Yellow & Gold

18th October 20184th March 2024 By Simon

Words for yellow and gold and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*bodyos = yellow
Gaulish	Bayos = proper name* Bodyokasses = Baiocasses (a Celtic tribe of Gallia Lugdunensis*)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	buide [ˈbuðʲe] = yellow, yellowness, buttercup, honey, pollen
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	buide = yellow, yellowness, yellow hue buidecán, buigheacan = (egg) yolk buidecht = yellowness buidid = to become yellow buidigid = to make yellow
Irish (Gaeilge)	buí [bˠiː] = yellow, sallow, tan buíbhallach = spotted with yellow buíbhán = light yellow, cream-coloured buíbreac = speckled with yellow buígh = yellow, tan buíochan = yellowing buíochán = jaundice buíochánach = jaundiced buíocht = yellowness, sallowness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	buidhe [bujə] = yellow, golden buidhe-dhonn, buidhe-ruadh = auburn buidhe-shoilleir = amber buidheagan [bujagan] = (egg) yolk buidhich [bujɪç] = ripen (of cereals)
Manx (Gaelg)	buigh, bwee = yellow, jaundiced, tan, sallow, fair headed buighaghey = to yellow, jaundice buighaghey = yellowing, jaundice

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bodyos (yellow) [source]. Related to the English word bay (tree, leaf) ( [source].

Proto-Celtic	*melinos = yellow
Proto-Brythonic	*melino- = yellow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	melen, melin, melyn = yellow, golden, gold; yellow-haired, blond melynu = to be or become yellow or golden melynoc, mylynog = yellowhammer, yellow bunting, goldfinch, linnet melyn wy, melyn wi = yolk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	melyn [ˈmɛlɨ̞n / ˈmɛlɪn] = yellow, golden, (made of) gold; yellow-haired, blond; light-bay (horse); yellow, sallow, livid, or brown (skin); brown (sugar); deadly, implacable, unpleasant melynaf, melynu = to be or become yellow or golden melynaidd = yellowish, golden, sallow melynddu = yellowish-brown, dark yellow, tawny, russet, roan, swarthy, dusky melynog = yellowhammer, yellow bunting, goldfinch, linnet, canary melynwy = yolk
Old Cornish	milin = yellow
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	melyn, melen, milin = yellow, the colour of honey melynoy = egg yolk
Cornish (Kernewek)	melyn [‘mɛlɪn / ‘mɛlən ] = yellow, fair, blonde melyn oy = egg yolk melynrudh = orange, yellowish orange
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	melen = yellow, blonde melen vy = egg yolk
Breton (Brezhoneg)	melen = yellow, blonde melen-vi = egg yolk melenaat = to become / make yellow, to turn blond melenadur = yellowing melenard = a person with a yellow complexion melenin, meleniñ = to yellow

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *mélit (honey) [source], words from the same PIE root include mulch and melleous (pertaining to honey) in English, and words for honey in Celtic and other European languages [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ór = gold ordae = golden
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ór = gold órda, órdae = made of gold, golden, resembling gold
Irish (Gaeilge)	òr [oːɾˠ] = gold óraigh = to gild órbhuí = golden (colour) órbhuille = gold leaf órghréas = (gold) filigree órphlátáilte = gold-plated
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	òr [ɔːr] = gold òir-cheàrd = goldsmith òr-bhuidhe = gold-coloured, auburn òr-ubhal = orange (fruit) òradh [ɔːrəɣ] = gilding, gilt, gold digging òrail / òra [ɔːral/ɔːrə] = gold(en), gilded
Manx (Gaelg)	airh = gold, bullion, gilt oar = gold airhey = to gild; gilt, gilt-edged, golden airh ghlen = pure gold airhoil = auriferous, aurous, looking like gold
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eur, aur = gold(en) eurir, eurha, euraw = to gild, adorn with gold, make golden eureyt, eureit, euraid = golden, brilliant, splendid, glorious, precious
Welsh (Cymraeg)	aur [aɨ̯r/ai̯r] = gold, gold money or coin(s), wealth; gold (colour); gold(en) euraf, euro = to gild, adorn with gold, make golden euraid = golden, brilliant, splendid, glorious, precious euraidd = golden, precious, illustrious, refined, virtuous
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	our = gold ourlyn = silk
Cornish (Kernewek)	owr [ɔʊr] = gold, red-gold owraval = orange owrbesk, owrbysk = goldfish owrek = golden owrlin = silk
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	aour = gold aourek = (deposit of) gold aourfebrer = goldsmith aourin, aouriñ = to brown aourra = to look for gold aourraer = gold panning
Breton (Brezhoneg)	aour = gold aourek = (deposit of) gold aourfebrer = goldsmith aourin, aouriñ = to brown aourra = to look for gold aourraer = gold panning

