Houses and Dwellings

19th April 20192nd February 2024 By Simon

Words for house, dwelling and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*tegos = house, dwelling
Gaulish	*attegia = hut
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tech [tʲex] = house tech midchuarta, tech n·óil = banquet hall, drinking hall tech n·othar, tech othrais = hospital tech sét = treasury tech talman = dungeon, underground chamber, vault
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tech, teg = house, dwelling tech mbecc = privy tech cille = church tech ósta = inn, hostelry tech talman = dungeon, underground chamber, vault
Irish (Gaeilge)	teach [tʲax / tʲæːx] = house, habitation, dwelling, public building teachín = small house, cottage teach ceann tuí = thatched house teach gloinne = glass-house, greenhouse teach solais = lighthouse teach spéire = skyscraper teach tábharine = saloon teach beag = latrine, privy teach Dé = God’s house, church, heaven
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	taigh [tɤj] = house taigh-barraide = terraced house taigh-bathair = warehouse taigh-beag = toilet, privy, convenience taigh-bidh = restaurant taigh-òsta = hotel, hostelry taigh-seinnse = pub, public house taigh-tuathanais = farmhouse taighean [tɛhan] = little house taigheadas [tɤjədəs] = residence, housing, housekeeping taigheil [tɛhal] = domestic
Manx (Gaelg)	thie = building, habitation, home, house, residence, homeward, domestic teagh [tʃax] = habitation, house çhaagh [tʃax] = house thieoil = domestic, homely thieoilagh = domestic, domestic servant thie bee = café, restaurant thie beg = small house, lavatory thie lhionney = ale house, beer house, boozer, pub thie oast = hotel, pub, saloon, tavern, inn
Proto-Brythonic	*tɨɣ = house
Old Welsh	tig = house
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	thy, ty = house tyaid, tŷaid, tŷed = houseful, household, family
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tŷ [tɨː / tiː] = house, home, room, cell, chamber tŷ bach = lavatory, toilet tŷ bwyta = restaurant, café (tŷ) tafarn = tavern, public house, pub tyaeth = household, family tyaf, tyo = to provide a house, shelter, house tyaid = houseful, household, family tyaidd, tyol = domestic, family, household
Old Cornish	ti = house
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	chy = house, dwelling
Cornish (Kernewek)	chi, chy [ʧi:] = house chi gweder = greenhouse chi unnik = detached house chi unnleur = bungalow
Old Breton	tig = house
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ty = house, accommodation tyeguez, tieguez = household, farm, family
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ti [ˈtiː] = house, local tiad = household, (large) family tian, tiañ = to move in tiegezh = household, farm, family tiegezhian, tiegezhiañ = to settle down tiekaat = to operate (a farm), to manage (a household)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)teg- (cover, roof) [source], which is also the root of the words stegosaurus, toga, tile and thatch [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, 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

Towns and Tribes

15th April 201910th March 2023 By Simon

Words for dwelling, settlement, town, tribe and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*trebā = dwelling
Gaulish	Atrebates = name of a tribe
Old Irish (Goídelc)	treb = house, farm; household; tribe
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	treb = house, farm; household; tribe
Irish (Gaeilge)	treibh [ˈtʲɾʲɛv] = house, homestead, farmstead; household, family; tribe, race
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	treabh [tro] = farming village treubh [treːv] = tribe
Proto-Brythonic	*treβ [ˈtrɛːβ] = town, settlement
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tref [ˈtrɛːβ] = town, settlement trefad, trevad, treuad, treuat = dwelling(-place), habitation trefan, treuan = small town or city, village, dwelling, abode, manor-house, fort
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tre(f) [treː(v)] = town; town centre; dwelling(-place), habitation, residence, home; house (and surrounding land), homestead, farm, estate, cluster of houses; township; tribe trefad = dwelling(-place), habitation, residence, home, region, domain trefaf, trefu= to dwell, live, settle trefan = small town or city, village, dwelling, abode, manor-house, fort
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tre, trev = dwelling place, homestead, home, town tregva, trigva = dwelling place, habitation trevedic = one from a country village, a country man, rustic
Cornish (Kernewek)	tre [trɛ:/tre:] = farmstead, home, town, village trigva = abode, address, dwelling, resdidence trigys = settled, to reside, live
Old Breton	treff, treb = town, settlement
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tre, trev = town
Breton (Brezhoneg)	trev = town trevour = civil

Etymology: From the Proto-Indo-European *treb- (dwelling, settlement) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root (via Latin) possibly include trobo (beehive, skep) in Galician, and truébanu (beehive, barrel, basket) in Asturian [source].

This is also the root of the archaic English word thorp(e) (a group of houses standing together in the country; a hamlet; a village), which appears in place names such as Milnthorpe and Scunthorpe.

