Walls

15th February 202211th May 2023 By Simon

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

Irish (Gaeilge)	balla [ˈbˠal̪ˠə] = wall cúlbhalla = back wall idirbhalla = party wall uchtbhalla = parapet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	balla [bal̪ˠə] = wall balla-tòin = back wall balla-tarsainn = partition (wall) balla-dìon = protective wall, safety barrier
Manx (Gaelg)	boalley = bulwark, dyke, wall boallee = to wall, enclose, impale boallit = walled, dyked, enclosed
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	wal/gwal = wall
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(g)wal [(ɡ)wal] = wall walio = to wall
Middle Cornish	gwal = wall

Etymology: from the Old English weall (wall, dike), from the Proto-Germanic *wallaz / *wallą (wall, rampart, entrenchment), from the Latin vallum (rampart, military wall), from vallus (stake, pallisade, point), from the Proto-Indo-European *welH-/*wel- (to turn, wind, roll) [source].

Words from the same roots include wall, wallow, well and valve in English, wal (coast, shore, earthen levee) in Dutch, Wall (rampart, parapet, earthwork, levee, embankment) in German, valla (fence, barricade, obstacle) in Spanish, and vall (moat) in Catalan [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	múr = wall
Irish (Gaeilge)	múr [mˠuːɾˠ] = wall, rampart, pile, building, dwelling, bank, mound, heap, mass, shower, profussion, abundance múrach = having walls, walled, mural múrdhathadóireacht = wall-painting múr báistí = rain-cloud, heavy fall of rain múr cathrach = city wall múr ceo = bank of fog múr tine = wall of flame, conflagration
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mùr [muːr] = (defensive) wall, rampart, fortification
Proto-Brythonic	*mʉr = wall
Old Welsh	mur = wall
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mur = wall
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mur [mɨːr/miːr] = wall, rampart, fortification, defender murio = to build (a wall) to wall, fortify, lay bricks or stones muriog = walled, fortified, wall-like, defensive murlen = poster, placard murlun = mural, frieze
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mur = (exterior) wall

Etymology: from the Latin mūrus (wall), from the Proto-Italic *moiros, from the Proto-Indo-European *mey- (to fix, to build fortifications or fences) [source].

Words from the same roots include mere (boundry, limit) in English, mur (wall) in French, muro (wall) in Italian, and muur (wall, barrier) in Dutch [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wraga = ?
Gaulish	*brāca = ?
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fraig = wall (interior)
Irish (Gaeilge)	fraigh = (interior of) wall, rafters, roof fraighfhliulch = damp-walled, damp from contact with a wet wall (of clothes) fraighleach = roofing, rafters
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fraigh [frɤj] = partition, partitioning wall, border, edge, fringe, shelf fraighnidh [frɤin̪ʲɪ] = water oozing through a wall

Etymology: unknown

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	paret, parwyt = wall
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pared = wall, surface of a wall, dividing-wall, partition
Old Cornish	poruit = wall

Etymology: from the Latin pariēs (the wall of a house or room). Words from the same roots include parete (wall, side, surface) in Italian, pared (wall) in Spanish, and paroi (inner wall, inside surface, side) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic	*koret = palisade, wall
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cora = weir
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cora = stone fence, weir
Irish (Gaeilge)	cora [ˈkɔɾˠə] = weir, rocky crossing-place in river, rocky ridge extending into sea or lake cora éisc = fish weir cloch chora = stepping-stone
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	caradh [karəɣ], cairidh [karʲɪ] = weir, mound (in a body of water) cairidh-iasgaich = fishing weir
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kored, cored, coret = weir, dam, fishgarth
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cored = weir, dam
Old Breton	kored / gored = fish weir
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kored = fish weir

Etymology: uncertain – possibly related to the German word Hürde (hurdle) and/or the Old English word *hyrd (framework, door), which is the root of the English word hurdle.

The usual word for wall in Cornish is fos, which is cognate with words for ditch in other Celtic languages. See Ditches and Trenches.

Another word for wall in Breton is moger. See Fields, Meadows and Pastures.

