Material

8th February 20228th February 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for material, substance and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	damnyos = material, substance
Old Irish (Goídelc)	damnae = heir; matter, cause, reason, motive
Irish (Gaeilge)	damhna = matter, substance, subject, cause; eligible person damhna dorcha = dark matter damhnaigh = to materialize, shape, form damhnú = materialization, formation damhnúil = material
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	damhna [dãũnə] = stuff, material, matter; cause, reason damhnadh = band, tie; matter out of which anything is formed
Proto-Brythonic	*dėβ̃nɨð = material, stuff, matter
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	deunit / defnyd / devnydh = material, stuff, matter
Welsh (Cymraeg)	defnydd [ˈdɛvnɨ̞ð/ˈdɛvnɪð] = material, stuff, matter, substance, essence, element, constituent part, particle, make-up, nature; use service, application, purpose, end, effect defnyddio = to use defnyddiol = useful defnyddiwr = user, consumer
Middle Cornish	daffnez = back
Cornish (Kernewek)	devnydh = ingredient, material, stuff, use devnydha = to utilise devnydhyer = user devnydhys = used
Old Breton	daffnez = matter, material
Middle Breton	danuez = matter, material
Breton (Brezhoneg)	danvez = matter, commodity, fabric, material, fortune, subject, content, future, disposition danvezel = material danvezelañ = to materialize danvezelezh = material danvezenn = material, substance

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dem- (to build (up)) [source]. The English words such as domestic, dominate, dominion and timber come from the same PIE root [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	adbar [ˈaðvar] = material, matter, reason
Irish (Gaeilge)	ábhar [ˈauɾˠ/ˈɑːvˠəɾˠ/ˈɑːwəɾˠ/ˈæːwəɾˠ] = matter, material, cause, reason, subject, topic, object ábharatha = material, relevant ábharachas = materialism ábharaí = materialist ábharaíoch = materialistic
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	adhbar [ɤːvər] = cause, ground, reason, motive, purpose, material, object, topic, source adhbharachas [ɤːvərəxəs] = materialism adhbharachadh [ɤːvərəxəɣ] = causing, effecting
Manx (Gaelg)	oyr [oːr] = cause, incentive, matter, motive, occasion, reason

Etymology: from the Old Irish ad- and feraid (grant, afford, supply) [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	stuth [sduh] = material (in general), stuff, substance, matter stuth dorcha = dark matter bun-stuth = raw material, essence
Manx (Gaelg)	stoo = material, stuff, substance, matter bun-stoo = element, elementary, raw material stoo-beaghee = foodstuffs stoo-lleihys = drugs, medicine stoo-sthie = content
Welsh (Cymraeg)	stwff = stuff, material, substance, cloth, fabric, stuffing stwffio = to stuff, fill, cram, shove stwffiwr = stuffer, pushy person, taxidermist
Cornish (Kernewek)	stoff = material, stuff

Etymology: from the English stuff, from the Middle English stuffen (to equip, furnish), from the Old French estof(f)er (to equip, stuff), from the Old High German stoffōn (to stop, halt, stuff, insert), from the Proto-West-Germanic stoppōn (to stop, halt, plug, stuff, insert), possibly from the Latin stuppō [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Corners

2nd February 20222nd February 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for corners, backs and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*kūlos = corner
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cúl [kuːl] = back, rear iarcúl = remote place
Irish (Gaeilge)	cúl [kuːlˠ] = back, reserve, support, rear, reverse (of coin), counter cúlaí = back (in rugby, etc) cúlaigh = to back, move back, reverse, retreat cúláire = recess, nook, back of throat cúlaistín = backer, henchman cúlsráid = back street iargcúil = remote corner, backward, out-of-the-way place, isolated
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cùl [kuːl̪ˠ] = back, hind part, tress, shadow cùl-fraon = background cùl-chainnt = backbiting, slander, defamation, calumny cùl-taic = patron, supporter, patronage, support, (military) reserves cùl-shràid = back street
Manx (Gaelg)	cooyl = back, behind, astern, reverse cooyl-charrey = backer cooyl-eaishtagh = to eavesdrop cooyl-pholt(al) = backfire cooyl-raad = back street
Proto-Brythonic	*kil = corner, angle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kil = corner, angle
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cil [kiːl] = corner, angle, back, nape of the neck, retreat, flight, recess, covert, nook, eclipse, wane cilaidd = retiring, elusive, furtive cilio = to retreat, withdraw, depart, recede, retire, pass away
Old Cornish	chil = back
Cornish (Kernewek)	kil = back, nape of the neck, book, reverse kilans = recession kilden = retreat kildenna / kildedna = to back off, withdraw kildennans / kildednans = withdrawal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kil = back, reverse, lapel, neck, heel kiladenn = reverse kilañ = to return kilober = feedback kilseller = retrospective