Related words in other languages include Dorf (hamlet, village, town) in German, torp (village) in Danish, torp (farm, cottage, croft) in Swedish, þorp (village, farm) in Icelandic, and trevë (country, region, village) in Albanian [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

Lord, Ruler

9th April 201920th January 2024 By Simon

Words for lord, master, ruler and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	tigerno(s) = lord, master tigernākos = lordly, ruler
Gaulish	Tigernum = placename
Primitive Irish	ᚈᚔᚌᚔᚏᚅ (tigirn) = lord
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tigerna = lord tigernas = lordship
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tigerna = sovereignty, lord, superior, chief tigernach, tigernaide, tigernamail = lordly tigernaid = rules tigernaigid = to rule, dominate tigernas = lordship, dominion, possession, power, dominance tigernatas = lordship, dominion
Irish (Gaeilge)	tiarna [ˈtʲiəɾˠn̪ˠə] = lord, master, ruler tiarnaigh = to rule, dominate tiarnas = lordship, rule, dominion, domain tiarnúil = lordly, masterful, overbearing, domineering, cheeky tiarnúlacht = lordliness, overbearingness, domination, cheekiness aintiarna = despotic lord, tyrant aintiarnas = tyranny bantiarna = lady
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tighearna [tʲi.əɾˠn̪ˠə] = lord, The Lord, laird, chief, ruler, baronet, master, superior tighearnach, tighearnail = lordly, magisterial tighearnas = lordship, dominion, peerage aintighearna = despot, oppressor, tyrant aintighearnas = oppression, tyranny baintighearna = lady
Manx (Gaelg)	çhiarn [ˈtʃaːrn] = laird, lord, peer çhiarnaght = dominion, lordship çhiarnys = domain, domination, dominion, lordship, manor, peerage ben çhiarn = lady
Proto-Brythonic	tɨɣern = lord, ruler tɨɣernọg = lordly, noble
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	teyrn, tegyrn = lord, master teyrneit, teyrneidd, têyrnaidd = monarchical, royal, kinglike, princely, majestic, dignified tyrnas, ternas, teyrnas, teernas, teÿnas = monarchy, kingdom, realm, dominion tyrnasa, tëyrnasa, teyrnasa = to reign (over), rule, govern tëyrnasaidd = monarchical, royal, dignified
Welsh (Cymraeg)	teyrn [teɨ̯rn / tei̯rn] = monarch, sovereign, king, prince, lord, ruler, leader, dictator, tyrant, royal teyrnach, teyrnachaeth = royal line, dynasty teyrnaidd = monarchical, royal, kinglike, princely, majestic, dignified teyrnas = monarchy, kingdom, realm, dominion teyrnasaf, teyrnasu = to reign (over), rule, govern teyrnasaidd = monarchical, royal, dignified
Middle Cornish (Cerenwec)	mychtern = king
Cornish (Kernewek)	machdeyrn = king
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	tiarn, tiern = lord, master *tiarnoc = lordly, noble
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tyèrn, tiern = prince, sovereign
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tiern [ˈtiː.ɛrn] = prince, sovereign

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Celtic *tiger (raid, raiding party) and *-inos (of, pertaining to). *Tigerno(s) may originally have meant something like “the chief of the raiding party” [source].

The name Vortigern from the same roots, as do versions in Welsh, Gwrtheyrn and Breton, Gourziern [source].

More about words for Kings and Queens.

Kings and Queens

2nd April 201914th August 2023 By Simon

Words for king and related things in Celtic languages.

Brian Boru, High King of Ireland (1002-1014) / Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, Ard-Rí ar Éirinn

Proto-Celtic	rīxs/rig- = king
Celtiberian	reikis = king
Gaulish	rīx = king – appears in names like Katurīx, Suādurīx, *Werkingetorīx (Vercingetorix) and Asterix
Primitive Irish	ᚏᚔᚌᚐᚄ (rigas) = (of the) king
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rí [r͈ʲiː] = king rígdae = regal, kingly rígdún = palace
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rí, ríg, rig = king, head, chief rígán = a sub-king, chief rígamail, rioghamhail = royal rígdacht = kingliness, kingly qualities, a kingdom rígda(e) = a royal dwelling place, palace rígrach = = royal, kingly
Irish (Gaeilge)	rí [ɾˠiː] = king, sovereign, monarch ríoga = regal, royal ríora = kings, royal persons, royalty, dynasty
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rìgh [r̪ʲiː] = king banrìgh = queen àrd-rìgh = high king mòr-rìgh = emperor rìoghachadh = reigning, reign rìoghachd = kingdom, realm
Manx (Gaelg)	ree = king reejerey = cavalier, chevalier, king, knight, lord, paladin, prince reeoil = kinglike, monarchy, regal, royal reeaght, reeriaght, riaght, ream = kingdom
Proto-Brythonic	*riɣ [ˈriːɣ] = king
Old Welsh	rig = king
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ri, rhi = king rhiaidd, rhïaidd = regal, royal, noble, generous rieu, riav = king, lord, ruler, chieftain rriawdr, riawdr = lord, ruler, chieftain, God
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhi [r̥iː] = king, prince, lord, ruler, chieftain rhiaidd = regal, noble, aristocratic, dignified rhiau = king, lord, ruler, chieftain rhiawdr = lord, ruler, chieftain, God
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ruy, ruif = king, sovereign, ruler ryal, real = royal, kingly
Cornish (Kernewek)	riel = regal, royal
Old Breton	ri = king
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ri, rí = king

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵs (king, ruler) [source], which is also the root of the German word Reich (empire, realm), and the English suffix -ric, as in bishopric (a diocese or region of a church which a bishop governs) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*rīganī= queen
Gaulish	rigani = queen
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rígan = queen
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rígain, rígan, rígnae = queen, noble lady
Irish (Gaeilge)	ríon = queen, queenly, noble, lady, fair maiden banríon = queen (ban)ríonacht = queenship ríonaí = queenly ríonaigh = to queen (chess)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rìghinn [r̪ʲi.ɪn̪ʲ] = princess (archaic) rìbhinn [r̪ʲiːvɪn̪ʲ] = maid, maiden, girl, Venus, adder, queen (archaic) banrìgh = queen
Manx (Gaelg)	reeven = queen rein = queen ben-rein = queen
Proto-Brythonic	*rriɣėn [r͈iˈɣe̝ːn] = queen
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	riein, riain = (young) woman, girl, damsel, lass, maiden, virgin, queen, noble girl, lady
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhiain = (young) woman, girl, damsel, lass, maiden, virgin, queen, noble girl, lady