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

Material

8th February 20228th February 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	damnyos = material, substance
Old Irish (Goídelc)	damnae = heir; matter, cause, reason, motive
Irish (Gaeilge)	damhna = matter, substance, subject, cause; eligible person damhna dorcha = dark matter damhnaigh = to materialize, shape, form damhnú = materialization, formation damhnúil = material
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	damhna [dãũnə] = stuff, material, matter; cause, reason damhnadh = band, tie; matter out of which anything is formed
Proto-Brythonic	*dėβ̃nɨð = material, stuff, matter
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	deunit / defnyd / devnydh = material, stuff, matter
Welsh (Cymraeg)	defnydd [ˈdɛvnɨ̞ð/ˈdɛvnɪð] = material, stuff, matter, substance, essence, element, constituent part, particle, make-up, nature; use service, application, purpose, end, effect defnyddio = to use defnyddiol = useful defnyddiwr = user, consumer
Middle Cornish	daffnez = back
Cornish (Kernewek)	devnydh = ingredient, material, stuff, use devnydha = to utilise devnydhyer = user devnydhys = used
Old Breton	daffnez = matter, material
Middle Breton	danuez = matter, material
Breton (Brezhoneg)	danvez = matter, commodity, fabric, material, fortune, subject, content, future, disposition danvezel = material danvezelañ = to materialize danvezelezh = material danvezenn = material, substance

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dem- (to build (up)) [source]. The English words such as domestic, dominate, dominion and timber come from the same PIE root [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	adbar [ˈaðvar] = material, matter, reason
Irish (Gaeilge)	ábhar [ˈauɾˠ/ˈɑːvˠəɾˠ/ˈɑːwəɾˠ/ˈæːwəɾˠ] = matter, material, cause, reason, subject, topic, object ábharatha = material, relevant ábharachas = materialism ábharaí = materialist ábharaíoch = materialistic
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	adhbar [ɤːvər] = cause, ground, reason, motive, purpose, material, object, topic, source adhbharachas [ɤːvərəxəs] = materialism adhbharachadh [ɤːvərəxəɣ] = causing, effecting
Manx (Gaelg)	oyr [oːr] = cause, incentive, matter, motive, occasion, reason

Etymology: from the Old Irish ad- and feraid (grant, afford, supply) [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	stuth [sduh] = material (in general), stuff, substance, matter stuth dorcha = dark matter bun-stuth = raw material, essence
Manx (Gaelg)	stoo = material, stuff, substance, matter bun-stoo = element, elementary, raw material stoo-beaghee = foodstuffs stoo-lleihys = drugs, medicine stoo-sthie = content
Welsh (Cymraeg)	stwff = stuff, material, substance, cloth, fabric, stuffing stwffio = to stuff, fill, cram, shove stwffiwr = stuffer, pushy person, taxidermist
Cornish (Kernewek)	stoff = material, stuff

Etymology: from the English stuff, from the Middle English stuffen (to equip, furnish), from the Old French estof(f)er (to equip, stuff), from the Old High German stoffōn (to stop, halt, stuff, insert), from the Proto-West-Germanic stoppōn (to stop, halt, plug, stuff, insert), possibly from the Latin stuppō [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Knowledge

19th January 202219th January 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for knowledge, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*wissus = act of discovering, finding out, knowledge
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fius(s) [fʲiu̯s] = knowledge, information, message
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fis(s) [fʲis] = knowledge, information, message
Irish (Gaeilge)	fios [fʲɪsˠ] = knowledge feasach / fiosach = knowing, knowledgeable, well-informed fiosaigh = to know fiosaíocht = occult knowledge, clairvoyance fiosrach = inquiring, inquisitive fiosraigh = to inquire fiosraitheoir = inquirer, inquisitive person, visitor fiosrú = inquiry, visitation fiosúil = knowing, knowledgeable, well-mannered, well-spoken ainbhiosach = ignorant, stupid uilefheasach = omniscient uilefhios = omniscience bean/cailleach feasa = wise woman, fortune-teller fear feasa = seer, soothsayer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fios [fis] = knowledge, information, notice, notification, indication, news fiosrach = (well-)informed, aware, learned, versed, knowledgeable fiosraich = to ascertain, find out, inquire fiosaiche = prophet, fortune-teller, soothsayer, seer, scout ainbhiosach = ignorant, illiterate ainbhiosrach = ignorant, unintelligent uil-fhiosrach = all-knowing, omniscient uil-fhiosrachd = omniscience
Manx (Gaelg)	fys = advice, cognisance, cognition, information, intelligence, knowledge, notice fysseraght = inquisitiveness, premonition, supernatural knowledge fysseree = clairvoyance, data, foreknowledge, information, prescience, science; communications; knowledge, inquisition fyssoil = knowing ooilley-fysseragh = omniscient ooilley-fysseraght = omniscience
Proto-Brythonic	*gwɨs = knowledge, research
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guys / gwys = summons, citation, call to arms
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwŷs [ɡwɨːs/ɡwiːs] = summons, writ, call to arms, citation, notice

