Prison

9th December 20229th December 2022 By Simon

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

Old Irish (Goídelc)	carcar [ˈkarkar] = prison, captivity
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	carcar = prison, captivity, bondage, strong-room
Irish (Gaeilge)	carcair [ˈkaɾˠkəɾʲ] = prison, place of confinement; stall, pen
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	carcair [karxgɛrʲ] = prison, coffer, sink, sewer, hermit’s cell
Manx (Gaelg)	carchyr = imprisonment, jail carchyragh = gaolbird, prisoner
Proto-Brythonic	*karxar = prison, jail
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	karchar, carchar, carcar = prison, gaol karcharaur, carcharawr = prisoner
Welsh (Cymraeg)	carchar [ˈkarχar] = prison, gaol, pen, stable, bond, fetter, band, chain, hobble, restriction, obstruction, impediment, constipation carcharbwll = dungeon, prison-pit carchardy = prison house, gaol carchardig = imprisoned, incarcerated, confined carchardigaeth = imprisonment, confinement carchargell = prison cell carchariad = imprisonment, confinement carchariad, carcharor = prisoner carcharu = to imprison, impound, confine, shackle, fetter, hobble, restrict, obstruct
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	carhar = jail, prison
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	carchar, charc’har, karc’har = prison, jail karc’hariañ = to imprison karc’hariadigezh = imprisonment
Breton (Brezhoneg)	karc’har = dungeon karc’harel = prison karc’hariañ = to imprison karc’hariadigezh = imprisonment

Etymology: from Latin carcer (prison, jail, jailbird, beginning, starting gate), from Proto-Italic *karkos (enclosure, barrier), from PIE *kr̥-kr̥- (circular), a reduplication of *(s)ker- (to turn, bend) [source].

Words from the same Latin root include incarcerate in English, carcere (jail, prison, imprisonment) in Italian, cárcere (jail, prison) in Portuguese, kerker (dungeon) in Dutch, and карцер (lockup, punishment cell, sweatbox) in Russian [source].

English words from the same PIE roots include circle, circus, corona, crisp, cross, crown and ring [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	prísún, brísún = prison prísúntacht = imprisonment
Irish (Gaeilge)	príosún [ˈpʲɾʲiːsˠuːn̪ˠ] = prison, imprisonment príosúnach = prisoner príosúnacht = imprisonment príosúnaigh = to imprison príosúnú = imprisonment
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	prìosan [prʲiːsən] = prison, jail prìosanach = prisoner prìosanachadh = imprisoning, incarcerating
Manx (Gaelg)	pryssoon = brig, gaol, glasshouse, jail, lock-up, penitentiary, prison, clink pryssoonagh = captive, detainee, internee, prisoner pryssoonaght = detention, imprisonment, incarceration pryssooneyder = gaoler imprisoner
Cornish (Kernewek)	prison = gaol, jail, prison prisonya = to imprison, incarcerate prisonyans = imprisonment
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	prizon = prison, jail prizoniad = prisoner, detained prizoniadur, prizonierezh = imprisonment prizon(i)añ = to imprison prizon(i)er = prisoner
Breton (Brezhoneg)	prizon = prison, jail prizoniad = prisoner, detained prizoniañ = to imprison

Etymology: from the Middle English prisoun (prison, jail, dungeon), from the Anglo-Norman pris(o)un (prison, jail, dungeon), from the Old French prison (prison) from the Latin prehensiō (seizing, apprehending, arresting, capturing), from prehendō (to seize). The Breton probably comes directly from Old French [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

Boots and Shoes

3rd December 20223rd December 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for boots, shoes and related things in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	bróc(c) [broːɡ] = shoe, sandal, greave; (in plural) greaces, leggings, hose, breeches
Irish (Gaeilge)	bróg [bˠɾˠoːɡ/bˠɾˠɔːɡ] = boot, shoe bróg ard = boot bróg iseal = shoe bróg adhmaid/mhaide = clog brógchrann = boot-tree
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bròg [brɔːg] = shoe, boot, hoof brògair [brɔːgɪrʲ] = shoemaker, cobbler brògach [brɔxgəx] = abounding in shoes, shod, strong-hoofed, animal with “socks” bròg-fhiodha = clog, wooden shoe brògan put = football boots bròg-eich = horseshoe bròg-spéilidh = ice skate bròg na cuthaige = bluebell, wild hyacinth (“shoe of the cuckoo”) cho sona ri bròg = as happy as Larry (“as happy as a shoe”)
Manx (Gaelg)	braag = brogue, shoe braagit = shod braag lheiltys = gym shoe braag shliawin = ice skate braag vaidjagh = clog
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brog = brogue brog Gwyddelig = Irish brogue