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵnih₂ (queen), from *h₃rḗǵs (king, ruler) [source]. Words from the same roots include reine (queen) in French, reina (queen) in Spanish, erregina (queen) in Basque, and regină (queen) in Romanian [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rhỼyf, rwyf, rỼy = king, lord, ruler, chieftain, leader rwyfaỼ, rwyfaỼ = to have dominion over, govern, rule rwyuannus, rhwyvanus = royal, kinglike, governing ruyvenit = prince, king, ruler rhwyfiadur, ruyfadur, rwyfyadur, rỼyfyadur = chief(tain), lord, leader, ruler, protector
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhwy(f) = king, lord, ruler, chieftain, leader rhwyfo = to have dominion over, govern, rule, lead, be ostentatious, live in splendour rhwyfanes = queen, lady rhwyfaniad = reign, government, rule, kingdom rhwyfanus = royal, kinglike, governing rhwyfenydd = prince, king, ruler rhwyf(i)adur = chief(tain), lord, leader, ruler, protector
Old Cornish	ruifanes = queen ruifadur = chief(tain), lord, leader
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ruy, ruif = king, sovereign, ruler ruifanes, ruivanes = a female ruler, queen
Cornish (Kernewek)	ruvanes = queen ruvaneth = kingdom
Old Breton	roe = king
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	roe, roé, roue, rouè = king rouanes, roanez, rouanés = queen rouantelez, roeantelez = kingdom roueel = royal roueeler = royalist roueelezh = royalty roueelouriezh = royalism roueoni = reign
Breton (Brezhoneg)	roue = king rouanez = queen rouantelezh = kingdom, monarchy roueel = royal roueelezh = royalty roueelouriezh = royalism

Etymology: from Old French roi (king), from Latin rēgem (king, ruler, despot, tyrant), from Proto-Italic *rēks (king), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵs (king, ruler) [source].

Words from the same Latin root include re (king) in Italian, roi (king) in French, viceroy in English and rey (king) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*brigantīnos = (someone) pre-eminent, outstanding
Proto-Brythonic	*brɨɣėntin [brɨɣe̝nˈtiːn] = lord, king
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	breenhin, breennin, breyenhin, brenhin = king brenhynes, brenhines = queen, goddess, queen bee brenineiziaw = to become kingly brenhynyaeth, brenhinyaeth = royalty, kingship, reign
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brenin [ˈbrɛnɪn / ˈbreːnɪn] = king, sovereign, monarch, head of region brenineiddio = to make/become regal/kingly, make (sb) a king breninesaidd = queen-like, queenly breninesol = queen-like, queenly, pertaining to a queen breningarol = royalist breniniaethu = to reign, govern breninoldeb = kingship, royalty brenhines = queen, goddess, queen bee brenhiniaeth = royalty, kingship, reign, government
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	brentyn, bryntyn = privileged, sovereign, noble, excellent
Cornish (KerneweK)	bryntin, brentin = grand, great, noble, splendid, superb
Old Breton	brientin, brientinion = king
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	brientin = aristocrat brientinelezh = aristocracy
Breton (Brezhoneg)	brientin = aristocrat brientinel = aristocratic brientinelezh = aristocracy brienteg, brientek = privileged brientekaat = to favour briental = royalties

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰérǵʰonts (high), from *bʰerǵʰ- (to rise up, ascend) [source].

From the same Proto-Celtic root, , we get the tribal name *Brigantī (Brigantes – a Celtic tribe that occupied much of what is now northern England), Brigantia (a Celtic goddess of victory, and the territory of the Brigantes), the name Bridget, the Irish name Bríd, the Scottish Gaelic name Brìghde, the Manx name Breeshey, and the placenames such as Bragança (a city in northeastern Portugal), Bregenz (a city in western Austria) and Brianza (a city in northern Italy), [source].

English words from the same PIE root include bourgeois, burrow, fort and maybe burgler [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mechdeyrn, mychdeyrn, machdeyrn = king, lord, monarch, emperor mechteyrnged, mychteyrnged = tribute due to an overlord from an inferior lord
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mechdeyrn, mychdeyrn, machdeyrn = king, lord, monarch, emperor, God, tributary prince, viceroy mechdeyrnged, mychdeyrnged = tribute due to an overlord from an inferior lord
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	mychtern = sovereign, king mychternes = queen mychterneth = sovereignity, dominion, royalty, kingdom
Cornish (Kernewek)	myghtern, metern [mɪx’tɛrn] = king, monarch myghternes, meternes = monarch, queen myghterneth, meterneth = kingdom myghternses, meternses = kingship, monarchy
Old Breton	machtiern = king

Etymology: from Welsh mach (surety, guarantor, sponsor, hostage) and teyrn (sovereign, monarch, king) [source].