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wéydtus, from *weyd- (to see, discover) [source], which is also the root of such English words as wise, wit, view, vision, video, guide, druid and history [source].

Proto-Celtic	*windeti = to find, experience
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ro·finnadar [r͈oˈfʲin͈aðar] = to find out, discover, to know
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	finnaid [ˈfʲin͈əðʲ/ˈfʲin͈əɣʲ] = to find out
Irish (Gaeilge)	fionn [fʲɪsˠ] = to ascertain, discover fionnadh = ascertainment, discovery
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fionn [fjũːn̪ˠ] = to flay, skin; examine, look, see, know by investigation fionnadh = flaying, skinning, trying, searching, examining
Manx (Gaelg)	feddyn = to find feddyn magh = to ascertain, determine, dig out, discover
Proto-Brythonic	gwɨs = knowledge, research gwɨbod [ɡwɨˈboːd] = knowing, to know
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guys / gwys = summons, citation, call to arms guibit / guybi / gvybot / gwybot = to know
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwybod = to know, perceive, be aware of, discern gwybodaeth = knowledge, acquaintance, perception, familiarity, cognition, comprehension
Cornish (Kernewek)	godhvos = ability, knowledge; to acknowledge, can, know; to be qualified to godhvos a = to know about godhvedhys = known
Old Breton	gudbut = to know
Middle Breton	gouzuout = to know
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouzout = to know gouiziegezh = knowledge, erudition, acquaintance

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *windo- (to find, experience), from the PIE root *weyd- (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, 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

Mysterious Secrets

13th January 202225th June 2024 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for secret and mystery, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Secret words

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*rūnā = secret, mystery, magic
Gaulish	Cobrunus = personal name
Leptonic	Runatis = personal name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rún [r͈uːn] = mystery, secret rúnde [ˈr͈uːn͈de] = mysterious, mystical
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rún, rúun, rúin = something hidden or occult, a mystery, mystic or hidden meaning, a secret, secret thoughts or wishes, intention, purpose, design
Irish (Gaeilge)	rún [ɾˠuːnˠ] = mystery, secret, intention, purpose, resolution, love, affection rúnach = darling, sweetheart; runic, secret, mysterious rúnaí = secretary, confidant, secretary-bird rúnchara = confidant(e) rúnda = mystical, mysterious, secret, confidential rúndacht = secrecy rúnmhar = close, secretive rúnscríbhin = runic script, secret writing, cipher
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rùn [r̪ˠuːn] = secret, intention, design, resolution, motive, purpose, desire, love rùnach = secretarial, mysterious, mystical, beloved, runic rùnag = small secret, dearie, sweetie rùnaire = secretary rùinean = small secret, quietly
Manx (Gaelg)	roon = confidence, obstinacy, viciousness, malice, spite, resentment, rune roonagh = stubborn, secret, vindictive, perverse, malicious, malignant, vicious, ill intentioned, runic
Proto-Brythonic	*rrin = mystery
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rin = mystery, charm
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhin [r̥iːn] = secret, mystery, miracle; privacy, intimacy, intercourse; enchanment, magic spell, charm, sorcery, witchcraft, rune; virtue, attribute, property, quality, essence; secret, private, mysterious, occult rhin(i)af / rhin(i)o = to whisper, speak secretly, charm, enchant, secrete rhiniwr = charmer, enchanter, sorcerer, magician rhinaidd = obscure, profound, enchanting rhinwedd = virtue, rectitude, moral excellence, nature, quality cyfrin = mysterious, esoteric; mystic, mystery, secret. cyfrinach = secret, mystery, deliberation
Cornish (Kernewek)	rin = mystery kevrin(ek) = secret
Middle Breton	rin = secret, wisdom

