Gaulish	suiorebe = sister
Old Irish (Goídelc)	siur = sister, kinswoman, female relation derbṡiur [ˈdʲerʲvʲ.fʲi.ur] = sister (by blood / in a religious community) sinserṡiur [ˈsʲinsʲerˌhi.ur] = elder sister
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	siur = sister, kinswoman, female relation derbsiur = sister (by blood / in a religious community)
Irish (Gaeilge)	siúr [ʃuːɾˠ] = sister, kinswoman; Sister (member of a religious community); (nursing) sister deirfiúr = sister deirfiúr athar = paternal aunt deirfiúr máthar = maternal aunt deirfiúr céile = sister-in-law leathchúpla deirféar = twin sister iníon deirféar = brother’s son, niece mac deirféar = sister’s son, nephew deirféar = sisterly
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	siùir [ʃuːrʲ] = sister (archaic) piuthar [pju.ə] = sister piùthrag [pjuːrag] = little sister, sis piutharail [pju.əral] = sisterly peathrachas [pɛrəxəs] = sisterhood, soroity piuthar-chèile = sister-in-law piuthar leth-aon = twin sister piuthar-altraim = foster-sister piuthar-athar = paternal aunt piuthar-màthar = maternal aunt
Manx (Gaelg)	shuyr [ʃuːr] = sister shayragh, shuyroil = sisterly shuyrys = sisterhood shuyr (v)ayrey = aunt shuyr gholtit = foster-sister shuyr lannoonagh = twin sister shuyr ‘sy leigh = sister-in-law
Proto-Brythonic	*hwehir = sister
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	chwaer = sister
Welsh (Cymraeg)	chwaer [χwaːɨ̯r / χwai̯r] = sister, half-sister, female mate or partner; maiden, sweetheart, mistress; nun, sister (in hospital) chwaer efell = twin sister chwaer faeth = foster sister chwaer fedydd = god-sister chwaer yng nghyfraith = sister-in-law hanner chwaer = half-sister, step-sister chwaerol = sisterly chwaeroliaeth = sisterhood
Old Cornish	huir = sister
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hoer, huir, wuir, hôr = sister
Cornish (Kernwek)	hwor = sister hanter-hwor = half-sister
Old Breton	guoer = sister
Middle Breton	hoar, choar = sister (female sibling, nun)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	c’hoar = sister c’hoarig = sis, little sister; twin sister c’hoarelezh = sisterhood c’hoar-gaer, c’hoareg = sister-in-law, stepsister

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *swésōr (sister) [source]. Words for sister in many Indo-European languages come from the same roots [source].

Here’s a traditional Scottish Gaelic song about sisters – A’ phiuthrag ’sa phiuthar

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

Brothers

21st April 202221st April 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for brother and related people in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*brātīr [ˈbraː.tiːr] = brother
Gaulish	*bratir = brother
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bráthair [ˈbraːθirʲ] = brother, cousin, kinsman bráthardacht = brotherly bráthardae = brotherly, fraternal derbráthair = brother (by blood), from derb (certain) & bráthair sinserbráthair = elder brother, senior kinsman
Irish (Gaeilge)	bráthair [ˈɑhəɾʲ/ˈahæɾʲ] = brother (member of a religious community), friar, kinsman; monkfish, angelfish bráithriúil = brotherly bráithriúlacht = brotherliness deartháir = brother, male sibling
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bràthair [ahɪrʲ] = brother, male sibling bràithreil = brotherly bràthair-altraim = foster brother bràthair-athar = parternal uncle bràthair-màthar = maternal uncle bràthair-cèile = brother-in-law comh-bhràthaireil = fraternal leth-bhràthair = half-brother
Manx (Gaelg)	braar = brother, monk, friar braar ayrey = parternal uncle braar mayrey = maternal uncle braar keeilley, braar ‘sy leigh = brother-in-law braar lannoonagh = twin brother braaragh, braaroil = brotherly, fraternal braarys = brotherhood jarroo-vraar = blood brother lhiass-vraar = stepbrother lieh-vraar = half brother
Proto-Brythonic	*brọdr = brother
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	brawt, braud, bravt = brother
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brawd [brau̯d] = brother, half-brother, male relative; clansman, fellow-countryman, male friend, fellow-man, like-minded person; monk; friar brawd crefydd = friar, brother of a religious order brawdoliaeth = brotherhood, brotherliness, brotherly feeling, brotherly love, fraternity, fellowship, relationship brawdoli = to fraternize brawdoldeb = brotherliness, brotherhood, brotherly love brodorol = brotherly, fraternal; native, indigenous, vernacular brawdyn = (little) brother, poor brother, wretch, male friend
Cornish (Kernwek)	broder [taːz/tæːz] = brother hanter-broder = half-brother broder da = brother-in-law brederedh = brotherhood
Old Breton	brotr = brother
Middle Breton	breuzr = brother
Breton (Brezhoneg)	breur [ˈbrøːr] = brother breur gevell = twin brother breur-kaer, breureg = brother-in-law breur-laezh, breur-mager = foster brother breurel = fraternal breuriezh = frairie breuriad = siblings hantervreur = half-brother