Source: Gerlyver Kernewek, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru

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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Cowherd, boy, child

25th March 201929th October 2022 By Simon

Words for cowherd, boy, child and related people in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*boukolyos = cowherd
Old Irish (Goídelc)	búachaill [ˈbuːa̯xil͈ʲ] = cowherd, herder, herdsman
Irish (Gaeilge)	buachaill [ˈbˠuəxɪlʲ] = boy, young unmarried; herdboy, herdsman; man-servant, male employee; lad buachailleacht = herding (cattle)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	buachaille, buachaill [buəçɪl̪ʲ(ə)] = herder, herdsman, cowherd, shepherd, youth buachailleachd [buəxɪl̪ʲəxg] = herding, watching cattle, invigilation buachailleadh [buəxɪl̪ʲəɣ] = to herd, watch cattle buachailleach [buəxɪl̪ʲəx] = pastoral
Manx (Gaelg)	bochilley = shepherd, herdsman bochillagh = herd, pastoral bochillaghey = to herd bochillaght = drove, herd, look after, shepherd, pastoral
Proto-Brythonic	*bʉgöl [bʉˈɡøːl] = herdsman
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	blucelid, bukeyl, bugeil = herdsman, shepherd
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bugail [ˈbɪɡai̯l / ˈbiːɡai̯l] = herdsman, shepherd, guardian, keeper, leader, defender; bishop, priest, pastor, minister bugeil(i)aeth = pastoral care, shepherd’s watch, pastorate, ministry bugeilio = to shepherd, tend cattle, watch, keep guard, act as a pastor, minister bugeil(i)aidd = pastoral, pertaining to a shepherd, shepherdly, ministerial
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bugel, begel, bigel, bygel = herdsman, shepherd, pastor
Cornish (Kernewek)	bugel = pastor, shepherd bugeles = pastor, shepherd(ess) bugelya = to herd
Middle Breton	bugel, buguel, bugale = child, shepherd bugelek = childlike, childish bugelel = infantile bugelez = shepherdess, herdswoman bugeliañ = to keep, guard (animals)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bugel = child

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European gʷowkólos, from *gʷṓws (cow) and *kʷel- (to revolve, move around, sojourn) [source]. English words from the same roots include beef, bovine, bucolic, buffalo, butter and cow [source].

Here’s the Irish song Buachaill On Eirne (Boy from the Erne):

Here’s the Irish folk song Na Buachaillí Álainn (The Beautiful Lads):

Both songs are sung by Clannad, whose name comes from the same roots as the words below, and who get me interested in learn Irish songs and language.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cland [klan͈d] = children, family, offspring, plant clannmar [ˈklan͈ṽar] = prolific
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	clann = plant, planting, off-shoot, produce, children, family, offspring, descendents, race, clan clannach = having many children, prolific, fruitful, productive, abundant
Irish (Gaeilge)	clann [kl̪ˠɑun̪ˠ/kl̪ˠɑːn̪ˠ/kl̪ˠan̪ˠ] = children, offspring, race, descendents, clan, followers, plant, lock (of hair) clannach = having many children, prolific, luxuriant clannaigh = to plant, procreate, luxuriate clannú = procreation planda [pl̪ˠaun̪ˠd̪ˠə] = plant, scion plandaigh = to plant plandáil = plantation plandóg = shapely, comely woman; young plant
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	clann [kl̪ˠaun̪ˠ] = children, offspring, progeny, clan, lock of hair, curl clannail [kl̪ˠan̪ˠal] = fruitful, prolific, abounding in locks, curls, curly, shining, sleek, luxurious clanmhor [kl̪ˠãũn̪ˠvər] = fruitful, prolific plannt [pl̪ˠãũn̪ˠd] = plant
Manx (Gaelg)	cloan [klɔːn] = children, descendent, family circle plant = plant plantal = to plant
Old Welsh	plant = children, young people, offspring
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	plant = children, young people, offspring
Welsh (Cymraeg)	plant [plant] = children, young people, offspring, progeny, descendents, followers, disciples, servants plentyn = child, young person, etc panta(f) = to beget or bear (children), procreate, breed plantaidd = childlike, innocent
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	plans = plant plansa = to plant
Cornish (Kernewek)	plans = plant plansa = to plant, stick
Middle Breton	plantenn, planten, plantenn = plant, beautiful woman plantenniñ = to take root, to layer planter = planter planterez = planting
Breton (Brezhoneg)	plantenn = plant

Etymology: from the Latin planta (vegetable, sprout, shoot, twig, shrub), possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂- (flat) [source]. English words from the same roots include clan (via Irish and/or Scottish Gaelic) and plant (via Middle and Old English) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Troop, host, throng

19th February 20194th November 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at troop, host, throng and related word in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*slougos = troop, army
Gaulish	*slugi = troop, army
Old Irish (Goídelc)	slóg, slúag = army, host; throng, crowd, company, assembly
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	slúagh = army, host; throng, crowd, company, assembly
Irish (Gaeilge)	slua [sˠl̪ˠuə] = host, force, army; crowd, multitude, throng sluaghán = slogan sluamhar = having large forces, multitudinous slógadh = mobilization, hosting
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sluagh [sl̪ˠuəɣ] = folk, people, populace; the fairy host; crowd sluaghmhor = populous, densely, inhabited sluagh-ghairm = slogan an sluagh cumanta = the common folk sluagh na sìthe = the fairies (poetic) sluagh Innse Fàil = the people of Ireland (poetic)
Manx (Gaelg)	sleih = commonalty, crowd, family, inhabitants, people, populace, public, relations sleih gerrym = slogan
Proto-Brythonic	*lʉɣ [ˈlʉːɣ] = troop
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llu, llv = host, throng, multitude
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llu [ɬɨː / ɬiː] = host, a large number (of people), a great many, multitude, throng, crowd, flock (of birds); army, body of armed men, regiment lluaf, lluo = to throng, crowd, flock together, gather, bring together lluarth = military camp lluarthaf, lluarthu = to pitch camp, encamp, camp heddlu = police
Old Cornish	lu = army
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	lu = a great multitude, host, army
Cornish (Kernewek)	lu [ly: / liˑʊ] = army, military, troop morlu, lu lestri = navy
Old Breton	lu = army
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lu = army morlu = navy
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lu = army aerlu = airforce morlu = navy

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *slowgʰos / *slowgos (entourage), which is also the root of the English word slew [source].