Etymology: from the Old Norse brók (trousers, breeches) or the Old English brōc (underpants), both of which come from the Proto-Germanic *brōks (rear end, rump, leggings, pants, trousers), from the PIE *bʰreg- (to break, crack, split) [source].

The English word brogue was borrowed from Irish and refers to a type of shoe, or a strong accent, particularly a strong Irish accent when speaking English, although it originally referred to Irish spoken with a strong English accent, or a heavy shoe of untanned leather.

Brogue in the sense of accent might come from the Irish word barróg (hug, wrestling grip, brogue, impediment of speech) [source], which comes from the Old Irish barróc (fast hold, tight grip, embrace, gripe, stitch) [source],

Proto-Celtic	*fesskūtā = (leather) boot, shoe
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eskyd, eskit, escid = boot, buskin, shoe
Welsh (Cymraeg)	esgid [ˈɛskɪd] = boot, buskin, shoe esgidiaf, esgidio = to put on one’s boots or shoes, to shoe esgidiedig / esgidiog = shod esgidiwr = shoemaker, bootmaker esgidiau blewog = fur-lined boots esgidau byclau = buckled shoes esgidiau eira = show boots/shoes esgidiau nos = slippers esgid(iau) Gwyddel(od) = brogue(s) esgid goed, esgidiau coed = wooden-soled shoes, clogs esgidiau’r gog/gwcw = Bluebell, Wild Hyacinth
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	escid, esgis, eskas = shoe
Cornish (Kernewek)	eskis = shoe eskis sport = trainer, sports shoe eskisyow kron = slingbacks

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ped-skuHto-, from *ped- (to walk, step) and *skuH-t- (skin, hide) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cúarán = shoe, sock
Irish (Gaeilge)	cuarán = sandal
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuaran [kuəran] = sandal, bangage, toecap, sock
Manx (Gaelg)	carrane = hide sandal, sandal, slipper
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cuaran, kuaran, curan = boot, buskin
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cu(a)ran, cwaran = boot, buskin curanog = buskined

Etymology: the Welsh words were borrowed from Irish. The words in the other languages possibly come from the Middle Irish cúar (curved, bent, crooked) from the Proto-Celtic *kukro- (curved), from the Proto-Indo-European *kewk- (to elevate, height) [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bòtann [bɔːhdən̪ˠ] = boot (esp. rubber boot, wellington) bòtais [bɔːhdɪʃ] = boot bùtais [buːhdɪʃ] = boot
Manx (Gaelg)	bootys = boot
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	botys, botes, botas, bottas = greave(s), shackle, boot, wader
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bot(i)as, bwtias = greave(s), shackle, boot, wader botasbren = bootjack, boot-tree botasog = wearing boots or greaves botaswr = bootmaker, shoemaker
Cornish (Kernewek)	botas = boot botas palvek = flippers botas stanch = wellies
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	botez, botes, botés = shoe
Breton (Brezhoneg)	botez = shoe, clog botour = shoemaker, cobbler botaouiñ = to shoe botez-prenn = clog, wooden shoe botezioù = hoof, sole

Etymology: (via English) from the Old French bote (boot), from the Frankish *butt, from Proto-Germanic *but(t)az (cut off, short, numb, blunt), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewt-/*bʰewd- (to strike, push, shock”) [source].

Foreheads

2nd December 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for foreheads, brows and related things in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	étan = brow, forehead
Irish (Gaeilge)	éadan [ˈeːd̪ˠənˠ] = front, face, forehead, flat surface, facet, end éadanán = headstall éadanchlár = fascia in éadan = against, opposed to as éadan = one by one, in (rapid) succession, indiscriminately
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aodann [ɯːdən̪ˠ] = face, front, dial aodannan = little face, mask, frontispiece aodann-clò = typeface aodann-fuadain = mask dà-aodannach = two-faced, double-skinned (in architecture)
Manx (Gaelg)	eddin = apron (of a dam), rockface, countenance, dial, disc, facade, face, facet, facial, fascia, front, frontage far-eddin = mask eddin harroo = sour-faced

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- (forehead) [source].