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *rewHn-, from *rewH-/*rēwH- (to roar, grumble, murmur, mumble, whisper). The Proto-Germanic word *rūnō (secret, mystery, rune) and related words in modern Germanic languages, including rune in English and Dutch, and runa (rune) in Swedish, possibly come from the same Proto-Celtic root, or from the same PIE root [source].

Proto-Celtic	kowdo- = hiding place, concealment koudeti = hide
Proto-Brythonic	*kʉðɨd = to hide
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cud = concealment, covering, hidden
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cudd [kɨð/kɪð] = concealment, hiding-place, secrecy, covering, veil; concealed, hidden, dark, hiding cuddedig = hidden, concealed, unknown, covered,mysterious, secret, dark cuddfa = hiding-place, retreat, hoard cuddiad = a hiding, concealment, secret cuddio = to hide, conceal, bury, cover
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cudhe, cidha, citha, cudhb = to hide, conceal, cover cudhygyc = one that conceals himself, bashful, ashamed
Cornish (Kernewek)	kudh = concealed, hidden, secret kudha (rag) = to conceal, hide (from) kudhlen = cover, veil kudhoberys = underhand kudhva = hideout, lair kudhys = veiled
Middle Breton	cuzaff = secret, confidential
Breton (Brezhoneg	kuzh = secret, confidential kuzh(iadell) / toull-kuzh = hiding place kuzhat = to hide (oneself) kuzhet = masked kuzhadur = eclipse, blanking, concealment kuzhuter = confidant(e)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)kewdʰ- from *(s)kewH- (to hide, cover, wrap). Words from the same roots include custodian, hide, house, hut and sky in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*sanestos = secret (advice), whisper, counsel, history
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sana(i)s = advice, counsel, whisper, privacy
Irish (Gaeilge)	sanas [ˈsˠanˠasˠ] = whisper, hint, suggestion, gloss, glossary sanasaí = etymologist sanasaíocht = etymology
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sanas [ˈsanəs] = notice, sign, signal, warning, hint, cue, whisper sanasach = warning, hinting
Manx (Gaelg)	sannish = whisper, hint, allusion, suggestion sansheraght = to whisper, annunciate, speak under breath, whispering
Proto-Brythonic	*hanes = history, secret
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hanes = history, secret
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hanes [ˈhanɛs/ˈhanas] = history, chronicle, tale, account, narrative, record, report, intelligence; secret, mystery, whisper, murmur hanesaf / hanesu = to narrate/write history hanesydd = historian, historiographer, chronicler
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hanas = a low sound, whisper
Cornish (Kernewek)	hanas = groan, murmur, sigh, whisper hanasa = to groan, murmur, sigh, whisper

Etymology: uncertain [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

Ladles and Spoons

31st December 20212nd January 2022 By Simon

Ladles and Jellyspoons, or if you prefer, Ladies and Gentlemen, today we are look at words for spoon, ladle and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*lēgā = spoon
Old Irish (Goídelc)	líach [l͈ʲiːa̯x] = spoon, laddle
Irish (Gaeilge)	liach [l̠ʲiəx] = laddle, ladleful, measure liachlán = ladleful
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	liogh [l̪ʲɤɣ] = blade (of an oar, helicopter), vane (of a mill), ladle, hero liogh ràimh = oar blade
Manx (Gaelg)	lheegh = ladle lheegh awree = soup ladle
Proto-Brythonic	*lluɨɣ = spoon, scoop, ladle, trowel
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llwy = spoon, ladle, trowel
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llwy [ɬuːɨ̯] = spoon, ladle, scoop, trowel, spatula, bucket, float, paddle (of a water-wheel) llwy de = teaspoon llwy fwrdd = tablespoon llwy gawl = soup spoon llwy grochan, llwy droetir = ladle llwy bren = wooden spoon llwy serch = love-spoon llwyaid = spoonful, shovelful llwyar(n) = trowel, fire-shovel, slive, scoop, corer, spatula llwyar(n)u = to spread and smooth with a trowel or shovel llwyo = to spoon or ladle (out) llwywr = spoon-maker
Old Cornish	loe = spoon
Cornish (Kernewek)	lo = spoon lo balas = trowel lo de = teaspoon lo ledan = ladle lo vras = tablespoon
Old Breton	loi = spoon
Middle Breton	loa = spoon
Breton (Brezhoneg)	loa = spoon, striker, gouge, trowel, pliers loa-dizourañ = slotted spoon loa goad = wooden spoon loa-gafe = teaspoon loa-voued = soup spoon