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)kewH-lo-, from *(s)kewH- (to cover, conceal, hide). The English words such as hide, hose, house and sky come from the same PIE root [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Wings

29th January 202229th January 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	ɸeto/feto- = to fly fatar/fatanos/*fetnos = wing, bird
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ette [ˈetʲe] = wing, pinion, fin, feather, plume ettech/ittech = winged, finned, flying, fluttering
Irish (Gaeilge)	eite [ˈɛtʲə] = wing, pinion, wing feather, fin, vane eiteach = winged, pennate, plumed, feathered, finned eiteog = wing, (little) wing feather, (little) fin, wing-like
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ite [içdʲə] = feather, plume, fin, overlap, blade iteach [ihdʲəx] = feathery, feathered, finned itealach = winged, flying, hovering, fluttering
Manx (Gaelg)	fedjag [ˈfaiaɡ] = feather, plume, quill, pinion fedjagagh = pinnate, feathery
Proto-Brythonic	*atanī = wing
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	adain = wing, fin
Welsh (Cymraeg)	adain [ˈadai̯n/ˈadɛn/ˈaːdɛn] = wing, fin, arm, sleeve adeiniog = winged
Old Cornish	aden = leaf of a book
Old Breton	attanoc = wing

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *peth₂- (to fly, to spread out) [source]. The English words such as feather, petal, pinion and helicopter come from the same PIE root [source].

Words for birds and larks come from the same Proto-Celtic roots.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ascall = armpit
Irish (Gaeilge)	ascaill [ˈasˠkəl̠ʲ/ˈasˠkəl̪ˠ] = armpit, recess, avenue, axil asclán = something carried under arm, armful, gusset
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	asgall [asgəl̪ˠ] = breast, bosom, armpit
Manx (Gaelg)	aghlish = axil, armful, armpit
Proto-Brythonic	*askell = wing
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	asgell, askell = wing
Welsh (Cymraeg)	asgell [ˈasɡaɬ / ˈaskaɬ] = wing, feather, fin, flank, side asgellog = winged, feathered, flying, finned, scaly, barbed asgellwr = winger, wing-forward (in sports) asgellu = to feather (an arrow), put wings on, grow wings, shelter/protect (with wings)
Old Cornish	ascall = wing
Cornish (Kernewek)	askel = wing
Breton (Brezhoneg)	askell [ˈas.kɛl] = wing, fin, flipper

Etymology: from the Latin ascella (wing), from axilla (little wing, axilla, armpit), a diminutive of āla (wing, armpit, shoulder blade) from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱs- (axis) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Knowledge

19th January 202219th January 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for knowledge, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*wissus = act of discovering, finding out, knowledge
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fius(s) [fʲiu̯s] = knowledge, information, message
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fis(s) [fʲis] = knowledge, information, message
Irish (Gaeilge)	fios [fʲɪsˠ] = knowledge feasach / fiosach = knowing, knowledgeable, well-informed fiosaigh = to know fiosaíocht = occult knowledge, clairvoyance fiosrach = inquiring, inquisitive fiosraigh = to inquire fiosraitheoir = inquirer, inquisitive person, visitor fiosrú = inquiry, visitation fiosúil = knowing, knowledgeable, well-mannered, well-spoken ainbhiosach = ignorant, stupid uilefheasach = omniscient uilefhios = omniscience bean/cailleach feasa = wise woman, fortune-teller fear feasa = seer, soothsayer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fios [fis] = knowledge, information, notice, notification, indication, news fiosrach = (well-)informed, aware, learned, versed, knowledgeable fiosraich = to ascertain, find out, inquire fiosaiche = prophet, fortune-teller, soothsayer, seer, scout ainbhiosach = ignorant, illiterate ainbhiosrach = ignorant, unintelligent uil-fhiosrach = all-knowing, omniscient uil-fhiosrachd = omniscience
Manx (Gaelg)	fys = advice, cognisance, cognition, information, intelligence, knowledge, notice fysseraght = inquisitiveness, premonition, supernatural knowledge fysseree = clairvoyance, data, foreknowledge, information, prescience, science; communications; knowledge, inquisition fyssoil = knowing ooilley-fysseragh = omniscient ooilley-fysseraght = omniscience
Proto-Brythonic	*gwɨs = knowledge, research
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guys / gwys = summons, citation, call to arms
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwŷs [ɡwɨːs/ɡwiːs] = summons, writ, call to arms, citation, notice

