Noses & Nostrils

26th November 2018 By Simon

Words for nose and nostril in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*srognā = nose
Gaulish	*srognā = nose, nostril
Old Irish (Goídelc)	srón [sroːn] = nose, nostril
Irish (Gaeilge)	srón [sˠɾˠoːnˠ] = nose; sense of smell; prow, projection
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sròn [sdrɔːn] = nose, snout, trunk; promontory; snout (of a glacier); toe (of a shoe)
Manx (Gaelg)	stroin [strɛin] = nose, promontory, headland, ness, naze, nose-piece
Proto-Brythonic	*froɨn = nose
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ffroen = nostril
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ffroen = nostril; muzzle of a gun, mouth of a cannon, nozzle of a pair of bellows; hole, entrance, opening (of a pipe), cock, spout
Cornish (Kernewek)	frig [fri:g] = nostril
Old Breton	fron = nostril
Middle Breton	froan / fron = nostril
Breton (Brezhoneg)	froen = nostril fri = nose

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *sregʰ- (snore), from *welH- (to turn, to wind) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Gaulish	*trugnā = nose
Welsh (Cymraeg)	trwyn [truːɨ̯n / trʊi̯n] = nose, snout; sense of smell
Old Cornish	trein = nose
Cornish (Kernewek)	tron [tro:n] = nose, point (of land), snout, tunnel

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Hair

23rd November 201827th November 2018 By Simon

Words for hair in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*woltos = hair
Old Irish (Goídelc)	folt [fol͈t] = hair
Irish (Gaeilge)	folt = hair, locks, tresses
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	falt [fal̪ˠd] = hair, locks, ringlets, tail
Manx (Gaelg)	folt [folt̪] = hair
Proto-Brythonic	*gwolt = hair
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwallt [ɡwaːɬt / ɡwaɬt] = hair
Old Cornish	gols = hair
Cornish (Kernewek)	gols [gɔlz] = hair
Old Breton	guolt = hair

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *woltos (hair), from *welH- (to turn, to wind) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Old Irish (Goídelc)	grúac = hair
Irish (Gaeilge)	gruaig [ɡɾˠuəɟ] = hair (mass), locks (of hair)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gruag [gruəg] = hair (esp. of female), wig, head of hair, lock of hair
Manx (Gaelg)	gruag = hair

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie

Welsh (Cymraeg)	blew = hair, hairs, bristles, fur; small fish bones; blade of grass
Old Cornish	bleu = hair
Cornish (Kernewek)	blew [blɛˑʊ] = hair
Old Breton	bleuou = hair
Breton (Brezhoneg)	blev = hair, bristles, fish bones

The words most commonly used for hair are: gruaig (Irish), falt (Scottish Gaelic), folt (Manx), gwallt (Welsh), gols (Cornish), blev (Breton).

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Fists, Palms, Hands & Arms

22nd November 201830th September 2023 By Simon

Words for fist, palm, hand, arm and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸlāmā = palm, hand
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lám [l͈aːṽ] = hand, arm, prowess, accomplishment, power
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	lám = hand, arm, prowess, accomplishment, power lámann, lámand, lámínd = glove, gauntlet, sleeve lámannán, lamannan = bladder
Irish (Gaeilge)	lámh [l̪ˠɑːvˠ / l̪ˠæːw] = hand, arm, handle, signature, measure (of horses) lámhach = skill in handling, in casting, dexterity lámhadóir = handler lámhainn = glove lámhainneoir = glove-maker lámhainneoireacht = glove-making lámhaíocht = helping hand, subscription
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	làmh [l̪ˠaːv] = hand, arm, handle làmhainn [l̪ˠaːvɪn̪ʲ] = glove, mitten, gauntlet làmhchaireach = handy làmhcharach = dexterous, handy làmhchran, làmhrachan = handle làmhnan = handyman làmhadh = pawing, handling, groping
Manx (Gaelg)	laue [læu] = hand, handful, foreleg, grasp (of oar), arm lauee = dexterous, handy, useful, versatile, manual lauean = glove laueys = alacrity, elbow grease, skilfulness, industy
Proto-Brythonic	*lọβ̃ [ˈlɔːβ̃] = palm, hand
Old Welsh	lau = hand
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lav, law, llav, llaw = hand llaw agor, llawegor, llaw egor = generous, bountiful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llaw [ɬaːu̯ / ɬau̯] = hand; authority, control, rule, management, power; ownership, possession; influence; agency, instrumentality, part; guardianship, keeping, custody, care, protection; side, direction, position; skill, touch llawagor, llawegor = generous, bountiful, liberal, open-handed, creeping thistle, water-pepper llawaid = handful llawan = little hand
Old Cornish	lof = hand
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	lau, lef, lof, luef = hand lofgurchel = utensil
Cornish (Kernewek)	leuv [lœ:v / le:v] = hand leuvdosa = to massage leuvdosans = massage leuvherdhya = to hand-off leuvvedhegel = surgical leuvvedhek, leuvvedhoges = surgeon leuvwelen = baton
Old Breton	lom = hand
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lau = hand
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lav [lav] = feathered hand