Etymology: from Latin aureus (gold, golden, gilded), from aurum (gold), from Proto-Italic *auzom (gold), from PIE *h₂é-h₂us-óm (gold), from *h₂ews- (to dawn, become light, become red). Words from the same PIE roots include air, aura, auriferous (gold-bearing), aurora, Australia, and east in 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

Silver & Money

18th October 201827th February 2024 By Simon

Words for silver, money and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*argantom = silver
Gaulish	*arangto- / argantom** = silver
Celtiberian	arkanta / arkato- = silver
Old Irish (Goídelc)	argat [ˈarɡad] = silver, money airgdide = silver
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	argat = silver, currency, money airgdide = (made of ) silver airgetlach = mine
Irish (Gaeilge)	airgead [ˈaɾʲɪɟəd̪ˠ / ˈæɾʲɪɟəd̪ˠ] = silver, money, sum of money airgeadaí = financier airgeadaigh = to silver, electroplate airgeadaíocht = monetary policy, management airgeadas = finance airgeadóir = cashier, (bank) teller airgeadra = currency airgeadúil = silvery, financial, moneyed, profitable
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	airgead [ɛrʲɛgʲəd] = money, silver, cash, currency airgead-beò = mercury (Me), quicksilver airgead-làimhe = cash airgead-urrais = insurance airgeadach [ɛrʲɛgʲədəx] = silver(y), well-off, moneyed, lucrative airgeadachadh = silvering, silverplating, monetizing airgeadaichte [ɛrʲɛgədɪçdʲə] = silvered airgeadas [ɛrʲɛgʲədəs] = finance airgeadra [ɛrʲɛgʲədrə] = currency
Manx (Gaelg)	argid = money, silver, coinage, wages, finance, exchequer argidagh = fiscal, moneyed, financier, (the) rich, silver(ed) argidaghey = silver, silver plate argid-roie, argid cadjin = currency argideyr = cashier, financier, teller argidoil = financial, monetary argidys = finance
Proto-Brythonic	*arɣant [arˈɣant] = silver, money
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	argant = silver
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	aryant, ariant, arian = silver arandûy, ariandy = bank arianllais = (having) a clear or melodious voice or sound arianna, aryanna = to collect or accumulate money, beg for (money) ariannu = to give money to, fund, finance aryanheyt, areanneit, aryaneit = silvered, silver-plated, make of silver, silvery, wealthy, rich, moneyed ariannog = wealthy, rich, moneyed, silver(y)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	arian [ˈarjan] = silver, silvery; silver vessel; money, coin(s), coinage, currency, wealth arianllais = (having) a clear or melodious voice or sound arianna = to collect or accumulate money, beg for (money) ariannaf, ariannu = to give money to, fund, finance, silver, inlay, plate ariannaid = silvered, silver-plated, make of silver, silvery, wealthy, rich, moneyed arianneg = financial management, finance Ariannin = Argentinia, Argentinian ariannog = wealthy, rich, moneyed, silver(y) ariannwr, ariannydd = cashier, financier, banker, sponsor
Old Cornish	argan, arʒant, argans = silver
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	archans, arhans, arrans = silver
Cornish (Kernewek)	arghans [‘arhans / ‘ærhɐnz] = money, silver arghans bew/byw = quicksilver arghansek = financial, silvery arghanser, arghansores = banker arghans-gweres = subsidy arghanti = bank Arghantina = Argentina
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	argant = silver
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	archant = silver
Breton (Brezhoneg)	arc’hant [ˈar.ɣãnt] = silver, money arc’hantadur = silvering arc’hantaj = silverware arc’hantan, arc’hantañ = to silver, realize (in money), capitalize, sponsor, convert arc’hantek = silver (adj) arc’hanter = silverer arc’hantiri = silverware arc’hantus = money-producing, lucrative, capitalizable

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₂erǵn̥tom (silver), from *h₂erǵ- (white, glittering) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include Argentina and argentous (of, pertaining to or containing silver) in English, արծաթ (arcatʿ – silver) in Armenian, argento (silver) in Italian, argent (silver, money, cash) in French [source].

