Category: Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)

Seals

By Simon

Words for seal and other creatures in Celtic languages.

Seals

Species of seals that may be found around the Celtic lands include the common or harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) and the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus). Other species are available.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc) rón = seal
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) rón, ron = seal
Irish (Gaeilge) rón = seal
rón beag = harbour/common seal
rón glas = grey seal
rónach = seals, abounding in seals
cladach rónta = shoal of seals
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ròn [r̪ˠɔːn] = seal
ròn cumanta / ròn-dubh = harbour/common seal
ròn glas = grey seal
rònan [r̪ˠɔːnan] = little seal
rònach [r̪ˠɔːnəx] = pertaining to or abounding in seals
rònanach [r̪ˠɔːnanəx] = pertaining to or abounding in little seals
Manx (Gaelg) raun = seal
raun beg = harbour/common seal
raun glass/ghlass = grey seal
raunagh = seal-like, seal hunt
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) moelronyeit, moelrawn, moelrhawn = hippopotamus, seal
Welsh (Cymraeg) moelrhon, moelrhawn = seal, porpoise, dophin, hippopotamus
moelrhonaidd = seal-like
moelrhoniwr = seal hunter
Cornish (Kernewek) reun = seal
reun kemmyn = harbour/common seal
reun loos = grey seal
Breton (Brezhoneg) reunig = seal
reunig morleue = harbour/common seal
reunig gris = grey seal

Etymology: possibly from Old English hran (whale), from Proto-Germanic *harza/harza- (a kind of fish). Incidentally, the Irish name Rónán means “little seal” [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec) morhwch, morwch = seal, porpoise, dolphin
Welsh (Cymraeg) morwch, môr-hwch = seal, porpoise, dolphin
Old Cornish morhoch = porpoise
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) morhoch = porpoise
Cornish (Kernewek) morhogh = porpoise
Middle Breton (Brezonec) morhouch, mourouch, moroch = porpoise
Breton (Brezhoneg) morhoc’h = porpoise

Etymology (Welsh): from môr (sea) and hwch (calf). The words in Cornish and Breton come from similar roots [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec) morylo = seal
Welsh (Cymraeg) morlo [ˈmɔrlɔ] = seal, sealskin
morlo cyffredin = common seal
morlo llwyd = grey seal
Breton (Brezhoneg) leue-mor = seal

Etymology (Welsh): from môr (sea) and llo (calf). The word in Breton come from similar roots [source].

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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

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Sea Monsters

By Simon

Words for whale in Celtic languages.

Some species of whales that may be found around the Celtic lands include the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis), the common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), the sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), and the killer whale or orca (Orcinus orca). Other species are available.

Proto-Celtic *mori-mīlo = whale
Old Irish (Goídelc) míl mór / bled / bledmil = whale, sea monster
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) murimil / bled = whale, sea monster
Irish (Gaeilge) míol mór = whale
míol mór an oighir = humpback whale
míol mór an oighir = North Atlantic right whale
droimeiteach beag = common minke whale
droimeiteach = fin whale
mhadadh-cuain = killer whale
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) mial-mhór / muc-mhara / blaoch / bleth / bleidh mhiol = whale
muc-mhara dhronnach, muc-mhara chrotach = humpback whale
muc-mhara cheart thuathach = North Atlantic right whale
muc-mhionc choitcheann, rorcual-beag = common minke whale
muc-mhara nan saoidhean = sei whale
muc-mhara dhruim-iteach / muc-an-sgadain = fin whale
cráin dhubh / grampar = killer whale
Manx (Gaelg) meeyl mooar, muc varrey = whale
feer-whale = right whale
muc-varrey Minke = minke whale
Welsh (Cymraeg) morfil = whale, sea monster, the constellation Cetus (the Whale)
morfil cefngrwm = humpback whale
morfil cywir / morfil walbon = right whale
morfil pigfain = common minke whale
morfil sei / morfil asgellog sei = sei whale
morfil asgellog llwyd = fin whale
morfil danheddog / morfil ffyrnig / lleiddiad = killer whale
Cornish (Kernewek) morvil = whale
Breton (Brezhoneg) morvil = whale
balum askellek = humpback whale
balum reizh du = North Atlantic right whale
skoazog = killer whale

Etymology: these words mean ‘sea creature’, ‘large beast’, ‘sea pig’ or something similar.