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₂meh₂ (palm, hand). The Faroese word lámur (flipper, paw, left hand) comes from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Old Norse lámr (hand, arm) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*bostā = palm, fist
Gaulish	*bostyā = palm, fist
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bos / bas = palm
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	bas, bos, bass = palm of the hand basach = having hoofs or claws baslach = handful
Irish (Gaeilge)	bos = palm (of hand); handful; slap; flat end, blade bosach = bladed, flat-footed bosachán = flat-footed person bosaíl = patting, flat-footedness boslach = handful
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bas [bas] = palm (of hand), lower end of a shinty stick, eye (of a fishing hook) bas-bhualadh = clapping of hands, applause baslachadh= clapping, cupping (in one’s hands) basgar = applause, skirl (in music) baslach = handful, palmful, baptism
Manx (Gaelg)	bass = palm, flat of hand, blade of oar, scale pan, bass bassag = backhander, clap, clout, pat, slap, smack bassey = applause, clap, clapping basslagh = double handful, enough to cover palm, palmful
Proto-Brythonic	*bos [ˈbos] = hand
Old Welsh	bos = palm
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bos = palm
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bos = palm (of the hand), unit of length
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	boz = hollow of the hand
Breton (Brezhoneg)	boz [ˈboːs] = hollow of the hand

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷésdos (branch) [source]. The Middle Latin word bostia (small box, reliquaire was borrowed from the Gaulish *bostyā, and became bostellus (bushel), the root of the French word boisseau (bushel, hollow cylinder), and the English word bushel [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	rig [r͈ʲiɣ] = forearm
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	rig = forearm from wrist to elbow
Irish (Gaeilge)	rí [ɾˠiː] = forearm
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ruighe [r̪ˠujə] = plain, flat ground, (at base of a mountain), shieling area, forearm ruigheadh = laying out a body, shrouding, stretching out ruigheachas = tussle, armwrestling ruigheachdail = accessible
Manx (Gaelg)	roih = arm, forearm

Etymology: possibly from the Old Irish *reg (to stretch) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	brac, brach = arm, hand bracann, bracand = sleeve braccaille = glove
Irish (Gaeilge)	brac = arm (literary), bracket bracach = brachial bracaíl = brachiation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	brac [braxg] = arm, curve (of a breaking wave), branch (of antlers), deer (poetic)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ureich, ureych, braich = arm
Welsh (Cymraeg)	braich [brai̯χ] = arm, care, assistance, support, power, might, strength, forelimb of animal, wing, headland, creek braich olwyn = spoke (of wheel) braich o’r môr, braich o fôr = arm of the sea, inlet braich ym mraich = arm-in-arm
Old Cornish	bregh = arm
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	brech, brêch, breh = arm brechol = sleeve
Cornish (Kernewek)	bregh [brɛ:x /bre:ʰ] = arm breghel = sleeve breghellik = bracelet
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	brech, breach, bræch = hand, paw
Breton (Brezhoneg)	brec’h = hand brec’had = handful brec’hata = to grasp round the waist, embrace

Etymology: from Latin bracchium (hand). Words from the same Latin root include brachium (upper arm) in English, bras (arm) in French, brazo (arm, branch, (tree) limb) in Spanish, and braccio (arm) in Italian [source].