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

Proto-Celtic	*windeti = to find, experience
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ro·finnadar [r͈oˈfʲin͈aðar] = to find out, discover, to know
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	finnaid [ˈfʲin͈əðʲ/ˈfʲin͈əɣʲ] = to find out
Irish (Gaeilge)	fionn [fʲɪsˠ] = to ascertain, discover fionnadh = ascertainment, discovery
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fionn [fjũːn̪ˠ] = to flay, skin; examine, look, see, know by investigation fionnadh = flaying, skinning, trying, searching, examining
Manx (Gaelg)	feddyn = to find feddyn magh = to ascertain, determine, dig out, discover
Proto-Brythonic	gwɨs = knowledge, research gwɨbod [ɡwɨˈboːd] = knowing, to know
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guys / gwys = summons, citation, call to arms guibit / guybi / gvybot / gwybot = to know
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwybod = to know, perceive, be aware of, discern gwybodaeth = knowledge, acquaintance, perception, familiarity, cognition, comprehension
Cornish (Kernewek)	godhvos = ability, knowledge; to acknowledge, can, know; to be qualified to godhvos a = to know about godhvedhys = known
Old Breton	gudbut = to know
Middle Breton	gouzuout = to know
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouzout = to know gouiziegezh = knowledge, erudition, acquaintance

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *windo- (to find, experience), from the PIE root *weyd- (see above) [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

Mysterious Secrets

13th January 202225th June 2024 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for secret and mystery, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Secret words

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*rūnā = secret, mystery, magic
Gaulish	Cobrunus = personal name
Leptonic	Runatis = personal name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rún [r͈uːn] = mystery, secret rúnde [ˈr͈uːn͈de] = mysterious, mystical
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rún, rúun, rúin = something hidden or occult, a mystery, mystic or hidden meaning, a secret, secret thoughts or wishes, intention, purpose, design
Irish (Gaeilge)	rún [ɾˠuːnˠ] = mystery, secret, intention, purpose, resolution, love, affection rúnach = darling, sweetheart; runic, secret, mysterious rúnaí = secretary, confidant, secretary-bird rúnchara = confidant(e) rúnda = mystical, mysterious, secret, confidential rúndacht = secrecy rúnmhar = close, secretive rúnscríbhin = runic script, secret writing, cipher
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rùn [r̪ˠuːn] = secret, intention, design, resolution, motive, purpose, desire, love rùnach = secretarial, mysterious, mystical, beloved, runic rùnag = small secret, dearie, sweetie rùnaire = secretary rùinean = small secret, quietly
Manx (Gaelg)	roon = confidence, obstinacy, viciousness, malice, spite, resentment, rune roonagh = stubborn, secret, vindictive, perverse, malicious, malignant, vicious, ill intentioned, runic
Proto-Brythonic	*rrin = mystery
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rin = mystery, charm
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhin [r̥iːn] = secret, mystery, miracle; privacy, intimacy, intercourse; enchanment, magic spell, charm, sorcery, witchcraft, rune; virtue, attribute, property, quality, essence; secret, private, mysterious, occult rhin(i)af / rhin(i)o = to whisper, speak secretly, charm, enchant, secrete rhiniwr = charmer, enchanter, sorcerer, magician rhinaidd = obscure, profound, enchanting rhinwedd = virtue, rectitude, moral excellence, nature, quality cyfrin = mysterious, esoteric; mystic, mystery, secret. cyfrinach = secret, mystery, deliberation
Cornish (Kernewek)	rin = mystery kevrin(ek) = secret
Middle Breton	rin = secret, wisdom

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *rewHn-, from *rewH-/*rēwH- (to roar, grumble, murmur, mumble, whisper). The Proto-Germanic word *rūnō (secret, mystery, rune) and related words in modern Germanic languages, including rune in English and Dutch, and runa (rune) in Swedish, possibly come from the same Proto-Celtic root, or from the same PIE root [source].