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰréh₂tēr (brother) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Mothers

13th April 202217th April 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for mother and related people in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	mātīr [ˈmaː.tiːr] = mother mātrikʷā, *mātrokʷī = maternal aunt, mother-like
Gaulish	mātīr [ˈmaːtiːr] = mother
Celtiberian	matrubos = mothers
Old Irish (Goídelc)	máthir [ˈmaːθirʲ] = mother máthrathatu = motherhood máthramail = resembling one’s mother
Irish (Gaeilge)	máthair [ˈmˠɑːhəɾʲ/ˈmˠɑːɾʲ/ˈmˠahærʲ] = mother, source (of a river) máthairab = abbess máthairthír = mother country máthreachas = maternity, motherhood máthrigh = to mother, bear, foster máthriúil = motherly, tender, kind, mother-like máthriúlacht = motherliness leasmháthair = stepmother seanmháthair = grandmother
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	màthair [maːhɪrʲ] = mother, origin, source màthair-uisge = water source (of a river, etc) màthair-chéile = mother-in-law màthaireachd [maːhɪrʲəxg] = maternity, motherhood màthaireil = mother-like, motherly, maternal màthair athar = paternal grandmother màthair màthar = maternal grandmother màthair-sinnsireach = matrilinear leas-mhàthair = stepmother
Manx (Gaelg)	moir = mother, matron, mater, queen, dam; focus, fountainhead, generator moiragh, moiroil = motherly moiraght = motherhood moiraghys, moirys = maternity, motherhood moir-reilleyder/strong> = matriach lhiass voir = stepmother shenn voir = grandmother
Proto-Brythonic	*mọdreb = aunt
Old Welsh	modreped = aunts
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	modryb = aunt
Welsh (Cymraeg)	modryb = aunt, uncle’s wife, matron modrybaidd = aunt-like, matronly, motherly, respected modrydaf = queen bee, parent bee-colony, (old) beehive
Old Cornish	modereb = aunt
Cornish (Kernewek)	modrep = aunt modrebik = aunty
Old Breton	motrep = aunt
Middle Breton	mozreb = aunt
Breton (Brezhoneg)	moereb [ˈmweːrep] = aunt moereb-kozh = great aunt

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *méh₂tēr. (mother) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*mamm(y)ā = mother, nanny, mum
Old Irish (Goídelc)	muimme [ˈmaːθirʲ] = wet nurse, foster mother, instructress, patroness
Irish (Gaeilge)	buime = foster-mother, nurse
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	muime [muimə] = stepmother, (wet) nurse, godmother muime-chìche = wet nurse muime-shìthe = fairy godmother
Manx (Gaelg)	mimmey = foster mother, god mother, godparent, guardian, sponsor
Proto-Brythonic	*mamm = mother
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mam = mother
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mam [mam] = mother, ancestress, dam, queen bee; source, origin, cause, root; womb, matrix, uterus, hysteria, pregnancy mamaeth = (wet) nurse, foster-mother, mother mamaetha = to nurse (a child), suckle, foster, nourish, cherish mamedd = motherhood mamiaith = mother tongue, vernacular mamwlad = mother country, motherland, native land
Old Cornish	mam = mother
Middle Cornish	mam = mother
Cornish (Kernewek)	mamm [mæm], mabm = mother mammeth = foster-mother, wet nurse mammik = mum mammrewl, mammrowl = matriarchy mamm-wynn = grandmother mamm vesydh = godmother
Middle Breton	mamm = mother
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mamm [ˈmãmː] = mother, female (animal), womb mammanv = matron, matriarch mammelezh = motherhood, maternity mammvro = motherland, homeland mamm-gozh = grandmother

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *mammā (mummy, mum) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Dough

9th April 20229th April 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	taistos, taysto- = dough
Old Irish (Goídelc)	taís, taés [ˈtai̯s] = dough
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tóes, táes = dough
Irish (Gaeilge)	taos [t̪ˠeːsˠ/t̪ˠiːsˠ/t̪ˠiːsˠ] = dough, paste taosach = doughy, pasty taosaigh = to paste taosrán = pastry taoschnó = doughnut taos fiacla = toothpaste taos géar = sourdough
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	taois [tɯːʃ] = dough, paste taoiseach = doughy, pasty taoiseag = doughnut taois-uighe = (egg) batter taois-chailce = putty taois gheur = sourdough
Manx (Gaelg)	teayst = dough, pastry, paste teaystag = dumpling teaystagh = doughy, ill-baked, pasty, under-cooked teaystyn, teaystnee = to knead
Proto-Brythonic	*toɨs = dough
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	toes = (lump of) dough or pastry
Welsh (Cymraeg)	toes [toːɨ̯s/tɔi̯s] = (lump of) dough or pastry, paste, sticky mass toesaidd = doughy, doughlike toesen = lump of dough, doughnut toesi = to make into dough, become a dough, knead, soften toeslud = putty toeslyd = doughy, doughlike, badly baked, soft, pasty, sticky, clammy, stodgy, heavy surdoes = leaven, sourdough, ferment
Cornish (Kernewek)	toos = dough know toos = doughnuts toos alamandys = marzipan toos gwari = playdough
Middle Breton	toas = dough, batter
Breton (Brezhoneg)	toaz = dough, batter toazadur = thickening, pastiness toazenn = noodle toazenner = pasta machine toazennoù = pasta toazennek = pasted, thickened

