Hurdle Fences

4th August 202122nd February 2023 By Simon

Words for hurdles, fences and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*klētā = wattled frame, palisade, hurdle
Gaulish	*cleta = hurdle
Old Irish (Goídelc)	clíath = hurdle, litter, stretcher, wattlework
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	clíath = hurdle; wattle panels of walls, doors or gates; woven fence, palisade, outwork
Irish (Gaeilge)	cliath [klʲiə] = wattled, latticed, frame, hurdle, phalanx, staff, stave (music) cliathach = ribbed frame, engagement, battle cliathobair = wattle-work, wickerwork cliathóg = (small) hurdle cliathóir = hurdler, hurdle-maker cliathrás = hurdle race cliathreathaí = hurdler cliathreathaíocht = hurdling Baile Átha Cliath Dublin (“Hurdle Ford Settlement”)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cliath [kliə] = grid, lattice, grate, grating, shoal (of fish), hurdle, harrow, stockade, stave, staff (music) cliathag = small hurdle cliath-bhogsa = crate cliath-dhuilleag = spreadsheet obair-chliath = trellis
Manx (Gaelg)	cleeah = lattice, wicker, fret, darn, stave, staff, grid, stretcher, grate, grating, criss-cross, school of fish cleea = hurdle cleeader = hurdler
Proto-Brythonic	*kluɨd = palisade, hurdle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec	cluyt, clwyt = hurdle
Welsh (Cymraeg)	clwyd [kluːɨ̯d / klʊi̯d] = movable hurdle, wattle, lattice, rack, crate, gate, door; protection, cover, defence clwydo = to wattle, weave, hurdle, tangle; roost, sleep clwydaid = a crateful, pannierful, kilnful clwydedd = door, gate clwydwaith = wickerwork, wattle clwydwr = gate-keeper, porter
Old Cornish	cluit = hurdle
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cluit, clita = hurdle, wattle, crate, wattled gate
Cornish (Kernewek)	kloos = fence, rack
Middle Breton	klouet, cloet, kloued, klwed = hurdle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kloued = fence, barrier, gate, railings, grating, grid klouedenn = openwork, fence, skylight, harrow, portcullis

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱléyteh₂ (leaning, sloped, inclined) from *ḱley- (to lean, incline) [source].

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

Words from the same PIE root include client, climate, clinic, incline and lean in English, leunen (to lean) in Dutch, lehnen (to lean) in German, chinàre (to bend) in Italian, clemente (lenient) in Spanish [source], clé (left) and cleith (pole, cudgel, wattle) in Irish, cledd (left hand/side) in Welsh, and related words in Celtic languages [more details].

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

Country and Land

23rd July 202128th October 2022 By Simon

Words for land, country and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	tīros = dry land, land, earth wo-tīro- = piece of land
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tír = land, country, territory, ground Tír inna n-Óc = (mythical) Land of Youth
Irish (Gaeilge)	tír [tʲiːɾʲ] = country, land, state, nation; region, district. territory, rural district, country native, ordinary tírdhreach = landscape tíreach = native, of the country tíreachas = domesticity tíreánach = mainlander tíreolaí = geographer tíreolaíocht = geography tírghrá = patriotism tírghrách = patriotic tírghráthóir = patriot Tír na nÓg = (mythical) Land of the Young/Youth
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tìr [tʲiːrʲ] = land, country, territory tìreach = countryman, patriot tìr-eòlas = geography tìr-ghràdhaiche = patriot tìr-mór = mainland, continent Tìr nan Òg = (mythical) Land of the Young/Youth àrd-tìr = highland
Manx (Gaelg)	çheer = land, country, state, territory, shore çheeragh = native çheer-ghraihagh = patriotic çheer-oayllee = geographer çheer-oaylleeaght = geography çheer vooar = mainland çheer yalloo = landscape Çheer ny Aeg = (mythical) Land of Youth
Proto-Brythonic	*tir [ˈtiːr] = land
Old Welsh	tir = land
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tir, tyr = land
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tir [tiːr] = land, ground, soil, turf, estate, open land, region, territory, domain, country, earth, ridge tiriaf, tirio = to land, come ashore, disembark, arrive, reach tir(i)og = landowning, landed tiriogaeth = territory, realm, district, tract, (piece of) land tiriogaethol = territorial tirwedd = landscape, scenery, (geographic) relief
Cornish (Kernewek)	tir = land, earth tira = to land, come ashore tiredh = territory tirlanow = landfill tir meur = mainland tirnos = landmark tirwedh = landscape konna tir = peninsula penn tir = headland
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tir = land penn-tir = headland

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *tērs-os/tḗrs (to heap up, increase, enlarge) [source].