Proto-Celtic	kowdo- = hiding place, concealment koudeti = hide
Proto-Brythonic	*kʉðɨd = to hide
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cud = concealment, covering, hidden
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cudd [kɨð/kɪð] = concealment, hiding-place, secrecy, covering, veil; concealed, hidden, dark, hiding cuddedig = hidden, concealed, unknown, covered,mysterious, secret, dark cuddfa = hiding-place, retreat, hoard cuddiad = a hiding, concealment, secret cuddio = to hide, conceal, bury, cover
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cudhe, cidha, citha, cudhb = to hide, conceal, cover cudhygyc = one that conceals himself, bashful, ashamed
Cornish (Kernewek)	kudh = concealed, hidden, secret kudha (rag) = to conceal, hide (from) kudhlen = cover, veil kudhoberys = underhand kudhva = hideout, lair kudhys = veiled
Middle Breton	cuzaff = secret, confidential
Breton (Brezhoneg	kuzh = secret, confidential kuzh(iadell) / toull-kuzh = hiding place kuzhat = to hide (oneself) kuzhet = masked kuzhadur = eclipse, blanking, concealment kuzhuter = confidant(e)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)kewdʰ- from *(s)kewH- (to hide, cover, wrap). Words from the same roots include custodian, hide, house, hut and sky in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*sanestos = secret (advice), whisper, counsel, history
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sana(i)s = advice, counsel, whisper, privacy
Irish (Gaeilge)	sanas [ˈsˠanˠasˠ] = whisper, hint, suggestion, gloss, glossary sanasaí = etymologist sanasaíocht = etymology
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sanas [ˈsanəs] = notice, sign, signal, warning, hint, cue, whisper sanasach = warning, hinting
Manx (Gaelg)	sannish = whisper, hint, allusion, suggestion sansheraght = to whisper, annunciate, speak under breath, whispering
Proto-Brythonic	*hanes = history, secret
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hanes = history, secret
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hanes [ˈhanɛs/ˈhanas] = history, chronicle, tale, account, narrative, record, report, intelligence; secret, mystery, whisper, murmur hanesaf / hanesu = to narrate/write history hanesydd = historian, historiographer, chronicler
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hanas = a low sound, whisper
Cornish (Kernewek)	hanas = groan, murmur, sigh, whisper hanasa = to groan, murmur, sigh, whisper

Etymology: uncertain [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

Knives

6th January 20226th January 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for knife, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	skiyenā = knife skeno- = knife
Old Irish (Goídelc)	scían [ˈɡavul] = knife
Irish (Gaeilge)	scian [ʃciənˠ/ʃciːn̪ˠ] = knife, edge, side scian aráin = bread knife scian bhoird = table knife scian feola = carving knife scian fola = lancet scian phóca = pocket knife, penknife scianchlár = knife board sciantaca knife rest sceanra = knives, cutlery
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgian [sgʲiən] = knife, blade (of a peat spade) sgian-dubh = skean dhu sgian-bhùird = table knife sgian-pheann = penknife sgian- phòca(id) = pocket knife sgian-arain = bread knife
Manx (Gaelg)	skynn = knife skynn annee = scalpel skynn arran = bread knife skynn attey = dagger, dirk, poniard, stiletto skynn foalley = carving knife skynn phenney/phoagey/phoggaid = penknife skynn vuird = table knife skynneyder = cutler skynneydys = cutlery
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	esgïen / ysgien / sgïen / yskien = knife, sword, rapier
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgïen / sgien = knife, sword, rapier, cutter, parer, chopper, scymeter
Middle Breton	squei(g)aff = to cut
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skejañ = to cut, sever, split; severing, cutting, sectioning

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *skei- (to cut) [source]. The Welsh words were probably borrowed from Old Irish.

Proto-Brythonic	*kullell = knife
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	celeell, kyllell, kallel = knife
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cyllell [ˈkəɬɛɬ/ˈkəɬaɬ] = knife cyllell bapur = paper knife cyllell fara = bread knife cyllell fwrdd = table knife cyllell gerfio = carving knife cyllell glun = dagger
Old Cornish	collel = knife
Cornish (Kernewek)	kollell = knife kelyllik = pocket knife
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kontell [ˈkɔ̃ntɛl] = knife kontell amann = butter knife kontell geuz, kontell fourmaj = cheese knife kontell-vara = bread knife kontellazh = cutlass kontelleg = knife kontilli, kontellerezh = cutlery

Etymology: from the Latin cultellus (small knife, dagger), from culter (knife, razor), possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)kelH- (to cut, slipt, separate) [source], which is the root of the English word shelf [source], or from the PIE *(s)ker- (to cut off), which is also the root of such English words as carnival, carnivore, cortex, curt, sharp, shear and share [source].