The English word slogan comes from the Scottish Gaelic sluagh-ghairm [ˈsɫ̪uəɣɤɾʲəm] (battle cry) from the Old Irish slóg/slúag (army, host, throng, crowd), and gairm (call, cry, crow, proclamation) [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

Person, people, human

18th February 201922nd July 2022 By Simon

Words for person, people and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*gdonyos = person
Old Irish (Goídelc)	duine [ˈdunʲe] = person duineta = human dóenacht [ˈdoːi̯naxt] = humanity
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	duine = human, human being, man, mankind, person
Irish (Gaeilge)	duine [ˈd̪ˠɪnʲə] = human being, man, mankind, person, people, one duineata = human, kindly duineatacht = humaneness, kindliness duiniúil = human, natural, kindly duiniúlacht = humanity, kindliness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	duine [dɯn̪ʲə] = fellow, person, man, husband, (any)one daonnachd [dɯːn̪ˠəxg] = humanity, charity, benevolence, liberality, hospitality duine-uasal = gentleman
Manx (Gaelg)	dooinney [ˈd̪uːnʲə] = human, man, fellow, husband deiney = human, man, menfolk dooinnalys = humanity, human nature dooinnidaght = humaneness
Proto-Brythonic	*dün [ˈdyːn] = human, person
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	din, dyn = man, human being
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dyn [dɨːn / diːn] = man, human being; person, one, anyone; mankind, the human race; manservant, vassal; manly or competent person dynes [ˈdənɛs] = woman dynegwr, dynegydd = anthropologist dynfarch [ˈdənvarχ] = centaur dyneidd(i)o = to render man-like or human, personify, humanize, civilize, tame, refine dyneiddiol = humanistic, humanitarian, humanizing, civilizing
Old Cornish	den = man, person
Cornish (Kernewek)	den [dɛ:n / de:n] = man, guy, human, person dengerenjedhek, dengerensedhek = humanitarian denladh = homicide, manslaughter denladhyas = assassin, killer, murderer denses = humanity
Old Breton	den / don = man, person
Middle Breton	den = man, person
Breton (Brezhoneg)	den [ˈdẽːn] = human being, person, man, husband

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dʰéǵʰom-yo- (earthling, human), from *dʰéǵʰōm (earth), which is also the root of the English words human, humus and (bride)groom [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	popul [ˈpobul] = people; tribe, nation, inhabitants; folk; populace, crowd
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	popul = people
Irish (Gaeilge)	pobal [ˈpˠɔbˠəlˠ / ˈpˠʌbˠəlˠ] = people, community; parish, congregation; population pobalscoil = community school poblacht = republic poblachtach = republican teach pobail = church, chapel teange an phobail = vernacular
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	poball [pobəl̪ˠ] = folk, people; community; laity, lay people poballach [pobəl̪ˠəx] = popular, populous poblachd [pɔbl̪ˠəxg] = republic
Manx (Gaelg)	pobble = people, population, community, folk, congregation, masses pobbylagh = public, populous pobblaght = republic
Proto-Brythonic	*pobl = people
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pobyl = people
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pobl [ˈpʰɔbl̩ˠ / ˈpʰɔbl̩] = people, public, nation, tribe, crowd, inhabitants pybl = people, the common person, folk poblog = populous, peopled, populated; popular, acceptable; common poblogaeth = population, populousness poblogedig = populated, inhabited poblogeiddio = to popularize poblogi = to populate, people, inhabit; to popularize
Old Cornish	popel = people
Cornish (Kernewek)	pobel = people pobla = to populate poblans = population poblansorieth = demographics poblansoriethek = demographic
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pobl = people, multitude

Etymology: from the Latin populus (people, nation, community), from the Proto-Italic *poplos (army) [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

Trees, Wood(s) & Forests

25th December 201815th September 2023 By Simon

Words for tree, wood and related things in Celtic languages.

There are various words for tree in the modern Celtic languages. In each language the usual word for tree is different and comes from different roots. Only the Cornish and Breton words are cognate. The usual words for tree are: crann (Irish), craobh (Scottish Gaelic), billey (Manx), coeden (Welsh), gwedhen (Cornish) and gwezenn (Breton).