Sweet

16th October 201823rd February 2024 By Simon

Words for sweet and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	melissis, melisti = sweet
Old Irish (Goídelc)	milis [ˈmʲilʲisʲ] = sweet
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	milis = sweet, fresh (water)
Irish (Gaeilge)	milis [ˈmʲɪlʲɪʃ] = sweet, tender, tasty, fresh (water); honeyed (words), flattering milisbhriathrach = sweet-spoken, honey-tongued milisín = sweet morsel milseán = sweet, bonbon, candy; sweet dish, dessert milseog = dessert; sweetheart, darling milsigh = to sweeten uisce milis = sweet/fresh water teange mhilis = flattering tongue
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	milis [milɪʃ] = sweet; melodious, musical; flattering aran-milis = gingerbread baine milis = sweet milk, condensed milk buntàta milis = sweet potato, yam coirce-milis = sweet corn, maize slaman-milis = jelly
Manx (Gaelg)	millish = sweet, darling, sugary, dulcet, honeyed, luscious, fruity, balmy bee millish = sweetmeat, sweet feddan millish = recorder, fipple flute fooillagh millish = trifle slumm millish = jelly ushtey millish = fresh water focklyn millish = honeyed words
Proto-Brythonic	*melɨs = sweet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	melis, melys = sweet, pleasant-tasting, delicious meledic = sweetened with honey melysvwyt, melysvwyd, melys-fwyd = sweet food, sweet dish, delicacy, dainty food, sweetmeat, dessert melûsrwyth, melyssrwydd = sweetness, sweet or delicious taste
Welsh (Cymraeg)	melys [ˈmɛlɨ̞s/ˈmeːlɪs/ˈmɛlɪs] = sweet, pleasant-tasting, delicious, tasty; not salty, fresh (water); delightful, agreeable, pleasant, charming; sweet-sounding, euphonious, melodious; sweet-smelling, fragrant dant melys = sweet tooth pethau melys = sweets tatws melys = sweet potato melysaf, meluso = to sweeten, mitigate, alleviate melysaidd, melusaidd = rather sweet, delightful, agreeable melyfwyd, melusfwyd = sweet food, sweet dish, delicacy, dainty food, sweetmeat, dessert melyfwyd, melusfwyd = sweet, delicious, delightful, agreeable, pleasant, melodious, fond of sweet food or drink, greedy, voracious melysrwydd, melusrwydd = sweetness, sweet or delicious taste, melodiousness, fondness for delicate food
Cornish (Kernewek)	melys [‘mɛlɪs/’mɛləʃ] = very sweet, honeyed kleves melys = diabetes
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	milis = honeyed
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	milis = honeyed, sweetish, sneaky
Breton (Brezhoneg)	melis, milis = honeyed

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *mélid (honey)), which is also the root of the English words mildew and mulch [source].

Proto-Celtic	*su̯eko-s = to smell (good)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	chwech = sweet wech, chweg, chwec = sweet, lucious, pleasant, comely
Welsh (Cymraeg)	chwech [χweːχ/hweːχ] = sweet chweg = sweet, lucious, pleasant, comely chwegaidd = sweetish chwegrwydd = sweetness, lusciousness
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hwec, hwecah, hweg, hwêg, whêk = sweet, pleasant, dear hwecter, whecter = sweetness, pleasantness, suavity, delight hwegol, whegol = dear
Cornish (Kernewek)	hweg = sweet, dear, gentle, kind, nice, pleasant, pleasing hwegednow, hwegnnow = candy hwegen = darling, pet, lozenge, sweet hwegoll = darling, delightful, sweetest hwegys = sweetcorn, maize hweg-oll = darling, delightful, sweetest ys hweg = sweetcorn, maize
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	huec = sweet, delicate
Breton (Brezhoneg)	c’hwek [xweːk] = soft, suave, sugar, delicious, exquisite, pleasant c’hwekaat = to sweeten c’hwekted [ˈxwek.tet] = softness, suavity c’hwekter = delicacy mel c’hwek = sweet honey gwin c’hwek = sweet wine

Etymology: unknown

The usual Breton word for sweet is dous, which probably comes from the Old French dous (soft, tender), form the Latin dulcis (sweet, fragrant, melodious), from the Proto-Indo-European *dl̥kú- (sweet) [source].

Honey

15th October 201823rd February 2024 By Simon

Words for honey in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*meli(t) = honey
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mil = honey
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mil, mel = honey criathar mela = honeycomb
Irish (Gaeilge)	mil [mʲɪlʲ] = honey militeach = honey-eating miliúil = honey-like, honeyed beach mheala = honey bee blas meala = taste of honey, delicious taste briathra meala = honeyed words broc meala = honey badger ceo meala = honey dew cíor mheala = honeycomb lá meala = delightful day mí na meala = honeymoon chomh milis le míl = as sweet as honey
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mil [mil] = honey mil an fhraoich = heather honey mil-dheoch = mead mil air do bheul! = that’s wonderful/excellent news! (“honey on your mouth”) teillean-meala = honey bee cho milis ris an t-siùcar / cho milis ris a’ mhil = as sweet as honey
Manx (Gaelg)	mil [mɪl] = honey mill freoaie = heather honey mill kerey = comb honey mill freoaie = heather honey cha millish as mill = as sweet as honey
Proto-Brythonic	mel = honey
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	mel = honey
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mel, mêl = honey meledic = sweetened with honey
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mêl [meːl] = honey, nectar mêl ar ei frechdan/fara = source of pleasure (“honey on his sandwich/bread”) mêl ar ei fysedd = schadenfreude (“honey on his fingers”) mêl grug = heather honey mêl gwyllt = wild honey dil mêl = honeycomb gwenynen mêl = honey bee mis mêl, melfis = honeymoon melaf, mela, melu = to gather nectar to make honey, to sweeten (with honey) melaidd = sweet, honey-like meledig = sweetened with honey
Old Cornish	mel = honey
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	mel, mêl = honey melder = sweetness
Cornish (Kernewek)	mel = honey melder = darling, sweetness, love
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	mel, mèl, meel, mil = honey
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mel [meːl] = honey, compliments mela = to look for honey, honeydew meladour = honey merchant melek = honeyed meler = honey maker