Proto-Celtic	*durnos = fist
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dorn = fist
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	dorn, dornn, dord = hand, fist, possession, handle dornach = generous-handed dornán = fistful, handful, sheaf dornasc = bracelet dornóc = glove, mitten
Irish (Gaeilge)	dorn [d̪ˠoːɾˠn̪ˠ] = fist; punch; fistful, small quantity; handle, grip dornáil = boxing dornálaí = boxer dornán = fistful, handful, small quantity or number, small handle, grip dornóg = mitten dornúil = pugilistic
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dòrn [dɔːr̪ˠn̪ˠ] = fist; punch, hilt, handle dòrnach = fistful, boxer, pugilist dòrnadaireachd = boxing, pugilism dòrnan = small fist, handful, grip, dòrnag = fist-sized pebble/stone, oar handle, gauntlet dòrnair = boxer, pugilist dòrnlach = handful, batch
Manx (Gaelg)	doarn = fist, pad, sword handle, grip doarnane = haft, hilt, spoke, handle, hand grip, fistful doarney = box, boxing, buffet doarneyr = boxer doarneyrys = boxing (match), fighting
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	durn, dwrn,, dyrn = fist, hand, paw, hilt, handle
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dwrn = fist, hand, paw, hilt, handle, haft, pommel, knob dwrn caead = clenched fist
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	dorn = fist, hand, handle, hilt
Cornish (Kernewek)	dorn [dɔrn] = fist, hand, handle dorna = to bash, beat, punch, strike, thrash dornas = fistful, handful dornbel = handball dornel = manual dornlyver, dornlever = handbook dornskrif = manuscript dornweyth = handicraft
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	dornn, dorn, dourn = hand dornat, dournat, dournad = handle, handful dornaff, dournaff = to beat, hit dornec = large-handed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dorn [ˈdɔʁn] = hand, fist dornad = handle, handful dornañ = to beat, hit dornek = large-handed

Etymology: probably loaned from a non-Indo-European substrate language [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Ears

20th November 201826th November 2018 By Simon

Words for ears in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*kloustā = ear
Old Irish (Goídelc)	clúas = ear, hearing
Irish (Gaeilge)	cluas [klˠuəsˠ] = ear; ear-shaped object; lug, handle; cleat; tab; corner, margin
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cluas [kl̪ˠuəs] = ear, lug; handle; clew (of a sail) ; flyer bearing (of a spinning wheel)
Manx (Gaelg)	cleaysh [kleːʃ] = ear, cleat, handle, lug, top corner of net, corner of sail
Proto-Brythonic	*klʉst = ear
Welsh (Cymraeg)	clust [klɨːst / klɪst] = ear, sense of hearing, attention, willingness to listen; handle of a vessel, tag of a boot, top part of a bell; creek or inlet; auricle (of the heart)

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱlow-steh₂, from *ḱlew- (to hear) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru

Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgyfarn = ear
Old Cornish	scouarn = ear
Cornish (Kernewek)	skovarn [‘skɔvarn / ‘skɔvɐrn] = ear, handle (of jar)
Old Breton	scobarn = ear
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skouarn [skwaʁn] = ear; gills; handle (of vase); moldboard (of plow)

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Heads & Brains

19th November 201826th December 2020 By Simon

Words for heads, brains and minds in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	kʷennom = head en-kʷennio- = brain
Gaulish	pennon / πεννοου = head
Primitive Irish	ᚉᚒᚅᚐ-ᚉᚓᚅᚅᚔ (cuna-cenni) = head
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cenn [kʲen͈] = head, end inchinn [kʲen͈] = brain
Irish (Gaeilge)	ceann [caun̪ˠ / cɑːn̪ˠ / can̪ˠ] = head; end, extremity; one; chief, main inchinn [ˈɪɲçən̠ʲ] = brain
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ceann [kʲaun̪ˠ] = head; end, close, finish; lid; roof; subject, topic eachainn [ɛnɛxɪn̪ʲ] = brain, brains
Manx (Gaelg)	kione [caun / coːn / coᵈn] = head, headland, chief, ringleader, bottom, poll, end, extreme, close, finish, top-end, top, point of argument, termination, closing, extremity, point, dyke, tribune
Proto-Brythonic	*penn [ˈpenː] = head
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	penn = head, chief
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pen [əˈmɛnɨ̞ð / əˈmɛnɪð] = head, obverse (of coin); top, summit, roof, highest point; extremity, end, beginning; headland, promontory, projecting point of rock; pole ymennydd brain, brains, intellectual capacity, mind
Old Cornish	penn = head
Cornish (Kernewek)	penn [pɛn:] = head, end, top ympynnyon brain
Old Breton	penn = head, chief
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pen(n) [pɛ̃n] = head, chief, leader empenn = brain