Words from the same root include end, answer and antimony in English, and ante (before, earlier, instead of) in Italian [source].

Proto-Celtic	*talu = front, forehead
Gaulish	*talu = ?
Celtiberian	talukokum = ?
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tul, taul, tel, til = protruberance, projecting part, swelling, boss of a shield
Irish (Gaeilge)	tul = protuberance, prominence, front, forehead tulach = low hill, hillock, mound tulán = protuberance, mound, knoll, hummock
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tul [tul̪ˠ] = face
Manx (Gaelg)	tool = ? tool-vuilley = forehand stroke
Proto-Brythonic	*tal
Old Welsh	tal = end
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tal = end
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tâl [taːl] = end (of an object), gable end, extremity, top, side, edge, rampart, front, face (of shield), forehead, brow, head tâl bainc, talbainc = end of bench, place of honour, best kind, first class ar dâl = at the top, end, by the side, near talaith = state, province, district, area, principality talar = headland (of ploughed field), boundary talaraf, talaru = to reach the headland, set a boundary
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tal = the front, forehead, end, top
Cornish (Kernewek)	tal = brow, forehead, front, temple talar = headland talgamma = to frown plegya tal = to frown, knit one’s brows
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tal = forehead taleg = sb with a big forehead
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tal = face, forehead

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *telh₂- (ground, bottom), or from *teHlu- [source].

Hooks and Crooks

17th November 202217th November 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at hooks, crooks and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*bakkos = hook, (curved) stick
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bacc = angle, bill-hook, corner, hindrance, mattock
Irish (Gaeilge)	bac = balk, hindrance, barrier, mattock, bend (in a river), (door) step bacadh = to balk, hindrance bacainn = barrier, obstruction, obstacle, blocking bacainneach = barring, obstructing, blocking bacán = hinge-hook, crook, peg bacánach = crooke, hinged
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bac [baxg] = hindering, impeding, obstructing, restraining, restricting, hindrance bacadh = to hinder, impede, obstruct, restain, restrict, ban
Manx (Gaelg)	bac = balk, disability, disqualification, drawback, handicap, moratorium, objection, obstacle, pull back, snag, trap
Old Welsh	bach = hook, grapple, mattock
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bach = hook, grapple, mattock
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bach [baːχ] = hook, grapple, mattock, hoe, fish hook, shepherd’s crook; hinge, pivot; nook, angle, corner, bend bachiad = a hooking, turning, curving, winding, bending bachog = hooked, barded, grabbing, grasping, greedy bachogrwydd = hookedness, crookedness, incisiveness bachol = hooking, grappling, grabbing, grasping, greedy bachu = to hook, anchor, connect, attach, fasten
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bah = hook, hinge
Cornish (Kernewek)	bagh = hook bagha = to trap
Old Breton	bah = hook
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bach, bac’h = hook for uprooting potatoes or seaweed, big hook bac’hig = little fang, hook, staple
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bac’h = (fish) hook

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bak- (peg, club) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include bachall (crook, crozier) in Irish, bagl (crook, crozier) in Welsh, pail in English, and possibly bok (side, flank, hip) in Czech, Polish and Slovak [source].

Up Above

10th November 202210th November 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at up, over, above and related words in Celtic languages.