English words from the same Latin root (cultellus) include: cutlass and cutlery [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

Forks

4th January 20224th January 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for fork, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*gablā = fork
Gaulish	gab(a)los = fork
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gabul [ˈɡavul] = fork, branch, gallows, gibbet
Irish (Gaeilge)	gabhal [ɡoːəl̪ˠ] = bifurcation, fork, crotch, junction gabahlán = martin, fork gabahlóg = fork, forked stick, forked implement
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gobahl [ɡoːəl̪ˠ] = bifurcation, fork, crotch, junction gobahl-gleusaidh = tuning fork gobahl-roinn = pair of compasses gobahl-rathaid = road junction
Manx (Gaelg)	goal = fork, branch, crotch, crutch, junction, perineum goal twoaie = rainbow
Proto-Brythonic	*gaβl [ˈɡaβl] =fork
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gafl, gauyl = fork
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gafl [gafl] = fork, stride, lap, inner part of the thigh, groin, angle, nook gaflach arrow, dart, lance, spear, javelin, sickle; fork, stride, hind-legs, groin gaflachaf, gaflachu = to straddle, walk with the feet wide apart gaflachog = armed with javelins or spears; astride, bandy-legged, furcated, forked gaflaw = split open, cleft, forked, in two gafliaf, gaflio = to straddle, place/sit with the legs wide apart
Cornish (Kernewek)	gowl = crotch, fork gowlek = forked
Old Breton	gabl = fork
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gaol = fork gaoliek = forkful gaoliañ = to mount, bestride, ride (a horse or bicycle)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʰeh₁bʰ- (to grab, take) [source]. The English word gable comes from the Gaulish wood gab(a)los (fork), via the Old French gable [source].

Proto-Celtic	*awsetlo- = (flesh-)fork
Old Irish (Goídelc)	áel [ɯːl] = trident, meatfork, flesh-fork
Irish (Gaeilge)	adhal = fork, trident
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	adhal [ɤ.əl̪ˠ] = flesh-hook, flesh fork
Manx (Gaelg)	aall = table fork, fleshhook

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁ólos (awl) or *ēl- (awl, prong) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	forc [fork] = fork, pronged spear
Irish (Gaeilge)	forc [fˠoɾˠk] = fork forc éisc = fish fork forc féir = hay-fork forcáil = to fork
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	forca [ˈfɔr̪ˠxgə] = fork, cramp forca-fheòir = hayfork forca-spòlaidh = carving fork
Welsh (Cymraeg)	fforc, fforch [fɔrk/fɔrχ]= (table) fork fforc gig = carving-fork fforc diwnio = tuning-fork
Cornish (Kernewek)	forgh = fork yn forgh = in fork (in good order = dry and work well – uesd in mining) forghyes = forked
Breton (Brezhoneg)	forc’h = fork forc’had = gap, spread, distance forc’hek = forked, bifurcated

Etymology: from the English fork, from the Middle English forke (fork, gallows), from the Old English forca (fork), from the Proto-West-Germanic *furkō (fork), from the Latin furca (fork). The Breton word comes directly from Latin [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

Ladles and Spoons

31st December 20212nd January 2022 By Simon

Ladles and Jellyspoons, or if you prefer, Ladies and Gentlemen, today we are look at words for spoon, ladle and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*lēgā = spoon
Old Irish (Goídelc)	líach [l͈ʲiːa̯x] = spoon, laddle
Irish (Gaeilge)	liach [l̠ʲiəx] = laddle, ladleful, measure liachlán = ladleful
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	liogh [l̪ʲɤɣ] = blade (of an oar, helicopter), vane (of a mill), ladle, hero liogh ràimh = oar blade
Manx (Gaelg)	lheegh = ladle lheegh awree = soup ladle
Proto-Brythonic	*lluɨɣ = spoon, scoop, ladle, trowel
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llwy = spoon, ladle, trowel
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llwy [ɬuːɨ̯] = spoon, ladle, scoop, trowel, spatula, bucket, float, paddle (of a water-wheel) llwy de = teaspoon llwy fwrdd = tablespoon llwy gawl = soup spoon llwy grochan, llwy droetir = ladle llwy bren = wooden spoon llwy serch = love-spoon llwyaid = spoonful, shovelful llwyar(n) = trowel, fire-shovel, slive, scoop, corer, spatula llwyar(n)u = to spread and smooth with a trowel or shovel llwyo = to spoon or ladle (out) llwywr = spoon-maker
Old Cornish	loe = spoon
Cornish (Kernewek)	lo = spoon lo balas = trowel lo de = teaspoon lo ledan = ladle lo vras = tablespoon
Old Breton	loi = spoon
Middle Breton	loa = spoon
Breton (Brezhoneg)	loa = spoon, striker, gouge, trowel, pliers loa-dizourañ = slotted spoon loa goad = wooden spoon loa-gafe = teaspoon loa-voued = soup spoon