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *leyǵʰ- (lick) [source]. The English word lick comes from the same PIE root via the Middle English likken (to lick), the Old English liccian (to lick), the Proto-West Germanic *likkōn (to lick), and the Proto-Germanic *likkōną (to lick) [source]

Irish (Gaeilge)	spúnóg [sˠpˠuːˈn̪ˠoːɡ / ˈsˠpˠuːnˠaɡ] = spoon, spoonful spúnóg tae / spúnóg bheag / taespúnóg = teaspoon spúnóg mhór / spúnóg bhoird = tablespoon
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	spàin [sbaːn̪ʲ] = spoon, blade (of an oar) spàin-bhùird = tablespoon spàin-fhiodha = wooden spoon spàin-teatha, spàin-tì = teaspoon spàinach = like or pertaining to spoons spàineag = small spoon, small spoonful
Manx (Gaelg)	spein = spoon spein ambee = dessert spoon spein ooh = egg spoon

Etymology (Irish): from the English spoon, from the Middle English spo(u)ne/spo(o)n (spoon, chip of wood), from the Old English spōn (sliver, chip of wood, shaving), from the Proto-West Germanic *spānu (chip, shaving, spoon), from the Proto-Germanic *spēnuz (chip, flake, shaving), from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)peh₂- (chip, shaving, log, length of wood) [source].

Etymology (Scottish Gaelic and Manx): from the Old Norse spánn/spónn (chip, shaving, spoon), from the Proto-Germanic *spēnuz [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

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

Heat

21st December 20211st December 2023 By Simon

Words for heat, warmth and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*texstus = heat
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tess = heat, warmth
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tess, tes = heat, warmth, sultriness, fervour, zeal aintes = excessive heat tesbach, teasbhach = heat, warmth, sultriness, ardour, fury, illess, fever tessach = feverish heat, fever tessaide = hot, warm, sultry tessaigid = to warm, heat
Irish (Gaeilge)	teas [tʲasˠ/tʲæsˠ] = heat, hotness, warmth; warm clothing, warm place; degree of hotness; high temperature, feverishness; ardour, passion; hottest, highest, stage teasach = feverish heat, fever teasaí = hot, warm; ardent, passionate; hot feverish; hot-tempered, fiery teasaíocht = heat, warmth; ardour, passion; feverishness; hot temper, fire teasaire = heater
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	teas [tʲes] = heat, hotness; temperature; heating (in metallurgy) teas-mheidh = thermometer teasach = fever, restlessness (caused by heat), mo(u)lt; thermal teasadair / teasraiche / teasachan = heater
Manx (Gaelg)	çhiass = heat, warmth çhiassveih = thermometer çhiasseyder = radiator, heater, warmer çhiassid = hotness, temperature çhiassagh = febrile, feverish
Proto-Brythonic	tes = heat, warmth
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tes = heat, warmth
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tes [teːs] = heat (of the sun), warmth, (period of) warm weather, sunshine, (heat) haze, mist cynes [ˈkənɛs] = warm (from cyn (co-) and tes) tesaint = passion, zeal; heat, warmth teser = (heat) haze tesiad = a warming tesio, tesiaf = to shine (of the sun) tesog = hot, sunny, close sultry
Old Cornish	tes = heat
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tes = heat, warmth
Cornish (Kernewek)	tes = heat tesa = to heat tesek = hot tesel = thermal
Old Breton	tes = heat
Middle Breton (Brezhonec)	tez, tès = heat
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tes = heat

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *tep- (to be warm, to be hot) [source]. Celtic words from fire come from the same PIE root via the Proto-Celtic *teɸnets (fire) [source]

The English word tepid comes from the same PIE root [source].