Etymology: unknown, possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *kap- (to hold, seize). The words for brain all mean “in head”.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	in(n)tinn [ˈin͈ʲtʲin͈ʲ] = head, end
Irish (Gaeilge)	intinn [ˈiːn̠ʲtʲən̠ʲ] = mind, mental state, disposition, attention, spirits, intention, accord
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	inntinn [ĩːn̪ʲdʲɪn̪ʲ] = (human) mind; intellect, intelligence; intention, purpose
Manx (Gaelg)	inçhyn = brain, grey matter, intellect, spirit

Etymology: from the Latin intentiō (strain, tension, increase, exertion, charge, purpose, intention).

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek

Legs & Feet

17th November 201827th November 2018 By Simon

Words for legs and feet in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*koxsā = foot, leg
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cos(s) [kos] = foot, leg
Irish (Gaeilge)	cos [kɔsˠ] = leg, foot; handle, shaft, stem; lower end
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cas [kas] = foot, trotter; leg; handle, shaft shank (of a fishing hook cos [kɔs] = foot, leg, handle, shaft
Manx (Gaelg)	cass [kaːs] = leg, barrel, foot, shaft, peg, bottom, outlet, mouth of river, stalk, hilt, stem of pipe, crop of whip
Proto-Brythonic	*koɨs = leg, shank, stem
Welsh (Cymraeg)	coes [koːɨ̯s / kɔi̯s / koːs] = leg, shank; handle, haft, stem (of pipe); stalk, stem

Etymology
From Proto-Indo-European *koḱs- (joint) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru

Proto-Celtic	*tregess = foot
Gaulish	treide = foot
Old Irish (Goídelc)	traig [traɣʲ] = foot (part of body / measurement), step
Irish (Gaeilge)	troigh [t̪ˠɾˠɪɟ / t̪ˠɾˠɔ / t̪ˠɾˠiː] = foot (part of body / measurement), step
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	troigh [trɔç] = foot (part of body / measurement), sole of foot
Manx (Gaelg)	trie [strɛin] = sole, twelve inches, foot
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	troet = foot
Welsh (Cymraeg)	troed [troːɨ̯d / trɔi̯d] = foot; shaft, handle; bottom, base, pedestal, foundation, extremity, end; stalk; foot-joint
Old Cornish	truit = foot
Middle Cornish	troys / tros = foot
Cornish (Kernewek)	troos [tro:z / tru:z] = foot, on foot
Old Breton	troat = foot
Middle Breton	troat = foot
Breton (Brezhoneg)	troad = foot, handle

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *tregʰ- (to run, walk), apparently a variant of *dʰregʰ- (to run) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Lips, Mouths & Throats

8th November 201829th November 2018 By Simon

Words for lip, mouth & throat in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*wewlos = lip
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bél [bʲeːl] = lip, mouth, opening
Irish (Gaeilge)	béal [bʲia̯l̪ˠ / bʲeːlˠ] = mouth, opening, entrance, lip, edge, sound, front, face, beginning
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beul [bial̪ˠ] = mouth, beginning, opening, edge, gunwale, oral
Manx (Gaelg)	beeal [ˈbiəl] = mouth, muzzle, rictus, flue, outlet, orifice, cone, crater, rim, approach, passage
Proto-Brythonic	*gweβl = lip
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwefl = lip (of an animal), jaws, chaps
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwevel = lip
Breton (Brezhoneg)	guefl = lip

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Dictionnaire Favereau

Proto-Celtic	*moniklo- = neck
Old Irish (Goídelc)	muinél = neck, narrow part
Irish (Gaeilge)	muineál [ˈmˠɪnɑːl] = neck
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	muineal [mun̪ʲəl̪ˠ] = neck
Manx (Gaelg)	mwannal [ˈmonal] = neck
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mwnwgl = neck

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru

Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwddf [ɡʊðv / ˈɡuːðu] = neck, crag; throat gwddw [ˈɡʊðʊ / ˈɡuːðu] = neck, crag; throat gwddwg [ˈɡuːðu / ˈɡuːðuɡ] = neck, crag; throat
Old Breton	guodoc = throat, neck
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouzoug = throat, neck