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *mélid (honey), which is also the root of the English words mildew and mulch [source].

Blue / Green / Grey

12th October 20185th June 2024 By Simon

Words for blue, green, grey and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*glastos = green, blue
Gaulish	*glastom = green, blue
Old Irish (Goídelc)	glas [ɡlas] = green, greenish (esp of growing things); blue, green-blue, grey-blue; metallic (colour); ice/frost colour; grey; wan (complexion); bluish, livid, discolored; faded
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	glas = green, greenish (esp of growing things), blue, greenish blue, greyish blue, wan (complexion), livid, discoloured, faded (of garments) glasaid = to grow pale or livid, to become yellow, to make green glase = greenness, blueness, steel-colour
Irish (Gaeilge)	glas [ɡlˠasˠ] = green (grass, politics), grey (horses, cloth, eyes), blue, pale, pallid, immature, unseasoned, raw inexperienced glasaigh = to become green, sickly, grey, raw or chill, to make green glasra = green, garden, stuff, vegetable, vegetation glasrachán = pale, sickly-looking, person. glasta = shiny, glossy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	glas [gl̪ˠas] = grey-green, pale, wan, sallow, green, unripe glasadh, glasachadh = greying, dawning glasail [gl̪ˠasal] = greyish, pale, wan glasraich [ɡl̪ˠasrɪç] = vegetable(s), greens glasraichear [ɡl̪ˠasrɪçər] = vegeratian
Manx (Gaelg)	glass = green (of nature), verdant, soft, pale, pasty, ashen (colour), grey (of animal), raw, unfledged, sappy, callow (of youth) glassrey = vegetable, to vegetate glassoil = greenish glassaghey = greying, pale
Proto-Brythonic	*glas = green, blue
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	glas, glâs = blue, greenish blue, sea-green glasu, glassu = to (turn) pale, turn grey, burnish, polish glasỽellt, glaswellt = grass, green grass or pasture glaswyn, glaswen = light blue, pale blue
Welsh (Cymraeg)	glas [ɡlaːs] = blue, azure, sky-blue, greenish blue, sea-green, green, grass-coloured, bluish green, verdant, unripe (of fruit), greyish-blue, slate-coloured, livid, pallid, pale, grey, silver glasaf, glasu = to (turn) pale, turn grey, burnish, polish glasddu = dark blue, deep blue, violet glasgoch = blue tinged with red, purple, violet, puce glaswellt = grass, green grass pr pasture glaswelltir = glassland, pasture glaswyn = light blue, pale blue
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	glas, glâs = blue, azure, sky coloured, gray, ash coloured, verdant, green glase = to become blue, to grow pale, to be green, to flourish glasygyon = a green, green plot
Cornish (Kernewek)	glas [ɡla:z /ɡlæ:z] = blue, green, grey, sea colour glasdu = dark blue glasik = blueish glasneth = vegetation, uncultivated land glasrudh = blueish purple, purple, violet glaswr, glaswyrdh = sea green, turquiose glaswyn = light blue, sky blue
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glas = blue, green, azure
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glas/glaz [ɡlɑːs] = blue, green (nature), grey (horse), raw & salty, fresh, bitter, pale glasaat = to green, freshen up glasded = greenness glasdu = dark blue glasvez = greenery glaswenn = light blue

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰl̥h₃stós, from *ǵʰelh₃- (to flourish, green, yellow) [source]. Words from the same roots include chlorine, gall, gild, glow, gold, yellow in English, gul (yellow) in Danish, Norwegian and Swedish, and words for clean and pure and words for white, bright and fawn in Celtic languages [source].