Proto-Celtic	wlatis = sovereignty, rule walo- = prince, chief *walatro- = ruler
Old Irish (Goídelc)	flaith [flaθʲ] = lordship, sovereignty, rule, kingdom, realm, prince, ruler flaithem = prince, ruler flaithemail = princely, munificent flaithemnacht = rule flaithemnas, flaithius = rule, sovereignty flaithiúlacht = princeliness, munificence, lavishness, generosity
Irish (Gaeilge)	flaith [fˠlˠah/fˠlˠa] = lordship, sovereignty, ruler, prince, lord, chief banfhlaith = princess flaithbheartach = princely, generous flaithbhile = princely scion, noble champion flaitheas = rule, sovereignty, kingdom, realm flaitheasach = heavenly, celestial co-fhlaitheas = confederation flaithiúil = princely, munificent, lavish, generous flaithiúlach = lavish, generous flaithiúnta = sovereign, heavenly mì-fhlathail = ignoble
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	flath [fl̪ˠah] = king, prince, ruler, noble banfhlath = wife of a chieftain, noblewoman flath-shonas [fl̪ˠahənəs] = dominion, kingdom, heaven, the heavens flathail = noble, gallant, patrician, princely, majestic; blithesome mì-fhlathail = ignoble
Manx (Gaelg)	flah = prince, potentate flaunys = heaven, utopia, paradise
Proto-Brythonic	gwlad [ˈɡwlaːd] = sovereignty, country gwlėdig = civil, secular, established, national *gwaladr [ɡwaˈladr̩] = ruler
Old Welsh	gulat = country, realm
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gulat, gulad, gwlat, gwlad = country, realm
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwlad [ɡwlaːd/ɡlaːd] = country, land, province, region, district, kingdom, realm, domain; nation, the people of a country gwaladr = ruler, sovereign gwladaidd = rural, rustic countrified, homely, plain, mean, poor, boorish, vulgar, rough, clumsy, awkward gwladiath = native tongue, mother tongue gwladwr = countryman, peasant, rustic, compatriot, inhabitant, citizen gwledig = rural rhyngwladol = international
Old Cornish	gulat = country
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwlas = country gwlaskar = patriotic gwlaskarer / gwlaskarores = patriot gwlaskarenja / gwlaskerensa = patriotism gwlaskor = kingdom, realm
Old Breton	guletic = prince
Middle Breton	gloat = kingdom, wealth gloedic = count
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glad [ɡlɑːt] = inheritance, heritage, patrimony

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂wélh₁tis/*h₂wl̥h₁téy-, from *h₂welh₁- (to rule, strong, powerful) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*talamū = earth
Gaulish	*talamon = ?
Old Irish (Goídelc)	talam [ˈtalaṽ] = earth, (dry) land, country, soil, dirt, clay
Irish (Gaeilge)	talamh [ˈt̪ˠɑlˠəvˠ/ˈt̪ˠalˠə/ˈt̪ˠalˠu] = earth, ground, land, dry land, soil, soild base (for discussion, understanding) talamhchreathach = seismic talamhchrith = earthquake talamhiata = land-locked talamhluas = ground speed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	talamh [tal̪ˠav] = earth, ground, Earth talamh bàn = fallow/unmanured ground talamh-dearg = tiled soil, ploughed land talamh-làidir, talamh-glas = unploughed land talamh-rèisg = marshy/boggy ground talamh-àitich = arable land, cultivable land
Manx (Gaelg)	thalloo = country, land, shore, terrain, territory, clod, earth, ground , soil thallooinaghey = to earth, earthing

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *telh₂- (ground) [source]. The French surname Talmont, and the placenames Talmont-sur-Gironde and Talmont-Saint-Hilaire come from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Gaulish *talamon, and the Latin Talamone / Talmun.