WHALE

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, TermOfis

Eagles

By Simon

Words for eagles in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *eriros = eagle
Old Irish (Goídelc) *irar [ˈirar] = eagle
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) ilar = eagle
Irish (Gaeilge) iolar [ɟəˈlˠuːn̪ˠ] = eagle
iolar fíréan = golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
iolar mara / coirneach = white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) iolair [jul̪ˠɪrʲ] = eagle
iolair dhubh / iolair bhuidhe = golden eagle
earn / iolair mhara’ / iolair bhàn = white-tailed eagle
Manx (Gaelg) urley = eagle
urley buigh = golden eagle
urley marrey = white-tailed eagle
Welsh (Cymraeg) eryr [ˈɛrɨ̞r / ˈeːrɪr] = eagle; hero, chief, prince, leader; the constellation of Aquila
eryr aur = golden eagle
eryr y Môr = white-tailed eagle
Cornish (Kernewek) er [eːɹ] = eagle
er / er melyn / ourer = golden eagle
morer / er an mor = white-tailed eagle
Breton (Brezhoneg) erer [ˈeːʁɛʁ] = eagle
erer meur = golden eagle
morer lost gwenn = white-tailed eagle

The species of eagles included here are found in Celtic-speaking lands. Other types of eagles are available.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃érō (eagle, large bird) [source].

Golden eagle (2)

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, TermOfis

Swans

By Simon

Words for swan (cygnus) in Celtic languages.

Swans, etc

Proto-Celtic *eli- = swan
Gaulish ala = swan
alauda = skylark
Old Irish (Goídelc) elu = swan
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) ela(e) = swan
Irish (Gaeilge) eala [ˈalˠə] = swan
ealach = frequented by swans
eala bhalbh = mute swan (Cygnus olor)
eala ghlorach = whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) eala [jal̪ˠə] = swan
eala bhàn = mute swan
eala fhiadhaich = whooper swan
ealag, eala-ghlas = cygnet, young swan
eala-bheag = Bewick’s (tundra) swan (Cygnus columbianus bewickii)
Manx (Gaelg) olla, ollay = (mute) swan
ollay chiaulee = whooper swan
eean olla = cygnet
Proto-Brythonic alarkos = swan
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) alarch = swan
Welsh (Cymraeg) alarch [ˈalarχ/ˈaːlarχ] = swan, the constellation Cygnus
alarchaidd = pertaining to a swan, swanlike
alarchen = cygnet
alarches = female swan
alarchwedd = swanlike
alarch dôf, alarch mud = mute swan
alarch y gogledd, alarch chwibanol, alarch gwyllt = whooper swan
Old Cornish elerch = swan
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) elerch = swan
Cornish (Kernewek) alargh = (mute) swan
Middle Breton (Brezonec) alarc’h = swan
alarc’hez = female cygnet
Breton (Brezhoneg) alarc’h = swan
alarc’h roueel = mute swan
alarc’h-kristilh = whooper swan

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁el- (swan, bird, waterfowl) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include alondra (lark) in Spanish, alouette (lark) in French, and allodola (skylark) in Italian. They were probably borrowed from the Gaulish alauda (skylark), from ala (swan) [Source].

Words from the same PIE root include auk (swan) in English, alke (auk) in Danish and Norwegian, and álka (razorbill) in Faroese and Icelandic [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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

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Starlings

By Simon

Words for starling (sturnus vulgaris) in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *trozdis = starling
Old Irish (Goídelc) truit = starling
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) truit = starling
Irish (Gaeilge) druid [d̪ˠɾˠɪdʲ] = starling
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) druid [drɯdʲ] = starling, thrush
Manx (Gaelg) truitlag = starling
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) trydw, drydwen, drudwy, drydw, drudw = starling
Welsh (Cymraeg) drudw [ˈdrɨ̞dʊ/ˈdrɪdʊ], drudwy, drydwy, drydw = starling, stare
Old Cornish troet = starling
Cornish (Kernewek) trojen = starling
Middle Breton (Brezonec) tret = starling
Breton (Brezhoneg) tred [ˈtʁeːt], tridig = starling

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *trosdos (thrush) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Starlings

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Herons

By Simon

Words for heron in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *korxsā / *korxsiyos = heron
Celtiberian *cárcia = heron
Old Irish (Goídelc) corr = crane, heron, stork, crane
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) corr = (grey) heron, stork, crane, leg-necked person
Irish (Gaeilge) corr [kəuɾˠ] = (grey) heron, stork, crane, leg-necked person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) corra [kɔr̪ˠə] = heron, stork, crane
Manx (Gaelg) coar = heron, stork, crane
Proto-Brythonic *krɨxɨð = heron
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) crychyd, krechydd, crechydd = heron
Welsh (Cymraeg) crychydd [ˈkrəχɨ̞ð / ˈkrəχɪð] = heron
Old Cornish cherhit = heron
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) cerhidh = heron
Cornish (Kernewek) kerghydh = heron
Old Breton corcid = heron
Middle Breton (Brezonec) quercheiz, querch-eïz, querc’heiz, qarc’hleyz kerc’heiz = heron
Breton (Brezhoneg) kerc’heiz = heron

Etymology: possibly immitative in origin. Words for heron in Spanish (garza) and Portuguese (garça) come from the Celtiberian root [source].