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Dictionnaire Favereau

Welsh (Cymraeg)	ceg [keːɡ] = throat, gullet, windpipe, neck; mouth, opening, entrance; roup, pip; thrush

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru

Heavy

24th October 20188th October 2023 By Simon

Words for heavy and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*trummos = heavy
Old Irish (Goídelc)	trom = heavy, burden, distress, elder, weight trummae = heaviness
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	trom = heavy, great, vast, powerful, mighty, weight, burden, bulk, severity, distress, difficulty, sorrow, blame, censure trummae, truime = heaviness, weight, severity, rigour, sorrow, grief
Irish (Gaeilge)	trom [t̪ˠɾˠuːmˠ] = weight, burden, oppression, bulk, preponderance, importance, blame, heavy, stodgy, dense, thick, abundant tromábhal = massive troime = heaviness, weightiness tromaí = weighty, onerous, grave, serious, heavy-handed tromaigh = to become heavier, make heavier, add weight to, intensify, deepen, press upon tromán = weight tromas = oppression, distress
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	trom [trɔum] = heavy; weighty, ponderous; pregnant; deep, profound; oppressive (mood); mournful, melancholic; burden, weight tromach = heavy / clunky one tromadach = bulky, large, substantial, massive, ample, weighty, lumpish tromaich = make/become heavy, burden, load, oppress troman = great weight
Manx (Gaelg)	trome [t̪roːm] = heavy, difficult, grave, substantial, weighty, deep, sweated, emphatic, hard, gruelling, harsh tromey = heavy, grievous trommey = heavy
Proto-Brythonic	*trumm = heavy
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	trum, trỼm, trom, trwm = heavy, solid, bulky, large
Welsh (Cymraeg)	trwm [trʊm] = heavy, solid, bulky, large, thick, intense, severe, hard, excessive; extensive, plentiful; boring, abstruse; close, muggy, oppressive trwmgalon, trymgalon = heavy-hearted, sad, sorrowful, downhearted, troubled, sadness trymhau = to make/become heavier pendrwm = downcast, downhearty, sorrowful, dejected
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	trom = heavy, weighty, sad
Old Breton	trum = heavy (?)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	trum, trumm = quickly, fast, soon, sudden
Breton (Brezhoneg)	trumm = sudden

The Breton words might not be cognate with the words in the other languages.

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *trewd (thrust, press) [source].

Words from the same roots include intrude, protrude, threat and thrust in English, troid (fight) in Irish, trod (quarrelling, wrangling, scolding) in Scottish Gaelic and troddan (campaign, fight, quarrel) in Manx [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	pís = name of a weight, pennyweight
Proto-Brythonic	*puɨs = heavy
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pvys, pwys = weight pwysedic = weighed, pressed, weighty, heavy pvysuaur, pwys-fawr = heavy, important, momentous, serious pwyssic = important, weighty, momentous
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pwys [puːɨ̯s/pʊi̯s] = weight, pressure, impetus, burden, pound (lb) pwysaf, pwyso = to weigh, be heavy, press, emphasize pwysedig = weighed, pressed, weighty, heavy pwysedd = pressure pwysfawr = heavy, important, momentous, serious pwysig = important, weighty, momentous, cautious
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	poys, pôs, poes, poays, boys = weighty, heavy, grevious poesder, pysder = weight
Cornish (Kernewek)	poos = heavy, emphasis, importance, pressure, weight, muggy poosa = to weigh posek = important poster = heaviness
Old Breton	pois, puisou = heavy, important, strong
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pouez = weight, authority, heavy peosaff, poesa = to weigh poesant = heavy poesus = heavy
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pouez [ˈpweːs] = weight, rhythm, importance pouezañ [ˈpweːzã] = to weigh, insist pouezadenn [pweˈzɑːdɛn] = weighing, pressure pouezant = heavy pouezer [ˈpweːzɛr] = weighing pouezus [ˈpweːzys] = important

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from Vulgar Latin *pēsum, from pēnsum (allotment, portion, weight) [source]. Words from the same roots include poids (weight) in French, and peso (weight) in Italian and Spanish [source].

Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ponnher, ponner, pouner = heavy, important, strong
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pounner [pu.nɛʁ] = heavy, exaggerated, strong, serious pounneraat = to gain weight pounnerder = gravity pounnerglev = hard of hearing

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: unknown

Full

23rd October 201818th May 2024 By Simon

Words for full and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸlānos = full
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lán [l͈aːn] = full láine = fullness línad = filling
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lán, lan = full, filled (with), whole, complete
Irish (Gaeilge)	lán [l̪ˠɑːnˠ / l̪ˠæːnˠ] = full, pride, arrogance lánaigh = to fill out, give volume to, mould lánán = charge, filling iomlán = all, the whole, total, aggregate, full, whole, complete
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	làn [l̪ˠaːn] = full, replete; complete; filled, sat(iat)ed, satisfied; fullness; high tide; complement, fill lànach[l̪ˠaːnəx] = filling, fruitful lànachadh [l̪ˠaːnəxəɣ] = fulness, plentitude, prime lànmhòr [̪ˠaːn(v)ər] = full, complete, plentiful làntachd [[l̪ˠaːn̪ˠdəxg] = plethora iomlan [imil̪ˠan] = full, complete, whole, entire
Manx (Gaelg)	lane [lɛdn] = full, replete, crowded, swelling, fully, total, gravid, lot, unexpurgated (edition), much, loaded, plenary, sound, full-blooded, at full strength laneid = fullness, repletion, satiety lhieeney = to fill (in/out), load, flow lhieent = completed, filled, full, fullfilled, stuffed
Proto-Brythonic	*lọn [ˈlɔːn] = full
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llawn, llaunt = full llewny, llaỽna, lleỽni, llewni = to full llawnder = abundance, plenty, fullness
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llawn [ɬau̯n] = full; covered, saturated; filled to capacity; teeming with, abounding in; charged with emotion llawnaeth = fullness, plentitude, plenty, abundance llawnaf, llewni, llawnu = to full, satiate, be filled llawnder = abundance, plenty, fullness llawnedig = filled
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	leun, luen, lên = full, replete, complete
Cornish (Kernewek)	leun [lø:n / le:n] = full, complete, thorough, total leun a dus = crowded leun a styr = meaningful leunder = fill, fullness leunhe = to fill
Old Breton	lon = full
Middle Breton	leun = full leunhat = to fill leunyaff = to fill, complete leunidigaez, leunydigaez = fullness, filling, supply
Breton (Brezhoneg)	leun [ˈlœ̃ːn] = full, covered leunaat = to fill leunded = fullnes leunder = entirety leuniadur = to fill, complete leuniañ [ˈlœ̃njã] = to fill, complete leunidigezh = filling

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₁nós (full), from *pleh₁- (to fill) [source]. Words from the same roots include complete, fill, full, plain and plenty in English, voll (full, filled, drunk) in German, lleno (full) in Spanish, plein (full, plenty, solid) in French [source].

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

Brown & Dun

22nd October 20184th May 2024 By Simon

Words for brown, dun and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*dusnos = dark brown
Old Irish (Goídelc)	donn [don͈] = brown, tawny, dun; hazel (eyes), chestnut (animals)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	donn = dun, brown donnaid = to make brown or red
Irish (Gaeilge)	donn [d̪ˠɔn̪ˠ / d̪ˠuːn̪ˠ / d̪ˠəun̪ˠ] = brown, brown-haired, hard brown timber donnaigh = brown, tan, rust donnbhuí = yellowish brown, fallow, biscuit(-coloured) donnchiabhach = brown-haired donndearg = reddish brown donnfhionn = light brown donnroscach = brown-eyed donnrua = chestnut (colour), russet (cloth), bay (horse) strong>donnúchán = browning
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	donn [dɔun̪ˠ ~ dɯn̪ʲə] = brown, brown-haired, brunette donn-gheal = light brown, slightly tanned donn-ruadh = bay, chestnut (coloured) donn-uaine = olive(-brown) donnachadh [dɔ̪nˠəxəɣ] = browning, making brown, tanning
Manx (Gaelg)	dhoan, dhone, doan = brown, brown-haired, hazel, swarthy, dark-skinned dhoanaghey = brown, tan doan ruy = sepia dhone-ruy = bay (colour) dhoan-ruy = chestnut
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dwnn, dwn = dun, dark red, brown
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dwn = dun, dark red, brown; swarthy, dark