Proto-Celtic	*teɸents = heat
Old Irish (Goídelc)	té, tee [tʲeː] = hot, warm; lustful, wanton; comfortable, sheltered; fervent; fierce, keen
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	té, te = warm, hot, comfortable, sheltered, fervent, fierce, keen, bold
Irish (Gaeilge)	te [tʲɛ] = hot, warm; pungent; ardent, hot-tempered, vehement, hotfoot; affectionate, comfortable teobhlasta = hot (spicy) teochroí = warm-heartedness, warmth, affection teochroíoch = warm-hearted teocht = warmth, heat, temperature teofholach = warm-blooded alathe = lukewarm téamh = heating, warming, distillation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	teth [tʲeh] = hot ain-teth = scorching, exceedingly hot, ardent, vehement, eager, inflamed
Manx (Gaelg)	çheh = fevered, fervent, heated, hot, impassioned, passion, sexually precocious, thermal, warm çhiow = to warm up, warm, warming up, inclined, yearned, heat,warmed

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *tep- (to be warm) [source].

Proto-Celtic	gʷrensos, gʷrīnnso- = heat
Old Irish (Goídelc)	grís = heat (of the sun), fire, embers
Middle Irish (Goídelc)	grís, gríss = heat, fire, embers, hot ashes; glow, ardour, valour, passion
Irish (Gaeilge)	gríos [ɡɾʲɪsˠ] = hot ashes, embers; heat, glow, ardour; rash, blotches (on skin) gríosach = glowing gríosóg = spark from embers, inflamed spot, rash gríosóir = inciter, agitator gríostaitneamh = burning, rosy, glow gríosú = inflammation, incitement, stimulation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	grìos [grʲiːs] = begging, entreaty; heat, embers, redness, inflammation, provocation grìosad [grʲiəsəd] = begging, beseeching, entreating, cursing, swearing, stirring up a fire, provoking
Manx (Gaelg)	gree [ɡriː] = heat greeshagh = arouse (passions), arousing, vibrant, ember greeshaghey = to aggravate, chivvy, set on, whip up, arouse (passions)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwres, ywres, gỼres = heat, warmth guressaei = to heat, warm guressauc, gwressawc = hot, very warm gwresoca, gwresogi = to make warm or hot
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwres [ɡwreːs] = heat, warmth, hot weather, feverishness, itching; intensity (of feeling), passion, lust, vehemence, ardour, fervour, zeal, enthusiasm gwresâf, gwresáu = to heat, warm gwresio, gwresu = to become heated, heat, generate heat, emit warmth gwresog = hot, very warm, summery, heat-giving, calorific gwresogi = to make warm or hot, provide warmth, heat
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwres = heat
Middle Breton (Brezhonec)	groès, groës = heat
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwrez = heat, temperature, ardent, fervent, blazing gwrezus = calorific gwrezverk = temperature

Etymology possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰer- (warm, hot) [source]. English words from the same PIE root include furnace, gore, thermal and warm [source].

Proto-Celtic	teɸesmis/tefesmi- = heat
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tui, tvymyn, tỼym, twym [tuːɨ̯m/tʊi̯m] = warm, (quite) hot, infectious, fervent, intense, passionate, heated, unpleasant, dangerous, heat, fever twymna, tỼymaỼ, twymo = to make/become warm or hot twymder = warmness, warmth, hotness, heat twymyn = fever
Welsh (Cymraeg)	twym [tuːɨ̯m/tʊi̯m] = warm, (quite) hot, infectious, fervent, intense, passionate, heated, unpleasant, dangerous, heat, fever twym(n)af, twym(n)o = to make/become warm or hot, to warm, to heat, to ferment twymder = warmness, warmth, hotness, heat twym(n)wr, twymydd = person or thing that warms, heater twymyn = fever, warm drink
Old Cornish	toim, tum = hot, warm, heated
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tom = hot, warm tomder = heat, warmth tomma = to make warm, to warm tubm = hot, burning tubma = to make hot, to heat, to warm
Cornish (Kernewek)	tomm, tobm = hot, warm tomm y wos, tobm y woos = hot-blooded tomma, tobma = to warm, become warm tommhe, tobmhe = heat, warm tommheans, tobmheans = heating tommheans ollvysel, tobmheans ollvesel = global warming
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tomm, toem, tuem = hot, warm, heat toemaff, tomaff = to heat, to warm up toemder, tomder = heat
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tomm [tɔmː] = hot, warm tommañ = to heat, to warm up, to be fond of, to become attached to tommder = heat tommerez = stove tommerezh = boiler room