Proto-Brythonic *krexVr = heron
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) crehyr = heron
Welsh (Cymraeg) crëyr [ˈkrɛ.ɨ̞r / kreː.ɪr] = heron

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱrey- (to scream, screech) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Heron

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Pigeons and Doves

By Simon

Words for pigeon and doves in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc) columb [ˈkolumb] = dove
colmán = wood-pigeon, ring-dove
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) colum [ˈkolumb] = dove
Irish (Gaeilge) colm [ˈkɔl̪ˠəmˠ / ˈkʌl̪ˠəmˠ] = dove, pigeon
colmán = (little) dove, pigeon
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) calman [kal̪ˠaman] = dove, pigeon
colman [kɔl̪ˠɔman] = dove, pigeon
Manx (Gaelg) calmane / colmane = pigeon, dove
Welsh (Cymraeg) colomen / clomen = dove, pigeon, culver; symbol of peace
Old Cornish colom = dove, pigeon
Middle Cornish colomen = dove, pigeon
Cornish (Kernewek) kolom = dove, pigeon
Breton (Brezhoneg) koulm / koulom = dove

Etymology: from the Latin columbus (dove, pigeon), from Ancient Greek κόλυμβος (kólumbos – a diver), from κολυμβάω (kolumbáō – dive, plunge headlong, swim) [source].

Breton (Brezhoneg) pichon = pigeon

Etymology: unknown

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Our Doves

Here’s a tune I wrote called The Curious Pigeon / Y Colomen Chwilfrydig:

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Hens & Chickens

By Simon

Words for hen, chicken and related things in Celtic languages:

Hens

Proto-Celtic *kerkā = hen
Old Irish (Goídelc) cerc [kʲerk] = hen, female bird
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) cerc [kʲerk] = hen, female bird
Irish (Gaeilge) cearc [kaɾˠk] = hen, female bird
cearcach = gallinaceous (relating to, or resembling the domestic fowl)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cearc [kʲɛrxg] = hen, chicken; poultry; female crab or lobster
cearc-uisge = moorhen
cearc-Fhrangach = turkey
cearc-fhraoich = female red grouse, moorhen
cearcach = of, or belonging to a hen or hens
Manx (Gaelg) kiark = fowl, hen, hen bird, female bird
kiark

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱer- (to grow, nourish) [source]. These words are possibly related to words for heron and crane in Celtic languages.

English words from the same root include cereal, create, increase, creature, crew and crescent [source].

Proto-Celtic *yarā = chicken
Gaulish Iaros = personal name
Old Irish (Goídelc) eirín = pullet, young hen
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) eréne, éirín(e) = chicken, chick, pullet
Irish (Gaeilge) eireog = pullet, chicken; young girl, tiny woman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) eireag [erʲag] = pullet, young chick(en) (between 8 months and 1 year old)
Manx (Gaelg) earrag = pullet, poult
Old Welsh iar = hen
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) yar = hen
yeyr, yeir = domestic fowls, chickens
yares = flock of chichens
ieirdy = hen-house, hen-coop
Welsh (Cymraeg) iâr [jaːr] = hen, hen-bird
ieir = domestic fowls, chickens
iarbren = perch for hens, hen-roost
iardy, ieirdy = hen-house, hen-coop
iares = flock of chichens
iargyw = chichen, young fowl
ieirwr = poulterer
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) iar, yar = hen, female bird
Cornish (Kernewek) yar = chicken, hen
yar frankres = free-range hen
yar gowellys = battery hen
yar Gyni = turkey
bregh/brygh yar = chicken pox
yarji = chichen coop, hen house
Middle Breton (Brezonec) yar, iar = chicken, hen
Breton (Brezhoneg) yar = chicken, hen

Etymology: unknown

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

Hound Dogs

By Simon

Words for dog in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *kū = dog, wolf
Gaulish cuna = dog
Primitive Irish ᚉᚒᚅᚐ (cuna) = hound, wolf
Old Irish (Goídelc) cú [kuː] = dog
Irish (Gaeilge) cú [kuː] = dog, hound, greyhound; wolf; hero, champion
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cù [kuː] = dog, canine
Manx (Gaelg) coo [kuː] = dog, cur, hound, wolf-dog
Proto-Brythonic ki [kiː] = dog
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) ci / ki = dog
Welsh (Cymraeg) ci [kiː] = dog, hound, cur
Old Cornish ci = dog
Cornish (Kernewek) ki [kiː] = dog
Middle Breton ci / qui = dog
Breton (Brezhoneg) ki [kiː] = dog