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *dʰews-/*dʰewh₂- (smoke, mist, haze) [source]. Words from the same root possibly include dew, dun, dusk, dust and fume in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*gelos = shining, white
Gaulish	*gelā
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gel = bright, clear, white gile = brightness, whiteness
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gel, geal = fair, white, bright, shining gelach = moon gelaid = to make white, bleach, make fair gelaigid = to brighten, give light to gelán = brightness, a flash, whiteness gelcaid = to whiten geldae = fair, bright
Irish (Gaeilge)	geal [ɟalˠ] = white, bright, pure, glad, happy, dear, beloved, fond gealach [ɟəˈl̪ˠɑx] = moon gealacán = white (of egg/eye) gealachán = bleaching, clothes hung out to dry gealacht = brightening gealadh = dawning, dawn, bleaching, greying, lightening of colour, gladness, fondness gealán = gleam, flash, bright spell gealánach = gleaming, flashing, bright
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	geal [gʲal̪ˠ] = white, fine gealach [gʲal̪ˠəx] = moon gealachd [gʲal̪ˠəxg] = whiteness gealadh [gʲal̪ˠag] = blight, whitening, fade-in gealaich [gʲal̪ɪç] = blanch, bleach, whiten gealaichte [gʲal̪ɪçdʲə] = blanched, bleached, whitened
Manx (Gaelg)	gial = bright, clear, white, shining, snowy, light-coloured, fulgent giallagh = moon gialan = egg white giallaghey = to blanch, bleach, brighten, whiten gillid = brightness, clearness, light, lustre
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gell = bay, brown, auburn
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gell = bay, brown, auburn, orange, yellow, tawny-coloured
Cornish (Kernewek)	gell [gɛl:] = (light) brown gellburpur = puce gellrudh = auburn, russet brown gellvelyn = tawny brown
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	guel(l) = bay, fawn, red
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gell [ˈɡɛlː] = bay, brown, ripe, exhausted gellaat [ɡɛˈlɑːt] = to make or become brown gellan, gellañ = = to brown, ripen gelleg = bay colour

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰelh₂os, from *ǵʰelh₂- (to shine) [source]. English words from the same PIE roots include arsenic, gall, gild, gild, gold and yellow [source].

Proto-Celtic	*gurmos = dun, dark, blue
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gorm = blue, dark, green
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gorm = (deep) blue, green, dark, swarthy, black
Irish (Gaeilge)	gorm [ˈɡɔɾˠəmˠ] = blue, dyeing-blue; azure, dark-blue; livid, purple goirme = blueness gormaigh, gormú = to colour blue, become blue gormchló = blue-print gormghlas = blue-green, sea-green, aquamarine gormroscach, gormshúileach = blue-eyed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gorm [gɔrɔm] = blue; green, verdant; green, inexperienced, wet (behind the ears) gorm-ghlas = azure, cerulean, dapple grey (horse) gorm_shùileach = blue-eyed (person) gorm-uaine = blue-green gormachadh [gɔrɔməxəɣ] = making blue or grey gormailean = blue-eyed person, highly naive person muc-ghorm = blue whale
Manx (Gaelg)	gorrym = blue, black, dark-skinned gormaghey = blue, cyanosis gorrymaghey = blue gorrym dorraghey = dark blue bane-ghorrym = light blue doo-ghorrym = navy blue
Proto-Brythonic	*gurm = dun, dark, blue
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gurum, gurim, gwrym, gurem = brown, dark-brown gwrymde, gurym de = dark-blue, greyish-blue, swarthy, wearing mourning gwrymseirch, gwrmseirch, gurumseirch = dark-blue armour or harness, horse-trappings, traces
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwrm, gwrwm = brown, dark-brown, reddish, greyish-brown, dark-grey, dark, dusky, black, dark-blue, blue gwr(w)mder = blackness, duskiness, murkiness, mist gwr(w)mdde = dark-blue, greyish-blue, swarthy, wearing mourning gwr(w)mddu = dusky, blackish, black garment gwr(w)mseirch, gwrymseirch = dark-blue armour or harness, horse-trappings, traces
Cornish (Kernewek)	gorm [gɔrm] = (dark/dull) brown
Old Breton	uurm-haelon = with dark brows

Etymology: uncertain – possibly from a non-Indo-European substrate [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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Old Breton (Brethonoc)

Noses & Nostrils

Hair

Fists, Palms, Hands & Arms

Ears

Heads & Brains

Legs & Feet

Lips, Mouths & Throats

Heavy

Full

Brown & Dun