Words from the same PIE root include tellurian (of or relating to the earth) in English, тло [tɫɔ] (background, environment, ground, basis) in Ukrainian, потолок [pətɐˈɫok] (ceiling, upper limit, roof) in Russian, tło [twɔ] (background) in Polish, तल [t̪əl] (bottom, level, storey, floor) in Hindi [source].

Weaving Words

29th June 202129th June 2021 By Simon

Words for weave and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*wegyeti = to weave, compose
Old Irish (Goídelc)	figid = to weave, plait, intertwine
Irish (Gaeilge)	figh = to weave, put together, contrive, compose (a story, etc) fián = grain (in meat) fíochán = (act of) weaving, weave, web, plaiting, tissue, tracery fíodóir = weaver, spider idirfhigh = to interweave
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fighe [fi.ə] = weaving, to weave, knitting figheadair [fi.ədɛrʲ] = weaver, knitter fighiche [fi.ɪçə] = weaver
Manx (Gaelg)	fee = weave, plait, knit, interlace, braid, intertwine, mat; ravens feeder, fidder = weaver fidderaght = texture, weave, weaving fidderagh = weaving fidderys = weaving
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ywehu, weaf, gweawdd, wav, gweheu = to weave, plait, knit
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gweu, gwau, gweaf, gweuaf = to weave, plait, knit, spin in a web; to weave or compose poems gwau [ɡwaɨ̯/ɡwai̯] = weaving, knitting gwe [ɡweː] = (spider) web, gauze, the Web gwefan = website gwead = weave gweadog, gweadol = weaving, plaiting, twisting gweadur = weaver, knitter, plaiter, spiner, composer gwëydd, gwehydd, gwŷdd = weaver, composer of poetry, weaver of songs gwehyddu = to weave
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwia = to weave gwiader/gwiadores = weaver gwias = web, fabric. tissue, consistency gwiasva = website
Middle Breton	gueaff = to weave
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gweañ = to wring, twist, bend, buckle, writhe; to braid, plait, weave gwiad = fabric, cloth, tissue, canvas; spider’s web, cobweb gwiader = weaver gwiadiñ = to weave

Etmology: from the Proto-Indo-European *weg- (to spin, weave) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Strawberries

2nd June 20212nd June 2021 By Simon

Words for strawberries and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*subhī = strawberries
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sub = strawberry sub craéb = raspberry
Irish (Gaeilge)	sú [sˠuː] = (red) berry sú craobh = raspberry sú talún = strawberry
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sùbh [suː] = berry, soft fruit sùbh-craobh = raspberry sùbh-craobh ruiteach = salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) sùbh-làir fiadhain = wild / Alpine strawberry (Fragaria vesca) sùbh nam ban-sìthe = stone bramble (Rubus saxatilis) sùbh-thalmhainn = strawberry
Manx (Gaelg)	soo [suː] = berry soo crouw = raspberry soo thallooin = strawberry
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	yssyui / syui / syvi = strawberries
Welsh (Cymraeg)	syfi(en) [ˈsəvi] = (wild) strawberries syfi coch/gwyllt/bach = wild strawberries syfi gardd = cultivated strawberries) syfïa = to gather (wild) strawberries
Old Cornish	syvyen = strawberry
Cornish (Kernewek)	sevi(en) = strawberries
Old Breton	s(u)iuy = strawberries
Middle Breton	siuy = strawberries
Breton (Brezhoneg)	sivi(enn) = strawberries sivia = to pick strawberries sivi-garzh = wild strawberries

Etmology: possibly from a non-Indo-European substrate [source]

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ymevvs / mefys / mefvs / mevys = strawberries
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mefus(en) [ˈmɛvɨ̞s / ˈmeːvɪs] = strawberries mefus y goedwig / mefus y coed = wild strawberries

Etmology: from the Vulgar Latin majusa (“mayberry”), or from the Basque mart (blackberry, bramble), or from the Gaulish *majoþa [source]