Etymology possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *teh₂ys-t- (dough), from *teh₂- (to knead, melt, flow) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include desem (sourdough, leaven, yeast) in Dutch, těsto (dough) in Czech, ciasto (dough, batter, cake, pie) in Polish, тесто [ˈtʲestə] (dough, paste, batter) in Russian, and тісто [ˈtʲistɔ] (dough) in Ukrainian [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Knotty Bulges

2nd April 20222nd April 2022 By Simon

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

Knot - words for knot in Celtic languages

Proto-Celtic	*odbos = knot, bulge
Old Irish (Goídelc)	odb [oðb] = knot (in a wood); lump, swelling, protuberance; difficulty, problem odbach
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fodb, fobd = knot (in a wood); lump, swelling, protuberance; difficulty, problem
Irish (Gaeilge)	fadhb [fˠəibˠ] = knot (in a wood); callosity; lump (from blow); lumpy object; knotty problem, poser fadhbach = knotty, callous, lumpy; problematical, puzzling fadhbairne = lumpy object fadhbán = (small) knot, lump fadhbóg = (small) lump, whopping lie
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	faob [fɯːb] = lump, knob, knot (in wood) faobach [fɯːbəx] = lumpy, knotty
Manx (Gaelg)	uddan = lump, node, knob
Welsh (Cymraeg)	oddf [ˈɔðv] = hard swelling or growth, hump, knob (on horn), gall, burl, knot (in wood), tuber, bulb, knob, lump, node oddfog = knobby, bulbous, tuberous, having a hump oddfynnog = bulbous, tubercular, tuberous

Etymology possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃ésth₁ / *h₂óst (bone) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	colmméne = skin
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	colum = skin
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kulym, clwm, cwlm, kwlwm = knot, tie, bond kylymy, klymv, clymmu, c(y)lymaf, c(y)lymu = to tie, bind
Welsh (Cymraeg	cwlwm [ˈkʊlʊm / ˈkuːlʊm] = knot, tie; bond, connection, union, fetter, plot; bunch, cluster, bundle; node, nodule, knot in timber cwlwm gwlwm = knot tied twice clymu [ˈkləmɨ̞ / ˈkləmi] = to tie, bind, set, unite, couple, rally clymog = knotted, knotty, gnarled, tied, intricate, complex
Middle Cornish	colm = knot, tie, bond colma = to bind, tie colmen = knot, tie, bond, halter colmur = binder
Cornish (Kernewek)	kolm = knot kelmi = to knot kelmys = knotted
Middle Breton	scoulm, sclom, sklom = knot
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skoulmoù, skoulm = knot kouloumañ, kolomiñ = to knot

Etymology uncertain

Proto-Celtic	*nad-sko- = to bind
Old Irish (Goídelc)	snaidm [sn͈aðʲmʲ] = bond, contract, knot, pact snaidmid = to bind, knot nasicid = to bind airnaidmid = to bind, pledge
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	snaidm = knot, bond
Irish (Gaeilge)	snaidm = knot, bond, constriction, contortion, tie, brace, problem, difficulty, problem; to knot, bind, tie, entwine, join, unite, knit snaidmeach = knotted, knotty snaidmeacht = knottiness snaidmeadóir = knotter, binder, tier, setter snaidmeach = knotty, knotted nasc = to tie, tether, chain, link, clasp, bond
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	snaidhm [sn̪ˠaim] = knot, joint, knotting, tying a knot snaidhmeach [sn̪ˠaiməx] = knotty, abounding in knots snaidhmte [sn̪ˠaimdʲə] = knotted, tied with a knot nasg [n̪ˠasg] = tie-band, membrane of an egg, skeleton nasgadh
Manx (Gaelg)	sniem = bow, knot, snare; to knot sniemmit = joined, knitted, knotted, noosed, tied sniemmagh = knotted sniemmey = join, knit, knot, knotting, noose, tie, tying nast = award, bond, gift, gratuity, betroth naisht = affianced, bind, engaged
Middle Breton	nasca = to bind
Breton (Brezhoneg)	naskañ = to hinder, impede, obstruct

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *gned-/*gnod- (to bind) [source]. The English word knot comes from the same PIE root, via Middle English, Old English and Proto-Germanic [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Middle Breton (Brezonec)

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