Old

7th October 201823rd December 2023 By Simon

Words for old and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*senos = old
Gaulish	*senos = old
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sen = old, ancester, old person, sendatu = longevity, old age senóir = elder, old person, senior senórdacht = elderliness, old age sentonn = old woman sentu = old age
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sen = old, ancient, long-standing, ancestor sendatu = old age, long life senóir, seanóir = senior, elder, old person senórdacht, senordacht = old age, seniority sentonn, sentuinne, sentain = old woman sentu = old age
Irish (Gaeilge)	sean [ʃanˠ] = old, aged, mature; senior, ancestor; long-established, old fashioned; great, exceeding seanaimsir = old times seanaois = old age seanársa = primitive seanda = old, aged, ancient, antique, stale seanóir = old person, senior, elder
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sean [ʃɛn] = old, aged, elderly; former seanachd [ʃɛnəxg] = ancientness, oldness seanair [ʃɛnɪrʲ] = grandfather, elder, ancestor seanmhair [ʃɛnɛvɪrʲ] = grandmother, grandma seannda [ʃãũndə] = ancient, old-fashioned seanndaidh [ʃãũn̪ˠdɪ] = ancient, old-fashioned, infirm, frail seantaidh [ʃan̪ˠdɪ] = primeval, primitive, shanty
Manx (Gaelg)	shenn = old, stale, aged, former, time-fusty, inveterate, ancient, vintage, veteran, old-established, olden, antiquarian, worn, elderly, consecrated, archaic, ex, senile, long-standing shennaghys = annals, antiquity, history, story-telling, tradition shennayr, shaner = ancestor, father, forebear, grandfather shenndeeagh = ancient, historical
Proto-Brythonic	*hen = old
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hen = old henadur, henadûr = alderman, elder, presbyter, (church) father, senior in rank henv, henu, hena = to grow old or decrepit, weaken, deteriorate, fail henaidd = oldish, old, aged, ancient, archaic, antiquated heneint, henaint = old age, oldness, antiquity, the aged
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hen [heːn] = old, aged; ancient, antique, pristine, former; inveterate, chronic; original; senior, elder; stale, mouldy, musty, fusty henadur = alderman, elder, presbyter, (church) father, senior in rank henaf, henu = to grow old or decrepit, weaken, deteriorate, fail henaidd = oldish, old, aged, ancient, archaic, antiquated henaint = old age, oldness, antiquity, the aged
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hen, hén, hên = old, ancient, antique hendas = grandfather hengog = great great grandfather
Cornish (Kernewek)	hen [hɛ:n / he:n] = old, archaic, long-standing henavek, henavoges = elder(ly), senior, older hendas = ancestor, forefather hendedhyow = the olden days hendheskonieth = archaeology henedh = generation hengov = tradition henlavar = proverb
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hen = old, ancient henaff = elder, senior henavelezh = birthright, right of primogeniture
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hen = old, ancient henadur = = archaism henamzer = antiquity henañ = elder, senior henanded = primogeniture henavelezh = birthright, right of primogeniture

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *sénos (old) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include senate and senior in English, sens (ancient, old) in Latvian, sẽnas (old) in Lithuanian [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

Young

7th October 201818th November 2023 By Simon

Words for young in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*yowankos = young
Gaulish	Iouinca = name (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	óc [oːɡ] = young, young man, warrior ócbad = young people, youths óclach = young man, warrior, servant
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	óc = young, young man, warrior, poet ócbad, ócbud = young folk, youths, youth óclach, ócleach = young man, warrior, attendant, servant, vassal
Irish (Gaeilge)	óg [oːɡ/ɔːɡ] = young (person, animal, bird), youth, junior, minor, new, fresh, early ógánach = young man, youth, crafty person, boyo, trickster óigeanta = youthful, youthful-looking óigeantacht = youthfulness óglach = young man, (young) warrior), attendant, servant, vassal, volunteer óglachas = manhood, warriorship, armed service, vassalage ógra = young people, youths
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	òg [ɔːg] = young, youthful ògail [ɔːgal] = adolescent, youthful ògalachd [ɔːgəl̪ˠəxg] = youthfulness, youth, youthful conduct ògan [ɔːgan] = tendril, twig, seedling, lambkin òganach [ɔːganəx] = youth, young man, bough òganta [ɔːgən̪ˠdə] = juvenile
Manx (Gaelg)	aeg [ɛːɡ] = young, adolescent, immature, juvenile aegey = young, juvenile aegid = adolescence, immaturity, young people, youth aeglagh = adolescent, juvenile, young ones, youth aegoil = youngish, youthful
Proto-Brythonic	*jowank = young
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ieuangc, yeueing, yeuejg, yefeink, ieuanc, ieueinc = young, juvenille, unmarried ieu, iau = younger yeuhaf, yeuaw, ieuhaf, ieuaf = (the) youngest euectyt, euenctit, ieuegtit, ieuengtit = youth, adolescence
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ifanc [ˈɪvaŋk / ˈiːvaŋk] = young, youthful, adolescent; inexperienced, immature; recent; unmarried, newly wed iau, ieuach, ifach = younger, not as old ieuaf, i(e)faf = (the) youngest, the younger (of two), junior ieuant = young person, youth, adolescence ieuenctid = youth, adolescence
Old Cornish	iouenc, youonc = young
Middle Cornish	yowync, iouenc, youonc = young, youthful yonc = young, youthful, juvenile yowyncneth = youth, youthfulness
Cornish (Kernewek)	yowynk, yonk [‘jɔwɪŋk/jɔˑŋk] = juvenille, young, youthful yowynka, yonka = younger yonker, yonkores = youngster, youth yowynkneth, yonkneth = youth
Middle Breton	youanc, ioanc, iouanc = young yaouancquat, youancat, youanchat = to rejuvenate yaouanctet, iaouanctet = youth(fulness)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yaouank = young yaouankaat = to rejunvenate yaouankadur = rejunvenation yaouank(t)iz = youth yaouankted = youth(fulness)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂yuh₁n̥ḱós (young), from *h₂yéwHō (young), from *h₂óyu (long time, lifetime) [source].