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Plums

19th May 202113th June 2024 By Simon

Words for plums, damsons, sloes, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	agrinyom/agrinyā = sloe, small plum, berry
Old Irish (Goídelc)	áirne = sloe
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	áirne, airnne = sloe, kernel áirnech = abounding in sloes áirnechán = little sloe
Irish (Gaeilge)	airne [ˈɑːɾˠn̠ʲə / ˈæːɾˠn̠ʲə] = sloe, gland airneog = sloe tree, blackthorn biotáille airní = sloe gin
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	àirne [aːr̪n̪ʲə] = blackthorn, sloe (berry), wild plum (prunus domestica), damson (prunus domestica insititia) àirneag = sloe bush
Manx (Gaelg)	airn = sloe, bullace airnagh = sloe-covered soo airney = sloe jam drine airn = blackthorn, sloe tree (Prunus spinosa)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eirin(en) = plum(s), damson(s), sloe(s) eirinha = to collect sloes or bullace eirinwyd = plum trees, sloe trees, blackthorn
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eirin(en) [ˈei̯rɪn] = plum(s), damson(s), sloe(s), bullace, berries, testicle(s) eirina = to collect sloes or bullace eirinog = bearing plums or sloes eirinwydd = plum trees, sloe trees, blackthorn eirin bwlas = bullace, wild plums (Prunus insititia), damsons eirin damasg/Damasgus = damson eirin Ffrainc/Ffrengig = prunes eirin gwlanog = peaches, apricots eirin gwynion = greengages eirin Mair = gooseberries eirin y moch = haws, hawthorn berries eirin morwydd = mulberries eirin peatus = nectarines eirin ysgaw = elderberries eirin y gors = crowberries
Old Cornish	yryn = sloes
Cornish (Kernewek)	eyrin(en) = sloe(s)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	<hirin, irin = sloes yrinenn = blackthorn
Breton (Brezhoneg)	irin(enn) [ˈiː.rĩn(n)] = sloe(s), sloe gin; pupil, eye irina = to look for sloes irineg = a place with sloes irinenn = blackthorn

Etmology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ógeh₂ (berry) [source]. The English word acorn comes from the same root, via the Proto-Germanic *h₂ógeh₂ [source]

Irish (Gaeilge)	pluma [ˈpˠlˠʊmˠə] = plum daimsín [ˈpˠlˠʊmˠə] = damson
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	plumais / plùmbais [pl̪ˠumɪʃ / pl̪ˠuːmbɪʃ] = plum daimsin [dãĩmʃɪn] = damson
Manx (Gaelg)	plumbis = plum damsyl = damson
Welsh (Cymraeg)	plemys(en) = plum(s)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pluman = plum plumbren = plum tree
Cornish (Kernewek)	ploum(en) = plum(s) ploum(en) sygh = prune(s)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	prun(enn), prun(en) = plum(s), testicule(s) prunec = sloe grove prunenn, prunen = plum tree
Breton (Brezhoneg)	prun(enn) = plum(s), testicule(s) pruneg, prunek = plum grove prunenn = plum tree

Etmology (plum): from the Middle English ploume/plomme (plum) from the Old English plūme/plume (plum), from the Proto-West Germanic *plūmā (plum), from the Latin prūnum (plum), from the Ancient Greek προῦμνον (proûmnon – plum). Prune comes from the same root [source]

Etmology (damson): from the Middle English damascene/damasyn/damacene (damson), from the Latin prūnum damascēnum (Damascene plum, plum of Damascus), from the Ancient Greek προῦμνον (proûmnon – plum) [source].

Butter

15th April 202117th April 2021 By Simon

Words for butter and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*emban = butter
Old Irish (Goídelc)	imb/imm [imʲbʲ] = butter
Irish (Gaeilge)	im [aimʲ / iːmʲ / ɪmʲ] = butter saill ime = butterfat uachtar ime = buttercream
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ìm [iːm] = butter imeach [iməx] = buttery, producing butter
Manx (Gaelg)	eeym = butter eeymagh = buttery
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ymenyn = butter
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(y)menyn [əˈmɛnɨ̞n / əˈmeːnɪn] = butter, curds blodyn menyn = buttercup (y)menyneiddiwch = butteriness (y)menynaidd = buttery
Old Cornish	amanen = butter
Cornish (Kernewek)	(a)manyn = butter
Middle Breton	amanen = butter
Breton (Brezhoneg)	amann [ã.ˈmãnː] = butter amanennañ [ã.ˈmãnː] = to butter amanenner [ã.ˈmãnː] = butter dish kouign-amann = kouign-amann (a traditional Breton butter cake)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃engʷen- (fat, butter), from *h₃engʷ- (to smear, anoint) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis

Cheese

7th April 20218th April 2021 By Simon

Words for cheese and related words in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cáise = cheese
Irish (Gaeilge)	cáis [kɑːʃ / kæːʃ] = cheese cáiseoir = cheese-maker, cheese-monger cáisiúil = cheesy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	càise [kaːʃə] = cheese càisean, cùl-càise = cheese rind brèid-càise, anart-càise = cheesecloth
Manx (Gaelg)	caashey = cheese, cheesy caasheydagh = cheesy
Proto-Brythonic	*kọs = cheese
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	caws, caus = cheese
Welsh (Cymraeg)	caws [kau̯s] = cheese, curds, a cheese cawsa = to beg cheese, collect cheese cawsai = cheese begger, one who makes cheese cawsaidd = caseous, cheesy cawsion = curd, curds, curdlings cawslestr = cheesel, cheese vat/mould cawslïain = cheese-cloth cawsty = cheese house, dairy cosyn [ˈkɔsɨ̞n / ˈkɔsɪn] = a piece of cheese
Cornish (Kernewek)	keus [køːs] = cheese keuswask = cheese press
Breton (Brezhoneg)	keuz = cheese keuzerezh = cheese factory

Etymology: from the Latin cāseus (cheese), from the Proto-Indo-European *kwh₂et- (to ferment, become sour) [source].

Middle Breton)	fourondec, foulondec = cheese
Breton (Brezhoneg)	formaj = cheese fourmajerezh = cheese factory

Etymology: from the Latin Latin fōrmāticum (cheese), short for cāseus fōrmāticus (form cheese), from cāseus (cheese) amd fōrma (form, mold) [source]. More cheesy words in European languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Hillsides

26th March 20212nd November 2021 By Simon

Words for hillsides, cliffs and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*altos = height, cliff
Old Irish (Goídelc)	alt, allt = height, cliff, valley, abyss
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	als = hillock
Irish (Gaeilge)	ailt = steep-sided glen, ravine, height, cliff ailteán = small ravine alt = steep-sided ravine, hillock altach = undulating (road), wavy (hair) altán = streamlet, ravine, hillock
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	alt [al̪ˠd] = rugged/steep bank, precipice allt [aul̪ˠd] = brook, burn, stream, brook, rill, river with precipitous banks alltan = brook, little stream, streamlet
Manx (Gaelg)	alt = mountain stream, glen in mountains, high place, altitude, alto
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	alt, allt = hill(side)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	allt [aːɬt / aɬt] = hill(side), (steep) gradient or slope, steep road or path, (steep) ascent, cliff, woods, wooded slope allt (o) goed = wood, grove allt (y) môr, allt fôr = sea-cliff yr allt bren = staircase, facet (“the wooden hill”)
Old Cornish	als = cliff
Cornish (Kernewek)	als [ɒlz / ælz] = cliff
Middle Breton	a(o)ut = coast, shore, bank
Breton (Brezhoneg)	aod = coast, shore aod bili = pebble beach aod vev = foreshore

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂eltós, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂el- (to grow, nourish) [source].

English words such as altitude, adult and old come from the same PIE root, as do alt (old, ancient, elderly) in German, oud (old) in Dutch, haut (high, tall) in French and alto (high, tall, deep, loud) in Italian [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Bridges

16th March 202117th April 2024 By Simon

Words for bridges and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	drochet [ˈdroxʲed] = bridge
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	drochet, drochat, droichet = bridge, causeway drochetech, drochetóir = bridge-maker
Irish (Gaeilge)	droichead [ˈd̪ˠɾˠɛçəd̪ˠ] = bridge droichead crochta = suspension bridge droichead tógála = drawbridge droichead meáite = weigh bridge droichead veidhlín = bridge of a violin droichead sróine = bridge of the nose
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	drochaid [drɔxɪdʲ] = bridge drochaid air fleodradh = pontoon drochaid-thogalach, drochaid-thogail = drawbridge drochaid-choise = footbridge drochaid-rathaid = road bridge, viaduct drochaid-thionndain = swing bridge
Manx (Gaelg)	droghad = bridge, bridge of ship, arch, gantry droghad aae = viaduct droghad cassee = swing bridge droghad coshey = gangway, footbridge droghad croghit = suspension bridge droghad keesh = toll bridge droichead meihaghey = weigh bridge

Etymology: from Old Irish droch (wheel, circlet) and sét (path) [source].