A quiet day on the summit of Snowden / Dydd tawel ar gopa’r Wyddfa

Proto-Celtic	ouxsos = above ouxselos = high, elevated
Gaulish	*uxelos = high, elevated
Old Irish (Goídelc)	úas [uːa̯s] = above, over anúas [aˈn͈uːa̯s] = from above súas = up, upwards, back (in time), forward on (in time), túas = up, above, of heaven, above (mentioned) úasal = high, lofty, noble, high-born, gallant, genteel, honourable
Irish (Gaeilge)	suas [ˈɡaɾʲəmʲ/ˈɡɪɾʲəmʲ] = up, to higher place or station, at, towards, a high level, to the south, onwards, backwards, on high, risen anuas = down (from above) thuas = up, in higher place, in the south, put up, on top, successful, profiting uasal [ˈuəsˠəlˠ] = noble, high-born, aristocratic, gentle, gallant, genteel, lofty, precious, fine, hallowed, enchanted, inhabited by fairies na huaisle the good people, the fairies
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	suas [suəs] = up, upwards, upright, standing shuas [huəs] = above, aloft up (location), upper a-nuas [əˈn̪ˠuəs] = down(wards) / up(wards) – towards the speaker uasal [uəsəl̪ˠ] = noble, nobleman, nobility, high-minded, genteel
Manx (Gaelg)	seose = heavenwards, up, upward, upwards heose = above, aloft, up, upper neose = down, downward, downwards ooasle = aristocratic, classy, creditable, dignified, esteemed, gentlemanly, goodly, highborn, honourable, illustrious, lofty, lordly, magnificent, noble, respected
Brythonic	ʉx [ˈʉːx] = above, on top of, over ʉxel [ʉˈxɛːlˑ] = high, elevated
Old Welsh	uuc = above, on top of, over
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	uch = above, on top of, over uchel = shigh, tall, exalted
Welsh (Cymraeg)	uwch [ɨ̞u̯χ/ɪu̯χ] = above, on top of, over, on, beyond, in front of uchel [ˈɨ̞χɛl/ˈiːχɛl] = high, tall, exalted, important, solemn, sublime, splendid, excellent, noble, stately, respectable, commendable uchelder = high place, height, highness, nobility uchelaf, uchelu = to raise, heighten, exalt, increase uchelwr = landed, proprietor, freeholder, landlord, gentleman, nobelman, aristocrat, a superior
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	uhel = high, lofty, elevated uhelder = height, highness uhelle = to raise up on high, to exalt
Cornish (Kernewek)	a-ugh = above a-ugh dhe = over ughel = high, grand, loud, tall ughelder = height, loudness
Old Breton	uh = on high uchel = high
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	uc’h = on high uhel = high, noble, generous uhelaat = to increase, rise in the sky, raise uheladur = to shrug, enhancement uhelañ = the highest point
Breton (Brezhoneg)	uhel [ˈy.ɛl] = high, uphill, upstream uhelaat = to promote uc’hek = maximal

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃ewpso- (above) from *h₃ewps- (high, elevated) [source].

Halloween

31st October 202231st October 2022 By Simon

Words for Halloween, November and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	samonios, samoni- = assembly, (feast of the) first month of the year
Gaulish	samoni- = assembly, (feast of the) first month of the year
Old Irish (Goídelc)	samain [ˈsaṽinʲ] = Halloween, November, All Saint’s Day, All Hallows, Samhain
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	samain, samḟuin = first November, the festival held on that date, All Saints’ Day, All Hallows idchi samna = the eve of samain
Irish (Gaeilge)	Samhain [sˠaunʲ/sˠəunʲ/ˈsˠãuwənʲ] = Halloween, November, All Saint’s Day, All Hallows, Samhain Mí na Samhna = (month of) November Oíche Shamhna = Halloween Lá Samhna = first November, All Hallows Lá Sean-Samhna = 12th November
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	Samhain [ˈsãũ.ɪn̪ʲ] = All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day An t-Samhain [ən̪ tãũ.ɪn̪ʲ] = November Oidhche Shamhna = Halloween bó-Shamhna = Halloween cow (cow killed at Halloween for a winter supply of beef) samhnag [sãũnag] = Halloween bonfire samhnair [sãũnɛrʲ] = Halloween guiser/mummer
Manx (Gaelg)	Sauin [ˈsoːɪnʲ] = November, Hollantide Souney = All Hallow’s Day, Hollantide Day Laa Souney = November Mee Houney = November Oie Houney = All Hallow’s Eve, Hallowe’en, Hollandtide Eve, Hop tu Naa veih Sauin gys Boaldyn = long-winded (from Samhain to Beltane) cro souney = horse chestnut