Words from the same roots include young and youth in English, jeudg (youth) in Dutch, Jugend (youth) in German, jeune (young) in French and joven (young(ster), youth(ful), young person) in Spanish [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

Fresh & New

7th October 20182nd January 2023 By Simon

Words for fresh and new in Celtic languages.

Words for new in Celtic languages

Proto-Celtic	*ɸūros = new
Old Irish (Goídelc)	úr = fresh, new
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	úr = fresh, new, bright, noble, generous, fair, active, recent
Irish (Gaeilge)	úr [uːɾˠ] = fresh; free, liberal, moist úrach = green timber úraigh = to freshen, scour, cleanse, become moist, damp úras = new milk úrchneasach = fresh-complexioned
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ùr [uːr] = new, fresh ùrachadh = refreshing, renewing, renovating, renewal ùr-ghnàthaich = innovative, innovatory ùr-ghnàthaichear = innovator ùrad = degree of newness, novelty
Manx (Gaelg)	oor = new, sweet, novel, sappy, crisp, span, fresh, hour, raw ooragh = hourly, refreshing ooraghey = to freshen, purify, refresh, relieve, sweeten ooraghtoil, oorey = refreshing
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ir [iːr] = verdant, green, juicy, sappy, moist, succulent, not withered, not dried up or coagulated, fresh, undried; mild; alive, thriving, lively, vigorous; new, fresh, young, unripe iraidd = fresh, verdant, green, juicy, sappy, moist, liquid
Cornish (Kernewek)	yr [ɪ:r/iːr] = fresh

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *puHrós (wheat), possibly from *pewH- (to be clean, pure) [Source].

Words from the same PIE roots include pure in English, პური (ṗuri – bread, wheat) in Georgian, and պուրի (puri – a type of bread) in Armenian [Source].

Proto-Celtic	*nouyos = new
Gaulish	novios = (used in place names*)
Celtiberian	nouiza = new
Old Irish (Goídelc)	núa [n͈uːa̯] = new
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	núa(e) = new, recent, fresh, lusty, vigorous, fair, clear, bright, lately, anew, again, recently
Irish (Gaeilge)	nua [n̪ˠuə / n̪ˠuː] = new, fresh, recent, novel; newness, new thing nua-aimseartha = modern nuachan = novation nuacht = news, novelty nuachtóir = reporter, journalist
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nuadh [nuəɣ] = new, fresh, recent, novel, modern, unfamiliar a-nuadh = anew nua-aimsireach = modern, up to date nua-fhasanta = newfangled nuadhachadh = renewing, renovating nuadhachas = novelty, innovation
Manx (Gaelg)	noa = fresh, modern, new, novel, original, recent, unused noa-emshiragh = modern noaght = freshness, modernity, newness, novelty noaid = freshness, innovation, newness, novelty, originality aanoaghey = to rejuvenate, renew, renovate
Proto-Brythonic	*newɨð = new
Old Welsh	neguid = new
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	newyt, newyd = new, recent, modern, late, novel newydhau, newyddhau = to renew, renovate, restore
Welsh (Cymraeg)	newydd [ˈnɛu̯.ɨ̞ð/ˈnɛu̯.ɪð] = new, recent, newly-grown, modern, late, novel, changed, different; new (moon), unused, fresh newyddaf, newyddu = to renew, renovate, restore, be renewed or restored, replace, change, reform, modernize, innovate newyddaidd = newish, new, modern, newfangled, fresh, renewed newyddair = neologism, new word or spelling newyddeb = novelty, innovation newyddiadur = newspaper newyddiadura = to be a journalist newyddiadureg = jouralese, journalism
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	newydh, nowydh, nowedh = new, fresh, late, recent
Cornish	nowydh = fresh, new, novel, newly, just nowydh flamm = brand new nowydh genys = newborn
Old Breton	nouuid = new
Breton (Brezhoneg)	nevez [ˈne.ve] = new nevezadeg restoration campaign nevezadenn = innovation nevezadenniñ = to innovate nevezadur = innovation, updating, actualisation nevezer = innovator