Gaulish	ponto = bridge
Proto-Brythonic	*pont = bridge
Cumbric	*pont = bridge
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	pont = bridge
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pont, pynt = bridge, drawbridge
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pont [pɔnt] = bridge, drawbridge, viaduct, aqueduct pontio = to bridge (a gap), to transition pont godi = drawbridge pont grog = suspension bridge pont trwyn = bridge of the nose pont y glaw, pont law = rainbow pont ysgwydd = collar-bone, clavicle pontio = to bridge, span, arch pont(i)og = like a bridge, arched of the nature of a bridge pont(i)wr, pontydd = a bridge-builder pontyddiaeth = bridge-building
Old Cornish (Cernewec)	pons = bridge
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pons = bridge
Cornish (Kernewek)	pons = bridge ponsfordh = viaduct pons travalya = travelling bridge
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pont = bridge
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pont [pɔ̃nt] = bridge, top of the furrow, culvert, trigger guard pontan, pontañ = to bridge, lay flat stones (on a ditch or stream) pont-tro = swing bridge pont hent-houarn = railway bridge pont dilestrañ = bridge, deck (of ship) pont kargañ = loading deck pont-tro = swing bridge

Etymology: from Latin pōns (bridge, deck), from Proto-Indo-European *pónteh₁s (path, road), from *pent- (path). Words from the same roots include pont (bridge) in French, puente (bridge) in Spanish, път [pɤt] (road, way, path, journey, way) in Bulgarian source].

Proto-Celtic	*brīwā = bridge
Gaulish	briua = bridge
Leptonic	𐌐𐌓𐌖𐌉𐌀𐌌 (pruiam) = funerary construction (perhaps a grave)

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerw/*bʰrēw (wooden flooring, decking, bridge), which is also the root of the English words bridge and brig, and Brücke (bridge) in German [source].

Peaks

11th March 202114th March 2024 By Simon

Words for peaks and tops and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	bandā = top, peak; horn benno- = peak, top
Gaulish	*benn/bannā** = peak
Old Irish (Goídelc)	benn [bʲen͈] = mountain, crag, peak, point, crest, summit, pinnacle, spire; gable, corner, horn (of animal), drinking horn, prong, crest bennán = horned animal, cow, calf; horned or peaked object
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	benn = mountain, crag, peak, point, crest, summit, pinnacle, spire, gable, corner, prong, crest bennacán = little horned one, calf bennach = pointed, peaked, horned bennán = a horned animal, calf bennchopor = steeple, tower
Irish (Gaeilge)	beann = horn, antler; drinking horn; prong (of fork) beannach = horned, antlered, pronged, peaked, gabled, angular beannógach = peaked,angular binn = peak; gable; cliff; corner, edge, margin; lap; side, portion
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beann [bjaun̪ˠ] = horn, peak, top, corner, skirt beannach = [bjan̪ˠəx] = pointed, horned beinn [bein̪ʲ] = mountain, mount, high hill beinn-theine = volcano eigh-bheinn = iceberg
Manx (Gaelg)	beinn = mountain, ben, summit, pinnacle, apex, tine of deer beinn rioee = iceberg
Proto-Brythonic	*bann = top, peak
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bann, = top, tip, peak, summit
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ban [ban] = top, tip, peak, summit, crest, peak, beacon, height, pinnacle, turret, hill, mountain, bare hill; chief; drinking horn, horn (of animal); arm, branch, beam, point (of cross) bannau’r byd = corners, quarters or regions of the world, the ends of the earth ban caer, ban y gaer = rampart of a fort; top or height of a fortess ban lleuad = quarters of the moon, new moon
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ban = that which is high, a height, mountain, summit
Cornish (Kernewek)	ban = prominence
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bann = rising, uphill, upright, post, column

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bn̥dʰéh₂ from *bendʰ- (pin, point). The Scots word ben (mountain, hill) comes from the Scottish Gaelic beinn. From Gaulish we get the Catalan words banya (horn) and banyut (horned, unfaithful), and the Occitan bana (horn), and the English word pin comes from the same PIE root [source].

See the post about Mountains for other mountain-related words, such as sliabh in Irish and Scottish Gaelic, and mynydd in Welsh.

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Middle Breton (Brezonec)

Hurdle Fences

Country and Land

Weaving Words

Strawberries

Plums

Butter

Cheese

Hillsides

Bridges

Peaks