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *sem- (together, one), or from the Proto-Celtic *samo- (summer) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	callan = calends
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	callann = calends, first day of the month
Irish (Gaeilge)	caileann = calends Lá Caille = New Year’s Day
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cailindha = calends (of a month)
Manx (Gaelg)	Caillyn = calends
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kalan = first day of the year, New Year’s day, first day of each month, calends Kalan Gayaf = All hallows’ day, All Saints’ day, first of November
Welsh (Cymraeg)	calan [ˈkalan/ˈkaːlan] = first day of the year, New Year’s day, first day of each month, calends Calan Gaeaf = All hallows’ day, All Saints’ day, first of November nos Galan Gaeaf = Halloween calannig [kaˈlɛnɪɡ/ˈklɛnɪɡ] = gift given at New Year, (Christmas) present
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	calan = the calends, first day of the month Calan gauav = first November Deu halan gûav = All Saints’ Day, the calends of winter Dydh Calan = New Year’s Day
Cornish (Kernewek)	kalan = calends, first of the month Kalan Genver = New Year’s Day Kalan Gwav = All Hallows Dy’ Halan Gwav = Saint Allan’s Day, Feast of Saint Allan (day of the first day of winter) Nos Kalan Gwav = Allantide (eve of the first day of winter)
Middle Breton	kaland = calends kal, kala = first day of the month kala-bloaz = first day of the year kala-goañv = first November kal-ar-goañv, Kalar goan, kal ar goañ = All Saints’ Day, first November
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kala = calends, first day of the month kala-bloaz = first day of the year kala-goañv, Kalan Goañv = first November

Etymology: from the Vulgar Latin calandae (calends, the first day of the month) from the Latin kalendae (calends, the first day of the month), from calō (I call, announce solemnly, call out) from the Proto-Italic *kalēō from the Proto-Indo-European *kelh₁- (to call, summon) [source].

Words from calendar many languages, including English, come from the same roots, via the Latin calendārium (account book, debt book) [source].

Details of Celtic traditions associated with this time of year:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain
https://ga.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lá_Samhna
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hop-tu-Naa
https://gv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hop-tu-Naa
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween
https://cy.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gŵyl Calan Gaeaf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allantide

Peace and Fairies

18th October 202218th October 2022 By Simon

Today we are giving peace a chance in Celtic languages, and visiting some fairy mounds.

A oes heddwch? (Is there peace?)

Proto-Celtic	sedom = tumulus, peace sīdos = tumulus, peace, mound (inhabited by fairies)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	síd = fairy mound, fairy, wondrous, enchanting, charming, delightful síde = fairy people, fairies sídach = of a fairy
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	side = fairy mound
Irish (Gaeilge)	sí [ʃiː] = fairy mound síth = peace, peace-offering, appeasment, pardon, forgiveness síthe = fairy, bewitching, enchanting, deceptive, delusive síofrach = elfin, fairy-like síog = fairy sián = fairy mound bean sí = banshee, fairy woman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sìth [ʃiː] = fairy, peace, (fairy) hill, (fairy) mound sìoth [ʃiəh] = peace sìothshaimh [ʃiːhəv] = peacefulness, tranquillity
Manx (Gaelg)	shee = peace; fairy, fairylike, fairy spirt, sprite sheean = fairy hill, knoll, charm, fortune sheeaghan = fairy spirt sheeoil = composed, peaceable, peaceful, peace-loving ben shee = banshee, fairy woman
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	het, hed = peace, tranquillity, calm
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hedd [heːð] = peace, tranquillity, calm, serenity, quiet, dwelling, residence heddgar = peace-loving, peaceable, peaceful heddlu = police (force) heddwas = police officer heddwch = peace, concord, public order and security heddychu = to make or restore peace, be reconciled, become pacified or appeased heddychwr = peacemaker, appeaser, conciliator, pacifist
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hedh = tranquillity, peace hedhwch = peace, quietness, tranquillity hedhy = to peace make, cause quite, tranquillize, rest, cease, stop
Cornish (Kernewek)	hedh = halt, pause, respite
Old Breton	hed = peace
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hezañ, heziñ, hezek = to cease, stop, remain, delay
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hez = peace (?)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *sed- (to sit) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include possibly words for to sit in Celtic languages, and chair, nest, seat and sit 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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Gloves and Sleeves

14th October 202214th October 2022 By Simon

Words for gloves, sleeves and related things in Celtic languages:

Old Irish (Goídelc)	muinchille = sleeve
Irish (Gaeilge)	muinchille = sleeve, sleeving muinchilleach = sleeved
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	manag = glove, mitten muinchill [munuçɪl̪ʲ] = sleeve muinchill-gaoithe = windsock muinchil léine = shirt sleeve ceann-muinchill = cuff
Manx (Gaelg)	muinneel = sleeve, sleeving fent mhuinneel = cuff, shirt cuff, wristband doarn-mhuinneel = cuff
Proto-Brythonic	*maneg = glove, gauntlet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	manec, maneg = glove, gauntlet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	maneg [kruːθ] = glove, gauntlet manegog = gloved
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	maneg = glove
Cornish (Kernewek)	manek = glove manegen = mitten manek blag = gauntlet manek lowarn = foxglove
Breton (Brezhoneg)	maneg = glove, bribe manegoù = gloves, handcuffs maneg-emwalc’hiñ = washcloth maneg-veudek = mitten maneg-houarn = gauntlet maneg-kegin = potholder

Etymology: from the Latin manica (long sleeve of a tunic, manacles, handcuffs), from manus (hand) [source].

Words from the same Latin root include manche (sleeve) in French, manica (sleeve) in Italian, manga (sleeve) in Spanish and Portuguese, and mëngë (sleeve) in Albanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	lámann = sleeve
Irish (Gaeilge)	lámhainn = glove lámhainneoir = glove-maker lámhainneoireacht = glove-making lámhainn iarainn = gauntlet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	làmhainn [l̪ˠãːvɪn̪ʲ] = glove, mitten, gauntlet làmhainneach = pertaining to or abounding in gloves, gloved làmhainnear = glove-maker làmhainnearachd = art or trade of glove-making làmhainnich = to provide with gloves, put gloves on the hands
Manx (Gaelg)	lauean = glove lauean liauyr/yiarn = gauntlet

Etymology: from the Old Irish lám (hand, arm), from the Proto-Celtic *ɸlāmā (palm, hand), the the Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₂meh₂ (palm, hand) [source].

The word lámur (flipper, paw, left hand) In Icelandic and Faroese comes from the same Old Irish root, via Old Norse [source], and words for hand in Celtic languages come from the same Proto-Celtic root [more details].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lámos = sleeve
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lleuys, llawes = sleeve
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llawes = sleeve, edge, strip (of land)

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *ɸlāmā (see above).

Irish (Gaeilge)	miotóg = mitten, glove mitín = mitten
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	miotag [mihdag], meatag [mɛhdag], mògag [mɔːgag], miteag [mihdʲag] = glove, mitten miotagach [mihdagəx] = wearing mittens, having mittens, full of gloves or mittens
Welsh (Cymraeg)	miten, mitin = mitten
Breton (Brezhoneg)	miton = mitten

Etymology: from the English mitten, from the Middle English myteyne (glove, mitten), from the Old French mitaine (fingerless glove, mitten) [source]. The Breton word miton probably comes from the French miton (gauntlet).

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

Flour

6th October 202211th February 2024 By Simon

In this post we’re looking into words for flour and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*mlātos = flour
Gaulish	*blatos = flour
Proto-Brythonic	*blọd = flour
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	blawd, blaỼt = flour
Welsh (Cymraeg)	blawd = flour, meal, powder blawdaidd = mealy, floury, friable blodiaf, blawdiaf, blawdio = to grind into meal, produce flour, become powdery, turn to dust, sprinkle (with) flour blodiwr, blawdiwr = flour or meal merchant
Old Cornish	blot = flour, meal
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	blot, blês = flour, meal
Cornish (Kernewek)	bleus = flour bleus hesken = sawdust bleus leun = wholemeal bleusa = to flour
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	blot = flour
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bleut = flour, powder
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bleud = flour, powder bleudañ = to flour bleudek = floury bleud brazed = wholemeal flour bleud goellet = self-raising flour bleud gwinizh = wheat flour

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ml̥h₂-tó-s, from *melh₂- (to crush, grind) [source]. Words from the same root include melancholy and melanin in English, and μελανός (melanós – black, dark, blue, bruised) in Greek [source].