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *leyǵʰ- (lick) [source]. The English word lick comes from the same PIE root via the Middle English likken (to lick), the Old English liccian (to lick), the Proto-West Germanic *likkōn (to lick), and the Proto-Germanic *likkōną (to lick) [source]

Irish (Gaeilge)	spúnóg [sˠpˠuːˈn̪ˠoːɡ / ˈsˠpˠuːnˠaɡ] = spoon, spoonful spúnóg tae / spúnóg bheag / taespúnóg = teaspoon spúnóg mhór / spúnóg bhoird = tablespoon
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	spàin [sbaːn̪ʲ] = spoon, blade (of an oar) spàin-bhùird = tablespoon spàin-fhiodha = wooden spoon spàin-teatha, spàin-tì = teaspoon spàinach = like or pertaining to spoons spàineag = small spoon, small spoonful
Manx (Gaelg)	spein = spoon spein ambee = dessert spoon spein ooh = egg spoon

Etymology (Irish): from the English spoon, from the Middle English spo(u)ne/spo(o)n (spoon, chip of wood), from the Old English spōn (sliver, chip of wood, shaving), from the Proto-West Germanic *spānu (chip, shaving, spoon), from the Proto-Germanic *spēnuz (chip, flake, shaving), from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)peh₂- (chip, shaving, log, length of wood) [source].

Etymology (Scottish Gaelic and Manx): from the Old Norse spánn/spónn (chip, shaving, spoon), from the Proto-Germanic *spēnuz [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

Steps

23rd December 202131st December 2021 By Simon

Words for steps and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*kanxsman = step, act of stepping
Gaulish	*kamman = step
Old Irish (Goídelc)	céimm [ˈkʲeːmʲ] = step; rank (in a hierarchy)
Irish (Gaeilge)	céim [ceːmʲ] = step, degree, rank, pass, ravine, difficulty céimnigh = to step, grade, graduate céimniú = stepping, tread, grading, graduation aischéim = backward step ardchéim = high rank, dignity, higher degree bunchéim = primary degree, positive (degree) coiscéim = footstep, pace
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ceum [kʲeːm] = step, footstep, pace, tread, path, degree, measure cois-cheum = step, pace ceum-coise = footstep, footpath
Manx (Gaelg)	keim = phase, step, degree, stage, standard, stile, grade keimagh = postgraduate keimee = to graduate, promote
Proto-Brythonic	*kamman = step
Old Welsh	cemmein = step
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cam, camm, kam = step
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cam [kam] = step, stride, pace, leap, foot-fall, footprint, trace, progress camu, camaf = to step over, take a stride, take strides, pace camâd = stile
Cornish (Kernewek)	kamm = pace, step, track
Middle Breton	cam = step
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kamm = pace, walk tread, (foot)step kammed = step

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *kengeti (to step), from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)keng- (to limp, walk lamely) [source]

Words from the same Gaulish root (*kamman) include: cammīnus (way) in Latin, camino (track, path, road, way, route, journey) and caminar (to walk, stroll, travel) in Spanish, caminho (way, road, path) in Portugese, cammino (walk, path, way) and camminare (to walk, work (function)) in Italian, and chemin (path, way, pathway) in French [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

Heat

21st December 20211st December 2023 By Simon

Words for heat, warmth and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*texstus = heat
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tess = heat, warmth
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tess, tes = heat, warmth, sultriness, fervour, zeal aintes = excessive heat tesbach, teasbhach = heat, warmth, sultriness, ardour, fury, illess, fever tessach = feverish heat, fever tessaide = hot, warm, sultry tessaigid = to warm, heat
Irish (Gaeilge)	teas [tʲasˠ/tʲæsˠ] = heat, hotness, warmth; warm clothing, warm place; degree of hotness; high temperature, feverishness; ardour, passion; hottest, highest, stage teasach = feverish heat, fever teasaí = hot, warm; ardent, passionate; hot feverish; hot-tempered, fiery teasaíocht = heat, warmth; ardour, passion; feverishness; hot temper, fire teasaire = heater
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	teas [tʲes] = heat, hotness; temperature; heating (in metallurgy) teas-mheidh = thermometer teasach = fever, restlessness (caused by heat), mo(u)lt; thermal teasadair / teasraiche / teasachan = heater
Manx (Gaelg)	çhiass = heat, warmth çhiassveih = thermometer çhiasseyder = radiator, heater, warmer çhiassid = hotness, temperature çhiassagh = febrile, feverish
Proto-Brythonic	tes = heat, warmth
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tes = heat, warmth
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tes [teːs] = heat (of the sun), warmth, (period of) warm weather, sunshine, (heat) haze, mist cynes [ˈkənɛs] = warm (from cyn (co-) and tes) tesaint = passion, zeal; heat, warmth teser = (heat) haze tesiad = a warming tesio, tesiaf = to shine (of the sun) tesog = hot, sunny, close sultry
Old Cornish	tes = heat
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tes = heat, warmth
Cornish (Kernewek)	tes = heat tesa = to heat tesek = hot tesel = thermal
Old Breton	tes = heat
Middle Breton (Brezhonec)	tez, tès = heat
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tes = heat