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *tep- (to be warm, to be hot) [source]. Words for fire in Celtic languages come from the same root.

Proto-Celtic	*brutus = fermentation, boiling heat
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bruth [bruθ] = boiling, fury, glow, heat, rage, vehemence
Middle Irish (Goídelc)	bruth = (boiling) heat, blaze, glow, anger, fury, excitement, fervour, valour bruthach = fiery, furious, vigorous bruthmar = fiery, raging, furious, ardent
Irish (Gaeilge)	bruth [bˠɾˠʊ(h)] = heat, rash, eruption, nap, pile, covering, surf bruthach = hot, fiery, napped, fluffy bruthaire = cooker bruthán = (slight) rash brufar = ardent, fiery, lively
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bruth [bruhθ] = hotness (of skin), hot and confined space, red-hot object, heat, fire bruthainn [bruhɪn̪ʲ] = sultriness, sultry heat bruthairneach [bruhər̪n̪ʲəx] = muggy, sultry, sweltry bruich = to cook, boil
Manx (Gaelg)	brooan = rash, eruption, skin disorder
Old Welsh	brut = hot, warm
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	brytt, brwt, brwd = hot, warm, heat brytio = to heat, warm, boil
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brwd [bruːd] = hot, warm. heated, ardent, boiled, fervent, zealous, heat, brew(ing), brwdfrydu = to enthuse, speak or feel with fervour brwdfrydedd = zeal, enthusiasm, fervour, fanaticism brwdfrydig = zealous, enthusiastic, fervent, ardent brwdias = hot, heated, fiery, parboiling brydio = to heat, warm, boil
Old Cornish	bredion = to boil
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bredion, bridzhen = to boil
Cornish (Kernewek)	bryjyon = to boil bryjys = boiled
Old Breton	brot = ember
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	broud = ember, excitement
Breton (Brezhoneg)	broud [bruːt] = ember, excitement broudañ [bruˈdɑːdɛn] = to burn, scald broudus [ˈbruːdys] = stimulant

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰrewh₁- (to boil, brew), from *bʰer- (to boil) [source]. Words for the same roots include bread, brew, broth, burn and fervor in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kʷoxtos = cooked, hot
Proto-Brythonic	*poɨθ [ˈpoɨ̯θ] = cooked, hot
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	poeth = hot, burning poethi = to heat, warm, burn, scorch, roast
Welsh (Cymraeg)	poeth [poːɨ̯θ/pɔi̯θ] = hot, burning, fervent, intense, lustful, roast, cooked poethaf, poethi = to heat, warm, burn, scorch, roast poethder = heat, hotness, burning, inflammation, ardour, zeal, fervour poethineb = passion, ardour, zeal, hot-headedness
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	poth = hot
Cornish (Kernewek)	pooth = hot, scorching potha = to heat, scorch
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	poaz = cooked, grilled, burning poazat, poazet = to cook, bake
Breton (Brezhoneg)	poazh [bruːt] = cooked, burned, burning poazhadur = cooking, baking, roasting poazhañ = cooking, baking, roasting poazhat = cooked poazherez = cooker

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pokʷ-tó-s from *pekʷ- (to cook, ripen) [source]. Words for the same roots include apricot, biscuit, cook, cuisine and kitchen in English [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