Proto-Celtic	*kʷresnom = tree, wood
Old Irish (Goídelc)	crann = tree crannchor = casting of lots crannda = wooden
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	crann, crand = tree, wood, timber, staff, pole, plank, beam, spearshaft, mast, steering oar, lot, destiny, fate crannach, cranncha = trees, grove, wooded place crannaige, crannaigi = shaft-trimmer, spearsman crannaigid = to cast lots crannán = small spearshaft crannchor, crannchur = casting of lots crannda, cranda = wooden, made of wood, wooded cranngal, crannghal = timber, wooden structure or object, spear (shaft) crannóc, crandoc = wooden structure, wooden drinking-container; basket, wooden lake-dwelling cranntáball = sling, staff-sling
Irish (Gaeilge)	crann [kɾˠaun̪ˠ / kɾˠan̪ˠ] = tree; mast, boom, pole; stock, handle; shaft, beam; stick crannach = stake-fence, forest of spears, arboreal, wooded crannadóir = arboriculturist, tree-climber crannadóireacht = arboriculture, tree-climbing crannail = timbering, timbers, lattice-work, ship’s masts crannán = wooden shaft, handle, wooden vessel, hardening stand (for bread) crannchur = casting of lots, sweepstake, lottery crannlach = brushwood, (withered) stalks, haulm crannmhar = full of trees, timbered, wooded crannóg = piece of wood, pole, wooden frame crannúil = tree-like, arborescent
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	crann [kraun̪ˠ] = mast; plough; beam; lot (in drawing lots); tree (archaic) cranntair = wooden peg/pin crannghail = wooden frame crannach = pertaining to or abounding in masts, ploughs, beams, trees etc crannchur = destiny, lot, draw, lottery crannag = pulpit, crannog, island dun, crosstree crannlach = brushwood, lanky wood, dummy
Manx (Gaelg)	croan = boom, mast, flag pole creenagh = brushwood, wither crannag = dock, heap, desk, pulpit, rostrum, lookout
Gaulish	prenne = big tree
Proto-Brythonic	prenn [ˈprenː] = wood, tree
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pren, prenn = tree, bush, timber, wood prenvol, prenuol, prennol = (wooden) box, chest, coffer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pren [prɛn] = tree, bush, shrub; timber, wood, wooden; piece of wood, wooden stick; cross, gallows, gibbet prenfol = (wooden) box, chest, coffer, case, coffin preniaf, prennaf, prenio, prennu = to bolt (a door), bar, shut (sb) out prensaer = carpenter
Old Cornish	pren = wood
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pren = tree, wood, timber, a piece of wood, a lot prenic = wooden, woody prenne = to fasten with a piece of wood, to bar prennyer = pieces of wood
Cornish (Kernewek)	prenn [prɛn:] = bar, beam, log, timber, (gambling) lot , wooden prenna, predna = to bar, lock prennek = wooden, woody prennlown = plywood prennweyth = woodwork
Old Breton	pren = wood
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pren, prenn, preen = wood prennaff, prena, prenna = to close, block prennet = to lock
Breton (Brezhoneg)	prenn = wood, piece of wood, fastner prennañ = to close, fasten, shut

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kʷres (bush, thicket) [source]. Words from the same roots include hurst (wood, grove – used in placenames, e.g. Lyndhurst) in English, and Horst (eyrie, bush, thicket, small forest) in German [source]

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cráeb / cróeb = tree
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cráeb, craib = branch, bough, sprig, rod, wand, post, tree, bush cráebach, cræbacha = having branches, branchy, branches
Irish (Gaeilge)	craobh = branch, bough; tree craobhach = branches, branched, branching, flowing, spreading craobhaigh = to branch, ramify, expand, spread craobhóg = small branch, twig, sprig, spray, darling
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	craobh [krɯːv] = tree, bush craobhaich = woody, wooded, full of trees, branching, spreading craobhag [krɯːvag] = small tree craobhadair [krɯːvədɪrʲ] = arborist, tree specialist
Manx (Gaelg)	crouw = stock, bush, dwarf tree, stick, bunch, wide spreading tree, tributary of river

Etymology: unknown, possibly from Proto-Celtic krētros (sieve) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*belyom = tree
Gaulish	*bilia [ˈbi.liaː] = tall tree
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bile [ˈbʲilʲe] = tree, especially a large, ancient, sacred one
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bile [ˈbʲilʲe] = (large) tree (esp. an ancient and venerated one), tree trunk, mast, scion, hero bilech = abounding in trees, (well-)wooded bileóc, biléog = leaf, leaflet
Irish (Gaeilge)	bile [ˈbʲɪlʲə] = (large, sacred) tree; scion; distinguished person bileog = leaf, letter of freedom (to marry) bileogach = leafy, laminated biliúil = tree-like, stately
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bile [bilə] = mast; plough; beam; lot (in drawing lots); tree (archaic); cluster of trees, sacred tree/grove bileach = leaf, amount of leaves, leafy tree bileag = blade (of vegetation), board, leaf, leaflet, pamphlet, ticket, label, slip (of paper) bileagach = lipped, billed, bladed, fringed, edged
Manx (Gaelg)	billey = tree, big bush billagh = tree, wooded, woody biljagh = arboreal, wooded billey
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bill, pill = (tree) trunk, stock, log, branch; fortress billwydd = kindling, firewood, sticks, brushwood; joists, laths
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pill [pɪɬ] = (tree) trunk, stock, log, branch, pole, stake, post; fortress, castle, stronghold, refuge, sanctuary, safety, strength, force; snatch of song, verse; still, crib; socket pillwydd = kindling, firewood, sticks, brushwood; joists, laths pillyn = peg
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bilh, bill = a felled tree trunk, log, lumber, timber bilh-koad = chunk of wood
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bill = trunk