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *tep- (to be warm, to be hot) [source]. Celtic words from fire come from the same PIE root via the Proto-Celtic *teɸnets (fire) [source]

The English word tepid comes from the same PIE root [source].

Proto-Celtic	*teɸents = heat
Old Irish (Goídelc)	té, tee [tʲeː] = hot, warm; lustful, wanton; comfortable, sheltered; fervent; fierce, keen
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	té, te = warm, hot, comfortable, sheltered, fervent, fierce, keen, bold
Irish (Gaeilge)	te [tʲɛ] = hot, warm; pungent; ardent, hot-tempered, vehement, hotfoot; affectionate, comfortable teobhlasta = hot (spicy) teochroí = warm-heartedness, warmth, affection teochroíoch = warm-hearted teocht = warmth, heat, temperature teofholach = warm-blooded alathe = lukewarm téamh = heating, warming, distillation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	teth [tʲeh] = hot ain-teth = scorching, exceedingly hot, ardent, vehement, eager, inflamed
Manx (Gaelg)	çheh = fevered, fervent, heated, hot, impassioned, passion, sexually precocious, thermal, warm çhiow = to warm up, warm, warming up, inclined, yearned, heat,warmed

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *tep- (to be warm) [source].

Proto-Celtic	gʷrensos, gʷrīnnso- = heat
Old Irish (Goídelc)	grís = heat (of the sun), fire, embers
Middle Irish (Goídelc)	grís, gríss = heat, fire, embers, hot ashes; glow, ardour, valour, passion
Irish (Gaeilge)	gríos [ɡɾʲɪsˠ] = hot ashes, embers; heat, glow, ardour; rash, blotches (on skin) gríosach = glowing gríosóg = spark from embers, inflamed spot, rash gríosóir = inciter, agitator gríostaitneamh = burning, rosy, glow gríosú = inflammation, incitement, stimulation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	grìos [grʲiːs] = begging, entreaty; heat, embers, redness, inflammation, provocation grìosad [grʲiəsəd] = begging, beseeching, entreating, cursing, swearing, stirring up a fire, provoking
Manx (Gaelg)	gree [ɡriː] = heat greeshagh = arouse (passions), arousing, vibrant, ember greeshaghey = to aggravate, chivvy, set on, whip up, arouse (passions)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwres, ywres, gỼres = heat, warmth guressaei = to heat, warm guressauc, gwressawc = hot, very warm gwresoca, gwresogi = to make warm or hot
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwres [ɡwreːs] = heat, warmth, hot weather, feverishness, itching; intensity (of feeling), passion, lust, vehemence, ardour, fervour, zeal, enthusiasm gwresâf, gwresáu = to heat, warm gwresio, gwresu = to become heated, heat, generate heat, emit warmth gwresog = hot, very warm, summery, heat-giving, calorific gwresogi = to make warm or hot, provide warmth, heat
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwres = heat
Middle Breton (Brezhonec)	groès, groës = heat
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwrez = heat, temperature, ardent, fervent, blazing gwrezus = calorific gwrezverk = temperature

Etymology possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰer- (warm, hot) [source]. English words from the same PIE root include furnace, gore, thermal and warm [source].