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱwṓ (dog), which is also the root of the English words hound and canine [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) madrad, matrad = dog
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) matad = common dog, cur
Irish (Gaeilge) madra [ˈmˠad̪ˠɾˠə] / madadh [ˈmˠad̪ˠə / ˈmˠad̪ˠu] = dog, cur
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) madadh [madəɣ] = dog, mastiff
Manx (Gaelg) moddey [ˈmɔːðə] = dog, tyke
Welsh (Cymraeg) madyn / madog = fox

Etymology: unknown

Old Irish (Goídelc) gagar [ɡaɣər] = beagle, hunting dog
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) gadar = beagle, hunting dog
Irish (Gaeilge) gadhar [ɡəiɾˠ] = (hunting) dog, harrier, beagle, cur
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) gadhar [gɤ.ər] = lurcher, mastiff, greyhound

Etymology: from the Old Norse gagarr [source].

Proto-Celtic *kulēnos = whelp
Old Irish (Goídelc) cuilén [ˈkulʲeːn] = puppy, cub, kitten
Irish (Gaeilge) coiléan [kɪˈlʲaːn̪ˠ] = pup, cub, whelp; youth, scion; trickster
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cuilean [kulan] = puppy, whelp; cub; seal pup; darling, dear; short/small bone
Manx (Gaelg) quallian = puppy
Welsh (Cymraeg) colwyn [kiː] = whelp, puppy, cub; lap-dog; spaniel
Old Cornish coloin = puppy
Cornish (Kernewek) kolen [ˈkɔlɪn] = puppy, cub
Breton (Brezhoneg) kolen = puppy, fawn, rabbit

Etymology: unknown

Old Irish (Goídelc) cana [ˈkana] = cub, puppy
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) cana [ˈkana] = cub, puppy
Irish (Gaeilge) cana [ˈkanˠə] = cub, whelp; bardic poet of fourth order
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cana [kanə] = puppy, whelp
Welsh (Cymraeg) cenau / cenaw = cub, whelp, puppy, kitten; son, descendant, scion, young warrior; knave, imp, rascal; catkin, cat’s tail

Etymology: possibly from the Latin canis (dog), from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱwṓ (dog) [source], or from the Proto-Celtic *kanawo (young animal).

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Irish Wolfhounds

Foxes

By Simon

Words for fox in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc) sinnach / sindach = fox
Irish (Gaeilge) sionnach [ˈʃɪn̪ˠəx / ʃɪˈn̪ˠɑx / ˈʃɪn̪ˠax] = fox
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) sionnach [ˈʃun̪ˠəx] / seannach [ˈʃan̪ˠəx] = fox, bagpipe reed
Manx (Gaelg) shynnagh = fox

Etymology: unknown

Irish (Gaeilge) madra rua [madəɣ ‘r̪ˠuəɣ] = fox, red fox
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) madadh-ruadh [madəɣ ‘r̪ˠuəɣ] = fox, red fox

Etymology: from the Old Irish madrad (dog) and the rúad (red) [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) balgair [bal̪ˠagɛrʲ] = fox

Etymology: unknown.

Proto-Celtic *loɸernos = fox
Gaulish *louernos = fox
Old Irish (Goídelc) loarn = fox
Proto-Brythonic llowern = fox
Old Welsh louern = fox
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) llewyrn = fox
Welsh (Cymraeg) llewyrn = foxes
Old Cornish louuern = fox
Cornish (Kernewek) lowarn = fox
Old Breton louuern = fox
Middle Breton louarn = fox
Breton (Brezhoneg) louarn [ˈluː.aʁn] / luhern = fox

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₂wlop- (fox) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg) llwynog [ˈɬʊɨ̯nɔɡ] = fox, a cunning, craft or willy person, bundle
llwynoges = vixen, female fox
llwynogyn = little fox

Etymology: from llwyn (bush, shrub, brake, thicket, copse, grove, arbour, woods, forest) and the suffix -og, from Latin lignum (firewood, tree), Proto-Indo-European *leǵ-no- (that which is collected) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg) cadno [ˈkadnɔ] = fox; craft person, foxy, deceptive day; bundle of straw used for constructing an air passage in a stack of corn not well-seasoned; skid, scotch, trigger
cadnawes = vixen, female fox

Etymology: probably from the personal name Cadno, from cad (battle), from the Proto-Celtic *katus (battle), from the Proto-Indo-European *kéh₃tus (fight); and the suffix -no, from the Proto-Celtic *gnāw- (knowing) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Fox