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *néw(y)os (new) [Source]. The town of Noia in A Coruña in Galicia in the northwest of Spain probably gets its new from the same Proto-Celtic root possibly via Celtiberian [Source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Free

7th October 201812th January 2024 By Simon

Words for free and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*su-wiros = free (“good man”)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	saer [soːi̯r] = free, freeman, noble, craftsman saeraid [ˈsoːi̯rɨðʲ] = to free, liberate, deliver, save, exempt saire [ˈsai̯.rʲe] = freedom, liberty
Middle Irish	saer, soer, sóer = free, freeman, noble, ready, skilled, sáeraid = to free, liberate, save, rescue, deliver saíre, sóire = freedom, liberty, nobility,
Irish (Gaeilge)	saor [sˠeːɾˠ/sˠiːɾˠ] = free, enfranchised; noble; independent saoradh = liberation, deliverance, release, acquittal, assurance, confirmation saoráid = ease, facility, ease, freedom from constraint saoráideach = easy, facile saoráidí = easiness, facileness saoráil = freedom, bargin saorálach = voluntary, free, unconstrained saorálaí = volunteer saoirse = freedom, immunity, exemption
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	saor [sɯːr] = free (not captive); cheap; frank saora [sɯːr̪ˠsə] = freedom, liberty, redemption saorachd [sɯːrəxg] = freedom, cheapness saoradair [sɯːrədɪrʲ] = liberator saoradh [sɯːrəɣ] = freeing, libterating, liberation saorsach = [sɯːr̪ˠsəx] = free, unrestrained saorsachd = [sɯːr̪ˠsəxg] = freedom, exemption saorsainn [sɯːr̪ˠsɪn̪ʲ] = liberty
Manx (Gaelg)	seyr [seːr] = free, gratuitous, gratis, complimentary, immune, floating, independent, unforced seyrsnys = autonomy, exemption, freedom, immunity, independence seyrey = absolution, exemption, liberation; to absolve, acquite, exempt, free, libterate

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *su- (good, well), from PIE *h₁su- (good, well), and Proto-Celtic *wiros (man, husband), from PIE *wiHrós (man, husband) [source]

The Irish name Fearghal (Fergal, Feargal), and the English name Farrell come from the Proto-Celtic name *Wirogalos, from *wiros (man) and‎ *galā (valour, ability) [source], and the Irish name Fearghas and the English version, Fergus, come from the Proto-Celtic name *Wirogustus, from *wiros (man) and‎ *gustus (excellence, force) [source]

Proto-Celtic	*ɸriyos = free
Proto-Brythonic	*rɨð [ˈrɨːð] = free
Middle Welsh (Cymraeg)	ryd, rit = free, nonconformist; unrestricted, unrestrained; open; liberal ryddd-dab, rydd-deb = freedom, liberation, deliverance, immunity ryddhâd, rhyddhaad = release, libteration, freedom rydhaw, rydhaa, rytha = to free, release, liberate
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhydd [r̥ɨːð / r̥iːð] = free, nonconformist; unrestricted, unrestrained; open; liberal rhyddd-deb = freedom, liberation, deliverance, immunity rhyddhad = release, libteration, freedom rhyddhaf, rhyddhau = to free, release, liberate
Old Cornish	rid = free
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	rid, ruid = free, unconstrained
Cornish (Kernewek)	rydh [rɪ:ð / ri:ð] = free rydhses = freedom, liberty
Old Breton (Brethonoc	rid = free

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *priHós (dear, beloved, happy, free), from *preyH- (like, love) [source]. English words from the same PIE roots include free(dom), friend and proper [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