Old Irish (Góidelc)	men = flour
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	men, min = flour, meal, fine powder, dust
Irish (Gaeilge)	min [ˈmʲɪnʲ/ˈmʲɨ̞nʲ] = meal; powedered matter min choirce = oatmeal min chruithneachta = wheatmeal min sáibh = sawdust
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	min [min] = flour, meal, grounds, filings min-fhlùir = flour min-eòrna = barley flour/meal min-sheagail = rye flour min-chruithneachd = wheat flour muileann-mine = flour mill
Manx (Gaelg)	meinn = meal meinn chorkey = oatmeal meinn churnaght = wheatmeal flour meinn hoggyl = rye meal meinn oarn = barley meal meinn saaue = sawdust

Etymology: unknown

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	peyllyeyt, peillit = flour
Welsh (Cymraeg)	paill = pollen, flour peill(i)aid = flour, fine flour, wheat flour, white flour, powder peilliaid gwenith = (fine) wheat flour peilliaid haidd = barley flour peilliaid rhyg = rye flour

Etymology: from the Latin pollen (fine flower, powder, dust), from the Proto-Indo-European *pel- (flour, dust) [source].

Words from the same roots, via the Latin pulvis (dust, powder, ashes), include polve (dust, ashes) in Italian, polvo (dust, powder) in Spanish, poussière (dust) in French, and pulverise (to render into dust or powder) in English [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	plúr [pˠlˠuːɾˠ] = flour, flower plúr geal = white flour plúr cruithneachta = wheaten flour plúrach = floury, farinaceous; flower-like, pretty plúraigh = to effloresce plúróg = pretty girl plúrscoth = choicest flower, pick, choice plúrú = efflorescence
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	flùr [fl̪ˠuːr] = flour flùr lom = plain flour flùr-éirigh = self-raising flour
Manx (Gaelg)	flooyr = flour flooyr churnaght = wheaten flour grine-flooyr = cornflour
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	fflwr = flour
Welsh (Cymraeg)	fflŵr [fluːr], fflowr = flour (in South Wales) fflŵr can = wheat flour

Etymology: from the Anglo-Norman flur (flower), from the Old French flor (flower), from the Latin flōrem (flower), from flōs (flower, blossom), from Proto-Italic *flōs (flower, blossom), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰleh₃- (flower, blossom) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include flour, flower, flora, blossom and bloom in English, blé (flour) and fleur (flower) in French, and blat (wheat) in Catalan [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Foundations

30th September 202230th September 2022 By Simon

Words for foundation and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*bonus = foundation, base, butt
Gaulish	*bona = foundation, base
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bun [bun] = base, bottom, butt, end
Irish (Gaeilge)	bun [bˠʊnˠ/bˠʌnˠ] = base, bottom; stock, stump; lower end; extremity; basis origin; basic provision; settled state; source, direction; trace bunábhar = raw material; substance, main outlines bunachar = base, foundation bunadh = origin; stock, kind; native inhabitants; fundamental, basic bunaigh = to found, establish bunoscionn = upside down bunú = foundation, establishment bunús = origin, basis, foundation, settlement, substance, essence
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bun [bun] = base, basis, bottom, foot; derivation, origin, source; butt, stub, stump; mouth (of a river) bunach = squat/sturdy person, stumps, stubble bunachar = base, foundation, root bunasach = original, basic, fundamental bunachas = base, foundation, root buntach = stocky, stout, truncated, broken off
Manx (Gaelg)	bun = author, basis, details, origin, original, prime, principle, raw material, stem, stool bunneydagh = authoritative, basic, elemental, firsthand, fundamental, fundamentalist, original, primitive bunneydys = basis, foundation, groundwork, origin, root
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bon = bottom, base
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bôn [boːn] = base, bottom, tree trunk, stump, stem, root bondew = thick-based, fat-bottomed, broad-hipped, short and fat, fat-legged
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ben = stem, base, trunk, butt, end
Cornish (Kernewek)	ben = trunk, base, foot
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ben = mouth of a river

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European **bʰuH- (to be, become) [source]. English words from the same PIE root include to be, moribund and possibly bunny [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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)

Prison

Boots and Shoes

Foreheads

Hooks and Crooks

Up Above

Halloween

Peace and Fairies

Gloves and Sleeves

Flour

Foundations