Proto-Celtic	teɸesmis/tefesmi- = heat
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tui, tvymyn, tỼym, twym [tuːɨ̯m/tʊi̯m] = warm, (quite) hot, infectious, fervent, intense, passionate, heated, unpleasant, dangerous, heat, fever twymna, tỼymaỼ, twymo = to make/become warm or hot twymder = warmness, warmth, hotness, heat twymyn = fever
Welsh (Cymraeg)	twym [tuːɨ̯m/tʊi̯m] = warm, (quite) hot, infectious, fervent, intense, passionate, heated, unpleasant, dangerous, heat, fever twym(n)af, twym(n)o = to make/become warm or hot, to warm, to heat, to ferment twymder = warmness, warmth, hotness, heat twym(n)wr, twymydd = person or thing that warms, heater twymyn = fever, warm drink
Old Cornish	toim, tum = hot, warm, heated
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tom = hot, warm tomder = heat, warmth tomma = to make warm, to warm tubm = hot, burning tubma = to make hot, to heat, to warm
Cornish (Kernewek)	tomm, tobm = hot, warm tomm y wos, tobm y woos = hot-blooded tomma, tobma = to warm, become warm tommhe, tobmhe = heat, warm tommheans, tobmheans = heating tommheans ollvysel, tobmheans ollvesel = global warming
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tomm, toem, tuem = hot, warm, heat toemaff, tomaff = to heat, to warm up toemder, tomder = heat
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tomm [tɔmː] = hot, warm tommañ = to heat, to warm up, to be fond of, to become attached to tommder = heat tommerez = stove tommerezh = boiler room

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *tep- (to be warm, to be hot) [source]. Words for fire in Celtic languages come from the same root.

Proto-Celtic	*brutus = fermentation, boiling heat
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bruth [bruθ] = boiling, fury, glow, heat, rage, vehemence
Middle Irish (Goídelc)	bruth = (boiling) heat, blaze, glow, anger, fury, excitement, fervour, valour bruthach = fiery, furious, vigorous bruthmar = fiery, raging, furious, ardent
Irish (Gaeilge)	bruth [bˠɾˠʊ(h)] = heat, rash, eruption, nap, pile, covering, surf bruthach = hot, fiery, napped, fluffy bruthaire = cooker bruthán = (slight) rash brufar = ardent, fiery, lively
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bruth [bruhθ] = hotness (of skin), hot and confined space, red-hot object, heat, fire bruthainn [bruhɪn̪ʲ] = sultriness, sultry heat bruthairneach [bruhər̪n̪ʲəx] = muggy, sultry, sweltry bruich = to cook, boil
Manx (Gaelg)	brooan = rash, eruption, skin disorder
Old Welsh	brut = hot, warm
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	brytt, brwt, brwd = hot, warm, heat brytio = to heat, warm, boil
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brwd [bruːd] = hot, warm. heated, ardent, boiled, fervent, zealous, heat, brew(ing), brwdfrydu = to enthuse, speak or feel with fervour brwdfrydedd = zeal, enthusiasm, fervour, fanaticism brwdfrydig = zealous, enthusiastic, fervent, ardent brwdias = hot, heated, fiery, parboiling brydio = to heat, warm, boil
Old Cornish	bredion = to boil
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bredion, bridzhen = to boil
Cornish (Kernewek)	bryjyon = to boil bryjys = boiled
Old Breton	brot = ember
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	broud = ember, excitement
Breton (Brezhoneg)	broud [bruːt] = ember, excitement broudañ [bruˈdɑːdɛn] = to burn, scald broudus [ˈbruːdys] = stimulant

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰrewh₁- (to boil, brew), from *bʰer- (to boil) [source]. Words for the same roots include bread, brew, broth, burn and fervor in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kʷoxtos = cooked, hot
Proto-Brythonic	*poɨθ [ˈpoɨ̯θ] = cooked, hot
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	poeth = hot, burning poethi = to heat, warm, burn, scorch, roast
Welsh (Cymraeg)	poeth [poːɨ̯θ/pɔi̯θ] = hot, burning, fervent, intense, lustful, roast, cooked poethaf, poethi = to heat, warm, burn, scorch, roast poethder = heat, hotness, burning, inflammation, ardour, zeal, fervour poethineb = passion, ardour, zeal, hot-headedness
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	poth = hot
Cornish (Kernewek)	pooth = hot, scorching potha = to heat, scorch
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	poaz = cooked, grilled, burning poazat, poazet = to cook, bake
Breton (Brezhoneg)	poazh [bruːt] = cooked, burned, burning poazhadur = cooking, baking, roasting poazhañ = cooking, baking, roasting poazhat = cooked poazherez = cooker

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pokʷ-tó-s from *pekʷ- (to cook, ripen) [source]. Words for the same roots include apricot, biscuit, cook, cuisine and kitchen in English [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, 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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Middle Welsh (Kymraec)

Material

Corners

Wings

Knowledge

Mysterious Secrets

Knives

Forks

Ladles and Spoons

Steps

Heat