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰolh₃yo- (leaf), from *bʰleh₃- (blossom, flower) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Gaulish, include bille (tree trunk, railway sleeper, rolling pin) and billon (a ridge in a ploughed field) in French, bilha (stem, trunk) in Provençal and possibly billa (spigot, faucet, stick) in Galician [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include folio and phyllo / fil(l)o (pastry), phyllomancy (diviniation by leaves) in English, feuille (leaf, sheet) in French, andhoja (leaf, petal, blade) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*widus = wood, trees
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fid = tree, wood, letter in Ogham fidchell = a boardgame similar to chess fidrad = trees, a wood
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fid = tree, wood, timber fidach = wooded, abounding in trees, timber fidchell = a boardgame similar to chess fidrad = trees, a wood, letter (in Oghan)
Irish (Gaeilge)	fiodh = tree, wood, timber fiodhach = abounding in trees, wooded fiodhneimheadh = sacred grove fiodhradh = trees, timbers, letters (literary) ficheall = chess, chess board
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fiodh [fjɤɣ] = wood, timber, wooden, made of wood fidhcheall = Celtic chess fiodhach [fjɤɣəx] = shrubbery, shrubs, cheese press; wooden, ligneous, woody fiodhan = cheese press fiodhrach [fjɤɣan] = timber
Manx (Gaelg)	fuygh = timber, wood fuyghagh, fuyghoil = ligneous, wooden, woody fuyghee = wooden feeal = chess
Proto-Brythonic	*gwɨð [ˈɡwɨːð] = wood, trees
Old Welsh	guid = tree
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guit, guyt, gwyd, gwŷdd = tree(s), forest, woods gvytbuil, gvydbvll = a chess-like boardgame guduit, gwyddfid, gwytuid, gwituid = wood, forest, bush, protective hedge
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwŷdd [ɡwɨːð / ɡwiːð] = tree(s), branches, twigs; forest, woods, shrub(s); lineage, genealogical tree, stock; stem gwyddallt = wooded slope gwyddbwyll = chess; knowledge, learning, science, reason gwyddel = forest, grove, thicket, brake, wilderness gwyddfid = wood, forest, bush, protective hedge
Old Cornish	guit = trees
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwedh, gweydh, gwydh = trees gwedhen, gwedhan = tree gwydhbol = chess
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwydh [gwɪ:ð] = trees gwedhen = tree gwedhek = woodland gwedhlan = arboretum, tree plantation
Old Breton	guid = trees
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	guez, guid, gwyd, gwydh = tree(s)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwez [ɡwe] = trees gwezenn = tree gwezeg = wooded gwezek = abounding in trees gwezboell = chess

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₁weydʰh₁-. (tree, beam) [source]. Words from the same roots include wood in English, vid (firewood, wood) in Swedish, and ved (wood) in Danish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kaitos = wood, forest
Proto-Brythonic	koɨd [ˈkoɨ̯d] = wood, forest argoɨd = surrounding forest
Old Welsh	coit = wood, forest coetlann = copse, grove, woodland, wooded glade
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	coyt, coit, koet, coet, coed = forest, wood, trees coedallt = wooded slope, hillside coedva, koedfa = grove, woodland, forest koedach = shrubs, brushwood coydiawc, coedawc, coedoc = woody, wooded coydiawl, koedolyon = silvan, rustic, wild coet, coedwig, coedwic = forest, wood
Welsh (Cymraeg)	coed [koːɨ̯d / kɔi̯d] = forest, wood, trees; shrubs; timber, pieces of wood coeden [koːɨ̯d / kɔi̯d] = tree coedaidd = silvan, arboraceous, woody, wooden coedallt = wooded slope, hillside coedfa = grove, woodland, forest coed(i)ach = shrubs, brushwood, underwood, withered branches coed(i)af), coed(i)o = to prop or timber a pit or shaft coed(i)og = woody, wooded, abounding with trees, silvan coed(i)ol = pertaining to wood or timber, silvan, rustic, wild coedlan = copse, grove, woodland, wooded glade coedwig = forest, wood argoed = trees, forest, surrounding forest
Old Cornish	cuit = wood, forest
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	coys, coyd, coid = wood, forest
Cornish (Kernewek)	koos [ko:z / ku:z] = forest
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	coat, coet, coët = wood, forest
Breton (Brezhoneg)	koad [ˈkwɑːt] = wood, forest koadadur = afforestation, tree planting koadaj = panelling, woodwork koadeg = wooded, woody koader = to timber, panel, plant trees argoad = groove, copse, wooded

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kayt-/*ḱayt- (forest, wasteland, pasture) [source]. Words from the same roots include heath and heather in English, Heide (heath, heathland, woodland, forest) in German, hed (moor, waste land) in Swedish.

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

To Write

11th December 201828th April 2023 By Simon

Words for writing, script and related things in Celtic languages:

Old Irish (Goídelc)	scríbaid [ˈsʲkʲrʲiːviðʲ] = to write (down), compose
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	scríbaid = to write (down), compose aithscríbaid = rewrites scríbend = the act of writing
Irish (Gaeilge)	scriobh [ʃcɾʲiːvˠ / ʃcɾʲiːw] = to write, fill in, compose; (hand)writing scriobhaí = scribe, amanuensis scríobhneóir = writer, author scríobhneóireacht = writing, penmanship, literary work scríofa = written
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgrìobh [sgrʲiːv] = to write, compose, inscribe sgrìobhadh [sgrʲiːvəɣ] = writing, composing, inscribing, inscription, penmanship, writings, works sgrìobhaiche = scribe, correspondent, writer sgrìobhair = writer, scribe
Manx (Gaelg)	screeu = document, writing; to inscribe, pen, scribe, write screeuee = of writing screeudeyr = scribe, secretary, secretary bird, writer scrudeyr = scribe, secretary screeudeyrys = writing screeuit, screeut, scruit = written
Proto-Brythonic	*skriβenn = writing, something written
Old Welsh	scribenn = writing
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	yscriven, ysgriuen = writing escryuennu, ysgriuennv, sgriuenv = to write
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(y)sgrifen [əsˈɡrɪvɛn / ˈsɡrɪvɛn] = writing, manuscript, inscription, handwriting, letter, document, writ, deed, certificate, bill (y)sgrifenedig = written, recorded, signed (y)sgrifenlyfr = manuscript, writing-book (y)sgrifennaf, (y)sgrifennu, sgwennu = to write, note (down), take a census (y)sgrifennydd = secretary, scribe, clerk, copyist, writer, author (y)sgrifennyddiaeth = orthography, spelling, handwriting ysgrafo = to scratch, claw
Old Cornish	scriuen = writing
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	screfa, scrife = to write screft = scripture scrife = writing scriven = writing, letter, missive scriviniat, scriuinat = writer scrivit, scriut = writing
Cornish (Kernewek)	skrif [skriːf] = document, script, writing, article skrifa = to write, script, writ, writing skrienyas, skrienyades = secretary skrifenyaseth = secretariat skrifer, skrifores = writer skrifwas = clerk
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	skriv, scrihuë = written skrivadenn = something written skrivadur = spelling, way of writing skrivagner = scribe, secretary skrivailher, skrivantour, skrivagnerez = writer skrivañ, skriviñ, skriv = to write
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skrivad = writing skrivadenn = dictation skrivagner = writer skrivañ = to write