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

Trousers, Socks and Sites

24th November 20211st December 2021 By Simon

Words for trousers, socks, sites and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸlātrom = flat position
Old Irish (Goídelc)	láthar [ˈl͈aːθar] = arrangement, disposition láthraid [ˈl͈aːθrɨðʲ] = to arrange, to dispose
Irish (Gaeilge)	láthair [ˈl̪ˠɑːhəɾʲ/ˈl̪ˠæhəɾʲ] = place, spot, site, location; presence as láthair = absent faoi láthair = at present i láthair = present láithreach = ruined site, ruin, trace; imprint; present (tense) láithreacht = presence láithreán = piece of ground, place, site; ruined, vacated site; floor, space; set láithreog = small site; trace, mark; small well-built girl láithrigh = to present oneself, appear
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	làthair [l̪ˠaː.ɪrʲ] = presence, venue an làthair = present, here, in attendance; extant; in existence neo-làthair = absent neo-làthaireachd = absence làthaireach = present làthaireachd = presence; attendance; atmosphere uile-làthaireachd = omnipresence
Manx (Gaelg)	laaragh = centric(al), stage, centre, venue, site emshir-laaragh = present tense neuaaragh, assaaragh = absent ooilley-laaragh = ubiquitous
Proto-Brythonic	*lọdr = leg covering
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llauder, llahudyr, llawdyr, llodr = trousers, breeches, hose
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llawdr [ˈɬaːu̯dr] = trousers, breeches, hose llawdrog, llodrog = wearing breeches, bedraggled llawdrwisg = breeches llawdrwr, llodrydd, llodrwr = breeches-maker llaesu llawdr = to undo one’s trousers (to ease oneself)
Old Cornish	loder = sock
Cornish (Kernewek)	lodrik = sock
Middle Breton	louzr = sock
Breton (Brezhoneg)	loer = sock, (trouser) leg

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂- (flat) [source].

From the same PIE root we also get Celtic words for hand, from the Proto-Celtic *ɸlāmā (palm, hand) [source], which was borrowed from Old Irish into Old Norse and became lámur (flipper, paw, left hand) in Faroese [source].

Words for floor and ground in Celtic languages also come from the same PIE root, via the Proto-Celtic *ɸlārom (floor) [source].

English words from the same PIE root include floor, palm, piano, plain, plan and plane, and also Poland [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	bríste [ˈbʲɾʲiːʃtʲə] = trousers; breeching (of harness); roe (of pollock) brístín = panties, knickers fobhríste = underpants forbhríste = overalls
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	briogais [brʲigɪʃ] = trousers, breeches briogais-ghlùine = shorts, plus fours briogais-ghoirid, briogais-bheag = shorts briogais-shnàimh = swimming trunks
Manx (Gaelg)	breeçhyn = breeches breeçhyn glioonagh = knee breeches breeçhyn markee = riding breeches
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brits(h) = breeches britis pen-(g)lin = knee-breeches
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bragez = knickers, panties, breeches bragez vihan = underpants, briefs, pants, panties

Etymology: from the English breeches, from the Middle English brech(e), brek (breeches), from the Old English brēċ (underpants), from the Proto-Germanic *brōkiz, from *brōks (leggings, pants, trousers; rear end, rump) the Proto-Indo-European *bʰreg- (to break, crack, split) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	triubhas = closs-fitting shorts
Irish (Gaeilge)	triús = (pair of) trousers, trews
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	triubhas [tru.əs] = trousers, trews
Manx (Gaelg)	troosyn = slacks, pants, trews, tights, trouser, knickers troosyn çhionn = pantaloons troosyn giarey = short trousers troosyn markee = jodhpurs
Welsh (Cymraeg)	trywsus, trywser, trowsus [ˈtrou̯sɨ̞s/ˈtrou̯sɪs] = trousers, breeches, knickers, panties trywsus bach = shorts, short trouserse, knickerbockers
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bragez = knickers, panties, breeches bragez vihan = underpants, briefs, pants, panties bragoù = trousers

Etymology (Welsh): from the English trousers, from the Middle Irish triubhas (trousers, trews) of uncertain origin [source]. The English word trews (trousers, especially if close fitting and tartan) was borrowed from Scottish Gaelic [source].

Cornish (Kernewek)	lavrek = trousers lavrek byghan = briefs, underpants lavrek jin = jeans lavrek kott = short
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lavreg = trousers

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, 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

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

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