Sorrow & sadness

6th October 20189th June 2023 By Simon

Words for sorrow, sadness and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	trougos/trowgo- = sorry, sad, wretched
Old Irish (Goídelc)	trúag, tróg = miserable, wretched, emaciated, wretch trúagdae = miserable, wretched trógán, trúagán = miserable person, wretch, pauper trúaige = affliction, compassion, misery, pity, wretchedness
Middle Irish (Gaedhealg)	trúag = wretched, pititable, miserable, sad; thin, lean, emaciated; wretch, miserable person trúagdae, trogdae, trúagdai, troghda = miserable, wretched. piteous trúagán = miserable person, wretch, pauper trúagnait, trógnait = wretch, miserable person trúaige = misery, wretchedness, affliction trúaigméil = pitiable, sorrowful
Irish (Gaeilge)	trua [t̪ˠɾˠuə] = pity, sympathy, compassion, miserable person, wretch; pitiable, miserable, wretched; lean, thin, emaciated truacánta = piteous, plaintive truacántacht = piteousness, plaintiveness truachroíoch = kind-hearted, compassionate, heartrending, piteous truacht = leanness atruach = compassionate truán = miserable person, wretch; thin, emaciated creature, importunate person truanairt = wretch truánta = wretched; thin, emaciated truántacht = wretchedness; thinness, emaciation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	truagh [truəɣ] = abject, forlorn, miserable, pitiful, poor, sorry truaghan [truəɣan] = poor soul/thing, wretch truaghag [truəɣag] = poor/pitiful thing, poor wee thing (female) truaghaileachd [truəɣaləxg] = compassionateness, tender-heartedness truaghanachd [truəɣən̪ˠəxg] = abjectness, miserableness, wretchedness truas [truəs] = pity, compassion, sympathy
Manx (Gaelg)	truan = misery truanagh = miserable, mournful, sorrowful person truanys = misery treih = abject, deplorable, feeble, forlorn, fragile, miserable, pathetic, piteous, pitiful, regrettable, rueful treihaght = misery, pitifullness, pitifulness treihnagh = mournful treihys = abjection, abjectness, fragility, misery
Gaulish	*trugan = wretch
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tru, trv = wretched, miserable, deplorable, pitiful, pathetic truan = wretch, miserable person truanu = to take pity, feel compassion truaneid, truanaidd = wretched, miserable, deplorable tryanedd, tayyrnedd = wretchedness trueni = misery, wretchedness, abjectness, degradation truanus = wretched, miserable, deplorable, poor trỽch, troch, truch = unfortunate, sad, wretched
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tru [trɨː/triː] = wretched, miserable, deplorable, pitiful, pathetic truan = wretch, miserable person; wretched, miserable, deplorable, pitiful, pathetic, poor, weak truanaf, truanu = to take pity, feel compassion truanaidd = wretched, miserable, deplorable, pitiful truanedd = wretchedness trueni = misery, wretchedness, abjectness, degradation truenus = wretched, miserable, deplorable, poor trwch = unfortunate, sad, wretched, poor; bad, evil, wicked; unfortunate person, wretch, scoundrel
Old Cornish	troc = miser
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tru = alas, pity, sad, woe trueth = pity, compassion troc = wretched, miser
Cornish (Kernewek)	tru = alas truan = sadly, miserable, unfortunate, wretched truedh = pity, sympathy truedhek = sadly, pathetic, pitiful, plaintive, sad trogh = broken, wretched
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tru = pitiful, wretched, miserable truant = pitiful, wretched, miserable trugarez = pity, mercy, forgiveness, thanks, misery
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tru = pitiful, wretched, miserable, wretch trugarez = thank you, mercy, forgiveness truant = beggar truanter = cheater, supplicant

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *terh₁- (to rub, turn, drill, pierce). Words from the same roots possibly include truant in English, and truand (crook, gangster, beggar) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic	*brugnos = saddness, pain
Old Irish (Goídelc)	brón [broːn] = sorrow, grief, lamentation, distress, burden
Irish (Gaeilge)	brón [bˠɾˠoːnˠ] = sorrow, grief, grieving, lamentation; distress, burden brónach [ˈbˠɾˠoːnˠəx] = sad, sorrowful
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bròn [brɔːn] = grief, sadness, sorrow, mourning, affliction brònach [ˈbrɔːnəx] = doleful, miserable, rueful, sad, sorrowful; disconsolate
Manx (Gaelg)	bran = sorrow, blackness of soul branagh = mournful, black (as outlook)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brwyn [bruːɨ̯n / brʊi̯n] = sorrow, grief, sadness; sorrowful, grievous, sad, heavy; pensive

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *gʷruHǵʰ-nó-, from *gʷrewHǵʰ- (to bite) + *-nós, or from *bʰreg- (to break) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg)	trist [triːst / trɪst] = sad, unhappy, sorrowful, mournful, pensive, downhearted, miserable, anxious
Cornish (Kernewek)	trist = sad, mournful
Breton (Brezhoneg)	trist = sad

Etymology: from Latin trīstis (sad, unhappy, melancholy, morose), from Proto-Indo-European *tréystis (stubborn, in a bad mood) [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)

Yellow & Gold

Silver & Money

Sweet

Honey

Blue / Green / Grey

Old

Young

Fresh & New

Free

Sorrow & sadness