Etymology: from Latin scrībō (I write), from Proto-Italic *skreiβō (I carve), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kreybʰ- (to scratch, to tear) [source].

Words from the same roots include scribble, scribe, script, shrift and shrive in English, and scritta (writing, notice, sign) and scrìvere (to write, spell) in Italian [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

To See & To Be

9th December 201828th January 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the verbs to be and to see, and related words, in Celtic languages. This verb is one of the few irregular verbs in the Celtic languages. Different parts of the conjugated forms come from different roots.

Proto-Celtic	*buyeti = to be, become
Gaulish	biiete = to be
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bí [bʲiː] = to be
Irish (Gaeilge)	bí [bʲiː] = to be, exist (conjugation)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bi [bi] = to be, exist (conjugation)
Manx (Gaelg)	bee [biː] = to be
Proto-Brythonic	*bujɨd = to be, become
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bot = to be
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bod [boːd] = to be (conjugation) bodaeth = existence, the state of being, ontology; a being, living creature bodiad = (the state of) being, existence bodiadol = being, existing, present (tense)
Cornish (Kernewek)	bos [ˈbɔːz] = to be, become, exist (conjugation)
Old Breton	bout/bud/but = to be
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bezañ [ˈbe.zɑ̃] = to be (conjugation)

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

Proto-Celtic	*tāti = to be (stative)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	at·tá [atˈtaː] = to be, have
Irish (Gaeilge)	tá [t̪ˠæː] = am/is/are (present tense of the verb bí (to be) in the affirmative form)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tha [ha] = am/is/are (present tense of the verb bi (to be) in the affirmative form)
Manx (Gaelg)	ta [ta] = am/is/are (present tense of the verb bee (to be) in the affirmative form)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tau = to be
Welsh (Cymraeg)	taw [taːu̯ / tau̯] = that, being, existing, present (tense)
Middle Cornish	otte/atta [ˈbɔːz] = that (?)
Old Breton	to = that (?)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *steh₂-(t) (to stand (up)) [source].

Proto-Celtic	weleti = to see wele = see (imperative) *weless = seer, poet
Primitive Irish	ᚃᚓᚂᚔᚈᚐᚄ (velitas) = poet
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fil [fʲilʲ] = am/is/are (present progressive conjunct of at·tá) fili [ˈfʲilʲi] = poet, seer filidecht / filedacht [ˈfʲilʲəð(ʲ)əxt] = poetry, divination
Irish (Gaeilge)	bhfuil [vˠɪlʲ / wɪlʲ] = am/is/are (present affirmative form of the verb bí) níl [n̠ʲiːlʲ] = am not/is not/are not (present negative form of the verb bí) – from ní fhuil file = poet, satirist, scold filíocht = poetry
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bheil [vel] = am/is/are (present affirmative form of the verb bi) chan eil [xan̪ʲ el] = am not/is not/are not (present negative form of the verb bi) filidh [filɪ] = poet, bard, minstrel filidheachd [filɪjəxg] = poetry, versification, rhyming
Manx (Gaelg)	vel [vel] = am/is/are (present affirmative form of the verb bee) cha nel = am not/is not/are not (present negative form of the verb bee) feelee [ˈfʲilʲi] = poet feeleeaght = poetry
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwelet / guelud = to see
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gweld [ɡwɛld] = to see, behold, perceive with the eyes, grasp intellectually, understand, visualize, imagine, view, inspect, interview, visit, inquire (conjugation) gweledydd = seer, prophet, beholder gweledig = in sight, visible, perceptible, seen, perceived anweledig = invisible
Cornish (Kernewek)	gweles [‘gwɛlɛs / ‘gwɛlɐz] = to see (conjugation) gweladow = visible anweladow = invisible
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwelet = to hear, keep an eye on, watch (conjugation) gwelapi = visible disgwel / diwel = invisible rakwelet = to foresee, predict, preview

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wel- (to see). This verb came to mean “there is” in Old Irish and its descendents, but continued to mean to see in the Brythonic languages [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ad-kʷis-o- = to see
Old Irish (Goídelc)	aicci = sees
Irish (Gaeilge)	feic [fʲɛc] = to see
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	faic [fɛçgʲ] = to see, look, behold, observe
Manx (Gaelg)	faik = to see

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kʷey- (to observe), or from *kʷes- (see) [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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)

Houses and Dwellings

Towns and Tribes

Lord, Ruler

Kings and Queens

Cowherd, boy, child

Troop, host, throng

Person, people, human

Trees, Wood(s) & Forests

To Write

To See & To Be